Aelita Xiaoyue Zhu

Program: Neurosciences

Current advisor: Adam Kepecs, PhD

Undergraduate university: Brandeis University, 2019

Enrollment year: 2019

Research summary
a neural circuit that regulates cancer cachexia asociated apathy

Cachexia is a debilitating wasting syndrome that causes significant morbility and often leads to motivational symptoms like depression. I employed a comprehensive circuit approach, including brain wide c-fos mapping, fiber photometry, optogenetics and cell type specific ablation. I discovered a brain circuit that senses inflammation and downregulate motivation in mouse model of cancer cachexia.

Graduate publications