Research OpportunitiesWe are usually looking for undergraduate and graduate research assistants.




PeopleThe lab motto is "Work hard, play harder". These are the hard workers that make things go.




ProjectsThese are a more detailed look at the projects that make us want to work hard.




Kudos/NewsSome of the things we have done that we are proud of.

 

About the Lab

Our laboratory currently specializes in the reward and reward-related learning processes that lead to nicotine and tobacco dependence. We are also interested in the reward-enhancing effects of psychomotor stimulants and how these can translate to higher rates of tobacco dependence in alcoholics and more binge drinking when caffeine and alcohol are consumed together.

Recent Publications
Palmatier MI, Marks KR, Jones SA, Freeman KS, Wissman KM, Sheppard AB (2012). The effect of nicotine on sign-tracking and goal-tracking in a Pavlovian conditioned approach paradigm in rats. Psychopharmacology, doi: 10.1007/s00213-012-2892-9

Sheppard AB, Gross SC, Pavelka SA, Hall MJ, Palmatier MI (2012). Caffeine increases the motivation to obtain non-drug reinforcers in rats. Drug Alcohol Depend, 124(3), 216-222.

Palmatier MI, O'Brien LC, Hall MJ (2012). The role of conditioning history and reinforcer strength in the reinforcement enhancing effects of nicotine in rats. Psychopharmacology, 219(4), 1119-1131.

Levin ME, Weaver MT, Palmatier MI, Caggiula AR, Sved AF, Donny EC (2012). Varenicline dose dependently enhances responding for nonpharmacological reinforcers and attenuates the reinforcement-enhancing effects of nicotine. Nicotine Tob Res, 14(3), 299-305.

Deehan GA Jr, Palmatier MI, Cain ME, Kiefer SW (2011). Differential rearing conditions and alcohol-preferring rats: consumption of and operant responding for ethanol. Behav Neurosci, 125(2), 184-193.