Rachel D. Penrod

Cocaine-Enriched Oral Streptococcus parasanguinis Promotes Neuroimmune Dysfunction and Memory Impairment

This study shows that cocaine promotes growth of Streptococcus parasanguinis, which leads to neuroinflammation and memory impairment in mice without bacterial translocation.

Cannabis-enriched oral Actinomyces induces anxiety-like behavior via impairing mitochondria and GABA signaling

This study shows that oral Actinomyces species from cannabis users induce anxiety-like behavior in mice through mitochondrial dysfunction and reduced GABAergic signaling.

Histone deacetylase 5 in prelimbic prefrontal cortex limits context-associated cocaine seeking

This study shows that HDAC5 in the prelimbic prefrontal cortex reduces context-associated cocaine seeking but not sucrose seeking, altering synaptic gene expression and excitatory/inhibitory balance.

NPAS4 supports drug-cue associations and relapse-like behavior through regulation of the cell type-specific activation balance in the nucleus accumbens

This study shows NPAS4 regulates drug-cue associations and relapse-like behavior by controlling the activation balance between D1- and D2-MSNs in the nucleus accumbens.

Restoration of Kv7 channel mediated inhibition reduces cued-reinstatement of cocaine seeking

This study identifies a subpopulation of prelimbic cortex neurons that become hyperexcitable after chronic cocaine exposure, and shows that restoring Kv7 channel function reduces cue-induced cocaine seeking.