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The 34th PALAS SciCon has been approved for 12 (Chemistry), 7 (Pharmacy), 8 (Medicine), and 7 (Veterinary Medicine) CPD Points
Dr. Gregory J. Quirk is a distinguished neuroscientist and a Visiting Scientist of the National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila. Internationally recognized for his pioneering research on the neural mechanisms of fear and emotion regulation, Dr. Quirk has made significant contributions to our understanding of how the brain processes fear, especially in the context of trauma-related disorders such as PTSD. His lab uses innovative rodent models to investigate how social interactions influence fear responses and addiction-related behaviors—bridging basic science with clinical relevance. Dr. Quirk’s work has been widely published in leading scientific journals and supported by major institutions including the National Institutes of Health. He is also a passionate advocate for neuroscience education, mentoring countless students and early-career researchers across Latin America. As our keynote speaker, Dr. Quirk will present on The Use of Rodent Models to Study Social Behavior and Its Modulation of Fear and Addiction, offering invaluable insights into behavioral neuroscience.
The Use of Rodent Models to Study Social Behavior and Its Modulation of Fear and Addiction
INTRODUCTION
Much has been learned about the neuronal mechanisms of fear learning and addiction using rodent models. Most prior work exposed rodents individually to conditioned fear stimuli or addictive drugs, and then tested later for conditioned avoidance (fear) or approach (addictive drugs). However, given that exposure to danger or drugs usually occurs in social situations, there is a need to understand how social stimuli can modulate these behaviors, and even be used in treatments.
OBJECTIVES
Learn about behavioral models in rodents used to study social neuroscience
Learn basic circuits
Understand observational fear learning
Understand how social exposure can exacerbate or ameliorate addictive behavior.
CONTENT OVERVIEW
Basic circuits of fear learning and modulation by social cues (cingulate cortex, amygdala, and nucleus accumbens).
Basic circuits of addiction and modulation by social cues (cingulate cortex, amygdala, nucleus accumbens, VTA).
Observational fear learning in rodents and relevance for empathy.
Paired exposure to drugs (social CPP) increases addictive behavior and reinstatement. There may be important sex-differences in this effect.
The use of social exposure as a treatment for addiction: comparison of drug vs social rewards.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
To understand how social factors can be modeled with animals and the promise of this approach to understanding neural circuits and lessening the societal impact of stress disorders and addiction.
CONCLUSION
The study of social cues and their role in modulating behavior is an emerging field that is amenable to animal models.
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