Featured Publications
Functional 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
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