by Nicole Acton '16

Timothy O'Neal '14, a double major in biochemistry and neuroscience, is pursuing an Honors project studying methamphetamine addiction and withdrawal, research that lays the groundwork for the development of more effective treatments for addiction.

"I am looking at the effect of blocking a single protein in the brain -- the sigma-1 receptor -- on a range of behavioral measures at distinct stages of drug use," he explains. "In the end, I want to find out what happens from the time you initially take the drug to the time you go through withdrawal."

When a person becomes addicted to meth, the proteins in the brain change, causing behavioral changes. Things that were once pleasurable are no longer enjoyable, and the person experiences increases in anxiety and depression. O'Neal's research studies this phenomenon in rats.

To do this, O'Neal starts by injecting his subjects with methamphetamine. While some of the rats received only the methamphetamine, the other half also received a drug that blocks the sigma-1 receptor, which is influential in drug addiction and withdrawal. After getting the rats addicted to the methamphetamine, he then takes away the drug and studies the two groups as they experience the symptoms of withdrawal from the drug.

O'Neal uses mazes and apparatuses to perform a variety of tests that evaluate their anxiety, depression, energy level, and muscle coordination as they go through withdrawal. Through these tests, O'Neal found that blocking the sigma-1 receptor results in decreased withdrawal symptoms.

Throughout his Honors Project, O'Neal has been supported by his committee, which consists of Esther Penick, associate professor of biology; Janet Kirkley, professor and chair of biochemistry; and Andy Hertel, assistant professor of psychology.

"My chair, Heather Hoffmann (professor and chair of psychology), has been truly remarkable through every stage, talking with me about everything from protocol design to data analysis," said O'Neal. "My project would not be what it is today without the incredible support of my committee."

In addition to the support of faculty members, O'Neal received financial support through the Richter Memorial Trust and the Frank & Ruth Schmitt Student Research Assistance Fund.

O'Neal, who will be graduating in June, ultimately intends to pursue a Ph.D. in behavioral neuroscience with a focus on addiction neuroscience at both the clinical and the neuropharmacological levels. "My ideal career would be a full-time researcher at the National Institute on Drug Abuse," said O'Neal, "working on drug-design research to develop more effective treatments for addiction."