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\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Laboratory for Interoception and Metabolism Research<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The BrainBody Lab investigates the continuous, dynamic interaction between the brain and the body. While traditional neuroscience has focused primarily on the brain, emerging evidence shows that physiological states\u2014from metabolism to breathing to immune responses\u2014shape neural circuits just as powerfully as the brain shapes the body. Our lab seeks to uncover these bidirectional pathways to better understand stress-related behaviors, metabolic health, and interoceptive processes.<\/p>\n

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Abha Rajbhandari Lab<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Laboratory for Interoception and Metabolism Research<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Understanding how the brain and body communicate under stress to reveal novel therapeutic targets” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”Open Sans|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”22px” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ text_orientation=”center” z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Understanding how the brain and body communicate under stress to reveal novel therapeutic targets<\/strong><\/p>\n

The BrainBody Lab investigates the continuous, dynamic interaction between the brain and the body. While traditional neuroscience has focused primarily on the brain, emerging evidence shows that physiological states\u2014from metabolism to breathing to immune responses\u2014shape neural circuits just as powerfully as the brain shapes the body. Our lab seeks to uncover these bidirectional pathways to better understand stress-related behaviors, metabolic health, and interoceptive processes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Abha Rajbhandari Lab<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Laboratory for Interoception and Metabolism Research<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Understanding how the brain and body communicate under stress to reveal novel therapeutic targets” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”Open Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”30px” text_line_height=”1.9em” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ text_orientation=”center” z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Understanding how the brain and body communicate under stress to reveal novel therapeutic targets<\/strong><\/p>\n

The BrainBody Lab investigates the continuous, dynamic interaction between the brain and the body. While traditional neuroscience has focused primarily on the brain, emerging evidence shows that physiological states\u2014from metabolism to breathing to immune responses\u2014shape neural circuits just as powerfully as the brain shapes the body. Our lab seeks to uncover these bidirectional pathways to better understand stress-related behaviors, metabolic health, and interoceptive processes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”NEW-Section” module_id=”about” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#d8bbff” background_image=”https:\/\/labs.icahn.mssm.edu\/karkilab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/315\/2026\/03\/AR-BG-8.png” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ module_alignment=”center” min_height=”100vh” scroll_fade_enable=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”About” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”Open Sans|500|||||||” text_text_color=”#460072″ text_font_size=”46px” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ custom_padding=”25px||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

About<\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Understanding how the brain and body communicate under stress to reveal novel therapeutic targets” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”Open Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”30px” text_line_height=”1.9em” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

A growing body of research demonstrates that the brain and body are in constant conversation. However, the field has historically emphasized brain-centric mechanisms, leaving major gaps in understanding how peripheral organs and internal bodily states influence brain function.<\/p>\n

The BrainBody Lab is dedicated to studying this dynamic interplay. We investigate how stress, metabolic cues, and interoceptive signals shape brain circuits\u2014and how these circuits, in turn, regulate physiology and behavior.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”NEW-Section” module_id=”vision” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#d8bbff” background_image=”https:\/\/labs.icahn.mssm.edu\/karkilab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/315\/2026\/03\/AR-BG-3.png” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ min_height=”100vh” scroll_fade_enable=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Vision” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”Open Sans|500|||||||” text_text_color=”#460072″ text_font_size=”46px” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ custom_padding=”25px||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Vision<\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Our vision is to define the neural and physiological mechanisms that link the brain and body in the regulation of:” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”Open Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”30px” text_line_height=”1.9em” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Our vision is to define the neural and physiological mechanisms that link the brain and body in the regulation of:<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 stress-related behaviors
\u2022\u00a0 energy metabolism
\u2022\u00a0 interoception and internal-state sensing<\/p>\n

We aim to identify new therapeutic pathways for disorders involving stress, metabolism, and brain\u2013body dysregulation.<\/p>\n

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Research Areas<\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Our research focuses on two interconnected domains:” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”Open Sans|500|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”30px” text_line_height=”1.9em” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Our research focuses on two interconnected domains:<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Stress and Energy Metabolism” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”Open Sans|500|||||||” text_text_color=”#460072″ text_font_size=”30px” text_line_height=”1.9em” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

1.Stress and Energy Metabolism<\/strong><\/p>\n

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We aim to understand how chronic stress disrupts metabolic homeostasis, alters sympathetic\u2013parasympathetic balance, and influences energy expenditure, feeding behaviors, and cardiometabolic health.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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2. Stress and Interoception<\/strong><\/p>\n

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We study how internal bodily signals\u2014such as breathing, heart rate, and visceral states\u2014shape emotional processing, fear responses, and stress resilience. We investigate how brain circuits interpret and modulate these internal cues, with a focus on vagal and neuropeptidergic pathways.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|off|off” module_id=”research” module_class=”research-section” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”research” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Research<\/h2>\n

Extreme stress and\/or fear can profoundly affect brain and body<\/em> mechanisms leading to increased vulnerability for developing disorders such as post-traumatic stress (PTSD) and panic disorders. Stress exerts its effects on the brain and body via the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems which allow organisms to tackle a variety of stressors with \u201cfight or flight\u201d responses regulated by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), and \u201crest and digest\u201d responses, regulated by the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). \u00a0Extreme or prolonged activation of the sympathetic systems can have detrimental effects at the level of neurons and astrocytes in various brain regions, neurotransmitter and neuropeptidergic systems, and organs like heart, lungs and gut in turn affecting central, metabolic, cardiorespiratory and immune functions. The vagus nerve, a major cranial nerve connecting the brain and body and known as the \u201cwandering nerve\u201d, is an important regulator of parasympathetic<\/em> functions via innervations to the thoracic and abdominal organs, and the autonomic, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, immune, and endocrine systems. Direct vagus nerve stimulation using electrical devices or through mind\/body practices such as yoga appear to be effective in diminishing stress, immune, and cardiorespiratory functions.<\/p>\n

Karki lab is dedicated to understanding the reciprocal mechanisms between the brain and body axis via the sympathetic and parasympathetic modulators that affect or are affected by traumatic stress and associated changes in cardiorespiratory functions. Our research questions span along three main areas: 1) How is the brain-vagus-body axis involved in modulating fear and stress? 2) What are the mechanisms that link traumatic stress and metabolic syndromes?, and, 3) How are brain astrocytes involved in regulating fear, stress and cardiorespiratory functions? Our work is focused on the neuropeptidergic systems like PACAP (pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide) and CRF (corticotropin releasing factor) and the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. To answer our questions, we use cutting-edge tools and techniques such as optogenetics, chemogenetics, genetically modified mouse lines, intersectional viral approach, telemetry tracking of cardiorespiratory functions, behavioral models of traumatic stress and fear, and many others.<\/p>\n

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Contact Us<\/h3>\n

Karki Laboratory<\/strong>
Abha Karki Rajbhandari<\/strong>
Principal Investigator
abha.rajbhandari@mssm.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#000000″ border_width_all=”0.5px” border_color_bottom=”#00aeef” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Abha Karki Rajbhandari” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Contact Us<\/h3>\n

Abha Karki Rajbhandari<\/strong>
Principal Investigator
abha.rajbhandari@mssm.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

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Laboratory for Interoception and Metabolism ResearchThe BrainBody Lab investigates the continuous, dynamic interaction between the brain and the body. While traditional neuroscience has focused primarily on the brain, emerging evidence shows that physiological states\u2014from metabolism to breathing to immune responses\u2014shape neural circuits just as powerfully as the brain shapes the body. Our lab seeks to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":274,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-template-blank.php","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-245277","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/labs.icahn.mssm.edu\/karkilab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/245277","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/labs.icahn.mssm.edu\/karkilab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/labs.icahn.mssm.edu\/karkilab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/labs.icahn.mssm.edu\/karkilab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/274"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/labs.icahn.mssm.edu\/karkilab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=245277"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/labs.icahn.mssm.edu\/karkilab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/245277\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":245361,"href":"https:\/\/labs.icahn.mssm.edu\/karkilab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/245277\/revisions\/245361"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/labs.icahn.mssm.edu\/karkilab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=245277"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}