
This laboratory uses a multidisciplinary approach using both animal and model systems to study the biology of addiction and stress/depression. We are specifically interested in how adolescence and the hormonal changes of puberty and aging influence vulnerability to these conditions. Specific projects underway include: (1) the biology of sex differences in addictive drug action, (2) role of maturing dopamine systems in the onset of drug taking during adolescence, (3) the neurobiology of adolescent insensitivity to threat and its role in drug use.
Studies of sex differences focus on understanding estrogen and testosterone actions in the brain that are relevant to addiction, depression and stress-related behaviors. We are particularly interested in molecular targets of estrogen action including key proteins that regulate dopamine neurons and the stress peptide CRF. Current projects include the role of glucocorticoid and reproductive hormones in alcohol and opioid dependence in adolescence. Adolescent studies are exploring the impact of maturing dopamine systems as well as cortical inhibition of these systems on novelty-seeking/risk taking as predictors of substance abuse vulnerability as well as responses to addictive drugs.
In addition to these animal studies, we collaborate actively with clinicians in psychiatry who are studying addiction and stress-related illness in humans, and participate in development of drug-abuse education and general neuroscience education materials for students, parents and other members of the lay public.
Education and Training
- Duke University, Ph.D. 1976
Selected Grants and Awards
- Duke CTSA (KL2)
- Duke CTSA (TL1)
- Simultaneous and Bidirectional Chemogenetic Control of Mesolimbic and Nigrostriatal Circuits
- Pharmacology Industry Internships for Ph.D. Students
- Duke University Program in Environmental Health
- IPA - David Walker
- Fibroblast Growth Factor Homologous Factor Modulation and Effect on Cardiac Ion Channel Trafficking
- Alcohol, Puberty, and Adolescent Brain Development
- Depression & CHD: Cellular-Molecular Mechanisms
- A Neuroscience-Based Health Curriculum to Promote Academic Success
- Gender Differences in Stimulant Action
- Responses of Myocardial Ischemia to Sertraline Treatment
- Nasal adjuvant to enhance anti-cocaine vaccines
- Serotonergic Contribution to Adolescent Risk Taking
- Role of HPA Axis in Adolescent Vulnerability to Drug Addiction
- Stress and Behavior in Health and Disease
- Developmental THC Sensitivity in Male and Female Rats
- Ethanol and GABA Function: Developmental Sensitivity
- Dopamine Function During Adolescence
- PTSD & Childhood Sexual Abuse: Psychobiology
- Maternal MDMA (Ectasy) Exposure & Fetal Physiology
- IPA - David Walker
- Adolescent Vulnerability to Neuroplastic Changes Induced by High Dose Cocaine.
- PTSD & Childhood Sexual Abuse: Psychobiology
- Duke PREP: Minority Recruitment into Biomedical Sciences
- Child Neglect: Psychobiological Consequences
- GHB Tolerance and Dependence
- Stress, Serotonin Genes, & Health Disparities
- Graduate Training in Pharmalogical Sciences
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Estrogen Inhibits Noradrenergic Function through ER Beta
- Early Experience, Serotonin and Adult Function
- Hostility & Chd--Sns Lipid & Cell Molecular Mechanisms
- Graduate Training Program in Pharmacological Sciences
- Hostility & Chd: Sns, Lipid, & Cell-Molecular Mechanisms
- Graduate Training In Pharmacological Sciences
- Drugs: Integrating High School Biology And Chemistry
- Opiate Effects On Maturation Of Endocrine Regulation
- Graduate Training In Pharmacological Research
- Gender Differences In Stimulant Sensitization
- Gender Differences In Stiumlant Sensitization
- Opiate Effects On Maturation Of Endocrine Regluation
- Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center
- Biobehavioral Factors In Coronary Heart Disease
- Biobehaviorial Factors In Coronary Heart Disease
- Preclinical Sciences Center For Cocaine Treatment
- Genetics Of A Murine Model Of Type 2 Diabetes
- Integration Of Stress Response In Ontogeny--Role Of Crf
- Integration Of Stress Response In Ontogeny: Role Of Crf
- Opioid Effects On Maturation Of Endocrine Regulation
- Nutrition And Adrenergic Receptor Mechanisms In Ontog
- Nutrition And Adrenergic Receptor Mechanisms In Ontog