Lauren C. Smith

Genome-wide association study of cocaine self-administration behavior in Heterogeneous Stock rats

This study performs a GWAS on cocaine self-administration in rats, identifying six genome-wide significant loci, including one linked to carboxylesterase genes involved in cocaine metabolism.

Large-scale characterization of cocaine addiction-like behaviors reveals that escalation of intake, aversion-resistant responding, and breaking-points are highly correlated measures of the same construct.

The paper shows that escalation of cocaine intake, progressive ratio responding, and continued use despite adverse consequences are highly correlated in rats, with sex differences in addiction-like behaviors.

Individual differences in oxycodone addiction-like behaviors in a large cohort of heterogeneous stock (HS) rats

The paper identifies individual differences in oxycodone addiction-like behaviors in HS rats to uncover genetic factors contributing to vulnerability and resilience.

Identification of pre-existing microbiome and metabolic vulnerabilities to escalation of oxycodone self-administration and identification of a causal role of short-chain fatty acids in addiction-like behaviors.

The paper identifies microbiome and metabolic vulnerabilities linked to oxycodone self-administration escalation and shows SCFAs have a causal role in addiction-like behaviors.

Identification of individual differences in response to methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone in animal models of opioid use disorder

The paper tests individual differences in response to methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone in rats with opioid use disorder, finding varying efficacy based on addiction severity.

Characterization of the brain functional architecture of psychostimulant withdrawal using single-cell whole brain imaging

The paper uses single-cell whole-brain imaging to analyze how psychostimulant withdrawal alters brain functional architecture, finding reduced modularity as a common feature across drugs.

Vaping nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes produces addiction-like behaviors and cardiopulmonary abnormalities in rats

Vaping nicotine-containing e-cigarettes causes addiction-like behaviors and cardiopulmonary issues in rats, which are reduced by varenicline.