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Silveri NLAMH
Neurodevelopmental Lab on Addictions and Mental Health
Welcome to the Silveri Laboratory
The mission of the Silveri Laboratory is to advance our understanding of adolescent brain development and the impacts of substance use on brain structure, function, and behavior. Using cutting-edge neuroimaging techniques, preclinical models, and translational research approaches, our work seeks to uncover the mechanisms that make the adolescent brain uniquely vulnerable to substance use.
Our goal is to bridge scientific discovery with practical applications, informing prevention and intervention strategies that promote healthy brain development and improve mental health outcomes. We are equally committed to community education, increasing public awareness of the importance of adolescent brain health, and mentoring the next generation of diverse scientists and clinicians in neuroscience and behavioral health research.
Explore our research, meet our team, and learn how we’re making a difference in adolescent brain health.
Areas of Research
Adolescent Brain Development:
Investigating the neurobiological mechanisms underlying brain maturation during adolescence, with a focus on the development of cognitive control, impulsivity, and emotional regulation.Impact of Substance Use:
Examining how alcohol and other substances affect brain development, particularly in the frontal lobe, during critical periods of growth and vulnerability.Neuroimaging Research:
Utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), to study brain chemistry, including GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and glutamate, and their roles in healthy and disrupted brain development.Translational Neuroscience:
Bridging preclinical and clinical research to understand the effects of early substance use on neural mechanisms and translating these findings to inform prevention and intervention strategies.Longitudinal Studies of Adolescence:
Leading studies to track brain development over time, identifying how neurochemical changes, environmental influences, and behaviors interact to influence long-term outcomes.Cognitive and Behavioral Functioning:
Exploring the relationships between brain development, cognitive control, impulsivity, and risky behaviors, with a particular focus on how these factors are modulated by substance use.Community Education and Public Outreach:
Increasing awareness about the impacts of adolescent substance use on brain development and advocating for mental health through community engagement.
Click on the frame above to view Dr. Marisa Silveri’s lecture on the complexities of adolescence, brain biology, emotions, mental health, and addiction. Sponsored by the Town of Nantucket and NAMI.
