Dr. Eliza Bliss-Moreau's lab at UC Davis focuses on understanding the effects of aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD) by studying nonhuman primates. The lab develops tools to measure cognitive and emotional health in these animals, exploring how changes in the brain affect memory and emotion. Their research aims to improve early detection of cognitive decline and advance potential treatments for age-related diseases.

Sarah E Tomaszewski-Farias's lab at UC Davis focuses on understanding how some individuals resist cognitive decline associated with aging and dementias like Alzheimer's disease. The lab investigates factors that contribute to 'cognitive reserve,' which helps some people maintain cognitive function despite brain changes. Their research includes studying the impact of lifestyle factors and subjective cognitive decline across diverse racial and ethnic groups, aiming to enhance public health outcomes for aging populations.

Dr. Charles Decarli's lab focuses on understanding how white matter lesions in the brain affect cognitive functions, particularly in aging populations. They study the impact of vascular risk factors on Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, emphasizing diverse groups, particularly Latinos and African Americans, who are at increased risk. Through advanced MRI techniques, the lab aims to develop predictive models that can lead to better management and treatment strategies for cognitive impairments in these populations.

Dr. Karen Zito's research lab at UC Davis focuses on understanding how brain cells adapt and change through experiences, which is crucial for learning and memory. Her team studies tiny structures called dendritic spines on neurons, which are essential for forming connections in the brain. By exploring the molecular signaling involved in spine growth and stability, especially in the context of diseases like Alzheimer's, the lab aims to uncover ways to improve brain health and tackle cognitive dysfunction.

Dr. Diasynou Fioravante's research lab at UC Davis focuses on the connections between the cerebellum and limbic system, particularly how these connections influence emotions and learned behaviors. The lab aims to understand how these brain regions interact during learning and emotional responses, which is especially important for understanding conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder. Through various experimental techniques, they investigate the underlying circuits that can improve our knowledge of psychological well-being.

Professor Simona Ghetti's lab focuses on understanding how toddlers learn and retain vocabulary, as well as the effects of type 1 diabetes on neurocognitive development in children. By studying the brain processes involved in word retention in young children and the cognitive challenges faced by children with diabetes, the lab aims to uncover important insights that can improve educational strategies and health interventions. This research is crucial for developing effective support for children with language development issues and those affected by chronic health conditions.

Dr. Fuzheng Guo's lab at UC Davis studies brain cells called astrocytes and their roles in health and diseases like multiple sclerosis. They focus on understanding how specific proteins, like SOX2 and PARP1, influence the function and repair of these cells in the central nervous system. The ultimate aim is to discover new ways to promote healing of damaged nerves that can help improve treatments for neurological conditions.

Dr. Boryana Stamova's research lab focuses on understanding how changes in gene expression in blood can help predict recovery outcomes after an ischemic stroke. By studying RNA from patients shortly after a stroke, the lab aims to uncover new biomarkers that are more effective than traditional clinical measures. This research could lead to better patient treatment options and personalized approaches to stroke recovery.

Dr. Nigel Paul Pedersen's lab at the University of California, Davis, focuses on understanding and improving sleep and memory in patients with epilepsy. By exploring the connections between sleep quality and cognitive function, particularly in the context of epilepsy, the lab aims to develop innovative therapeutic strategies. The research combines behavioral assessments, innovative models, and neural recordings to investigate how enhancing sleep can mitigate seizures and cognitive impairments in epilepsy patients.

Dr. Andrew P. Yonelinas' lab at UC Davis focuses on understanding the role of the medial temporal lobes (MTL) in visual perception and working memory. Their research addresses how damage or age-related changes to the MTL can impact our ability to perceive visual information, especially in complex scenarios. By combining psychophysical methods, eye tracking, and advanced brain imaging, they aim to clarify the neural mechanisms that support our visual cognition and how various conditions like Alzheimer's and schizophrenia may affect these processes.

Dr. Brian Trainor's lab studies how exposure to social stress during adolescence affects brain circuits related to social behavior, particularly focusing on the role of androgens (male hormones). By using California mice as a unique model, his research explores how hormonal changes in puberty might alter neural circuits and influence behaviors associated with stress, such as anxiety and social vigilance. This work aims to uncover the mechanisms behind gender differences in stress-related mental illnesses.

Dr. W Martin Usrey's lab at UC Davis focuses on understanding how different parts of the brain communicate during visual processing. By investigating the pulvinar, a key thalamic structure, the lab explores how visual signals are transmitted between cortical areas in both mice and monkeys. This research aims to shed light on the underlying mechanisms of brain function and how disruptions in communication might affect conditions like epilepsy and vision disorders.

Dr. Audrey Peiwen Fan's research lab focuses on understanding the role of vascular health in dementia, particularly how blood supply issues in the brain affect cognitive function. They work on developing advanced MRI techniques to measure brain oxygen extraction, which can reveal critical insights into conditions that lead to cognitive decline. This research is significant for identifying early signs of vascular contributions to dementia and designing interventions to slow down cognitive impairment.

Dr. Brian Wiltgen's lab focuses on understanding how unexpected events influence learning and memory, particularly in the context of fear and anxiety. They investigate the role of brain chemistry and neural activity in forming aversive memories. This research not only sheds light on basic memory processes but also has potential implications for understanding emotional disorders such as anxiety and schizophrenia.