Within the fields of microbiology and immunology, neurologic diseases, neuropharmacology, behavioral, cognitive and developmental neuroscience, and psychiatric disorders, the center's research programs are seeking ways to: develop vaccines for infectious and noninfectious diseases; understand the basic neurobiology and genetics of social behavior and develop new treatment
strategies for improving social functioning in social disorders such as autism; interpret
brain activity through
imaging; increase understanding of progressive illnesses such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases; unlock the secrets of memory; treat drug addiction; determine how the interaction between genetics and society shape who we are; and advance knowledge about the evolutionary links between biology and behavior.
A second grant funds a pilot study using diffuser tensor
imaging to identify whether damage to the
brain's white matter correlates with cognitive decline in individuals with MS. Dr. Genova's aim is to develop more effective
strategies for maintaining cognition and quality of life.