Brown University · NeuroscienceKaun Reward Lab
Karla R. Kaun · Providence, Rhode Island
Research Focus
Dr. Karla R. Kaun's lab investigates how alcohol affects the brain's reward circuits, particularly in comparison to natural rewards like sugar. By studying the simpler nervous system of fruit flies (Drosophila), the lab aims to uncover the cellular and molecular processes that lead to changes in reward perception and motivation due to alcohol consumption. This research could provide insights into the mechanisms behind addiction and maladaptive behavior related to alcohol and other rewards.
reward circuitsalcoholdopamineDrosophilasucrosememoryneural mechanismsgenome engineeringbehavioral neuroscienceaddiction
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how sugar reward is encoded in dopaminergic memory circuits.
AIM 02Examine how alcohol alters the encoding of sugar rewards based on prior experience.
AIM 03Identify molecular mechanisms by which alcohol influences sugar motivation.
AIM 04Understand the interaction between alcohol and reward value.
AIM 05Explore the effects of alcohol on reward circuit function and behavior.
Skills the Lab Values
genome engineeringDrosophila handlingbehavioral assaysimmunohistochemistryRNA sequencingelectrophysiologyfiber photometrymolecular cloningdata analysis microscopy
Output against the department
Publications52bottom 11% of dept.592nd of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations2.7kbottom 18% of dept.550th 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.