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| Dr. Leslie's Research Description |
 (Click Image to View) Nicotinic receptor protein and mRNA in fetal brain |
 (Click Image to View) Nicotinic receptor mRNA in dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area |
 (Click Image to View) Elevated nicotine-stimulated norepinephrine release at birth as compared to adult |
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Primary Research Interests
Dr. Leslie is a neuro-pharmacologist whose primary interests lie in the effects of drugs of abuse on cellular development. She is particularly interested in characterizing the expression and functional roles of the endogenous opioid and nicotinic cholinergic systems which are activated by heroin and nicotine, respectively. Research Approach Several techniques are used for visualization of opiod cholinergic neurotransmitters and their related receptors in developing brain and body. These include in situ hybridization for analysis of mRNA expression, and quantitative autoradiography and immunocytochemistry for localization of proteins. In order to test the effects of drugs of abuse on cellular development, drug-induced changes in neurotransmitter release are examined in brain slices and primary neuronal cultures. Changes in gene expression and behavior are also examined in vivo following acute and chronic drug treatments. Applications of This Research The overall goal of the lab's research is to characterize the normal function of opioid and nicotinic cholinergic systems in neural development, and to identify the long-term consequences of abnormal activation of these systems by drugs of abuse. |
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