Dr. Thomas A. Houpt

Research Interest

Molecular neurobiology of conditioned taste aversion and ingestive behavior.

Current Projects

The taste and smell of food can evoke strong memories. The strength and importance of food-learning makes it a good system to explore the behavior, neurology, and molecular biology of learning and memory. I use a simple but robust model of learning: conditioned taste aversion, in which rats learn to reject a palatable solution after it is paired with a toxin (LiCl). Behavioral studies are combined with brain lesions, neuroanatomical imaging, and single-cell RNA amplification to study the patterns of gene expression underlying long-term changes in the rat's ingestive behavior.

Publications

• Rivera HM, Oberbeck DR, Kwon B, Houpt TA, Eckel LA. Estradiol increases Pet-1 and serotonin transporter mRNA in the midbrain raphe nuclei of ovariectomized rats. Brain Res. 1259:51-8. (2009) PDF
• Cason AM, Kwon B, Smith JC, Houpt TA. Labyrinthectomy abolishes the behavioral and neural response of rats to a high-strength static magnetic field. Physiol Behav. 97(1):36-43. (2009)
• Davenport RA, Houpt TA. D-cycloserine enhances short-delay, but not long-delay, conditioned taste aversion learning in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 91(4):596-603. (2009)
• Kwon B, Goltz M, Houpt TA. Expression of AP-1 family transcription factors in the amygdala during conditioned taste aversion learning: role for Fra-2. Brain Res. 1207:128-41. (2008)
• Houpt TA, Cassell JA, Riccardi C, Kwon B, Smith JC. Suppression of drinking by exposure to a high-strength static magnetic field. Physiol Behav. 90(1):59-65. (2007)
• Davila NG, Houpt TA, Trombley PQ. Expression and function of kainate receptors in the rat olfactory bulb. Synapse. 61(5):320-34. (2007)
• Houpt TA, Cassell JA, Riccardi C, DenBleyker MD, Hood A, Smith JC. Rats avoid high magnetic fields: dependence on an intact vestibular system. Physiol Behav. 92(4):741-7. (2007)
• Houpt TA, Cassell JA, Cason AM, Riedell A, Golden GJ, Riccardi C, Smith JC. Evidence for a cephalic site of action of high magnetic fields on the behavioral responses of rats. Physiol Behav. 92(4):665-74. (2007)
• Nunnink M, Davenport RA, Ortega B, Houpt TA. D-Cycloserine enhances conditioned taste aversion learning in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 87(3):321-30. (2007)
• Golden GJ, Houpt TA. NMDA receptor in conditioned flavor-taste preference learning: blockade by MK-801 and enhancement by D-cycloserine. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 86(3):587-96. (2007)
• Cason AM, Denbleyker M, Ferrence K, Smith JC, Houpt TA. Sex and estrous cycle differences in the behavioral effects of high-strength static magnetic fields: role of ovarian steroids. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 290(3):R659-67. (2006)
• Spencer CM, Jahng JW, Ryu V, Houpt TA. Lithium-induced gene expression of inducible cyclic adenosine monophosphate early repressor in the rat adrenal gland. J Neurosci Res. 82(2):273-82. (2005)
• Houpt TA, Pittman DW, Riccardi C, Cassell JA, Lockwood DR, Barranco JM, Kwon B, Smith JC. Behavioral effects on rats of high strength magnetic fields generated by a resistive electromagnet. Physiol Behav. 86(3):379-89. (2005)
• Jahng JW, Lee JH, Lee S, Lee JY, Kim GT, Houpt TA, Kim DG. N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester attenuates lithium-induced c-Fos, but not conditioned taste aversion, in rats. Neurosci Res. 50(4):485-92. (2004)
• Horning MS, Kwon B, Blakemore LJ, Spencer CM, Goltz M, Houpt TA, Trombley PQ. Alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate receptor subunit expression in rat olfactory bulb. Neurosci Lett. 372(3):230-4. (2004)
• Jahng JW, Spencer CM, Choi SH, Kim DG, Houpt TA. Nitric oxide is involved in lithium-induced immediate early gene expressions in the adrenal medulla. Eur J Pharmacol. 489(1-2):111-6. (2004)
• Jahng JW, Lee JH, Kim GT, Kim YM, Houpt TA, Kim DG. Adrenalectomy abolishes fasting-induced down-regulation of NADPH-diaphorase in the rat paraventricular nucleus. Yonsei Med J. 45(1):123-8. (2004)