Her research now focuses on exploring the basic biology of somatosensory neural circuits for both touch and gastrointestinal function in order to shed light on how peripheral sensation impacts brain development and susceptibility to diseases like Autism Spectrum Disorders.
[6] She found a form of BDNF mRNA with a short 3’ untranslated region (UTR) that was present in the soma and promoted spine formation.
[6] She also found a second form in the dendrites that is locally translated and has a long 3’ UTR and seems to play a role in promoting spine head growth and pruning.
[5] During her postdoctoral work, Orefice discovered that dysfunction at the level of peripheral somatosensory neurons accounted for touch over-reactivity in ASD models as well as the development of both social defects and anxiety like behavior.
[1] She is the principal investigator of the Orefice Lab and her research focuses on understanding the basic biology of the somatosensory circuits that mediate touch and sensations within the gastrointestinal system.
[11] She is particularly interested in exploring the development and function of peripheral sensory neurons that innervate internal organs since these might mediate the brain-gut connection to influence behavior and brain-related disease.
[11] During her postdoctoral work, Orefice made critical discoveries surrounding the role of the peripheral sensory nervous system in the development of autism-like behaviors.
[13] Peripheral action of this drug led to decreased hypersensitivity and improved some brain circuit dysfunction, anxiety-like behaviors, and social impairments but not the memory and motor defects associated with ASD.