Current Research Projects
The Ettenberg lab is primarily involved in research aimed at identifying the neurobiological substrates underlying reinforced and motivated behaviors. Our studies employ a combination of behavioral, pharmacological, physiological, and/or neurochemical methods to investigate the nature of the brain mechanisms subserving goal-seeking behavior of animals working for natural rewards or psychoactive drugs.
Current ongoing research studies include the following:
- A runway model of intravenous drug self-administration
- Investigations of the mixed positive (reinforcing) and negative (anxiogenic) properties of self-administered cocaine
- Assessing the role of the "extended amygdala" in the negative “affective” response to cocaine
- The role of 5-HT, CRF, DA and NE systems in mediating the rewarding and anxiogenic properties of cocaine and oter drugs of abuse
- Identifying the neural systems mediating the reinforcing properties of intracranially-applied cocaine
- The use of ultrasonic vocalizations as an index of the positive and negative affective states produced by drugs of abuse
- Investigation of the neurochemical and behavioral correlates associated with the acquisition, extinction and reinstatement of IV self-administered cocaine & heroin
- Studies on the reinforcing and motivating properties of self-administered nicotine
- Dissociating the brain mechanisms involved in food motivation and reinforcement