Our research is focused on glutamate receptors, which are ligand-gated channels that mediate much of the excitatory communication between neurons in the brain. The trafficking of these receptors in neurons is thought underly synaptic plasticity, and their inappropriate activation is implicated in several diseases of the nervous system. A better understanding of these receptors will facilitate the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases attributable to neurodegeneration, and help us better understand the mechanisms behind learning and memory.
