Mr Jarred Lorusso

Overview

Exposure to infection in utero is a known risk factor for schizophrenia and other neurodevelopmental disorders. My PhD research focuses on this exposure and how it affects behaviour and cognition as well as the potential molecular mechanisms that may underpin any changes.

To compliment this, I look at how potential 'second-hits' in the postnatal life may exaggerate or attenuate the phenotype seen in exposed offspring. Stressful 'second-hits' may interact with the initial priming effects of this in utero infection, ultimately resulting in a stronger adverse outcome.

Additionally, I have an interest in stratifying 'susceptible' and 'resilient' individuals based on behavioural outputs that may point to biomarkers (e.g. peripheral or tissue-specific) that predict different responses to these insults.