Larry P. Gonzalez, Ph.D.
The primary focus of this laboratory is on the effects of chronic drug exposure and withdrawal on central nervous system function. The research techniques used in studies conducted in this laboratory include electrophysiological studies of single-cell activity and evoked field potentials in acute, anesthetized animals and in conscious, freely-moving animals, and behavioral studies of drug effects on spontaneous and learned behaviors. Recent work has involved studies of two major neuronal systems that appear to be particularly sensitive to drug exposure: the septohippocampal cholinergic and the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathways. Current research projects are investigating the effects of acute and chronic ethanol and cocaine exposure on the function of these pathways.

We recently have demonstrated important changes in the sensitivity of hippocampal neurons during withdrawal from chronic ethanol exposure which may contribute to ethanol withdrawal symptomatology. These results also indicate a significant modulation of hippocampal activity by GABA neurons of the substantia nigra, and that this effect is altered during ethanol withdrawal. We are currently conducting electrophysiological studies of these neuronal populations to determine more specifically their involvement in the ethanol withdrawal syndrome and to evaluate potential treatments for this syndrome in abstinent alcoholics.

Neuropsychopharmacology involves studying the relationships between CNS function and overt behavior, with an emphasis on the use of pharmacological manipulations to investigate mechanisms of action. Students working in this laboratory participate at all levels of research activities. They are exposed to a variety of electrophysiological techniques for monitoring neuronal function and for studying the actions of drugs in the central nervous system together with methods for the observation and quantification of spontaneous and elicited behaviors. In addition, this laboratory makes extensive use of computerized data acquisition and analysis technology and is involved in the development of computerized systems for the detection of relevant electrophysiological signals. Thus, students have extensive opportunities to obtain in-depth training in scientific computer applications.

Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory
OU Health Sciences Center
O'Donoghue Research Institute, Room 332
Oklahoma City, OK 73117
(405) 271-2011, Ext. 47722
(405) 271-2356 (FAX)