# High Content Functional Neuroanatomy of Endogenous GPCRs

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2023 · $234,000

## Abstract

Abstract
G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) modulate neuronal excitability and neurotransmitter release, and exert
profound effects on neural circuit functions. They play important roles in regulating motivation, reward, pain,
negative affect, and stress responses, which are all important in the context of substance use disorders
(SUDs). Exogenous ligands for several GPCRs have been shown to modify drug seeking behavior, which has
generated interest in GPCRs as targets for the development of pharmacological therapeutics for substance
use disorders. There are over 300 different non-sensory GPCRs expressed in mammalian brains, and
fundamental questions remain unanswered for all of them. For example, how does a given receptor's ability to
activate different G protein subtypes (Gi/o, Gs, Gq, G12/13) vary across neuroanatomical regions, cell types,
and subcellular regions? How are these properties altered in response to chronic drug use, chronic stress, or
chronic pain? To help answer these questions, we will develop new imaging methods in tissue sections for
neuroanatomical measurement of GPCR-mediated G protein activation, with subcellular resolution and G
protein subtype specificity. Our methods will only require common neuroscience equipment (cryostats and
fluorescence microscopes) and commercially available reagents. They will generate high-content information
on many GPCRs in healthy and diseased brains, and accelerate efforts to target GPCRs in addiction.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10588941
- **Project number:** 1R21DA057690-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** Patrick Ross O'Neill
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $234,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-02-15 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10588941

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10588941, High Content Functional Neuroanatomy of Endogenous GPCRs (1R21DA057690-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10588941. Licensed CC0.

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