Emerging evidence suggests that developmental perturbations and subsequent compensations of limbic circuits contribute to the manifestation of neuropsychiatric disease states. Gregg Stanwood's efforts focus on examining the developmental influences of biogenic amine signaling on the formation and function of neural circuits mediating cognitive and emotional responses. His lab uses molecular, cell biological, and neuroanatomical methods to characterize pharmacological and genetic models of dysfunctions in dopamine signaling pathways. The ultimate goal of this work is to discover long-lasting neuroadaptations (and maladaptations) in intercellular and intracellular signaling that result from disruption of normal neurotransmitter signaling during critical periods of maturation.