Faculty - Behavioral Neuroscience
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J. David Jentsch [Edit Page] Professor Ph. D., Yale University Behavioral Neuroscience Contact Information Office: 8441B FH Phone: (310) 825-8258 E-mail: jentsch@psych.ucla.edu |
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Research and Teaching Interests Dr. Jentsch's laboratory conducts research on the genetic and neurochemical influences on cognitive control abilities in laboratory animals; in addition, he closely collaborates with clinical neuroscientists in order to undertake translational research that spans levels of analyses and model systems, forwards and back translating data between animal models and human subjects.Questions we address in the lab include (but are not limited to): what genes and molecules relate to individual differences in aspects of cognition and temperament in animals and humans; how drugs of abuse change the molecular architecture of the brain, leading to cognitive deficits; how impulsivity and poor inhibitory control relate to liability for substance abuse; and how dynamic changes in dopaminergic neurotransmission contribute to incentive motivation, cognitive control and adaptive decision-making. Biosketch/Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Jentsch has been on the faculty in the Department of Psychology since 2001. He is now a Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, as well as the Associate Director for Research of the Brain Research Institute. His work on the neuroscience of substance abuse has been recognized by the 2010 Joseph Cochin Young Investigator Award from the College on the Problems of Drug Dependence and the 2011 Jacob P. Waletzky Award for Innovative Research on Drug Abuse and Alcoholism from the Society for Neuroscience. In addition to maintaining an active research and teaching program focused on behavioral neuroscience, neurogenetics and psychopharmacology, he has played a national role in scientific advocacy around the issue of humane use of animals in biomedical research and discovery. He formed the group Pro-test for Science and contributes to the mission of several research advocacy groups, including Speaking of Research and Americans for Medical Progress. His efforts to promote scientific advocacy have been recognized by the 2012 Award for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Publications
Representative Publications 1. Jasinska AJ, Service S, Grujic O, Sit-yee Kong S-Y, Choi O-W, Deyoung J, Jorgensen M, Bailey J, Breidenthal S, Fairbanks L, Woods R, Jentsch JD and Freimer N (2009) Identification of brain transcriptional variability reproduced in peripheral blood: an approach for mapping brain eQTL. Hum Mol Genet., 18: 4415-27. PMC2766297 2. Ghahremani DG, Monterosso J, Jentsch JD, Bilder RM and Poldrack RA (2009) Neural components underlying behavioral flexibility in human reversal learning. Cerebral Cortex, 20(8):1843-52. 3. Ringach DL and Jentsch JD (2009) We must face the threats. J. Neurosci., 29: 11417-11418. [This article is the 2nd highest rated Biological Sciences paper of all time, according to Facultyof1000.com] 4. Jentsch JD, Woods JA, Groman SM and Seu E (2010) Behavioral characteristics and neural mechanisms mediating performance in a rodent analogue of the balloon analogue risk task.Neuropsychopharmacol., 35: 1797-1806. 5. Karlsgodt KH, Robleto K, Trantham-Davidson H, Jairl C, Cannon TD, Lavin A and Jentsch JD (2011) Reduced dysbindin expression mediates NMDA receptor hypofunction and impaired working memory. Biol. Psychiatry, 69(1):28-34. 6. Floresco SB, Jentsch JD (2011) Pharamcological enhancement of memory and executive functioning in animals.Neuropsychopharmacol Rev, 36(1):227-50. 7. Laughlin RE, Grant TL, Williams RWW and Jentsch JD (2011) Genetic dissection of behavioral flexibility: Reversal learning in mice.Biol. Psychiatry, 69(11):1109-16. 8. Groman SM, Lee B, London ED, Mandelkern M, James AS, Feiler K, Rivera RJ, Dahlbom, M, Sossi V, Vandervoort E and Jentsch JD (2011) Dorsal striatal D2-like receptor availability co-varies with sensitivity to positive reinforcement during discrimination learning. J. Neurosci., 31(20):7291-9. 9. Ashenhurst JR, Jentsch JD, Ray LA. Risk-taking and alcohol use disorders symptomatology in a sample of problem drinkers. Exp. Clin. Psychopharmacol. 19(5):361-70. |
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