We are investigating how neural circuits form and function, especially central brain circuits in the vertebrate basal ganglia and insect central complex that coordinate voluntary behaviour. In an evolutionary approach, we apply our insights to understand how cell and circuit dysfunction can cause Parkinson's and Motor Neurone Disease, as well as Frontotemporal Dementia. We previously discovered evolutionarily conserved genetic mechanisms underlying insect and mammalian brain development. Also, our work led to the identification of molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying TDP-43 and C9orf72-related disease formation in MND and FTD. I actively participate in undergraduate and graduate neuroscience teaching and co-organise the KCL flagship course “Cell and Systems Neuroscience”. I am an editor of the Nature journal Scientific Reports, a board member of the Alzheimer's Research UK King's College London Network and am regularly engaged in knowledge dissemination about brain evolution.

Please see my Research Staff Profile for more detail

Key publications:

• Strausfeld, Hou, Sayre & Hirth 2022. The lower Cambrian lobopodian Cardiodictyon resolves the origin of euarthropod brains. Science
• Bridi et al., 2020. Ancestral regulatory mechanisms specify conserved midbrain circuitry in arthropods and vertebrates. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
• Kottler et al., 2019. Inverse Control of Turning Behavior by Dopamine D1 Receptor Signaling in Columnar and Ring Neurons of the Central Complex in Drosophila. Current Biology.
• Solomon et al., 2018. A feedback loop between dipeptide-repeat protein, TDP-43 and karyopherin-α mediates C9orf72-related neurodegeneration. Brain.
• Strausfeld & Hirth 2013. Deep Homology of Arthropod Central Complex and Vertebrate Basal Ganglia. Science.

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Find out more about my research:

• Orcid

Key collaborators:

• Professor Nicholas J. Strausfeld, University of Tucson
• Dr James Hodge, University of Bristol
• Professor Christopher Shaw, King's College London
• Professor Dag Aarsland, King's College London