Sensory Experiences & Social Behavior

We study the development and function of peripheral sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia that innervate the skin, oral cavity, and gastrointestinal tract, and how signals from these neurons generate somatosensory and viscerosensory representations in the central nervous system.

Variations in sensory sensitivity and experience between individuals, due to genetic differences and/or environmental factors, contribute to the heterogeneity of individuals’ cognitive and social behaviors.

A major focus of our work is to understand how somatosensory and viscerosensory circuits are altered in mouse models for autism spectrum disorder. We focus on understanding how atypical peripheral sensory neuron function affects brain development and ASD-related behaviors (e.g., social alterations) as well as major, but understudied, ASD symptoms of tactile over-reactivity and GI dysfunction.

Our work aims to reveal fundamental principles of sensory neuroscience, discover basic biological mechanisms underlying autism pathogenesis, and develop therapeutic strategies targeting peripheral sensory neurons as a novel approach for improving autism-related symptoms.