Professor
Carmen Sandi
Brain Mind Institute – Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics – EPFL Our group investigates the impact – and mechanisms whereby – stress and anxiety affect brain function and behavior, with a focus on the social domain and, particularly, on aggression and social hierarchies. We have shown that exposure to early life adversity during childhood and puberty leads to alterations in cognition, emotion and social behaviors in later life, along with changes in brain and fat metabolism in vulnerable individuals. We are currently aiming to unravel the role of glucocorticoids and sirtuins in brain pathways involved in motivation and emotion and the development of psychopathologies such as depression.
We are also investigating the interaction between the personality trait high anxiety, stress and self-confidence in social competition and physical and cognitive performance in rodents and humans. As we have identified a key role for the mesolimbic system, we are currently also exploring the contribution of mitochondrial function to the observed effects. In collaboration with industrial partners, we are also exploring the impact of impact of nutrients on behavior, cognition and brain function.
Keywords
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Emotion
- Cognition
- Social behaviors
- Glucocorticoids
- Dopamine
- Sirtuins
- Mitochondrial function
- Cell adhesion molecules
- Depression
Contact
Prof. Carmen Sandi
Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics
Brain Mind Institute
Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne
Station 19 - Office SV-2810
CH-1015 Lausanne
Switzerland
Tel. +41 21 693 9534
Fax. +41 21 693 9636
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7713-8321
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Administrative Assistant
Barbara Goumaz
Office: SV 2805
Tel. +41 21 693 17 62
barbara.goumaz@epfl.ch