We are excited to announce that our latest research has been published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences! 🎉
Our study, “Gene Expression Changes Following Long-Access Methamphetamine Self-Administration in a Rodent Model”, investigates how methamphetamine (METH) alters neurobiological and cognitive functions in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus.

Using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in synaptic plasticity, immune response, and energy metabolism.

Key findings include:

  • Downregulation of genes related to mitochondrial function.
  • Upregulation of genes involved in neural development and extracellular matrix organization.
  • Individual differences in gene expression correlated with economic demand for METH, with Foxd1 and Cdh1 showing distinct molecular profiles.

This research contributes to understanding how chronic METH use shapes molecular pathways in the brain, with potential implications for personalized therapeutic approaches to methamphetamine use disorder (MUD).

📄 Full paper: Read it here
📅 Published: February 7, 2025
📖 Special Issue: Biochemical and Molecular Changes in the Brain Caused by Drug Abuse: Implications for Therapeutic Intervention

Authors:
Kristopher L. Robison¹, Victoria Madore¹, Nicole Cova¹, Mona Karbalivand², Sherine F. Elsawa², and Sergios Charntikov¹
¹Department of Psychology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
²Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA

Stay tuned for more insights from our research!