Congrats Totty! Looking forward to digging into this one :)

We believe this work provides a rigorous and convincing description of a novel sexually divergent neural mechanism whereby cycling reproductive hormones alter fundamental memory processes that are essential for survival and dysregulated in disease states such as PTSD.

What’s special about these neurons? We find that these neurons exhibit unique calcium activity patterns that correlation with suppression of memory expression in proestrus. Interestingly, these estradiol-sensitive neurons also exhibit a female bias in projection strength to the nucleus accumbens.

Given LS’s neuronal diversity, we wondered if a specific neuron type may be key to these behavioral effects. Indeed, single nucleus sequencing revealed a novel neuronal population in the LS, defined by coexpression of neurotensin and somatostatin, that is recruited to the proestrus memory ensemble.

Not only is LS a regional ensemble when memories are acquired and recalled in proestrus, but bidirectional chemogenetic manipulations revealed that LS activity is necessary and sufficient for modulation of memory expression across the ovarian hormone cycle in females—with limited effects in males.

How does this occur? We conducted unbiased assessment of neural activity in search of a regional memory ensemble that may guide threat memory expression under high versus low hormone states. A single candidate brain region emerged: the lateral septum (LS).

Interestingly, females experiencing both memory acquisition and recall in proestrus behaviorally indistinguishable from males—suggesting that a convergent neural mechanism compensates for this otherwise divergent sex difference in behavior.

We first found that low hormone states bias females toward overexpression of cued threat memory but that the high hormone state of proestrus confers protection against this overexpression in a state-dependent manner.

So, do endogenous peaks and troughs in ovarian hormones drive physiological states that influence state-dependent memory? By targeting memory acquisition and recall to high (proestrus) versus low (diestrus) hormone states in mice, we answer this question (yes!) and unravel the mechanism.

We have long known that physiological states influence memory processes—a concept known as state-dependent learning. Fluctuating hormone levels across the ovarian hormone cycle orchestrate widespread changes in physiological states, including profound impacts on neuronal plasticity and function.

Excited to share the latest work from the lab—a true tour de force led by @nbaumgar.bsky.social. TLDR: We report a novel endogenous mechanism whereby cycling ovarian hormones alter threat memory expression through state-dependent recruitment of the lateral septum to the memory ensemble. 🧵⬇️

In the emotional rollercoaster that was the last year, writing up this manuscript with @ewhizabeth.bsky.social has been a bright spot. I'm thrilled to share the bulk of my postdoctoral work in this preprint.

Heterogeneous plasticity of amygdala interneurons in associative learning and extinction - Nature Communications In this study, the authors uncover how diverse inhibitory interneurons in the amygdala flexibly contribute to fear and safety learning, revealing a key role for inhibition in emotional memory and adap...

Out now: Favila, Capece Marsico et al. 2025, Nature Communications: Using longitudinal deep-brain imaging, we report that amygdala interneurons exhibit complex and heterogeneous plasticity during associative learning, at both the single-cell and population level.
👉 www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Attn all human MRI/fMRI folks! The Dept of Psychology at Northeastern University is hiring a new Director of the NU Biomedical Imaging Center at the level of Associate or Full Professor. Bonus: you'll have the best Chair EVER 😉 Full ad here: northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/careers/job/...

Saunders lab has been killing it lately! Congrats!

Can’t wait to dive into this super creative science! Congrats on the publication!

Alexa Jo will be giving her ✨very first✨ conference presentation from the lab at this morning's poster session - go say hi and check out her super cool project! Then, pop over to Nina's talk at the "Circuit Regulation of Fear and Extinction Learning" Nanosymposium this afternoon. #SfN25

Be sure to check out Nina's poster at the Early Career Poster Session today! She was awarded the Trainee Professional Development Award, generously supported by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund @bwfund.bsky.social! She's got a 🔥🔥🔥 scientific story that we are sending off for publication soon. #SfN2025

Come by my poster and nanosymposium talk if you'll be at SfN this week!

🎉 Join us on Monday for the best party of the year!

The Cai-Tye Collective is throwing a bash at #SfN25 and everyone is invited!

🎉 November 17, 9pm at Parq Nightclub in San Diego. See you all there!

The lab is presenting at #SfN2025 Come check out the amazing science being conducted by postdoc Nina Baumgartner @nbaumgar.bsky.social and grad student Alexa Jo Tellez! I am also recruiting a postdoc so please spread the word. #neuroskyence

I am incredibly sad to hear this news 💔. I know that her memory will be a blessing to all of her friends, colleagues, and trainees. The students have already created a memorial for her at the intersection.

Congrats Malu!

ATTN: Two faculty positions are available in my department (neuroscience) at the University of Minnesota. This is a general search with no topic focus. November 20th application deadline.

Apply here: hr.umn.edu/jobs/Find-Job
Assistant Prof job code: 364920
Associate/Full Prof job code: 364921

This project is so NCSU! Congrats!

Thanks Matt! Great list! I look forward to binging the ones I missed “off season” 👻

Thanks Vinny! Can't wait to crash at your carriage house one day :)

I'm equally excited about all of our projects - could never pick a favorite!

Thanks Kaue!

Thanks and good luck on your promotion!!