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 psychostimulant-induced hyperactive behavior

Dopamine modulation on learned and spontaneous behavior

Laboratory Members

James Armstrong

Lisa Barker

Brad Brewer

Brandon Griffith

Greg Marcum

Takehiro Minamoto

Joey Odell

Former Laboratory Members

Brent Caudill

Nao Hagiwara

Ashley Justice

Lee Mead

Chris Whitaker

Bridgette Whitt

Matt Wolfe

LOOKING FOR UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS

The Biopsychology Laboratory in Psychology Department is 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 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  2407

Recent Publications

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.

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