The brain is never at rest. Why does it spend so much energy doing something that seems to have no apparent purpose? We investigate spontaneous activity in the habenula, a major controller of neuromodulators such as dopamine and serotonin. We ask what drives this constant activity and what it achieves, working in collaboration with Vatsala Thirumalai (NCBS), Chew Lock Yue (NTU), Timothy Saunders (NUS).
80 years ago, Karl von Frisch reported that injury to one fish triggered widespread fear in other members of the shoal. This is due to the release of a substance, Schreckstoff, from the skin, which acts via the olfactory system to elicit fear. We investigate what is the nature of Schreckstoff, asking how it is produced, stored and how it was selected during evolution. Recent results suggest a role for mucosal immunity.
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Circadian control of mood and sensation
With Hugh Piggins (University of Manchester), we examine how the habenula clock influences responses to stress. With Yoav Gothilf(University of Tel Aviv) and Alex Ludwig (NTU), we examine how the pineal gland, which is the main clock, can affect brain function via unconventional secretion.
Metabolism and emotion
With Anna Barron (LKC Medicine), we examine the role of metabolism in habenula function.