UTHThe University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston · Neuroscience
Center for Reward Processing and Neural Circuits
Fabricio Hoffmann Do Monte · Houston, Texas
Research Focus
Dr. Fabricio Hoffmann Do Monte's lab studies how the brain responds when expected rewards are suddenly taken away. They investigate specific brain circuits involved in changing behavior under these conditions, focusing on how different neuron types in the thalamus signal changes in reward availability. This research could enhance our understanding of disorders like anxiety and depression that can arise from such reward omissions.
reward processingneural circuitsbehavioral adaptationthalamusanxietydepressionelectrophysiologyin vivoratsreward omission
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how brain circuits process reward-related cues.
AIM 02Analyze neuronal activity changes during reward omission.
AIM 03Determine how specific neuron types in the thalamus influence behavior.
AIM 04Test the effects of manipulating thalamic circuits on reward-seeking behaviors.
AIM 05Develop insights into the neural mechanisms underlying anxiety and depression.
Skills the Lab Values
in vivo electrophysiologyanimal behavior studiescircuit activity manipulationdata analysis using Pythonsurgical procedures in ratsbehavioral task designneuronal recording techniquessynaptic dynamics assessmentreward-seeking behavior experimentsgenetic manipulation techniques
Output against the department
Publications58bottom 14% of dept.577th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations3.0kbottom 22% of dept.522nd 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.