Melissa A. Herman

A suite of engineered mice for interrogating psychedelic drug actions

This paper introduces engineered mouse models to study the effects of psychedelic drugs by examining HTR2A receptor expression and function.

A water-based platform test of paired or group social dominance and neural activity in male and female mice

The paper introduces a novel platform test to assess social dominance in mice and finds that habenula activity correlates with dominance in males.

TARP γ-8 is a target of ethanol that regulates self-administration and relapse in mice

This study shows that TARP γ-8 regulates ethanol reinforcement and relapse in mice, with reduced self-administration and cue-induced reinstatement in TARP γ-8 heterozygous null mice.

Chronic Alcohol Drinking Drives Sex-Specific Differences in Affective Behavior and Medial Prefrontal Cortex Activity in CRF1:Cre:Tdtomato Transgenic Rats

This study examines how chronic alcohol drinking affects sex-specific affective behavior and medial prefrontal cortex activity in CRF1:Cre:Tdtomato transgenic rats, finding that alcohol intake correlates with anxiety and depressive-like behaviors and CRF1 neuron activity.

Sex-Specific Effects of Psychedelic Drug Exposure on Central Amygdala Reactivity and Behavioral Responding

This study shows that psilocin causes sex-specific, time-dependent changes in central amygdala reactivity and threat responses to aversive stimuli.

Sex differences in the impact of electronic nicotine vapor on corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 neurons in the mouse ventral tegmental area

The paper examines sex differences in how nicotine vapor affects CRF1 neurons in the mouse VTA, revealing sex- and exposure-dependent changes in neuronal activity and inhibition.

Psychedelic compounds directly excite 5-HT2A Layer 5 Pyramidal Neurons in the Prefrontal Cortex through a 5-HT2A Gq-mediated activation mechanism

This study shows psilocin excites 5-HT2A Layer 5 Pyramidal Neurons in the mouse PFC via a Gq-mediated mechanism, increasing firing without affecting synaptic transmission.

Generation and validation of a CRF1:Cre transgenic rat: The role of central amygdala CRF1 in nociception and anxiety-like behavior

The paper generates and validates a CRF1:Cre transgenic rat to study the role of CRF1-expressing neurons in anxiety and nociception, finding that activation of these cells increases anxiety-like behavior and pain responses.

Sex- and Subtype-Specific Adaptations in Excitatory Signaling Onto Deep-Layer Prelimbic Cortical Pyramidal Neurons After Chronic Alcohol Exposure

This study examines sex-specific effects of chronic alcohol exposure on excitatory signaling in deep-layer prelimbic cortical neurons, finding enhanced glutamatergic signaling in males and improved working memory in females.

Chemogenetic stimulation of mouse central amygdala corticotropin-releasing factor neurons: Effects on cellular and behavioral correlates of alcoholdependence

This study investigates the role of CeA CRF neurons in alcohol dependence by using chemogenetics to assess their impact on behavior and neurotransmission during withdrawal.