Summary
This project investigates how astrocytes in the dorsal striatum modulate neuronal activity to influence stimulant and sedative responses to alcohol, aiming to understand their role in alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Astrocyte modulation of striatal neuronal activity and behavioral sensitivity to alcohol
US · IL
National Institutes of Health
grant
awarded
#nih-5F32AA032173-02
What they want
The research will use simultaneous in-vivo recording of striatal astrocyte calcium activity and direct or indirect pathway neuronal activity to determine if and how astrocytes modulate neural activity balance to produce the stimulant and sedative effects of alcohol. Additionally, molecular genetic tools will be employed to manipulate astrocyte calcium levels to assess their causal role in these alcohol-related behaviors.
Deliverables
- Determination of the relationship between striatal astrocyte calcium activity and the stimulant and sedative responses to alcohol (Aim 1)
- Assessment of how astrocyte modulation of direct and indirect pathway neuronal activity regulates the stimulant and sedative responses to alcohol (Aim 2)
- Crucial insight for the development of future therapies for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
Technical requirements
- Simultaneous in-vivo recording of striatal astrocyte calcium activity
- Simultaneous in-vivo recording of direct or indirect pathway neuronal activity
- Molecular genetic tools for manipulating astrocyte calcium levels
