Hiroshi Kuniishi

Auricular vagus nerve stimulation facilitates contextual fear extinction via insular-mPFC pathway without affecting reconsolidation

This study shows auricular vagus nerve stimulation enhances extinction learning of contextual fear memory by activating the posterior insular cortex to medial prefrontal cortex circuit, without affecting reconsolidation.

N-Ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Factor Deletion in Dopamine D2 Receptor Cells and Associated Neuronal and Behavioural Changes in Mice

This study shows that deleting NSF in D2R-expressing cells in mice leads to neuronal loss, dopamine deficits, and ADHD-like behaviors, which can be mitigated by combining methylphenidate and a D2R agonist.

Low-invasive, wide-field, and cellular resolution two-photon imaging of neural population activity in brainstem and nucleus tractus solitarii

The paper develops a two-photon imaging method to study neural activity in the NTS during VNS and hormone exposure, revealing insights into vagus-NTS pathway function.

The first transchromosomic rat model with human chromosome 21 shows robust Down syndrome features

The paper develops a transchromosomic rat model with human chromosome 21 that exhibits key Down syndrome features and provides a tool for DS research and drug development.

AUTS2 regulation of synapses for proper synaptic inputs and social communication.

This study shows that AUTS2 regulates excitatory synapse number to maintain E/I balance, and its loss leads to autistic-like behaviors and increased brain excitability.