In the Reward and Addictive Disorders (RAD) Lab we use animal models to study motivational brain circuits on a systems level. Our goal is to understand how these neural circuits function in a healthy state as well as to uncover adaptations that contribute to maladaptive behaviors such as addiction. Currently we are investigating glutamatergic and dopaminergic contributions to compulsive-like behaviors such as inflexible alcohol drinking in mice. Our principle experimental approaches include manipulating behavior with pharamacological, genetic, and chemogenetic tools and measuring changes in dopamine release with fast scan cyclic voltammetry.
