Meet Our Researchers
Ana Gonzalez Ramos
“We know interneurons matter in neurological disorders. I want to figure out which interneuron subtypes are involved—and how their functions change in disease.”
Interneurons are specialized cells in the central nervous system that act as intermediaries in neural pathways, using neurotransmitters to inhibit or excite other neurons. Interneuron dysfunction is linked to a wide array of neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and epilepsy. But which interneuron subtypes are most relevant for which disorders?
Ana aims to develop a system to screen genetic variation in neuronal subtypes previously associated with brain disorders. She will use a synaptic connectivity analysis to image how interneurons connect with other brain cells. “That will help me understand if the connection this interneuron is making has changed, which is important for understanding how genetic variation is affecting the interneuron’s function.”