EB 2013 Division for Neuropharmacology Best Abstract Competition

Postdoctoral Winners

First place – Christopher Cottingham, University of Alabama-Birmingham, Cross-talk between beta and alpha2 adrenergic receptors in sympathetic neurons relies on protein kinase A and spinophilin 

Second place – Nicole Northrop, University of Toledo, Increased plasma ammonia concentration contributes to methamphetamine-induced blood-brain-barrier damage 

Third place – Harriet Schellekens, University College Cork, Dimerization of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) in appetite regulation and food reward
 

Graduate Student Winners

First place – Loc Thang, Michigan State University, Macrophage (Mf) depletion reduced vascular oxidative stress, restored alpha-2 adrenergic autoreceptor (a2AR) function and attenuated blood pressure development in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypersensitive rats 

Second place – Edward Siuda, from Washington University in St. Louis, Optogenic and pharmacological activation of beta-adrenergic receptor signaling in the basolateral amygdala promotes anxiety and aversive behavior 

Third place (tie) – Erin Bobeck, Washington State University, Blockade of extracellular regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) alters antinociception and tolerance to DAMGO, but not to fentanyl 

Third place (tie) – Brendan Harmon, Northeastern University, Intranasal delivery of pGDNF nanoparticles provides neuroprotection in the rat 6-hydroxydopamine model of Parkinson's disease