Publications
Interactions Between Endocannabinoid and Endogenous Opioid Systems Prospectively Influence Postoperative Opioid Use in Pregnant Patients Undergoing Cesarean Delivery
Hunger dampens a nucleus accumbens circuit to drive persistent food seeking
Structured tracking of alcohol reinforcement (STAR) for basic and translational alcohol research
Dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens core signals perceived saliency
Organization of neural systems expressing melanocortin-3 receptors in the mouse brain: Evidence for sexual dimorphism
Fibroblast growth factor-21 is required for weight loss induced by the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist liraglutide in male mice fed high carbohydrate diets
Cutting Edge Technology
The Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research is at the frontier of research in systems neuroscience and drug development. VCAR scientists apply cutting edge approaches to see the brain and visualize the complexity of how it works to control behavior. Ongoing collaborations allow us to work with Vanderbilt University experts in artificial intelligence and drug development to understand how addiction impacts the brain with unprecedented resolution. By applying a range of technologies at the frontier of scientific discover we are coming together as a community to better understand and ultimately treat addiction.
Research Areas
Brain Control of Motivation and Reward
Nearly everything we do in a day is rooted in our brains guiding us to seek good experiences and avoid bad ones. Repeated drug use changes the brain, altering our ability to make appropriate decisions, even outside of drug experiences. VCAR researchers explore how the brain learns and responds to motivation at the fundamental level, then contrasting that to a brain with drug-induced dysfunction. This comparison will offer clues to how the brains of people suffering from substance use disorder work, with the end goal of finding a treatment.
In the brain, the circuits that control hunger and feeding are closely linked to those that control addiction. For example, emerging evidence suggests that drugs that reduce food craving - semaglutide drugs such as those sold under the brand names Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus - have similar effects on drug cravings. VCAR scientists are looking at how the brain circuits that drive feeding and motivation develop and how targetting these systems can influence food and drug intake.
Faculty working in this space include Julio Ayala, Erin Calipari, Roger Colbran, Ariel Deutch, Brad Grueter, Cody Siciliano, and Richard Simerly.
Stimulant Use Disorder
Stimulant use—cocaine, nicotine, and methamphetamine—has been on the rise across the U.S., and there are currently no FDA approved treatments. VCAR research looks at how repeated use of these drugs change the brain and the body. Scientists are exploring why stimulants are addictive, how stimulant addiction works down to the molecule, and identifying new parts of the brain that can be targeted for new treatments.
Faculty working to understand stimulant use disorder are Erin Calipari, Brad Grueter, Carrie Jones, Cody Siciliano, Richard Simerly and Heather Ward.
Alcohol Use Disorder
Understanding how alcohol changes the brain and who is most susceptible to alcohol use disorder are some key unanswered questions in addiction neuroscience. By using computational tools and artificial intelligence approaches, work in VCAR is focused on defining new targets and refining existing targets through techniques that leverage big data.
Faculty addressing alcohol use disorder include Jenni Blackford, Erin Calipari, Lea Davis, Brad Grueter, and Cody Siciliano.
Opioid Use Disorder and Pain Management
Opioids are both addictive and necessary for pain management. The biggest challenge in addiction neuroscience is to reduce the addictive properties of opioids so that it can be used to manage pain. VCAR explores how opioids work within our body and how medication can provide pain relief without causing addiction.
Research in this area is being conducted by Ben Brown, Erin Calipari, Carrie Jones, and Cody Siciliano.