Yale University · NeuroscienceRakic Cortex Lab
Pasko Rakic · New Haven, Connecticut
Research Focus
The lab led by Pasko Rakic at Yale University focuses on understanding how the primate cerebral cortex develops, especially the prefrontal cortex associated with cognitive disorders and addiction. By studying non-human primate models, the research aims to uncover key genetic and molecular mechanisms that drive cortical expansion and differentiation, which could inform treatments for cognitive impairments in humans. This work is notable for its implications in both theoretical neuroscience and clinical settings.
cerebral cortexprimate developmentprefrontal cortexcognitive disordersaddictionmolecular mechanismsgenetic determinantsneurogenesiscortical expansion
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate genetic determinants driving early cortical expansion in non-human primates.
AIM 02Analyze the differentiation of radial glial cells and their contributions to cortex formation.
AIM 03Explore the roles of neuropil and white matter in cortical structure and function.
Skills the Lab Values
molecular analysiscell culture techniquesanimal surgeryimmunohistochemistryconfocal microscopygenetic manipulationbrain imagingexperimental designdata collection
Output against the department
Publications489top 12% of dept.80th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations83ktop 3% of dept.18th of 671
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.