Lee Bakner, professor of psychology at Linfield College, will present “What Motivates Drug Use and Abuse? Drug Seeking Behavior, Neurotransmitters Systems and Addiction” on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. in the Fred Meyer Lounge in Riley Hall at Linfield.
Drug use and abuse poses a significant public health problem that negatively impacts individuals and strains social systems supporting those struggling with addiction. Biopsychologists have identified factors that drive substance use among individuals and discovered how drug-induced changes in neurotransmitter systems alter learning and memory processes.
Bakner will discuss discoveries and recent work he completed in behavioral neuroscience. As a visiting scientist at Oregon Health & Science University, Bakner has been exploring the impact of opiates on alcohol–seeking behavior in mice. His findings may lead to new applications for treating substance use disorders including alcoholism.
A member of the Linfield faculty since 1992, Bakner holds a bachelor’s degree from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, and both a master’s and Ph.D. from Kent State University.
The lecture is free and open to the public. The Linfield faculty lecture series offers one presentation each month. For more information, call 503-883-2409.
