Columbia University in the City of New York · BiologyMotor Circuit Dynamics Lab
George Z Mentis · New York, New York
Research Focus
Dr. George Z Mentis's lab focuses on understanding how neuronal circuits control movement and how their dysfunction can lead to diseases like spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The research explores the mechanisms of synaptic dysfunction and the roles of specific neurons in locomotion, aiming to reveal insights into the underlying causes of motor deficits. By using mouse models, the lab seeks to uncover crucial cellular and molecular interactions that contribute to motility disorders, potentially illuminating new therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases.
spinal muscular atrophymotor circuitslocomotionneuronal connectivitysynaptic dysfunctiondopaminergic synapsesventral spinocerebellar tractcentral pattern generatorneurodegenerationmolecular mechanisms
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate dysfunction of dopaminergic synapses in postural impairments of SMA mice.
AIM 02Explore ventral spinocerebellar tract neurons' role in locomotor deficits in SMA mice.
AIM 03Examine molecular mechanisms of synaptic loss in motor circuits during SMN deficiency.
Skills the Lab Values
mouse modelsgenetic manipulationimmunohistochemistrypatch-clamp electrophysiologyoptogeneticspharmacologybehavioral assays2-photon microscopyviral-mediated gene expression
Output against the department
Publications91bottom 30% of dept.717th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations4.5kbottom 35% of dept.675th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.