Leo Pereira Sanabria

Undergraduate Research in the Neighborhoods

Leo’s research involved investigating the cortical circuits and incubation of cocaine-craving in adolescent rats. The goal of his research was to examine adolescent and adult cortical circuit differences in a model of drug relapse. As such, a rat cocaine self-administration procedure was performed where adolescent and adult rats were trained to assimilate a context with cocaine infusions and were later tested in abstinence for how much the context would affect their relapse. Leo’s findings showed that adolescent rats showed incubation of craving whereas adults didn’t, meaning that over time being exposed to drug-associated stimuli elicited craving in adolescents. This research is incredibly important as it gives scientists a better understanding of the difference in relapse experiences between various groups (e.g., adolescents and adults). With this understanding, it gives them the ability to better treat patients. 

Learn more about this and other research in the Neighborhood Engagement Centers.