Sabina Peluso

During my traineeship under the mentorship of Dr. Marco Cambiaghi and Postdoctoral fellow Giorgia Targa, I investigated neural circuits underlying behavioural changes in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, with particular emphasis on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
I used a combination of in vivo electrophysiology (LFP), immunohistochemistry and behavioural tests to assess the functionality of key brain regions.
A core aspect of my work involves the characterization of the LHb-VTA circuit in a mouse model of Autism, evaluating its impact on social outcomes and reward.

My research also focuses on modulating synaptic plasticity in Down syndrome through transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Using a well-established model of trisomy that replicates key synaptic and cognitive deficits observed in Down syndrome, I investigate whether non-invasive neuromodulation can restore the excitatory/inhibitory synaptic balance. The effects of anodal and cathodal tDCS are assessed at both behavioral and molecular levels.

Another project I am currently working on investigates how environmental exposure to heavy metals interacts with inherited retinal degeneration in a murine model integrating behavioral, functional (visual behavior, ERG and VEP) and morphological analyses to elucidate mechanisms of retinal neurodegeneration and their translational relevance to human retinal diseases.