معرفی
Dr. Gilbert Kirouac is a Professor in the Department of Oral Biology at the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, University of Manitoba, with cross-appointments in Psychiatry and Human Anatomy and Cell Sciences. His research explores how brain circuits translate emotional experiences into motivated behaviors, focusing on the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) and its role in fear, anxiety, and stress.
- Education: BA in Psychology, MSc and PhD in Anatomy (University of Manitoba), Postdoctoral Fellowships in Physiology (University of Western Ontario and University of Calgary).
Dr. Kirouac’s work employs anatomical, pharmacological, and molecular techniques in animal models to investigate PVT connectivity, neurobiology of stress, and interactions with dopamine and orexin systems. His research has significantly influenced global studies on the PVT, starting from the mid-1990s. Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), he examines synaptic function in thalamic circuits and their role in stress-related disorders like PTSD.
Key article trends include:
- PVT connectivity with nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and extended amygdala
- Role of orexin/hypocretin and dopamine in anxiety and motivation
- Neural circuits balancing fear and reward-seeking
- Stress-induced social avoidance and behavioral plasticity
- Dysregulation in psychiatric and movement disorder models
Dr. Kirouac holds an active email contact (gilbert.kirouac@umanitoba.ca) and maintains affiliations across multiple departments, reflecting his interdisciplinary expertise in behavioral neuroscience and neuroanatomy.
