Rafael J. Maldonado

A serotonergic mechanism is involved in the pro-cognitive effect of AM6545 treatment in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome

This study shows that AM6545 treatment improves cognitive deficits in FX mice by modulating serotonergic receptors and gut microbiota.

Distinct Glutamatergic Inputs to the Nucleus Accumbens Differentially Regulate Vulnerability to Cannabinoid Addiction

This study investigates how two glutamatergic pathways to the nucleus accumbens influence vulnerability to cannabinoid addiction in mice, finding that both increase persistence of drug seeking but affect other behaviors differently.

Sex-specific vulnerability to cannabinoid addiction-like behavior and associated miRNA signatures in a WIN 55,212-2 self-administration mouse model

The paper identifies sex-specific miRNA signatures in the medial prefrontal cortex associated with cannabinoid addiction-like behavior in female mice.

Selective Shank3 Deletion in Glutamatergic Neurons of the Anterior Insular Cortex Induces Autism-Related Behavior and Circuit Dysfunction

This study shows that deleting Shank3 in glutamatergic neurons of the anterior insular cortex causes autism-like behaviors and circuit dysfunction in mice.

Anterior insular CB1 receptor signaling selectively regulates social novelty and anxiety-related behaviors

This study shows that restoring CB1R in the anterior insular cortex of CB1R-deficient mice normalizes social novelty discrimination and reduces anxiety-like behavior without affecting other behaviors.

2-AG as a potential biomarker for predicting response to short-term fluoxetine treatment in a mouse model of depression

Involvement of the medial prefrontal cortex in food addiction: new insights from in vivo calcium Imaging

The paper examines calcium dynamics in the medial prefrontal cortex of mice to identify neural differences between food-addicted and non-addicted behaviors.

CB1 receptor inhibition in fragile X syndrome mice impacts alternative splicing alterations in hippocampal synaptoneurosomal transcriptome

USP7/Maged1-Mediated H2A Monoubiquitination in the Paraventricular Thalamus: An Epigenetic Mechanism Involved in Cocaine Use Disorder

Sub-chronic peripheral CB1R inhibition enhances cognitive performance and induces hippocampal synaptic plasticity changes in naive mice

This study shows that sub-chronic peripheral CB1R inhibition improves memory and executive function in mice and alters hippocampal synaptic plasticity and gene expression.

Auricular transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation acutely modulates brain connectivity in mice

This study shows that auricular transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (atVNS) improves memory persistence in mice when applied immediately after training but not 3 hours later, and induces reorganization of c-Fos-based brain connectivity.

Long-term decreased cannabinoid type-1 receptor activity restores specific neurological phenotypes in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome

This study shows that long-term CB1R inhibition in Ts65Dn mice improves cognitive function without major side effects, suggesting potential therapeutic value for Down syndrome.

Cell type- and region-specific modulation of cocaine seeking by micro-RNA-1 in striatal projection neurons

This study investigates the cell-type- and region-specific role of miR-1 in modulating cocaine-seeking behaviors in mice, showing distinct effects in D1- and D2-SPNs of the dorsal striatum.

Cognitive and GABAergic protection by hAPPSw,Ind and hTauVLW coexpression: a model of Non-Demented with Alzheimer's disease Neuropathology

The paper identifies J20/VLW mice as a model for NDAN, showing preserved cognition and GABAergic pathways despite Aβ and P-Tau accumulation.

Peripheral CB1 receptor blockade acts as a memory enhancer through an adrenergic-dependent mechanism

The paper shows that peripheral CB1R blockade enhances non-emotional memory through an adrenergic-dependent mechanism in mice.

A low repeated dose of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol affects memory performance through serotonergic signalling in mice

This study shows that repeated low-dose THC impairs memory in mice through serotonergic signaling via 5-HT2ARs, as evidenced by increased CB1R/5-HT2AR heterodimers and reduced LTP.