Behavioral and neuropharmacological effects of psychoactive drugs in humans

We are interested in investigating the behavioral and neuropharmacological effects of psychoactive drugs in human research participants. A major focus of this laboratory-based research is to understand factors that mediate drug self-administration behavior and to develop effective treatments.

Much of our research is conducted in our residential laboratory, designed for continuous observation of human behavior over extended periods of time. The laboratory provides a controlled environment with the flexibility to establish a range of behaviors and the ability to monitor simultaneously many individual and social behavior patterns. This laboratory is equipped with a closed circuit television and audio system encompassing each individual chamber for surveillance and measurement purposes, and to provide continuous monitoring for the participant’s protection. We believe that this relatively naturalistic environment can best meet the challenge of modeling the workplace to predict the interaction between drug use and workplace variables. Because our participants live in our laboratory with minimal outside contact, we are able to evaluate multiple aspects of the effects of drugs on workplace productivity in the same individuals.

Hart, C.L., Haney, M., Vosburg, S.K., Comer, S.D., Gunderson, E.W., Foltin, R.W. (in press) Modafinil attenuates disruptions in cognitive performance during simulated night shift work. Neuropsychopharmacology

Hart, C.L., Haney, M., Vosburg, S.K., Comer, S.D., and Foltin, R.W. (2005). Reinforcing effects of oral ∆9-THC in male marijuana smokers in a laboratory choice procedure. Psychopharmacology 181, 237-243.

Hart CL (2005) Increasing treatment options for cannabis dependence: a review of potential pharmacotherapies. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 80, 147-159.

Ksir, C., Hart, C.L., and Ray, O. (2005) Drugs, Society, and Human Behavior (11th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

• PSYC W2460 Drugs and Behavior
• PSYC G4440 Topics in Neurobiology & Behavior