Hot Off the Press – May 18, 2023 Summary NIDA researchers previously showed a role of Pir in fentanyl relapse after food choice-induced voluntary abstinence in rats, a procedure mimicking human abstinence or a significant reduction in drug self-administration because of the availability of alternative nondrug rewards. Here, they aimed to further characterize the role… [Read More]
News Main
2023 NIDA Women in Science Research Awardees
The NIDA IRP Women Scientist Advisors awards ceremony is held annually to recognize the accomplishments of outstanding women scientists. The 2023 awardees are: Agnieszka Sulima, Ph.D. – Excellence in Research Award Gisela Andrea Camacho Hernandez , Ph.D. – Excellence in Research Award Amy Janes, Ph.D. – Research Recognition Award for Exceptional Achievement Melinda Hersey, Ph.D. –… [Read More]
Dopaminergic prediction errors in the ventral tegmental area reflect a multithreaded predictive model
Hot Off the Press – May 5, 2023 Published in Nature Neuroscience by Yuji Takahashi, Thomas Stalnaker, Lauren Mueller, and Geoffrey Schoenbaum of the NIDA IRP Behavioral Neurophysiology Neuroscience Section. Summary Dopamine neurons signal reward prediction errors – critical teaching signals that are broadcast throughout the brain to undergird associative learning. Current models applied to… [Read More]
Erika Carlson – Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Highlighted Trainee Author
Erika Carlson is the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (JPET) Highlighted Trainee Author for May 2023. Erika was recognized for her contributions to the article titled “Heroin- and Fentanyl-Induced Respiratory Depression in a Rat Plethysmography Model: Potency, Tolerance, and Sex Differences,” which was published in the May 2023 issue of JPET. Erika co-authored this article… [Read More]
Technology Development Initiative – Paper of the Month – May 2023
Customizable, wireless and implantable neural probe design and fabrication via 3D printing. Nature Protocols.
Detailed in this protocol are custom manufacturing techniques for rapidly 3D-printing large number of optogenetic probes of any length and number of shanks. Also included are instructions for low-cost, custom, wireless harnesses to couple with probes for offsite optical manipulation. [Read More]
Persistent binding at dopamine transporters determines sustained psychostimulant effects
Featured Paper of the Month – May 2023
Published in PNAS with contributions from Carl Lupica, Alexander Hoffman, and Michael Baumann of the NIDA IRP.
Here we demonstrate that various DAT inhibitors can be distinguished based on their in vitro binding kinetics, whereby the dissociation rate (i.e., Koff) of a drug from DAT in vitro predicts the duration of its stimulant effects in vivo.
Targeting orexin receptors: Recent advances in the development of subtype selective or dual ligands for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders
Reviews To Read – April 2023. Published in Medical Research Reviews with contributions from Alessandro Bonifazi and Lily Saab of the NIDA IRP Medicinal Chemistry Section. This review, written in collaboration between authors from the Medicinal Chemistry Section (NIDA-IRP) and the Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology Units at the University of Camerino (Italy), is focused on the development of… [Read More]
Technology Development Initiative – Paper of the Month – April 2023
Insights into distinct signaling profiles of the µOR activated by diverse agonists. Nat Chem Biology.
The TRUPATH BRET2 assay is a single and comprehensive platform of 14 G protein biosensors that allows for unambiguous measurement of heterotrimeric G protein dissociation following agonist-induced receptor stimulation. Because individual G protein subunits have distinct functional characteristics, directly monitoring their activation and signaling profiles provides new opportunities for revealing previously uncharacterized actions of GPCR ligands. [Read More]
The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binds and modulates estrogen receptors
Featured Paper of the Month – April 2023
Published in Science Advances by Oscar Solís and Michael Michaelides et al. from the NIDA IRP Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit.
In our study, we investigated the potential impact of the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on estrogen receptors. To do so, we used computational and biochemical methods to study the binding of the spike protein to human estrogen receptors…
The role of the lateral orbitofrontal cortex in creating cognitive maps
Hot Off the Press – March 28, 2023 Published in Nature Neuroscience by Kauê Machado Costa and Geoffrey Schoenbaum of the NIDA IRP Behavioral Neurophysiology Neuroscience Section. Summary We use mental models of the world – also called cognitive maps – to guide behavior. Several mental illnesses, including schizophrenia and substance use disorder, involve disruptions… [Read More]
