My research focus on understanding the circuit dynamics during exploration and social interaction in rat models of SYNGAP1 haploinsufficiency. By using in vivo electrophysiology, I screen for alterations in the activity and coordination between brain regions involved in reward, attention and social behaviour.
Syngap haploinsufficiency is a relatively common cause of intellectual disability, around 1% of ID cases are caused by this mutation. Most of the patients suffer from epilepsy as well, and in half of the cases it deals with autism spectrum disorders. Patients show delayed development of motor skills, hyperactivity and impairments in social and cognitive abilities.