Basic Science & Translational Research

The Ostlund Lab research focuses on the investigation of neural mechanisms of decision making and motivated behavior, including how chronic drug use impacts the brain to support pathological drug-seeking behavior. A multidisciplinary approach is applied to measure and manipulate the activity of genetically and anatomically targeted neural circuits in rodents performing sophisticated behavioral tasks. Determining how ascending dopamine systems contribute to behavior is a major area of study in the lab. Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry and microdialysis are used to characterize distinct aspects of dopamine signaling to determine their relationship to learning and behavior and how this is altered in addiction and other pathological states. A range of strategies, including chemo and optogenetic tools, are used to selectively perturb the function of dopamine and other neurochemical signaling pathways to determine their specific contributions to behavior.

Principal Investigator: Sean Ostlund, PhD

The Luo Lab research focuses on molecular mechanisms of chronic pain. A multidisciplinary approach is used to study how chronic pain-inducing conditions, such as peripheral nerve injury, spinal cord injury and bone cancer, activate changes in gene expression in sensory pathways that lead to lowered thresholds for spinal neuron activation and pain perception.

Principal Investigator: David Luo, MD, PhD

The Alkire Lab research interest focuses on investigating the mechanisms of anesthetic action on learning, memory, consciousness and pain processing. Neuroimaging technologies such as positron emission tomography (PET), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and high-density electroencephalography (EEG), as well as small animal experimentation, are used to identify and experimentally manipulate various key sites of anesthetic action in the brain.

Principal Investigator: Michael Alkire, MD