The research in Dr. Segarra’s laboratory focuses on the interactions between sex steroids and glucocorticoids in modulating motivation, such as addictive behavior. The long-term goal of the laboratory is to elucidate the mechanisms by which alterations in brain neurochemistry and/or synaptic connectivity result in dysfunctional motivational and reward circuitry. Since many of these motivated behaviors are sexually dimorphic, the experiments focus on the developmental window when this dimorphism is established, and the factors involved. Current research efforts are concentrated in studying the interactions between sex steroids, housing conditions, and exercise in modulating the behavioral response to cocaine. Researchers in her lab have found that rearing young rats in isolation increases anxiety and their behavioral response to drugs of abuse.  We are currently exploring if exercise can mitigate these effects. By studying the interaction between limbic brain neurochemistry and sex steroids in normal and aberrant motivated behaviors, the laboratory can obtain physiologically relevant information that may contribute to elucidate the mechanisms involved in many psychiatric disorders and identify gender bias. A better understanding of the factors that lead to differential sensitivity to drugs of abuse is crucial for the development of pharmacotherapy that is equally effective in males and females.

Doctor of Philosophy

Jaime Freire-Arvelo (2021-expected)

Carlos Rivero (2022-expected)

Undergraduate students (of more than 150)

Patricia Roa, UPR, Río Piedras

Arianna Rodriguez, UPR, Humacao