Fellow

Barry Everitt is Professor of Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge. His early work identifed the nuclei, circuits and neurotransmitters involved in the neuroendocrinology of processes regulating sexual behaviour. Following this he went on to study a broader range of motivated behaviour and then investigate learning and attention. Here he revealed major insights into the differential roles of the three main amine neurotransmitters. Using gene silencing techniques he has defined key molecular mechanisms underlying fear and drug memory restabilization following retrieval. Disrupting such maladaptive memories offers great potential as a therapeutic approach to neuropsychiatric disorders such as drug addiction and post traumatic stress disorder. Using PET scanning in rodents he was a leading member of the group that clarified the relationship of dopamine receptors to addiction, by proving that dopamine receptor number is a determinant rather than a consequence of impulsive behaviour traits and addiction to cocaine.The excellence of his contributions has been recognized recently through election to the Royal Society. The medical relevance of his research will make Professor Everitt an asset to our own Academy.