Research Interests
My overall research aim is to understand the neural systems involved in cognitively demanding tasks that require not only learning, but also the need to choose between competing responses. I am particularly interested in the role of the prefrontal cortex in response selection and inhibition, strategy-shifting, attention, and working memory. These cognitive abilities are necessary for successful, coordinated behavior, and are impaired in disorders such as schizophrenia, addiction, and Parkinson’s disease. My research uses rodent models of human cognition and diseases, and combines behavior tasks with drug treatments that target the glutamate, GABA and dopamine neurotransmitter systems.
Recent Publications
Stefani M.R., Moghaddam B. Rule learning and unconditional reward are associated with dissociable patterns of dopamine activation in the rat prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens and dorsal striatum. In review.
Stefani M.R., Moghaddam B. Systemic and prefrontal cortical NMDA receptor blockade differentially affect discrimination learning and set-shift ability in rats. Behav. Neurosci. 119:420-428, 2005.
Stefani M.R., Moghaddam B. Transient NMDA receptor blockade in early development causes lasting cognitive deficits relevant to schizophrenia. Biol. Psychiatry 57:433-436, 2005.
Smith A.C., Stefani, M.R., Moghaddam B., Brown, E.N. Analysis and Design of Behavioral Experiments to Characterize Population Learning. J. Neurophysiology, 93:1776-1792, 2005.
Homayoun H., Stefani M.R., Adams B.W., Tamagan G.D., Moghaddam B. Functional interaction between NMDA and mGluR5 receptors: Effects on working memory, instrumental learning, motor behaviors, and dopamine release. Neuropsychopharmacology 29:1259-1269, 2004.
Stefani M.R., Groth K., Moghaddam B. Glutamate receptors in the rat medial prefrontal cortex regulate set-shifting ability. Behav. Neurosci. 117:728-737, 2003.
Stefani M.R., Moghaddam B. Effect of a sensitization-inducing regimen of amphetamine or phencyclidine on working memory in the rat. Behav. Brain Res. 134:267-274, 2002.
Stefani M.R., Gold P.E. Intra-hippocampal Infusions of K-ATP channel modulators influence spontaneous alternation performance: Relationships to acetylcholine release in the hippocampus. J. Neurosci. 21:609-614, 2001.
Stefani M.R., Nicholson G.M., Gold P.E. K-ATP channel blockade enhances spontaneous alternation performance in the rat: A potential mechanism for glucose-mediated memory enhancement. Neuroscience 93:557-563, 1999.
Stefani M.R., Gold P.E. Intra-septal injections of glucose and glibenclamide attenuate galanin-induced spontaneous alternation performance deficits in the rat. Brain Research, 813:50-56, 1998.
Ragozzino M.E., Pal S.N., Unick K., Stefani M.R., Gold P.E. Modulation of hippocampal acetylcholine release and of memory by intrahippocampal glucose injections. J. Neurosci. 18:1595-1601, 1998.
Yorek M.A., Stefani M.R., Wachtel R.E. Elevated levels of glucose and L-fucose reduce 22Na uptake and whole cell Na+ current in cultured neuroblastoma cells. J. Neurochem. 62:63-69, 1994.
Stefani M.R., Dunlap J.A., Yorek M.A. Effect of L-fucose on proliferation and myo-inositol metabolism in cultured cerebral microvessel and aortic endothelial cells. J. Cell. Phys. 153:321-331, 1992.
Yorek M.A., Dunlap J.A., Stefani M.R., Davidson E.P. L-Fucose is a potent inhibitor of myo-inositol transport and metabolism in cultured neuroblastoma cells. J. Neurochem. 58:1626-1636, 1992.
Yorek M.A., Stefani M.R., Dunlap J.A., Ro K.S., Davidson E.P. Trans hydroxyl group configuration on carbons 2 and 3 of glucose: responsible for acute inhibition of myo-inositol transport? Diabetes 40:1016-1023, 1991.
Book Chapters & Reviews
Stefani M.R., Moghaddam B. Distinct contributions of glutamate receptor subtypes to cognitive set-shifting abilities in the rat. In: Glutamate and Disorders of Cognition and Motivation, Moghaddam B. and Wolf M.E., Eds. Ann. New York Acad. Sci. 1003: 464-467, 2003.
Gold P.E., McIntyre C., McNay E., Stefani M., Korol D.L. Neurochemical referees of dueling memory systems. In: Memory Consolidation: Essays in Honor of James L. McGaugh, Gold P.E. and Greenough W.T., Eds., APA Publishers, Washington D.C., 2001, pp. 219-248.
Yorek M., Dunlap J., Stefani M., Davidson E. Acute and chronic effects of glucose and L-fucose on myo-inositol metabolism in cultured mammalian cells. In: Frontiers in Diabetes Research, Shafrir E., Ed., Smith-Gordon Co., London, 1991, pp. 475-482.