Central vestibular tuning arises from patterned convergence of otolith afferents

Central vestibular tuning arises from patterned convergence of otolith afferents

Liu, Z., Kimura, Y., Higashijima, S. I., Hildebrand, D. G. C., Morgan, J. L. & Bagnall, M. W., Nov 25 2020, In: Neuron. 108, 4, p. 748-762.e4

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Chen Lab

Neuromodulation, sleep & learning

PI: Yao Chen, PhD

The Chen Lab attempts to fill the gap between molecular neuroscience and animal behavior by elucidating the spatial and temporal dynamics of biological signals, because their dynamics carry critical information that explain subsequent modifications of cells, circuits, and behavior. Specifically, the lab aims to understand how the dynamics of neuromodulators and intracellular signals contribute to the function of neuromodulators, to learning, and to the function of sleep.

David Van Essen Symposium: Insights Into Cortex

David Van Essen Symposium: Insights Into Cortex

David Van Essen, PhD, was celebrated for his contributions to neuroscience during the David Van Essen Symposium: Insights Into Cortex on Sept. 8-9, 2025, in the in the Jeffery T. Fort Neuroscience Research Building (NRB) Auditorium and NRB McDonnell Lobby.

Department of Neuroscience Distinguished Lecture

Department of Neuroscience Distinguished Lecture

The Department of Neuroscience Distinguished Lecture invites a prominent scientist to WashU Medicine.

Department seminar series

Department seminar series

The department’s weekly seminar series invites speakers to give a one-hour talk, followed by a Q&A session with attendees. Most of these are hybrid in-person/virtual events.

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Dikranian Lab

Neurodegeneration in the Central Nervous System

PI: Krikor Dikranian, MD, PhD

The Dikranian Lab studies neuronal and glial cell degeneration, traumatic brain injury and animal models of Alzheimer's disease, tauopathies and prion diseases.

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Evolving images for visual neurons using a deep generative network reveals coding principles and neuronal preferences

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Ponce CR, Xiao W, Schade PF, Hartmann TS, Kreiman G, and Livingstone MS. Cell. 2019 May 2;177(4):999-1009.

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Exercise-induced loading increases ilium cortical area in a selectively bred inbred mouse model

Publication information goes here.

K. Lewton, T. Ritzman, L. Copes, T. Garland, T. Capellini (2019).  American Journal of Physical Anthropology 168: 543-551.

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Fitzpatrick Lab

Center for Cellular Imaging

PI: James Fitzpatrick, PhD

The overarching goal of the Washington University Center for Cellular Imaging (WUCCI) is to provide reliable and affordable access to state-of-the-art cellular imaging technologies, provide professional guidance in experimental design, sample preparation and data analysis, develop and apply new imaging technologies and work collaboratively with WashU researchers to advance our understanding of human health and disease.

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Franken Lab

Neuronal mechanisms of perception

PI: Tom Franken, MD, PhD

How do you make sense of what you see? The patterns of light that the eyes receive are ambiguous. Consider the wavelength of reflected light: this could either indicate the color of the reflecting surface, or that of the incident light. The brain thus needs to actively reconstruct a representation of the external world. The Franken laboratory studies the brain circuits that perform these computations, using behavioral, electrophysiological, optical and viral targeting approaches.