The Lussier Lab
at Massachusetts General Hospital
Our Research
The Lussier Lab uses translational approaches to identify socio-biological factors and molecular targets that can help prevent and treat psychopathology across development. We research the role of sensitive periods and epigenetic mechanisms in linking early-life exposures, such as alcohol exposure and childhood adversity, to mental illness across the life course.
Our Mission
Through our work, we aim to identify the genetic and early-life determinants of mental health and resilience, as well as develop new methods and prediction tools to identify exposures to early-life stressors and predict risk for mental illness. We believe our research will help develop better interventions to prevent mental illness and foster resilience in at-risk populations, ultimately improving the health and well-being of children and adolescents.
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Sensitive
Periods
Sensitive periods are timepoints in development where the impact of experiences – both positive and negative – is greater and longer lasting. Sensitive periods are central to our research to understand when in development both negative exposures and potential interventions may have the greatest impact.
Childhood Adversity
Childhood adversity is associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes across development. We are working to understand exactly how childhood adversity leads to negative outcomes, with the hope of informing evidence-based interventions.
Epigenetics (DNAm)
Epigenetics is the study of how environmental influences affect the expression of genes. We are interested in how epigenetic changes as a result of exposures such as childhood adversity and PAE may explain the negative health outcomes associated with these exposures.
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can lead to a myriad of physical and mental health problems across the life course. We want to understand exactly when in fetal development PAE has the greatest impact, in the hopes of informing targeted intervention programs.
The Lussier Lab 