University of California-San Diego · NeuroscienceHnasko Lab
Thomas Hnasko · La Jolla, California
Research Focus
Dr. Thomas Hnasko's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how specific neurons in the brain contribute to behaviors related to addiction, particularly with opioids. His research investigates novel neuron types in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and their roles in drug reinforcement and withdrawal symptoms. By studying these neural circuits, the lab aims to identify new targets for therapeutic interventions in opioid use disorder and other addictions.
addictionopioidsneural circuitsventral tegmental areamu-opioid receptors
Research Aims
5AIM 01Identify how neurotransmitters from VTA neurons influence behavioral reinforcement.
AIM 02Investigate the role of VTA neuron subpopulations in addiction-related behaviors.
AIM 03Explore the implications of mu-opioid receptor signaling in the habenulo-peduncular circuit.
AIM 04Characterize the physiological changes in neural circuits due to chronic opioid exposure.
AIM 05Develop new therapeutic strategies to treat opioid use disorder.
Skills the Lab Values
cell culturedrug deliveryin vivo electrophysiologyimmunohistochemistryCRISPRmouse modelscalcium imagingbehavioral assaysWestern blotmolecular biology
Output against the department
Publications106bottom 36% of dept.430th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations7.5ktop 49% of dept.330th 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.