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The Social Brain
Neural Circuitry
Molecular Genetics
Translational Neuroscience
The Young Lab investigates the evolution and circuit mechanisms of social cognition, relationships & empathy. CRISPR, opto- & chemogenetics and fiber photometry are used in voles to explore the evolutionary antecedents of love and compassion.
We focus on oxytocin & vasopressin and how targeting these systems may improve social function in psychiatric disorders such as autism. We also examine how genetic variation leads to diversity in sociality.
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