Rachel Smith

My primary research interests are the neurobiological mechanisms of drug addiction and the compulsive behaviors and maladaptive habits associated with this psychiatric disorder. A central theme of my research thus far has been investigating the neurocircuitry and transmitter systems underlying drug seeking. The lab uses animal models of addiction, including the rat self-administration paradigm. We analyze behavior and neural circuits related to addiction, and make use of tools in pharmacology, immunohistochemistry, anatomical tracing, and optogenetics/DREADDs. Affiliated Research Cluster Neuroscience & Affective Science. Neural mechanisms underlying drug addiction and relapse; maladaptive behavior; rodent models.

Jones BO, Spencer HF, Cruz AM, Paladino MS, Handel SN, Smith RJ (2024) Random interval schedule of reinforcement influences punishment resistance for cocaine in rats. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory 213:107961. Jones BO, Paladino MS, Cruz AM, Spencer HF, Kahanek PL, Scarborough LN, Georges SF, Smith RJ (2024) Punishment resistance for cocaine is associated with inflexible habits in rats. Addiction Neuroscience 11:100148. Handel SN, Smith RJ (2024) Making and breaking habits: Revisiting the definitions and behavioral factors that influence habits in animals. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior 121(1):8-26. Gangal H, Xie X, Huang Z, Cheng Y, Wang X, Lu J, Zhuang X, Essoh A, Huang Y, Chen R, Smith LN, Smith RJ, Wang J (2023) Drug reinforcement impairs cognitive flexibility by