Assistant professor’s paper recognized for “Leading Research Achievements” Posted: 2023-01-27 Source: UCI School of Medicine News Type: Features & Briefs share Kevin Beier, UCI assistant professor of physiology & biophysics, is corresponding author of a paper describing the discovery of a midbrain circuit associated with cocaine addiction that has been recognized by the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation as a “Leading Research Achievement” in 2022. UCI School of Medicine Kevin Beier, University of California, Irvine assistant professor of physiology & biophysics, had a paper cited by the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, as among the year’s “Leading Research Achievements” in 2022. Published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Cell Reports, the article describes the team’s discovery of an extended amygdala-midbrain circuit associated with cocaine addiction. Distinct from the classic dopamine “reward circuit,” this newly discovered circuit regulates withdrawal anxiety and the urge to take cocaine, offering a new therapeutic target for reducing negative effects and helping prevent relapse. “I appreciate this recognition from the foundation, which acknowledges our paper’s important contribution to the continued advances in psychiatric research progress,” Beier says. He also holds joint appointments in neurobiology and behavior in the School of Biological Sciences, in biomedical engineering in The Henry Samueli School of Engineering, and in pharmaceutical sciences in the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences. The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation is the largest non-government funder of brain and psychiatric research in the world. Media Contacts Anne Warde Director, Communications and Public Relations 949-824-6357 awarde@hs.uci.edu Michelle Strombeck Manager, Communications and Public Relations 949-824-9024 mstrombe@hs.uci.edu Associated Links Department of Physiology & Biophysics Beier laboratory Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Related Faculty/Staff Kevin Beier, PhD Assistant Professor, Physiology & Biophysics Associate Director, Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program