A5077161342- Neural dynamics and brain function
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
- Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- stochastic dynamics and bifurcation
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
- Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
- Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
- Hearing, Cochlea, Tinnitus, Genetics
- Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Multisensory perception and integration
- Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
- Neuroscience and Music Perception
- Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Ion Channels and Receptors
- Advanced Memory and Neural Computing
- Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds
- Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques
The University of Texas at San Antonio
2015-2024
Neurosciences Institute
2016-2022
Northwestern University
2012
University of California, San Diego
2004-2010
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
2009
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
2008
MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology
2008
Institute of Genetics and Biophysics
2004
In the auditory cortex (AC), corticofugal projections arise from each level of system and are considered to provide feedback "loops" important modulate flow ascending information. It is well established that can influence response neurons in superior colliculus (SC) via descending projections. However, little known about relative contribution different pyramidal these SC. We addressed this question by taking advantage anterograde retrograde neuronal tracing directly examine laminar...
In the auditory cortex (AC), interhemispheric communication is involved in sound localization processes underlying spatial hearing. However, neuronal microcircuits recruited by callosal projections are unknown. We addressed this fundamental question taking advantage of optogenetics and examining directly functional effects inputs to specific pyramidal neurons layer 5 mouse AC, defined their output as either corticocortical (CCort) or corticocollicular (CCol). found that suppress activity...
In motor cortex, long-range output to subcortical circuits depends on excitatory and inhibitory inputs converging projection neurons in layers 5A/B. How interneurons interconnect with these neurons, whether microcircuits are interneuron and/or specific, is unclear. We found that fast-spiking received strong intralaminar (horizontal) excitation from pyramidal 5A/B including corticostriatal corticospinal implicating them mediating disynaptic recurrent, feedforward, feedback inhibition within...
Anatomical and physiological studies have led to the assumption that dorsal striatum receives exclusively excitatory afferents from cortex. Here we test hypothesis also GABAergic projections We addressed this fundamental question by taking advantage of optogenetics directly examining functional effects cortical inputs spiny projection neurons (SPNs) mouse auditory motor found cortex, via corticostriatal somatostatin (CS-SOM), has a direct inhibitory influence on output SPNs. Our results...
Anatomical studies have shown that the majority of callosal axons are glutamatergic. However, a small proportion also immunoreactive for glutamic acid decarboxylase, an enzyme required gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) synthesis and specific marker GABAergic neurons. Here, we test hypothesis corticocortical parvalbumin-expressing (CC-Parv) neurons connect two hemispheres multiple cortical areas, project through corpus callosum, functional part local circuit. Our investigation this takes advantage...
Pyramidal cells in piriform cortex integrate sensory information from multiple olfactory bulb mitral and tufted (M/T) cells. However, whether M/T belonging to different glomeruli converge onto individual cortical is unclear. Here we use calcium imaging an bulb-cortex slice preparation provide direct evidence that neurons receive convergent synaptic input glomeruli. We show the combined activity of distinct glomerular pathways recruits ensembles pyramidal are not activated by alone. This...
Phosphorylation of the NR1 subunit NMDA receptors (NMDARs) at serine (S) 897 is markedly reduced in schizophrenia patients. However, role S897 phosphorylation normal synaptic function and adaptive behaviors are unknown. To address these questions, we generated mice which replaced with alanine (A). This knock-in mutation causes severe impairment NMDAR incorporation NMDAR-mediated transmission. Furthermore, phosphomutant animals have AMPA receptor (AMPAR)-mediated transmission, decreased AMPAR...
Previous studies have shown that parvalbumin-expressing neurons connect the two hemispheres of motor and sensory areas via corpus callosum (CC-Parv neurons), are a functional part cortical circuit. Here we test hypothesis layer 5 CC-Parv possess anatomical molecular mechanisms dampen their excitability, serve to gate interhemispheric inhibition. In order investigate this use viral tracing determine electrophysiological properties (Parv) mouse auditory cortex. show had larger dendritic fields...
Discriminating between auditory signals of different affective value is critical for the survival and success social interaction an individual. Anatomical, electrophysiological, imaging, optogenetics approaches have established that cortex (AC) by providing information to lateral amygdala (LA) via long-range excitatory glutamatergic projections has impact on sound-driven aversive/fear behavior. Here we test hypothesis LA also receives GABAergic from cortex. We addressed this fundamental...
Previous studies have shown that cortico-striatal pathways link auditory signal to action selection and reward-learning behavior through excitatory projections. Only recently it has been demonstrated long-range GABAergic somatostatin-expressing neurons in the cortex project dorsal striatum, functionally inhibit main projecting neuronal population, spiny neuron. Here we tested hypothesis parvalbumin-expressing of can also send projections striatum. In order address this fundamental question,...
Anatomical and physiological studies have described the cortex as a six-layer structure that receives, elaborates, sends out information exclusively excitatory output to cortical subcortical regions. This concept has increasingly been challenged by several anatomical functional showed direct inhibitory outputs are also common feature of sensory motor cortices. Similar their counterparts, subsets Somatostatin- Parvalbumin-expressing neurons shown innervate distal targets like striatum...
In sensory cortices, the information flow has been thought to be processed vertically across cortical layers, with layer 4 being major thalamo-recipient which relays thalamic signals 2/3, in turn transmits 5 and 6 then leave cortex reach subcortical long-range structures. Although several exceptions this model have described, neurons are still considered establish only local (i.e., interlaminar short-range) connections. Here, taking advantage of anatomic, electrophysiological, optogenetic...
Abstract Differentiating between auditory signals of various emotional significance plays a crucial role in an individual's ability to thrive and excel social interactions survival. Multiple approaches, including anatomical studies, electrophysiological investigations, imaging techniques, optogenetics chemogenetics, have confirmed that the cortex (AC) impacts fear‐related behaviours driven by stimuli conveying information lateral amygdala (LA) through long‐range excitatory glutamatergic...
Midbrain dopamine neurons are integral to central nervous system function, yet their influence on peripheral immunity remains underexplored. This study identifies a neural circuit connecting midbrain the spleen through dorsal vagal complex (DVC) and celiac ganglion. Using DAT:Cre mice Cre-dependent viral tracers, we demonstrated that project DVC, where they form synapses modulate neuronal activity. Electrophysiological recordings revealed DVC express D1-like D2-like receptors, responding...