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People > Faculty
Marcelo
Febo
The broad objective of our laboratory is to characterize neuronal and behavioral changes that occur with repeated exposure to drugs of abuse. Currently, we are interested in studying the dopaminergic system in the maternal brain and its role in processing rewarding stimuli. Lactation provides a rewarding experience beneficial to mother-infant bonding. Cocaine addiction can sever this critical mother-infant experience, possibly affecting child psychosocial development. A host of methodologies from functional MRI, in vivo neuronal recordings to in vivo microdialysis and receptor autoradiography are being applied to identify and characterize neural networks activated by suckling and other pup-derived sensory stimuli that represent natural rewards for lactating rats. What are the neural circuits that respond to pups? How do pup stimuli compare to and compete with other natural rewards (food, water, sex)? What brain chemicals modulate mother-pup interactions? How do cocaine and other drugs of abuse affect maternal brain activity and behavior? These are just a few examples of questions that currently interest us. By understanding dopaminergic mechanisms underlying maternal behavior, it will be possible to target brain substrates for clinical intervention in mothers recovering from addiction, withdrawal or depression. |
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Research