We study large-scale brain networks in epilepsy, sleep, and cognition using both human and mouse models. Our work bridges clinical neuroscience and basic research, combining invasive electrophysiology in human surgical patients with cutting-edge approaches in animal models to understand how the brain generates memory, regulates sleep, and gives rise to seizures.
The lab is based in the Department of Neurology at UC Davis Health, where Dr. Pedersen serves as Vice Chair of Research and is a key part of the active epilepsy surgery and stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) program.
Research Focus
- Memory & Cognition: How the brain generates the subjective experience of familiarity and recollection during spatial recognition memory, studied through invasive SEEG recordings in human subjects.
- Sleep, Epilepsy, & Cognition: How enhancing sleep through targeted manipulation of brainstem sleep circuits can improve seizure control and cognitive function in epilepsy. We hypothesize that normalization of sleep in epiepsy will help with both treating seizures and improving cognitive function. We are also investigating the precise neural circuits that control and create sleep.
- Epilepsy Surgery: Advancing techniques for identifying and treating epileptogenic networks, including temporal interference stimulation and novel approaches to surgical planning.
- Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation: We are studying the effects and use of a newer non-invasive brain stimulation method, temporally-interferring electric fields.
We are always looking for motivated students, postdocs, and collaborators. If you are interested in joining the lab, please visit our Contact page.