Our mission is to establish a financially sustainable research center that stands at the forefront of mental health research by leveraging advanced interdisciplinary neuroscience and neural engineering technologies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound imaging, electrophysiology, optogenetics, and chemogenetics at Penn State University. The center also aims to facilitate the translation from preclinical research to clinical research in mental health.
Center for Neurotechnology in Mental Health Research
Driving mental health research with neural technology
News
It’s not just in your head: Stress may lead to altered blood flow in the brain
Researchers at Penn State find a rare, stress-sensitive neuron appears to help regulate blood flow in the brain of mice.
Genes associated with obesity shared across ancestries, researchers find
A new study from Penn State involving nearly 850,000 adults across six continental ancestries has identified 13 genes linked to obesity, including five never before connected to the condition. The findings provide new insight into how genetics influence obesity and related diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and heart failure.
Background genetic variants influence clinical features in complex disorders
New study reveals how the complex interplay of genetic background can lead to different clinical presentations in individuals that share a primary genetic variant.
News
It’s not just in your head: Stress may lead to altered blood flow in the brain
Researchers at Penn State find a rare, stress-sensitive neuron appears to help regulate blood flow in the brain of mice.
Genes associated with obesity shared across ancestries, researchers find
A new study from Penn State involving nearly 850,000 adults across six continental ancestries has identified 13 genes linked to obesity, including five never before connected to the condition. The findings provide new insight into how genetics influence obesity and related diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and heart failure.
Background genetic variants influence clinical features in complex disorders
New study reveals how the complex interplay of genetic background can lead to different clinical presentations in individuals that share a primary genetic variant.
Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences names 2025-26 seed grant recipients
The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State has selected eight research teams that span 12 departments across six colleges to receive 2025-26 seed grant funding.