Fall Science Seminar Series

"Medications Development for Treating Opioid Addiction."

This seminar will discuss cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for dependence on opioids and other drugs of abuse. The dopamine reward pathway and its role in drug-seeking behavior will be presented. Differences between opioid tolerance and dependence will be discussed. Opioid withdrawal symptoms will be presented in the context of the strong desire to continue taking an opioid. pharmacological properties of medications currently used and novel drug targets for treating opioid use disorder will be discussed. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) has been identified as a potential drug target for treating opioid use disorder. Studies from this lab have shown in mice that FGF21 reduces the preference for morphine and attenuates the development of morphine tolerance and dependence without affecting morphine-induced analgesia or locomotion.

Refreshments will be served.

• add to calendar
• more events:
• Academics