Award
NIH Reporter #1F32AA032721-01A1
Examining somatostatin receptor pathways following binge drinking: a focus on PFC-->PAG projections
Recipient
Pennsylvania State University, The
Award Amount
$76,780.00
Ceiling
$76,780.00
Awarded
June 16, 2026
Identifier
1F32AA032721-01A1
This fellowship investigates how binge drinking affects somatostatin signaling in brain pathways related to aversion and reward, using mouse models to study neuronal changes and support the investigator's academic career development.
Description
Somatostatin (SST) functions as a brake on cortical excitatory signaling; however, this effect is decreased following binge-like alcohol consumption in mice. The goal of this proposal is to determine how alcohol alters SST peptide signaling onto glutamate projections from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) to areas implicated in aversion and reward signaling such as the periaqueductal grey (PAG). Through this training fellowship, I will examine differences in SST function, and in vivo neuronal signaling following binge-like consumption of alcohol in mice, as well as develop necessary skillsets for a successful future academic career.