Drosophila melanogaster and rodents show similar locomotor responses when exposed to cocaine. Previous work shows that the central circadian genes of Drosophila modulate cocaine responsiveness. The proposed experiments will determine how the circadian genes modulate cocaine responsiveness and in which cells of the adult brain these functions are required. I propose to identify the cells that modulate cocaine response and require the function of the clock protein PERIOD by transiently blocking synaptic function in various cells and determine the cocaine sensitivity phenotype. An overexpression screen in a sensitized period null background will be used to identify genes that modulate cocaine sensitivity. Subsequent experiments will determine whether the candidates are regulated, either directly or indirectly, by PERIOD function. Although the initial screens are for changes in cocaine sensitivity, it is expected that these pathways will be at least partially required for the process of sensitization.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32DA014446-02
Application #
6515930
Study Section
Human Development Research Subcommittee (NIDA)
Program Officer
Babecki, Beth
Project Start
2002-07-01
Project End
Budget Start
2002-07-01
Budget End
2003-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$38,320
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Virginia
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
001910777
City
Charlottesville
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
22904