Mario Alexander Penzo

The paper identifies a thalamostriatal circuit mechanism by which internally constructed outcomes, like safety, acquire motivational value through synaptic plasticity in mice.

The paper identifies a conserved excitatory neuron gradient in human mediodorsal thalamus using single-nucleus and spatial transcriptomics, linking it to psychiatric disorder risk.

The paper identifies five molecularly distinct PVT neuronal subtypes using snRNA-seq and reveals their spatial organization and connectivity with cortical areas.

This study identifies an inhibitory neural circuit from CeA-PKCδ neurons to the zona incerta that bidirectionally modulates pain-related behaviors in mice.

The paper identifies the insula-central amygdala circuit's role in avoidance behavior by showing its necessity and sufficiency for learning anticipatory avoidance of unpleasant tastants.