Marco Antonio Liera

My main research interests involve understanding the neurobiological and behavioral mechanisms of mood disorders and addiction. My future research goals are to investigate how the mu-opioid receptor may be capable of alleviating depressive-like symptoms as well as investigating the antidepressant effects of ketamine. I would also like to take part in identifying and mapping brain regions and neural circuits that are known to be involved in specific depressive symptoms. I am also interested in studying the dopaminergic pathway and limbic structures which pertain to motivation and addiction.

 

Techniques: Optogenetics, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence microscopy, operant testing, self-stimulation testing, and shock prod testing.