Projects

Cholinergic neurons are heterogenous, project to the entire brain and are functionally diverse. We are particularly interested in ventral pallidal (VP) cholinergic neurons and its role in motivated behaviors.

Astrocytes express cholinergic receptors and respond to acetylcholine release. Importantly, changes in astrocytes are associated with altered motivation.

How does VP cholinergic signaling interact with astrocytes to mediate motivated behaviors?

Project 1: Examine how VP cholinergic projections to the BLA interact with astrocytes to mediate drug-seeking behaviors

VP cholinergic terminals (green)

in the BLA (cyan)

VP cholinergic neurons target the BLA:

How extensive are these projections?

How do they influence the activity of BLA neurons?

How do they affect the activity of BLA astrocytes?

How does VP cholinergic signaling in the BLA interact with astrocytes to mediate innate and learned motivation?

VP cholinergic signaling in the BLA mediates approach behavior

Typical approach behavior in response to an appetitive stimulus on the left

Approach behavior is abolished after optogenetic stimulation of VP cholinergic terminals in the BLA

Stimulate VP cholinergic terminals

in the BLA

Do VP cholinergic projections to the BLA also affect motivation for drug-seeking?

How do they interact with astrocytes to influence drug-seeking?

Project 2: Examine how VP cholinergic projections to the mPFC interact with astrocytes to mediate depression- and anxiety-like behaviors following exposure to stress

VP cholinergic terminals (red)

in the mPFC

VP cholinergic neurons target the mPFC:

How extensive are these projections?

How do they influence the activity of mPFC neurons?

How do they affect the activity of mPFC astrocytes?

How does VP cholinergic signaling in the mPFC interact with astrocytes to mediate innate and learned motivation?

Cholinergic signaling in the mPFC is associated with negative emotional behaviors

Open

Closed

What is the contribution of VP cholinergic neurons to depression- and anxiety-like behaviors?

How does this change following exposure to chronic stress?

What are the contribution of astrocytes to these behaviors?

How does VP cholinergic signaling in the mPFC interact with astrocytes to mediate motivation following exposure to stress?