Research 

Neurocircuitry of the Central Amygdala 

The Central Amygdala is a brain structure processing stimuli with a strong emotional context. In this project, we are studying how the Central Amygdala deals with stimuli with non-obvious valence - drugs of abuse. 

Drugs, like cocaine exhibit pleasing effects and are categorized as rewards, but no doubt they also have a bold aversive component. With electrophysiology, microscopy and chemogenetic techniques (DREADDs) we found a vast and long-lasting reorganization of the Central Amygdala circuitry upon cocaine exposure.

Bijoch et al., 2023

Volumetric tracking of the brain activation upon drug exposure

Natural rewards, such as food are appetitive (positive) stimuli available in the natural environment. Drugs of abuse are also rewarding, but their actions rely strictly on their pharmacological properties. Thus, the still remaining question is whether they are being processed by the same brain parts. Thus, we are studying whether drugs and natural rewards activate similar brain circuitry.

With tissue clearing techniques, immunohistochemical labelling of activity-related genes and volumetric imaging with a light-sheet microscope we are tracking which brain parts are involved in reward processing. This universal mapping allowed us to create a general pattern of brain activation after exposure to natural and addictive substance.

To see our results on alcohol and cocaine exposure, please see:

Stefaniuk et al., 2022

Bijoch et al., 2023

Population-coding of cocaine experience by the Amygdala 

Even a single exposure to cocaine causes long-lasting changes in the physiology of the brain and repeated intake of them may lead to an addiction. Interestingly, these neuronal modifications are not random and occur in very specific parts of the brain. With modern molecular techniques, we can identify specific types of neurons, which are prone to deviations during addiction formation. Moreover, new classes of drugs allow to direct target of these specific neuronal populations to alter their physiological activity or even possible reverse an addiction. 

In our studies we are studying different subpopulations of the Amygdala, especially dopamine-sensitive cells, which we think may be a key structure in drug dependence. To do so, we are using genetic tools and two-photon calcium imaging to study in real time the activity of amygdalar neurons upon exposure to drugs of abuse. The project is funded by PRELUDIUM grant by National Science Center (2020/37/N/NZ4/02888).

Bijoch et al., 2024