The dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the ventral mesencephalon are part of a pathway that regulates reward-seeking behaviors and are the principal cells affected in Parkinson's Disease and addiction. Many drugs of abuse exert dysregulating effects on levels of dopamine and other neurotransmitters, resulting in widespread effects on DA neuron firing pattern. Psychostimulants (e.g., cocaine and amphetamine) alter interactions among multiple receptor subtypes that are co-expressed on DA neurons. Changes in DA neuron activity secondary to altered receptor interactions may underlie many of the behavioral changes associated with drug addiction independently of natural reward seeking mechanisms like feeding.

The projects in the lab are funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA016262), the National Institute of Mental Health (MH079276), and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NS060658).

Research