Michael Amlung, M.S.
Current research interests: My primary interests intersect cognitive and clinical neuroscience. Working with Dr. James MacKillop, my current research focuses on using a multimodal approach combining behavioral and neuroimaging techniques to explore the neural basis of addiction. I am interested in how differential recruitment of the mesolimbic dopamine system leads to variation in decision making and how these behaviors relate to other cognitive constructs (particularly cognitive control and working memory). I am especially interested in using behavioral economics paradigms (which integrate the principles of operant conditioning and micro-economics) to explore factors that predispose individuals to the development of substance abuse, especially in undergraduate samples. I have also contributed to several neuroimaging studies investigating the neural circuitry supporting performance on saccadic eye movement tasks in healthy individuals and people with schizophrenia. I conducted my Master's Thesis research with Dr. Jennifer McDowell, using fMRI to examine the neural correlates of inhibitory deficits on the antisaccade task in a sample of healthy undergraduates. Publications: Amlung, M.T., Li, Q., Valtcheva, M., Camchong, J., Dyckman, K.A., Austin, B.P., Unsworth, N., Clementz, B.A., McDowell, J.E. (in preparation). Prosaccade latency predicts antisaccade latency in a sample of healthy normal participants.MacKillop, J., Sweet, L., Amlung, M.T., Wier, L., David, S., Bickel, W., Cohen, R., & Niaura, R. (in preparation). The neuroeconomics of nicotine dependence: Moderators of variation in intertemporal choice. MacKillop. J., Pryor, L.R., Amlung, M.T., & Munafo, M. (in preparation). Delayed reward discounting and addiction: a meta-analysis. Selected Presentations : MacKillop, J., Pryor, L., Amlung, M., & Munafo, M. (2009). Delayed reward discounting in smokers and individuals with other addictive disorders: A meta-analysis. Abstract submitted for presentation at the 2010 annual meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Baltimore, MD.Pryor, L.R., MacKillop, J., & Amlung, M. (2009). Delayed reward discounting in individuals with alcohol use disorders and other addictive disorders: A meta-analysis. Poster presented at the 32nd annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism. San Diego, CA. Amlung, MT, Li, Q, Austin, BP, Camchong, J, & McDowell, JE. Behavioral and neural correlates of poor saccadic control in undergraduates. Abstract submitted for presentation at International Cogngress on Schizophrenia Research 2009 Meeting. San Diego, CA. Austin, BP, Dyckman, KA, Amlung, MT, Li, Q, Clementz, BA, & McDowell, JE. Practice-induced changes in neural circuitries supporting saccade performance in schizophrenia: an fMRI study. Abstract submitted for presentation at International Congress on Schizophrenia Research 2009 Meeting. San Diego, CA. Moore, MN, Austin, BP, Dyckman, KA, Li, Q, Amlung, MT, Meyer, F, Clementz, BA, &McDowell, JE. Behavioral changes following daily practice of saccade tasks in schizophrenia. Abstract submitted for presentation at International Congress on Schizophrenia Research 2009 Meeting. San Diego, CA. Amlung, MT, Valtcheva, MV, & McDowell, JE. Saccadic performance and its relation to self-report ratings of schizotypy in undergraduates. Abstract submitted for presentation at International Neuropsychological Association 2009 Meeting. Atlanta, GA. Honors: 2008-2010 - Paul D. Coverdell Neuroimaging Program Franklin Foundation Scholar 2009 - AFNI fMRI Data Analysis Training Workshop; National Institutes of Health (By Invitation) 2009 - Accepted to the Training Course in fMRI at the University of Michigan (NIH-Funded 2 week workshop in fMRI methodology) 2008 - Honorable Mention, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship 2008 - Advanced AFNI Data Analysis Internship, Dr. Martin Paulus' Laboratory, University of California San Diego. 2008 - Franklin Foundation Travel Award
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