Jimmy Dooley
Title:
Assistant Professor
PhD Granting Institution:
University of California, Davis
Contact:
Email Address: jcdooley@purdue.edu
Office Phone: 765-496-2770
Lab Website Link: https://www.dooleylab.com
Primary Training Group:
Integrative Neuroscience
Secondary Training Groups:
Computational and Systems Biology
Research Areas:
Sleep Sensorimotor Development Cortical-Brainstem Circuits Neurodevelopmental Disorders REM Sleep Plasticity Parvalbumin Interneurons Cortical Motor Control
Current Projects:
My lab investigates how sleep shapes the developing brain, with a special emphasis on motor circuits involved in neurodevelopmental disorders like autism. Currently, we have two research areas: Autism and Sleep: We use rat models of Fragile X Syndrome—the leading genetic cause of autism—to explore how disruptions in early sleep patterns alter sensorimotor circuit development. Specifically, we investigate how abnormal REM sleep influences communication between the motor cortex and brainstem motor areas, potentially driving sensorimotor deficits common in autism. Basic Cortical Motor Development: In typically developing rats, we're examining how REM sleep supports the maturation of motor circuits. We recently discovered a novel mechanism: the motor cortex actively inhibits brainstem motor structures during REM sleep—but not wakefulness—before the cortex is capable of producing movements. This inhibition may help the cortex take control of movement production later in life, transitioning motor function from subcortical to cortical dominance. Together, these projects explore how early sleep contributes to typical and atypical motor development, with implications for understanding autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Our goal is to identify mechanisms that can inform early interventions aimed at improving sensorimotor outcomes.
Importance of Interdisciplinary Research:
My lab believes interdisciplinary research is essential because understanding complex problems like neurodevelopmental disorders requires integrating perspectives across neuroscience, psychology, genetics, and physiology. By bridging fields, we can connect insights about sleep, motor control, and developmental biology to clarify how early experiences shape brain circuits and behavior. Collaborations with experts in genetics, clinical research, and computational neuroscience generate innovative questions, develop novel methodologies, and translate basic findings into therapeutic interventions. Ultimately, interdisciplinary research accelerates discovery, broadens our scientific perspective, and maximizes our ability to impact human health and development.