"I have a major interest in motivational systems. Pain and pleasure are two important motivational forces that shape our behavior and help us to make informed decisions. I use an experimental approach in animals to analyze the circuits in the brain that mediate pain and reward."

My interest in addiction is a natural outgrowth of my research on analgesic drugs, many of which are addicting. The study of pain and reward are not as disparate as it might first appear. In fact, the relief of pain and the production of pleasure are closely related at both the subjective and neural circuit level. Both have strong influences upon (and are influenced by) learning. Current research in my laboratory utilizes in vivo and in vitro electrophysiology, pharmacology and behavioral techniques. We are investigating the neural mechanisms underlying acquisition and expression of reward-seeking and aversive behaviors.

A UCSF Science Cafe interview with Howard Fields:

Part I Part II Part III