Our lab researches molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and how plasticity contributes to synapse and neuron function and to neurological diseases. We study the changes in synapse structure and function in neurons of hippocampus, cortex, and nucleus accumbens. We focus on the signaling pathways and receptor trafficking mechanisms that control synaptic transmission and synapse strength. We give special attention to central nervous system pathways that respond to rewarding stimuli and function in the formation of behavior. Many of our studies are conducted in dissociated embryonic hippocampal neurons, a highly versatile system for analyzing excitatory synapse function. However, we also employ striatal neurons, genetically modified mice and rat behavioral models. We extensively employ techniques of cell biology, mutagenesis, imaging, vector expression and biochemistry and, more recently, behavioral paradigms, as well as electrophysiology through collaboration to deduce molecular mechanisms that control synapses. Our work is supported by grants from the National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Mental Health, and the National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke.