Gavin R Rumbaugh, Ph.D.

The goal of my lab is to understand how synaptic connections contribute to development and function of neural circuits that underlie memory and cognition. Presently, we are focused on two major research areas:

1) We have identified several genes that are critical regulators of synaptic function. These genes also increase the risk for developing neurodevelopmental disorders of cognition and sociability, such as intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders. These genes encode proteins that regulate synaptic properties during critical periods of neurodevelopment. Current studies in the lab are aimed at understanding how disruptions in synaptic properties during these developmentally sensitive periods lead to alterations in cognition, memory and sociability. Based on these studies, we hope to develop novel therapeutic strategies to improve brain function in patents with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability.

2) Alterations in synaptic connections are implicated in nearly all brain disorders. In particular, synapse loss is a particularly profound problem in brain disorders that attack cognitive function, such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. Our lab has initiated a research program aimed at discovering novel mechanisms that trigger increases in neural connectivity as a strategy to combat these illnesses. We believe that increasing connectivity among neurons in networks that mediate critical cognitive processes, such as memory and executive function, will lead to significant improvements in patients with these types of mental disorders. Our approach is to combine the vast chemical resources at TSRI with a novel neuron-based screening platform that was created in the Department of Neuroscience at Scripps Florida. We expect that this combined technology will facilitate the discovery novel chemical probes that trigger increases in synaptic connectivity. These probes will then serve as developmental platforms for future generations of drugs that treat a wide range of brain disorders.

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