Paige M. Estave

Kappa opioid receptors regulate cocaine effects on nucleus accumbens dopamine through phosphorylation of dopamine transporter at the threonine 53 site

This study shows that KOR activation leads to DAT tolerance to cocaine via phosphorylation at threonine 53, demonstrated through behavioral, electrophysiological, and genetic experiments across species.

Synaptogyrin-3 Prevents Cocaine Addiction and Dopamine Deficits

This study shows that synaptogyrin-3 reduces cocaine self-administration and prevents dopamine deficits by enhancing dopamine signaling and cognitive flexibility in rats.

Nicotine Modifies Responding for Cocaine in a Concurrent Rodent Self-administration Model

This study examines how adding nicotine to cocaine self-administration in rats affects behavior under different reinforcement schedules, finding reduced responding under long access but increased responding under progressive ratio conditions.