Our understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying fear, trauma, and the development of related disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are incomplete. Thus, the search for players in the game continues. Among the brain regions identified as exhibiting maladaptive changes/activity in PTSD, the amygdala appears to serve an important role in the acquisition and expression […]
A18: Enzymatic Conversion of Psilocybin and Related Tryptamines by Alkaline Phosphatase and Monoamine Oxidase A
The McMurray lab is a behavioral neuroscience lab that focuses on the study of tryptamines commonly found in “magic” mushrooms. The main tryptamine found in these mushrooms is psilocybin, and this has been extensively studied as a therapeutic because of its promising antidepressant effects. The leading theory for why psilocybin possesses this antidepressant efficacy is […]
A22: Impact of Nicotine and Alcohol Individually and Concurrently in ChAT-MOR Knockout Mice
Alcohol and nicotine are common substances that impact individuals individually and concurrently. This project aims to investigate the impact of nicotine and alcohol in ChAT-MOR mice individually and concurrently. Nicotine and ethanol both affect dopamine release through different mechanisms. We are specifically studying the impact of cholinergic interneurons on dopamine release within the striatum. CHAT-MOR […]
A23: The Effects of Lead Exposure During Early Development on Fentanyl Addictive Behavior in Mice
This study investigates a potential causal relationship between developmental lead (Pb) exposure and fentanyl addictive behavior with male and female mice in a Drinking in the Dark (DID) paradigm. Developmental Pb exposure and fentanyl use disorder (FUD) are critical issues in public health. With similar underlying neurological and demographical characteristics between Pb exposure and FUD, […]
C15: The Role of Striatal Cholinergic Interneurons in Fentanyl Consumption
The opioid epidemic is a significant public health crisis in the United States with a growing number of overdoses related to illicit opioids such as fentanyl. Ohio, in particular, has been greatly affected. One of the neural circuits implicated in opioid-related behaviors is the mesolimbic dopamine system –a reward pathway involving the ventral tegmental area […]
C19: Regulation of Lysozyme Expression and Activity by the Fragile X Mental Retardation Gene
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), a genetic disorder involving mutation of the Fragile X mental retardation (FMR1) gene, accounts for up to 50% of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) cases. While many studies have examined cognitive deficits associated with FXS, effects on the immune system have not been well-researched. ASD patients are reported to have increased blood […]
C35: The Effects of Sex and Early Life Stress on Conditioned Inhibition of Fear in Rodents
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition that occurs in a subset of individuals who experience one or more traumatic events. It is marked by recurrent memories of the traumatic event, heightened anxiety states, altered mood, and avoidance behaviors. Importantly, adverse early childhood experiences yield increased vulnerability to the development of PTSD later in […]
C12: The Effects of Sucrose on Chat-MOR Knockout Mice in an Operant Conditioning Chamber
The mesolimbic dopamine pathway is important for reward and motivation. However, neurobiological mechanisms behind these behaviors are complicated. This animal study gives us insight about how such mechanisms work. Here, we test how mu opioid receptors (MORs) expressed on cholinergic interneurons mediate the reward seeking behaviors for a natural reward (sucrose) to investigate the possible […]
C09: The Effects of Psilocybin on Maternal Behavior
Certain psychiatric medications, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can be harmful during pregnancy and the postnatal period, having been shown to lead to birth defects and reduce helpful maternal behaviors. These factors may require birthing parents to temporarily stop taking such medications, but ceasing them may pose a risk to the parent. This presents […]
C10: Age-Related Differences in Rat Behavioral Responses to Psilocybin
The prevalence of adolescent depression is at an all-time high. Pharmacological treatments are similar to adults but elicit different—and oftentimes adverse—consequences in adolescents, including anxiety and suicidal ideations. Thus, significant demand exists for improved therapeutic interventions for this age group. Psilocybin, a serotonergic agonist, has demonstrated potential for therapeutic efficacy in adulthood; however, its effects […]