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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAgouti-Related ProteinAnimalsDopaminergic NeuronsHypothalamusMiceNeuropeptide YPrefrontal CortexConceptsMedial 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
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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAgouti-Related ProteinAnimalsCognitionEatingFemaleHypothalamusMaleMaze LearningMemoryMiceNeuronsNeuropeptide YConceptsMemory-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
2013
Hypothalamic control of energy balance: insights into the role of synaptic plasticity
Dietrich MO, Horvath TL. Hypothalamic control of energy balance: insights into the role of synaptic plasticity. Trends In Neurosciences 2013, 36: 65-73. PMID: 23318157, DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2012.12.005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWhole-body energy metabolismRegion-specific expressionGenetic toolsPeripheral tissue functionsMetabolism regulationMetabolic hormone receptorsEnergy metabolismTissue functionMetabolic eventsRole of neuronsHormone receptorsRegulationGlial cellsHypothalamic controlSynaptic plasticityCentral regulationNeuronal circuitsBrain circuitsEnormous leapPlasticitySurprising findingRoleExpressionMetabolismDynamic process