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Functions and mechanisms of Crym-positive astrocytes in the nucleus accumbens

Award Number: F31DA062444
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2025
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2027

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Functions and mechanisms of Crym-positive astrocytes in the nucleus accumbens - Project Summary/Abstract Astrocytes are ubiquitous CNS cells that make extensive contacts with neurons. Astrocytes serve diverse roles, including ion homeostasis, neurotransmitter clearance, and contributions to neurovascular coupling, which position them as critical components of neural circuits that contribute to brain physiology and disease. Once thought of as homogeneous, recent studies have highlighted astrocyte heterogeneity across and within brain regions. As tools to study astrocytes have improved, one important goal is to determine if defined populations of astrocytes regulate behaviors associated with the brain region they are located in. An ideal population to explore this larger question is the newly discovered subpopulation of Crym+ astrocytes within the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a structure within the ventral striatum that is well characterized in the context of rewarding behaviors and addiction. The focus of this application is thus to determine the role(s) of Crym+ astrocytes in behaviors relevant to the NAc. Crym encodes the protein µ- crystallin that was recently identified in a specific population of central striatal astrocytes to regulate perseverative behaviors of mice. The current application seeks to elucidate the functions of Crym+ NAc astrocytes (~45%) using integrated molecular, cellular, and physiological assessments during natural behaviors and a model of fentanyl-evoked opioid use disorder (OUD). I will test the hypothesis that astrocytes in the NAc have separable properties relative to the dorsal striatum, contribute to goal- directed behaviors, and that they are altered in a clinically relevant model of opioid use disorder (OUD) where goal-directed behaviors are disrupted. This hypothesis is based on exciting preliminary data described in the application, including data showing that Crym expression is decreased in NAc astrocytes in the OUD model. I will test this hypothesis with three Specific Aims. Aim 1 will characterize basic biological properties of astrocytes in the NAc. Aim 2 will assess functions of Crym+ NAc astrocytes during goal-directed behaviors. Aim 3 will determine how NAc astrocytes are altered in a model of fentanyl- evoked OUD. The aims are logically related to address my hypothesis but are not interdependent so that success in any one is not contingent on the other. The completion of the proposed experiments will provide me with rigorous training in state-of-the-art methods and allow me to directly address the functions of a molecularly defined population of astrocytes in the NAc.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $45,804 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES	10889 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 700	LOS ANGELES	CA	90024	LOS ANGELES	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	001	2	3/24/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$576
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES	10889 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 700	LOS ANGELES	CA	90024	LOS ANGELES	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	2	1/27/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$45,228
														Subtotal = $45,804

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $45,228 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES	10889 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 700	LOS ANGELES	CA	90024	LOS ANGELES	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	002	1	7/22/2025	NEW	$564
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES	10889 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 700	LOS ANGELES	CA	90024	LOS ANGELES	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	1	12/24/2024	NEW	$44,664
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES	10889 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 700	LOS ANGELES	CA	90024	LOS ANGELES	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	001	1	12/24/2024	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $45,228

Grand Total All Awards = $91,032

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Functions and mechanisms of Crym-positive astrocytes in the nucleus accumbens

Award Number: F31DA062444

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2025

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2027

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