Brain regions are connected by axons in white matter tracts so that activity in one region affects all connected regions and behaviour and cognition emerge from these complex network interactions. Our research focuses on using brain-wide structural and functional imaging in patients and in animal models to examine brain connectivity and how changes in connectivity driven by development, learning and injury affect behaviour and cognition. 

THEMES OF OUR RESEARCH INCLUDE

A young child in a park walking towards trees

VULNERABLE PERIODS OF NEURODEVELOPMENT

Injury to the immature brain can impact neurodevelopmental processes that are undergoing maturation during this time, resulting in unique functional consequences. This research aims to identify how the timing of the injury relative to neurodevelopmental processes affects specific aspects of long-term outcome.

Tractography of four white matter tracts. Two frontal tracts, one cerebrospinal tract emerging from the spinal cord, and corpus clausal fibres displayed on the outline of a brain

CIRCUITS THAT SUPPORT COGNITION IN THE HEALTHY & INJURED BRAIN

The healthy and injured brain may be able to support equivalent cognitive processes in unique ways. This research aims to identify brain networks that support cognitive processes and how they are different in the injured brain.

An image of an MRI of a mouse brain

WHITE MATTER PLASTICITY

The majority of research on the brain’s ability to change (plasticity) is focused on synapses, the connection points between brain cells. Myelin, the fatty substance that insulates and supports axons is dynamic and can also modify brain networks. This research probes the role of white matter plasticity in recovery from injury as well as healthy brain function.