Usman Farooq, PhD
Associate Research ScientistAbout
Research
Publications
2024
Experience of Euclidean geometry sculpts the development and dynamics of rodent hippocampal sequential cell assemblies
Farooq U, Dragoi G. Experience of Euclidean geometry sculpts the development and dynamics of rodent hippocampal sequential cell assemblies. Nature Communications 2024, 15: 8417. PMID: 39341810, PMCID: PMC11438871, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52758-9.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2019
Strengthened Temporal Coordination within Pre-existing Sequential Cell Assemblies Supports Trajectory Replay
Farooq U, Sibille J, Liu K, Dragoi G. Strengthened Temporal Coordination within Pre-existing Sequential Cell Assemblies Supports Trajectory Replay. Neuron 2019, 103: 719-733.e7. PMID: 31253469, PMCID: PMC7197404, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.05.040.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchEmergence of preconfigured and plastic time-compressed sequences in early postnatal development
Farooq U, Dragoi G. Emergence of preconfigured and plastic time-compressed sequences in early postnatal development. Science 2019, 363: 168-173. PMID: 30630930, PMCID: PMC6794005, DOI: 10.1126/science.aav0502.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCritical cognitive functionsEpisodic memory formationHippocampal neuronal ensemblesMemory episodesCognitive functionMemory formationPostnatal week 4Postnatal week 3Neuronal ensemblesEarly postnatal developmentElectrophysiological activityNaïve ratsWeek 4Hippocampal neuronsPostnatal developmentWeek 3Eye openingFirst dayEncodingSequential patternsLinear environmentSleepReplay
2016
Electrical microstimulation of the nucleus incertus induces forward locomotion and rotation in rats
Farooq U, Kumar J, Rajkumar R, Dawe G. Electrical microstimulation of the nucleus incertus induces forward locomotion and rotation in rats. Physiology & Behavior 2016, 160: 50-58. PMID: 27049117, DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.03.033.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2015
Stress activates the nucleus incertus and modulates plasticity in the hippocampo-medial prefrontal cortical pathway
Rajkumar R, Wu Y, Farooq U, Tan W, Dawe G. Stress activates the nucleus incertus and modulates plasticity in the hippocampo-medial prefrontal cortical pathway. Brain Research Bulletin 2015, 120: 83-89. PMID: 26529052, DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2015.10.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsBrain StemCatheters, IndwellingCold TemperatureDisease Models, AnimalElectrodes, ImplantedFluorescent Antibody TechniqueHippocampusLong-Term PotentiationMaleNeural PathwaysNeuronsNeurotransmitter AgentsPrefrontal CortexProto-Oncogene Proteins c-fosPyrimidinesPyrrolesRats, Sprague-DawleyReceptors, Corticotropin-Releasing HormoneStress, PsychologicalSwimmingConceptsLong-term potentiationNucleus incertusCRF1 receptorCortical pathwaysStress-responsive circuitsStress-induced suppressionHigh-frequency stimulationCRF1 receptor antagonistsC-fos expressionElevation stressStress-related impairmentBrainstem neuronsReceptor antagonistFrequency stimulationSwim stressRodent brainAntalarminReceptorsPathwayMechanisms of Action and Persistent Neuroplasticity by Drugs of Abuse
Korpi E, Hollander B, Farooq U, Vashchinkina E, Rajkumar R, Nutt D, Hyytiä P, Dawe G, Koulu M. Mechanisms of Action and Persistent Neuroplasticity by Drugs of Abuse. Pharmacological Reviews 2015, 67: 872-1004. PMID: 26403687, DOI: 10.1124/pr.115.010967.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsMeSH KeywordsAlcoholismalpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic AcidAmphetaminesAnimalsBehavior, AddictiveBenzodiazepinesBrainCannabinoidsCocaineDepressionDose-Response Relationship, DrugGene ExpressionHallucinogensHumansIllicit DrugsNarcoticsNerve Growth FactorsNeuroimagingNeuronal PlasticityNicotineReceptors, N-Methyl-D-AspartateReceptors, NicotinicSubstance-Related DisordersSynaptic TransmissionConceptsDrugs of abuseAdolescent drug exposureStress-induced reinstatementBehavioral changesBrain processesDrug seekingCognitive alterationsRecreational drug usersAbuseNeuroplasticityNeuropsychiatric illnessAddictionVentral tegmental areaAppropriate responseAdministration of drugsRegion-specific changesBrain cell populationsMechanism of actionDrug intakeDopamine neuronsDrug exposureTegmental areaRelevant doseDrug effectsCuesEvidence of D2 receptor expression in the nucleus incertus of the rat
Kumar J, Rajkumar R, Farooq U, Lee L, Tan F, Dawe G. Evidence of D2 receptor expression in the nucleus incertus of the rat. Physiology & Behavior 2015, 151: 525-534. PMID: 26300469, DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.08.024.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsActigraphyAnimalsAntigens, NuclearBlotting, WesternDopamine AgonistsFeeding BehaviorFluorescent Antibody TechniqueHousing, AnimalMaleMotor ActivityNerve Tissue ProteinsQuinpiroleRaphe NucleiRats, Sprague-DawleyReceptors, Dopamine D2Receptors, Dopamine D3RelaxinReverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionConceptsReverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reactionNucleus incertusCorticotropin-releasing factor type 1 receptorRelaxin-3Western blottingFactor type 1 receptorD2 receptor activationDopamine type 2 receptorType 1 receptorType 2 receptorD2 receptor expressionTranscriptase-polymerase chain reactionStrong bidirectional connectionsCaudal brainstemGABAergic neuronsNeuN immunoreactivityWidespread projectionsMedian rapheReceptor expressionD2 receptorsHome cage monitoring systemInterpeduncular nucleusD3 receptorsCatecholamine receptorsReceptor activation
2013
Corticotropin‐releasing factor infusion into nucleus incertus suppresses medial prefrontal cortical activity and hippocampo‐medial prefrontal cortical long‐term potentiation
Farooq U, Rajkumar R, Sukumaran S, Wu Y, Tan W, Dawe G. Corticotropin‐releasing factor infusion into nucleus incertus suppresses medial prefrontal cortical activity and hippocampo‐medial prefrontal cortical long‐term potentiation. European Journal Of Neuroscience 2013, 38: 2516-2525. PMID: 23668693, DOI: 10.1111/ejn.12242.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMedial prefrontal cortexCognitive processesMedial prefrontal cortical activityPrefrontal cortical activityCorticotropin-releasing factor infusionFear memoryCRF infusionPrefrontal cortexCortical activityCortical pathwaysElectrophysiological manipulationsLong-term potentiationMemoryPrelimbic areaNucleus incertusNeuronal firingCorticotropin-releasing factor type 1 receptorFactor type 1 receptorCortical long-term potentiationBrain stem nucleiSpontaneous neuronal firingType 1 receptorHigh-frequency stimulationStressful conditionsStem nuclei