Mark Packard

Mark Packard is a Professor at Texas A&M University, affiliated with the Institute for Neuroscience. His research focuses on the neurobiological bases of memory, particularly investigating multiple memory systems involving the hippocampus, basal ganglia, and amygdala. He examines the roles of neurotransmitters like dopamine, acetylcholine, and glutamate in memory formation and the modulation of these systems by emotional and hormonal factors. Current projects explore how stress hormones and amygdala activation influence memory storage processes.

Research Interests:

• Neurobiology of memory systems
• Dissociation of hippocampal and striatal memory functions
• Neurochemical mechanisms (dopaminergic/cholinergic systems)
• Amygdala’s modulatory role in memory
• Hormonal impacts on cognition

Publications highlight advancements in understanding extinction learning processes, NMDA receptor roles in habit memory, and the implications of multiple memory systems for psychopathology. His work bridges animal models and human studies, with recent focus on cocaine dependence’s effects on memory systems. He currently accepts graduate students for 2024-2025 enrollment.