Damien Kerspern

Thermoregulatory roles of preoptic area histamine H1 receptor-expressing neurons

This study identifies POA H1 receptor-expressing neurons as key regulators of thermoregulatory behaviors, including body temperature rhythms and nest building.

Dissociable control of motivation and reinforcement by distinct ventral striatal dopamine receptors

This paper identifies distinct roles of dopamine D3 and D1 receptors in regulating motivation and reinforcement in the nucleus accumbens, showing compartmentalized signaling within the same cell type.

Molecular Connectomics Reveals a Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Sensitive Neural Circuit for Satiety

The paper identifies a neural circuit involving TrhArc neurons that mediate the appetite-suppressing effects of GLP-1RAs by inhibiting AgRP neurons.

A novel analgesic pathway from parvocellular oxytocin neurons to the periaqueductal gray

The paper identifies a novel analgesic pathway involving parvocellular oxytocin neurons projecting to the vlPAG, which suppresses spinal cord sensory neuron activity and alleviates pain.

Oxytocin Acts on Astrocytes in the Central Amygdala to Promote a Positive Emotional State

This study shows that oxytocin acts on astrocytes in the central amygdala to promote a positive emotional state, challenging the notion that oxytocin only affects neurons.