Luping Yin

Hypothalamic plasticity for alloparenting in male mice

This study shows that repeated pup exposure converts virgin male mice to a parental state via calcitonin receptor-expressing neurons in the medial preoptic area.

A hypothalamic dynorphin-KOR pathway that orchestrates male sexual behavior under sexual competition

The paper identifies a neural circuit involving dynorphin and KOR receptors that modulates male sexual behavior in response to social competition in mice.

Leptin Activated Hypothalamic BNC2 Neurons Acutely Suppress Food Intake

The paper identifies BNC2 neurons in the hypothalamus that acutely suppress food intake by inhibiting AGRP neurons and are regulated by leptin, sensory cues, and nutritional status.

Hardwired to attack: Transcriptionally defined amygdala subpopulations play distinct roles in innate social behaviors.

The paper identifies two distinct amygdala cell populations in male mice with different roles in social behavior, showing that MeAFoxp2 cells are specialized for male conspecific cues and aggression, while MeADbx1 cells respond broadly to social cues.

Neural dynamics in the limbic system during male social behaviors

The paper investigates neural dynamics in the limbic system of male mice during sexual and aggressive behaviors, identifying distinct network states associated with each behavior.

Antagonistic Neural Circuits Drive Opposing Behaviors towards the Young in Females

The paper identifies neural circuits in female mice that drive opposing pup-directed behaviors, showing reciprocal inhibition between BNSTprEsr1 and MPOAEsr1 neurons during reproductive state changes.