Amanda Kentner
@mindfulrat.bsky.social
Just a mid-career behavioral neuroscientist ticking along, as long as the old heart keeps ticking. Developing #brains & #behavior with a side of #enrichment. Canadian in Boston MA | Posts and other reads are my own| #FirstGen http://www.kentnerlab.org
Pinned
Investigating milk derived extracellular vesicles as mediators of maternal stress and environmental intervention
Parental communication signals are transmitted through nursing and critically shape neurodevelopmental trajectories. Mirroring some well characterized effects of gestational challenges in rodents, mat...
www.biorxiv.org
Hello friends, our 🆕 lab preprint w/ @jordanmarrocco.bsky.social is here; please enjoy!
Investigating milk-derived extracellular vesicles as mediators of maternal stress and environmental intervention www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
#Neuroscience #Brain #STEM, #OpenScience #Neurosky #BrainResearch
Investigating milk-derived extracellular vesicles as mediators of maternal stress and environmental intervention www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
#Neuroscience #Brain #STEM, #OpenScience #Neurosky #BrainResearch
Aurora in Boston right now
November 12, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Aurora in Boston right now
Ok, Blue Jays, let’s play ball!
November 1, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Ok, Blue Jays, let’s play ball!
Let’s go Blue Jays, let’s go!
October 31, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Let’s go Blue Jays, let’s go!
Reposted by Amanda Kentner
Happy to share my lab's first review article!
We outline how the lateral habenula is a critical regulator of almost every type of social behavior, from pro- to anti-social behaviors, in both sexes, and across the lifespan. Hopefully this can serve as a useful reference!
rdcu.be/eLWPw
We outline how the lateral habenula is a critical regulator of almost every type of social behavior, from pro- to anti-social behaviors, in both sexes, and across the lifespan. Hopefully this can serve as a useful reference!
rdcu.be/eLWPw
The lateral habenula as a master regulator of innate and learned social behaviors
rdcu.be
October 21, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Happy to share my lab's first review article!
We outline how the lateral habenula is a critical regulator of almost every type of social behavior, from pro- to anti-social behaviors, in both sexes, and across the lifespan. Hopefully this can serve as a useful reference!
rdcu.be/eLWPw
We outline how the lateral habenula is a critical regulator of almost every type of social behavior, from pro- to anti-social behaviors, in both sexes, and across the lifespan. Hopefully this can serve as a useful reference!
rdcu.be/eLWPw
Reposted by Amanda Kentner
I am thrilled to share our latest work: we identified a population of central amygdala neurons that promote the earliest and perhaps most important social behavior: pup suckling!... We also developed new tools for pup neuroscience
Work by @Jeff Moore now at USC, a collaboration with @Sam Pfaff lab
Work by @Jeff Moore now at USC, a collaboration with @Sam Pfaff lab
October 21, 2025 at 10:18 AM
I am thrilled to share our latest work: we identified a population of central amygdala neurons that promote the earliest and perhaps most important social behavior: pup suckling!... We also developed new tools for pup neuroscience
Work by @Jeff Moore now at USC, a collaboration with @Sam Pfaff lab
Work by @Jeff Moore now at USC, a collaboration with @Sam Pfaff lab
Reposted by Amanda Kentner
Excellent framework to understand the processes favoring health vs disease based on the Energy Resistance Principle. Makes me wonder whether the shape of this inverted-U curve, or linked parameters, are trait-like across individuals. Congrats @martinpicardenergy.bsky.social & @msahsorin.bsky.social
This morning I felt a little sadness when I remembered that many of the colleagues I wished to share something dear to my heart with, had departed from X.
@msahsorin.bsky.social and I would love to know what people think of the Energy Resistance Principle (ERP)
authors.elsevier.com/a/1luVK5WXUl...
@msahsorin.bsky.social and I would love to know what people think of the Energy Resistance Principle (ERP)
authors.elsevier.com/a/1luVK5WXUl...
October 8, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Excellent framework to understand the processes favoring health vs disease based on the Energy Resistance Principle. Makes me wonder whether the shape of this inverted-U curve, or linked parameters, are trait-like across individuals. Congrats @martinpicardenergy.bsky.social & @msahsorin.bsky.social
I sent this to my undergraduate students earlier today; it's a fun way to show them how AI hallucinates, by having them break the system. Simply ask “is there a seahorse emoji?” futurism.com/chatgpt-hayw... it works, well, until it doesn’t…credit goes to my dad for this one!
ChatGPT Goes Completely Haywire If You Ask It to Show You a Seahorse Emoji
Asking OpenAI's ChatGPT if there's a seahorse emoji causes the AI chatbot to suffer an epic, existential meltdown.
futurism.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:54 PM
I sent this to my undergraduate students earlier today; it's a fun way to show them how AI hallucinates, by having them break the system. Simply ask “is there a seahorse emoji?” futurism.com/chatgpt-hayw... it works, well, until it doesn’t…credit goes to my dad for this one!
Just a small reminder to fellow researchers, PubMed Europe is still functional and seems to be updating materials. Thank you to them! europepmc.org
Europe PMCHome - Europe PMC
Europe PMC is an archive of life sciences journal literature.
europepmc.org
October 7, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Just a small reminder to fellow researchers, PubMed Europe is still functional and seems to be updating materials. Thank you to them! europepmc.org
Reposted by Amanda Kentner
Big news at @npp-journal.bsky.social HQ 👇
We are thrilled to welcome @briannaegeorge.bsky.social as our new NPP Editorial Intern 🎉
We are looking forward to working with Dr. George and are excited to have such a fantastic addition to our team 🤩
We are thrilled to welcome @briannaegeorge.bsky.social as our new NPP Editorial Intern 🎉
We are looking forward to working with Dr. George and are excited to have such a fantastic addition to our team 🤩
October 6, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Big news at @npp-journal.bsky.social HQ 👇
We are thrilled to welcome @briannaegeorge.bsky.social as our new NPP Editorial Intern 🎉
We are looking forward to working with Dr. George and are excited to have such a fantastic addition to our team 🤩
We are thrilled to welcome @briannaegeorge.bsky.social as our new NPP Editorial Intern 🎉
We are looking forward to working with Dr. George and are excited to have such a fantastic addition to our team 🤩
Reposted by Amanda Kentner
So, with Jane Goodall passing, I am reminded of a very fun incident where her institute sent a furious complaint over this cartoon on her behalf, only to have Goodall herself find it hilarious and go on to write the introduction to the collection it appeared in. A fantastic sense of humour.
October 2, 2025 at 7:27 AM
So, with Jane Goodall passing, I am reminded of a very fun incident where her institute sent a furious complaint over this cartoon on her behalf, only to have Goodall herself find it hilarious and go on to write the introduction to the collection it appeared in. A fantastic sense of humour.
Reposted by Amanda Kentner
Jane Goodall, who died on Wednesday at the age of 91, spent decades teaching about the intelligence of chimpanzees. She left behind powerful lessons about aging — and living well — too. nyti.ms/3IS8XuH
October 2, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Jane Goodall, who died on Wednesday at the age of 91, spent decades teaching about the intelligence of chimpanzees. She left behind powerful lessons about aging — and living well — too. nyti.ms/3IS8XuH
Reposted by Amanda Kentner
My friend Steven Parton interviewed Adam Zeman about #Aphantasia — something he and I both have. Interestingly, we both seem to have the more pronounced form, where even our dreams lack imagery.
youtu.be/TdSwDUONWLg?...
youtu.be/TdSwDUONWLg?...
#42 - Adam Zeman: Aphantasia - Life Without a Visual Imagination
YouTube video by Curious Apes
youtu.be
April 3, 2025 at 9:13 AM
My friend Steven Parton interviewed Adam Zeman about #Aphantasia — something he and I both have. Interestingly, we both seem to have the more pronounced form, where even our dreams lack imagery.
youtu.be/TdSwDUONWLg?...
youtu.be/TdSwDUONWLg?...
Reposted by Amanda Kentner
🚨 CDC Website Scrubbing Alert
We do not have a complete list but can report that CDC plans to delete or otherwise takedown many CDC pages about LGBTQ+ health, health equity, disabilities, hepatitis, HIV and more.
We do not have a complete list but can report that CDC plans to delete or otherwise takedown many CDC pages about LGBTQ+ health, health equity, disabilities, hepatitis, HIV and more.
September 19, 2025 at 8:46 PM
🚨 CDC Website Scrubbing Alert
We do not have a complete list but can report that CDC plans to delete or otherwise takedown many CDC pages about LGBTQ+ health, health equity, disabilities, hepatitis, HIV and more.
We do not have a complete list but can report that CDC plans to delete or otherwise takedown many CDC pages about LGBTQ+ health, health equity, disabilities, hepatitis, HIV and more.
Reposted by Amanda Kentner
My last grant was an R25 focused on introducing undergraduates to aging research to motivate them to address these gaps, be it in research or clinical careers. It was terminated b/c “DEI is bad.”
September 12, 2025 at 9:10 AM
My last grant was an R25 focused on introducing undergraduates to aging research to motivate them to address these gaps, be it in research or clinical careers. It was terminated b/c “DEI is bad.”
Reposted by Amanda Kentner
Just a reminder, the NOSIs for Research Continuity and Retention Supplements (childbirth, healthcare issues), and Re-Entry, Re-integration & Re-training Supplements, are ending Sept 9th. If you were thinking about one of them, apply soon. grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
NOT-OD-23-032: Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Administrative Supplement for Continuity of Biomedical and Behavioral Research Among First-Time Recipients of NIH Research Project Grant Awards
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Administrative Supplement for Continuity of Biomedical and Behavioral Research Among...
grants.nih.gov
August 28, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Just a reminder, the NOSIs for Research Continuity and Retention Supplements (childbirth, healthcare issues), and Re-Entry, Re-integration & Re-training Supplements, are ending Sept 9th. If you were thinking about one of them, apply soon. grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
Reposted by Amanda Kentner
I am SO EXCITED to share this one! The latest paper from the lab is online in @cp-cellreports.bsky.social. We show microglia prune NAc astrocyte processes during abstinence from cocaine-self ad which drives later drug seeking behavior.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Abstinence from cocaine self-administration promotes microglial pruning of astrocytes, which drives cocaine-seeking behavior
Rodent drug self-administration leads to a compromised ability of nucleus accumbens astrocytes to maintain glutamate homeostasis as well as to reducti…
www.sciencedirect.com
August 13, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I am SO EXCITED to share this one! The latest paper from the lab is online in @cp-cellreports.bsky.social. We show microglia prune NAc astrocyte processes during abstinence from cocaine-self ad which drives later drug seeking behavior.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Amanda Kentner
The updated version of the database of PhD fellowships produced and maintained by my team can be downloaded by anyone here:
research.jhu.edu/rdt/funding-...
For each of the 187 fellowships, you will find a short description, deadline, $ amount, link, etc.
Good luck!
research.jhu.edu/rdt/funding-...
For each of the 187 fellowships, you will find a short description, deadline, $ amount, link, etc.
Good luck!
August 8, 2025 at 10:59 AM
The updated version of the database of PhD fellowships produced and maintained by my team can be downloaded by anyone here:
research.jhu.edu/rdt/funding-...
For each of the 187 fellowships, you will find a short description, deadline, $ amount, link, etc.
Good luck!
research.jhu.edu/rdt/funding-...
For each of the 187 fellowships, you will find a short description, deadline, $ amount, link, etc.
Good luck!
Reposted by Amanda Kentner
Auroras, moonsets, the Milky Way, and more in recent photographs from ISS crew members in orbit. Take a look at The Atlantic Photo: https://theatln.tc/LoCl2GNq
📸: Nichole Ayers / Don Pettit / NASA
📸: Nichole Ayers / Don Pettit / NASA
August 12, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Auroras, moonsets, the Milky Way, and more in recent photographs from ISS crew members in orbit. Take a look at The Atlantic Photo: https://theatln.tc/LoCl2GNq
📸: Nichole Ayers / Don Pettit / NASA
📸: Nichole Ayers / Don Pettit / NASA
Reposted by Amanda Kentner
This piece was so fun to write because the whole lab chipped in and team-wrote it over the series of a few lab meetings (+finessing)
Check out this 🆕 article from Minerva, @cate-cholamine.bsky.social, & colleagues reviewing the pros, cons, and best applications for currently available genome-wide sequencing technologies in neuropsychiatric research
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
A practical guide to sequencing in neuropsychiatric research - NPP—Digital Psychiatry and Neuroscience
This review offers a simple overview on the pros, cons, and best applications for currently available genome-wide sequencing technologies in neuropsychiatric research.
www.nature.com
August 8, 2025 at 1:05 PM
This piece was so fun to write because the whole lab chipped in and team-wrote it over the series of a few lab meetings (+finessing)
Reposted by Amanda Kentner
Join us in Congratulating the 2025 ACNP Travel Award Class! 🙌🎉
August 8, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Join us in Congratulating the 2025 ACNP Travel Award Class! 🙌🎉
Reposted by Amanda Kentner
While everything is burning around us, a rare great day for Flanigan Lab!
Thank you to BBRF for funding our NARSAD!
Thank you to MUSC COBRE CNDD for funding our Pilot Proposal!
Looking forward to doing some awesome science
Thank you to BBRF for funding our NARSAD!
Thank you to MUSC COBRE CNDD for funding our Pilot Proposal!
Looking forward to doing some awesome science
August 5, 2025 at 2:37 PM
While everything is burning around us, a rare great day for Flanigan Lab!
Thank you to BBRF for funding our NARSAD!
Thank you to MUSC COBRE CNDD for funding our Pilot Proposal!
Looking forward to doing some awesome science
Thank you to BBRF for funding our NARSAD!
Thank you to MUSC COBRE CNDD for funding our Pilot Proposal!
Looking forward to doing some awesome science
Reposted by Amanda Kentner
New preprint!
tl;dr — We ran around late at night to record wild rats in NYC and figured out how to quantify their behavior and environment. 🧵
w/ Dima Batenkov, @zamakany.bsky.social, Emily Mackevicius
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
tl;dr — We ran around late at night to record wild rats in NYC and figured out how to quantify their behavior and environment. 🧵
w/ Dima Batenkov, @zamakany.bsky.social, Emily Mackevicius
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Computational Urban Ecology of New York City Rats
Urban rats are highly adaptable, thriving in the dynamic and often inhospitable conditions of modern cities. Despite substantial mitigation efforts, they remain an enduring presence in urban environme...
www.biorxiv.org
July 25, 2025 at 3:57 PM
New preprint!
tl;dr — We ran around late at night to record wild rats in NYC and figured out how to quantify their behavior and environment. 🧵
w/ Dima Batenkov, @zamakany.bsky.social, Emily Mackevicius
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
tl;dr — We ran around late at night to record wild rats in NYC and figured out how to quantify their behavior and environment. 🧵
w/ Dima Batenkov, @zamakany.bsky.social, Emily Mackevicius
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Amanda Kentner
Excited to have this little @npp-journal.bsky.social "hot topics" article out with my dear friend and collaborator @jbeehner.bsky.social. Even more excited for the opportunity to jump into field research and explore some of these ideas. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Field experimentation enhances translation for behavioral neuroscience - Neuropsychopharmacology
Neuropsychopharmacology - Field experimentation enhances translation for behavioral neuroscience
www.nature.com
July 25, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Excited to have this little @npp-journal.bsky.social "hot topics" article out with my dear friend and collaborator @jbeehner.bsky.social. Even more excited for the opportunity to jump into field research and explore some of these ideas. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Amanda Kentner
Morning thoughts on how the current federal funding crisis is going to make everything worse in more ways than people seem to be openly discussing....So big news broke this week in distance running (this will get back to science, I promise!)
BREAKING NEWS: Marathon world record holder Ruth Chepngetich has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit after testing positive for Hydrochlorothiazide in a test on March 14th.
More details here: citiusmag.com/articles/rut...
More details here: citiusmag.com/articles/rut...
July 19, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Morning thoughts on how the current federal funding crisis is going to make everything worse in more ways than people seem to be openly discussing....So big news broke this week in distance running (this will get back to science, I promise!)