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Understanding the role of paraventricular neurotensin neurons in valence processing

Award Number: R00DA055111
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2027

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Understanding the role of paraventricular neurotensin neurons in valence processing - ABSTRACT A hallmark of substance use disorders is continued drug use despite profound adverse consequences. While studies in rodents have suggested that leveraging both positive and negative valence processing can affect this compulsive pattern of reward-seeking behavior in conflict with punishment, the underlying mechanisms that regulate valence processing and guide ultimate behavioral selections remain unknown. Studies have shown that the basolateral amygdala (BLA) projections to the nucleus accumbens (BLA-NAc) preferentially encode positive valence, including sucrose and cocaine predictive cues and drive approach behaviors, while projections to the central nucleus of the amygdala (BLA-CeM) encode negative valence and drive avoidance. Findings from my K99 phase further demonstrated that neurotensin (NT), a 13 amino acid peptide, released from the paraventricular nucleus of thalamus (PVT) NT neurons in the BLA can bidirectionally modulate reward and punishment learning in a concentration-dependent manner (Li et al., Nature, 2023). These findings suggest that PVT: NT-BLA projection is critical for valence evaluation and can potentially modulate compulsive reward-seeking in face of punishment. Together, this proposal will investigate how PVT NTergic inputs mediate the encoding of compulsive reward-seeking and are dysregulated by chronic cocaine self-administration.


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: 2025 ( Subtotal = $328,653 )
2025	2025	NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY	633 CLARK ST	EVANSTON	IL	60208	COOK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	001	4	1/21/2025	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$79,653
2025	2025	NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY	633 CLARK ST	EVANSTON	IL	60208	COOK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	4	1/14/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$249,000
														Subtotal = $328,653

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $423,444 )
2024	2024	NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY	633 CLARK ST	EVANSTON	IL	60208	COOK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	3	1/21/2024	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$249,000
2024	2024	NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY	633 CLARK ST	EVANSTON	IL	60208	COOK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	002	3	9/19/2024	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$0
2024	2024	NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY	633 CLARK ST	EVANSTON	IL	60208	COOK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	001	3	8/8/2024	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$174,444
														Subtotal = $423,444

Grand Total All Awards = $752,097

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Understanding the role of paraventricular neurotensin neurons in valence processing

Award Number: R00DA055111

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2027

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