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Innovative, collaborative research.

The Department of Neuroscience at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is devoted to outstanding research and committed to excellence in education. Our faculty participate in teaching medical and graduate students and are proud of their contribution to this important enterprise.

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What We Do

Research

Our research spans the full spectrum of investigation into neural function and dysfunction, bridging the levels of genes, molecules, dendrites, axons, cell types, circuits, systems and behavior.

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Education

In addition to directing their own independent research programs, our faculty are responsible for supervising the research training of postdoctoral fellows and graduate students.

EXPLORE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

Recent Publications

Cryptic splicing in synaptic and membrane excitability genes links TDP-43 loss to neuronal dysfunction.

Guo C, Chen K, Vatsavayai S, Akiyama T, Liu C, Zeng Y, Sianto O, Yang E, Bombosch J, Powell R  et al. 

Sci Transl Med 2026 Jun 03;18(852):eaeb8517. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.aeb8517

VCO2: The Essential Underpinning to Homeostatic Control of Breathing.

Dempsey JA, McCrimmon DR 

Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2026 Jun 03;. doi:10.1152/ajplung.00141.2026

Cell- and state-specific plasticity of striatal glutamatergic synapses is critical to the expression of levodopa-induced dyskinesia.

Shen W, Zhai S, Francardo V, Cui Q, Sun L, Xie Z, Tkatch T, Corredor VE, Lein ES, Ting JT  et al. 

Neuron 2026 Jun 03;114(11):2006-2019.e3. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2026.04.023

Exaggerated NMDA Receptor-Primed Metaplasticity via SK Channel Dysregulation in Fmr1 Knockout Mice.

Nomura T, Morton C, Marshall JJ, Contractor A 

J Neurosci 2026 Jun 03;46(22). pii:e1653252026

Quantification of Lentiviral Vectors with Nucleic Acid Dyes.

Xu J, Zhao N, Chiesa M, Contractor A, Zhu Y 

Hum Gene Ther 2026 Jun;37(11-12):515-528. doi:10.1177/10430342261431313

Translatome profiling reveals opposing alterations in inhibitory and excitatory neurons of fragile X mice and identifies EPAC2 as a therapeutic target.

Suresh A, Kourdougli N, Nomura T, Buth JE, Miranda-Rottmann S, Sánchez-León CA, Wu MW, Nelson SM, Wall LT, Tran AT  et ...

Neuron 2026 May 18;. pii:S0896-6273(26)00327-2

Subregional activity in the dentate gyrus is amplified during elevated cognitive demands.

Castillon CCM, Otsuka S, Armstrong JN, Contractor A 

Elife 2026 May 14;15. pii:RP109611

Microglial sTREM2 limits dyskinesia and acts on TrkB to support circuit plasticity.

Castagnola C, Marongiu R, Wan Y, Torres ERS, Fan L, Jang MW, Cui Q, Kim J, Ye P, Zhu J  et al. 

bioRxiv 2026 May 07;. pii:2026.05.06.723382

Hippocampal conditioning code dominates and disrupts the place code.

Wirtshafter HS, Mehta MR, Solla SA, Disterhoft JF 

bioRxiv 2026 Apr 20;. pii:2026.02.17.706430

Basic Science Administration

Our department is supported by the Basic Science Administration group. The team provides assistance related to research and financial administration, professional affairs, facilities and communications.

VISIT BASIC SCIENCE ADMINISTRATION SITE

 

Physician-Scientist Training & Resources

We offer a wide range of resources, mentorship opportunities and formal training programs to help our residents and fellows excel as physician-scientists. Explore all of the resources and hear from housestaff who are making research a major part of their career development plans.

Visit the Starzl Academy Site

Health Equity

Our vision is to make Northwestern, our communities, all communities, our lives and the world a better place — with everyone having the chance and responsibility for reaching their own pinnacle of health.

Visit the Office of Health Equity

MD students see patients as part of the Education-Centered Medical Home program.

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