Garth Thompson’s research has focused on understanding the neural and metabolic basis of resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Using fMRI, psychologists and neuroscientists have located networks of regions in the brain (e.g. left and right somatosensory cortex) which are synchronized even without a task or stimulus (“resting state”). Such networks are disrupted in psychological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia. However, application of these findings has been limited due to a lack of understanding of their molecular and neural mechanisms. Within the iHuman group, Dr. Thompson plans to connect molecular mechanisms of brain function and disease to macroscopic brain networks. If such a connection can be made, the use of fMRI for drug development becomes feasible.