Systems Neuropharmacology
Staff
Research Projects
At the Kasai Lab, we are deeply committed to deciphering the complex neural mechanisms that dictate emotional behaviors, striving to drive substantial progress in psychiatric research―a field where advancements have historically been slow. A symphony of collective neural activity, dynamic temporal patterns, and collaborative networks across various brain regions governs higher brain functions such as controlling emotional and social behaviors. Despite the pivotal role these functions play, the specific neural underpinnings that orchestrate these higher cognitive processes are not yet fully understood. Particularly, we are driving basic studies with a focus on elucidating the mechanisms of stress-related sleep disorders, anxiety disorders, social behavior (including developmental disorders), and inequality aversion using mouse models. To achieve these studies, we integrate state-of-the-art research tools such as brain-wide activation and circuit mapping, in vivo calcium imaging in deep brain regions, multi-site fiber photometry, along with optogenetic and chemogenetic strategies for manipulating neural activity.
Recent publications
- Yokoyama R, Ago Y, Igarashi H, Higuchi M, Tanuma M, Shimazaki Y, Kawai T, Seiriki K, Hayashida M, Yamaguchi S, Tanaka H, Nakazawa T, Okamura Y, Hashimoto K, Kasai A*, Hashimoto H*. (R)-ketamine restores anterior insular cortex activity and cognitive deficits in social isolation-reared mice. Molecular Psychiatry 2024 Feb 23 online ahead of print.
- Endo F, Kasai A, Soto JS, Yu X, Qu Z, Hashimoto H, Gradinaru V, Kawaguchi R, Khakh BS. Molecular basis of astrocyte diversity and morphology across the CNS in health and disease. Science 378(6619):eadc9020, 2022.
- Niu M, Kasai A*, Tanuma M, Seiriki K, Igarashi H, Kuwaki T, Nagayasu K, Miyaji K, Ueno H, Tanabe W, Seo K, Yokoyama R, Ohkubo J, Ago Y, Hayashida M, Inoue KI, Takada M, Yamaguchi S, Nakazawa T, Kaneko S, Okuno H, Yamanaka A, Hashimoto H*. Claustrum mediates bidirectional and reversible control of stress-induced anxiety responses. Science Advances 8(11):eabi6375, 2022.
- Tanuma M, Kasai A*, Bando K, Kotoku N, Harada K, Minoshima M, Higashino K, Kimishima A, Arai M, Ago Y, Seiriki K, Kikuchi K, Kawata S, Fujita K*, Hashimoto H*. Direct visualization of an antidepressant analog using surface-enhanced Raman scattering in the brain. JCI Insight 5(6):e133348, 2020.
- Seiriki K, Kasai A*, Nakazawa T, Niu M, Naka Y, Tanuma M, Igarashi H, Yamaura K, Hayata-Takano A, Ago Y, Hashimoto H*. Whole-brain block-face serial microscopy tomography at subcellular resolution using FAST. Nature Protocols 14(5):1509-1529, 2019.
- Seiriki K, Kasai A*, Hashimoto T, Schulze W, Niu M, Yamaguchi S, Nakazawa T, Inoue KI, Uezono S, Takada M, Naka Y, Igarashi H, Tanuma M, Waschek JA, Ago Y, Tanaka KF, Hayata-Takano A, Nagayasu K, Shintani N, Hashimoto R, Kunii Y, Hino M, Matsumoto J, Yabe H, Nagai T, Fujita K, Matsuda T, Takuma K, Baba A, Hashimoto H*. High-speed imaging and scalable whole-brain imaging in rodents and primates. Neuron 94(6):1085-1100, 2017.
(April 23, 2024)