• Society for Neuroscience

Dr. Reyes completed postdoctoral training in the Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology and the Department of Neurosurgery at Thomas Jefferson University. She was a research assistant professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Thomas Jefferson University before joining the Department of Pharmacology & Physiology at Drexel University College of Medicine. She is a member of the Society for Neuroscience.

Dr. Reyes' research focuses on elucidating the interactions between opiate, stress and noradrenergic systems. Understanding the dynamics of opioid signaling and the stress response in the noradrenergic system has significant clinical implications; addictive behavior, including opiate abuse, is linked to high levels of chronic stress. In addition, her research focuses on investigating the interactions between endocannabinoid and noradrenergic systems using rodent models. Understanding the nature of these interactions may provide a pharmacological substrate for the treatment of stress-induced psychiatric disorders. To achieve her goals, Dr. Reyes uses a multifaceted scientific approach, which combines cellular, molecular and behavioral paradigms.

Selected Publications

“Social stress engages opioid regulation of locus coeruleus norepinephrine neurons and induces a state of cellular and physical opiate dependence”
Chaijale NN, Curtis AL, Wood SK, Zhang XY, Bhatnagar S, Reyes BA, Van Bockstaele EJ, Valentino RJ
Neuropsychopharmacology; 38(10):1833-43, September 2013

“Cellular adaptations of dorsal raphe serotonin neurons associated with the development of active coping in response to social stress”
Wood SK, Zhang XY, Reyes BA, Lee CS, Van Bockstaele EJ, Valentino RJ
Biol Psychiatry; 73(11):1087-94, Jun 1, 2013

“Opiate agonist-induced re-distribution of Wntless, a mu-opioid receptor interacting protein, in rat striatal neurons”
Reyes BA, Vakharia K, Ferraro TN, Levenson R, Berrettini WH and Van Bockstaele EJ
Experimental Neurology; 233(1):205-213, (epub October 6, 2011) January 2012

“Stress-induced sensitization of cortical adrenergic receptors following a history of cannabinoid exposure”
Reyes BA, Szot P, Sikkema C, Cathel AM, Kirby LG and Van Bockstaele EJ
Experimental Neurology; 236(2):327-35, Aug 2012

“Severe stress switches CRF action the nucleus accumbens from appetitive to aversive”
Lemos JC, Wanat MJ, Smith JS, Reyes BA, Hollon NG, Van Bockstaele EJ, Chavkin C, and Phillips PEM
Nature; 490(7420):402-6, Oct 18, 2012