The Animal Workpackage is dedicated to elucidating the behavioural- and molecular underpinnings of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)- and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) - like memory patterns in mice and rats. These animal models offer a valuable platform for studying behavioural responses to both stressful and drug-related stimuli, as well as contextual memory formation. By utilizing these models, we can quantify contextual memories associated with stress and drug exposure and explore pharmacological interventions through dose-effectiveness and timing studies to optimize memory manipulation strategies.

These models allow for the collection of blood and cerebrospinal fluid which is used for the assessment of potential biomarkers of disease severity and treatment effectiveness, and potential clinical translatability. The brains are studied for region- and memory engram-specific molecular changes after exposure to stress- and substance-related stimuli, such as the role of inhibitory synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus in contextual fear specificity, as well as the influence of pharmaceuticals in similar pathways. Together, providing insights in pharmaceutical choice and timing, and their molecular underpinnings.