His research, conducted in collaboration between B Guiard and M Lapeyre-Mestrede, (Pharmacoepidemiology Toulouse - INSERM UMR1027), focuses on the neurobiological effects and mechanisms of action of pregabalin, a molecule prescribed for the treatment of epilepsy, generalized anxiety or neuropathic pain. Pregabalin is under particular surveillance by health professionals due to an increasing number of cases of abuse.

Indeed, Basile has demonstrated in mice a potentially reinforcing effect of pregabalin without modifying the classic reward circuit, thus confirming the potential for abuse of pregabalin observed in humans. Basile Coutens' data suggest an original mechanism of action independent of the activation of dopamine neurons.