Vanderbilt University · BiologyMcMahon Lab
Douglas G Mcmahon · Nashville, Tennessee
Research Focus
Dr. Douglas McMahon's lab at Vanderbilt University focuses on how changes in natural light exposure affect brain circuits and behavior, particularly in relation to mood disorders. The research emphasizes the role of circadian rhythms and specific brain regions that are linked to anxiety and depression. By investigating these connections, the lab aims to understand the neurobiological mechanisms that govern mood regulation and motivation.
circadian rhythmsmood disordersserotonindopamineelectrophysiologyneural circuitsmental healthphotoperiodic programminganxiety
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how photoperiod influences serotonin neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus.
AIM 02Elucidate the role of the TREK-1 potassium channel in mood regulation.
AIM 03Examine the downstream effects of serotonergic programming on dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens.
AIM 04Assess the impact of seasonal changes on anxiety and motivation behaviors.
AIM 05Explore sex-dependent differences in neurobiological responses to light exposure.
Skills the Lab Values
electrophysiologybehavioral assaysanimal modelsmolecular biology techniquesimmunohistochemistrydata analysis in Rlight manipulation systemsneuroanatomy techniquesCRISPRWestern blot
Output against the department
Publications174top 38% of dept.390th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations7.8ktop 48% of dept.491st of 1,033
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.