George V. Rebec, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology and Director, Program in Neural Science Indiana University Bloomington

Research in my laboratory centers on the neurochemical correlates of behavior. We are especially interested in the neurochemistry of the basal ganglia and related limbic nuclei, which have been implicated in drug abuse as well as basic behavioral processes such as movement and motivation. To assess how these brain systems operate under naturally occurring conditions, we use electrophysiological (single-unit recording and iontophoresis) and neurochemical (microdialysis and voltammetry) techniques to measure neurotransmitter function at the neuronal level during behavior. Our primary focus is the role of dopamine in modulating afferent information, especially glutamate-mediated excitations arising from cerebrocortical neurons. Current projects are aimed at identifying: 1) the neuronal circuitry underlying goal-directed behavior, including relapse to drug and alcohol seeking; 2) the neurochemical basis of neuronal dysfunction in Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases; 3) drug- and disease-related adaptations in neuronal information processing; and 4) the role of basal ganglia neurons in motor control.