Clark Lab

Research in my lab focuses on two formerly orphan G protein-coupled receptor systems: Neuropeptide S and Urotensin II. Neuropeptide S has a unique behavioral profile, where it promotes memory consolidation, is anxiolytic, but also produces arousal. We are currently working with medicinal chemists to produce drug-like compounds to target this system. Our lead biased agonist has shown efficacy in models of anxiety and cocaine use disorder. In regard to the Urotensin II system, we have found that its removal (UII; ablate the cholinergic-UIIR expressing neurons) produces a syndrome reminiscent of a rare neurodegenerative disease; Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). Currently, we are investigating a viral-mediated model of PSP based on our earlier findings. We are also investigating how the UII-mediated activation of these neurons modulate sensory information and how that impacts reward-related behaviors.