Michael A. Nader, Ph.D.           

Professor of Physiology and Pharmacology, Radiology
Director, Program on Functional Neuroimaging of Behavior
Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Neuropharmacology, behavioral pharmacology, nonhuman primate models, brain imaging, cocaine abuse

The overriding goal of this research is to broaden our understanding of the neural and behavioral mechanisms that mediate the reinforcing effects of cocaine and other stimulant drugs. More specifically, these studies combine behavioral models of drug abuse in monkeys with the brain imaging procedure positron emission tomography (PET) in an effort to better understand the neuropharmacological effects of cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA and other drugs of abuse. We utilize two models of drug abuse in monkeys: drug self-administration and drug discrimination. In drug self-administration, monkeys are surgically prepared with chronic indwelling intravenous catheters and they are trained to make an operant response that results in the delivery of cocaine or other drugs of interest. In drug discrimination, responding is differentially reinforced in the presence or absence of cocaine and, in other animals, methamphetamine. In both types of animal models, the effects of potential treatments (both pharmacological and behavioral) are examined. In addition, when combined with PET imaging, the effects of cocaine on brain function can be assessed at all phases of drug abuse - from acquisition, through maintenance and into withdrawal. Furthermore, we can examine how environmental context alters brain function, and subsequently the reinforcing effects of cocaine. My laboratory is interested in identifying factors that predispose an individual to drug abuse. We have the only laboratory in the world studying intravenous drug self-administration in socially housed monkeys. Overall, these studies are providing evidence that combining behavioral pharmacology with brain imaging provides valuable information about the interactions between drugs, the environment, and the organism. This approach should aid in the understanding of variables that mediate the high abuse liability of stimulant drugs, and ultimately in identifying effective behavioral and pharmacological treatment strategies. Updated: 10/2008.