A novel treatment for alcohol and nicotine addiction

We have identified an ion channel that is expressed on select neurons in reward-related brain areas that modulates alcohol intake (including relapse-like drinking) and also the somatic signs of withdrawal from dependence to nicotine.

Ongoing studies are examining this system using a multidisciplinary approach including behavioural neuropharmacology in animal models, RNAscope, confocal microscopy, fibre photometry and slice electrophysiology.