We are thrilled to announce our recent publication in Neuron, “Dual Engram Architecture within a Single Striatal Cell Type Distinctly Controls Alcohol Relapse and Extinction,” by Dr. Xueyi Xie and colleagues. This study reveals that alcohol relapse and extinction are controlled by two opposing memory traces, or engrams, within the same striatal cell type — direct-pathway medium spiny neurons. Using mouse models of alcohol self-administration, extinction, and relapse, the team identified one neuronal ensemble that promotes alcohol seeking and relapse, and another extinction-recruited ensemble that suppresses alcohol-seeking behavior. The study further shows that relapse-related memories are physically embedded in strengthened connections from the medial prefrontal cortex to striatal neurons, providing new insight into how alcohol-associated memories persist and how they may be targeted to reduce relapse.

We are thrilled to announce the publication of 3 new papers by our lab:

1. “Alcohol Attenuates CRF-Induced Excitatory Effects from the Extended Amygdala to Dorsostriatal Cholinergic Interneurons” by Dr. Amanda Essoh and co-authors in eLife.

2. “Perinatal and Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Impairs Striatal Cholinergic Function and Cognitive Flexibility in Adult Offspring” by William Purvines and co-authors in Neuropharmacology.

3. “Abstinence and Extinction Drive Opposing Changes in Striatal Activity and Dopamine Signaling During Alcohol Relapse” by Dr. Xueyi Xie and co-authors in Neuropharmacology.

Congratulations to all the authors and the entire team for these achievements!

We are thrilled to announce the publication of “Dynamic Responses of Striatal Cholinergic Neurons Control Behavioral Flexibility” by Dr. Zhenbo Huang and co-authors in Science Advances. This groundbreaking study reveals that operant seeking behavior induces a dip-rebound in striatal acetylcholine (ACh) activity, with the ACh rebound playing a pivotal role in promoting extinction learning and facilitating the extinguishment of learned behaviors. Additionally, pauses in cholinergic interneuron (CIN) firing, which result in ACh dips, are essential for reversal learning, enabling the adaptation to new actions. These findings provide valuable insights into how CIN dynamics regulate behavioral flexibility, emphasizing the critical role of striatal cholinergic interneurons in the extinction and updating of goal-directed learning. Congratulations to Dr. Huang and the entire team for this remarkable achievement!

Congratulations to our graduate student Yufei Huang for receiving this year’s TRSA McGovern Fellowship!

Dr. Himanshu Gangal officially left our lab today to his new journey. Himanshu graduated on Spring 2023 and has over 10 publications (including his first author paper in Nature Communication). We wish him the best luck in his future research career!

Congratulations to our graduate student Xueyi Xie for receiving this year’s RSA Doctoral Student Small Grant!