The primary interest of this laboratory is to understand the biologic factors that increase sensitivity to drug abuse and depression in vulnerable populations. Specifically, we are interested in mechanisms responsible for the developmental and gender differences in monoamine neurotransmitter systems. One important current focus is studying the mechanisms that mediate sex differences in behavioral responses to addictive drugs. The second is understanding the neural and endocrine changes during adolescence that influence sensitivity to drugs of abuse at this critical developmental stage. We are using a multidisciplinary approach to these problems which includes studying the behavioral response of rats to cocaine and other stimulants, the neuroanatomical effects of gonadal steroids on dopamine neurons and the regulation of dopamine release, synthesis and reuptake. We are also using in vitro model systems to study estrogen and testosterone action on monoamine neurons in the brain.

Walker , Q. D., Li, S.T., Bunin, M., Wightman, R.M. and Kuhn, C.M. Dopamine release and uptake are greater in female than male rat striatum as measured by fast cyclic voltammetry. Neuroscience 95:1061-1070. 2000.

Walker , Q.D., Cabassa, J., Kaplan, K.A., Li, S-T., Haroon, J., Spohr, H.A. and Kuhn, C.M. Sex Differences in Cocaine-Stimulated Motor Behavior: Disparate Effects of Gonadal Hormones. Neuropsychopharmacology 25:118-130. 2001, 2001

Rincavage, H.L., McDonnell, D.P. and Kuhn, C.M. Expression of Functional Estrogen Receptor b in Locus Coeruleus-Derived Cath.a Cells Endocrinology 144:2829-2835. 2003.

Caster, JM, Walker, QD and Kuhn, CM. Enhanced behavioral response to cocaine in adolescent rats. Psychopharmacology 183: 218-225. 2005 .

Walker QD, Ray R. and Kuhn CM. Sex differences in neurochemical effects of dopaminergic drugs in rat striatum. Neuropsychopharmacology 31:1193-1202. 2006