Louk J. M. J. Vanderschuren, a professor of behavioral neuroscience at Utrecht University, researches the relationship between brain function and behavior, especially social play. He is also heavily involved in researching the neurology of addiction and impulse control. His interest in positive emotions and cognitive control led him to explore the neurobiology of these behaviors and the relationships between social play, impulsiveness, and addiction, and he has published well over 150 articles on these subjects. In addition to his position at Utrecht University, where he is part of the “Healthy Play, Better Coping” hub, he is also editor-in-chief of Behavioural Pharmacology and past president of the European Behavioural Pharmacology Society.
Most Influential Work:
- His 1997 review The Neurobiology of Social Play Behavior in Rats is widely cited, and presents strong evidence that social play is a separate behavior, not an extension or precursor of adult behavior patterns.
- He is also a coauthor on the 2018 paper “Healthy Play, Better Coping,” which explores the vital importance of providing play opportunities to chronically ill children.
View all books and articles on our site by Louk Vanderschuren:
