Laura B. Murdaugh

Mesolimbic and mesocortical pathways differentially support fentanyl-context associations

This study investigates how VTA-NAc and VTA-PFC circuits contribute to fentanyl-context associations and identifies distinct dopamine receptor roles in context-seeking behavior.

Brain injury contributes to dopaminergic neurodegeneration, Lewy body pathology, and Parkinsonism preclinically with outcomes altered by T cell modulation

This study shows that mild brain injury increases dopaminergic neurodegeneration and Lewy body pathology in mice, and that reducing T cell infiltration improves outcomes.

A Drd1-cre mouse line with nucleus accumbens gene dysregulation exhibits blunted fentanyl seeking

This study investigates fentanyl relapse mechanisms using a Drd1-cre mouse line, finding blunted fentanyl seeking despite similar self-administration and increased D1 receptor expression.

Examining Cognitive Performance in Mice using the Open-Source Operant Feeding Device FED3

This paper introduces FED3, an open-source operant device for assessing cognitive performance in mice, validated for executive function and aged mice, offering a high-throughput, low-cost tool for preclinical studies.