Theme 1. NeuroDevelopment and Maternal Influences: Environmental Impacts on Brain Growth

The primary goal of our research group is to explore the intricate processes of neurodevelopment and behaviour, focusing on how environmental factors shape the development of neuroendocrine systems and brain structures. We aim to understand the direct and indirect effects of environmental perturbations—both in utero and during the neonatal/postpartum periods—on the developing brain of the offspring, as well as the associated changes in maternal brain plasticity and behaviours. This research delves into the impact of maternal care and how it contributes to neurodevelopment, with a particular focus on sex differences in brain function, behaviour, and disorders, especially autism, given the marked gender disparities in its prevalence, age of onset, and symptomatology.
Building on my early work with animal models of depression, I am now revisiting this field, specifically examining how postpartum depression represents a critical period where distinct sex differences in depression emerge. Our research emphasizes the interplay between maternal care and offspring brain development, exploring how environmental stressors influence both maternal brain plasticity and offspring neurodevelopment. By adopting an interdisciplinary approach, we aim to uncover the mechanisms that underlie typical brain development and how environmental factors influence these processes, advancing our understanding of the complex interaction between biology, behaviour, and environment.