Satvinder Kaur

Overview of Research:

The Kaur Lab is dedicated to advancing research in sleep and respiration, with a particular emphasis on the neural circuits involved in sleep, sleep homeostasis, pain, and apnea-induced arousals. My research employs state-of-the-art techniques such as optogenetics and pharmacogenetics to thoroughly investigate these neural pathways, and comprehensive recordings of sleep, respiration, and body temperature are conducted using mouse models. Furthermore, the lab utilizes sophisticated imaging methods, including fiber photometry for cell-population recordings and Inscopix-GRIN lens endoscopy for imaging individual cells. These methodologies facilitate a detailed analysis of specific neuronal activity and its correlation with respiration, sleep, and body temperature.

Our research has successfully characterized distinct cell types within the parabrachial (PB) area, as well as their associated pathways that trigger cortical arousals in response to critical stimuli, including apnea and pain. These findings elucidate the specific neuronal populations responsible for regulating cortical arousal and ventilatory responses during apnea. Importantly, these populations may also represent potential sites of action for opioids. Consequently, the research holds significant potential for the development of innovative treatments for sleep disorders and enhanced strategies for pain management.

 Ongoing Research Support

• 1R01NS112175-01 (Kaur, PI)            07/01/2019- 04/30/2025 (NCE),                        

      Dissection of the circuitry regulating arousal to pain, Role: PI

• 1P01 HL149630-01 (Saper, PD/PI)    12/01/2019-11/30/2024