Basaravaj S. Balapal, PhD

My laboratory investigates the neurobiological mechanisms by which early environmental insults—such as prenatal alcohol exposure, stress, and cannabinoids—shape brain development and confer long-term vulnerability to cognitive dysfunction, addiction, and psychiatric disorders. Clinical studies have consistently shown that adverse exposures during critical developmental windows increase the lifetime risk of neurobehavioral impairments by 2-5 fold. Yet, the precise neural mechanisms underlying this latent vulnerability remain poorly understood.

We employ a multidisciplinary approach combining rodent behavioral assays, ex vivo electrophysiology, epigenomic profiling, cell-type-specific genetic manipulations, and high-resolution imaging to bridge this gap. By dissecting how early-life perturbations alter brain function across multiple scales—from molecular and epigenetic regulation to synaptic plasticity, neural circuits, and behavior—we aim to uncover novel therapeutic strategies for individuals affected by developmental environmental insults.

A key focus of my lab work is identifying and validating druggable molecular targets to mitigate the consequences of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), alcohol use disorder (AUD), and related neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative conditions. Through collaborations, my colleagues at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, and I leverage epigenetic editing, behavioral pharmacology, and functional neurobiology to assess the translational potential of promising interventions in preclinical models.

Ultimately, our research seeks to advance fundamental knowledge of developmental neurobiology and pave the way for precision medicine approaches that can prevent or reverse the long-term effects of early-life adversity on the brain.