Biography

Research interests
The immune system and nervous system communicate with each other throughout human life. These system-crossing interactions are implicated in both brain physiology and pathophysiology. Impact of the immune system on brain appears to be mediated by protein molecules known as cytokines, which are grouped into families of interleukins, interferons, chemokines, tumor necrosis factors and transforming growth factors. As the prime innate immune mediators, interferons (IFNs) have been hypothesized to be in association with a number of neuropsychiatric disorders. To understand the roles of these pleiotropic endogenous molecules in the etiopathogenesis of clinical illnesses, we have been using integrated approaches (behavioral, histological, pharmacological, molecular and genetic ones). Laboratory animals (modeling relevant clinical conditions) and cell/tissue cultures are used to elucidate the molecular entities underlying the observed behavioral abnormalities. Our studies demonstrate that interferon is a double-edged sword. These anti-viral cytokines are not only pivotal for host defense against various infections and tissue damage, but may also act as the pathogenic factors for neurodevelopmental disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, epilepsy and autism.