David H. Root

Mesohabenular glutamatergic regulation of the consequences of uncontrollable stress

This study identifies VTA glutamatergic inputs to the lateral habenula as critical for mediating the social and nonsocial consequences of uncontrollable stress.

Synaptotagmin isoforms differentially regulate glutamate and GABA release in the lateral habenula

This study identifies Synaptotagmin-2 and Synaptotagmin-3 as distinct calcium sensors for glutamatergic and GABAergic release in lateral habenula neurons.

Salience signaling and stimulus scaling of ventral tegmental area glutamate neuron subtypes

This study identifies how different subtypes of VTA glutamatergic neurons signal reward and aversion in distinct ways, highlighting unique roles in behavioral salience.

Assessing the role of BNST GABA neurons in backward conditioned suppression

This study investigates how backward conditioned suppression is influenced by GABA-A receptor modulation and BNST GABA neurons in mice.

Untangling dopamine and glutamate in the ventral tegmental area

The paper identifies distinct subpopulations of VTA dopamine neurons based on their glutamate and dopamine co-transmission and shows their differential roles in reward and aversion.

VGluT3 BNST neurons transmit GABA and restrict feeding without affecting rewarding or aversive processing

The paper identifies VGluT3-expressing BNST neurons that inhibit feeding via GABA transmission without affecting reward or aversion.

Monosynaptic inputs to ventral tegmental area glutamate and GABA co-transmitting neurons

This study identifies monosynaptic inputs to VTA VGluT2+VGaT+ neurons in mice, revealing diverse brain-wide connections and distinct behavioral outcomes from lateral hypothalamus and superior colliculus inputs.

Ventral Tegmental Area Glutamate Neurons establish a mu-opioid receptor gated circuit to mesolimbic dopamine neurons and regulate prescription opioid-seeking behavior

The paper identifies a mu-opioid receptor gated circuit from VTA glutamate neurons to dopamine neurons that regulates opioid-seeking behavior.

Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis GABA neurons are necessary for changes in foraging behavior following an innate threat

This study shows that BNST GABA neurons are necessary for changes in foraging behavior after live predator threats but not robotic threats.

Neurochemical signaling of reward and aversion by ventral tegmental area glutamate neurons

The paper investigates how VTA glutamate neurons respond to reward and aversion cues through neurochemical inputs and neuronal activity.

Ventral tegmental area glutamate neurons mediate the nonassociative consequences of traumatic stress

This study shows that uncontrollable stress increases VTA glutamate neuron activity and leads to social avoidance in mice, which can be prevented by reducing neuron activity.

Oral prescription opioid-seeking behavior in male and female mice

This study investigates oral opioid-seeking behavior in mice, finding that oral cues can trigger relapse, females earn more oxycodone, and gonadectomy affects self-administration differently in sexes.