Zoé A. McElligott

Biased signaling via NtsR1 restrains food intake and weight gain in obese mice

This study evaluates SBI-553, a biased NTSR1 modulator, showing it reduces food intake and weight regain in obese mice without affecting metabolic parameters.

Biased signaling at NTSR1 differentially regulates inhibitory synaptic transmission in the extended amygdala and suppresses motivated feeding in mice

This study investigates how biased signaling at NTSR1 modulates GABAergic transmission in the extended amygdala and affects feeding behavior in mice.

INTERFERON-REGULATORY FACTOR 7: A NEUROIMMUNE ROLE FOR VAPOR-INDUCED ESCALATIONS IN ETHANOL SELF-ADMINISTRATION

This study shows that chronic intermittent ethanol vapor exposure increases IRF7 levels in brain regions associated with alcohol self-administration and alters excitatory/inhibitory balance, contributing to escalated drinking.

Xylazine's k-opioid agonist activity is not shared with other FDA-approved alpha2-adrenergic agonists

The paper investigates whether other FDA-approved alpha2-adrenergic agonists share xylazine's kappa opioid agonist activity and finds they do not, but have distinct GPCR activity patterns.

Glutamate delta-1 receptors regulate a novel tonic excitatory conductance in the mouse bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and influence neuronal function

Xylazine and fentanyl co-administration delays wound healing in mice

This study shows that xylazine and fentanyl co-administration in mice delays wound healing, while neither drug alone does so at tested doses.

Xylazine potentiates the interoceptive effects of fentanyl in male and female rats

This study shows xylazine enhances fentanyl's interoceptive effects in rats, suggesting it may contribute to the risks of xylazine-adulterated fentanyl.

Loss of excitatory inputs and decreased tonic and evoked activity of locus coeruleus neurons in aged P301S mice

This study examines electrophysiological changes in locus coeruleus neurons of aged P301S mice, finding reduced excitatory inputs and neuronal activity linked to tau pathology.

β-arrestin-biased Allosteric Modulator of Neurotensin Receptor 1 Reduces Ethanol Drinking and Responses to Ethanol Administration in Rodents

This study evaluates the effects of SBI-553, a β-arrestin-biased allosteric modulator of NTSR1, on ethanol-related behaviors in rodents, finding reduced ethanol consumption and altered sensitivity to ethanol effects.

Oral Fentanyl Consumption and Withdrawal Impairs Fear Extinction Learning and Enhances Basolateral Amygdala Principal Neuron Excitatory-Inhibitory Balance in Male and Female Mice

This study shows that oral fentanyl consumption in mice leads to impaired fear extinction and altered neural excitability in the basolateral amygdala, with sex-specific behavioral effects.

Diverse ancestral brainstem noradrenergic neuron activity across species and biological factors

This study analyzes LC neuron firing patterns across species and biological factors, revealing diverse activity patterns and subregions enriched for specific factors and disease models.

Operant alcohol self-administration targets GluA2-containing AMPAR expression and synaptic activity in the nucleus accumbens in a manner that drives the reinforcing properties of the drug

This study shows that ethanol self-administration increases GluA2-containing AMPAR expression and synaptic activity in the nucleus accumbens, which enhances ethanol's reinforcing effects through an NSF-dependent mechanism.

GABA Release From Central Amygdala Neurotensin Neurons Differentially Modulates Reward and Consummatory Behavior in Male and Female Mice

This study shows that reducing GABA release from central amygdala neurotensin neurons decreases alcohol drinking in male mice but not females, with distinct behavioral effects in each sex.

Xylazine is an agonist at kappa opioid receptors and exhibits sex-specific responses to naloxone administration

This study shows xylazine acts as a kappa opioid receptor agonist and that naloxone induces withdrawal from xylazine and fentanyl/xylazine combinations, with greater sensitivity in females.

Tauopathy and alcohol consumption interact to alter locus coeruleus excitatory transmission and excitability in male and female mice

This study examines how tauopathy and alcohol consumption interact to alter locus coeruleus neuron excitability in mice, finding significant changes in excitatory inputs and excitability due to both factors.

Effects of Long-Term Alcohol Consumption on Behavior in the P301S (Line PS19) Tauopathy Mouse Model

This study examines how long-term alcohol consumption affects behavior in a tauopathy mouse model, finding significant interactions between alcohol exposure and genotype that vary by sex.

Probing different paradigms of morphine withdrawal on sleep behavior in male and female C57BL/6J mice

This study examines how different morphine withdrawal paradigms affect sleep behavior in male and female mice, finding sex-specific differences and highlighting the 3-day precipitated withdrawal model as most impactful.

Examining opioid withdrawal scoring and adaptation of global scoring systems to male and female C57BL/6J mice

This study examines sex differences in opioid withdrawal symptoms in mice and proposes a new scoring system for more accurate behavioral analysis.

Calcium-Permeable AMPA Receptor Activity and GluA1 Trafficking in the Basolateral Amygdala Regulate the Positive Reinforcing Effects of Alcohol

This study shows that calcium-permeable AMPA receptors and GluA1 trafficking in the basolateral amygdala regulate alcohol reinforcement in mice.

Manipulations of central amygdala neurotensin neurons alter the consumption of ethanol and sweet fluids in mice

This study shows that neurotensin neurons in the central amygdala of mice influence ethanol and sweet fluid consumption through projections to the parabrachial nucleus.

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.

Stress-induced alterations of norepinephrine release in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis of mice

The paper examines how repeated stress affects norepinephrine release in the BNST of mice, finding increased release and reduced autoreceptor sensitivity.

Male and female mice demonstrate divergent cellular responses in the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) following morphine withdrawal

This study investigates divergent cellular responses in male and female mice's BNST during morphine withdrawal, finding sex-specific changes in GABAergic signaling and neuronal excitability.

Neurotensin and Dynorphin Bi-Directionally Modulates CeA Inhibition of oval BNST Neurons in Male Mice

The paper shows neurotensin and dynorphin oppositely modulate CeA inhibition of oval BNST neurons in male mice through distinct receptors.