Team research topics:

Our team studies the midbrain reward system in mice, which is the brain pathway through which dopamine drives motivation and reinforcement, and which is disrupted in addiction. We are especially focusing on the modulation of this pathway by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), and the consequences of nicotine exposure on its dynamics. We study the environmental factors (social interactions, stress…) that modulate the neurophysiology of the dopaminergic network, and their impact on decision-making, exploration and reward-related behaviors. We pay particular attention to the variations that exist between individuals, to understand the physiological basis of susceptibility to nicotine addiction. To this end, we combine multidisciplinary and multi-level approaches, including innovative behavioral analyses, ex-vivo and in-vivo electrophysiology, optogenetics, home-made photopharmacology tools and computational modeling.

   

Main techniques used:

Animal behavior (mice) in the wild, brain stimulation, ex-vivo and in-vivo electrophysiology, juxtacellular recording in anesthetized and free-moving animals, fiber photometry, optogenetics, photopharmacology, computer modeling.

Address :
ESPCI-CNRS 10 rue Vauquelin 75005 Paris

Team leader :
Philippe Faure
Name of co-team leader :
Alexandre Mourot
Administrative Contact Name :


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Key words : #décision #dopamine #addiction #récepteur #nicotinique #récompenses #Decision #making #nicotinic #receptors #reward