Dr Roche is an Associate Professor and Neuroscientist in Physiology at the University of Galway. Her research focuses on enhancing understanding of the neurobiology underlying autism, affective disorders, pain and their interactions with the aim to identify novel therapeutic targets for these conditions. She has a particular interest in the role of neuroimmune, endocannabinoid and opioid systems in these disorders. Dr Roche is Co-Director of the Centre for Pain Research at the University of Galway and immediate past Director of the Galway Neuroscience Centre. She is President of the Irish Pain Society and former governing council member and communication officer of Neuroscience Ireland. Dr Roche is member of the Scientific Advisory Panel and Workshop Committee of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP). She is also Editorial Board member of several international scientific journals including Neuropharmacology, Molecules, Frontiers in Pain Research and Neuronal Signalling.

Research Interests and Projects:

Pain-Depression interactions and co-morbidity: Despite depressed patients being twice as likely to experience chronic pain, the neurobiology underlying this co-morbidity remains to be elucidated. Our lab have worked in this research area for the past 15 years, examining how and why pain responding is altered in stress, anxious and depressed states. We have identified the endocannabinoid and opioid systems, and specific neuroimmune pathways, as key players in this interaction and as such may provide novel therapeutictargets for this co-morbidity. We are particularly interested in sex differences, to determine if similar mechanisms may be responsible and viable therapeutic targets for both sexes. Current projects in this area include the EU funded MSCA European Joint Doctoral Programme: HaPpY. Here 15 PhD students across the EU (5 of which will be based at the University of Galway) work to break the vicious cycle linking chronic pain and mood disorders (www.happyejd.com).

Mechanisms underlying altered behavioural responding associated with autism. Our research in this field has identified the endocannabinoid and opioid systems as key players in mediating and modulating behaviours known to be altered in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. We have demonstrated that modulation of these systems can alter specific behaviours in preclinical models which supports ongoing clinical research in the field. Ongoing research in the Roche lab is examining the mechanism by which these effects occur and potential sex differences with an aim to identify new therapeutic targets.

Endocannabinoid regulation of neuroimmune function: Cannabinoids are well known to modulate inflammatory responses. Data from our lab has demonstrated a distinct and separate role and mechanism for the two main endocannabinoids on acute inflammatory and behavioural responses to bacterial and viral infection. This research has provided valuable insight into the neuro-immuno-modulatory effects of cannabinoids and their potential as a novel therapeutic approach for acute neuroinflammatory conditions.

Development and characterization of a novel preclinical models of pain. There is agrowing recognition of the need for more translationally valid and relevant models that will better predict clinical efficacy of novel therapeutics. As such we have developed and validated a wide range novel preclinical models to aid in addressing these research questions.

The Roche lab is currently comprised of seven PhD students, two Post doctoral Researcher, one Erasmus+ Intern, one MSc (taught) and 4 undergraduate students. To date, 18 PhD and 3 MSc research students have completed their studies under my supervision. I have also had the privilege to work with and mentor 6 post-doctoral researchers, 9 research assistants and host a number of visiting academics and researchers in my lab. 

I am also actively engaged in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching to a wide array of students from medical, nursing and health sciences, to science, engineering and psychology. I am the coordinator for 4th year Physiology (B.Sc. and B.Sc. Biomedical Science) Programme. I also coordinate several modules in Neurophysiology (SI311/SI209/ET1515) and Final Year Research Project (SI435). 

I use a multitude of teaching methodologies and formats from lectures and seminars, practicals and lab based projects, small group teaching, flipped classroom teaching, poster and oral presentations and case studies in my teaching.