Caroline J. W. Smith

Adolescent blockade of complement signaling in the lateral septum increases social novelty seeking behavior in male mice

The paper shows that blocking complement signaling in the lateral septum during adolescence increases social novelty seeking in male mice.

Prenatal exposure to environmental stressors alters gut macrophage development and gastrointestinal function of male offspring

This study shows that prenatal exposure to environmental stressors disrupts gut macrophage development and causes GI dysfunction in male offspring.

Effects of combined prenatal exposure to air pollution and maternal stress on social behavior and oxytocin and vasopressin systems in male and female mice

This study investigates how prenatal exposure to air pollution and maternal stress affects social behavior and oxytocin/vasopressin systems in male and female mice, finding sex-specific impacts on social behavior and gene expression.

Effects of combined prenatal exposure to air pollution and maternal stress on immune and dopaminergic gene expression in the gut-brain axis

This study examines how prenatal exposure to air pollution and maternal stress affects immune and dopaminergic gene expression in the gut-brain axis, finding sex-specific changes in brain and intestinal regions.

Microglial MyD88-dependent signaling influences extracellular matrix development and interneuron maturation in the hippocampus

This study shows that microglial MyD88 signaling affects ECM development and interneuron maturation in the hippocampus, with sex-specific effects on PVI density and behavior.

Prenatal Environmental Stressors Impair Postnatal Microglia Function and Adult Behavior in Males

This study shows that prenatal exposure to environmental toxins and stress impairs microglial function and leads to behavioral issues in male mice.

Prenatal opioid exposure inhibits microglial sculpting of the dopamine system during adolescence

This study shows that prenatal opioid exposure reduces microglial pruning of dopamine D1 receptors in male rats, leading to increased D1R density and impaired extinction of oxycodone-conditioned place preference.

Neonatal immune challenge induces female-specific changes in social behavior and somatostatin cell number, independent of microglial inflammatory signaling

This study shows that neonatal immune challenge reduces social behavior in adult female mice and increases somatostatin interneurons in the ACC, independent of microglial inflammation.

Microglial elimination of dopamine D1 receptors defines sex-specific changes in nucleus accumbens development and social play behavior during adolescence

This study shows microglia eliminate dopamine D1 receptors in the nucleus accumbens, influencing sex-specific social play behavior during adolescence.