Briana M Mason, PhD & Gregory T Collins, PhD receive a 2-year VA supplemental grant!

Drs. Briana M Mason and Gregory T Collins have recently been awarded a 2-year research supplement to Dr. Collins’ VA Merit Award that will provide Dr. Mason with salary support and funds to begin developing her independent research program within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Collins’ research is aimed at developing a novel polypharmacy approach to treat substance use disorders which combines highly selective dopamine D3 receptor antagonists and serotonin 5HT2C receptor agonists with the goal of effectively reducing drug-taking (stimulants and opioids) without producing unwanted side effects.

Dr. Mason’s research will expand on this general theme by investigating the role of neuroinflammatory signaling in modulating the abuse-related effects of stimulants and opioids. To this end, Dr. Mason will evaluate the effectiveness of chemoattractant cytokine (chemokine) receptor antagonists targeting CC Chemokine Receptor 2; CXC Chemokine Receptor 4, and CC Chemokine Receptor 5 to reduce drug choice (and increase food choice) in a food-drug choice paradigm in male and female rats. Ultimately, their research aims to develop novel, effective, and broad-spectrum pharmacotherapies to aid those suffering from a substance use disorder.