Larry Zweifel, PhD
Personal Statement
The main focus of my research efforts are to define how specific genes influence neuronal connectivity and function within neural circuits that regulate innate and motivated behaviors with a special emphasis on genes linked to psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and depression.
My laboratory utilizes conventional mouse genetics approaches coupled to viral-based strategies for projection specific gene manipulation, optogenetic and pharmacogenetic approaches, in vivo single unit electrophysiology recordings, whole-cell patch clamp, in vivo fiber-optic imaging, and behavior. We have recently demonstrated that a disease-related mutation in the human KCNN3 gene that encodes the calcium activated potassium channel SK3 significantly alters activity pattern regulation of midbrain dopamine neurons resulting in disruption of specific behavioral domains relevant to schizophrenia.
We have also shown that phasic activation of dopamine neurons potently influences fear processing by the amygdala and is critical for the prevention of generalized fear and anxiety. Other recent developments in the lab include the identification of CRF neurons in the central amygdala as key regulators of cued fear memory acquisition and the identification of a novel dopaminergic pathway within the hypothalamus that regulates social behavior.
Education
Ph.D. Neuroscience 2005, John Hopkins University
B.S. Biochemistry 1997, University of Missouri
Department Affiliations
Centers/Programs
Recent Publications
(2024 Apr 6)
Br J Pharmacol
Singh S, Sarroza D, English A, Whittington D, Dong A, Malamas M, Makriyannis A, van der Stelt M, Li Y, Zweifel L, Bruchas MR, Land BB, Stella N
(2024 Apr 9)
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 121(15): e2317769121
Eltokhi A, Lundstrom BN, Li J, Zweifel LS, Catterall WA, Gamal El-Din TM
(2024 Feb 7)
Neuron 112(3): 488-499.e5
Warlow SM, Singhal SM, Hollon NG, Faget L, Dowlat DS, Zell V, Hunker AC, Zweifel LS, Hnasko TS
(2023 Dec 8)
Cannabis Cannabinoid Res
Singh S, Sarroza D, English A, McGrory M, Dong A, Zweifel L, Land BB, Li Y, Bruchas MR, Stella N
(2023 Dec 18)
Curr Biol 33(24): 5439-5455.e7
Angelakos CC, Girven KS, Liu Y, Gonzalez OC, Murphy KR, Jennings KJ, Giardino WJ, Zweifel LS, Suko A, Palmiter RD, Clark SD, Krasnow MA, Bruchas MR, de Lecea L
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