Hoda AbouEich

Research Description

I work in the Gurkoff lab where I study the cellular mechanisms and behavioral deficits associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI). After a TBI, individuals often experience behavioral changes, including learning and memory deficits. On a cellular level, TBI can lead to neuroinflammation, cell death, and neuronal dysfunction.

My research focuses on exploring the therapeutic effects of psychedelics on TBI. Psychedelics have shown great therapeutic potential by promoting structural and functional neural plasticity, potentially enhancing learning and memory consolidation. Psychedelics have been found to increase the number of synapses, dendritic branching, and spine density, factors that are crucial for learning and memory formation.

I plan to use a wide range of behavioral assays and cellular markers to evaluate the effects of psychedelics on TBI, both from a behavioral and cellular standpoint. My goal is to contribute to the development of effective treatments for TBI and to advance our understanding of the effects of psychedelics on TBI-related pathologies.