Activity of prefrontal cortex serotonin 2A receptor expressing neurons is necessary for the head-twitch response of mice to psychedelic drug DOI in a sex-dependent manner.

Serotonin 2A receptors (5-HT Rs) mediate the effects of psychedelic drugs. 5-HT R agonists, such as (-)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine hydrochloride (DOI), that produce a psychedelic experience in humans induce a head-twitch response (HTR) behavior in rodents. However, it is unknown whether the activity of 5-HT R expressing neurons is sufficient to produce the HTR in the absence of an agonist, or in which brain region 5-HT Rs control the HTR.

Data on electroconvulsive seizure in mice, effects of anesthesia on immediate early gene expression.

Although electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the most effective treatments for severe mood and psychotic disorders, the mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects remain unknown. Electroconvulsive stimulation (ECS), the animal model for ECT, can be used to investigate the potential therapeutic mechanisms of ECT in rodents. ECS produces numerous effects in the brain, such as increasing levels of growth factors, inducing dendritic sprouting, and stimulating neurogenesis.

Serial electroconvulsive Seizure alters dendritic complexity and promotes cellular proliferation in the mouse dentate gyrus; a role for Egr3.

Background: Despite being one of the safest, most effective treatments for severe mood disorders, the therapeutic mechanisms of electroconvulsive therapy remain unknown. Electroconvulsive seizure (ECS) induces rapid, high-level expression of immediate early genes (IEGs) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), in addition to stimulation of neurogenesis and dendritic remodeling of dentate gyrus (DG) neurons. We have previously shown that this upregulation of BDNF fails to occur in the hippocampus of mice lacking the IEG Egr3.

Identification of activity-induced Egr3-dependent genes reveals genes associated with DNA damage response and schizophrenia.

Bioinformatics and network studies have identified the immediate early gene transcription factor early growth response 3 (EGR3) as a master regulator of genes differentially expressed in the brains of patients with neuropsychiatric illnesses ranging from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder to Alzheimer's disease. However, few studies have identified and validated Egr3-dependent genes in the mammalian brain. We have previously shown that Egr3 is required for stress-responsive behavior, memory, and hippocampal long-term depression in mice.