Recent Projects
TBI Impact on Sleep
Using animal models for TBI, we are evaluating its the impact on sleep and behavioral measures. Because TBI injures lateral hypothalamic orexin (ORX) neurons that project widely and regulate arousal, sleep and behavioral responses, we examine how ORX dysregulation produces disturbances in many neural and behavioral functions, including sleep. We examine sleep-wake parameters including sleep latency, wake time after sleep onset time, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, non-REM sleep and delta EEG sleep via quantitative EEG. We also examine a commercially available medication to reverse sleep disturbances and daytime cognitive and behavioral effects of TBI. This project is supported by a VA Rehabilitation Research and Development Grant (7/1/21-6/30/23).
PTSD & Opioid Addiction
With the rise of opioid epidemic, it is important to understand how the PTSD impacts vulnerable to opioids reward and can lead to addiction. We examine the effects of Fear Conditioning with Opioid Conditioned Place Preference in animals to understand the comorbid human condition. Specifically, we examine the impact of Fear Conditioning on opioid reward, its extinction and reinstatement and on neurobiological parameters important in addiction.
Dendritic Plasticity in Opioid Reward
This project used a rodent rodent conditioned place preference and extinction model and examine structural plasticity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Dendritic changes were studied using Golgi-Cox staining and digital tracing of NAc core and shell neurons. In the NAc core, morphine homecage administration increased spine density, while morphine conditioning increased dendritic complexity, as defined by increased dendritic count, length and intersections. Place preference positively correlated with dendritic length and intersections in the NAc core. The core may mediate reward consolidation and determine how context-related signals from the shell lead to motor behavior. The unique effect of morphine reward learning on NAc core dendrites reflects a brain substrate that could be targeted for therapeutic intervention in addiction.