Overview
There is an urgent need to prevent and treat diseases of the brain. Salk scientists are working to better understand how the brain develops and uncover the molecular drivers of neurological and psychological conditions to spur the development of more effective therapeutics.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive nervous system disease that attacks motor neurons controlling voluntary movement, leading to paralysis and muscle atrophy. Treatments are limited, and there are no cures for ALS. At Salk, we are uncovering the origins of the disease, from identifying genetic mutations linked to the disorder to explaining how it damages the neural circuits that facilitate movement.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, but it is not a normal part of aging. It causes memory loss and cognitive issues that interfere with daily life. There are no cures for this progressive, ultimately fatal disease, which affects more than six million Americans. At Salk, we are searching for the root causes of Alzheimer’s, exploring how aging cells within the brain, along with genetic mutations and abnormal proteins, contribute to the disorder.
Professor
Genomic Analysis Laboratory, Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory
Director, Genomic Analysis Laboratory
Professor Emeritus
Occasional bouts of anxiety are a normal part of life, but persistent worry or fear can negatively affect a person's health and interfere with daily activities. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States––affecting one-sixth of the adult population––but they are also complex, involving a range of factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and trauma. Salk scientists are demystifying the wiring and firing of the brain to uncover what goes awry in anxiety disorders. Their findings may help inform the development of new treatments for anxiety.
Professor
Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Integrative Biology Laboratory
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder caused by differences in the brain. Autism ranges widely in severity, but people with autism often experience problems with social communication and repetitive behaviors. At Salk, we are working to decipher what causes autism by exploring differences in brain function, genetics, and brain cell communication.
Professor
Genomic Analysis Laboratory, Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory
Director, Genomic Analysis Laboratory
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that causes episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs. At Salk, we are exploring how the brain cells of a person with bipolar disorder differ in their genetic makeup and how they connect and communicate with one another. We are studying how the brain processes information to control mood to better understand how bipolar disorder disrupts this ability.
Depression is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest. Salk scientists are examining the brain cells and neural circuits involved in depression to better understand what causes this condition and find better ways to treat it.
While the brain’s message-sending neurons are fundamental to brain function, so too are the cells that support them—glia. Glia constitute the majority of human brain cells and have recently emerged as active players in healthy brain function. Glia are critically involved in many injuries and diseases, including spinal-cord injury, glioma, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and more. Salk scientists ask fundamental questions about these support cells to enrich our understanding of how our brains function and how we can tackle dysfunction in injury and disease.
Professor
Genomic Analysis Laboratory, Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory
Director, Genomic Analysis Laboratory
Professor Emeritus
Huntington’s disease is an inherited disease that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain responsible for movement and behavior. There is no cure, and treatment options are limited. Additionally, individuals with Huntington’s disease have a 50 percent chance of passing this fatal disease on to their children. Salk scientists are using leading-edge technology to map the brain centers affected by the disease and uncover the genetic and molecular drivers.
Although unpleasant and seemingly unwarranted at times, pain is a vital sensory mechanism that can tell us we need to stop doing something that may cause damage or negatively affect our health. Chronic pain disorders can arise when there are complications or irregularities with our nervous system. These disorders are poorly understood but affect roughly 20 percent of adults in the United States. At the Salk Institute, we analyze the neurobiological basis of sensory perception to better understand chronic pain, which could lead to the development of new therapies.
Parkinson’s disease is an age-related brain disorder that causes uncontrolled movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance. The disease is linked to reduced levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, a molecule critical for brain function. Current treatment options are limited, and there is no cure. At Salk, we are identifying the mutated genes and proteins involved in Parkinson’s disease and tracing how these factors damage the brain. We are also charting the brain centers altered by Parkinson’s disease to understand how to block or even reverse the effects of this condition.
Sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste inputs are interpreted by the brain to make sense of the world. When you see gray clouds hanging over the treetops, hear a deep rumble resound in the distance, and feel raindrops on your outstretched hand, thanks to perception, you can conclude that a storm is rolling in. At Salk, scientists investigate the ways we perceive by utilizing the senses as an experimental guide to better understand brain function. Their findings may lead to new therapeutics for a variety of neurological conditions.
Distinguished Professor Emeritus
Salk Fellow
Professor
Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Integrative Biology Laboratory
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects a person’s perception of reality. People with schizophrenia experience hallucinations, paranoia, and anxiety. Salk scientists are examining how altered genes, neurons, and information-processing circuits in the brain give rise to schizophrenia. Their findings will hopefully lead to new therapeutics that target the causes of schizophrenia.
Distinguished Professor Emeritus
Professor
Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Integrative Biology Laboratory
As social animals, our interpersonal dynamics affect many aspects of our physical and mental health. Social isolation refers to a state of complete or near-complete lack of contact between individuals and society. Although some alone time can be beneficial, long-term social isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness and fear, and to negative thoughts. Isolation is also associated with higher rates of dementia, depression, anxiety, and suicide. Salk scientists are investigating the effects of isolation through behavioral experiments and imaging studies to find better ways of improving outcomes for people at risk.
A spinal cord injury occurs when there is damage to the nerves of the spinal cord. Serious injuries can impair movement, limit sensation, and result in partial or total paralysis. Salk scientists are studying how nerves form connections between the brain and limbs. They are also searching for ways to generate new nerves to replace those damaged in spinal cord injury.
Stroke, a leading cause of death and disability in the United States, is a complex and devastating neurological condition resulting from the disruption of blood flow to parts of the brain. There are two main types of strokes—hemorrhagic and ischemic. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, whereas an ischemic stroke is when brain cells become nutrient- and oxygen-deprived due to a blockage. Both cases can lead to cell death as well as cognitive and movement impairments. Salk scientists are studying the vascular and cellular causes of strokes to better understand how and why they occur. Their findings may improve treatment options and result in ways to reduce stroke-induced brain damage.
Professor
Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Integrative Biology Laboratory
Substances such as alcohol and opioids are commonly used for pleasure and to treat pain. However, habitual or excessive consumption can lead to abuse or addiction. It has been well documented in psychology and neuroscience that the brain’s reward pathway plays a major role in forming addictions. Salk scientists are now employing a multidisciplinary approach incorporating cell biology, behavioral analysis, and brain readouts to decode the brain circuitry mishaps that lead to substance abuse. Their hope is to one day offer better treatment options to those affected.
If the head or body is aggressively hit or jostled, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may occur. The effect of a TBI can be as minor as a temporary headache and dizziness, or as severe as coma and death. Roughly 1.5 million Americans experience a TBI annually, and it is the leading cause of death and disability in both civilians and military personnel under the age of 45. At Salk, researchers collaborate to uncover how the brain works and, in turn, how to treat and prevent traumatic brain injury.
