A5018893920- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
- Adipose Tissue and Metabolism
- Neural dynamics and brain function
- Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Estrogen and related hormone effects
- Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
- Menopause: Health Impacts and Treatments
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
- Ophthalmology and Eye Disorders
- Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Cancer-related cognitive impairment studies
- ATP Synthase and ATPases Research
- Genetic Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Hearing, Cochlea, Tinnitus, Genetics
- Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Ion channel regulation and function
- Genetic Mapping and Diversity in Plants and Animals
- Advanced Differential Geometry Research
- Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases
- Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Tulane University
2019-2024
Allen Institute for Brain Science
2019-2021
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans
2016-2020
King's College London
2016
Central Institute of Mental Health
2016
Inserm
2008-2016
Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives
2016
Heidelberg University
2016
Sorbonne Université
2008-2015
Institut du Fer à Moulin
2008-2014
Psychostimulants and other drugs of abuse activate extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in the striatum, through combined stimulation dopamine D 1 receptors (D1Rs) glutamate NMDA receptors. Antipsychotic similar signaling proteins striatum by blocking 2 (D2Rs). However, neurons which these pathways are activated psychotropic not precisely identified. We used transgenic mice, enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expression was driven D1R promoter ( drd1a -EGFP) or D2R drd2 -EGFP)....
Alcohol consumption is a moderately heritable trait, but the genetic basis in humans largely unknown, despite its clinical and societal importance. We report genome-wide association study meta-analysis of ∼2.5 million directly genotyped or imputed SNPs with alcohol (gram per day kilogram body weight) among 12 population-based samples European ancestry, comprising 26,316 individuals, replication genotyping an additional 21,185 individuals. SNP rs6943555 autism susceptibility candidate 2 gene...
The firing of mesolimbic dopamine neurons is important for drug-induced reinforcement, although underlying genetic factors remain poorly understood. In a recent genome-wide association metaanalysis alcohol intake, we identified suggestive SNP rs26907 in the ras-specific guanine-nucleotide releasing factor 2 ( RASGRF2 ) gene, encoding protein that mediates Ca 2+ -dependent activation ERK pathway. We performed functional characterization this gene relation to alcohol-related phenotypes and...
Addictive drugs share the ability to increase dopamine (DA) levels and trigger synaptic adaptations in mesocorticolimbic system, two cellular processes engaged early stages of drug seeking. Neurons located lateral habenula (LHb) modulate activity DA neurons release, adaptively tune goal-directed behaviors. Whether modifications LHb occur upon exposure remains, however, unknown. Here, we assessed influence cocaine experience on excitatory transmission onto subsets using a combination...
Abstract In aging women, cognitive decline and increased risk of dementia have been associated with the cessation ovarian hormones production at menopause. brain, presence key enzyme aromatase required for synthesis 17‐β‐estradiol (E2) allows local E2 in absence functional ovaries. Understanding how activity is regulated could help alleviate symptoms. female rodents, genetic or pharmacological reduction over extended periods time impair memory formation, decreases spine density, hinders...
Stress alters brain function by modifying the structure and of neurons astrocytes. The fine processes astrocytes are critical for clearance neurotransmitters during synaptic transmission. Thus, experience-dependent remodeling glial is anticipated to alter output neural circuits. However, molecular mechanisms that underlie structural plasticity not known. Here we show a single exposure male female mice an acute stress produced long-lasting retraction lateral cerebellar Bergmann cells. These...
Gene transcription is essential for learning, but the precise role of factors that control expression many other genes in specific learning paradigms yet poorly understood. Zif268 (Krox24/Egr-1) a factor and an immediate-early gene associated with memory consolidation reconsolidation, induced striatum after addictive drugs exposure. In contrast, very little known about its physiological at early stages operant learning. We investigated conditioning food. was increased all regions dorsal...
The mesolimbic dopamine system, composed primarily of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area that project to striatal structures, is considered be key mediator reinforcement-related mechanisms brain. Prompted by a genome-wide association meta-analysis implicating Ras-specific guanine nucleotide-releasing factor 2 (RASGRF2) gene regulation alcohol intake men, we have recently shown male Rasgrf2(-/-) mice exhibit reduced ethanol and preference accompanied perturbed system. We...
Across species, including humans, elevated levels of brain estrogen receptor (ER) α are associated with enhanced cognitive aging, even in the absence circulating estrogens. In rodents, short-term treatment, such as that commonly used menopausal transition, results long-term increases ERα hippocampus, leading to memory long after termination treatment. However, mechanisms by which increased enhances aging remain unclear. Here we demonstrate female rats insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1),...
Abstract Thalamocortical neurons (TCNs) play a critical role in the maintenance of thalamocortical oscillations, dysregulation which can result certain types seizures. Precise control over firing rates TCNs is foundational to these yet transcriptional mechanisms that constrain remain elusive. We hypothesized Shox2 regulator ion channels important for TCN function and loss alters frequency activity, ultimately perturbing oscillations into an epilepsy-prone state. In this study, we used RNA...
Abstract The fluorescent dyes, Alexa Fluor 488 and 594 are commonly used to visualize dendritic structures the localization of synapses, both which critical for spatial temporal integration synaptic inputs. However, effect dyes on transmission is not known. Here we investigated whether alter properties currents mediated by two subtypes AMPA receptors (AMPARs) at cerebellar stellate cell synapses. In naive mice, GluA2-lacking AMPAR-mediated displayed an inwardly rectifying current–voltage (...
The cellular identity of thalamocortical neurons (TCNs), namely their firing properties, dictates brain-wide activity patterns, such as sleep spindles. Transcription factors are critical to the determination identity. Previously, we discovered that a subset TCNs express transcription factor, Shox2, and, in global Shox2 KO, established within anterior nucleus thalamus rely on expression regulate key ion channels necessary maintain properties. From this, hypothesized expression, through...
Abstract Research in preclinical models of menopause indicates that exogenously administered estrogens positively impact cognitive aging. However, clinical evidence the effects estrogen therapy on cognition are inconsistent and may be modulated by pre-existing cardiometabolic conditions. The extent to which health affects outcomes remains unclear. This study aimed determine whether variations health, both prior resulting from different estradiol treatment regimens, related ability improve...
ABSTRACT Thalamocortical neurons (TCNs) transmit information about sensory stimuli from the thalamus to cortex. In response different physiological states and demands TCNs can fire in tonic and/or phasic burst modes. These firing properties of are supported by precisely timed inhibitory synaptic inputs thalamic reticular nucleus intrinsic currents, including T-type Ca 2+ HCN currents. currents mediated Cav3.1 channel subunits, alterations expression or modulation these channels have dramatic...