Brain Plasticity

Research Focus

The Brain Plasticity group’s research led by Associate Professor Jennifer Rodger is developing interventions that promote healthy brain development and function throughout life, as well as repairing damaged brains after injury. A key goal of the lab is to provide insight into the causes and potential treatment of mental illness, a National Research Priority.

Exploring the physiological, cellular and molecular basis of brain plasticity, the Brain Plasticity lab’s research investigates the causes and potential treatments for neurological conditions, including depression, neurotrauma, multiple sclerosis and neurodegeneration.

The team do this by engaging in fundamental research into the development of brain circuitry and addressing the requirements for healthy maintenance and repair.

Treatments being investigated include therapeutic strategies to improve brain plasticity in patients, such as non-invasive brain stimulation techniques like repetitive transcranial stimulation (rTMS). Approaches include computational models of electromagnetic induction, preclinical approaches using optogenetics and live imaging techniques, as well as studies in healthy participants.

Outcomes of our research include clinical trials in patient populations and the development of innovative brain stimulation devices.