We investigate how epilepsy develops after brain insults and how this process can be prevented or modified. Using refined rodent models of acquired epilepsy, including infection-induced epileptogenesis, we study mechanisms that are relevant to both human and veterinary patients within a One Health perspective.
We focus on dynamic changes in neuronal excitability, glial function, blood–brain barrier integrity, and cerebral metabolism. Longitudinal imaging allow us to monitor these processes non-invasively in vivo. These insights guide the development of mechanism-based preventive strategies, particularly anti-inflammatory approaches and metabolic interventions, with the aim of translation to clinical and veterinary applications

How can anesthesia and analgesia protocols be optimized to reliably control pain and stress while minimizing confounds in neuropharmacological and imaging studies? The goal is to improve animal welfare, support the 3Rs, and strengthen scientific rigor through evidence-based, species-specific, and procedure-tailored protocols.
This includes multimodal analgesia and pain assessment, non-invasive monitoring, and better understanding of analgesic/anesthetic pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics across species. The broader aim is implementation in laboratory animal research and veterinary clinical settings

How can systematic reviews improve animal welfare and strengthen preclinical evidence? We conduct systematic reviews of preclinical studies to support the 3Rs: Reduction, Refinement, and Replacement. Unlike narrative reviews, systematic reviews use transparent, reproducible methods to synthesize all available evidence and generate new, quantitative insights from existing data. Our work focuses on identifying evidence gaps, avoiding unnecessary animal experiments, and improving study design. We particularly review refinement strategies related to species-specific pain management, as well as preclinical evidence for epilepsy treatments.