Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
290(2006)
Published: Sept. 6, 2023
Sexually
dimorphic
behaviours,
such
as
parental
care,
have
long
been
thought
to
be
mainly
driven
by
gonadal
hormones.
In
the
past
two
decades,
a
few
studies
challenged
this
view,
highlighting
direct
influence
of
sex
chromosome
complement
(XX
versus
XY
or
ZZ
ZW).
The
African
pygmy
mouse,
Mus
minutoides
,
is
wild
mouse
species
with
naturally
occurring
reversal
induced
third,
feminizing
X*
chromosome,
leading
three
female
genotypes:
XX,
XX*
and
X*Y.
Here,
we
show
that
in
X*Y
females
shapes
divergent
maternal
care
strategy
(maternal
aggression,
pup
retrieval
nesting
behaviours)
from
both
XX
females.
Although
neuroanatomical
investigations
were
inconclusive,
dopaminergic
system
anteroventral
periventricular
nucleus
hypothalamus
worth
investigating
further
it
may
support
differences
behaviour
between
Combining
behaviours
neurobiology
rodent
subject
natural
selection,
evaluate
potential
candidates
for
neural
basis
strengthen
underestimated
role
chromosomes
shaping
brain
behaviours.
All
things
considered,
highlight
emergence
third
sexual
phenotype,
challenging
binary
view
phenotypic
sexes.
Neuron,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
111(22), P. 3570 - 3589.e5
Published: Nov. 1, 2023
Efforts
are
ongoing
to
map
synaptic
wiring
diagrams,
or
connectomes,
understand
the
neural
basis
of
brain
function.
However,
chemical
synapses
represent
only
one
type
functionally
important
neuronal
connection;
in
particular,
extrasynaptic,
"wireless"
signaling
by
neuropeptides
is
widespread
and
plays
essential
roles
all
nervous
systems.
By
integrating
single-cell
anatomical
gene-expression
datasets
with
biochemical
analysis
receptor-ligand
interactions,
we
have
generated
a
draft
connectome
neuropeptide
C.
elegans
system.
This
network
characterized
high
connection
density,
extended
cascades,
autocrine
foci,
decentralized
topology,
large,
highly
interconnected
core
containing
three
constituent
communities
sharing
similar
patterns
input
connectivity.
Intriguingly,
several
key
hubs
little-studied
neurons
that
appear
specialized
for
peptidergic
neuromodulation.
We
anticipate
neuropeptidergic
will
serve
as
prototype
how
networks
neuromodulatory
organized.
Science,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
382(6666), P. 76 - 81
Published: Oct. 6, 2023
During
pregnancy,
physiological
adaptations
prepare
the
female
body
for
challenges
of
motherhood.
Becoming
a
parent
also
requires
behavioral
adaptations.
Such
can
occur
as
early
during
but
how
pregnancy
hormones
remodel
parenting
circuits
to
instruct
preparatory
changes
remains
unknown.
We
found
that
action
estradiol
and
progesterone
on
galanin
(Gal)–expressing
neurons
in
mouse
medial
preoptic
area
(MPOA)
is
critical
pregnancy-induced
parental
behavior.
Whereas
silences
MPOA
Gal
paradoxically
increases
their
excitability,
permanently
rewires
this
circuit
node
by
promoting
dendritic
spine
formation
recruitment
excitatory
synaptic
inputs.
This
-specific
neural
remodeling
sparsens
population
activity
vivo
results
persistently
stronger,
more
selective
responses
pup
stimuli.
Pregnancy
thus
anticipation
future
need.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
15(1)
Published: March 27, 2024
Abstract
In
2015,
we
launched
the
mesoSPIM
initiative,
an
open-source
project
for
making
light-sheet
microscopy
of
large
cleared
tissues
more
accessible.
Meanwhile,
demand
imaging
larger
samples
at
higher
speed
and
resolution
has
increased,
requiring
major
improvements
in
capabilities
such
microscopes.
Here,
introduce
next-generation
(“Benchtop”)
with
a
significantly
increased
field
view,
improved
resolution,
throughput,
affordable
cost,
simpler
assembly
compared
to
original
version.
We
develop
optical
method
testing
detection
objectives
that
enables
us
select
optimal
large-sensor
cameras.
The
achieves
high
spatial
(1.5
µm
laterally,
3.3
axially)
across
entire
magnification
up
20×,
supports
sample
sizes
ranging
from
sub-mm
several
centimeters
while
being
compatible
multiple
clearing
techniques.
microscope
serves
broad
range
applications
neuroscience,
developmental
biology,
pathology,
even
physics.
Nature Methods,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
21(7), P. 1306 - 1315
Published: April 22, 2024
Abstract
Automated
detection
of
specific
cells
in
three-dimensional
datasets
such
as
whole-brain
light-sheet
image
stacks
is
challenging.
Here,
we
present
DELiVR,
a
virtual
reality-trained
deep-learning
pipeline
for
detecting
c-Fos
+
markers
neuronal
activity
cleared
mouse
brains.
Virtual
reality
annotation
substantially
accelerated
training
data
generation,
enabling
DELiVR
to
outperform
state-of-the-art
cell-segmenting
approaches.
Our
available
user-friendly
Docker
container
that
runs
with
standalone
Fiji
plugin.
features
comprehensive
toolkit
visualization
and
can
be
customized
other
cell
types
interest,
did
here
microglia
somata,
using
dataset-specific
training.
We
applied
investigate
cancer-related
brain
activity,
unveiling
an
activation
pattern
distinguishes
weight-stable
cancer
from
cancers
associated
weight
loss.
Overall,
robust
tool
does
not
require
advanced
coding
skills
analyze
imaging
health
disease.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
16(1)
Published: March 15, 2025
Abstract
Risky
drinking
rates
are
rising,
particularly
in
women,
yet
sex
as
a
biological
variable
has
only
recently
gained
traction.
The
centrally
projecting
Edinger-Westphal
(EWcp)
nucleus
emerged
key
regulator
of
alcohol
consumption.
Here
we
found
that
EWcp
peptidergic
cells
reduce
binge
specifically
female
mice.
We
show
this
effect
is
mediated
by
the
ghrelin
receptor
(GHSR),
with
inhibition
blocking
ghrelin-induced
and
Ghsr
knockdown
,
but
not
glutamatergic
or
ventral
tegmental
area
cells,
reducing
females,
independent
circulating
hormones.
Female
mice
showed
higher
expression,
neurons
were
more
sensitive
to
ghrelin.
Moreover,
intra-EWcp
delivery
GHSR
inverse
agonist
antagonist
reduced
drinking,
suggesting
direct
actions
These
findings
highlight
critical
mediator
excessive
consumption
via
mice,
offering
insights
into
system’s
role
Cell Reports,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
42(8), P. 112992 - 112992
Published: Aug. 1, 2023
Many
neuronal
populations
that
release
fast-acting
excitatory
and
inhibitory
neurotransmitters
in
the
brain
also
contain
slower-acting
neuropeptides.
These
facultative
peptidergic
cell
types
are
common,
but
it
remains
uncertain
whether
neurons
solely
peptides
exist.
Our
fluorescence
situ
hybridization,
genetically
targeted
electron
microscopy,
electrophysiological
characterization
suggest
most
of
non-cholinergic,
centrally
projecting
Edinger-Westphal
nucleus
mice
obligately
peptidergic.
We
further
show,
using
anterograde
projection
mapping,
monosynaptic
retrograde
tracing,
angled-tip
fiber
photometry,
chemogenetic
modulation
ablation
conjunction
with
canonical
assays
for
anxiety,
this
population
activates
response
to
loss
motor
control
promotes
anxiety
responses.
Together,
these
findings
elucidate
an
integrative,
ethologically
relevant
role
functionally
align
periaqueductal
gray,
where
resides.
This
work
advances
our
understanding
provides
a
framework
future
investigations
systems.
Advanced Science,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
10(15)
Published: March 24, 2023
Sevoflurane
has
been
the
most
widely
used
inhaled
anesthetics
with
a
favorable
recovery
profile;
however,
precise
mechanisms
underlying
its
anesthetic
action
are
still
not
completely
understood.
Here
authors
show
that
sevoflurane
activates
cluster
of
urocortin
1
(UCN1
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
10
Published: Jan. 10, 2023
Introduction:
The
centrally
projecting
Edinger-Westphal
nucleus
(EWcp)
contributes
to
the
control
of
alcohol
consumption
by
its
urocortin
1
(UCN1)
and
cocaine-
amphetamine-regulated
transcript
(CART)
co-expressing
peptidergic
neurons.
Our
group
recently
showed
that
urocortinergic
EWcp
is
primary
seat
central
nervous
system
transient
receptor
potential
ankyrin
(TRPA1)
cation
channel
mRNA
expression.
Here,
we
hypothesized
metabolites,
pass
through
blood-brain
barrier,
may
influence
function
cells
in
activating
TRPA1
ion
channels.
We
aimed
examine
functional
activity
possible
role
a
mouse
model
acute
exposure.
Methods:
Electrophysiological
measurements
were
performed
on
brain
slices
C57BL/6J
male
mice
containing
prove
using
selective,
potent,
covalent
agonist
JT010.
Male
knockout
(KO)
wildtype
(WT)
compared
with
each
other
morphological
studies
upon
treatment.
In
both
genotypes,
half
animals
was
treated
intraperitoneally
g/kg
6%
ethanol
vs.
physiological
saline-injected
controls.
Transcardial
perfusion
2
h
after
area,
FOS
immunohistochemistry
assess
neuronal
activation.
TRPA1,
CART,
expression
as
well
CART
peptide
content
semi-quantified
RNAscope
situ
hybridization
combined
immunofluorescence.
Results:
JT010
activated
channels
slices.
Alcohol
treatment
resulted
significant
activation
genotypes.
decreased
Trpa1
WT
mice.
assessment
immunoreactivity
revealed
lower
basal
KO
WTs.
affected
genotype-dependently
alcohol:
WTs
while
it
increased
exposure
influenced
neither
nor
EWcp/CART
content.
Conclusion:
proved
presence
receptors
neurons
EWcp.
Decreased
treatment,
associated
reduced
suggesting
this
contribute
regulation
release.