Gregory J. Quirk

A novel epigenetic clock for rhesus macaques unveils an association between early life adversity and epigenetic age acceleration

This paper develops two epigenetic clocks for rhesus macaques and finds that early life adversity, specifically infant maltreatment, is associated with epigenetic age acceleration.

Innate fear responses are reflected in the blood epigenome of rhesus macaques.

The paper identifies an epigenetic signature in rhesus macaques linked to innate fear responses and shows its association with human acoustic startle responses.

Divergent projections of the prelimbic cortex bidirectionally regulate active avoidance

This study shows that PL cortex projections to VS and BLA bidirectionally regulate active avoidance behavior in rats.

Functional repair after ischemic injury through high efficiency in situ astrocyte-to-neuron conversion

This study demonstrates high-efficiency in situ astrocyte-to-neuron conversion in adult mammalian brains to repair ischemic injury, generating sufficient new neurons to cover 40% of lost neurons and improve motor and memory function.

Individual variability in behavior and functional networks predicts vulnerability using a predator scent model of PTSD

This study shows that pre-trauma neural circuit function predicts individual differences in threat response and vulnerability to PTSD-like behaviors in rats.

Active avoidance requires inhibitory signaling in the rodent prelimbic prefrontal cortex

The paper investigates the role of inhibitory signaling in the rodent prelimbic prefrontal cortex during active avoidance behavior, finding that inhibitory responses are critical for initiating avoidance.