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Why do humans lose the ability to make rational decisions when they feel anxious? And how can we safely control the underlying neural circuits? We tackle these questions using a causal approach that directly manipulates primate neural circuits.

The Amemori Group investigates the mechanisms by which anxiety and conflict distort decision-making, working across four scales: molecular, circuit, network, and clinical application.

We causally manipulate neural activity in target regions such as the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pACC) and striatal striosomes of macaque monkeys using microstimulation, optogenetics, and chemogenetics. Changes in decision-making are quantitatively analyzed through behavioral paradigms including the approach-avoidance conflict task and the Balloon Risk Task.

Furthermore, by integrating GWAS and snRNA-seq data, we identify cell types enriched for psychiatric disorder risk genes and develop cell-type-specific circuit manipulation strategies.

At the network level, we use EM-fMRI (simultaneous electrical microstimulation and fMRI recording) to perform causal mapping of the "primate anxiety network," which includes the anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula, orbitofrontal cortex, striatum, and amygdala. Such large-scale networks exist only in primates and cannot be elucidated using rodent models.

Toward clinical application, we are advancing research on non-invasive neuromodulation using transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (tFUS), supported by AMED-PRIME. Our goal is to establish techniques for safely and precisely controlling deep brain circuits, laying the foundation for circuit-based therapies for anxiety disorders and depression.

Based at WPI-ASHBi (Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology) at Kyoto University, we participate in the AMED Brain/MINDS 2.0 program, providing access to cutting-edge research resources.

Key features:

- An international research environment unique to WPI centers (seminars, collaborations, English communication)
- Located within the Kyoto University Faculty of Medicine campus, with full facilities for primate research
- Hands-on experience with diverse techniques: electrophysiology, fMRI, chemogenetics, computational modeling
- A small group setting with direct mentorship from the PI
- Daily interaction with researchers across developmental biology, genomics, and mathematical sciences

We broadly welcome motivated individuals interested in this research, regardless of background (neuroscience, physiology, engineering, informatics, medicine, psychology, etc.). If you are interested, please feel free to reach out through our contact form.

Graduate Students (Master’s / Ph.D.)
We especially welcome students starting from the Master’s program. If you are interested in the neural mechanisms of emotion, anxiety, and decision-making, and want to take on the challenge of cutting-edge primate neuroscience, please get in touch.

Read about what it’s like to pursue a Ph.D. in our group. In this interview, Jung-min Oh describes her research on the ventral striatum-pallidum pathway, the approach-avoidance conflict task, and her aspiration to contribute to treating depression:
→ Student Interview: Uncovering the mechanisms behind anxious feelings — Jung-min Oh (ASHBi FOR STUDENT, Japanese only; use browser translation if needed)

Postdocs / Researchers
We welcome motivated researchers with backgrounds in neuroscience, systems biology, computational modeling, or related fields.

Jung-min Oh completed her Ph.D. research in our group, using DREADDs (chemogenetics) to manipulate the ventral striatum-pallidum pathway in macaques and uncovering how this circuit regulates motivation under aversive conditions. Her work was published as a first-author paper in Current Biology (2026). In her interview, she describes the approach-avoidance conflict task, the day-to-day experience of primate neuroscience research, and her motivation to contribute to treating depression and anxiety disorders.

→ Read the full interview (ASHBi FOR STUDENT, Japanese only)
→ Auto-translated version (Google Translate)

If you are passionate about our research, please feel free to reach out via our contact form. Informal inquiries and lab visits are always welcome. We look forward to hearing from you!