David M Bortz, PhD

Research Assistant Professor of Psychiatry

Areas of Expertise

  • Substance Use Disorders
  • Basic & Translational Neuroscience

Selected Publications

  1. Bortz DM, Obaidi K, Deldin AJ, Weber DJ, Torregrossa MM. (2025) Dynamic, behavior-dependent interactions between dorsal striatal dopamine and glutamate release predict cognitive flexibility and punishment resistant cocaine use. bioRxiv, https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.08.11.669720
  2. Bortz DM, Feistritzer CM, Grace AA. (2023) Medial prefrontal cortex to medial septum pathway activation improves cognitive flexibility in rats. Int J Neuropsychopharmacology 26, 426-437.
  3. Bortz DM, Feistritzer CM, Power CC, Grace AA. (2022) Medial Septum activation improves strategy switching once strategies are well-learned via bidirectional regulation of dopamine neuron population activity. Neuropsychopharmacology 47, 2090-2100.
  4. Bortz DM, Gazo KL & Grace AA. (2019) The medial septum enhances reversal learning via opposing actions on ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra dopamine neurons. Neuropsychopharmacology 44, 2186-2194.
  5. Bortz DM & Grace AA. (2018) Medial septum differentially regulates dopamine neuron activity in the rat ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra via distinct pathways. Neuropsychopharmacology 43, 2093-2100.

Education & Credentials

Education & Training

Education
PhD, Behavioral Science, The Ohio State University
Education
MA, Behavioral Neuroscience, The Ohio State University
Postdoctoral
Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh

Professional Affiliations

  • Member, Society for Neuroscience