Cortical actions of opioids on reward-guided decision making - This research investigates the role of opioid signaling in decision-making within the rat prefrontal cortex, specifically the prelimbic area. Building on our previous NIH-funded work which added to an emerging view that this cortical area has importance in reward evaluation and value-based decision-making, we will examine how opioid receptors in this region influence reward preferences and the speed of value-guided choices. Using a two-alternative forced choice task, we will integrate intra-cortical pharmacology, computational modeling, and video analysis to study how cortical opioid receptors and endogenous enkephalins modulate decision-making. Further, we will investigate the relationship between opioid signaling and medial frontal theta oscillations, a neural marker for cognitive control, using multi-electrode recordings, intra-cortical pharmacology, and optical sensors for endogenous enkephalins. Our approach will provide a deeper understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying opioid-related decision-making impairments. This project will be conducted at American University by a research team including PhD students and undergraduate research assistants, led by the Principal Investigator. It is designed to actively engage neuroscience majors who will participate in experiments and contribute to computational data analyses. Four leading experts on opioids and substance use disorders will serve as consultants, providing guidance and enriching the research environment through campus visits, lectures, and participation in an advanced neuroscience course focused on career options and professional skills.
