Department of Psychology / The University of Vermont

Research

Research over the last few decades has produced significant advances in our understanding of the neurobiological basis of emotion.

Research in the Falls laboratory examines the neural circuits that are involved in both the elicitation and reduction of fear and anxiety.  We accomplish this by combining procedures of animal learning with the techniques of behavioral neuroscience,  molecular biology and behavioral genetics.  Current projects that are underway include: (1) examination of the conditions under which voluntary exercise produces a reduction in anxiety; (2) the contribution of central serotonin and CRF to the anxiolytic effect of voluntary exercise and (3) identifying the components of the neural circuit for feature-negative discrimination of fear.