Meet the Director

Education:

1973 B.A. Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, PA (Biology)
1983 Ph.D. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (Anatomy)

1983-1985 Department of Anatomy, Rutgers Medical School-University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), Piscataway, NJ

Research Interests:

Our lab is studying the effects of nicotine on the brain, focussing on the correlation(s) between gene expression, neurotransmitter release, neuroanatomical markers, and behavioral responses. We recently have refined a self-administration animal (rat) model for nicotine exposure that more closely approximates human nicotine consumption - i.e., exposure is truly chronic, intermittent and motivated. This behavioral model is the underpinning to ongoing studies designed to 1) determine individual sensitivity to drug-taking behavior, 2) elucidate the mechanism(s) by which nicotine (like cocaine, amphetamine and other drugs of abuse) activates and maintains the reward neurocircuitry, leading to addiction, and 3) investigate the (anecdotal) property of nicotine in alleviating anxiety and stress. Drug-induced neuronal plasticity after such chronic nicotine exposure (indicated by alterations in gene expression and/or neuronal firing pattern) also is under investigation. Our most recent emphasis has been to investigate neuronal plasticity resulting from the combined gestational exposure to nicotine and alcohol - an all-too-common circumstance in the human population.

Laser Capture Microdissection Facility

Shannon Matta
Director
Nash Annex, Room 250F
Memphis, TN 38163
Phone: 901-448-2874
Email: smatta@utmem.edu