Therapeutic potential of neurosteroids in the treatment of anxiety and social avoidance

ThisTherapeutic potential of neurosteroids in the treatment of anxiety and social avoidanceproject at University of Dundee would focus on the potential role of neurosteroids in limiting the increases in anxiety and social avoidance caused by acute and / or chronic stress in mice.

The goal of this Therapeutic potential of neurosteroids in the treatment of anxiety and social avoidance project at University of Dundee will be to determine whether the administration of neurosteroids can reverse a stress-induced increase in avoidance behaviour, and, in parallel experiments, to investigate the effects of stress and neurosteroid administration on task-related neuronal activity in the hippocampus.

Student focus

The student undertaking this project will be part of the School of Medicine ‘Neuro Group’ located in the MSI Building on the University of Dundee’s City Campus. You will have access to well-equipped laboratories and the opportunity to learn from staff and other students in a supportive environment. Training in all relevant techniques will be provided.

This project provide information about

• the links between neuronal activity and approach-avoidance conflict

• the ways in which neurosteroid administration can shift the balance away from avoidance towards goal-directed action