Featured Publications
Neurons for infant social behaviors in the mouse zona incerta
Li Y, Liu Z, Santana G, Capaz A, Doumazane E, Gao X, Renier N, Dietrich M. Neurons for infant social behaviors in the mouse zona incerta. Science 2024, 385: 409-416. PMID: 39052814, DOI: 10.1126/science.adk7411.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInfant social behaviorSocial behaviorZona incertaSomatostatin-expressing neuronsNeural basisInfant behaviorBehavioral distressEmotional developmentMaternal presenceNeural activity manipulationFacilitation of learningBrain centersSocial interactionPopulations of neuronsInfant mouse brainPreweaning miceMouse brainNeuronsInfantsMiceActive manipulationBehaviorMothersDistressIncerta
2021
Deficiency of the paternally inherited gene Magel2 alters the development of separation‐induced vocalization and maternal behavior in mice
Ortiz G, Santana GM, Dietrich MO. Deficiency of the paternally inherited gene Magel2 alters the development of separation‐induced vocalization and maternal behavior in mice. Genes Brain & Behavior 2021, 21: e12776. PMID: 34812568, PMCID: PMC9744533, DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12776.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOrigin-specific mannerGenomic imprintingMouse developmentPaternal genesMammalian offspringDeficient offspringLoss of Magel2Specific mannerGene Magel2GenesOffspring resultsMAGEL2Combined expressionOffspringAltered behaviorSeparation-induced vocalizationsVocal behaviorExpressionMammalsPostnatal developmentGrowthImprintingPup growthAnalysis of ultrasonic vocalizations from mice using computer vision and machine learning
Fonseca A, Santana GM, Ortiz G, Bampi S, Dietrich MO. Analysis of ultrasonic vocalizations from mice using computer vision and machine learning. ELife 2021, 10: e59161. PMID: 33787490, PMCID: PMC8057810, DOI: 10.7554/elife.59161.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMachine learning methodsUser-defined parametersDimensionality reduction toolComputer visionComputational visionMachine learningUser inputAudio filesLearning methodsDifferential geometry approachData setsGeometry approachProbability distributionRelevant informationVisionReduction toolRobust methodSoftwareFilesLearningClassificationInformationSetNeedTool
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
Activation 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
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
2008
Exercise-Induced Synaptogenesis in the Hippocampus Is Dependent on UCP2-Regulated Mitochondrial Adaptation
Dietrich MO, Andrews ZB, Horvath TL. Exercise-Induced Synaptogenesis in the Hippocampus Is Dependent on UCP2-Regulated Mitochondrial Adaptation. Journal Of Neuroscience 2008, 28: 10766-10771. PMID: 18923051, PMCID: PMC3865437, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2744-08.2008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSynaptic plasticityVoluntary exerciseEssential organellesUCP2 functionProtein-2 mRNA expressionDendritic spine synapsesBioenergetic adaptationMitochondrial metabolismMitochondrial oxygen consumptionMitochondrial numberEnergetic needsMitochondrial adaptationsMitochondrial mechanismsExercise inducesDentate gyrusStratum radiatumSpine synapsesCA1 regionGlial morphologyHippocampal formationNeuronal activityGranule cellsAction potentialsNeuronal morphologyMRNA expression