Dr. Kelly Cosgrove

Biography

Kelly Cosgrove utilizes neuroreceptor imaging techniques, particularly Positron-Emission Tomography (PET), to gain insights into the brains of individuals grappling with substance use and stress-related disorders. A trained clinical psychologist, she has transitioned from directly managing cases involving alcohol and drug use disorders to conducting research aimed at informing treatment practices for these conditions. Her laboratory develops and applies innovative brain imaging paradigms to track changes in critical neurochemicals over time, identify treatment targets for psychiatric disorders, and explore individual differences influenced by sex and gender. Dr. Cosgrove's research interests include the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on the neuroimmune system, the relationship of mu and kappa opioid receptor systems with clinical outcomes in alcohol use disorder, and the neurobiological implications of stress and its interactions with psychiatric conditions like PTSD, using advanced imaging techniques. She focuses on understanding the functional basis behind behavioral and cognitive changes that arise from variations in receptor availability and dopaminergic system connectivity in populations such as smokers and individuals in recovery from opioid use disorder.

Research Interests