Nigel C. Dao

Differential cortical and thalamic engagement of cholinergic interneurons in the nucleus accumbens core

The paper examines how cortical and thalamic inputs differentially influence cholinergic interneurons in the nucleus accumbens core, showing distinct synaptic properties and receptor contributions.

Paratenial thalamus engages in reciprocal and broadcast circuits with the prefrontal cortex

The paper identifies reciprocal and broadcast neural circuits between the paratenial thalamus and the prefrontal cortex using molecular profiling, anatomical tracing, and electrophysiology.

Somatostatin peptide signaling dampens cortical circuits and promotes exploratory behavior

This study investigates the role of somatostatin peptide signaling in the prelimbic cortex, showing it dampens cortical circuits and promotes exploratory behavior through specific physiological and pharmacological mechanisms.

Adolescent binge drinking leads to long lasting changes in cortical microcircuits in mice

This study shows that adolescent binge drinking in mice causes lasting changes in cortical microcircuit function, specifically affecting SST neuron excitability and pyramidal neuron activity.

Somatostatin Neurons in the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis Play a Sex-Dependent Role in Binge Drinking

This study investigates the role of somatostatin neurons in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in binge drinking, finding sex-dependent effects in female mice.

Bi-directional control of a prelimbic somatostatin microcircuit decreases binge alcohol consumption

This study shows that manipulating somatostatin neurons in the prelimbic cortex reduces binge alcohol consumption in both males and females.

Forced Abstinence from Alcohol Induces Sex-Specific Depression-like Behavioral and Neural Adaptations in Somatostatin Neurons in Cortical and Amygdalar Regions

This study investigates sex-specific neuroadaptations in somatostatin neurons during forced abstinence from alcohol, revealing altered intrinsic excitability and cFos expression in specific brain regions.

Novel characterization of peptidergic release from prefrontal cortical somatostatin neurons

The paper develops an assay to induce and inhibit somatostatin release from prefrontal cortical neurons using optogenetic, transgenic, and biochemical methods.