Amy J. Pearl

Sex differences in neural circuits driving binge drinking: A female-specific role for an amygdalo-striatal pathway

The paper identifies sex differences in neural circuits driving binge drinking, finding a female-specific role for the amygdalo-striatal pathway in alcohol misuse.

Hunger alters approach-avoidance behaviours differently in male and female mice

This study examines sex differences in approach-avoidance behaviors in fasted and sated male and female mice across various tasks, revealing nuanced differences in decision-making under different reward and threat conditions.

Edinger-Westphal ghrelin receptor signalling regulates binge alcohol consumption in a sex specific manner

The paper investigates how the Edinger-Westphal nucleus's ghrelin receptor signaling influences binge alcohol consumption differently in male and female mice.

Optogenetic recruitment of hypothalamic corticotrophin-releasing-hormone (CRH) neurons reduces motivational drive

This study shows that optogenetic activation of hypothalamic CRH neurons increases stress-related behaviors and reduces sucrose motivation, suggesting a role for these neurons in motivational drive.

Optical Von-Frey method to determine nociceptive thresholds:a novel paradigm for preclinical pain assessment and analgesic screening

This study introduces an optical method to measure nociceptive thresholds in mice using photostimulation of TRPV1-expressing nociceptors, showing it can detect analgesic effects like morphine.

Neurons in the ventral striatopallidal complex modulate lateral hypothalamic orexin/hypocretin neuron activity: Implications for reward-seeking

This study investigates how ventral striatopallidal neurons modulate orexin/hypocretin neuron activity in response to food and metabolic states, revealing their role in reward-seeking behavior.