Orexin as a common mediator of stress and reward behavior in cocaine addiction
- Leading Researcher:
- Morgan James, Ph.D
- Interests:
- Comparative diagnostic and treatment modalities, Substance use/use disorder
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Graduate/Medical Students is accepted
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Post Docs is accepted
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Residents is accepted
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Undergraduates is accepted
Official Title:
Orexin as a common mediator of stress and reward behavior in cocaine addiction
The lateral hypothalamus houses a small population of neurons (~7000 in rats, ~50,000-80,000 in humans) that produce the neuropeptide orexin (also known as hypocretin). These orexin-producing neurons project broadly throughout the brain and accordingly underlie a range of behavioral and physiological processes. This project uses viral-mediated tracing and calcium imaging approaches in transgenic rats combined with neural manipulation approaches, including designer receptors (DREADDs), to better understand the precise circuits through which orexin neurons mediate stress and reward behaviors in addiction.