Meghan E. Flanigan

The role of serotonin in the orbitofrontal cortex in alcohol consumption

This study shows that serotonin signaling in the orbitofrontal cortex influences alcohol consumption and aversion-resistant drinking in mice.

Sex Differences in BNST Signaling and BNST CRF in Fear Processing: Implications for Unpredictable Threat in Sustained Fear

This study examines sex differences in BNST CRF signaling during phasic and sustained fear in mice, finding sex-specific effects on fear responses and suggesting implications for anxiety treatment.

Septo-hypothalamic regulation of binge-like alcohol consumption by the nociceptin system.

This study identifies a population of nociceptin-expressing neurons in the lateral septum that modulate binge-like alcohol consumption and shows sex-dependent effects of NOP receptor deletion.

Retrieval of an ethanol-conditioned taste aversion promotes GABAergic plasticity in the insular cortex

This study shows that retrieving an ethanol-conditioned taste aversion increases GABAergic plasticity in insular cortex-BLA projection neurons, with a male-specific role for parvalbumin-expressing interneurons.

Dynamic regulation of CeA gene expression during acute and protracted abstinence from chronic binge drinking of male and female C57BL/6J mice.

This study examines gene expression changes in the CeA of male and female mice during acute and protracted abstinence from binge drinking, revealing sex-specific differences in gene regulation.

Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis (BNST) neurons containing the serotonin 5HT2c receptor modulate operant alcohol self-administration behavior in mice

This study investigates the role of BNST 5HT2c receptor neurons in modulating alcohol self-administration behavior in mice, finding sex-dependent effects on alcohol seeking and aversive responses.

Chronic Alcohol Consumption Alters Home-Cage Behaviors and Responses to Ethologically Relevant Predator Tasks in Mice

This study examines how chronic alcohol consumption affects behavior in mice during different predator threat tasks, revealing sex-specific changes in stress coping responses.

Sex-specific regulation of binge drinking and affective behaviors by subcortical serotonin 5HT2c receptor-containing neurons

This study identifies sex-specific roles of serotonin 5HT2c receptor-containing neurons in binge drinking and affective behaviors using rodent models.

Alcohol Drinking Alters Stress Response to Predator Odor via Extended Amygdala Kappa Opioid Receptor Signaling in Male Mice

The paper was retracted due to errors in methods and data reporting, making the results and conclusions unreliable.

LRRK2 mutation alters behavioral, synaptic and non-synaptic adaptations to acute social stress

This study shows that LRRK2-G2019S mutation alters behavioral and synaptic responses to acute social stress in mice, suggesting impaired adaptive plasticity in neural circuits linked to psychopathology.

Orexin signaling in GABAergic lateral habenula neurons modulates aggressive behavior

This study shows orexin signaling in GABAergic lateral habenula neurons promotes aggression and conditioned place preference, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for reducing aggressive behaviors.

Divergent behavioral responses in protracted opioid withdrawal in male and female C57BL/6J mice

The paper examines sex differences in behavioral impairments during protracted opioid withdrawal in mice, finding distinct effects in male and female C57BL/6J mice.

Disruption of the CSF-1-CSF-1R axis alters cerebellar microglia and is associated with motor and social interaction defects

This study shows that CSF-1 signaling is essential for cerebellar microglia identity and function, and its disruption causes motor and social behavior defects.