Interests:
I am interested in implementing neurochemically specific brain imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET), to investigate the underlying neuroadaptations involved in substance dependence and withdrawal, particularly alcohol and nicotine. Areas of previous and current research include:
Characterization of PET imaging radiotracers targeting alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors
Development of experimental paradigms to interrogate acetylcholine neurotransmission in vivo with PET imaging
Using PET imaging the study the neurochemistry of chronic alcohol use in nonhuman primate models
Imaging neuroinflammation in clinical alcohol dependence
Methods development of analysis tools integrating PET imaging data with fMRI connectivity data
Studying alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in PTSD