Vijay K. Samineni

Convergent state-control of endogenous opioid analgesia

The paper identifies a functional dichotomy in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray, showing that micro opioid receptor neurons encode nociceptive states while enkephalin-releasing neurons drive pain relief in various contexts.

A Neural Circuit for Modular Gating of Organ Somatosensation

The paper identifies Trpc4 interneurons in the spinal cord that gate bladder sensory input and regulate micturition reflexes, revealing their role in bladder-sphincter coordination and visceral pain.

Central Amygdala Neuronal Ensembles Coordinate Visceral Pain and Its Affective Behaviors

The paper identifies CeA neuronal ensembles that modulate visceral pain and its affective behaviors through optogenetic manipulation and single-nucleus RNA sequencing.

Projection-TAGs enable multiplex projection tracing and multi-modal profiling of projection neurons

The paper introduces Projection-TAGs, a tool for multiplex projection tracing and multi-modal profiling of projection neurons in mice.

Norepinephrine Signals Through Astrocytes To Modulate Synapses

This study shows that norepinephrine modulates synapses via astrocytic adrenergic receptors and Ca2+ dynamics, independent of neuronal receptors.

A brainstem-thalamic circuitry for affective-motivational responses to cold pain

This study identifies two thalamic nuclei mediating different aspects of cold pain responses in mice through viral genetics and physiology.

Transcriptomic landscape of mammalian ventral pallidum at single-cell resolution

The paper defines the transcriptional taxonomy of ventral pallidum cell types across mice, macaques, and baboons using snRNA-seq and in situ hybridization, finding transcriptional conservation and unique subclusters in primates.

Cellular, Circuit and Transcriptional Framework for Modulation of Itch in the Central Amygdala

This study identifies itch-activated neurons in the central amygdala (CeA) and their role in itch sensation, avoidance, and comorbidities like anxiety, using RNA-sequencing and viral tracing.

A photoswitchable GPCR-based opsin for presynaptic silencing

This paper introduces parapinopsin (PPO), a photoswitchable GPCR-based opsin that enables rapid and reversible presynaptic inhibition, and demonstrates its utility in vivo.

Cell type-specific modulation of sensory and affective components of itch in the periaqueductal gray

This study identifies PAG neuronal populations that modulate acute and chronic itch by differentially regulating sensory and affective components through GABAergic and glutamatergic activity.

Optogenetic silencing of primary afferents reduces evoked and ongoing bladder pain

This study uses optogenetic inhibition of Nav1.8+ bladder sensory afferents in a mouse model of cystitis to reduce pain and hypersensitivity.

Macrophage-to-sensory neuron crosstalk mediated by Angiotensin II type-2 receptor elicits neuropathic pain

This study identifies macrophage AT2R activation as a key driver of neuropathic pain through ROS/NO-mediated TRPA1 activation in sensory neurons.