Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience

Research Aim 

My main focus is to examine the mechanisms by which the mesolimbic dopamine system mediates cognitive processes, such as rule-learning.  In addition, the involvement of the mesolimbic dopamine system in mental disorders is being examined.   Currently,  I am employing a rodent model that combines behavioral, neuropharmacological (lesion and microinfusion), and neurophysiological (single-cell recording) approaches to investigate behavioral processes.  

Research Topics:  

     The prefrontal-basal ganglia system in higher-order learning  

     Involvement of limbic structures in hyperactive behavior 

     Dopamine modulation on learned and spontaneous behavior

Laboratory Members 

Currently several undergraduate and graduate students are working in the lab. 

To view individual lab members (current and past) and their research interests, click names below.

Current Lab Members 

James Armstrong: Psychology and Biology/Pre-Med (Senior, Undergraduate)

Brad Brewer: Psychology and Social Work (Senior, Undergraduate)

Jonathan Brown: Psychology (Senior, Undergraduate)

Greg Marcum: Clinical Psychology (M.A.)

Joe Mayhorn: Psychology (Sophomore, Undergraduate)

Takehiro Minamoto: Experimental Psychology (M.A.)

Jared Neal: Psychology (Senior, Undergraduate)

Joseph Odell: Experimental Psychology (M.A.)

Clell Watts: Psychology (Sophomore, Undergraduate)

Former Lab Members 

Brent A. Caudill: Psychology (B.A.).  High school teacher

Nao Hagiwara: Psychology (B.A.).  PhD student at Michigan State University

Ashley Justice: Psychology (B.A.)

Lee Mead:  Computer Science (B.A.)

Jessica Skeens: Psychology (B.A.). 

Christopher Whitaker: Psychology (B.A.). PhD student at University of Louisville  

Bridgette Whitt: Psychology (M.A.)

Mathew Wolfe: Computer Science (B.A.)

Collaborators 

We have active collaborations with other laboratories.

LOOKING FOR UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS

We are looking for undergraduate students who are interested in neural basis of learning and/or mental disorders.  Students in Psychology, Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacology, or related areas are strongly encouraged to apply.

Interested individuals should contact:
Dr. Ilsun M. White
Department of  Psychology, Ginger Hall, 601
E-mail:  i.white@morehead-st.edu
Phone: (606) 783-2991 or  783-2407

Recent Publications

White, I.M. & Hagiwara, N. (submitted). Deactivation of the shell and the core of the accumbens produces comparable impairment in visuospatial discrimination in rats: Distinctive role of D1 receptors within the shell. 

Odell, J.R., Minamoto, T., & White, I.M. (submitted). Acute and chronic effects of methamphetamine and PCP on social interaction in rats. 

White, I.M. & Whitaker, C. (submitted). Amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion in rats: Modulation by the ventral hippocampus. Synapse.  

White, W., Feldon, J., & White, I.M. (2004). Development of acute withdrawal during periodic administration of amphetamine in rats. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 79:55-63.

Salarzar R.F., White, W., Feldon, J., & White, I.M. (2004).  NMDA lesions in the medial prefrontal cortex impair the ability to inhibit responses during reversal of a simple spatial discrimination. Behavioral Brain Research, 152:413-24.

Lacroix, L., White, I.M., & Feldon, J. (2002).  Effect of excitotoxic lesion of rat medial prefrontal cortex on spatial memory. Behavioural Brain Research, 133:69-81.

Chen, N-H., White, I.M., & Wise, S.P. (2001). Neuronal activity in dorsomedial prefrontal cortex and prefrontal cortex reflecting in location of conditional visual instructions in monkeys.  Experimental Brain Research, 139:116-119.

Bast, T., Zhang, W., Feldon, J., & White, I.M. (2000). MK801-induced disruption of prepulse inhibition and the effect of pretreatment with haloperidol or clozapine: re-examination in two strains of rats.  Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Behavior, 67:1-12.

White, W., Feldon, J., Heidbreder, C.A., & White, I.M., (2000). Effects of administering cocaine at the same versus varying times of day on circadian activity patterns and sensitization in rats. Behavioral Neuroscience, 114:972-982.

White, I.M. & Wise, S.P. (1999).  Rule-dependent neuronal activity in the prefrontal cortex. Experimental Brain Research, 126:315-335.

White, I.M., Doubles, L., & Rebec, G.V. (1998).  Cocaine-induced activation of striatal neurons during focused stererotypy in rats.  Brain Research, 810:146-152.

Rebec, G.V., White, I.M., & Puotz, J.K. (1997).  Response of striatal neurons during amphetamine-induced focused stereotypy.  Psychopharmacology, 130:343-351.

Trytek, E.S., White, I.M., Schroeder, D.M., Heidenreich, B.A., & Rebec, G.V. (1996).  Localization of motor- and nonmotor-related neurons within the matrix-striosome organization of rat striatum. Brain Research, 707:221-227.

White, I.M. & Rebec, G.V. (1995).  A lever-release version of the conditioned avoidance response (CAR) paradigm for assessing the neuronal mechanisms of action of anitpsychotic drugs.  Neuroscience Protocols, 95:1-15.

White, I.M., Flory, G.S., Hooper, K.C, Speciale, J., Banks, D.A., & Rebec, G.V. (1995).  Phencyclidine-induced excitation of striatal neurons in behaving rats: reversal by haloperidol and clozapine. Journal of Neural Transmission, 102:99-112.

Links
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