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
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
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 functions
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