Anthony Downs

Anthony Downs is a Researcher in the Department of Pharmacology at the UNC School of Medicine. His work focuses on neurobiological mechanisms underlying substance use disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, particularly examining the locus coeruleus and basolateral amygdala. He is affiliated with the McElligott Lab.

• Neurobiology of Opioid Use Disorder
• Locus Coeruleus Plasticity
• Dopamine Signaling in Dystonia
• Neuroimmune Pathways

Dr. Downs investigates how neuroplasticity in noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems contributes to addiction and neurodegenerative disease progression. His recent publications highlight interactions between tauopathy and alcohol consumption, opioid withdrawal effects on affective states, and cholinergic-dopaminergic receptor dynamics in dystonia models. Research employs in vivo models, electrophysiology, and molecular profiling.

Key publication trends span Neuroscience, Neuropharmacology, and Neurogenetics, with subfields covering opioid relapse mechanisms, locus coeruleus excitability, striatal signaling pathways, and neuroimmune interactions. Notable journals include Neurobiology of Disease, Addictive Neuroscience, and Neuroscience.