Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) overexpression in the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus alters motivated and affective behavior in female rats

This study shows that overexpressing PACAP-27 in the PVT of female rats reduces ethanol drinking without affecting other behaviors, suggesting potential therapeutic use for alcohol use disorder.

Afferent projections to the Calca/CGRP-expressing parabrachial neurons in mice

This study maps the afferent projections to Calca/CGRP-expressing parabrachial neurons in mice using retrograde and anterograde tracing techniques, identifying GABAergic and glutamatergic inputs from multiple brain regions.

A new insight into the role of CART peptide in serotonergic function and anxiety

This study investigates the role of CART peptide in serotonergic function and anxiety by demonstrating its anxiogenic effects and inhibitory impact on 5HTDRN neurons in mice.

Mapping neuropeptide sigaling in the human brain

This study maps neuropeptide receptor distribution across the human brain, revealing cortical-subcortical gradients and their functional and evolutionary significance.

Developmental and adult striatal patterning of nociceptin ligand marks striosomal population with direct dopamine projections

The paper identifies striosomal populations in the dorsal striatum expressing Pnoc mRNA, which are dopamine receptor D1-expressing medium spiny neurons with direct projections to midbrain dopamine neurons.

Encoding opposing valences through frequency-dependent transmitter switching in single peptidergic neurons

The paper shows that CGRPPBel neurons encode opposing valence through frequency-dependent differential release of glutamate and neuropeptides in response to aversive and appetitive stimuli.

BLAKOR inputs to the BNST regulate social stress-escalated alcohol consumption

This study investigates how BLAKOR inputs to the BNST regulate social stress-escalated alcohol consumption in mice, showing that KOR antagonism and chemogenetic activation reduce stress-induced drinking.

Giant pyramidal neurons of the primary motor cortex express vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), a known marker of cortical interneurons

The paper shows VIP is expressed in large Betz neurons of the marmoset primary motor cortex, not just interneurons, and highlights their distribution and co-localization with other markers.

Functional characterisation of neuropeptides that act as ligands for both calcitonin-type and pigment-dispersing factor-type receptors in a deuterostome

This paper identifies CT-type neuropeptides in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus that act as ligands for both CTR/CLR-type and PDF-type receptors, showing differential signaling and physiological roles in feeding and growth.

Opposing actions of co-released GABA and neurotensin on the activity of preoptic neurons and on body temperature

This study shows that neurotensin (Nts) induces hypothermia through excitation of preoptic PACAP neurons, with GABA acting as an inhibitory co-factor in this process.

μ-Opioid receptor transcriptional variants in the murine forebrain and spinal cord

The paper identifies a long 3' untranslated region in the primary Oprm1 transcript in mice, with additional variants expressed at lower levels.

Dynorphin modulates motivation through a pallido-amygdala cholinergic circuit

This study shows dynorphin modulates motivation via a pallido-amygdala cholinergic circuit by both disinhibiting and autoinhibiting cholinergic transmission in mice.

Development of a genetically-encoded sensor for probing endogenous nociceptin opioid peptide release

This paper develops a genetically encoded sensor, NOPLight, to detect endogenous N/OFQ release with high spatial and temporal resolution in vitro and in vivo.

Efferent projections of Nps-expressing neurons in the parabrachial region

This study maps the efferent projections of Nps-expressing neurons in the parabrachial nucleus, revealing distinct pathways and potential roles in threat response and circadian behavior.

Endogenous opioid dynamics in the dorsal striatum sculpt neural activity to control goal-directed action

This study identifies the role of endogenous dynorphin release in the dorsal striatum in regulating goal-directed behavior through retrograde GPCR inhibition.

Dysregulation of Kappa Opioid Receptor Neuromodulation of Lateral Habenula Synaptic Function following a Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

This study investigates how repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) affects Kappa Opioid Receptor (KOR) neuromodulation of lateral habenula (LHb) synaptic function in male and female mice, revealing changes in excitatory/inhibitory balance.

Prefrontal cortical dynorphin peptidergic transmission constrains threat-driven behavioral and network states

The paper shows that vmPFC Dyn neurons suppress defensive behaviors by releasing dynorphin in response to threats and promoting fear-related network states.

Kappa Opioid Receptors Negatively Regulate Real Time Spontaneous Dopamine Signals by Reducing Release and Increasing Uptake

This study shows that KOR activation reduces dopamine release and increases uptake, leading to decreased spontaneous dopamine signals in both male and female mice.

Sympathetic NPY controls glucose homeostasis, cold tolerance, and cardiovascular functions in mice

This study shows that sympathetic NPY is critical for metabolic and cardiovascular regulation in mice, affecting glucose homeostasis, cold tolerance, and heart rate.

Opioid-driven disruption of the septal complex reveals a role for neurotensin- expressing neurons in withdrawal

The paper identifies Neurotensin-expressing neurons in the lateral septum as critical for opioid withdrawal by showing their activation and role in regulating withdrawal behaviors.

Egg-laying hormone expression in identified neurons across developmental stages and reproductive states of the nudibranch Berghia stephanieae

The paper identifies ELH-expressing neurons in the nudibranch Berghia stephanieae across developmental stages and reproductive states, showing their role in egg-laying and potential broader functions.

Chronic morphine induces adaptations in opioid receptor signaling in a thalamo-cortico-striatal circuit that are projection-dependent, sex-specific and regulated by mu opioid receptor phosphorylation

This study shows chronic morphine induces sex-specific, projection-dependent adaptations in MOR signaling in thalamo-cortico-striatal circuits, mediated by MOR phosphorylation.

Sex-dependent effect of inflammatory pain on negative affective states is prevented by kappa opioid receptors blockade in the nucleus accumbens shell

This study investigates sex-dependent effects of inflammatory pain on negative affective states in rats and identifies kappa opioid receptor blockade in the nucleus accumbens shell as a potential intervention.

Neuropeptide Y neurons of the locus coeruleus inhibit noradrenergic system activity to reduce anxiety

The paper identifies a novel NPY-expressing neuronal population in the locus coeruleus that modulates noradrenergic activity to regulate anxiety.

Neuropeptide Y signaling regulates recurrent excitation in the auditory midbrain

The paper shows that NPY signaling regulates recurrent excitation in the auditory midbrain by modulating Y1R+ neuron activity and synaptic plasticity.

Unveiling a Novel Memory Center in Humans: Neurochemical Identification of the Nucleus Incertus, a Key Pontine Locus Implicated in Stress and Neuropathology

The paper identifies the nucleus incertus (NI) in humans using neurochemical markers and shows its RLN3 expression and potential involvement in Alzheimer's disease pathology.

Endogenous Opioid Signaling Regulates Proliferation of Spinal Cord Ependymal Cells

This study identifies a kappa opioid signaling pathway that regulates ependymal cell proliferation in the spinal cord, with implications for scar formation and injury recovery.

Dynorphin / kappa-opioid receptor regulation of excitation-inhibition balance toggles afferent control of prefrontal cortical circuits in a pathway-specific manner.

This paper investigates how the dynorphin/kappa-opioid receptor system modulates excitation-inhibition balance in prefrontal cortical circuits through pathway-specific mechanisms.

The Endogenous Opioid Met-Enkephalin Modulates Thalamo-Cortical Excitation Inhibition Balance in a Medial Thalamus-Anterior Cingulate Cortex Circuit

This study shows that endogenous opioid Met-Enkephalin modulates thalamo-cortical excitation-inhibition balance by preferentially inhibiting GABAergic transmission in the ACC.

An ancient thyrostimulin-like neuroendocrine pathway regulates growth in Caenorhabditis elegans

This study identifies a thyrostimulin-like neuroendocrine pathway in C. elegans that regulates growth and intestinal function through GPA2/GPB5 signaling.