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 regulate brain activity by modulating the communication between 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, and how is their function changed?
Ana aims to develop a system to screen genetic variation in interneuron subtypes previously associated with brain disorders by large human genetic studies. 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.”