José Zepeda
University of Massachusetts
Brad Grueter lab
I am interested in experience-dependent synaptic plasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself after an experience. It is known that after exposure to stimulants an area of the brain known as the nucleus accumbens undergoes massive synaptic plasticity. Within the nucleus accumbens, there are crucial interneuron populations that govern its ability and efficacy to output information to other areas of the brain but little is known about what kinds of synaptic plasticity they undergo. Using electrophysiological and pharmacological tools I aim to dissect the molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity on these privileged interneurons to understand how they contribute to addictive behaviors.