Fabio Marti

The gut-brain vagal axis governs mesolimbic dopamine dynamics and reward events

This study investigates how the gut-brain vagal axis influences mesolimbic dopamine dynamics and reward behaviors, challenging the traditional brain-centric view of reward processing.

Social hierarchy and behavioral individuality in colonies of isogenic female mice

This study shows that isogenic female mice form stable social hierarchies, with high-ranked females showing greater sociability and different dopamine and glucocorticoid receptor signaling compared to males.

The interpeduncular nucleus blunts the rewarding effect of nicotine

This study shows that the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) regulates nicotine reward by modulating VTA neuron activity through β4-containing nAChRs.

Dopaminergic mechanisms of dynamical social specialization in mouse microsocieties

This study shows that dopaminergic activity in the ventral tegmental area shapes social roles and labor division in mouse triads through competitive and cooperative strategies.

Midbrain dopamine D2R regulates the salience of threat-related events

This study investigates the role of dopamine D2 autoreceptors in regulating VTA dopamine neuron responses to aversive stimuli and finds they act as a regulatory brake with sex-biased effects on threat processing.

Nicotine engages a VTA-NAc feedback loop to inhibit amygdala-projecting dopamine neurons and induce anxiety.

The paper shows nicotine inhibits amygdala-projecting dopamine neurons via a VTA-NAc feedback loop, leading to anxiety.

Nicotine in adolescence freezes dopamine circuits in an immature state

This study shows that adolescent nicotine exposure disrupts dopamine circuit development, leading to adult vulnerability to nicotine, which can be reversed by restoring dopamine pathway balance.

Individual variations in reward-seeking adaptability emerge among isogenic mice living in a micro-society and predict their response to nicotine

The paper studies individual differences in reward-seeking behavior among isogenic mice in a social environment and links these differences to nicotine response and dopaminergic adaptability.

Prolonged nicotine exposure reduces aversion to the drug in mice by altering nicotinic transmission in the interpeduncular nucleus.

SWI/SNF chromatin remodeler complex within the reward pathway is required for behavioral adaptations to stress

This study shows that SWI/SNF chromatin remodelers are essential for behavioral and transcriptional adaptations to stress and cocaine, with gene inactivation leading to resilience and reduced gene expression.

Chronic nicotine increases midbrain dopamine neuron activity and biases individual strategies towards reduced exploration in a foraging task.

This study shows chronic nicotine exposure shifts decision-making strategies toward increased exploitation in a foraging task, with optogenetic manipulation of dopamine neurons replicating this effect.

Distinct dopamine circuits transmit the reinforcing and anxiogenic effects of nicotine

This study identifies distinct dopamine circuits in the ventral tegmental area that mediate nicotine's reinforcing and anxiogenic effects through opposing responses in neurons projecting to the nucleus accumbens and amygdala.

Loss of floor plate Netrin-1 impairs midline crossing of corticospinal axons and leads to mirror movements

This study shows that loss of floor plate Netrin-1 disrupts corticospinal tract midline crossing in mice, causing mirror movements similar to human congenital conditions.

Somatic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors control the activity of dopamine neurons and reward-related behaviors.

This study shows that somatic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in VTA dopamine neurons modulate firing properties and reward-related behaviors through optical manipulation.

Social interactions impact on the dopaminergic system and drive individuality

The paper shows that social interactions shape individuality in mice by altering dopaminergic system adaptations and behavioral traits.