Featured Publications
Development of “Hunger Neurons” and the Unanticipated Relationship Between Energy Metabolism and Mother-Infant Interactions
Iyilikci O, Zimmer MR, Dietrich MO. Development of “Hunger Neurons” and the Unanticipated Relationship Between Energy Metabolism and Mother-Infant Interactions. Biological Psychiatry 2022, 91: 907-914. PMID: 35397878, PMCID: PMC10184517, DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.02.962.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchFunctional Ontogeny of Hypothalamic Agrp Neurons in Neonatal Mouse Behaviors
Zimmer MR, Fonseca AHO, Iyilikci O, Pra RD, Dietrich MO. Functional Ontogeny of Hypothalamic Agrp Neurons in Neonatal Mouse Behaviors. Cell 2019, 178: 44-59.e7. PMID: 31104844, PMCID: PMC6688755, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.04.026.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHypothalamic AgRP neuronsAgRP neuronsAdult micePostnatal day 10 miceVivo fiber photometryFunctional ontogenyIsolation-induced ultrasonic vocalizationsNon-nutritive sucklingUltrasonic vocalizationsMilk ingestionFiber photometryMilk deprivationFood ingestionNeuronsMiceMouse behaviorIngestionNeonatesGABALittermatesOveractivation
2022
AgRP neurons control structure and function of the medial prefrontal cortex
Stutz B, Waterson MJ, Šestan-Peša M, Dietrich MO, Škarica M, Sestan N, Racz B, Magyar A, Sotonyi P, Liu ZW, Gao XB, Matyas F, Stoiljkovic M, Horvath TL. AgRP neurons control structure and function of the medial prefrontal cortex. Molecular Psychiatry 2022, 27: 3951-3960. PMID: 35906488, PMCID: PMC9891653, DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01691-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMedial prefrontal cortexAgRP neuronsNon-selective dopamine receptor antagonistBrain functionPrefrontal cortexHypothalamic AgRP neuronsMedial thalamic neuronsAdministration of clozapineDopamine receptor antagonistVentral tegmental areaOscillatory network activityHigher-order brain functionsHypothalamic agoutiThalamic neuronsChemogenetic inhibitionDopaminergic neuronsReceptor antagonistTegmental areaNeuronal pathwaysSensorimotor gatingAdult miceModulatory impactAmbulatory behaviorConstitutive impairmentNeurons
2020
AgRP neurons control compulsive exercise and survival in an activity-based anorexia model
Miletta MC, Iyilikci O, Shanabrough M, Šestan-Peša M, Cammisa A, Zeiss CJ, Dietrich MO, Horvath TL. AgRP neurons control compulsive exercise and survival in an activity-based anorexia model. Nature Metabolism 2020, 2: 1204-1211. PMID: 33106687, DOI: 10.1038/s42255-020-00300-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAgRP neuronsActivity-based anorexia modelAgRP neuronal activityVivo fiber photometryFood-restricted miceFood-restricted animalsCompulsive exerciseAnorexia modelHypothalamic agoutiNeuropeptide YExercise volumeFood intakeMouse modelNeuronal activityFiber photometryDaily activationNeuronal circuitsPsychiatric conditionsAnorexia nervosaChemogenetic toolsNeuronsLong-term behavioral impactElevated fat contentVoluntary cessationFat content
2019
Regulation of substrate utilization and adiposity by Agrp neurons
Cavalcanti-de-Albuquerque JP, Bober J, Zimmer MR, Dietrich MO. Regulation of substrate utilization and adiposity by Agrp neurons. Nature Communications 2019, 10: 311. PMID: 30659173, PMCID: PMC6338802, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-08239-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFat mass accumulationAgRP neuronsPositive energy balanceWhole-body substrate utilizationAgRP neuron activationHypothalamic AgRP neuronsPair-feeding conditionsSubstrate utilizationFatty acid synthaseCaloric ingestionFat utilizationNeuronal mechanismsWeight gainNeuronsMetabolic changesMass accumulationKey enzymeAdiposityAcid synthaseEnergy metabolismNeuron activationLipogenesisActivationCarbohydrate utilizationMetabolic efficiencyActivation of Agrp neurons modulates memory-related cognitive processes in mice
Zimmer MR, Schmitz AE, Dietrich MO. Activation of Agrp neurons modulates memory-related cognitive processes in mice. Pharmacological Research 2019, 141: 303-309. PMID: 30610962, PMCID: PMC6400640, DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.12.024.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMemory-related cognitive processesCognitive processesMemory-related tasksBarnes maze taskBehavioral flexibilityAgRP neuronsSpontaneous alternation behaviorMaze taskSpatial learningY-maze testStereotyped behaviorAlternation behaviorFood intakeHypothalamic AgRP neuronsTaskNeuropeptide Y receptorsChemogenetic activationY receptorsMouse behaviorAdult miceMemoryNeuronsBehaviorLearningCritical regulator
2015
Hypothalamic Agrp Neurons Drive Stereotypic Behaviors beyond Feeding
Dietrich MO, Zimmer MR, Bober J, Horvath TL. Hypothalamic Agrp Neurons Drive Stereotypic Behaviors beyond Feeding. Cell 2015, 160: 1222-1232. PMID: 25748653, PMCID: PMC4484787, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.02.024.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHypothalamic AgRP neuronsAgRP neuronsNeuropeptidergic signalingReceptor signalingFunctional rolePotential therapeutic avenuesAgRP neuron activationStereotypic behaviorFeeding behaviorRepetitive behaviorsSignalingTherapeutic avenuesFood triggersAdult miceNervous systemDecreased anxietyNeuronsMinor effectActivationFood consumptionNeuron activationGoal-directed behaviorSensory informationFlexible goal-directed behaviorDisease
2012
Limitations in anti-obesity drug development: the critical role of hunger-promoting neurons
Dietrich MO, Horvath TL. Limitations in anti-obesity drug development: the critical role of hunger-promoting neurons. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 2012, 11: 675-691. PMID: 22858652, DOI: 10.1038/nrd3739.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNPY/AgRP neuronsNegative energy balanceSevere side effectsAgRP neuronsPOMC neuronsPositive energy balanceChronic disordersPeripheral tissuesReactive oxygen speciesSide effectsLong-term positive energy balanceCalorie restrictionAnti-obesity drug developmentBehavioral interventionsIntense behavioral interventionsPro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neuronsChronic metabolic disorderLong-term treatmentWhite adipose tissueAlternative therapeutic approachAnti-obesity therapiesPromotion of satietyNew drug therapiesPopulations of neuronsHigher brain functionsAgRP neurons regulate development of dopamine neuronal plasticity and nonfood-associated behaviors
Dietrich MO, Bober J, Ferreira JG, Tellez LA, Mineur YS, Souza DO, Gao XB, Picciotto MR, Araújo I, Liu ZW, Horvath TL. AgRP neurons regulate development of dopamine neuronal plasticity and nonfood-associated behaviors. Nature Neuroscience 2012, 15: 1108-1110. PMID: 22729177, PMCID: PMC3411867, DOI: 10.1038/nn.3147.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2010
Agrp Neurons Mediate Sirt1's Action on the Melanocortin System and Energy Balance: Roles for Sirt1 in Neuronal Firing and Synaptic Plasticity
Dietrich MO, Antunes C, Geliang G, Liu ZW, Borok E, Nie Y, Xu AW, Souza DO, Gao Q, Diano S, Gao XB, Horvath TL. Agrp Neurons Mediate Sirt1's Action on the Melanocortin System and Energy Balance: Roles for Sirt1 in Neuronal Firing and Synaptic Plasticity. Journal Of Neuroscience 2010, 30: 11815-11825. PMID: 20810901, PMCID: PMC2965459, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2234-10.2010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFood intakeMelanocortin systemAgRP neuronal activityAnorexigenic POMC neuronsHypothalamic melanocortin systemAction of SIRT1Negative energy balanceAgRP neuronsPOMC neuronsCre-lox technologyInhibitory toneMC4R antagonistFat massLean massSynaptic inputsNeuronal activityNeuronal firingAdult miceBody weightSIRT1 inhibitorSynaptic plasticityCalorie restrictionMelanocortin receptorsSIRT1 activityBody metabolism