Dr. Laura E. O'Dell
My research program is focused on the neural mechanisms that mediate substance misuse. Our laboratory combines neurochemical and molecular approaches with behavioral models to provide a better understanding of the neural basis of motivated behavior.
Specific research questions of interest include:
What are the underlying factors that promote nicotine use in vulnerable populations, such as adolescents, females and persons with diabetes?
What are the mechanisms that modulate the neurochemical effects of nicotine and withdrawal from this drug?
What are the biological underpinnings that promote excessive drug, alcohol, and food addiction?
UTEP Faculty Profile
Sample Publications:
O’Dell, L.E., Koob, G.F., and Nazarian, A. Vulnerability to substance abuse: A consideration of allostatic loading factors. Editorial for a Special Issue of Neuropharmacology, in press.
Cruz, B., Ortegon, S., Matos-Ocasio, F., Rodriguez-Crespo, A., Uribe, K.P., Galindo, K.I., Serafine, K.M., Nazarian, A., and O'Dell, L.E. The emergence of insulin resistance coincides with an increase in the reinforcing effects of nicotine in a sex-dependent manner. Neuropharmacology, in press.
Carcoba, L.M., Uribe, K.P., Ortegon, S., Mendez, I.A., DeBiasi, M., O’Dell, L.E. (2021). Amino acid systems in the interpeduncular nucleus modulate nicotine withdrawal in a sex-dependent manner. Journal of Neuroscience Research, in press. PMID:33751631.
Flores, R.J., Alshbool, F., Giner, P., O’Dell, L.E., and Mendez, I.A. (2021) Exposure to nicotine vapor produced by an electronic nicotine delivery system causes short-term increases in impulsive choice in adult male rats. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, in press. PMID:34232312.
Serafine, K.M., O’Dell, L.E., Zorrilla, E. (2021). Converging vulnerability factors for compulsive food and drug use. Neuropharmacology, 196: 108556. PMID:33862029.
Matos, F.M., Espinoza, V.E., Correa-Alfonzo, P., Khan, A.M., O’Dell, L.E. (2021). Female rats display greater nicotine withdrawal-induced cellular activation of a central portion of the interpeduncular nucleus versus males: A study of Fos immunoreactivity within provisionally assigned interpeduncular subnuclei. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 221: 108640. PMID:33640680.
Cruz, B., Carcoba, L.M., Flores, R.J., Espinoza, E.J., Nazarian, A., and O'Dell, L.E. (2021). Insulin restores the neurochemical effects of nicotine in the mesolimbic pathway of diabetic rats. Journal of Neurochemistry, 156(2): 200-211. PMID:32562571.
Flores, R.J., Cruz, B., Uribe, K.P., Correa, V.L., Arreguin, M.C., Carcoba, L.M., Mendez, I.A, and O’Dell, L.E. (2020). Estradiol promotes and progesterone reduces anxiety-like behavior produced by nicotine withdrawal in rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 119: 104694. PMID:32540678.
Richardson, J.R., O'Dell, L.E., and Nazarian, A. (2020). Examination of nicotine and saccharin reward in the Goto-Kakizaki diabetic rat model. Neuroscience Letters. 721: 134802. PMID:32036029.
Uribe, K., Correa, V.L., Pinales, B.E., Flores, R.J., Cruz, B., Shan, Z., Bruijnzeel, A.W., Khan, A.M., and O’Dell, L.E. (2020). Overexpression of corticotropin releasing factor in the nucleus accumbens enhances the reinforcing effects of nicotine in female versus male rats. Neuropsychopharmacology, 45: 394-403. PMID:31614362.
Contact Information
Email: lodell@utep.edu
Phone: 1-915-747-6557
Fax: 1-915-747-6553
Psychology 211
Personal Information
Ph.D., Arizona State University (1997)
Professor and Associate Vice President for Research
Courses
PSYC 4324: Psychobiology
PSYC 3346: Drugs of Abuse & Beh.
PSYC 5371: Animal Learning & Beh.
PSYC 5355: Grant Writing
PSYC 5355: Adv. Topics in Neurosci.
Other Resources
