Achievement

IGERT student Michelle Failla studies the pathology of depression following traumatic brain injury. By focusing on how genetic variability influences post-traumatic depression (PTD) risk, she and her colleagues have identified specific pathways related to PTD. Specifically, they have recently shown that genetic variation within the serotonin transporter might modulate a neurotrophin-dependent low serotonin state after brain injury that contributes to PTD risk through alterations in connectivity of fronto-limbic circuits. To evaluate this hypothesis, Failla is learning to employ advanced brain imaging techniques, including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tractography to measure structural connectivity, and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fcMRI) to measure functional connectivity. Failla recently attended an intensive seminar course in brain connectivity at the Martinos Imaging Center (Boson, MA) where she received personalized training in these techniques.