Behavioral Neuroscience, Neuroendocrinology, Neural Basis of Drug Addiction.
Our laboratory has developed two main research projects that investigate the neurobiology aspects of behavior. The first project studies the behavior under the influence of hormones, while the second one studies behavior during drug addiction. For these studies, we use mice and rats as (pre-clinical) animal models.
For hormones and behavior, we study the effect of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) in different behavioral components, including reproductive-related behaviors, anxiety, learning & memory, and addiction. We are also interested in determining the cellular and molecular mechanisms that occur in the brain after the presence of supraphysiological doses of AAS.
Our second project studies the effect of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in morphine addiction. We have tested high and low-DBS frequencies aimedat thenucleus accumbens of the brain to determine the possible beneficial effects for the extinction of drug-associated behaviors. We would also like to note that this project has a molecular component, to determine the biological substrates underlying the effects of DBS. Results from this study might represent a potential adjunct for extinction-based therapies for treatment-refractory opioid addicts.
El RCM tiene vigente la Licencia de Renovación de la Junta de Instituciones Postsecundarias y está acreditado por la MSCHE (Middle States Commission on Higher Education). Además, no discrimina por raza, religión, sexo, nacionalidad, edad, origen o condición social o económica, impedimento físico o mental, ni afiliación política.
The Medical Sciences Campus holds a Postsecondary Institutions Board Renewal License and is accredited by the MSCHE (Middle States Commission on Higher Education).In addition, it does not discriminate based on race, religion, sex, nationality, age, origin or social or economic condition, physical or mental disability, or political affiliation.
