Tania Lintz

Program: Neurosciences

Current advisor: Jose A. Moron-Concepcion, PhD

Undergraduate university: Boston University, 2017

Enrollment year: 2020

Research summary
Sex differences in the genetic vulnerability to opioid use disorder

Cornichons are a conserved class of AMPAR auxiliary proteins that control the export of receptors from the endoplasmic reticulum to regulate synaptic excitability. Cornichon homolog 3 (CNIH3) co-assembles with AMPARs in the brain to enhance AMPAR sensitivity, slow receptor deactivation, improve channel permeability, and slow decay of excitatory post-synaptic currents. A 2016 genome-wide association study (GWAS) found that single nucleotide polymorphisms in CNIH3 provided significant protection, particularly in women, against the development of opioid use disorder in people with previous opioid exposure. Given the role of CNIH3 in AMPAR function, which is important in opioid-seeking behavior, I aim to investigate sex differences in the role of CNIH3 in the mechanisms underlying fentanyl-seeking behavior. In my thesis work, I assess how CNIH3 deletion affects an array of behaviors that may impact vulnerability to opioid intake, such as depression-like, anxiety-like behavior, and cognitive flexibility. Additionally, I assess fentanyl consumption using an operant intravenous self-administration (IVSA) approach in male and female C57, wild-type (WT), and CNIH3 knockout (KO) mice.

Graduate publications
Higginbotham JA, Abt JG, Teich RH, Dearman JJ, Lintz T, Morón JA. 2025 Estradiol protects against pain-facilitated fentanyl use via suppression of opioid-evoked dopamine activity in males. Neuron, 113(9):1413-1429.e5. PMCID: PMC12064386

Ruyle BC, Masud S, Kesaraju R, Tahirkheli M, Modh J, Roth CG, Angulo-Lopera S, Lintz T, Higginbotham JA, Massaly N, Morón JA. 2025 Peripheral opioid receptor antagonism alleviates fentanyl-induced cardiorespiratory depression and is devoid of aversive behavior. Elife, 13():RP104469. PMCID: PMC11961120

Ibrahim KM, Massaly N, Yoon HJ, Sandoval R, Widman AJ, Heuermann RJ, Williams S, Post W, Pathiranage S, Lintz T, Zec A, Park A, Yu W, Kash TL, Gereau RW 4th, Morón JA. 2024 Dorsal hippocampus to nucleus accumbens projections drive reinforcement via activation of accumbal dynorphin neurons. Nat Commun, 15(1):750. PMCID: PMC10825206

Mulvey B, Frye HE, Lintz T, Fass S, Tycksen E, Nelson EC, Morón JA, Dougherty JD. 2023 Cnih3 Deletion Dysregulates Dorsal Hippocampal Transcription Across the Estrous Cycle. eNeuro, 10(3):ENEURO.0153-22.2023. PMCID: PMC10027183