Fields of Research
- Gene Architecture and Action
- Molecular Basis of Disease
- Neurobiology and Behavior
Research Summary
Our research is designed to resolve the genetic regulation of modulatory systems of the brain, such as dopamine, serotonin, and neuropeptides and how these systems regulate motivated behavior.
Research Statement
My research is directed towards resolving the genetic regulation of neural circuit function relating to motivated behavior. We are particularly interested in understanding how genetic mutations implicated in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders alter the function of circuits in the brain. Through the combined use of electrophysiology, neural imaging, neural circuit manipulation, and gene mutagenesis, we investigate the genetic regulation of modulatory neurotransmitter systems of the brain and how altered gene function perturbs basic neural processing and behavior.
Awards and Honors

Larry Zweifel
Professor
Affiliations
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Neuroscience Graduate Program
Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program
UW Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion
UW Center of Excellence in Opioid Addiction Research

Larry Zweifel
Professor
Affiliations
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Neuroscience Graduate Program
Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program
UW Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion
UW Center of Excellence in Opioid Addiction Research
Faculty
- Building:
- Magnuson Health Sciences Building, J-Wing
- Room:
- J631F
- Box:
- 357280
- Phone:
- 206-685-6155
- Web Link:
- https://depts.washington.edu/zweifel/
Lab
- Building:
- Magnuson Health Sciences Building, J-Wing
- Room:
- J631
- Box:
- 357370
- Phone:
- 206-616-9813
- Web Link:
- https://depts.washington.edu/zweifel/

Larry Zweifel
Professor
Affiliations
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Neuroscience Graduate Program
Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program
UW Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion
UW Center of Excellence in Opioid Addiction Research
PHCOL 530
PHCOL 534
PHCOL 579
PHCOL 402
Neuro 503
Neuro 527

Larry Zweifel
Professor
Affiliations
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Neuroscience Graduate Program
Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program
UW Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion
UW Center of Excellence in Opioid Addiction Research
Madison Baird (Phcol Student)
Marcella Cline (MCB Student)
Jordan Elum (Neuro Student)
Avery Hunker (Research Scientist)
Barbara Juarez (Postdoc)
Meagan Quinlan (Postdoc)
Yong Jo (Postdoc)

Larry Zweifel
Professor
Affiliations
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Neuroscience Graduate Program
Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program
UW Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion
UW Center of Excellence in Opioid Addiction Research
Select Publications
Soden, M.E., Jones, G.L. Sanford, C.A., Chung, A.S., Guler, A.D. Chavkin, C.C., Luján, R., and Zweifel, L.S. Disruption of Dopamine Neuron Activity Pattern Regulation Through Selective Expression of a Human KCNN3 Mutation. Neuron. 2013 Nov, 80(4):997-1009.
Sanford C.A., Soden M.E., Baird M.A., Miller S.M., Schulkin J., Palmiter R.D., Clark M., Zweifel L.S. A Central Amygdala CRF Circuit Facilitates Learning about Weak Threats. Neuron. 2017 Jan 4;93(1):164-178.
Jo, Y.S., Heymann, G., and Zweifel, L.S. Dopamine neurons reflect the uncertainty in fear generalization. Neuron. 2018 Nov 21;100(4):916-925.
Miller, S.M., Marcotulli, D., Shen, A., and Zweifel, L.S. Divergent medial amygdala projections regulate approach-avoidance conflict behavior. Nat Neurosci. 2019 Apr;22(4):565-575.
Publications

Larry Zweifel
Professor
Affiliations
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Neuroscience Graduate Program
Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program
UW Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion
UW Center of Excellence in Opioid Addiction Research