University of Maryland, Baltimore · NeuroscienceCheer Reward Lab
Joseph F Cheer · Baltimore, Maryland
Research Focus
Dr. Joseph Cheer’s lab focuses on understanding how the brain processes rewards and makes decisions based on memory and motivation. By studying the interaction between brain chemicals like acetylcholine and cannabinoids, the lab aims to uncover how these signals affect behaviors related to learning, memory, and reward-seeking activities. This research has important implications for treating memory disorders and motivational issues such as addiction.
endocannabinoidscholinergic transmissionreward processingdopaminemotivationlearningmemory disorderscognitionneurobiologyoptogenetics
Research Aims
4AIM 01Investigate how cannabinoid receptors affect cholinergic signaling in motivation and memory tasks.
AIM 02Examine the role of endocannabinoids in reward-related expectancy and behavior.
AIM 03Develop methods to measure acetylcholine dynamics during behavioral tasks.
AIM 04Explore the effects of cannabinoid signaling on dopamine neuron activity in reward contexts.
Skills the Lab Values
animal modelsoptogeneticsphotometrygenetic manipulationin vivo electrophysiologybehavioral testingmicroscopydata analysisdrug administration techniquesfluorescent imaging
Output against the department
Publications157top 48% of dept.316th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations8.6ktop 45% of dept.301st of 671
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.