Behavioral and Pharmacological Neuroscience at Indiana University

Preclinical Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory

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Kathryn Smith

Contact Information

Telephone: (812-855-5351)
Email: kdfische@indiana.edu

Education

2006-B.S. Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN

Current Research Interests

My research focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying drug addiction. I am particularly interested in the disruptions that occur in glutamatergic transmission during drug abuse. I use behavioral and pharmacological techniques in combination with immunohistochemistry to investigate the effects that altered glutmate transmission has on behavior.

Past research has implicated a critical role for glutamate transmission in drug abuse. For instance, cocaine self-administration causes basal levels of glutamate to increase. I am currently investigating the effects that pharmacological manipulations on glutamate transmission have on each stage of the cocaine addiction cycle (self administration, extinction, and reinstatement).

Future research will involve physiological techniques to further investigate the neuronal activity that occurs during drug related behaviors.