Thesis supervisor: Zsolt Bagosi
Location of studies (in Hungarian): University of Szeged, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology Abbreviation of location of studies: Pathp
Description of the research topic:
Ghrelin is a natural orexigenic neuropeptide that is known for stimulating the release of growth hormone (GH), similarly to GHRP-6 that is a synthetic peptidic analogue of Met-enkephalin. Both peptides act through the ghrowth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a (GHSR1a), although it is unclear whether GHRP-6 is an agonist or an antagonist. Nicotine is the principal psychoactive component in tobacco that is responsible for the reward sensation and hyperlocomotion produced by the dopamine released from the striatum. However, nicotine withdrawal may induce hypolocomotion that could be mediated by the the amygdala and the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST). Previous studies suggest that ghrelin can contribute to addiction to drugs, such as nicotine. In the present study, we aim to investigate the effects of ghrelin and GHRP-6 on the consequences of acute nicotine withdrawal following chronic nicotine administration, including locomotion and dopamine release. For this purpose, we use Wistar rats and conducta system, that is based on the principle of the open-field test and we monitorize the horizontal and vertical acticity of the animals. Our preliminary results demonstrated that administration of ghrelin and GHRP-6 does not affect the hyperactivity induced by chronic nicotine treatment, but prevents the hypoactivity produced by acute nicotine withdrawal, suggesting that both peptides can attenuate the consequences of nicotine withdrawal. Future studies are yet to determine which brain regions and neurotransmitters play role in the effects of ghrelin and GHRP-6 related to nicotine addiction.
Required language skills: english Number of students who can be accepted: 1
Deadline for application: 2024-12-31
2024. IV. 17. ODT ülés Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).
Login
