Michele Petrella

Aug 7, 2024 | jneurosci.org | Michele Petrella |Esther Visser |Sofia Vellere |Markus Heilig

SubjectsWe used 206 Prkcd-hemizygotes (133 males and 73 females) and 174 wild types (88 males and 86 females) for molecular and behavioral experiments. Adult (7–9 weeks) male and female Prkcd-Cre rats weighing ∼350 and 250 g, respectively, at the beginning of the experiments were kept group housed (3–4 rats per cage) with ad libitum access to tap water and food pellets. Animals were housed in a temperature- and humidity-controlled vivarium on a 12 h light/dark cycle (lights off at 7:00 A.M.).

Jul 5, 2024 | jneurosci.org | Michele Petrella |Esther Visser |Markus Heilig |Sofia Vellere

AbstractActivity of central amygdala (CeA) PKCδ expressing neurons has been linked to appetite regulation, anxiety-like behaviors, pain sensitivity, and addiction-related behaviors. Studies of the role that CeA PKCδ+ neurons play in these behaviors have largely been carried out in mice, and genetic tools that would allow selective manipulation of PKCδ+ cells in rats have been lacking.

May 22, 2024 | nature.com | Michele Petrella

NEWS AND VIEWS 22 May 2024 Neuroscientists find that two distinct neural pathways are responsible for the addictive properties of the opioid fentanyl: one mediates reward, the other promotes the seeking of relief from symptoms of withdrawal. Fentanyl is a potent and fast-acting opioid. Writing in Nature, Chaudun et al.1 report important advances in the understanding of the mechanisms through which fentanyl promotes addiction.