Amanda L. Sharpe, Ph.D.

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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.

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Grants

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Publications & Presentations

1. Kellogg C M, Pham K, Ko S, Cox J E, Machalinski A H, Stout M B, Sharpe A, Beckstead M J, Chucair-Elliott A J, Ocanas S R, Freeman W M. Specificity and efficiency of tamoxifen-mediated Cre induction is equivalent regardless of age. Iscience. 2023; 26

2. Kellogg C M, Pham K, Machalinski A H, Porter H L, Blankenship H E, Tooley K B, Stout M B, Rice H C, Sharpe A, Beckstead M J, Chucair-Elliott A J, Ocanas S R, Freeman W M. Microglial MHC-I induction with aging and Alzheimer’s is conserved in mouse models and humans. Geroscience. 2023; 45 : 3019-3043

3. Eliason N, Sharpe A. Proopiomelanocortin projections to the nucleus accumbens modulate acquisition and maintenance of operant palatable pellet administration in mice. Physiology & Behavior. 2023; 265 : 114176

4. Eliason N L, Martin L, Low M J, Sharpe A. Melanocortin receptor agonist melanotan-II microinjected in the nucleus accumbens decreases appetitive and consumptive responding for food. Neuropeptides. 2022; 96 : 102289

5. Sharpe A L, Trzeciak M, Handa K, Beckstead M J. Alcohol and methamphetamine interactions and co-abuse. Springer International Publishing. 2022

Grants

6. Effects of dietary restriction on age-related neurophysiological adaptations: from behavior to single dopaminergic neurons. NIH. Start Date: 2016. End Date: 2021.

7. Effects of obesity on proopiomelanocortin regulation of reward and feeding. Non-federal. Start Date: 2018. End Date: 2019.

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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