◇ Secretariat, Alumni Association, IDAC
| Date | Thursday, 16 July 2026, 16:00～ |
| Room | Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Center for Smart Aging Research. 4F, Seminar Room |
| Title | Neural Circuits of Communication Sounds: Towards Circuit-Specific Interventions for Mental Health |
| Speaker | Yukiko Kikuchi |
| Affiliation | Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, UK |
| Organizer | Yasuyuki Taki（SA center, ext. 8559） Toshimi Ogawa（SA center, ext. 8556） |
| Abstract | Globally, around one in four adults is affected by a neurological or mental health condition each year, representing a significant and escalating public health concern. Conditions such as anxiety, autism, and dementia impact fundamental brain functions, including memory, emotional regulation, and adaptive behavior. Disruptions in microcircuits are increasingly recognized as key contributors to the development of these conditions. However, current non-invasive interventions lack the spatial and temporal precision required to target these neural circuits effectively for therapeutic benefit. Communication sounds are a powerful, non-invasive stimulation tool. This underscores the need to develop innovative translational nonhuman primate (NHP) models that improve the efficacy of auditory stimulation strategies combined with rapidly advancing neurotechnology. In this talk, I will present our research investigating the neural circuits of communication sound processing, and how we are advancing the development of personalized treatment options for mental health disorders, with the goal of defining circuit-specific, auditory-based interventions that can inform future therapeutic strategies. |