Hi! Welcome to the Sensory Inputs lab! This is the personal lab website of Dr. Nick Puts who leads the lab.
The lab focuses on measuring the behavioural, physiological, and clinical response to different types of sensory information in children and adults with and without neurodevelopmental conditions.
We use a variety of methods to assess perception. While we predominantly focus on touch, we include auditory and visual stimuli as well. We also measure behaviour associated with sensory input (e.g. social touch, valence, sensory reactivity, and difficulties in social function and communication). We have a strong interest in lived-experience research.
We also use Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to measure markers of GABAergic inhibition and Glutamatergic metabolism. We then combine these measure to study the brain dynamics underlying sensory processing. We also use EEG approaches to see how the brains responds in different types of sensory paradohms.
We primarily apply these approaches in neurodevelopmental conditions, focusing on Autism (with some work happening in other conditions). By combining these techniques we hope to 1) identify the biological underpinnings of sensory processing features; 2) identify markers of altered sensory processing to identify whether these sensory differences impact social experiences and co-occurring features (e.g. anxiety), 3) investigate these transdiagnostically across neurodevelopmental conditions, and to what extent this impact lived experience. Ultimately, the aim is to identify clear biomarkers of altered sensory function with impact on the core symptoms of e.g. autism with clear targets for potential diagnosis and support & intervention.
The lab is based in the Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Science (FANS) department at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London. We are affiliated with the AIMS-2-TRIALS consortium. Dr. Puts is a PI at the MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
Lab Philosopy
The lab operates on a mission-centric, highly-collaborative, open, transparent basis that includes working closely with the neurodivergent community. This means that all work should contribute to the overarching wider mission of the lab. Within limits, all lab members are expected to support each others work and contribute to everyone’s projects (this also guarantees authorship). Lab members are expected to work together, and be honest and open. Work is expected to be open access. Data are expected to be shared. There will be no judgment based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or other.
Sensory InputsLab 