Carl R. Lupica

Title: Unilateral loss of tyrosine hydroxylase in adult midbrain dopaminergic neurons reveals reduction to neuregulin1 in rat model of acute dopaminergic dysfunction

This study creates a rat model of adult dopamine loss by knocking out tyrosine hydroxylase and identifies early transcriptional changes, including reduced neuregulin1, in dopaminergic neurons and surrounding cells.

Impaired synaptic inhibition and enhanced aversion encoding by lateral habenula neurons during Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol withdrawal.

This study shows that Δ9-THC withdrawal increases LHb responsivity to aversive stimuli through impaired synaptic inhibition and altered E-I balance.

Stress deceleration theory - chronic adolescent stress exposure results in decelerated neurobehavioral maturation

This paper shows that chronic adolescent stress in rats arrests neurobehavioral maturation, leading to persistent impulsive and compulsive behaviors into adulthood.

Reversing anterior insular cortex neuronal hypoexcitability attenuates compulsive behavior in juvenile rats

The paper shows that hypoexcitability of anterior insular cortex neurons in juvenile rats is linked to compulsive behavior, which can be mitigated by chemogenetic activation.

Lateral habenula M2 muscarinic receptor control of neuronal activity and cocaine seeking behavior

This study identifies LHb M2 muscarinic receptors as critical for controlling cocaine seeking behavior and neuronal activity through modulation of synaptic inputs.

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.