Grants and Contracts Details
Description
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
While several pharmacotherapies are currently available for nicotine dependence, smoking cessation is only 7.5%
successful. The molecular mechanisms underlying the failed successes of smokers attempting to quit remain a critical gap
in our knowledge. Recent advances in the study of genetic contributions to nicotine dependence represent a promising
avenue for the development of novel smoking cessation therapies. Our lab has shown that variations in the gene for
Neuregulin 3 (NRG3) and its cognate receptor ErbB4 are linked to smoking cessation outcomes and may be responsible,
in part, for affective nicotine withdrawal (WD) phenotypes. Therefore, the overarching goal of this fellowship-training
proposal is to systematically investigate the region-specific, functional role of the Neuregulin Signaling Pathway during
nicotine use and WD. To accomplish this, we are evaluating three central aims: 1) Determine the PFC-specific contributions
of ErbB4 to nicotine WD related behavioral phenotypes, 2) Characterize expression patterns of NRG3-ErbB4 signaling
within the prefrontal cortex and identify the molecular alterations induced during chronic nicotine and WD, and 3)
Determine the mechanism by which ErbB4 contributes to nicotine WD-related behaviors. Our approach is significant
because it utilizes a novel genetic mouse model of nicotine dependence in a multidimensional approach to provide
insight into the underlying mechanisms that define the NRG3 signaling pathway and its role in nicotine dependence.
Research undertaken in this fellowship will be performed at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy under the
purview of the Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, a multidisciplinary program designed to prepare motivated
individuals for academic, industrial, or government careers in pharmaceutical and biomedical research. My mentor, Dr.
Jill Turner, has helped develop a training plan for my graduate career that consists of professional development and
didactic training in techniques that will develop my understanding and expertise in the field. The outlined training plan
will help me to develop expertise in the field of neuropharmacology/genetics of addiction, expand upon my experimental
techniques, refine my experimental design and data analysis skills, and continue to work on my presentation and
networking skills. The training gained during my graduate career under the guidance of Dr. Turner will provide me with a
broad exposure to the neurobiology of substance use disorders; in addition to my research work, these experiences will
help me in my future goals of developing novel precision therapeutics for nicotine dependence and other co-morbid
psychiatric disorders. The combination of my dedicated mentor that will assist in the development and progression of my
training with innovative research venues to conduct and share my research will warrant my success as a well-trained
graduate student.
Status | Active |
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Effective start/end date | 1/12/24 → 1/11/27 |
Funding
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: $48,974.00
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