Aim of the research projects at the CNCR is to improve our understanding of the role of the neurocircuitry of specific brain areas and its molecular signals underlying both learned and innate fear responses and its dysregulation. The mechanisms of dysregulation of fear circuits may contribute to affective disorders. This includes an interest in brain-heart interactions due to the comorbidity of cardiac risk with affective disorders and a prominent role of aversive emotional challenges as acute trigger of adverse outcomes in epidemiological studies in humans.

The main research interest of the group is to improve our understanding of the role of the neurocircuitry and molecular mechanisms involved in the modulation of learning and memory, anxiety and fear with respect to aspects of emotional dysregulation. This is pursued by using a spectrum of behavior assays from anxiety tests to emotional learning tasks such as fear conditioning and passive avoidance learning. Behavioral monitoring is combined with autonomic (heart rate) and neural (in vivo electrophysiology) measurements using radio-telemetry approaches in freely moving mice.
The assessment of heart rate dynamics in freely moving mice allows for a better understanding of the brain-heart interaction. Nonlinear measures of heart rate dynamics provide for a translation of results from mouse to human with a higher sensitivity and qualitative functional assessment with regard to physiological versus pathological changes. Experiments are combined with both pharmacological as well as genetic are used for local interventions in defined brain areas. Current pharmacological studies address the role of the serotonergic system. Genetic interventions target genes that are involved in neurotransmitter release mechanisms. New experimental approaches are now developed for a combined behavioral/physiological monitoring of behavior over a prolonged time periods with minimal human interference.