Areas of Interest
Dr. Watson's lab uses electrophysiology and optogenetics to observe and manipulate dozens of neurons simultaneously in both head-fixed and freely-behaving rodents in order to answer questions aimed both at a fundamental neurobiological understanding of the cortical states and dynamics as well as the role of cortex in disease. We use an approach informed by an understanding of neuronal microcircuit dynamics, macrocircuit connectivity, and organism-level behavior to connect between the level of single neurons, networks of those neurons, and animal behavior.
Clinical Interests
- Mood disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Rapid-acting antidepressants including ketamine
Credentials
- B.A., Biology, Cornell University (2000)
- Ph.D., Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia University (2009)
- M.D. Columbia Univ. College of Physicians & Surgeons (2009)
Published Articles or Reviews
- Chen L, Hartner J, Dong T, Li A, Watson, B, Shih, A. Flexible High-Resolution Force and Dimpling Measurement System for Pia and Dura Penetration During In Vivo Microelectrode Insertion Into Rat Brain. 2021 Aug;68(8):2602-2612. doi: 10.1109/TBME.2021.3070781. Epub 2021 Jul 16. Link
- Fitzgerald PJ, Hale PJ, Ghimire A, Watson BO. Multiple cholinesterase inhibitors have antidepressant-like properties in the mouse forced swim test. Behav Brain Res. 2021 Apr 25;409:113323. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113323. Link
- Fitzgerald, P.J, Kounelis-Wuillaume, S.K., Gheidi, A, Morrow, JD, Spencer-Segal, JL, Watson, BO (2021). Sex- and stress-dependent effects of a single injection of ketamine on open field and forced swim behavior. Stress. 1;1-9. doi: 10.1080/10253890.2021.1871600. Link.
- Fitzgerald PJ, Hale PJ, Ghimire A, Watson BO (2020). The cholinesterase inhibitor donepezil has antidepressant-like properties in the mouse forced swim test. Translational Psychiatry. 10: 255. Link