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Joseph Beatty is a Fixed Term Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology and part of the Neuroscience Program at Michigan State University. His research focuses on the neurological effects of Fragile X Syndrome, which is the most common inherited form of mental retardation in humans, caused by the loss of fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene expression. His lab employs a combination of neuroanatomical, neurophysiological, and neuropharmacological techniques to explore the regulation and modulation of neuronal excitability in thalamocortical circuits and their interactions with basal ganglia thalamic circuits. Using transgenic mice and various experimental approaches including electrophysiological recordings, molecular assays, and behavioral analyses, he investigates the neurological impacts of Fragile X Syndrome on neocortical neurons and circuits. His work delves into the complexities of thalamus-neocortex interactions and emphasizes the importance of understanding sensory processing, arousal, attention, and pathophysiological conditions such as epilepsy. Additionally, he studies the circuitry of neurons in intralaminar thalamic nuclei and their connections to basal ganglia nuclei, contributing to the understanding of functional circuitry in relation to cellular-level structures and dysfunctions, particularly in diseases like Parkinson's.
Department of Psychology