Joe Herbert

I am interested in the role of the brain in adaptive responses, with particular reference to the reciprocal interaction between hormones and the brain. My experimental work is focussed on the way that neural factors, such as serotonin and glucocorticoids, regulate the formation of new neurons in the adult hippocampus, and the role these play in responses to stress. I have a large parallel clinical programme, focussed on determining the risk factors (genetic, environmental, psychosocial and endocrine) that predispose to depression in collaboration with Prof Goodyer (Psychiatry). I also work on the role of hormones in financial decision-making and risk perception