Overview
The goal of the research is my lab is to define the fixed and flexible features of molecularly defined neural circuits that direct ethological forms of social and nonsocial motivated behavior. We focus on hypothalamic subnuclei within key social and homeostatic control centers, and their connections with midbrain dopaminergic reward systems. We employ a broad range of modern neuroscience techniques, including optogenetics, in vivo deep-brain calcium imaging using 2-photon microscopy and miniaturized epifluorescent microscopes, confocal and light-sheet microscopy, viral/genetic targeting, whole-organ tissue clearing, and advanced quantitative analysis of complex neural and social behavior datasets. We specialize in deep-brain in vivomicroscopy, to record from multiple units of analysis (cells, circuits, ethological behaviors) and track networks over chronic time periods in awake behaving states. Together, our studies provide into novel insights into circuit processing that directs social and affective states that are often disrupted among Autism Spectrum Disorders, Reproductive Mood Disorders, Eating Disorders, and Major Depression.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Recent Publications
Physiological state gates sensorimotor cortical processing and goal-directed behavior.
Journal Article Neuron · December 2022 Goal-directed behavior is often studied under food- and water-restricted states. A study by Matteucci et al.1 in this issue of Neuron reveals that task performance and sensorimotor cortical encoding are impaired under both low and high motivatio ... Full text CiteAdolescent sleep molds adult social preferences.
Journal Article Nature neuroscience · July 2022 Full text CitePrepronociceptin-Expressing Neurons in the Extended Amygdala Encode and Promote Rapid Arousal Responses to Motivationally Salient Stimuli.
Journal Article Cell reports · November 2020 Motivational states consist of cognitive, emotional, and physiological components controlled by multiple brain regions. An integral component of this neural circuitry is the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Here, we identify that neurons within ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
Neurobiology Training Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029Establishing neural circuits for social homeostatis
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Mental Health · 2022 - 2027Illuminating socially-modulated homeostatic control circuits in the mouse
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative · 2022 - 2025View All Grants