Vanderbilt University · PharmacologyNucleus Accumbens Research Lab
Erin Calipari · Nashville, Tennessee
Research Focus
Dr. Erin Calipari's research lab at Vanderbilt University investigates the brain mechanisms involved in addiction, particularly how drugs like cocaine and alcohol affect neural circuits and behavior. The lab studies the role of specific neurons in the nucleus accumbens and how molecular changes in these cells contribute to addiction-related behaviors. By exploring these mechanisms, they aim to identify new treatment strategies for addiction that could help minimize relapse and improve outcomes for those struggling with substance use disorders.
addictioncocainealcohol use disordernucleus accumbensneuronal circuitsepigeneticsnegative reinforcementneuroplasticity
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how specific neuron populations in the nucleus accumbens respond to cocaine and alcohol cues.
AIM 02Explore the role of KAT2a in regulating cocaine-induced behavioral changes over time.
AIM 03Define the molecular changes within D2 medium spiny neurons in response to negative reinforcement from alcohol.
AIM 04Use advanced imaging techniques to observe changes in neuronal activity during drug exposure and withdrawal.
AIM 05Develop novel pharmacological approaches targeting identified molecular mechanisms to prevent relapse in addiction.
Skills the Lab Values
single nucleus RNA sequencingpatch clamp electrophysiologyoptogeneticsanimal behavioral assaysimaging techniquesCRISPRdata analysisdrug administrationmolecular biology techniques
Output against the department
Publications170bottom 47% of dept.246th of 462
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations8.5ktop 44% of dept.201st of 462
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.