Alex Johnson

Dr. Johnson's research interests are in uncovering the neuronal mechanisms of learning and motivation. Current projects examine mechanisms of binge-eating with a particular focus on how the organizational and activational role of gonadal hormones shape and confer risk for the excessive intake of palatable food. A second area of research focuses on the role of neuropeptides in the control of learning and ingestive behavior to examine how brain circuits controlling both homeostatic and learning and memory systems interact to modulate allostatic control of food-seeking, consumption and metabolism. A third area of research examines mesencephalic-forebrain influences over learning and decision-making, with a particular focus on dopamine. To examine these research questions, Dr. Johnson's lab employs sophisticated ingestive and associative learning procedures with cutting-edge chemogenetic and optogenetic techniques.