Division

Introduction

The Division of Behavioral Neuropharmacology is a new research division established with the International Center for Brain Science (ICBS). Behavioral pharmacology is a field of science that analyzes higher-order functions of the brain by observing behavioral changes in individuals. The advantages of behavioral pharmacology are: 1) The physiological role of known molecules can be confirmed. 2) We can identify the role of novel molecules in higher-order brain function. 3) It is possible to elucidate the pathogenic mechanism and develop therapeutic agents using mice carrying human neurological or psychiatric disease-related genes.
Based on this experimental approach, we are analyzing the mechanism of emotions (pleasant or unpleasant) and cognition (learning and memory) at multiple levels, from molecules to cells, circuits, and individuals. We also investigate the pathophysiological mechanism of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, drug addiction, and bipolar disorder. As a member of ICBS, we widely collaborate with basic and clinical researchers inside and outside the university to produce high-impact research results that can be disseminated worldwide. We also belong to the Graduate School of Medicine and participate in the education of graduate students.

Members

Taku NAGAI, Professor

My research field is behavioral neuropharmacology and neurochemistry. I am investigating the mechanisms of emotional/cognitive function and trying to develop new treatments/drugs for mental illness.

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Hiromi SANO, Associate Professor

I’m investigating the mechanisms that how emotion and motor control are regulated in the neuronal circuit.　I also have interests in pathophysiology of emotional and movement disorders, and in developing novel therapeutic strategies.

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Xinjian ZHANG, Assistant Professor

Originally from Jiangsu Province, China, it has been more than 10 years since I came to Japan. During this time, I was engaged in the analysis of phosphorylation signals in negative emotions at Nagoya University (Prof. Kaibuchi’s Laboratory). Currently, I am studying the molecular mechanism of reward learning.

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Hisayoshi KUBOTA, Assistant Professor

I was studying the influences of lifestyle habit on the emotional/cognitive function. Currently, I am trying to identify the neural circuits involved in behavioral addictions and to elucidate the pathological mechanisms of psychiatric disorders focusing on risk genes.

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Takanori MATSUBARA, Assistant Professor

I previously focused on uncovering the mechanisms behind delayed-onset muscle soreness and developing X-ray-based optogenetic techniques. Building on my experience in Dr. Grégory Scherrer’s lab at UNC-CH, I am now researching opioid-based drug dependence, along with the mechanisms of pain induction and analgesia within the central nervous system.

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: Masoumeh KHALILI, Postdoc

I'm from Iran. I have obtained my PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences. I research mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Currently, I am looking to expand my research into a different area and plan to work on knockout mouse models for studying bipolar disorder and performing behavioral tests on them. This research will allow me to gain a better understanding of the biological and behavioral mechanisms of this complex disease, and potentially, to develop new treatment approaches in the future.

: Kiyofumi YAMADA, Visiting Professor

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: Akiko ITOH, Research Assistant

: Chikako OZEKI, Research Assistant

: Shihoko MANO, Research Assistant

: Xinzhu ZHOU, 2nd year PhD student

: Yu WEN, 1st year PhD student

: Yui ITOH, 5th year Undergraduate Student

: Alumni

Fuki Endo, Aoi Nakane（Undergraduate Student, 2022）
Joji Yamauchi（Undergraduate Student, 2022）
Maiko Kato（Undergraduate Student, 2022-2023）
Takato Uchida, Hinata Ohashi（Undergraduate Student, 2023）
Karen Asai, Mao Watanabe（Undergraduate Student, 2023）
Toko Asano, Arisa Owaki（Undergraduate Student, 2024）