When: March 6, 2018, from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Where: 1-110 Lions Research Building
 
A large body of work has focused on neuronal control of behaviors highlighting the circuit-based mechanisms critical for reward processing and motivation. However, we find that peripheral factors can serve as potent regulators of the motivational properties of salient stimuli.  Here, we define the role of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a peripheral cytokine, in regulating motivation and reward learning via direct actions on select projections into the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Our data demonstrate that peripheral cytokines regulate the processing of highly salient rewards via a combination of long- and short-term effects on dopaminergic function in NAc and provide a mechanism by which experience-dependent plasticity can be regulated peripherally. There is no RSVP required and there will be light refreshments served.
 
This event is hosted by Dr. Julia Lemos and the Medical Discovery Team on Addiction.