Amanda L. Sharpe, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Phone (405) 271-6593 x47243
Fax (405) 271-7505
Email amanda-sharpe@ouhsc.edu
Summary
The Sharpe lab is interested in understanding the contribution of neuropeptides such as proopiomelanocortin, neurotensin, and corticotropin releasing factor to addiction, obesity, and age-related cognitive impairment, and in the development of therapeutics to treat these conditions. We use behavioral (operant conditioning), anatomical, pharmacological, and molecular approaches to address our research questions, often in combination with genetic mouse models. We are interested in the normal physiological role for these neuropeptides, as well as the adaptations that occur in this neurocircuitry under the conditions of obesity, food restriction, and chronic drug use. The long-term goals of our lab are to 1) elucidate the pharmacology and neurocircuitry involved in the regulation of appetite for and consumption of rewards (both food and drug), and 2) to determine the contribution of hypothalamic neuropeptides to age-related conditions such as obesity and cognitive decline.
Grants
Effect of obesity on proopiomelanocortin regulation of reward and feeding
Presbyterian Health Foundation
07/01/2018 - 06/30/2019Effects of dietary restriction on age-related neurophysiological adaptations: From behavior to single dopaminergic neurons
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
05/01/2018 - 04/30/2021Publications & Presentations
- 31. Samson H H, Chappell A, Czachowski C, Sharpe A. Measuring ethanol-seeking behavior: the effect of using repeated extinction trials. Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.). 2001; 24 : 205-9
32. Freedland C S, Sharpe A, Samson H H, Porrino L J. Effects of SR141716A on ethanol and sucrose self-administration. Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research. 2001; 25 : 277-82
33. Samson H H, Sharpe A, Denning C. Initiation of ethanol self-administration in the rat using sucrose substitution in a sipper-tube procedure. Psychopharmacology. 1999; 147 : 274-9
34. Samson H H, Slawecki C J, Sharpe A, Chappell A. Appetitive and consummatory behaviors in the control of ethanol consumption: a measure of ethanol seeking behavior. Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research. 1998; 22 : 1783-7
Grants
- 1. Role of estrogen receptor-alpha in aging and sex-specific responses to 17 alpha-estradiol. NIH. Start Date: 2021. End Date: 2026.
2. Plasticity of GABA input to VTA dopamine neurons in opioid use disorders. Misc Federal. Start Date: 2021. End Date: 2025.
3. The role of melanocortin-4 receptors on astrocytes in the hypothalamus on inflammaging, adiposity, and weight regulation. Non-federal. Start Date: 2023.
4. Astrocytic melanocortin 4 receptors and their role in inflammation and obesity. Intramural Funding. Start Date: 2022. End Date: 2023.
5. The role of proopiomelanocortin neurons in age-related cognitive decline. NIH. Start Date: 2019. End Date: 2022.
Awards and Honors
- 1. . Harold Hamm Diabetes Center Travel Award. Date: 2019.
2. University of the Incarnate Word. Feik School of Pharmacy Faculty of the Year. Date: 2017.
Education
- 1. Degree: Post-doctoral fellowship. Oregon Health Sciences University. Date: 2008.
2. Degree: Ph D. Wake Forest University. Date: 2002.
3. Degree: B. Pharm. Ohio Northern University. Date: 1997.
Administrative Assignments
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