Behavioral pharmacology investigates how drugs influence behavior and brain function, providing insight into the neural mechanisms that underlie both normal behavior and psychiatric disorders.

In behavioral pharmacology, researchers administer a drug to an animal and observe how its behavior changes. One common measure is distance traveled, which reflects the animal's level of activity. For example, amphetamines increase movement, producing a response known as hyper-locomotion. Researchers can then test other compounds to determine whether they reduce or block this effect. These studies help scientists understand how drugs influence brain function and identify potential treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders.

In our lab, we use behavioral pharmacology because many of the psychiatric disorders we study have measurable behavioral outcomes. By observing how animals behave after receiving different pharmacological compounds, we can investigate the underlying neural circuits involved in these conditions. This allows us to better understand how changes in brain circuitry contribute to behavioral symptoms and evaluate potential treatments that target these pathways.