Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt
Professor David Slattery is interested in understanding of the neurobiology and treatment of stress-related disorders; with an emphasis on mood and anxiety disorders. A particular focus is the study postpartum mood and anxiety disorders using stress- and diet-based models in rodents, as well as:
– The role of neuropeptides in anxiety- and affective- disorders
– The molecular basis of Social Anxiety Disorder and the assessment of novel treatment options
– Sex-differences in the aetiology and treatment of stress-related disorders.
Projects
This translational project investigates sex-dependent behavioral effects of faecal microbiota transplantation to microbiome-depleted mice from AMD patients (selected based on their aggressive and impulsive traits from Q01), as well as healthy controls.
Beta-hydroxy-butyrate (BHB), a ketone body, is negatively associated with aggressive behavior. BHB is a metabolite and an active signaling substrate involved in epigenetic regulation of e.g., neurotrophic factor genes in the brain.
Sex-dependent effects and gene-environment interactions will be investigated by applying escalating aggression paradigms. Specifically, the project will investigate the effects of early life stress on aggression in response to threat and hyperactivity as well as social decision-making in 32 BXD mouse strains, the progenitor strains (C057Bl/6J and DBA/2J), and the F1 BXD cross.
Bundle all training and mentoring activities in a research training group (RTG) for the young researchers participating in this collaborative research center.
Sites
Goethe University Frankfurt is known for its strong emphasis on research across diverse fields, including social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. The university fosters a dynamic academic environment with a commitment to academic freedom and a focus on societal relevance and innovation.
