Rebecca A. Mancusi

This study investigates how microglial synaptic engulfment is dysregulated in diffuse midline glioma, leading to imbalanced excitatory-inhibitory synapse ratios and increased neuronal hyperexcitability.

This study shows serotonergic neurons promote high-grade glioma growth via 5HT2A receptor activation, with psychedelic drugs enhancing this effect.

This study identifies the NLGN3-CSPG4-PIEZO1 axis as a regulator of glial precursor cell state and glioma proliferation through mechanosensitive signaling.

This study shows that cholinergic neuron activity promotes both healthy OPC and DMG proliferation through muscarinic receptors, with specific nuclei driving growth in different brain regions.

This study shows that CAR T cell therapy in mice causes cognitive impairment through CNS immune dysregulation, microglial reactivity, and disrupted oligodendroglial homeostasis.

This study identifies functional GABAergic neuron-to-glioma synapses in diffuse midline gliomas that promote tumor proliferation and shows that drugs modulating GABAergic signaling affect glioma growth.

This study shows that BDNF-TrkB signaling promotes malignant synaptic plasticity in gliomas, enhancing tumor progression through mechanisms similar to long-term potentiation in the healthy brain.