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Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratories

Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratories. Dr. Val Farmer-Dougan Dr. Byron Heidenreich Dr. Paul Garris Dr. Joe Casto. Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory. The behavioral neuroscience laboratory focuses on behavioral and neural mechanisms mediating reward

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Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratories

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  1. Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratories Dr. Val Farmer-Dougan Dr. Byron Heidenreich Dr. Paul Garris Dr. Joe Casto

  2. Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory • The behavioral neuroscience laboratory focuses on • behavioral and neural mechanisms mediating reward • optimization in both individual and groups of animals. • the role of dopamine as a behavioral activator in motivated behavior: • Obtaining Food and drink • Sexual behavior • Drug abuse • Understanding how organisms optimize reward is important • for understanding animal behavior • for understanding human neuropathologies such as • addiction • schizophrenia • attention disorder

  3. Other areas of focus • Early detection of Parkinson’s disorder • Stroke • Effects of early experience on rewarded behavior • Emphasis on: • changes in brain correlated with changes in behavior • Neuroprotectants • Identifying early behavioral predictors of brain dysfunction

  4. Changes in sensitivity to reward using Matching Law and Behavioral Momentum Paradigms • The matching law, an optimization model, can be used to measure an animal’s sensitivity to reward. • This paradigm may be used to examine the role of DA in choice behavior. • DA, considered the neural substrate of reward, appears instead to modulate arousal, which in turn affects sensitivity to reward. • Our lab has found that DA, D1 and D2 agonists differentially disrupt sensitivity to reward, suggesting differences in DA receptor functions. • The focuses of these projects, then, are the parameters that impact reward sensitivity.   • This project Funded by NIDA AREA Grant 11530-02-462009719~

  5. Quinpirole SKF38393 Which drug is most detrimental to reward sensitivity? Apomorphine PD128907

  6. Effects of Ephedrine, Caffeine, and Their Combination on the Reinforcement Sensitivity of the Rats • Recent research has implied that an ephedrine and caffeine combination improves vigilance and attention at low doses (possibly increasing sensitivity to reinforcement), but may also produce psychosis, which is detrimental to sensitivity to reinforcement. • No recent investigations tested changes in sensitivity to reward using these drugs individually or in combination.  • Our study examined changes in sensitivity to reinforcement across a series of concurrent variable interval schedules when rats are treated with ephedrine, caffeine, or a combination. • Changes in animal’s sensitivity to reward was increased during low ephedrine/caffeine combinations but decreased sensitivity to reward during high dose combinations.

  7. Effects of Competition on Matching in an Open Foraging Paradigm • The matching law and ideal free distribution theories predict that the ratio of time spent at two patches will equal the ratio of food resources obtained at the two patches. • That is, matching is the sensitivity to changes in reward ratios. • Many studies using an open field foraging paradigm have shown overall group matching. • Interestingly, individual members of the group do not necessarily match. • Rather, some over- or under-estimate reward. • This suggests competition affects individual matching. • We examine matching in groups of rats foraging at two patches. • rats might be exposed to solitary foraging conditions, • Or introduced to competitors • Or receive DA drugs.

  8. What career opportunities? • Can work in pharmacology, animal care or research related area with just a B.S. • Generally, some graduate school is required: • MS or PhD: 2-3 years post graduate • Sometimes MD/PhD: 5-6 years post graduate • Employment in: • Government • Private industry, particularly pharmaceutical • Academics/research

  9. What coursework and degrees? • Psychology major with strong basic science minor/emphasis • Biology/Chemistry major with strong psychology minor/emphasis • In particular: • Math through calculus • At least one full year of biology, preferably chemistry • Psy , 131, 231, 340: Research methods and statistics • Psy 363: Physiological psychology • Psy 367: Pharmacology • Psy 360: Learning • Psy 331.03: Advanced laboratory in operant behavior. • Strong writing skills • Research apprenticeships: Psy 290, 390

  10. Come visit the lab! • Where are we located: Felmley Annex 230 • Phone number: 438-8333 • Grad students: • Nikki Kempel • Leslie Wise • Stephanie Stilling • Dan Covey • Undergraduate Students  • Matt Richardson • Jomathan Davis • Shawn Craven • Tobny Calderala

  11. For more information:The Behavioral Neuroscience LaboratoryFelmley Annex 230438-8333http://lilt.ilstu.edu/vfdouga/neuroscience.htm

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