Neurobiology of Relapse Section

A division of the Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch

Section Chief

Yavin Shaham, Ph.D.

Contact

Location:
Biomedical Research Center
251 Bayview Blvd
Suite 200, Room 08A711
Baltimore, MD 21224

Phone: 667-312-5278

Email: Yshaham@intra.nida.nih.gov

About the Lab

We study neurobiological mechanisms of relapse to drug seeking and choice of drug versus non-drug rewards using rat models developed in the lab (Shaham group). We also study neurophysiological mechanisms of addictive drugs and motivated behavior (Kiyatkin group).

Current projects of Shaham group:

1. Relapse to opioid seeking after palatable food choice-induced voluntary abstinence
2. Relapse to opioid seeking after abstinence induced by adverse consequences of drug taking
3. Context-induced relapse to heroin seeking
4. Choice of opioid drugs versus social or food rewards in an operant model

Current projects of Kiyatkin group (In-vivo electrophysiology unit):

1. Neurochemical mechanisms of opioid actions in the CNS
2. Interactions of opioids with therapeutic drugs and other addictive drugs
3. Electrochemical evaluation of changes in brain oxygen and glucose