Dr. Erica Levitt’s research interests are in understanding the mechanisms underlying opioid-induced respiratory depression. We use a variety of cellular and systems neuroscience approaches in rodent models to understand how opioids alter the neurons in the brainstem that control breathing, including brain slice electrophysiology, circuit tracing, optogenetics, single unit and whole nerve recordings from a unique preparation with an intact respiratory network and in vivo-like respiratory cycle, and breathing measurements in awake animals.
Dr. Levitt also serves as the Institute’s Research and Data Domain associate director.
Qualifications
- Postdoctoral Fellow: Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Vollum Institute
- PharmD: Ohio Northern University
- PhD: University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
Center Memberships
- Center Member: MExperts-Opioid Research Institute