معرفی
Kristi Anne Kohlmeier is an Associate Professor in the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. Her research focuses on the neurobiology of drug addiction and CNS control of states of arousal and sleep, with significant contributions to understanding the neural mechanisms underlying these complex processes.
Education:
- PhD in Neuroscience, University of California at Los Angeles, USA
- CPhil in Neuroscience, University of California at Los Angeles, USA
- BA in Marine Biology and Cinematic Studies (Double Major), University of California at Berkeley, USA
Research Interests: Dr. Kohlmeier's laboratory investigates the neurobiological mechanisms underlying arousal states, with particular emphasis on how inappropriate levels of arousal relate to drug addiction behaviors and sleep disorders. Her addiction research examines how drugs of abuse excite neural areas involved in arousal, with the goal of identifying targets to diminish drug reward and facilitate abstinence, operating on the principle that addiction is a disease of the brain, not a personal choice. In sleep research, her work elucidates the neuroactive chemicals involved in mediation of sleep and arousal states, while also investigating changes in sleep patterning associated with depression and stress.
Research Trends: Dr. Kohlmeier's recent publications (2025) demonstrate a strong interdisciplinary approach spanning migraine models, cerebellar ataxia, prenatal stress effects on dopaminergic systems, CGRP mechanisms in serotonergic neurons, and novel treatments for trigeminal neuralgia. Her work consistently bridges basic neurophysiology with potential clinical applications, particularly in addiction and neurological disorders.
Funding:
- Philip Morris External Research Program - 1.4 million DKK
- Novo Foundation - 150,000 DKK
Technical Expertise: Dr. Kohlmeier's laboratory utilizes advanced techniques including Patch Clamp Electrophysiology in brain slices and Immunohistochemistry to investigate neural mechanisms at cellular and molecular levels, providing critical insights into the physiological basis of arousal states and their dysregulation in disease conditions.
