Project Title: In Vivo Inflammatory Challenge to Elucidate the Role of the Toll-Like Receptor 4 Pathway in Depression
Position: Principal Investigator
Institution: Laureate Institute for Brain Research
Funding NIH Institute/Center: National Institute on Mental Health
Grant ID: R00MH126950
Inflammation is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD), but the exact immunoregulatory mechanisms are not well understood. Dr. Figueroa-Hall’s training and expertise in toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) inflammatory signaling is the basis for her research interests in examining how the TLR4 system via regulating inflammatory processes affects mental health. Her overarching goal is to understand how the immune system is dysregulated in MDD and identify novel targets/biomarkers for inflammation-associated depression.
Current research aims:
- Investigate peripheral and central immune responses in depressed vs. healthy individuals
- Delineate astrocyte-enriched EV-mediated immune mechanisms in MDD
- Identify differences in peripheral and central inflammation-related microRNAs in MDD
Dr. Figueroa-Hall’s research is currently funded by the Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR) and the National Institute of Mental Health (R00MH126950: In vivo inflammatory challenge to elucidate the role of toll-like receptor 4 pathway in depression).