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Research Interests
Research Interests
The Do Monte Lab focuses on understanding the neural circuits and mechanisms underlying emotional memories. We are particularly interested in elucidating how fear- and reward-associated memories interact to generate the most adaptive behavioral responses. Using a multidisciplinary approach in rats, we combine optogenetic, in vivo electrophysiological recording, pharmacological, immunohistochemical, and imaging techniques to investigate the mechanisms involved in balancing fear and reward stimuli, with emphasis on the innate defensive responses induced by predator cues.
The Do Monte Lab focuses on understanding the neural circuits and mechanisms underlying emotional memories. We are particularly interested in elucidating how fear- and reward-associated memories interact to generate the most adaptive behavioral responses. Using a multidisciplinary approach in rats, we combine optogenetic, in vivo electrophysiological recording, pharmacological, immunohistochemical, and imaging techniques to investigate the mechanisms involved in balancing fear and reward stimuli, with emphasis on the innate defensive responses induced by predator cues.
The mammalian brain has an exceptional ability to associate aversive and rewarding stimuli with environmental cues. The correct discrimination between harmful and beneficial stimuli allows an organism to select the most appropriate response, thereby protecting it from danger. In humans, inappropriate retrieval of reward associated memories is the framework for substance abuse, whereas inappropriate retrieval of fear/aversive memories can lead to the development of anxiety disorders. Understanding the neural circuits mediating the integration of fear- and reward-associated memories may uncover more effective therapies for patients suffering from both anxiety and substance-related addictive disorders.
The mammalian brain has an exceptional ability to associate aversive and rewarding stimuli with environmental cues. The correct discrimination between harmful and beneficial stimuli allows an organism to select the most appropriate response, thereby protecting it from danger. In humans, inappropriate retrieval of reward associated memories is the framework for substance abuse, whereas inappropriate retrieval of fear/aversive memories can lead to the development of anxiety disorders. Understanding the neural circuits mediating the integration of fear- and reward-associated memories may uncover more effective therapies for patients suffering from both anxiety and substance-related addictive disorders.
Specific Projects
Specific Projects
Understanding the neural mechanisms balancing fear and reward-seeking responses
Understanding the neural mechanisms balancing fear and reward-seeking responses
Animals show an exceptional ability to detect environmental signals that predict reward or danger. The correct discrimination between beneficial and harmful stimuli allows an organism to select the most appropriate response, thereby increasing its chances of survival. However, which neural circuits mediate reward and aversion and whether these circuits function independently or together remains an open question. Studying the neural circuits integrating reward and aversive stimuli may provide some insight into understanding adaptive and motivated behaviors.
Animals show an exceptional ability to detect environmental signals that predict reward or danger. The correct discrimination between beneficial and harmful stimuli allows an organism to select the most appropriate response, thereby increasing its chances of survival. However, which neural circuits mediate reward and aversion and whether these circuits function independently or together remains an open question. Studying the neural circuits integrating reward and aversive stimuli may provide some insight into understanding adaptive and motivated behaviors.
Deciphering the neural processes involved in memory reorganization across time
Deciphering the neural processes involved in memory reorganization across time
The evolutionary ability to remember cues that were previously associated with reward or danger allows animals to thrive in nature. Emotional memories can persist long after learning, and this persistence is critical for survival. Decades of research have provided a comprehensive picture of the neuronal circuit underlying the formation of reward and fear memories, but much less is known about circuits for retrieval of these memories. This disparity may stem from the fact that memories are not rigid, but reorganize over time. Understanding the time-dependent reorganization of memories may have clinical relevance for many cognitive mental disorders (e.g., anxiety disorders, substance abuse, depression).
The evolutionary ability to remember cues that were previously associated with reward or danger allows animals to thrive in nature. Emotional memories can persist long after learning, and this persistence is critical for survival. Decades of research have provided a comprehensive picture of the neuronal circuit underlying the formation of reward and fear memories, but much less is known about circuits for retrieval of these memories. This disparity may stem from the fact that memories are not rigid, but reorganize over time. Understanding the time-dependent reorganization of memories may have clinical relevance for many cognitive mental disorders (e.g., anxiety disorders, substance abuse, depression).
Elucidating the neural circuits modulating innate fear responses
Elucidating the neural circuits modulating innate fear responses
Fear memories are usually associated with the occurrence of a traumatic or aversive experience. However, in many cases, fear involves innate defensive responses that are not acquired through learning. To investigate innate fear, many laboratories take advantage of the strong defensive response shown by rats toward predator cues. Recent evidence suggest that the brain regions mediating innate vs. learned fear differ. While much progress has been made in understanding learned fear, which neural circuits underlie innate fear responses remain far of being clarified. Elucidating the mechanism regulating innate fear is of great relevance to understand many anxiety disorders in humans.
Fear memories are usually associated with the occurrence of a traumatic or aversive experience. However, in many cases, fear involves innate defensive responses that are not acquired through learning. To investigate innate fear, many laboratories take advantage of the strong defensive response shown by rats toward predator cues. Recent evidence suggest that the brain regions mediating innate vs. learned fear differ. While much progress has been made in understanding learned fear, which neural circuits underlie innate fear responses remain far of being clarified. Elucidating the mechanism regulating innate fear is of great relevance to understand many anxiety disorders in humans.
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