Dr. Huiping Zhang receives BU CTSI grant to study the epigenetic mechanism of cocaine use disorders (CUDs)

Dr. Huiping Zhang receives BU CTSI grant to study the epigenetic mechanism of cocaine use disorders (CUDs). He and his collaborator Dr. Vidhya Kumaresan will investigate cocaine use/withdrawal induced microRNA (one type of epigenetic markers) expression alterations in the brain’s reward circuit (e.g., the nucleus accumbens) using a translational rat model of incubated drug craving (i.e., extended access to cocaine with prolonged abstinence and consequent increased craving). It is expected that cocaine withdrawal responsive microRNAs (or their target genes) could be potential biomarkers for CUDs and novel therapeutic targets.”