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The Dopamine Synapse and Associative Learning

Award Number: R01DA007418
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/1991
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2028

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The Dopamine Synapse and Associative Learning - Project Summary/Abstract Dopamine (DA) neurotransmission in the dorsal striatum and nucleus accumbens has been implicated in drug seeking and reward since the 1950s, when it was shown to mediate the effects of cocaine and opiates. However, our and other’s recent work has shown that DA also plays a role in another circuitry critical for drug dependence. Within the rostral striatum (tail of the striatum: TS) – the central locus where auditory DA, cortical and thalamic axons converge to control auditory learning – DA neurotransmission is necessary for learned association of a sound with a behavior, such as drug self-administration. To address this role for DA, we have developed novel technical approaches that allow us to measure activity and neuronal signaling during associative learning and recall tests, and then to correlate changes in animal behavior and in vivo synaptic activity with detailed ex vivo analysis after learning. These experiments have led to the identification of a new form of synaptic plasticity that occurs at auditory thalamic inputs to the TS projection neurons, consisting of a simultaneous decrease in overall activity with a concurrent increase in response to a specific sound cue. This form of enhanced signal-to-noise response by specific synapses may provide a basis of sensory cue learning. This project tests i) the precise physiological and molecular steps required for auditory sensory learning; ii) the role played by the TS dopamine and glutamate neurotransmission in this form of learning and synaptic plasticity, and iii) a role of DA in “refining” TS synaptic circuits in order to allow further learning. These experiments promise to unveil the molecular steps responsible for the action of addictive drugs such as amphetamine and opiates that drive self-administration, and will further be important for understanding language disorders, hallucinations and affective disorders including ADHD and PTSD.


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 = $476,058 )
2025	2025	THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	003	30	4/7/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$47,605
2025	2025	THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	30	1/13/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$428,453
2025	2024	THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	002	29	3/19/2025	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$447
2025	2023	THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	001	28	3/19/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$447
														Subtotal = $476,058

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $472,438 )
2024	2024	THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	29	3/14/2024	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$472,438
														Subtotal = $472,438

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $377,597 )
2023	2023	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, THE	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	001	28	1/11/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$37,760
2023	2023	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, THE	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	28	11/29/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$339,837
														Subtotal = $377,597

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $408,326 )
2022	2022	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, THE	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	003	27	3/25/2022	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$2,641
2022	2022	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, THE	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	001	27	11/23/2021	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$23,781
2022	2022	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, THE	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	002	27	3/18/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$38,190
2022	2022	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, THE	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	27	11/19/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$343,714
														Subtotal = $408,326

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $427,119 )
2021	2021	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, THE	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	002	26	2/23/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$4,779
2021	2021	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, THE	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	26	11/20/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$377,046
2021	2021	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, THE	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	003	26	2/23/2021	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$4,530
2021	2021	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, THE	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	001	26	11/23/2020	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$40,764
														Subtotal = $427,119

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $449,163 )
2020	2020	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	003	25	2/13/2020	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$4,530
2020	2020	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	002	25	2/13/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$40,387
2020	2020	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	001	25	11/27/2019	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$40,764
2020	2020	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	25	11/26/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$363,482
														Subtotal = $449,163

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $414,051 )
2019	2019	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	002	24	7/2/2019	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$18,872
2019	2019	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	001	24	2/12/2019	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$395,179
2019	2019	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	004	24	7/11/2019	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$11,542
2019	2017	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	003	23	7/11/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$11,542
2019	2017	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	23	2/12/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $414,051

Issue Date FY: 2017 ( Subtotal = $317,284 )
2017	2017	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	002	23	8/14/2017	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$317,284
2017	2016	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	001	22	3/9/2017	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$34,111
2017	2015	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	21	3/9/2017	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$34,111
														Subtotal = $317,284

Issue Date FY: 2016 ( Subtotal = $314,160 )
2016	2016	COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY	615 WEST 131ST ST, 4TH FLOOR	NEW YORK	NY	10027	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	22	8/25/2016	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$314,160
														Subtotal = $314,160

Issue Date FY: 2015 ( Subtotal = $312,690 )
2015	2015	COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY	615 WEST 131ST ST, 4TH FLOOR	NEW YORK	NY	10027	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	21	8/24/2015	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$312,690
														Subtotal = $312,690

Issue Date FY: 2014 ( Subtotal = $317,502 )
2014	2014	COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY	615 WEST 131ST ST, 4TH FLOOR	NEW YORK	NY	10027	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	20	7/30/2014	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$317,502
														Subtotal = $317,502

Issue Date FY: 2013 ( Subtotal = $317,563 )
2013	2013	COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY	615 WEST 131ST ST, 4TH FLOOR	NEW YORK	NY	10027	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	19	9/16/2013	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$317,563
														Subtotal = $317,563

Issue Date FY: 2012 ( Subtotal = $18,666 )
2012	2012	COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES	106 LOW Memorial LIBRARY	NEW YORK-NEW YORK	NY	10027		USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	18	2/7/2012	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$18,666
														Subtotal = $18,666

Issue Date FY: 2011 ( Subtotal = $378,791 )
2011	2011	COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES	106 LOW Memorial LIBRARY	NEW YORK-NEW YORK	NY	10027		USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	18	6/15/2011	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$378,791
														Subtotal = $378,791

Issue Date FY: 2010 ( Subtotal = $412,820 )
2010	2010	COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES	106 LOW Memorial LIBRARY	NEW YORK	NY	10027	NEW YORK	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	17	6/28/2010	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$412,820
														Subtotal = $412,820

Issue Date FY: 2009 ( Subtotal = $439,334 ) (Continued on the next page)
Grand Total All Awards = $9,137,014

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The Dopamine Synapse and Associative Learning

Award Number: R01DA007418

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/1991

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2028

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