Project Four

The fourth focus of our lab is in collaboration with Dr. Miller. The mechanism and distribution of sigma-1 receptors in the brain has led to investigations of their involvement in learning, rewarding and motivational processes, particularly as it relates to substances of abuse, including psychostimulants and ethanol. However, very little is known about the role sigma-1 receptors have on the rewarding or motivational properties related to food consumption. Our lab is investigating the role of this receptor in these processes and how they might contribute to behaviors that could lead to both drug addiction and/or obesity.