Focal Cortical Dysplasia (FCD) is the most common focal cortical malformation leading to childhood focal epilepsy that undergo epilepsy surgery. In recent years, we and others have shown that FCD type II is caused by mosaic mutations in genes within the PI3K-AKT-mTOR-signaling pathway. Hyperactivation…  Continue reading →

The brain is densely perfused by the vascular network, which provides nutrients and oxygen to support neuronal function. The architecture of the cerebral vasculature addresses specific constrains of the neural tissues, including the near absence of energy storage and very…  Continue reading →

It has been proven that polarized light is extremely sensitive to tissue microstructure. Early pathological changes in tissues may not be visible with a naked eye. This contrast, however, can be increased in polarized light images, because these changes alter…  Continue reading →

The ventral occipitotemporal (VOT) cortex plays a pivotal role in the visual recognition of various types of items, including objects, faces, places, and written words. The role of the left VOT in reading has been recognized since the 19th century…  Continue reading →

A general structure for the autonomic nervous system, divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic arms, was codified by John Newport Langley at the beginning of the XXth century. We propose a revision of this scheme based on neuron types. The “sacral…  Continue reading →

Understanding brain-behaviour relationships in humans remains as one of the most complex scientific question. For a few decades, data offered by neuroimaging approaches, in particular MRI, have been under intense scientific investigations and methodological questioning. These have highlighted continuous challenges…  Continue reading →

Repetitive behaviors are acquired through practice and, under normal conditions, allow motor or cognitive processes to be efficiently automated in everyday life. However, a loss of control in the regulation of these processes can lead to their pathological overexpression. These…  Continue reading →

When a sound predicts the potential arrival of a reinforcer, the subject learns the time at which that reinforcer may arrive or is available. The amygdala, and in particular its basolateral (BLA) part is critical for the emotional/motivational aspect of…  Continue reading →

Psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety and stress vulnerability represent main disabling conditions for individual’s life. Recent studies suggest that many aspects of these pathologies could have an early origin during childhood. Our goal is to investigate how maladaptive neurodevelopmental mechanisms…  Continue reading →