The Craft Psychopharmacology Lab

Psychoactive drugs are widely used, both therapeutically and recreationally, throughout the world.  Much of the basic pharmacology of these drugs has been elucidated over the past few decades; however, until recently nearly all drug research – indeed, nearly all biomedical research – was conducted in male subjects only (e.g., male mice, male rats, male monkeys, male humans).  Increasing evidence indicates that “reproductive hormones” such as testosterone and estrogen have multiple effects on nervous system function that are not directly tied to reproductive processes.  Thus, “male” and “female” biology per se can predispose an organism to experience drugs differently.  Using animal models, the broad research goals of the Craft laboratory are to determine how gonadal steroid hormones such as testosterone and estrogen modulate pain, mood, and the therapeutic and side-effects of psychoactive drugs such as stimulants, opioids and cannabinoids.  The clinical applications of this work are (1) the development of sex-specific guidelines for use of psychotherapeutic and analgesic medications; and (2) improved prevention and treatment of gonadal steroid hormone-mediated pain and depression.

Pictured above (L to R): Marylynne Kostick, Claire Herold, Karen Gerde, Tom Ulrich, Jaime Ellis, Brittany Navarre