Shigeki Kato

Thalamocortical credit routing from the basal ganglia and cerebellum: anatomical constraints and circuit principles

The paper investigates how thalamocortical pathways from the basal ganglia and cerebellum route credit signals to cortical circuits, revealing anatomical segregation and plasticity mechanisms that enhance learning.

Paw switching with lateralized cholinergic modulation

This study shows that cholinergic modulation between brain hemispheres enables paw preference switching in mice through experience-driven changes in neural activity.

Prior experience establishes a proactive cortical filter that blocks redundant associations

The paper shows that prior auditory learning inhibits somatosensory responses in mice through ACC-S1 projections, promoting blocking of redundant associations.

Open-source modular FPGA system for two-photon mesoscope enabling multi-layer, multi-depth neural activity recording and lifetime imaging

Orbitofrontal Cortex Influences Dopamine Dynamics Associated with Alloparental Behavioral Acquisition in Female Mice

This study shows that the orbitofrontal cortex promotes alloparental caregiving in female mice by modulating dopamine dynamics during behavior acquisition.

Opioidergic activation of descending pain inhibitory system underlies placebo analgesia

The paper shows that opioidergic signals in the medial prefrontal cortex activate the descending pain inhibitory system to initiate placebo analgesia in neuropathic pain rats.

Distinct roles of two thalamostriatal systems in learning processes of visual discrimination in common marmosets

This study shows that two thalamostriatal systems in common marmosets have distinct roles in visual discrimination learning, with one affecting reversal learning and the other impacting task acquisition.

Chemogenetic activation of target neurons expressing insect Ionotropic Receptors in the mammalian central nervous system by systemic administration of ligand precursors

This paper develops a method to activate specific neurons in the mammalian brain using peripheral administration of ligand precursors, demonstrating its effectiveness in inducing neurotransmitter release and behavioral responses.

Emotional association enhances perceptual memory through amygdalo-cortical inputs during NREM sleep

The paper shows emotional association enhances perceptual memory through BLA-frontal projections during NREM sleep by increasing coordinated reactivation and disrupting memory retention when BLA inputs are silenced.

Catecholaminergic cell type-specific expression of Cre recombinase in knock-in transgenic rats generated by the Combi-CRISPR technology

The paper characterizes TH-Cre knock-in rats generated via Combi-CRISPR, showing cell type-specific Cre expression and normal catecholamine metabolism and behavior.

Recording and Manipulation of the Maternal Oxytocin Neural Activities in Mice

The paper records and manipulates maternal oxytocin (OT) neural activities in mice using fiber photometry and identifies plasticity and modulatory circuits.

Dissection of insular cortex layer 5 reveals two sublayers with opposing modulatory roles in appetitive behavior

This study identifies two sublayers in mouse insular cortex layer 5 with opposing roles in appetitive behavior through optogenetic activation.

Highly selective transgene expression through double-floxed inverted orientation system by using a unilateral spacer sequence

The paper introduces a DIO/USS system to enhance Cre-dependent transgene expression specificity by preventing Cre-independent recombination during vector production.

Reinstating olfactory bulb derived limbic gamma oscillations alleviates depression

The paper shows that restoring gamma oscillations in the limbic system via olfactory bulb neuromodulation alleviates depressive-like behaviors in animals.

Enhanced aversive memory retrieval by chemogenetic activation of locus coeruleus norepinephrine neurons

This study shows that activating locus coeruleus norepinephrine neurons enhances aversive memory retrieval in mice.