Stanford Reward Circuits of the Brain (RBRAIN)
Overview
Ketamine, MDMA (“ecstasy”) and methamphetamine are drugs of abuse that have steadily gained in popularity. Compared to more traditional stimulants or narcotics, however, less is known about their mode of action, their subjective effects, and how these effects promote continued use. By integrating four Research Projects led by Drs. Karl Deisseroth, Lisa Giocomo, Robert Malenka, Leanne Williams, and Brian Knutson, we aim to develop a theoretically-informed characterization of the effects of these drugs on the neurobehavior of specific circuits for processing risk and reward, the connectivity of these circuits, and how these circuits and their connectivity predict acute drug experience and drug use outcomes.
Overview
Ketamine, MDMA (“ecstasy”) and methamphetamine are drugs of abuse that have steadily gained in popularity. Compared to more traditional stimulants or narcotics, however, less is known about their mode of action, their subjective effects, and how these effects promote continued use. By integrating four Research Projects led by Drs. Karl Deisseroth, Lisa Giocomo, Robert Malenka, Leanne Williams, and Brian Knutson, we aim to develop a theoretically-informed characterization of the effects of these drugs on the neurobehavior of specific circuits for processing risk and reward, the connectivity of these circuits, and how these circuits and their connectivity predict acute drug experience and drug use outcomes.
Interested in Participating?
We are currently recruiting adults with 18-55 years old who have used ketamine (special K) two or more times in the past. As part of the study, you will complete 5 in-person visits and will receive up to $495, lunches, and an image of your brain.
If you are interested in participating in the study, please complete the following online screening survey:
We will contact you as soon as possible after receiving your completed screening survey. Thank you for your interest in our studies!
We are currently recruiting adults with 18-55 years old who have used ketamine (special K) two or more times in the past. As part of the study, you will complete 5 in-person visits and will receive up to $495, lunches, and an image of your brain.
If you are interested in participating in the study, please complete the following online screening survey:
We will contact you as soon as possible after receiving your completed screening survey. Thank you for your interest in our studies!
Sign Up Here
Our Methods
We use a variety of techniques to measure brain activity.
We use a variety of techniques to measure brain activity.
In addition to fMRI and EEG, our methods also include computerized games and questionnaires.
In addition to fMRI and EEG, our methods also include computerized games and questionnaires.
RBRAIN Research Team
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Leanne Williams, PhDPrincipal Investigator
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Christina B. Young, PhDPostdoctoral Fellow -
Laura Hack, MD, PhDPostdoctoral FellowDescription -
Jake Hartley, BSClinical Research Coordinator IIDescription -
Bailey Holt-Gosselin, BSNeuroimaging Research CoordinatorDescription -
Megan Chesnut, MSNeuroimaging Research CoordinatorDescription -
Lauren Whicker, BANeuroimaging Research CoordinatorDescription
Collaborators
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Carolyn Rodriguez, MD, PhD -
Brian Knutson, PhDDescription -
Karl Deisseroth, MD, PhDDescription -
Lisa Giocomo, PhDDescription -
Robert Malenka, MD, PhDDescription -
Patricia Suppes, MD, PhDDescription -
Boris Heifets, MD, PhDDescription -
Peter van Roessel, MD, PhDDescription -
Christina Khan, MD, PhDDescription
Funding
RBRAIN is funded through a National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) Specialized Center (P50) grant.
Grant: P50DA042012
RBRAIN is funded through a National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) Specialized Center (P50) grant.
Grant: P50DA042012