Mitchell Scott

Biography

Scott graduated with a BSc (Hons) degree in biomedical science from the University of Durham in 2011, and a MRes in Neuroscience from Newcastle University in 2012. His studies in Newcastle involved using molecular biology and electrophysiology to develop new optogenetic tools to explore neuronal function. Currently, he is studying for a PhD in Neuroscience under the supervision of Dr. Belelli and Professor Lambert. His research is focussed on elucidating the role of GABAA receptors in addiction to drugs of abuse such as alcohol and cocaine.

Research Interest

Scott is investigating the neurobiological mechanisms by which cocaine becomes addictive. Cocaine, in common with other drugs of abuse, influences the function of the pathways in the brain that mediate reward. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is an integral part of this ‘reward pathway’ and consists almost exclusively of GABAergic medium spiny neurons (MSNs). Supporting a role for GABAA receptors in the reward pathways, work from the host laboratory has previously demonstrated that NAc MSNs express synaptic α2-GABAARs and that their genetic inactivation (α2-/-) abolishes cocaine behavioural sensitization. Importantly, clinical studies have revealed that GABRA2 gene haplotypes are associated with cocaine abuse, particularly if there is a history of stress early in life. Scott’s current research utilises a combination of electrophysiological, immunohistochemical and behavioural tests to investigate the molecular identity of the GABAA receptors located upon the NAc MSN in cocaine addiction and to determine how prior stress impacts upon their expression.