Autism Spectrum Disorder
Neurodevelopment
Models of disease
Behavior
Electrophysiology
Neurodevelopment & Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Neuroimmunology & Microglia
Early life Stress & Brain Wiring
Brain Organoids & Advanced Models Advanced Tools for Neuroscience
The brain’s capacity for complex sensory, emotional, and cognitive processing is established through a precise developmental program. Our research aims to understand how genetic and environmental insults disrupt this program at the molecular, cellular, and circuit levels. We focus on the fundamental processes of neurodevelopment, as perturbations during critical windows in early-life can fundamentally rewire the brain, leading to disorders that persist and evolve across the entire lifespan. Our work is organized around two complementary aims to define the rules that build brain circuitry:
• Genetic and environmental factors: We examine how specific mutations and early environmental exposures alter the formation and maturation of neuronal networks, identifying key biological bottlenecks that drive pathology.
• Neuro-immune interactions: We investigate how immune signaling intersects with neurodevelopment, shaping brain function under internal and external pressures from gestation through adulthood.
We integrate rodent models to capture circuit-wide activity and behavioral outcomes, with human brain organoids to probe human-specific features of brain architecture. Across these systems, we use approaches spanning molecular genetics, electrophysiology, and optogenetics to map disease-relevant circuits and uncover mechanisms that give rise to behavioral symptoms. Ultimately, we aim to identify early interventions capable of redirecting developmental trajectories and improving outcomes across the lifespan.
Information about journal articles, updated at 22-02-2026, from platform CIÊNCIAVITAE.
Abnormal mGluR-mediated synaptic plasticity and autism-like behaviours in Gprasp2 mutant mice
Edfawy, Mohamed; Guedes, Joana R.; Pereira, Marta I.; Laranjo, Mariana; Carvalho, Mário J.; Gao, Xian; Ferreira, Pedro A.; et al, 2019. Nature Communications. 1. 10. 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-09382-9 . 10.1038/s41467-019-09382-9 . Nature Communications
Distinct subnetworks of the thalamic reticular nucleus
Li, Yinqing; Lopez-Huerta, Violeta G.; Adiconis, Xian; Levandowski, Kirsten; Choi, Soonwook; Simmons, Sean K.; Arias-Garcia, Mario A.; et al, 2020. Nature. 819 - 824. 7818. 583. 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2504-5 . 10.1038/s41586-020-2504-5 . Nature
Shank3 mutant mice display autistic-like behaviours and striatal dysfunction
Peça, J.; Feliciano, C.; Ting, J.T.; Wang, W.; Wells, M.F.; Venkatraman, T.N.; Lascola, C.D.; Fu, Z.; Feng, G., 2011. Nature. 437 - 442. 7344. 472. 2011. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79955536349&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1038/nature09965 . Nature
miRNA-31 Improves Cognition and Abolishes Amyloid-ß Pathology by Targeting APP and BACE1 in an Animal Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Barros-Viegas, Ana Teresa; Carmona, Vítor; Ferreiro, Elisabete; Guedes, Joana; Cardoso, Ana Maria; Cunha, Pedro; Pereira de Almeida, Luís; et al, 2020. Molecular Therapy - Nucleic Acids. 1219 - 1236. 19. 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.omtn.2020.01.010 . 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.01.010 . Molecular Therapy - Nucleic Acids
IL-4 shapes microglia-dependent pruning of the cerebellum during postnatal development
Guedes, Joana R.; Ferreira, Pedro A.; Costa, Jéssica; Laranjo, Mariana; Pinto, Maria J.; Reis, Tiago; Cardoso, Ana Maria; et al, 2023. Neuron. 3435 - 3449.e8. 21. 111. 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2023.09.031 . 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.09.031 . Neuron
Information about journal articles, updated at 22-02-2026, from platform CIÊNCIAVITAE.
Early-life IL-4 administration induces long-term changes in microglia in the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex
Pedro A. Ferreira; Carolina Lebre; Jéssica Costa; Francisca Amaral; Rosário Ferreira; Filipe Martinho; Vítor H. Paiva; et al, 2025. Journal of Neurochemistry. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.16266 . 10.1111/jnc.16266 . Journal of Neurochemistry
MiR-186-5p inhibition restores synaptic transmission and neuronal network activity in a model of chronic stress
Rodrigues, Beatriz; Leitão, Ricardo A.; Santos, Mónica; Trofimov, Alexander; Silva, Mariline; Inácio, Ângela S.; Abreu, Mónica; et al, 2024. Molecular Psychiatry. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-024-02715-1 . 10.1038/s41380-024-02715-1 . Molecular Psychiatry
Maternal behaviours disrupted by Gprasp2 deletion modulate neurodevelopmental trajectory in progeny
Pereira, Marta I.; Laranjo, Mariana; Gomes, Marcos; Edfawy, Mohamed; Peça, João, 2024. Scientific Reports. 1. 14. 2024. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-62088-x . 10.1038/s41598-024-62088-x . Scientific Reports
Near-Infrared Light Activated Formulation for the Spatially Controlled Release of CRISPR-Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein for Brain Gene Editing
Simões, Susana; Lino, Miguel; Barrera, Angela; Rebelo, Catarina; Tomatis, Francesca; Vilaça, Andreia; Breunig, Christopher; et al, 2024. Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 2024. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/anie.202401004 . 10.1002/anie.202401004 . Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Engineering optical tools for remotely controlled brain stimulation and regeneration
Rodrigues, Artur Filipe; Rebelo, Catarina; Reis, Tiago; Simões, Susana; Bernardino, Liliana; Peça, João; Ferreira, Lino, 2023. Biomaterials Science. 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d2bm02059a . 10.1039/d2bm02059a . Biomaterials Science
A Novel Genetic Variant in <i>MBD5</i> Associated with Severe Epilepsy and Intellectual Disability: Potential Implications on Neural Primary Cilia
Mariana Martins; Ana Rafaela Oliveira; Solange Martins; José Vieira; Pedro Perdigão; Ana Rita Fernandes; Pereira de Almeida L; et al, 2023. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/16/12603 . 10.3390/ijms241612603 . International Journal of Molecular Sciences
IL-4 shapes microglia-dependent pruning of the cerebellum during postnatal development
Guedes, Joana R.; Ferreira, Pedro A.; Costa, Jéssica; Laranjo, Mariana; Pinto, Maria J.; Reis, Tiago; Cardoso, Ana Maria; et al, 2023. Neuron. 3435 - 3449.e8. 21. 111. 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2023.09.031 . 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.09.031 . Neuron
In vivo recordings in freely behaving mice using independent silicon probes targeting multiple brain regions
Ferreira-Fernandes, Emanuel; Laranjo, Mariana; Reis, Tiago; Canijo, Bárbara; Ferreira, Pedro A.; Martins, Pedro; Vilarinho, João; et al, 2023. Frontiers in Neural Circuits. 17. 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fncir.2023.1293620 . 10.3389/fncir.2023.1293620 . Frontiers in Neural Circuits
Brain Gain - Discovering Neurosciences: A digital education outreach project for higher education students
Laranjo, Mariana; Amaral, Sara; Caetano, Carolina; Santos, Sílvio; Campos, Rita; Peça, João; Seabra, Catarina M., 2023. The Biochemist. 21 - 27. 2. 45. 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.1042/bio_2023_104 . 10.1042/bio_2023_104 . The Biochemist
Scaffolds for Dentin-Pulp Complex Regeneration
Sequeira, Diana B.; Diogo, Patrícia; Gomes, Brenda P. F. A.; Peça, João; Santos, João Miguel Marques, 2023. Medicina. 1. 60. 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/medicina60010007 . 10.3390/medicina60010007 . Medicina
Aberrant hippocampal transmission and behavior in mice with a stargazin mutation linked to intellectual disability
Caldeira, Gladys Lima; Inácio, Ângela; Beltrão, Nuno; Barreto, Carlos A. V.; Ventura Rodrigues, Marina; Rondão, Tiago; Macedo, Renato; et al, 2022. Molecular Psychiatry. 2022. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-022-01487-w . published Molecular Psychiatry
The Neural Circuit Architecture of Social Hierarchy in Rodents and Primates
Ferreira-Fernandes, Emanuel; Peça, João, 2022. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience. 16. 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2022.874310 . 10.3389/fncel.2022.874310 . Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
Attenuation of Autism-like Behaviors by an Anthocyanin-Rich Extract from Portuguese Blueberries via Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis Modulation in a Valproic Acid Mouse Model
Serra, Diana; Henriques, Joana F.; Sousa, Fábio J.; Laranjo, Mariana; Resende, Rosa; Ferreira-Marques, Marisa; de Freitas, Victor; et al, 2022. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 16. 23. 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms23169259 . 10.3390/ijms23169259 . International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Generation and Characterization of Novel iPSC Lines from a Portuguese Family Bearing Heterozygous and Homozygous GRN Mutations
Ana Rafaela Oliveira; Solange Martins; Giuseppe Cammarata; Mariana Martins; Ana Maria Cardoso; Maria Rosário Almeida; Maria do Carmo Macário; et al, 2022. Biomedicines. 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10081905 . 10.3390/biomedicines10081905 . Biomedicines
Efficient spatially targeted gene editing using a near-infrared activatable protein-conjugated nanoparticle for brain applications
Rebelo, Catarina; Reis, Tiago; Guedes, Joana; Saraiva, Cláudia; Rodrigues, Artur Filipe; Simões, Susana; Bernardino, Liliana; et al, 2022. Nature Communications. 1. 13. 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-31791-6 . 10.1038/s41467-022-31791-6 . Nature Communications
Microglia-dependent remodeling of neuronal circuits
Joana R. Guedes; Pedro A. Ferreira; Jéssica M. Costa; Ana L. Cardoso; João Peça, 2022. Journal of Neurochemistry. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15689 . 10.1111/jnc.15689 . Journal of Neurochemistry
Ligand-independent activity of the ghrelin receptor modulates AMPA receptor trafficking and supports memory formation
Ribeiro, Luís F.; Catarino, Tatiana; Carvalho, Mário; Cortes, Luísa; Santos, Sandra D.; Opazo, Patricio O.; Ribeiro, Lyn Rosenbrier; et al, 2021. Science Signaling. 670. 14. 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/scisignal.abb1953 . 10.1126/scisignal.abb1953 . Science Signaling
Regeneration of pulp-dentin complex using human stem cells of the apical papilla: in vivo interaction with two bioactive materials
Sequeira, Diana B.; Oliveira, Ana Rafaela; Seabra, Catarina M.; Palma, Paulo J.; Ramos, Carlos; Figueiredo, Maria H.; Santos, Ana C.; et al, 2021. Clinical Oral Investigations. 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00784-021-03840-9 . 10.1007/s00784-021-03840-9 . Clinical Oral Investigations
The old guard: Age-related changes in microglia and their consequences
Jéssica Costa; Solange Martins; Pedro A. Ferreira; Ana M.S. Cardoso; Joana R. Guedes; João Peça; Ana L. Cardoso, 2021. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development. 111512 - 111512. 197. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mad.2021.111512 . 10.1016/j.mad.2021.111512 . Mechanisms of Ageing and Development
The postsynaptic scaffolding protein SAPAP3 controls mitochondrial dynamics and function
Coelho, Patrícia; Lourenço, Ana Sofia; Ferreira, Íldete Luísa; Marinho, Daniela; Anjo, Sandra Isabel; Mas, Philippe J.; Carvalho, MJ; et al, 2021. Nature Communications. 2021. submitted Nature Communications
Social subordination induced by early life adversity rewires inhibitory control of the prefrontal cortex via enhanced Npy1r signaling
Franco, Lara O.; Carvalho, Mário J.; Costa, Jéssica; Ferreira, Pedro A.; Guedes, Joana R.; Sousa, Renato; Edfawy, Mohamed; et al, 2020. Neuropsychopharmacology. 1438 - 1447. 9. 45. 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41386-020-0727-7 . 10.1038/s41386-020-0727-7 . Neuropsychopharmacology
Distinct subnetworks of the thalamic reticular nucleus
Li, Yinqing; Lopez-Huerta, Violeta G.; Adiconis, Xian; Levandowski, Kirsten; Choi, Soonwook; Simmons, Sean K.; Arias-Garcia, Mario A.; et al, 2020. Nature. 819 - 824. 7818. 583. 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2504-5 . 10.1038/s41586-020-2504-5 . Nature
miRNA-31 Improves Cognition and Abolishes Amyloid-ß Pathology by Targeting APP and BACE1 in an Animal Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Barros-Viegas, Ana Teresa; Carmona, Vítor; Ferreiro, Elisabete; Guedes, Joana; Cardoso, Ana Maria; Cunha, Pedro; Pereira de Almeida, Luís; et al, 2020. Molecular Therapy - Nucleic Acids. 1219 - 1236. 19. 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.omtn.2020.01.010 . 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.01.010 . Molecular Therapy - Nucleic Acids
New insights on synaptic dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders
Lima Caldeira, Gladys; Peça, João; Carvalho, Ana Luísa, 2019. Current Opinion in Neurobiology. 62 - 70. 57. 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.conb.2019.01.004 . 10.1016/j.conb.2019.01.004 . Current Opinion in Neurobiology
Abnormal mGluR-mediated synaptic plasticity and autism-like behaviours in Gprasp2 mutant mice
Edfawy, Mohamed; Guedes, Joana R.; Pereira, Marta I.; Laranjo, Mariana; Carvalho, Mário J.; Gao, Xian; Ferreira, Pedro A.; et al, 2019. Nature Communications. 1. 10. 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-09382-9 . 10.1038/s41467-019-09382-9 . Nature Communications
Effects of a New Bioceramic Material on Human Apical Papilla Cells
Sequeira, Diana; Seabra, Catarina; Palma, Paulo; Cardoso, Ana; Peça, João; Santos, João, 2018. Journal of Functional Biomaterials. 4. 9. 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jfb9040074 . 10.3390/jfb9040074 . Journal of Functional Biomaterials
Blue light potentiates neurogenesis induced by retinoic acid-loaded responsive nanoparticles
Santos, Tiago; Ferreira, Raquel; Quartin, Emanuel; Boto, Carlos; Saraiva, Cláudia; Bragança, José; Peça, João; et al, 2017. Acta Biomaterialia. 293 - 302. 59. 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2017.06.044 . 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.06.044 . published Acta Biomaterialia
Functional Consequences of Mutations in Postsynaptic Scaffolding Proteins and Relevance to Psychiatric Disorders
Ting, Jonathan T.*; Peça, João*; Feng, Guoping, 2012. Annual Review of Neuroscience. 49 - 71. 1. 35. 2012. http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-neuro-062111-150442 . 10.1146/annurev-neuro-062111-150442 . Annual Review of Neuroscience
Cellular and synaptic network defects in autism
Peça, J.; Feng, G., 2012. Current Opinion in Neurobiology. 866 - 872. 5. 22. 2012. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84867426528&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1016/j.conb.2012.02.015 . Current Opinion in Neurobiology
Shank3 mutant mice display autistic-like behaviours and striatal dysfunction
Peça, J.; Feliciano, C.; Ting, J.T.; Wang, W.; Wells, M.F.; Venkatraman, T.N.; Lascola, C.D.; Fu, Z.; Feng, G., 2011. Nature. 437 - 442. 7344. 472. 2011. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79955536349&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1038/nature09965 . Nature
Neuroscience: When lights take the circuits out
Peça, J.; Feng, G., 2011. Nature. 165 - 166. 7363. 477. 2011. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-80052602669&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1038/477165a . Nature
SnapShot: Autism and the synapse
Peça, J.; Ting, J.; Feng, G., 2011. Cell. 3. 147. 2011. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84855174133&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1016/j.cell.2011.10.015 . Cell
Using Light to Reinstate Respiratory Plasticity
Arenkiel, Benjamin R.; Peça, João, 2009. Journal of Neurophysiology. 1695 - 1698. 4. 101. 2009. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/jn.00009.2009 . 10.1152/jn.00009.2009 . Journal of Neurophysiology
Cortico-striatal synaptic defects and OCD-like behaviours in Sapap3-mutant mice
Welch, Jeffrey M.; Lu, Jing; Rodriguiz, Ramona M.; Trotta, Nicholas C.; Peca, Joao; Ding, Jin-Dong; Feliciano, Catia; et al, 2007. Nature. 894 - 900. 7156. 448. 2007. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature06104 . 10.1038/nature06104 . Nature
In Vivo Light-Induced Activation of Neural Circuitry in Transgenic Mice Expressing Channelrhodopsin-2
Arenkiel, Benjamin R.; Peca, Joao; Davison, Ian G.; Feliciano, Catia; Deisseroth, Karl; Augustine, George J.; Ehlers, Michael D.; Feng, Guoping, 2007. Neuron. 205 - 218. 2. 54. 2007. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2007.03.005 . 10.1016/j.neuron.2007.03.005 . published Neuron
High-speed mapping of synaptic connectivity using photostimulation in Channelrhodopsin-2 transgenic mice
Wang, H.*; Peca, J.*; Matsuzaki, M.*; Matsuzaki, K.; Noguchi, J.; Qiu, L.; Wang, D.; et al, 2007. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 8143 - 8148. 19. 104. 2007. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0700384104 . 10.1073/pnas.0700384104 . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
5 36 out of 36 Publications
SHANKAstro
2022-05-25
Postnatal Reorganization of the cerebellum via Neuron-microglia interaction: IL-4 as a mediator between ADHD and allergies
2021-02-01
ELEANA: Early-Life Environmental AllergeNs in ADHD
2024-04-09
Syn2Psy - Synaptic Dysfunction in Neuropsychiatric Disorders
2019-03-01
Does healthy microglia rescue neuroinflammation and synaptic dysfunction in human cerebral organoids with FTLD-associated mutations?
2021-03-31
5 6 out of 6 Past R&D Projects
Pfizer Prize - Basic Science
Special Recognition - Science World Cultural Council
IBRO Early Career Award
NARSAD Young Investigator Award
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