Our laboratory investigates the neural basis of addiction, focusing on how neuropeptides in the limbic system affect disorders such as alcohol use disorder and binge eating disorder.

We use cutting-edge techniques and a multidisciplinary approach to examine the involvement of limbic neuropeptides in addictive behavior. Techniques include chemogenetics (DREADDs), viral manipulation of gene expression, quantitative real-time PCR, in situ hybridization, ELISA, Western Blot, immunohistochemistry, tract-tracing, home-cage intake and operant self-administration, and various tests of affective behavior.