Synaptic and Behavioral Correlates of Adeonsinergic Signaling in the BLA

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application for a Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA for Individual Predoctoral Fellowship is submitted by Andrew R. Rau in order to seek funding for research training under the guidance of Jeff L. Weiner, Ph.D. in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at Wake Forest University Health Sciences. Research in the laboratory of Dr. Weiner is focused on unraveling the mechanisms responsible for the complex synaptic and behavioral effects of ethanol and anxiety related disorders. The research studies proposed in this application are intended to, for the first time characterize the role of adenosine (ADO) in regulating synaptic transmission within the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Moreover, these studies will further our understanding of adenosine's role in the neurobiological underpinnings associated with a model of early life stress that is associated with marked increases in anxiety-like behavior and ethanol consumption. Adenosine generally exerts its inhibitory effects by activating presynaptic A1 receptors which inhibit glutamate release. To that end, it would be of critical therapeutic benefit if this was the case in the BLA, as excessive excitability in this region has been directly linked to the manifestation of anxiety-like behaviorsin rodents, monkeys, and humans. Therefore this proposal outlines a series of experiments designed to characterize ADO's actions in the BLA and to investigate the behavioral outcomes of intra-BLA delivery of ADO agonists and antagonists. Briefly, Aim 1 will follow up on preliminary findings to identify the ADO receptor subtypes that mediate ADO modulation of BLA synaptic transmission. This aim will also test the hypothesis that tonic adenosinergic tone actively regulates excitatory transmission in the BLA. This aim will also test the hypothesis that adenosinergic tone is disrupted following adolescent social isolation, a model of early life stress that engenders increases in anxiety-like behavior as well as increases in ethanol consumption. Building upon this aim, Aim 2 will use behavioral assays to determine the ability of ADO, delivered directly into the BLA, to attenuate the increases in anxiety-like behavior and ethanol consumption brought on by social isolation. These studies will significantly advance our understanding of ADO signaling in the BLA and possibly identify novel neural substrates linking early life stress and increased anxiety-like behaviors and ethanol drinking. Moreover, insights gathered from these investigations may reveal promising new targets for development of novel pharmacotherapeutics for treating addiction and anxiety disorders. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Despite robust evidence that adenosine modulates excitability throughout the central nervous system, its effects on the basolateral amygdala a region critically involved in anxiety and alcohol use disorders - have yet to be investigated. This proposal, if funded, will investigate, for the first time the synaptic underpinnings of adenosinergic signaling in the basolateral amygdala. Additionally, this study will provide initial insights into the ability of adenosine receptor activation within the basolateral amygdala to mitigate the increases in anxiety-like behavior and ethanol consumption seen in a model of rodent early life stress and help to formulate research strategies that will advance and expand our current treatment regimens for anxiety and addiction disorders.