University of Colorado Boulder · PsychologyThe Dopamine Dynamics Lab
David H Root · Boulder, Colorado
Research Focus
David Root's lab studies how different types of brain neurons release dopamine and glutamate, which are important for learning from rewards and punishments. By exploring how these neurons interact during motivated behaviors, the lab aims to understand better the molecular differences that can affect mental health and behaviors related to addiction and aversion. This research could provide insights into the mechanisms behind various psychiatric disorders.
dopamineglutamateassociative learningmotivated behaviorVentral Tegmental Areaneurotransmissionpsychiatric disordersmolecular heterogeneityneuron signaling patterns
Research Aims
3AIM 01Determine neuronal activity of VTA neurotransmitter-releasing neurons during learning tasks.
AIM 02Causally assess the role of these neurons in reward-based behaviors.
AIM 03Explore the differences in dopamine and glutamate release in relation to motivated behaviors.
Skills the Lab Values
animal behavior testingmolecular biology techniquesoptogeneticsvirus delivery systemstransgenic modelsdata analysis with Rcell cultureimmunofluorescence microscopyRNA interference
Output against the department
Publications66bottom 14% of dept.253rd of 296
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations2.9kbottom 28% of dept.212th of 296
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.