Our team is interested in neuroadaptations in different psychiatric pathologies. We combine behavioral, neurochemical, electrophysiological and molecular expertise to provide a better understanding of neuroadaptations  induced either  by repeated drug use or  by exposure to acute or chronic stress. We use the knowledge acquired in animal models to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in humans thanks to the presence in our team of clinicians and medical biologists.

We have 3 main research axes:

1. Characterization of the role of brain cholesterol in drug addiction and relapse through behavioral analyses, the use of viral vectors and molecular analyses. (Nathalie Thiriet).
2.  Demonstration of the relationship between behavioral patterns in a semi-natural enriched environment and drug addiction (Marcello Solinas).
3.  Identification of changes in the neuronal activity of the insular cortex and its connections induced by stress or associated with the risks of relapse to addiction, by electrophysiological and fiber photometry analyses, use of viral vectors and behavioral analyses. (Pauline Belujon).
4. Characterization of the role of basal forebrain cholinergic circuits in attentional control and cognitive functions using behavioral and electrophysiological approaches, viral vectors, and fiber photometry (Giulia Fois).
5. Investigation of cognitive processes involved in addiction using behavioral approaches and analysis of neuronal activity during behavior, with a focus on the role of habits (Youna Vandaele).

In parallel, our clinical research aims at transposing the results obtained in these preclinical research axes by 1) setting up clinical trials in order to study the effects of environmental enrichment of addicts on relapse (Claire Lafay-Chebassier). Finally, a third clinical axis aims at identifying biological parameters allowing a better diagnosis of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (Stéphanie. Pain).

Grants

• 2027-2031 – ANR JCJC (300K€, PI : Y. Vandaele)
• 2025-2029 – IRESP-INCa (594 K€, PI : N. Thiriet)
• 2025-2027 – IRESP (Budget total : 150 k€ ; budget alloué partenaire : 23 k€ Coordonnateur Gaëlle Boudry, PI : Pauline Belujon)
• 2025 – IRESP Addiction (111k€, PI : M. Solinas)
• 2024 – IRESP Addiction (458K€, PI : M. Solinas)
• 2024 – Inca Addiction (536k€, PI : M. Solinas)
• 2023-2026 – NARSAD Grant – BRAIN & BEHAVIOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION (60 K€, PI : G.Fois)
• 2022-2027 – IRESP-INCa (525 K€, PI : P. Belujon)
• 2022-2024 – EU Grant, NextGenPS (83k€, Partner : M. Solinas)
• 2022-2025 – IRESP (420 K€, PI : N. Thiriet)
• 2021-2023 – Région Nouvelle Aquitaine, (110 k€, Partner : P. Belujon)
• 2019-2022 – IRESP (99 K€, PI : M. Solinas)
• 2020-2024 – Région Nouvelle Aquitaine, (210 k€, PI : M. Solinas)
• 2017-2020 – CPER/FEDER, HaBiSan (364 K€, PI : M. Solinas)
• 2020 – AFRETH ( 477k€, PI: C. Lafay)
• 2019 – PHRC GIRCI-SOHO (202 k€, PI :S. Pain)
• 2017 et 2018 – Fondation pour la Recherche en Alcoologie (8 K€, PI : N. Thiriet)
• 2015-2019 – Agence National de la Recherche, ANR JCJC (260 K€, PI : P. Belujon)
• 2014-2017 – Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale (200 K€, PI : M. Solinas)
• 2014 -Fondation de l’Avenir (50 K€, PI : M. Solinas)

• Peer-reviewed Articles
• Reviews, Book chapter and comments
• Oral communications
• Posters

Researchers

Technical Staff

PhD Student

Post-doctoral researchers