The Kolk lab
Developmental Neurobiology

Serotonin&BEYOND (S&B)


 

The vision of S&B is to create a new understanding of the role of serotonin by focusing on its key role in neurodevelopment. Serotonin controls various developmental processes, from proliferation to differentiation, migration, synaptogenesis, and network formation.
In S&B we introduce the concept that maternal serotonergic status, offspring serotonergic genotype, and environmental factors that act during critical 'windows' in life (eg, prenatal, infantile, juvenile, adolescent phases) together shape neurodevelopment. This leads to alterations in brain structure and function underlying psychiatric disorders.