University of Minnesota-Twin Cities · NeuroscienceOpioid Signaling and Neural Dynamics Lab
Patrick Rothwell · Minneapolis, Minnesota
Research Focus
Dr. Patrick Rothwell's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding how certain brain cells interact with opioid signaling, particularly in a region called the nucleus accumbens. They aim to develop new therapies for opioid use disorders by targeting the degradation of specific peptides involved in opioid signals. The research not only seeks to inform potential treatments but also uncovers how opioid exposure alters the brain's wiring, potentially leading to addiction and relapse.
opioid use disordernucleus accumbensangiotensin-converting enzymefentanylneural circuitsdrug self-administrationtherapeutic targetsplasticity
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate which catalytic domain of angiotensin-converting enzyme degrades Met-enkephalin-Arg-Phe in the nucleus accumbens.
AIM 02Assess the impact of specific ACE inhibition on behaviors related to fentanyl addiction.
AIM 03Optimize domain-specific ACE inhibitors for improved therapeutic properties against opioid disorders.
Skills the Lab Values
mouse modelsoptogeneticspatch-clamp electrophysiologychemogeneticsmass spectrometryviral vector techniquesfiber photometrypharmacological manipulationbehavioral assaysneuroscience techniques
Output against the department
Publications65bottom 17% of dept.553rd of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations3.4kbottom 26% of dept.498th of 671
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.