Research Projects

Tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide, driven primarily by the addictive properties of nicotine. Significant progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms and mode of action of nicotine in the brain, leading to the development of effective nicotine receptor antagonist drugs, such as bupropion and varenicline. However, current therapies often fail to prevent relapse and dependency in the majority of individuals. Thus, a deeper understanding of nicotine’s effects on the brain is essential to identify distinct molecular targets. Our preliminary findings and recent literature highlight the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as a critical integrative hub in nicotine exposure and dependency. To investigate the role of the ACC in nicotine dependence, we are conducting c-Fos based analyses of neural response in brain regions activated during nicotine exposure and preference in conditioned place preference tests. Our goal is to molecularly decode the ACC neural network and target it to mitigate nicotine dependency. We anticipate that understanding the ACC circuitry will uncover potential targets for future therapeutic interventions.