Neuroscience |
Our group examines how changes in neurons and their connections mediate learning. We focus on motivated learning which underlies addiction and associated behaviours. This work complements Psychology collaborators who investigate the behavioural effects of manipulating these circuits.
Our research uses a combination of advanced neurophysiological techniques including electrophysiology, optogenetics, and fluorescent imaging to determine how brain regions involved in motivated behaviours are connected on a cellular level, and how learning or drugs of abuse changes these connections.
Our goal is to identify and validate therapeutic targets for the treatment of the aberrant learning processes that underlie conditions such as addiction, obesity, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Ultimately, we hope to use our knowledge of the underlying connections to support beneficial circuits, such as those critical to abstinence, and attenuate circuits that drive detrimental behaviours such as those associated with relapse.
Current projects
Current projects examine motivated-learning brain circuits; defining their functional connectivity, how they are changed by experience, and how these changes can be reversed.
Highlighted publications
- Gibson, G.D., Prasad, A.A., Jean-Richard-Dit-Bressel, P., Yau, J.O.Y., Millan, E.Z., Liu, Y., Campbell, E.J., Lim, J., Marchant, N.J., Power, J.M., Killcross, S., Lawrence, A.J. & McNally, G.P. (2018) Distinct Accumbens Shell Output Pathways Promote versus Prevent Relapse to Alcohol Seeking. Neuron, 98, 512-520 e516.
doi: - Harasta, A, Power, J, von Jonquieres, G, Karl, T, Drucker, D, Housley, G, Schneider, M, Klugmann, M. (2015) Septal glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor expression determines suppression of cocaine-induced behaviour. Neuropsychopharmacology 40: 1969-1978
doi: - Power, JM, Sah, P (2014). Dendritic spine heterogeneity and calcium dynamics in basolateral amygdala principal neurons. Journal of Neurophysiology. 112: 1616-1620
doi: - Power, J.M., Sah, P. (2002). Nuclear Calcium Signaling Evoked by Cholinergic Stimulation in Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Neurons. The Journal of Neuroscience 22:3454-62.
doi: - Power, J.M., Wu, W.W.H., Sametsky, E., Oh, M.M., Disterhoft, J.F. (2002). Age-Related Enhancement of the sIAHP in Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Neurons in vitro. The Journal of Neuroscience. 22:7234-43.
doi:
Our experts
Dr John Power - Group Leader
Dr Power obtained his PhD from Northwestern University in 1999 in the lab of John Disterhoft where he examined how aging and learning changes the electrical excitability of neurons in the hippocampus. He underwent post-doctoral training with Pankaj Sah at the John Curtin School of Medical Research and the Queensland Brain Institute, where he became a Smart State Fellow. There he made key contributions to our understanding of neuromodulatory transmitter mediated intracellular calcium signaling, and its effect on neuronal excitability and connectivity.Â
In 2012 Dr Power moved to UNSW Sydney and founded the Neuroplasticity in Memory and Addiction Group within the Translational Neuroscience Facility. Dr Power has trained students and postdocs in electrophysiological and live cell imaging methods in the lab and as an instructor (now co-director) for the Australasian Course in Advanced Neuroscience.
Team members
- Eddie Wise
- Si Yin LuiÂ
- Sophia Gilchrist
Collaborators
- Gavan McNally, UNSW Psychology
Honor students
- Wendi Gao
Research Theme