Professor Paul G Overton
BA, PhD
Department of Psychology
Professor of Neuroscience
+44 114 222 6624
Full contact details
Department of Psychology
Cathedral Court
1 Vicar Lane
Sheffield
S1 2LT
- Qualifications
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BA, PhD (Sheffield)
- Research interests
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My research interests largely revolve around the Basal Ganglia (and related structures): a group of nuclei implicated in a wide range of normal brain processes and neurological/psychiatric disorders. At present, there are four main strands to my work:
Regulation of dopaminergic neurons by sensory afferents.
Work is currently underway to determine the source of sensory information reaching Dopaminergic Neurons, using a combination of in vivo extracellular electrophysiology, neuroanatomical tract tracing, electrochemistry and behavioural analysis.
This work will help to determine the function of the dopaminergic `message´ transmitted to other brain areas – which is currently hotly debated.
Neuroadaptations which underlie the effects of drugs of abuse.
The present neuroadaptations work focuses upon the effects of cocaine and d-amphetamine on sensory processing (using electrophysiology and neuroimaging).
In particular, we are studying the possibility that an interaction between drugs like amphetamine and sensory processing may underlie the generation of cue-induced craving in Drug Addiction and the therapeutic effects in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Basal ganglia structure and function.
We are currently deriving parameter values from neurons in the main input nucleus of the basal ganglia – the neostriatum – using whole cell patch clamping.
These will be incorporated into developing Computational Models of these cells and larger scale models of the microcircuitry of the neostriatum.
These studies will move us closer to a functional understanding of the the basal ganglia, and inform ongoing work aimed at developing robotic agents embodying basal ganglia circuitry.
Basal ganglia and emotional processing
As well as subserving a motor function, the basal ganglia also subserve a cognitive and an emotional function, and basal ganglia damage in Parkinson's disease can lead to specific problems with the processing of Disgust-related information.
In order to understand the role of the basal ganglia in emotional processing more fully, I have recently initiated an initial set of investigations into disgust reactions in normal humans. Future studies will compare these data with data from clinical populations.
- Publications
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Show: Featured publications All publications
Featured publications
Journal articles
- Enhancing the efficacy of 5-HT uptake inhibitors in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Medical Hypotheses, 133. View this article in WRRO
- Self-reported and experimentally induced self-disgust is heightened in Parkinson’s disease : contribution of behavioural symptoms.. PLoS ONE, 14(10). View this article in WRRO
- Revealing a novel nociceptive network that links the subthalamic nucleus to pain processing. eLife, 7. View this article in WRRO
- Chronic amphetamine enhances visual input to and suppresses visual
output from the superior colliculus in withdrawal. Neuropharmacology, 138, 118-129. View this article in WRRO
- Repeated intermittent oral amphetamine administration results in locomotor tolerance not sensitization. Journal of Psychopharmacology. View this article in WRRO
- Multisensory integration and ADHD-like traits: Evidence for an abnormal temporal integration window in ADHD. Acta Psychologica, 181, 10-17. View this article in WRRO
- Co-occurrence of ASD and ADHD traits in an adult population. Journal of Attention Disorders. View this article in WRRO
- Nicotine enhances an auditory Event-Related Potential component which is inversely related to habituation. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 31(7), 861-872. View this article in WRRO
- Impulse control disorders in Parkinson’s disease: Predominant role of psychological determinants. Psychology & Health, 31(12), 1391-1414. View this article in WRRO
- Altered visual processing in a rodent model of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Neuroscience, 303, 364-377.
- Self-affirming trait kindness regulates disgust toward one's physical appearance. Body Image, 12, 98-107.
- Sensory regulation of dopaminergic cell activity: Phenomenology, circuitry and function. Neuroscience, 282, 1-12. View this article in WRRO
- Enhanced visual responses in the superior colliculus in an animal model of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and their suppression by d-amphetamine. Neuroscience, 274, 289-298.
- Cortical regulation of dopaminergic neurons: role of the midbrain superior colliculus.. J Neurophysiol, 111(4), 755-767.
- ENHANCED VISUAL RESPONSES IN THE SUPERIOR COLLICULUS AND SUBTHALAMIC NUCLEUS IN AN ANIMAL MODEL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE. NEUROSCIENCE, 252, 277-288.
- The effects of focal epileptic activity on regional sensory-evoked neurovascular coupling and postictal modulation of bilateral sensory processing.. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab, 33(10), 1595-1604. View this article in WRRO
- When disgust leads to dysphoria: a three-wave longitudinal study assessing the temporal relationship between self-disgust and depressive symptoms.. Cogn Emot, 27(5), 900-913.
- Early Postnatal Ethanol Exposure: Glutamatergic Excitotoxic Cell Death During Acute Withdrawal. Neurophysiology, 1-11.
- Segregated anatomical input to sub-regions of the rodent superior colliculus associated with approach and defense.. Front Neuroanat, 6, 9. View this article in WRRO
- Neurovascular coupling is brain region-dependent.. Neuroimage, 59(3), 1997-2006.
- Efficient fitting of conductance-based model neurons from somatic current clamp.. J Comput Neurosci, 32(1), 1-24.
- A simple method for characterizing passive and active neuronal properties: application to striatal neurons.. Eur J Neurosci, 34(9), 1390-1405.
- The parabrachial nucleus is a critical link in the transmission of short latency nociceptive information to midbrain dopaminergic neurons.. Neuroscience, 168(1), 263-272.
- DRUG THERAPIES FOR ATTENTIONAL DISORDERS ALTER THE SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO IN THE SUPERIOR COLLICULUS. NEUROSCIENCE, 164(3), 1369-1376.
- Short-latency visual input to the subthalamic nucleus is provided by the midbrain superior colliculus.. J Neurosci, 29(17), 5701-5709.
- Self-disgust mediates the relationship between dysfunctional cognitions and depressive symptomatology.. Emotion, 8(3), 379-385.
- D-amphetamine depresses visual responses in the rat superior colliculus: a possible mechanism for amphetamine-induced decreases in distractibility.. J Neural Transm (Vienna), 115(3), 377-387.
- Cocaine preferentially enhances sensory processing in the upper layers of the primary sensory cortex.. Neuroscience, 146(2), 841-851.
- How visual stimuli activate dopaminergic neurons at short latency.. Science, 307(5714), 1476-1479.
- Local injection of a glutamate uptake inhibitor into the ventral tegmental area produces sensitization to the behavioural effects of d-amphetamine.. Neuroscience, 134(2), 361-367.
- Haemodynamic responses to sensory stimulation are enhanced following acute cocaine administration.. Neuroimage, 22(4), 1744-1753.
- A direct projection from superior colliculus to substantia nigra for detecting salient visual events.. Nat Neurosci, 6(9), 974-980.
- The medial prefrontal cortex plays an important role in the excitation of A10 dopaminergic neurons following intravenous muscimol administration.. Neuroscience, 95(3), 647-656.
All publications
Edited books
Journal articles
- Remembering Mike Stewart. Neuropharmacology, 207.
- The neuropathological basis of anxiety in Parkinson’s disease. Medical Hypotheses. View this article in WRRO
- Attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms predict problematic mobile phone use. Current Psychology. View this article in WRRO
- Individual differences in performance speed are associated with a positivity/negativity bias. An ERP and behavioural study. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 14. View this article in WRRO
- Self-disgust, loneliness and mental health outcomes in older adults: An eye-tracking study. Journal of Affective Disorders. View this article in WRRO
- Disgust propensity has a causal link to the stigmatization of people with cancer. Journal of Behavioral Medicine. View this article in WRRO
- Enhancing the efficacy of 5-HT uptake inhibitors in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Medical Hypotheses, 133. View this article in WRRO
- Self-reported and experimentally induced self-disgust is heightened in Parkinson’s disease : contribution of behavioural symptoms.. PLoS ONE, 14(10). View this article in WRRO
- Can microsaccade rate predict drug response?. Journal of Eye Movement Research, 12(6). View this article in WRRO
- Effect of a visual tracking intervention on attention and behavior of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Eye Movement Research, 12(8). View this article in WRRO
- Prosthesis use is associated with reduced physical self-disgust in limb amputees. Body Image, 27, 109-117. View this article in WRRO
- The relationship between internet addiction, attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms and online activities in adults. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 87, 7-11. View this article in WRRO
- Self-disgust as a potential mechanism explaining the association between loneliness and depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 243, 108-115. View this article in WRRO
- Revealing a novel nociceptive network that links the subthalamic nucleus to pain processing. eLife, 7. View this article in WRRO
- The roles of impulsivity, self-regulation, and emotion regulation in the experience of self-disgust. Motivation and Emotion. View this article in WRRO
- Chronic amphetamine enhances visual input to and suppresses visual
output from the superior colliculus in withdrawal. Neuropharmacology, 138, 118-129. View this article in WRRO
- Chronic amphetamine treatment affects collicular-dependent behaviour. Behavioural Brain Research, 343, 1-7. View this article in WRRO
- Repeated intermittent oral amphetamine administration results in locomotor tolerance not sensitization. Journal of Psychopharmacology. View this article in WRRO
- The relationship between ADHD traits and sensory sensitivity in the general population. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 80, 179-185. View this article in WRRO
- Effect of Partners' Disgust Responses on Psychological Wellbeing in Cancer Patients.. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 23(3-4), 355-364. View this article in WRRO
- Multisensory integration and ADHD-like traits: Evidence for an abnormal temporal integration window in ADHD. Acta Psychologica, 181, 10-17. View this article in WRRO
- Effect of methylphenidate on visual responses in the superior colliculus in the anaesthetised rat: Role of cortical activation. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 31(10), 1347-1361. View this article in WRRO
- Co-occurrence of ASD and ADHD traits in an adult population. Journal of Attention Disorders. View this article in WRRO
- Striatal neuropeptides enhance selection and rejection of sequential actions. Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience. View this article in WRRO
- Nicotine enhances an auditory Event-Related Potential component which is inversely related to habituation. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 31(7), 861-872. View this article in WRRO
- Increased microsaccade rate in individuals with ADHD traits. Journal of Eye Movement Research, 10(1). View this article in WRRO
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-like traits and distractibility in the visual periphery. Perception. View this article in WRRO
- Differential disgust responding in people with cancer and implications for psychological wellbeing. Psychology and Health, 32(1), 19-37. View this article in WRRO
- Psychological Predictors of Anxiety and Depression in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 72(10), 979-998. View this article in WRRO
- Impulse control disorders in Parkinson’s disease: Predominant role of psychological determinants. Psychology & Health, 31(12), 1391-1414. View this article in WRRO
- The effect of disgust-related side-effects on symptoms of depression and anxiety in people treated for cancer: a moderated mediation model. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 39(4), 560-573. View this article in WRRO
- Auditory responses in a rodent model of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Brain Research, 1629, 10-25.
- Altered visual processing in a rodent model of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Neuroscience, 303, 364-377.
- Self-affirming trait kindness regulates disgust toward one's physical appearance. Body Image, 12, 98-107.
- Sensory regulation of dopaminergic cell activity: Phenomenology, circuitry and function. Neuroscience, 282, 1-12. View this article in WRRO
- Contralateral dissociation between neural activity and cerebral blood volume during recurrent acute focal neocortical seizures. Epilepsia, 55(9), 1423-1430. View this article in WRRO
- Enhanced visual responses in the superior colliculus in an animal model of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and their suppression by d-amphetamine. Neuroscience, 274, 289-298.
- Coupling between gamma-band power and cerebral blood volume during recurrent acute neocortical seizures. NeuroImage, 97, 62-70. View this article in WRRO
- Cortical regulation of dopaminergic neurons: role of the midbrain superior colliculus.. J Neurophysiol, 111(4), 755-767.
- ENHANCED VISUAL RESPONSES IN THE SUPERIOR COLLICULUS AND SUBTHALAMIC NUCLEUS IN AN ANIMAL MODEL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE. NEUROSCIENCE, 252, 277-288.
- The effects of focal epileptic activity on regional sensory-evoked neurovascular coupling and postictal modulation of bilateral sensory processing.. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab, 33(10), 1595-1604. View this article in WRRO
- When disgust leads to dysphoria: a three-wave longitudinal study assessing the temporal relationship between self-disgust and depressive symptoms.. Cogn Emot, 27(5), 900-913.
- The Revolting Self: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Experience of Self-Disgust in Females With Depressive Symptoms. Journal of Clinical Psychology.
- Early Postnatal Ethanol Exposure: Glutamatergic Excitotoxic Cell Death During Acute Withdrawal. Neurophysiology, 1-11.
- Segregated anatomical input to sub-regions of the rodent superior colliculus associated with approach and defense.. Front Neuroanat, 6, 9. View this article in WRRO
- Neurovascular coupling is brain region-dependent.. Neuroimage, 59(3), 1997-2006.
- Efficient fitting of conductance-based model neurons from somatic current clamp.. J Comput Neurosci, 32(1), 1-24.
- Contamination sensitivity and the development of disease-avoidant behaviour.. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 366(1583), 3427-3432.
- A simple method for characterizing passive and active neuronal properties: application to striatal neurons.. Eur J Neurosci, 34(9), 1390-1405.
- Self-esteem and self-disgust both mediate the relationship between dysfunctional cognitions and depressive symptoms. MOTIV EMOTION, 34(4), 399-406.
- The parabrachial nucleus is a critical link in the transmission of short latency nociceptive information to midbrain dopaminergic neurons.. Neuroscience, 168(1), 263-272.
- Interactions between the Midbrain Superior Colliculus and the Basal Ganglia.. Front Neuroanat, 4.
- DRUG THERAPIES FOR ATTENTIONAL DISORDERS ALTER THE SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO IN THE SUPERIOR COLLICULUS. NEUROSCIENCE, 164(3), 1369-1376.
- Short-latency visual input to the subthalamic nucleus is provided by the midbrain superior colliculus.. J Neurosci, 29(17), 5701-5709.
- Self-disgust mediates the relationship between dysfunctional cognitions and depressive symptomatology.. Emotion, 8(3), 379-385.
- Cocaine facilitates craving via an action on sensory processing. Bioscience Hypotheses, 1(2), 70-77.
- Collicular dysfunction in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.. Med Hypotheses, 70(6), 1121-1127.
- D-amphetamine depresses visual responses in the rat superior colliculus: a possible mechanism for amphetamine-induced decreases in distractibility.. J Neural Transm (Vienna), 115(3), 377-387.
- Cocaine preferentially enhances sensory processing in the upper layers of the primary sensory cortex.. Neuroscience, 146(2), 841-851.
- Food-related contextual factors substantially modify the disgust response. FOOD QUAL PREFER, 18(2), 183-189.
- Collateralization of the tectonigral projection with other major output pathways of superior colliculus in the rat.. J Comp Neurol, 500(6), 1034-1049.
- Identification of an excitatory amino acid-mediated component of the ventral tegmental area local field potential response to medial prefrontal cortex stimulation: effect of acute d-amphetamine.. J Neural Transm (Vienna), 114(2), 161-172.
- Is disgust a homogeneous emotion?. MOTIV EMOTION, 30(1), 31-41.
- A direct projection from superior colliculus to substantia nigra pars compacta in the cat.. Neuroscience, 138(1), 221-234.
- Nociceptive responses of midbrain dopaminergic neurones are modulated by the superior colliculus in the rat.. Neuroscience, 139(4), 1479-1493.
- How visual stimuli activate dopaminergic neurons at short latency.. Science, 307(5714), 1476-1479.
- Cocaine administration produces a protracted decoupling of neural and haemodynamic responses to intense sensory stimuli.. Neuroscience, 132(2), 361-374.
- Local injection of a glutamate uptake inhibitor into the ventral tegmental area produces sensitization to the behavioural effects of d-amphetamine.. Neuroscience, 134(2), 361-367.
- Haemodynamic responses to sensory stimulation are enhanced following acute cocaine administration.. Neuroimage, 22(4), 1744-1753.
- A model of short and long range selective processing in neostriatum. NEUROCOMPUTING, 58-60, 555-562.
- A direct projection from superior colliculus to substantia nigra for detecting salient visual events.. Nat Neurosci, 6(9), 974-980.
- Certain clinically-utilized antibiotics enhance the behavioural effects of cocaine.. Addict Biol, 5(3), 283-288.
- D-Amphetamine potentiates muscimol-induced disinhibition of A10 dopaminergic neurons in the rat.. J Neural Transm (Vienna), 107(12), 1381-1391.
- The medial prefrontal cortex plays an important role in the excitation of A10 dopaminergic neurons following intravenous muscimol administration.. Neuroscience, 95(3), 647-656.
- Encounters with aggressive conspecifics enhance the locomotor-activating effects of cocaine in the rat.. Addict Biol, 4(4), 437-441.
- Long-term potentiation at excitatory amino acid synapses on midbrain dopamine neurons.. Neuroreport, 10(2), 221-226.
- A re-evaluation of social defeat as an animal model of depression. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 13, 115-121.
- The corticosteroid synthesis inhibitor metyrapone markedly enhances the behavioural effects of d-amphetamine.. Addict Biol, 4(1), 89-92.
- Stimulation of the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus in the rat produces burst firing in A9 dopaminergic neurons.. Neuroscience, 92(1), 245-254.
- Do non-dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area play a role in the responses elicited in A10 dopaminergic neurons by electrical stimulation of the prefrontal cortex?. Exp Brain Res, 118(4), 466-476.
- Burst firing in midbrain dopaminergic neurons.. Brain Res Brain Res Rev, 25(3), 312-334.
- Preferential occupation of mineralocorticoid receptors by corticosterone enhances glutamate-induced burst firing in rat midbrain dopaminergic neurons.. Brain Res, 737(1-2), 146-154.
- Stimulation of the prefrontal cortex in the rat induces patterns of activity in midbrain dopaminergic neurons which resemble natural burst events.. Synapse, 22(3), 195-208.
- Antagonism of NMDA receptors but not AMPA/kainate receptors blocks bursting in dopaminergic neurons induced by electrical stimulation of the prefrontal cortex.. J Neural Transm (Vienna), 103(8-9), 889-904.
- A pharmacological analysis of the burst events induced in midbrain dopaminergic neurons by electrical stimulation of the prefrontal cortex in the rat.. J Neural Transm (Vienna), 103(5), 523-540.
- Chronic administration of (+)-amphetamine alters the reactivity of midbrain dopaminergic neurons to prefrontal cortex stimulation in the rat.. Brain Res, 674(1), 63-74.
- Determinants of neuronal firing pattern in the guinea-pig subthalamic nucleus: An in vivo and in vitro comparison.. Journal of Neural Transmission, 10, 41-54.
- Possible intermixing of neurons from the subthalamic nucleus and substantia nigra pars compacta in the guinea-pig.. Exp Brain Res, 107(2), 151-165.
- Neurokinin agonists differentially affect A9 and A10 dopamine cells in the rat.. Eur J Pharmacol, 213(1), 165-166.
- Iontophoretically administered drugs acting at the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor modulate burst firing in A9 dopamine neurons in the rat.. Synapse, 10(2), 131-140.
- Electrophysiological evidence that intrastriatally administered N-methyl-D-aspartate augments striatal dopamine tone in the rat.. J Neural Transm Park Dis Dement Sect, 4(1), 1-14.
- Anticonvulsant role of nigrotectal projection in the maximal electroshock model of epilepsy--I. Mapping of dorsal midbrain with bicuculline.. Neuroscience, 46(2), 379-390.
- N-methyl-D-aspartate increases the excitability of nigrostriatal dopamine terminals.. Eur J Pharmacol, 201(1), 117-120.
- Detection of visual stimuli after lesions of the superior colliculus in the rat; deficit not confined to the far periphery.. Behav Brain Res, 31(1), 1-15.
- Detection of visual stimuli in far periphery by rats: possible role of superior colliculus.. Exp Brain Res, 59(3), 559-569.
Datasets
- Data for: Self-reported and experimentally induced self-disgust is heightened in Parkinson’s disease: Contribution of behavioural symptoms [to be published in PLoS One].
- Enhancing the efficacy of 5-HT uptake inhibitors in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Medical Hypotheses, 133. View this article in WRRO
- Grants
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- Overton, P.G. [PI], Gluing behaviours together - 'chunking' in the normal brain and its disruption in Parkinson's disease. Rosetrees Trust (£5450; 2018-2019)
- Overton, P.G., Billington, T. [PI] Attention and behaviour: Transforming achievement and social inclusion following primary-secondary school transition. ESRC Collaborative studentship (£65.983; 2016-2020).
- Overton, P.G,., Dommett, E.J. [PI], Singer, B., Byrom, N. Investigating the effects of cardio and non-cardio exercise on adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Rosetrees Trust (£59,282; 2019-2020).
- Teaching activities
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I am module organiser for PSY6306 (Fundamentals of Neuroscience).