Kaffman Lab

The Kaffman lab is studying the impact of early life adversity (ELA) on neurodevelopment and complex behavior in mice. We intergare molecular, cellular, genomic, pharmacological, and behavioral approaches with imaging techniques such as resting state fMRI and high-resolution dMRI conducted in rodents. This approach allows us to directly compare our findings in rodents with those reported using similar imaging techniques in humans exposed to ELA. The objective of this translational research is to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which ELA modifies the development and function of brain circuits that regulate psychiatrically relevant behaviors, and to utilize this knowledge to develop novel diagnostic and treatment modalities.