Catherine Davis
My main interests lie in the contribution of genetic differences to the varying reactivity animals have in their behavioral responses to administration of drugs of abuse. Genetic differences in the behavioral responses elicited by drugs of abuse could provide important information about inherent vulnerabilities animals might have to develop patterns of drug-addictive behavior. These differences can also provide information as to the role genes play in controlling the systems that respond to drugs of abuse. Moreover, these inherent vulnerabilities could affect the overall acceptability of the drug, with differences emerging in the animal's positive (rewarding/reinforcing) or negative (aversion) affective responses to drug intake. In this regard, I use genetically distinct inbred strains of rats (Fischer and Lewis animals), that differ in their affective responses to drug administration, to investigate the contribution of inherent differences in drug-related behaviors. These strains differ in their responses to many drugs, including cocaine, morphine and other opiates. My main goal is to investigate the inherent differences in opioid reactivity in these strains, and use this knowledge to help understand the genetic mediation of the differential sensitivity to opiate administration.
Mary Anne Hutchison
My research interests lie in adolescent drug use, and how such use may impact drug use later in life. Since prior drug history has been shown to effect later drug use, and drug use is often initiated in adolescence, it is important to understand the specific long-term effects of adolescent drug use. My work has focused on how adolescent drug use affects the motivational properties of drugs taken in adulthood. The abuse potential of a drug can be viewed as a balance between its rewarding and aversive properties, and any factors that affect these properties may alter the response to the drug. For example, if something were to decrease the aversive properties of a drug without affecting its rewarding aspects, its abuse potential may increase. Recently, I have been looking at how the use of drugs such as nicotine and alcohol (commonly considered to be "gateway" drugs) during adolescence may effect the aversive properties of other drugs such as cocaine in adulthood. Hopefully, my work will contribute to the understanding of factors that influence drug use and abuse.
Steve Kohut
My primary research interest at American involves the interaction of stress hormones and psychostimulants. More specifically, how stressful experiences (both acute and chronic) may change drug responsivity within preparations that are thought to be sensitive to the rewarding (CPP) and aversive (CTA) properties of drugs. In addition, I am interested in how changes in HPA axis activity due to early life events may effect acquisition of and patterns of cocaine self-administration. I am currently working on a project examining the interaction of early life environment and genetics on drug taking.
Jennifer Rinker
Currently, my research focuses on the examination of the two most commonly co-used psychoactive substances, nicotine and alcohol. I am interested in the behavioral, biological and pharmacological factors that might potentially mediate the co-use of nicotine and alcohol, and how changes in the rewarding and/or aversive properties of either drug might contribute to the overall reinforcing value of the combination. I am especially interested in examining the interaction of nicotine and alcohol at the receptor level (e.g., using specific nAChR agonists/antagonists) to elucidate the biological factors regulating their co-use. In addition to nicotine and alcohol, I am, in general, interested in drugs used in combination, particularly those that are licit or commercially available. Additionally, I am interested in other individual characteristics that may be militating factors for drug use and dependence, i.e., the effects of sex, strain, or drug history, etc.
Katie Serafine
I'm a second year masters student here at AU. Currently I am working on a project assessing the effects of cocaine preexposure on desipramine induced taste aversions. I am interested in continuing research assessing the aversive effects of cocaine as well as how drug history effects the aversive and rewarding properties of other drugs. In addition I hope to, in the near future collaborate with my colleagues exploring strain differences and the effects of cross fostering on ethanol self administration and ethanol induced taste aversions.
Andrey Verendeev
My research interests include affective properties of drugs of abuse and I'm currently investigating individual differences in the aversive and rewarding effects of morphine. I am interested in conditioned taste aversion as a phenomenon in general, its interpretations and implications, and its use in psychopharmacology.
