Research Focus:
Our lab investigates the neurochemical underpinnings of anxiety-related and seizure disorders. A major focus is the role of neuropeptides and the amygdala in anxiety-related behaviors and the actions of anxiety-reducing modalities such as the Valium-like benzodiazepines, alcohol and exercise. Of particular interest is the role of the opioid morphine-like peptide enkephalin & neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the anxiety-reducing aspects of these drugs. The project utilizes a multidisciplinary approach highlighted by virus-mediated gene transfer technology in combination with behavioral analyses, neurochemical assays, anatomical analyses, and molecular assessments of expression changes. Additional projects examine the behavioral & neurochemical changes following chronic physical activity and the neurobehavioral effects of cancer progression in a rodent model of breast cancer. Many of our studies examine sex differences in responses to anticonvulsants and anxiolytics in various animal models.
Recent Publications
Wilson MA, Junor L (2008). The role of amygdala rmu-opiod receptars in anxiety-related responses in two rat models. Neuropsychopharm 33: 2957-68.
Burghardt PR, Pasumarthi RK, Wilson MA, Fadel J (2006). Alterations in fear conditioning and amygdalar activation following chronic wheel running in rats. Pharm Biochem Behav 84: 306-312.
Burghardt PR, Wilson MA (2006). Microinjection of naltrexone into the central, but not the basolateral, amygdala blocks the anxiolytic effects of diazepam in the plus maze. Neuropsychopharm 31: 1227-1240.
Primeaux SD, Wilson SP, Bray GA, York DA, Wilson MA (2006). Overexpression of neuropeptide Y in the central nucleus of the amygdala decreases ethanol self-administration in "anxious" rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 30: 791-801
Primeaux SD, Wilson SP, McDonald AJ, Mascagni F, Wilson MA (2006). The role of delta opioid receptors in the anxiolytic actions of benzodiazepines. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 85: 545-554.
Wilson MA, Burghardt PR, Ford KA,, Wilkinson MB, Primeaux SD (2004). Anxiolytic effects of diazepam and ethanol in two behavioral models: comparison of males and females. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 78: 445-458.
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