The Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Brain Dysfunction, directed by Professor Yao-Ying Ma, studies the pathologic adaptations in diseased brains at multiple levels, including synaptic, cellular, circuitry and system levels. The major research directions include developmental alcohol exposure, long persistence of drug craving, and emotional components of neurodegenerative diseases. We employ a diverse range of technical approaches, such as whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology, optogenetics, chemogenetics, biochemical analyses, single cell staining combined with confocal imaging to examine spine morphology, transgenic model animals, behavioral evaluations such as operant goal-directed or habitual behavior, anxiety-like and depression-like behavioral symptoms. Our general aims are to explore the underlying mechanisms in a more precise way and to reverse aberrant neuronal and synaptic dysfunctions.