ACKROFF, KAREN Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Biography

Research

Research Interests: The controls of feeding behavior, especially those involving food choices and preferences. Animals have unlearned responses to food flavors; these are modified by learning based on orosensory and postingestive factors to create conditioned preferences and aversions. In addition, there are differences in the relative reinforcing potency across and within nutrient classes: strong preferences based on some carbohydrates and fats are contributing to overeating and obesity in humans.

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.

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Selected Publications

 

Ackroff, K., Touzani, K., Peets, T. K. & Sclafani, A. Flavor preferences conditioned by intragastric fructose and glucose: differences in reinforcement potency. Physiology and Behavior, 2001, 72, 691-703.

Ackroff, K. & Sclafani, A. Flavor quality and ethanol concentration affect ethanol-conditioned flavor preferences. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, 2002, 74, 229-240.

Ackroff, K. & Sclafani, A. Flavor preferences conditioned by intragastric ethanol with limited access training. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, 2003, 75, 223-233.

Ackroff, K. & Sclafani, A. Fructose conditioned flavor preferences in male and female rats: effects of sweet taste and sugar concentration. Appetite, 2004, 42, 287-297.

Ackroff, K., Rozental, D., & Sclafani, A. Ethanol-conditioned flavor preferences compared with sugar- and fat-conditioned preferences in rats. Physiology and Behavior, 2004, 81, 699-713.

Sclafani, A. & Ackroff, K. The relationship between food reward and satiation revisited. Physiology and Behavior, 2004, 82, 89-95.

Yiin, Y-M, Ackroff, K and Sclafani, A. Flavor preferences conditioned by intragastric nutrient infusions in food restricted and unrestricted rats. Physiology and Behavior, 2004, 84, 217-231.