Leah Phan
I joined the Khoshbouei lab in 2017. Under the mentorship of Dr. Habibeh Khoshbouei, I have had the opportunity to explore several different avenues of research including: alterations between neuron- immune with natural aging and the implications of aSyn overexpression on dopamine networks and function. However, my current project seeks to understand the differential effects of methamphetamine exposure on dopaminergic neuron function between sexes. Dopamine neurons play a vital role in various functions, with one of their primary roles being the release of dopamine in response to rewarding or pleasurable stimuli. Methamphetamine, a highly potent drug, primarily targets these dopamine neurons, contributing to its strong addictive potential. While both males and females are susceptible to Methamphetamine Use Disorder, females exhibit greater sensitivity, heightened craving, more frequent relapses, adverse consequences. Therefore, we hypothesize that methamphetamine-treated females will display enhanced dopamine response and more pronounced behavioral responses compared to their male counterparts. To test this hypothesis, we are employing the conditioned place preference (CPP) model, a widely used paradigm in drug addiction research. During this paradigm we will perform vivo imaging in freely behaving mice, allowing us to correlate behavioral responses with real-time dopamine activity. This research aims to provide valuable insights into the neurobiological and neurobehavioral sex differences in methamphetamine abuse, potentially informing more effective, sex-specific treatment strategies in Methamphetamine Use Disorder.