Dr. Castañeda investigates plasticity in presynaptic mechanisms that modulate neurotransmitter release during changes in behavior due to neurodegeneration or substance abuse.  It is interesting to speculate how fundamental mechanisms that govern learning and memory might serve for compensation in surviving dopamine neurons of the brain compromised by Parkinson's disease and how these same mechanisms might play a role in the sensitization of dopamine neurons by repeated exposure to stimulant drugs.  Currently funded research seeks to understand how sensitization of amphetamine-evoked dopamine release may produce cross-sensitization to stimulant drug-conditioned environmental cues or stress.  To accomplish this, Dr. Castañeda incorporates in vivo intracerebral microdialysis to collect dopamine overflow evoked by drug and electrical stimulation of dopamine pathways.  Understanding the principles of cross-sensitization will provide insights regarding drug craving and recidivism in recovering addicts.

Chandler-Laney, P.C., Castañeda, E., Pritchett, C.E., Smith, M.L., Giddings, M., Artiga, A.I. & Boggiano, M.M.  (2007) A history of caloric restriction induces neurochemical and behavioral changes in rats consistent with models of depression. Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav., 87:104-114.

Trujillo, K.A., Castañeda, E., Martínez, D. & González, G.  (2006) Biological research on drug abuse and addiction in Hispanics:  current status and future directions.  Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 84S:S17-S28.

Castañeda, E., Fleming, S., Paquette, M., Boat, K., Moffett, J., Stachowiak, E.K., Bloom, D.C. & Stachowiak, M.K. (2005). Gene therapy assessment in the hemiparkinson rat:  drug-induced rotation is inadequate.  Physiol. Behav., 84(4), 525-535.

Duvauchelle, C.L., Ikegami, A. & Castañeda, E. (2000) Conditioned increases in behavioral activity and accumbens dopamine levels produced by intravenous cocaine.  Behav. Neurosci., 114:1156-1166.

Friedman, S.D., Castañeda, E. and Hodge, G.K. (1998) Long-term monoamine depletion, differential recovery, and subtle behavioral impairment following methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity.  Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav., 61:35-44.

Tran-Nguyen, L.T.L., Castañeda, E. and MacBeth, T. (1996) Changes in behavior and monoamine levels in microdialysate from dorsal striatum after 6-OHDA infusions into ventral striatum.  Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav., 55:141-150.