The Laboratory of Dr. Michael J. Kuhar

Research Focus

Current and recent areas of research are as follows:

1. In an effort to identify mechanisms of addiction, we have been studying CART peptides in limbic areas. Evidence indicates that these peptides modulate limbic dopamine and play a role in the action of drugs. An interdisciplinary approach has been taken and current projects involve the CART promoter and its regulation, CART-dopamine interactions, effects of CART on psychostimulant's actions, and the CART receptor.

2. Because early maternal separation of rat pups increases vulnerability to drug use as adults, we have been studying the changes induced in the brain by the maternal separation procedure. The goal is to identify the molecular mechanisms of the increase in vulnerability. A focus has been on amine systems in brain.

3. Mathematical modeling of protein synthesis with the hypothesis that protein synthesis is rate limiting in the process of drug addiction and other behaviors. Initial studies indicate that this hypothesis is reasonable and should be tested further.

4. Medications development for psychostimulant abusers has evolved from a detailed structure-activity study of cocaine at the dopamine transporter. Several cocaine analogs are being considered as medications. One of the analogs is now being tested in Japan and Europe as a diagnostic imaging agent for Parkinson's disease.

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