National Institute on Drug Abuse - Intramural Research Program
Featured Paper of the Month – November 2024
Published in Neuropsychopharmacology by Flavia Barbano and Marisela Morales, et al. of the NIDA IRP Neuronal Networks Section.
Our study shows that activating a parallel VTA-originating glutamatergic pathway targeting the NAc shell can suppress psychostimulant-seeking behavior.
Hot Off the Press – October 15, 2024 Published in Nature Communications with contributions from Alessandro Bonifazi , Francisco Battiti and Amy Hauck Newman of the NIDA IRP Medicinal Chemistry Section. Summary We have been designing bitopic ligands for more than two decades with the idea that the secondary pharmacophore would bind in a site… [Read More]
High Spatiotemporal Resolution Radial Encoding Single-Vessel fMRI Adv Sci (Weinh)
This paper implemented a radial encoding MRI scheme to measure blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signals of single vessels at microscopic level in the rat somatosensory cortex. In addition, besides from detecting refined hemodynamic response of intracortical micro-venules, this radial encoding-based single-vessel fMRI is capable of distinguishing contributions of intravascular and extravascular effects of signals from vessel and peri-vessel voxels. This combination further benefits real-time single-vessel BOLD fMRI, CBV, and cerebral blood flow studies, making it a valuable tool for advanced brain functional mapping with high-field MRI scanners.
Featured Paper of the Month – October 2024
Published in Neuropharmacology by Hui Shen, Zilu Ma and Yihong Yang, et al. of the NIDA IRP Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Section.
In this study, we used the delay-discounting task (DDT) to identify rats with different levels of impulsivity.
Topographical memory analyzed in mice using the Hamlet test, a novel complex maze Neurobiol Learn Mem
This manuscript presents a novel behavioral test relying on a new device and specific paradigm: the Hamlet test. The Hamlet test measures topographic memory and establishes a disorientation index using a paradigm based on spontaneous exploration bypassing common issues with spatial behavioral tests, such as procedural routines and systemic avoidance behavior.
Reviews To Read – August 2024. Published in Current Psychiatry Reports by Kirsten Smith, David Epstein & Stephanie Weiss of the NIDA IRP Translational Addiction Medicine Branch. This publication arose because Dr. Weiss was asked to write about “kratom misuse” for a kratom-focused issue of Current Psychiatry Reports. She agreed to contribute, but with a change… [Read More]
Hot Off the Press – August 27, 2024 Published in Neuropsychopharmacology by Eun-Kyung Hwang, Agustin Zapata and Carl Lupica, et al. from the NIDA IRP Electrophysiology Research Section. Summary Impulsive behavior is both a predictor and a consequence of drug use and substance use disorders, as well as a symptom of other neuropsychiatric illnesses such… [Read More]
A Wearable Device Towards Automatic Detection and Treatment of Opioid Overdose IEEE Trans Biomed Circuits Syst
A wearable closed-loop drug delivery system capable of detecting a hypoxia event and an automatic rapid delivery of a naloxone dose has the potential to mitigate the effects of the opioid epidemic. The closed-loop system can be complementary to the existing evidence-based harm reduction strategies, particularly in instances of unwitnessed overdose where there are no bystanders to administer Narcan.
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Featured Paper of the Month – August 2024
Published in Nature Communications by Flavia Barbano and Marisela Morales, et al. of the NIDA IRP Neuronal Networks Section.
Defensive behaviors are critical actions evolutionary selected to improve survival. Barbano et al., discovered an unanticipated neuronal pathway that is activated during threatening environmental conditions.
Hot Off the Press – July 29, 2024 Published in Biological Psychiatry by Zheng-Xiong Xi and Amy Hauck Newman, et al. from the NIDA IRP Addiction Biology Unit. Summary Dopamine D3 receptors (D3Rs) play pivotal roles in the rewarding effects of cocaine and opioids. However, the cellular and neural circuit mechanisms in the brain underlying… [Read More]
