Research
Research Interests: The biopsychology of appetite, food preferences, and obesity. Current research is focusing on the role of learning in the development of preferences for high-fat and high-sugar foods using animal models (rats, mice). Brain mechanisms mediating food appetite and preference learning are under investigation.
Research Facilities: The Feeding Behavior and Nutrition Research Laboratory includes an animal laboratory with several behavioral test rooms, computerized operant and infusion equipment, biochemistry and histology labs, office space, and conference room.
Touzani, K. and Sclafani, A. Lateral hypothalamic lesions impair flavor-nutrient and flavor-toxin trace learning in rats. European Journal of Neuroscience, 2002, 16, 2425-2433.
Sclafani, A., Ackroff, K. and Schwartz, G.J. Selective effects of vagal deafferentation and celiac-superior mesenteric ganglionectomy on the reinforcing and satiating action of intestinal nutrients. Physiology and Behavior, 2003, 78, 285-294.
Baker, R.M., Shah, M.J., Sclafani, A. and Bodnar, R.J.. Dopamine D1 and D2 antagonists reduce the acquisition and expression of flavor preferences conditioned by fructose in rats. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, 2003, 75, 55-65.
Sclafani, A. & Ackroff, K. Reinforcement value of sucrose measured by progressive ratio operant licking in the rat. Physiology and Behavior, 2003, 79, 663-670.
Sclafani, A. Oral and postoral determinants of food reward. Physiology and Behavior, 2004, 81, 773-779.
Ackroff, K., Lucas, F. and Sclafani, A. Flavor preference conditioning as a function of fat source. Physiology and Behavior, 2005, 85, 448-460.
Sclafani, A. & Glendinning, J.I. Sugar and fat conditioned flavor preferences in C57BL/6J and 129 mice: oral and postoral interactions. American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 2005, 289, R712-R720.
Touzani, K. and Sclafani, A. Critical role of amygdala in flavor but not taste preference learning in rats. European Journal of Neuroscience, 2005, 22, 1767-1774.
