My lab is primarily interested in investigating the neural and neurochemical mechanisms that underlie conditioned and affective influences upon approach-avoidance decision making, with a particular focus on the role of the affective cortico-limbic-striatal system and its interactions with midbrain dopaminergic systems. Crucially, a central tenet of the research is the notion that conditioned (incentive and affective) cues can take aberrant control over behaviour in psychological disorders such as drug addiction, schizophrenia, and depression. We use a multidisciplinary approach to achieve our research goals. As well as using traditional behavioural neuroscience techniques (intra-cerebral drug micro infusions), we use cutting edge techniques (chemogenetics, optogenetics), and pharmacological models of addiction, schizophrenia and addiction, in combination with novel behavioural paradigms..
