Jennifer J. Tuscher

mPFC pyramidal neuron synchrony during social competition to form social rankings is disrupted in male Mecp2 knockout mice

This study shows that male Mecp2 knockout mice exhibit altered social behavior and reduced mPFC pyramidal neuron synchrony during social competition, which can be partially restored by inhibiting ventral hippocampus projections.

Morphine regulates astrocyte transcriptional dynamics in the ventral tegmental area by stimulation of glucocorticoid signaling

This study identifies morphine-induced transcriptional changes in VTA glial cells and dopamine neurons, revealing glucocorticoid-mediated regulation of Fkbp5 in astrocytes.

Reelin marks cocaine-activated striatal ensembles, promotes neuronal excitability, and regulates cocaine reward

This study identifies Reelin as a marker of cocaine-activated neuronal ensembles in the rat nucleus accumbens and shows its role in cocaine reward and neuronal excitability.

Distinct roles of Bdnf I and Bdnf IV transcript variant expression in hippocampal neurons

This study investigates the functional roles of Bdnf I and Bdnf IV transcript variants in hippocampal neurons using CRISPRa, finding distinct effects on dendritic growth and fear behavior.

Temporally Specific Gene Expression and Chromatin Remodeling Programs Regulate a Conserved Pdyn Enhancer

The paper identifies a conserved enhancer upstream of Pdyn that is regulated by activity-dependent transcription factors and required for Pdyn expression in neurons.

Distinct subpopulations of D1 medium spiny neurons exhibit unique transcriptional responsiveness to cocaine

The paper uses snRNA-seq to identify distinct D1-MSN subpopulations with differential transcriptional responses to cocaine in rats.

An atlas of transcriptionally defined cell populations in the rat ventral tegmental area

The paper generates a transcriptional atlas of the rat ventral tegmental area using snRNA-seq, identifying 16 cell types, including neurons co-expressing multiple neurotransmitter systems and associated with neuropsychiatric disorders.

A Cre-dependent CRISPR/dCas9 system for gene expression regulation in neurons

The paper develops a Cre-dependent CRISPR-dCas9 system for gene regulation in neurons, showing improved specificity over traditional methods.

A dopamine-induced gene expression signature regulates neuronal function and cocaine response

This study identifies a dopamine-induced gene expression signature in the nucleus accumbens that drives cocaine-induced physiological and behavioral adaptations in rats.

Blue light-induced gene expression alterations in cultured neurons are the result of phototoxic interactions with neuronal culture media

This study shows blue light exposure alters gene expression in cultured neurons, but this effect is due to phototoxic interactions between light and culture media, not direct neuronal activation.

A neuron-optimized CRISPR/dCas9 activation system for robust and specific gene regulation

This paper develops a neuron-optimized CRISPRa system for efficient and specific gene regulation in neurons and the adult brain.