Source: Interfolio F180


Remi Martin-Fardon

Associate Professor of Molecular Medicine
Department of Molecular Medicine


 Email

Scripps Research Joint Appointments

Neuroscience
Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences

Research Focus

A central problem in treating drug addiction is the prevalence of relapse to drug use even after protracted intervals of forced or self-imposed abstinence. My laboratory is involved in programs that seek to identify new pharmacological targets for relapse prevention, a challenging factor in the treatment of post-dependent individuals. These projects investigate the neurobiological basis of chronic vulnerability to relapse, with an emphasis on identifying neural substrates that are responsible for the distinctly compulsive nature of drug (i.e., cocaine, alcohol, opioids, nicotine) seeking compared with behavior that is motivated by natural rewards that are essential for survival, well-being, and "healthy" hedonic pursuits. We use animal models of relapse and systematically compare drug vs. nondrug (usually a highly palatable food reward) in animals with and without a history of drug dependence. These models include cue-, stress-, and prime-induced drug-seeking behavior that are known factors that can induce intense craving and trigger relapse in abstinent individuals. Using a combination of original molecular techniques (i.e., AAV, DREADDs) and gold-standard animal models, this work has been a seminal contribution to the field in that the hypocretin (orexin) system is strongly engaged in drug-seeking behavior. In addition, this work made the key link showing that the hypocretin transmission in the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus region not originally thought to be part of “drug addiction circuitry,” is implicated in modulating drug-directed behavior.


Education

Diploma (Diplome d'Etudes Approfondies, Reproduction & Development), University Montpellier I, France, 1991
M.S. (Physiology and Pharmacology), University Montpellier II, France, 1990
B.S. (Cellular Biology and Physiology), University Montpellier II, France, 1989
Ph.D. (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology), University Montpellier II, France, 1996

Professional Experience

2019-present Associate Professor, Dept. of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA

2019 Assistant Professor, Dept. of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA

2017-2019 Assistant Professor, Dept. of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA

2017-present Member, Pearson Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA

2012-2017 Assistant Professor, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Dept., The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA

2012 Assistant Professor, Molecular and Integrative Neurosciences Dept., The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA

2004-2012 Staff Scientist, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA

2002-2004 Senior Research Associate, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA

1997-2002 Research Associate, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA.

1997 Postdoctoral Fellow, Institut de Recherche Jouveinal, Fresnes, France

1992-1995 Initiation of Higher Education Center, Teaching Diploma, University of Montpellier, France

Awards & Professional Activities

1995 Ministry of Education and Research Fellowship, France
1996 Practical Works Instructor for Biochemistry Ministry of Education and Research Fellowship, France
1997 Simone et Cino Del Duca Foundation Award ($20000) for the Best Postdoctoral Project (“Cocaine dependence: Reversion by BTCP”) Paris, France
1996 Institut de Recherches Jouveinal Fellowship Fresnes, France
Private School Fellowship, Sup Exam Montpellier, France
1996 Attaché Temporaire d’Enseignement et de Recherche (ATER) Temporary Research and Teaching Assistant Ministry of Education and Research Fellowship, France
2011 National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Travel Award
Singer Polignac Foundation Travel Award ($2000), NIH/NIAAA

Selected Publications

Matzeu, A.; Martin-Fardon, R. Understanding the Role of Orexin Neuropeptides in Drug Addiction: Preclinical Studies and Translational Value. 2022, 15, 787595.

Matzeu, A.; Martin-Fardon, R. Blockade of corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 in the central amygdala prevents cocaine-seeking behaviour induced by orexin-A administered to the posterior paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus in male rats. Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience 2021, 46, E459-E471.

Matzeu, A.; Martin-fardon, R. Cocaine-Seeking Behavior Induced by Orexin A Administration in the Posterior Paraventricular Nucleus of the Thalamus Is Not Long-Lasting: Neuroadaptation of the Orexin System During Cocaine Abstinence.. Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience 2021, 15, 620868.

Stouffer, D. G.; Serrano, A.; Roberto, M.; Polis, I. Y.; Pavon, F. J.; Parsons, L. H.; Martin-fardon, R.; Fonseca, F. R.; Cravatt, B. F. Selective inhibition of monoacylglycerol lipase is associated with passive coping behavior and attenuation of stress-induced dopamine release in the medial prefrontal cortex.. Neurobiology of stress 2021, 14, 100293.

Matzeu, A.; Martin-fardon, R. Blockade of Orexin Receptors in the Posterior Paraventricular Nucleus of the Thalamus Prevents Stress-Induced Reinstatement of Reward-Seeking Behavior in Rats With a History of Ethanol Dependence.. Frontiers in integrative neuroscience 2020, 14.

Pavon, F. J.; Polis, I.; Stouffer, D. G.; Roberto, M.; Martin-Fardon, R.; Rodriguez de Fonseca, F.; Parsons, L. H.; Serrano, A. COX-2 Inhibition Antagonizes Intra-Accumbens 2-Arachidonoylglycerol-Mediated Reduction in Ethanol Self-Administration in Rats. 2020, 44, 2158-2165.