Neuronal regulation of glutamate homeostasis in addictive behavior

• Applicant: Theresa Rimmele, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: from 2017 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 364631096

Glutamate homeostasis−the control of glutamate in and around synapses, has been shown to be critical in regulating addictive behavior. It has been assumed that astrocytes play the dominant role in determining glutamate homeostasis. Using a conditional knockout in the glutamate transporter GLT-1, the major glutamate transporter in the brain, we have found that inactivating GLT-1 in neurons has a significant impact on the effects of the psychostimulant amphetamine. These results suggest that neuronal control of glutamate homeostasis is a critical factor in psychostimulant addiction. The study aims to characterize the described phenomenon in more detail and investigate the underlying mechanisms using behavioral, molecular biology and fluorescence imaging approaches.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professor Dr. Paul A. Rosenberg, Ph.D.