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

Selected Publications

• Houpt, T.A. Molecular neurobiology of ingestive behavior. Nutrition, 2000, in press.
• Eckel, L.A., T.A. Houpt, and N. Geary. Spontaneous meal patterns in female Long-Evans rats with and without access to running wheels. Physiol. Behavior (2000) in press.
• Snyder, D., J.W. Jahng, J.C. Smith, and T.A. Houpt. c-Fos induction in visceral and vestibular nuclei of the rat brainstem by a 9.4 T magnetic field. Neuroreport 11(2000) 2681-2185. Abstract
• Houpt, T.A. and R.A. Berlin. Rapid, labile and protein-synthesis-independent short-term memory in conditioned taste aversion. Learning & Memory 6 (1999)37-46.