My primary research interest at American involves the interaction of stress hormones and psychostimulants. More specifically, how stressful experiences (both acute and chronic) may change drug responsivity within preparations that are thought to be sensitive to the rewarding (CPP) and aversive (CTA) properties of drugs. In addition, I am interested in how changes in HPA axis activity due to early life events may effect acquisition of and patterns of cocaine self-administration. I am currently working on a project examining the interaction of early life environment and genetics on drug taking.

PUBLICATIONS
Journal Articles and Proceedings
1. Kohut SJ, Handler SL, Hertzbach RL, Riley AL. (2007). Schedule-induced polydipsia alters cocaine- but not ethanol-induced suppression of saccharin consumption. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 91: 18-21.
2. Kohut SJ, Ator, NA (2005, April). Discriminative Stimulus Assessment of dextofisopam and racemic tofisopam. Report submitted to VelaPharmaceuticals, Inc.
3. Walker EA, Kohut SJ, Hass RW, Brown EK, Prabandham A, Lefever T (2005). Selective and nonselective serotonin antagonists block the aversive stimulus properties of MK212 and m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) in mice. Neuropharmacology, 49: 1210-1219. [Full Text]

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Oral Communications
1. Kohut SJ, Ator NA (2006, June). Characterization of L-891,190, a novel GABAergic compound. College on Problems of Drug Dependence, Scottsdale, AZ.
2. Freeman KB, Kearns DN, Kohut SJ, Riley, AL (2006, June). Differential Patterns of Cocaine Self-Administration Under Extended Access Conditions in Fischer and Lewis Rats. International Study Group Investigating Drugs as Reinforcers (ISGIDAR), Scottsdale, AZ.
Poster Presentations
1. Freeman KB, Kearns DN, Kohut SJ, Riley AL (2006, June). Assessment of extended-access cocaine self-administration on drug intake and breakpoints maintained by food and cocaine in the LEW rat strain. College on Problems of Drug Dependence, Scottsdale, AZ.
2. Kohut SJ, Hass RW, Walker EA (2003, May). Atypical antidepressants block the aversive stimulus properties of serotonin agonist MK212 in mice. 15th Annual Research Recognition Day, Albert Einstein Medical Center.
3. Sterious SN, Brown EK, Schneider A, Kohut SJ, Walker EA (2003, May). Negative intrinsic efficacy as a predictor of precipitated morphine withdrawal by opioid antagonists in mice. 15th Annual Research Recognition Day, Albert Einstein Medical Center.
4. Kohut SJ, Hass RW, Walker, EA (2003, March). Pharmacological investigation of the aversive stimulus properties of serotonin agonist MK212. Eastern Psychological Association, Baltimore, MD.
5. Hass, RW, Kohut, SJ, Walker, EA (2003, March). Chronic treatment with serotonin agonists and antagonists produces tolerance and sensitization to the rate-decreasing effects of m-chloropiperazine (mCPP) in rats. Eastern Psychological Association, Baltimore, MD.
6. Plachta CR, Kohut SJ, Hass R, Falcone AM, Brown EK, Walker EA (2002, September). Rate-decreasing effects of 5-HT2C compounds in mice and rats. Mid-Atlantic Pharmacology Society, Wilmington, DE.
7. Sterious SN, Brown EK, Falcone AM, Hass R, Kohut SJ, Schneider A, Walker EA (2002, September). Comparison of naloxone, naltrexone, nalorphine, and diprenorphine as precipitators of opioid withdrawal in mice. Mid-Atlantic Pharmacology Society, Wilmington, DE.