Systems Neuropharmacology

How do we forecast dangers in our environment? And how does our brain compute predictions of threats?

Research in our lab focuses on neurotransmitter systems that regulate how we learn from and respond to aversive experiences.

To reach this goal, we combine pharmacological interventions in humans with functional neuroimaging (fMRI) and psychophysiological methods.

Social learning of threats

We often learn by observation of others what is dangerous in our environment. Our group examines the neurotransmitter systems that regulate how we learn fear responses by social information. Here is a protocol description for a laboratory model to probe transmission of threats by observation of others. (Haaker, Golkar, Selbing & Olsson Nature Protocols 2017) postprint: here

Neuropharmacology of social learning

What are the neurochemical substrates that enable to transmit information from one person to another? We examine neuropharmacological systems that are involved in social learning by observation of others.

Project from my post-doc that focused on GABA and noradrenaline during observational learning (Esser et al. Behavior, Research and Therapy 2020) preprint: hereProject that showed invovlement of endogenous opioids in the midbrain when we learn from observationa of others‘ painful stimulation (Haaker et al. Nature Communications 2017, open access).

Neurotransmitter systems to augment safety learning and extinction of fear

How we can overcome fears by learning to be safe? We investigate the dopaminergic and endocannbinoid system for their inpact on safety learning to combat fear.

Project headed by my post-doc within a collaborative research center (Sonderforschungsbereich TRR 58) that showed how L-DOPA administration enhances responses in the medial prefrontal cortex, which mediated reduction of conditioned fear responses (Esser et al. 2021 Under Review) preprint: here

My PhD-Thesis project that demonstrated that L-DOPA adminstration after safety/extinction learning is effective in reducing conditioned fear responses (Haaker et al PNAS 2013, open access).

Translational models of fear and anxiety

We are curious how we learn to anticipate aversive experiences (e.g. pain) and respond with fear. To reach this goal, we use laboratory models of aversive learning and return of fear in humans that are inspired by research in animals.Here, we reviewed the methodological consideration when examining fear conditioning protocols in rodents and humans (Haaker et al. Neuroscience and Biobehavioural Reviews 2019, open access)