Maiya R., Pomrenze, M.B., Tran, T., Beckham A., Tiwari, G.N., Mayfield, R.D., and Messing R.O. (2020) LMO4-dependent transcriptional networks regulate alcohol consumption and reward Molecular Psychiatry, Mar. 6, epub ahead of print - Article highlighted in University of Texas, College of Natural Sciences Press Release, https://cns.utexas.edu/news/scientists-discover-molecular-culprits-linked-to-alcohol-use-disorders

Pomrenze. M.B., Giovanetti, S.M., Maiya, R., and Messing. R.O. (2019) GABA and neuropeptides from CRF neurons of the rat central amygdala play distinct role in fear and anxiety Cell Reports, 29(1), 13-21

Pomrenze, M.B., Tovor-Diaz, J., Blasio, A.M., Maiya, R., Lei, K., Gyawali, S., Morikawa, H., Hopf, F.W., and Messing, R.O. (2019) A corticotropin releasing factor network in the extended amygdala for anxiety J. Neurosci., 39(6), 1030-1043

Pomrenze, M.B. , Millan, E.Z., Hopf, F.W., Keiflin, R., Maiya, R., Blasio, A., Dadgar, J., Kharazia, V., De Guglielmo, G., Crawford, E., Janak, P.H., George, O., Rice, K.C., Messing, R.O. (2015) A Transgenic Rat for Investigating the Anatomy and Function of Corticotrophin Releasing Factor Circuits. Front. Neurosci.,9, 487

Maiya, R., Mangieri, R.A., Morrisett, R.A., Heberlein, U., Messing, R.O. (2015) A Selective Role for Lmo4 in Cue-Reward Learning. J. Neurosci.,35(26), 9638-47

Maiya, R.*, Lee, S.*, Berger, K.*, Kong, E., Slawson, J.B., Griffith, L.C., Margolis, B., and Heberlein, U. (2012) DlgS97, A neuronal isoform of “discs large” is necessary for ethanol tolerance. PLoS ONE.,7(11), e48967

Maiya, R., Kharazia, V., Lasek, A.W., and Heberlein, U. (2012) LMO4 in the basolateral complex of the amygdala modulates fear learning. PLoS ONE.,7(4), e34559

Zhou, Y.*, Maiya, R.*, Norris, E.H., Kreek, M.J., and Strickland, S. (2010) Involvement of tissue plasminogen activator in stress responsivity and anxiety-like behavior during acute cocaine withdrawal. Stress, 13(6), 481-90

Skrzypiec, A., Maiya, R., Chen, Z., Pawlak, R., and Strickland, S. (2009) Plasmin-mediated degradation of laminin γ-1 is critical for neurodegeneration after ethanol withdrawal. Biological Psychiatry,66(8): 785-94

Maiya, R., Zhou, Y., Norris, E.H., Kreek, M.J., and Strickland, S. (2009) Tissue plasminogen activator regulates the cellular and behavioral response to cocaine. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 106(6): 1983-8

Curriculum Vitae

Our lab investigates how experience-dependent changes in gene expression drive neuroadaptive processes that contribute to the development of alcohol dependence. We are particularly interested in the neural mechanisms by which repeated exposure to social defeat stress leads to escalated alcohol consumption. To uncover these mechanisms, we employ a combination of cell type-specific and cell type-agnostic approaches. Our toolkit includes advanced molecular and circuit-level techniques including single-nucleus and spatial transcriptomics, activity-dependent tagging of neural ensembles, and cell type–specific manipulation of neural activity using Cre-driver lines and chemogenetics. Through these cutting-edge methods, we aim to unravel how stress sculpts brain circuitry and function leading to maladaptive behaviors.

Find out more about what the lab does at www.Maiyalab.org.