Neural Encoding of Fentanyl-Associated Cues Contributing to Relapse Liability
This project will determine the neural encoding of opioid-paired cues and how the neural and behavioral effects of cue-presentation are impacted by treatment with GLP-1 agonists.
Project is Not Currently Available
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Project description
The chronic relapsing nature of opioid use disorder (OUD) drives a $2.7 trillion economic burden. Relapse to opioid use is driven, in part, by both internal and external cues promoting drug seeking yet precisely how these cues gain incentive salience is unknown. We have recently demonstrated that the attribution of incentive salience towards exteroceptive cues is associated with a profound increase in acetylcholine (ACh) signaling within the insular cortex (IC). The IC is heavily implicated in the clinical pathophysiology of OUD and treatments known to boost IC ACh signaling (e.g. nicotine administration) significantly increase opioid consumption and relapse liability. This project will leverage state-of-the-art neural recording techniques (i.e. fiber photometry) to measure IC ACh release during the presentation of cues paired with fentanyl reinforcement and fentanyl withdrawal. It will also quantify the degree to which FDA-approved GLP-1 agonists alter IC neural processing of theses same cues.
Project outcome
Students will receive hands-on training with fiber photometry recordings, data analyses, preparing manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication, and presenting at a national conference.
Project details
| Length of commitment | Year-long (10-12 months) |
| Start time | Spring |
| In-person, remote, or hybrid? | In-Person |
| Level of collaboration | Individual student project |
| Benefits | Stipend |
| Who is eligible | All undergraduate students |
Project mentor
Greg Loney
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Psychology
Phone: (716) 645-0241
Email: gcloney@buffalo.edu
Start the project
- Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
- After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.)
Preparation activities
Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. After you’re approved to begin the project, your mentor will send the relevant materials. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase.
Students will be expected to attend an orientation in the lab. Contact the PI for more details.
Keywords
Psychology, Neuroscience, Opioids, GLP-1, Relapse