The BSN Lab is a research group within the Cognitive Neuroscience Unit (School of Psychology) at Deakin University. We study brain function in healthy individuals, and also how brain function can become disrupted in conditions such as autism, depression, and schizophrenia. Our goal is not just to understand these conditions, but to use that knowledge to develop treatments and supports that genuinely help people live better lives.

Our work centres on four core mechanisms that underpin healthy brain function:

• Excitation/inhibition balance: the fine-tuned push-and-pull between signals that activate and suppress neural activity
• Neural plasticity: the brain’s capacity to change and adapt over time
• Connectivity: how different brain regions communicate with each other
• Cognition: how the brain supports mental processes such as memory, attention, and decision-making

We investigate how these mechanisms break down across a range of brain-based conditions, using techniques including EEG (electrical brain activity), MRS (brain chemistry), and non-invasive brain stimulation methods such as transcranial magnetic and electrical stimulation. We also explore whether these processes can be directly targeted through therapeutic brain stimulation or pharmacological approaches including cannabidiol (CBD), to reduce symptoms and improve cognitive function.