# Animal Models Core

> **NIH NIH P01** · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · 2024 · $240,464

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT – ANIMAL MODELS CORE
 A main objective of the Animal Models Core is to provide a broad range of behavioral assays of stimulant
and opioid action in mice and rats to support the PPG’s overall goal to establish the molecular and cellular
basis of addiction. Such assays include several routine behavioral tests as well as more sophisticated self-
administration and relapse procedures. It is crucial to employ a broad behavioral battery since it is difficult to
infer something about a complex behavioral syndrome like addiction from a single model or even a limited
number of models. The Core then utilizes these behavioral resources in two main ways. First, the Core
provides microdissections of brain reward regions from rodents that self-administer cocaine or heroin for
molecular-cellular characterization in each Project and the Gene and Chromatin Analysis Core. Second, the
Core works with each of the four Projects to generate causal evidence that directly links specific molecular and
cellular adaptations to particular behavioral abnormalities that define a state of addiction. We accomplish this
goal by providing a range of genetic mutant mice as well as a large number of vectors for viral-mediated gene
transfer, all of which are extensively validated by the Core. The mutant mice and viral vectors, often generated
initially to meet the specific needs of an individual Project, are then provided to other Projects to broaden their
application and thereby promote PPG integration. PPG investigators have led the field in generating mutant
mice and viral vectors, which make it possible to selectively manipulate a given gene of interest within a
particular cell type and brain region of adult animals, thus avoiding confounds with more traditional methods.
Finally, the Core provides advanced neurophysiology, opto- and chemogenetic, and fiber photometry tools to
Project investigators to directly relate altered molecular-cellular function to addiction-related circuit and
behavioral abnormalities. By consolidating these behavioral, mouse mutant, viral vector, and functional
validation studies within a centralized Core, we ensure rigorous control over the data and facilitate
comparisons and contrasts of experimental results across the individual Projects. This consolidation also
makes financial sense, since we concentrate and maximize efficient use of the required expertise.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10934808
- **Project number:** 2P01DA047233-06A1
- **Recipient organization:** ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- **Principal Investigator:** Paul J. Kenny
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $240,464
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2019-02-15 → 2029-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10934808

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10934808, Animal Models Core (2P01DA047233-06A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10934808. Licensed CC0.

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