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Roberto, Marisa
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Roberto, Marisa

Faculty Member
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Positions

  • 2017 - Professor, Neuroscience , Scripps Research
  • 2015 - 2017 Professor, Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders (CNAD) , Scripps Research
  • 2011 - 2015 Associate Professor, Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders (CNAD) , Scripps Research
Dr. Marisa Roberto uses in vitro electrophysiological techniques to understand the effects of abused drugs and neuropeptides on neuronal function and synaptic transmission.

Research Areas research areas

  • Mental Illness (UMLS)

Contact

  • mroberto@scripps.edu

Websites

  • Marisa Roberto, Ph.D.
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Publications

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    • Suarez, J., Khom, S., Alen, F., Natividad, L. A., Varodayan, F. P., Patel, R. R., Kirson, D., Arco, R., Ballesta, A., Bajo, M., Rubio, L., Martin-Fardon, R., et al. Cessation of fluoxetine treatment increases alcohol seeking during relapse and dysregulates endocannabinoid and glutamatergic signaling in the central amygdala Addiction Biology  2020  DOI:10.1111/adb.12813  PMID:31339221
    • Fotio, Y., Borruto, A. M., Benvenuti, F., Demopulos, G., Gaitanaris, G., Roberto, M., Ciccocioppo, R. Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma reduces alcohol drinking and seeking by modulating multiple mesocorticolimbic regions in rats Neuropsychopharmacology  2020  DOI:10.1038/s41386-020-0754-4  PMID:32610339
    • Varodayan, F. P., Minnig, M. A., Steinman, M. Q., Oleata, C. S., Riley, M. W., Sabino, V., Roberto, M. PACAP regulation of central amygdala GABAergic synapses is altered by restraint stress Neuropharmacology  2020 168  DOI:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107752  PMID:31476352  PMCID:PMC7048635
    • Khom, S., Steinkellner, T., Hnasko, T. S., Roberto, M. Alcohol dependence potentiates substance P/neurokinin-1 receptor signaling in the rat central nucleus of amygdala Science Advances  2020 6  DOI:10.1126/sciadv.aaz1050  PMID:32206720  PMCID:PMC7080445
    • Agoglia, A. E., Zhu, M., Ying, R., Sidhu, H., Natividad, L. A., Wolfe, S. A., Buczynski, M. W., Contet, C., Parsons, L. H., Roberto, M., Herman, M. A. Corticotropin-releasing factor receptor-1 neurons in the lateral amygdala display selective sensitivity to acute and chronic ethanol exposure Eneuro  2020 7  DOI:10.1523/eneuro.0420-19.2020  PMID:32041742  PMCID:PMC7059189
    • Spierling, S., de Guglielmo, G., Kirson, D., Kreisler, A., Roberto, M., George, O., Zorrilla, E. P. Insula to ventral striatal projections mediate compulsive eating produced by intermittent access to palatable food Neuropsychopharmacology  2020 45:579-588  DOI:10.1038/s41386-019-0538-x  PMID:31593982  PMCID:PMC7021713
    • Kirson, D., Oleata, C. S., Roberto, M. Taurine suppression of central amygdala GABAergic inhibitory signaling via glycine receptors is disrupted in alcohol dependence Alcoholism-Clinical and Experimental Research  2020  DOI:10.1111/acer.14252  PMID:31782155
    • Khom, S., Wolfe, S. A., Patel, R. R., Kirson, D., Hedges, D. M., Varodayan, F. P., Bajo, M., Roberto, M. Alcohol Dependence and Withdrawal Impair Serotonergic Regulation of GABA Transmission in the Rat Central Nucleus of the Amygdala Journal of Neuroscience  2020 40:6842-6853  DOI:10.1523/jneurosci.0733-20.2020  PMID:32769108  PMCID:PMC7470924
    • Pavon, F. J., Polis, I., Stouffer, D. G., Roberto, M., Martin-Fardon, R., de Fonseca, F. R., Parsons, L. H., Serrano, A. COX-2 Inhibition Antagonizes Intra-Accumbens 2-Arachidonoylglycerol-Mediated Reduction in Ethanol Self-Administration in Rats Alcoholism-Clinical and Experimental Research  2020  DOI:10.1111/acer.14456  PMID:32944989
    • Hedges, D. M., Yorgason, J. T., Brundage, J. N., Wadsworth, H. A., Williams, B., Steffensen, S. C., Roberto, M. Corticotropin releasing factor, but not alcohol, modulates norepinephrine release in the rat central nucleus of the amygdala Neuropharmacology  2020 179  DOI:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108293  PMID:32871155  PMCID:PMC7572647
    • Bajo, M., Patel, R. R., Hedges, D. M., Varodayan, F. P., Vlkolinsky, R., Davis, T. D., Burkart, M. D., Blednov, Y. A., Roberto, M. Role of MyD88 in IL-1β and ethanol modulation of GABAergic transmission in the central amygdala Brain Sciences  2019 9  DOI:10.3390/brainsci9120361  PMID:31817854  PMCID:PMC6956324
    • Pavon, F. J., Serrano, A., Stouffer, D. G., Polis, I., Roberto, M., Cravatt, B. F., Martin-Fardon, R., de Fonseca, F. R., Parsons, L. H. Ethanol-induced alterations in endocannabinoids and relevant neurotransmitters in the nucleus accumbens of fatty acid amide hydrolase knockout mice Addiction Biology  2019 24:1204-1215  DOI:10.1111/adb.12695  PMID:30421483  PMCID:PMC6551299
    • Roberts, A. J., Khom, S., Bajo, M., Vlkolinsky, R., Polis, I., Cates-Gatto, C., Roberto, M., Gruol, D. L. Increased IL-6 expression in astrocytes is associated with emotionality, alterations in central amygdala GABAergic transmission, and excitability during alcohol withdrawal Brain Behavior and Immunity  2019 82:188-202  DOI:10.1016/j.bbi.2019.08.185  PMID:31437534  PMCID:PMC6800653
    • Cannella, N., Ubaldi, M., Masi, A., Bramucci, M., Roberto, M., Bifone, A., Ciccocioppo, R. Building better strategies to develop new medications in Alcohol Use Disorder: Learning from past success and failure to shape a brighter future Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews  2019 103:384-398  DOI:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.05.014  PMID:31112713  PMCID:PMC6692218
    • Blednov, Y. A., Bajo, M., Roberts, A. J., Da Costa, A. J., Black, M., Edmunds, S., Mayfield, J., Roberto, M., Homanics, G. E., Lasek, A. W., Hitzemann, R. J., Harris, R. A. Scn4b regulates the hypnotic effects of ethanol and other sedative drugs Genes Brain and Behavior  2019 18  DOI:10.1111/gbb.12562  PMID:30817077  PMCID:PMC6612599
    • Tunstall, B. J., Kirson, D., Zallar, L. J., McConnell, S. A., Vendruscolo, J. C. M., Ho, C. P., Oleata, C. S., Khom, S., Manning, M., Lee, M. R., Leggio, L., Koob, G. F., et al. Oxytocin blocks enhanced motivation for alcohol in alcohol dependence and blocks alcohol effects on GABAergic transmission in the central amygdala PLoS Biology  2019 17  DOI:10.1371/journal.pbio.2006421  PMID:30990816  PMCID:PMC6467366
    • Jimenez, V. A., Herman, M. A., Carlson, V. C. C., Walter, N. A., Grant, K. A., Roberto, M. Synaptic adaptations in the central amygdala and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus associated with protracted ethanol abstinence in male rhesus monkeys Neuropsychopharmacology  2019 44:982-993  DOI:10.1038/s41386-018-0290-7  PMID:30555160
    • Patel, R. R., Khom, S., Steinman, M. Q., Varodayan, F. P., Kiosses, W. B., Hedges, D. M., Vlkolinsky, R., Nadav, T., Polis, I., Bajo, M., Roberts, A. J., Roberto, M. IL-1β expression is increased and regulates GABA transmission following chronic ethanol in mouse central amygdala Brain Behavior and Immunity  2019 75:208-219  DOI:10.1016/j.bbi.2018.10.009
    • McClatchy, D. B., Yu, N. K., Martinez-Bartolome, S., Patel, R., Pelletier, A. R., Lavalle-Adam, M., Powell, S. B., Roberto, M., Yates III, J. R. Structural analysis of hippocampal kinase signal transduction ACS Chemical Neuroscience  2018 9:3072-3085  DOI:10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00284  PMID:30053369
    • Roberto, M. Commentary on the Forth International Congress on "Alcoholism and stress: a framework for future treatment strategies" Alcohol  2018 72:1-2  DOI:10.1016/j.alcohol.2018.08.001  PMID:30241916
    • Stopponi, S., Fotio, Y., Domi, A., Borruto, A. M., Natividad, L., Roberto, M., Ciccocioppo, R., Cannella, N. Inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase in the central amygdala alleviates co-morbid expression of innate anxiety and excessive alcohol intake Addiction Biology  2018 23:1223-1232  DOI:10.1111/adb.12573  PMID:29071769
    • Frantz, K., Roberto, M., Mason, B., Koob, G. F., Volkow, N., de Fonseca, F. R. Larry Parsons: Researcher, mentor, and friend Addiction Biology  2018 23:1204-1206  DOI:10.1111/adb.12686  PMID:30485629
    • Varodayan, F. P., Khom, S., Patel, R. R., Steinman, M. Q., Hedges, D. M., Oleata, C. S., Homanics, G. E., Roberto, M., Bajo, M. Role of TLR4 in the modulation of central amygdala GABA transmission by CRF following restraint stress Alcohol and Alcoholism  2018 53:642-649  DOI:10.1093/alcalc/agx114  PMID:29309503  PMCID:PMC6203127
    • Roberto, M., de Fonseca, F. R. Special issue honoring the legacy of Loren H. Parsons Addiction Biology  2018 23:1203-1203  DOI:10.1111/adb.12693  PMID:30378726
    • Natividad, L. A., Steinman, M. Q., Laredo, S. A., Irimia, C., Polis, I. Y., Lintz, R., Buczynski, M. W., Martin-Fardon, R., Roberto, M., Parsons, L. H. Phosphorylation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in the rat dorsal medial prefrontal cortex is associated with alcohol-induced cognitive inflexibility Addiction Biology  2018 23:1117-1129  DOI:10.1111/adb.12568  PMID:28940879  PMCID:PMC5862723
    • Serrano, A., Pavon, F. J., Buczynski, M. W., Schlosburg, J., Natividad, L. A., Polis, I. Y., Stouffer, D. G., Zorrilla, E. P., Roberto, M., Cravatt, B. F., Martin-Fardon, R., de Fonseca, F. R., et al. Deficient endocannabinoid signaling in the central amygdala contributes to alcohol dependence-related anxiety-like behavior and excessive alcohol intake Neuropsychopharmacology  2018 43:1840-1850  DOI:10.1038/s41386-018-0055-3  PMID:29748627  PMCID:PMC6046053
    • Blasio, A., Wang, J., Wang, D., Varodayan, F. P., Pomrenze, M. B., Miller, J., Lee, A. M., McMahon, T., Gyawali, S., Wang, H. Y., Roberto, M., McHardy, S., et al. Novel small-molecule inhibitors of protein kinase c epsilon reduced ethanol consumption in mice Biological Psychiatry  2018 84:193-201  DOI:10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.10.017  PMID:29198469  PMCID:PMC5984071
    • Varodayan, F. P., Sidhu, H., Kreifeldt, M., Roberto, M., Contet, C. Morphological and functional evidence of increased excitatory signaling in the prelimbic cortex during ethanol withdrawal Neuropharmacology  2018 133:470-480  DOI:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.02.014  PMID:29471053  PMCID:PMC5865397
    • Kirson, D., Oleata, C. S., Parsons, L. H., Ciccocioppo, R., Roberto, M. CB1 and ethanol effects on glutamatergic transmission in the central amygdala of male and female msP and Wistar rats Addiction Biology  2018 23:676-688  DOI:10.1111/adb.12525  PMID:28656627  PMCID:PMC5745318
    • Varodayan, F. P., Correia, D., Kirson, D., Khom, S., Oleata, C. S., Luu, G., Schweitzer, P., Roberto, M. CRF modulates glutamate transmission in the central amygdala of naive and ethanol-dependent rats Neuropharmacology  2017 125:418-428  DOI:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.08.009  PMID:28807676  PMCID:PMC5586541
    • Natividad, L. A., Buczynski, M. W., Herman, M. A., Kirson, D., Oleata, C. S., Irimia, C., Polis, I., Ciccocioppo, R., Roberto, M., Parsons, L. H. Constitutive increases in amygdalar corticotropin-releasing factor and fatty acid amide hydrolase drive an anxious phenotype Biological Psychiatry  2017 82:500-510  DOI:10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.01.005  PMID:28209423  PMCID:PMC5509512
    • Varodayan, F. P., Logrip, M. L., Roberto, M. P/Q-type voltage -gated calcium channels mediate the ethanol and CRF sensitivity of central amygdala GABAergic synapses Neuropharmacology  2017 125:197-206  DOI:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.07.017  PMID:28734867
    • Cippitelli, A., Domi, E., Ubaldi, M., Douglas, J. C., Li, H. W., Demopulos, G., Gaitanaris, G., Roberto, M., Drew, P. D., Kane, C. J. M., Ciccocioppo, R. Protection against alcohol-induced neuronal and cognitive damage by the PPARγ receptor agonist pioglitazone Brain Behavior and Immunity  2017 64:320-329  DOI:10.1016/j.bbi.2017.02.001  PMID:28167117
    • Roberto, M., Varodayan, F. P. Synaptic targets: Chronic alcohol actions Neuropharmacology  2017 122:85-99  DOI:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.01.013  PMID:28108359  PMCID:PMC5479718
    • Borghese, C. M., Herman, M., Snell, L. D., Lawrence, K. J., Lee, H. Y., Backos, D. S., Vanderlinden, L. A., Harris, R. A., Roberto, M., Hoffman, P. L., Tabakoff, B. Novel molecule exhibiting selective affinity for GABA(A) receptor subtypes Scientific Reports  2017 7  DOI:10.1038/s41598-017-05966-x  PMID:28740086  PMCID:PMC5524711
    • Varodayan, F. P., Bajo, M., Soni, N., Luu, G., Madamba, S. G., Schweitzer, P., Roberto, M. Chronic alcohol exposure disrupts CB1 regulation of GABAergic transmission in the rat basolateral amygdala Addiction Biology  2017 22:766-778  DOI:10.1111/adb.12369  PMID:26786379  PMCID:PMC4956605
    • Varodayan, F. P., de Guglielmo, G., Logrip, M. L., George, O., Roberto, M. Alcohol dependence disrupts amygdalar L-type voltage-gated calcium channel mechanisms Journal of Neuroscience  2017 37:4593-4603  DOI:10.1523/jneurosci.3721-16.2017  PMID:28363981  PMCID:PMC5413190
    • Schmeichel, B. E., Herman, M. A., Roberto, M., Koob, G. F. Hypocretin neurotransmission within the central amygdala mediates escalated cocaine self-administration and stress-induced reinstatement in rats Biological Psychiatry  2017 81:606-615  DOI:10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.06.010  PMID:27567312  PMCID:PMC5161745
    • Logrip, M. L., Oleata, C., Roberto, M. Sex differences in responses of the basolateral-central amygdala circuit to alcohol, corticosterone and their interaction Neuropharmacology  2017 114:123-134  DOI:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.11.021  PMID:27899281
    • Harris, R. A., Bajo, M., Bell, R. L., Blednov, Y. A., Varodayan, F. P., Truitt, J. M., de Guglielmo, G., Lasek, A. W., Logrip, M. L., Vendruscolo, L. F. Genetic and Pharmacologic Manipulation of TLR4 Has Minimal Impact on Ethanol Consumption in Rodents Journal of Neuroscience  2017 37:1139-1155  DOI:10.1523/jneurosci.2002-16.2016  PMID:27986929  PMCID:PMC5296793
    • Roberto, M., Spierling, S. R., Kirson, D., Zorrilla, E. P. Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF) and Addictive Behaviors International Review of Neurobiology  2017 136:5-51  DOI:10.1016/bs.im.2017.06.004  PMID:29056155
    • Herman, M. A., Contet, C., Roberto, M. A functional switch in tonic GABA currents alters the output of central amygdala corticotropin releasing factor receptor-1 neurons following chronic ethanol exposure Journal of Neuroscience  2016 36:10729-10741  DOI:10.1523/jneurosci.1267-16.2016  PMID:27798128  PMCID:PMC5083004
    • Bajo, M., Montgomery, S. E., Cates, L. N., Nadav, T., Delucchi, A. M., Cheng, K., Yin, H., Crawford, E. F., Roberts, A. J., Roberto, M. Evaluation of TLR4 inhibitor, T5342126, in modulation of ethanol-drinking behavior in alcohol-dependent mice Alcohol and Alcoholism  2016 51:541-548  DOI:10.1093/alcalc/agw026  PMID:27151970  PMCID:PMC5004745
    • Schweitzer, P., Cates-Gatto, C., Varodayan, F. P., Nadav, T., Roberto, M., Lasek, A. W., Roberts, A. J. Dependence-induced ethanol drinking and GABA neurotransmission are altered in Alk deficient mice Neuropharmacology  2016 107:1-8  DOI:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.03.003  PMID:26946429  PMCID:PMC4912883
    • Varodayan, F. P., Soni, N., Bajo, M., Luu, G., Madamba, S. G., Schweitzer, P., Parsons, L. H., Roberto, M. Chronic ethanol exposure decreases CB1 receptor function at GABAergic synapses in the rat central amygdala Addiction Biology  2016 21:788-801  DOI:10.1111/adb.12256  PMID:25940135  PMCID:PMC4635109
    • Herman, M. A., Varodayan, F. P., Oleata, C. S., Luu, G., Kirson, D., Heilig, M., Ciccocioppo, R., Roberto, M. Glutamatergic transmission in the central nucleus of the amygdala is selectively altered in Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring rats: Alcohol and CRF effects Neuropharmacology  2016 102:21-31  DOI:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.10.027  PMID:26519902  PMCID:PMC4698227
    • Buczynski, M. W., Herman, M. A., Hsu, K. L., Natividad, L. A., Irimia, C., Polis, I. Y., Pugh, H., Chang, J. W., Niphakis, M. J., Cravatt, B. F., Roberto, M., Parsons, L. H. Diacylglycerol lipase disinhibits VTA dopamine neurons during chronic nicotine exposure Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America  2016 113:1086-1091  DOI:10.1073/pnas.1522672113  PMID:26755579  PMCID:PMC4743781
    • Herman, M. A., Roberto, M. Cell-type-specific tonic GABA signaling in the rat central amygdala is selectively altered by acute and chronic ethanol Addiction Biology  2016 21:72-86  DOI:10.1111/adb.12181  PMID:25170988  PMCID:PMC4345144
    • Cui, C., Noronha, A., Warren, K. R., Koob, G. F., Sinha, R., Thakkar, M., Matochik, J., Crews, F. T., Chandler, L. J., Pfefferbaum, A., Becker, H. C., Lovinger, D., et al. Brain pathways to recovery from alcohol dependence Alcohol  2015 49:435-452  DOI:10.1016/j.alcohol.2015.04.006  PMID:26074423  PMCID:PMC4468789
    • Herman, M. A., Sidhu, H., Stouffer, D. G., Kreifeldt, M., Le, D., Cates-Gatto, C., Munoz, M. B., Roberts, A. J., Parsons, L. H., Roberto, M., Wickman, K., Slesinger, P. A., et al. GIRK3 gates activation of the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway by ethanol Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America  2015 112:7091-7096  DOI:10.1073/pnas.1416146112  PMID:25964320  PMCID:PMC4460485
    • Repunte-Canonigo, V., Herman, M. A., Kawamura, T., Kranzler, H. R., Sherva, R., Gelernter, J., Farrer, L. A., Roberto, M., Sanna, P. P. Nf1 regulates alcohol dependence-associated excessive drinking and gamma-aminobutyric acid release in the central amygdala in mice and is associated with alcohol dependence in humans Biological Psychiatry  2015 77:870-879  DOI:10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.07.031  PMID:25483400  PMCID:PMC4428692
    • Gilpin, N. W., Herman, M. A., Roberto, M. The central amygdala as an integrative hub for anxiety and alcohol use disorders Biological Psychiatry  2015 77:859-869  DOI:10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.09.008  PMID:25433901  PMCID:PMC4398579
    • Bajo, M., Varodayan, F. P., Madamba, S. G., Roberts, A. J., Casal, L. M., Oleata, C. S., Siggins, G. R., Roberto, M. IL-1 interacts with ethanol effects on GABAergic transmission in the mouse central amygdala Frontiers in Pharmacology  2015 6:49  DOI:10.3389/fphar.2015.00049  PMID:25852553  PMCID:PMC4365713
    • Cippitelli, A., Ayanwuyi, L. O., Barbier, E., Domi, E., Lerma-Cabrera, J. M., Carvajal, F., Scuppa, G., Li, H., Ubaldi, M., Heilig, M., Roberto, M., Ciccocioppo, R. Polymorphism in the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 (CRF1-R) gene plays a role in shaping the high anxious phenotype of Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring (msP) rats Psychopharmacology  2015 232:1083-1093  DOI:10.1007/s00213-014-3743-7  PMID:25260340  PMCID:PMC4339612
    • Bajo, M., Herman, M. A., Varodayan, F. P., Oleata, C. S., Madamba, S. G., Harris, R. A., Blednov, Y. A., Roberto, M. Role of the IL-1 receptor antagonist in ethanol-induced regulation of GABAergic transmission in the central amygdala Brain Behavior and Immunity  2015 45:189-197  DOI:10.1016/j.bbi.2014.11.011  PMID:25479427  PMCID:PMC4405101
    • Grieder, T. E., Herman, M. A., Contet, C., Tan, L. A., Vargas-Perez, H., Cohen, A., Chwalek, M., Maal-Bared, G., Freiling, J., Schlosburg, J. E., Clarke, L., Crawford, E., et al. VTA CRF neurons mediate the aversive effects of nicotine withdrawal and promote intake escalation Nature Neuroscience  2014 17:1751-1758  DOI:10.1038/nn.3872  PMID:25402857  PMCID:PMC4241147
    • Ciccocioppo, R., Stopponi, S., Economidou, D., Kuriyama, M., Kinoshita, H., Heilig, M., Roberto, M., Weiss, F., Teshima, K. Chronic treatment with novel brain-penetrating selective NOP receptor agonist MT-7716 reduces alcohol drinking and seeking in the rat Neuropsychopharmacology  2014 39:2601-2610  DOI:10.1038/npp.2014.113  PMID:24863033  PMCID:PMC4207340
    • Kallupi, M., Varodayan, F. P., Oleata, C. S., Correia, D., Luu, G., Roberto, M. Nociceptin/orphanin FQ decreases glutamate transmission and blocks ethanol-induced effects in the central amygdala of naive and ethanol-dependent rats Neuropsychopharmacology  2014 39:1081-1092  DOI:10.1038/npp.2013.308  PMID:24169802  PMCID:PMC3957102
    • Gilpin, N. W., Roberto, M., Koob, G. F., Schweitzer, P. Kappa opioid receptor activation decreases inhibitory transmission and antagonizes alcohol effects in rat central amygdala Neuropharmacology  2014 77:294-302  DOI:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.10.005  PMID:24157490  PMCID:PMC3873141
    • Ciccocioppo, R., de Guglielmo, G., Hansson, A. C., Ubaldi, M., Kallupi, M., Cruz, M. T., Oleata, C. S., Heilig, M., Roberto, M. Restraint stress alters nociceptin/orphanin FQ and CRF systems in the rat central amygdala: significance for anxiety-like behaviors Journal of Neuroscience  2014 34:363-372  DOI:10.1523/jneurosci.2400-13.2014  PMID:24403138  PMCID:PMC3870926
    • Kallupi, M., Wee, S., Edwards, S., Whitfield, T. W., Oleata, C. S., Luu, G., Schmeichel, B. E., Koob, G. F., Roberto, M. Kappa opioid receptor-mediated dysregulation of gamma-aminobutyric acidergic transmission in the central amygdala in cocaine addiction Biological Psychiatry  2013 74:520-528  DOI:10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.04.028  PMID:23751206  PMCID:PMC3773286
    • Herman, M. A., Kallupi, M., Luu, G., Oleata, C. S., Heilig, M., Koob, G. F., Ciccocioppo, R., Roberto, M. Enhanced gabaergic transmission in the central nucleus of the amygdala of genetically selected marchigian sardinian rats: Alcohol and crf effects Neuropharmacology  2013 67:337-348  DOI:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.11.026  PMID:23220399  PMCID:PMC3562384
    • Cui, C. H., Noronha, A., Morikawa, H., Alvarez, V. A., Stuber, G. D., Szumlinski, K. K., Kash, T. L., Roberto, M., Wilcox, M. V. New insights on neurobiological mechanisms underlying alcohol addiction Neuropharmacology  2013 67:223-232  DOI:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.09.022  PMID:23159531  PMCID:PMC3562413
    • Herman, M. A., Contet, C., Justice, N. J., Vale, W., Roberto, M. Novel subunit-specific tonic GABA currents and differential effects of ethanol in the central amygdala of CRF receptor-1 reporter mice Journal of Neuroscience  2013 33:3284-3298  DOI:10.1523/jneurosci.2490-12.2013  PMID:23426657  PMCID:PMC3711798
    • Cruz, M. T., Herman, M. A., Cote, D. M., Ryabinin, A. E., Roberto, M. Ghrelin increases gabaergic transmission and interacts with ethanol actions in the rat central nucleus of the amygdala Neuropsychopharmacology  2013 38:364-375  DOI:10.1038/npp.2012.190  PMID:22968812  PMCID:PMC3527109
    • Ayanwuyi, L. O., Carvajal, F., Lerma-Cabrera, J. M., Domi, E., Bjork, K., Ubaldi, M., Heilig, M., Roberto, M., Ciccocioppo, R., Cippitelli, A. Role of a genetic polymorphism in the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 gene in alcohol drinking and seeking behaviors of marchigian sardinian alcohol-preferring rats Frontiers in Psychiatry  2013 4:23  DOI:10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00023  PMID:23630503  PMCID:PMC3624086
    • Lovinger, D. M., Roberto, M. Synaptic effects induced by alcohol Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences  2013 13:31-86  DOI:10.1007/7854_2011_143  PMID:21786203  PMCID:PMC4791588
    • Roberto, M., Gilpin, N. W., Siggins, G. R. The central amygdala and alcohol: Role of γ-aminobutyric acid, glutamate, and neuropeptides Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine  2012 2:a012195  DOI:10.1101/cshperspect.a012195  PMID:23085848  PMCID:PMC3543070
    • Cruz, M. T., Herman, M. A., Kallupi, M., Roberto, M. Nociceptin/orphanin fq blockade of corticotropin-releasing factor-induced gamma-aminobutyric acid release in central amygdala is enhanced after chronic ethanol exposure Biological Psychiatry  2012 71:666-676  DOI:10.1016/j.biopsych.2011.10.032  PMID:22153590  PMCID:PMC3838304
    • Gilpin, N. W., Roberto, M. Neuropeptide modulation of central amygdala neuroplasticity is a key mediator of alcohol dependence Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews  2012 36:873-888  DOI:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2011.11.002  PMID:22101113  PMCID:PMC3325612
    • Bajo, M., Roberto, M., Madamba, S. G., Siggins, G. R. Neuroadaptation of gabaergic transmission in the central amygdala during chronic morphine treatment Addiction Biology  2011 16:551-564  DOI:10.1111/j.1369-1600.2010.00269.x  PMID:21182569  PMCID:PMC3117063
    • Gilpin, N. W., Misra, K., Herman, M. A., Cruz, M. T., Koob, G. F., Roberto, M. Neuropeptide y opposes alcohol effects on gamma-aminobutyric acid release in amygdala and blocks the transition to alcohol dependence Biological Psychiatry  2011 69:1091-1099  DOI:10.1016/j.biopsych.2011.02.004  PMID:21459365  PMCID:PMC3090491
    • Cruz, M. T., Bajo, M., Maragnoli, M. E., Tabakoff, B., Siggins, G. R., Roberto, M. Type 7 adenylyl cyclase is involved in the ethanol and crf sensitivity of gabaergic synapses in mouse central amygdala Frontiers in Neuroscience  2011 4:207  DOI:10.3389/fnins.2010.00207  PMID:21258618  PMCID:PMC3024005
    • Roberto, M., Cruz, M., Bajo, M., Siggins, G. R., Parsons, L. H., Schweitzer, P. The endocannabinoid system tonically regulates inhibitory transmission and depresses the effect of ethanol in central amygdala Neuropsychopharmacology  2010 35:1962-1972  DOI:10.1038/npp.2010.70  PMID:20463657  PMCID:PMC2904853
    • Roberto, M., Cruz, M. T., Gilpin, N. W., Sabin, V., Schweitzer, P., Bajo, M., Cottone, P., Madamba, S. G., Stouffer, D. G., Zorrilla, E. P., Koob, G. F., Siggins, G. R., et al. Corticotropin releasing factor-induced amygdala gamma-aminobutyric acid release plays a key role in alcohol dependence Biological Psychiatry  2010 67:831-839  DOI:10.1016/j.biopsych.2009.11.007  PMID:20060104  PMCID:PMC2883449
    • Cottone, P., Sabino, V., Roberto, M., Bajo, M., Pockros, L., Frihauf, J. B., Fekete, E. M., Steardo, L., Rice, K. C., Grigoriadis, D. E., Conti, B., Koob, G. F., et al. CRF system recruitment mediates dark side of compulsive eating Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America  2009 106:20016-20020  DOI:10.1073/pnas.0908789106  PMID:19901333  PMCID:PMC2785284
    • Silberman, Y., Bajo, M., Chappell, A. M., Christian, D. T., Cruz, M., Diaz, M. R., Kash, T., Lack, A. K., Messing, R. O., Siggins, G. R., Winder, D., Roberto, M., et al. Neurobiological mechanisms contributing to alcohol-stress-anxiety interactions Alcohol  2009 43:509-519  DOI:10.1016/j.alcohol.2009.01.002  PMID:19913194  PMCID:PMC2814297
    • Witkiewitz, K., Holmes, A., Ray, L. A., Murphy, J. G., Richardson, H. N., Chen, Y. C., McDevitt-Murphy, M. E., Cruz, M. T., Roberto, M. Young investigator award symposium Alcohol  2009 43:499-508  DOI:10.1016/j.alcohol.2009.06.004  PMID:19913193
    • Bajo, M., Roberto, M., Schweitzer, P. Differential alteration of hippocampal excitatory synaptic transmission by cannabinoid ligands Journal of Neuroscience Research  2009 87:766-775  DOI:10.1002/jnr.21889  PMID:18816788  PMCID:PMC3816768
    • Kang-Park, M. H., Kieffer, B. L., Roberts, A. J., Roberto, M., Madamba, S. G., Siggins, G. R., Moore, S. D. Mu-opioid receptors selectively regulate basal inhibitory transmission in the central amygdala: Lack of ethanol interactions Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics  2009 328:284-293  DOI:10.1124/jpet.108.140749  PMID:18854491  PMCID:PMC2685907
    • Kenny, P. J., Chartoff, E., Roberto, M., Carlezon, W. A., Markou, A. Nmda receptors regulate nicotine-enhanced brain reward function and intravenous nicotine self-administration: Role of the ventral tegmental area and central nucleus of the amygdala Neuropsychopharmacology  2009 34:266-281  DOI:10.1038/npp.2008.58  PMID:18418357  PMCID:PMC2654386
    • Nie, Z. G., Zorrilla, E. P., Madamba, S. G., Rice, K. C., Roberto, M., Siggins, G. R. Presynaptic crf(1) receptors mediate the ethanol enhancement of gabaergic transmission in the mouse central amygdala Thescientificworldjournal  2009 9:68-85  DOI:10.1100/tsw.2009.1  PMID:19151899  PMCID:PMC3053445
    • Bajo, M., Cruz, M. T., Siggins, G. R., Messing, R., Roberto, M. Protein kinase C epsilon mediation of CRF- and ethanol-induced GABA release in central amygdala Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America  2008 105:8410-8415  DOI:10.1073/pnas.0802302105  PMID:18541912  PMCID:PMC2448850
    • Roberto, M., Gilpin, N. W., O'Dell, L. E., Cruz, M. T., Morse, A. C., Siggins, G. R., Koob, G. F. Cellular and behavioral interactions of gabapentin with alcohol dependence Journal of Neuroscience  2008 28:5762-5771  DOI:10.1523/jneurosci.0575-08.2008  PMID:18509038  PMCID:PMC2493536
    • Cruz, M. T., Bajo, M., Schweitzer, P., Roberto, M. Shared mechanisms of alcohol and other drugs Alcohol Research and Health  2008 31:137-147  PMID:23584815  PMCID:PMC3860454
    • Roberto, M., Siggins, G. R. Nociceptin/orphanin fq presynaptically decreases gabaergic transmission and blocks the ethanol-induced increase of gaba release in central amygdala Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America  2006 103:9715-9720  DOI:10.1073/pnas.0601899103  PMID:16788074  PMCID:PMC1480472
    • Roberto, M., Bajo, M., Crawford, E., Madamba, S. G., Siggins, G. R. Chronic ethanol exposure and protracted abstinence alter nmda receptors in central amygdala Neuropsychopharmacology  2006 31:988-996  DOI:10.1038/sj.npp.1300840  PMID:16052
    • Breese, G. R., Criswell, H. E., Carta, M., Dodson, P. D., Hanchar, H. J., Khisti, R. T., Mameli, M., Ming, Z., Morrow, A. L., Olsen, R. W., Otis, T. S., Parsons, L. H., et al. Basis of the gabamimetic profile of ethanol Alcoholism-Clinical and Experimental Research  2006 30:731-744  DOI:10.1111/j.0145-6008.2006.00086.x  PMID:16573592  PMCID:PMC2958095
    • Bajo, M., Crawford, E. F., Roberto, M., Madamba, S. G., Siggins, G. R. Chronic morphine treatment alters expression of n-methyl-d-aspartate receptor subunits in the extended amygdala Journal of Neuroscience Research  2006 83:532-537  DOI:10.1002/jnr.20756  PMID:16453311
    • Roberto, M., Treistman, S. N., Pietrzykowski, A. Z., Weiner, J., Galindo, R., Mameli, M., Valenzuela, F., Zhu, P. J., Zhang, T. A., Lovinger, D., Hendricson, A. H., Morrisett, R. Actions of acute and chronic ethanol on presynaptic terminals Alcoholism-Clinical and Experimental Research  2006 30:222-232  DOI:10.1111/j.1530-0277.2006.00030.x  PMID:16441271  PMCID:PMC4115792
    • Woodward, J. J., Ron, D., Winder, D., Roberto, M. From blue states to up states: A regional view of nmda-ethanol interactions Alcoholism-Clinical and Experimental Research  2006 30:359-367  DOI:10.1111/j.1530-0277.2006.00040.x  PMID:16441285
    • Slanina, K. A., Roberto, M., Schweitzer, P. Endocannabinoids restrict hippocampal long-term potentiation via cb1 Neuropharmacology  2005 49:660-668  DOI:10.1016/j.neurpharm.2005.04.021  PMID:15950248
    • O'Dell, L. E., Purdy, R. H., Covey, D. F., Richardson, H. F., Roberto, M., Koob, G. F. Epipregnanolone and a novel synthetic neuroactive steroid reduce alcohol self-administration in rats Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior  2005 81:543-550  DOI:10.1016/j.pbb.2005.03.020  PMID:15950269
    • Siggins, G. R., Roberto, M., Nie, Z. G. The tipsy terminal: Presynaptic effects of ethanol Pharmacology & Therapeutics  2005 107:80-98  DOI:10.1016/j.pharmathera.2005.01.006  PMID:15963352
    • Roberto, M., Madamba, S. G., Stouffer, D. G., Parsons, L. H., Siggins, G. R. Increased GABA release in the central amygdala of ethanol-dependent rats Journal of Neuroscience  2004 24:10159-10166  DOI:10.1523/jneurosci.3004-04.2004  PMID:15537886
    • Schweitzer, P., Roberto, M., Madamba, S. G., Siggins, G. R. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate increases a potassium current and decreases the h-current in hippocampal neurons via gaba(b) receptors Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics  2004 311:172-179  DOI:10.1124/jpet.104.069534  PMID:15152029
    • Roberto, M., Schweitzer, P., Madamba, S. G., Stouffer, D. G., Parsons, L. H., Siggins, G. R. Acute and chronic ethanol alter glutamatergic transmission in rat central amygdala: an in vitro and in vivo analysis Journal of Neuroscience  2004 24:1594-1603  DOI:10.1523/jneurosci.5077-03.2004  PMID:14973247
    • Roberto, M., Nelson, T. E., Ur, C. L., Brunelli, M., Sanna, P. P., Gruol, D. L. The transient depression of hippocampal CA1 LTP induced by chronic intermittent ethanol exposure is associated with an inhibition of the MAP kinase pathway European Journal of Neuroscience  2003 17:1646-1654  DOI:10.1046/j.1460-9568.2003.02614.x  PMID:12752382
    • Roberto, M., Madamba, S. G., Moore, S. D., Tallent, M. K., Siggins, G. R. Ethanol increases gabaergic transmission at both pre- and postsynaptic sites in rat central amygdala neurons Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America  2003 100:2053-2058  DOI:10.1073/pnas.0437926100  PMID:12566570  PMCID:PMC149957
    • Siggins, G. R., Martin, G., Roberto, M., Nie, Z. G., Madamba, S., De Lecea, L. Glutamatergic transmission in opiate and alcohol dependence Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences  2003 1003:196-211  DOI:10.1196/annals.1300.012  PMID:14684447
    • Roberto, M., Nelson, T. E., Ur, C. L., Gruol, D. L. Long-term potentiation in the rat hippocampus is reversibly depressed by chronic intermittent ethanol exposure Journal of Neurophysiology  2002 87:2385-2397  DOI:10.1152/jn.00145.2001  PMID:11976376
    • Sacchetti, B., Lorenzini, C. A., Baldi, E., Bucherelli, C., Roberto, M., Tassoni, G., Brunelli, M. Time-dependent inhibition of hippocampal LTP in vitro following contextual fear conditioning in the rat European Journal of Neuroscience  2002 15:143-150  DOI:10.1046/j.0953-816x.2001.01844.x  PMID:11860514
    • Roberto, M., Scuri, R., Brunelli, M. Differential effects of pacap-38 on synaptic responses in rat hippocampal ca1 region Learning & Memory  2001 8:265-271  DOI:10.1101/lm.40501  PMID:11584073  PMCID:PMC311380
    • Sacchetti, B., Lorenzini, C. A., Baldi, E., Bucherelli, C., Roberto, M., Tassoni, G., Brunelli, M. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide hormone (pacap) at very low dosages improves memory in the rat Neurobiology of Learning and Memory  2001 76:1-6  DOI:10.1006/nlme.2001.4014  PMID:11525248
    • Sacchetti, B., Lorenzini, C. A., Baldi, E., Bucherelli, C., Roberto, M., Tassoni, G., Brunelli, M. Long-lasting hippocampal potentiation and contextual memory consolidation European Journal of Neuroscience  2001 13:2291-2298  DOI:10.1046/j.0953-816x.2001.01609.x  PMID:11454033
    • Mozzachiodi, R., Scuri, R., Roberto, M., Brunelli, M. Caulerpenyne, a toxin from the seaweed caulerpa taxifolia, depresses after hyperpolarization in invertebrate neurons Neuroscience  2001 107:519-526  DOI:10.1016/s0306-4522(01)00365-7  PMID:11719006
    • Roberto, M., Brunelli, M. Pacap-38 enhances excitatory synaptic transmission in the rat hippocampal ca1 region Learning & Memory  2000 7:303-311  DOI:10.1101/lm.34200  PMID:11040262
    • Brunelli, M., Garcia-Gil, M., Mozzachiodi, R., Roberto, M., Scuri, R., Traina, G., Zaccardi, M. L. Neurotoxic effects of caulerpenyne Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry  2000 24:939-954  DOI:10.1016/s0278-5846(00)00112-3  PMID:11041536

featured in

  • Marisa Roberto Receives Tenure  Newsletter
  • Nociceptin: Nature’s Balm for the Stressed Brain  News Release
  • Scripps Research Team Finds Stress Hormone Key to Alcohol Dependence  News Release
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Research

research overview

  • Neuronal Functions and Synaptic Communication: Neuropeptides and Drugs of Abuse

    The challenge of current and future studies in the Roberto laboratory is to understand which specific neuronal mechanisms underlie synaptic and/or molecular changes that influence the development of drugs addiction and alcohol dependence. Alcohol abuse causes 4% of the global disease burden, and accounts for extensive unmet medical needs. With prolonged alcohol abuse, adaptations occur at the cellular level as the brain attempts to overcome the acute effects of alcohol intake, often these adaptations lead to near-permanent adverse changes in the structure and function of neurons. The synapse is the primary point for information transfer between neurons, and a central hypothesis of alcohol research is that synapses are the most sensitive sites of ethanol action. Thus, the Roberto laboratory focuses on the synapses of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), a brain region considered to be crucial in mediating the behavioral effects of acute and chronic drug consumption. The aim is to understand the effects of neuropeptides and abused drugs on neuronal function and synaptic transmission using electrophysiological, pharmacological, and molecular methods. The working hypothesis is that neuroadaptations occur in the neural circuitry in response to chronic consumption of drugs of abuse, triggering the ‘drive’ or craving to take drugs. The discovery and characterization of such neuroadaptative changes has and will continue to be useful toward developing new therapeutic agents to alleviate drug dependence, and particularly alcohol dependence.

    Dr. Roberto’s early studies significantly advanced the field of alcohol research by elucidating critical synaptic and molecular mechanisms regarding the unique sensitivity of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamatergic systems in CeA to acute and chronic ethanol. Dr. Roberto first identified a clear presynaptic effect of acute ethanol in enhancing vesicular GABA release and decreasing glutamatergic transmission in CeA neurons, and that these neuroadaptations play a role in the development of alcohol dependence. In particular, her findings provided a cellular mechanism for previous behavioral data suggesting that GABA in the CeA plays a major role in the transition to ethanol dependence. As a long-term, Dr. Roberto’s group seeks to build on these neurobiological mechanisms to identify novel molecules that moderate alcoholism. For example, Dr. Roberto found that an anti-epileptic drug gabapentin (a structural analogue of GABA) reverses several behavioral aspects of ethanol dependence. These behavioral and cellular findings with gabapentin suggest the potential for use as a possible medication for the treatment of alcoholism. A fundamental dichotomy exists between systems that mediate positively reinforced alcohol consumption (“reward drinking”) versus negatively reinforced intake (“relief drinking”). Classical activation of brain reward systems by alcohol is likely confined to early stages of the dependence process and to individuals with a genetic susceptibility. Over time, chronic elevated alcohol exposure results in neuroadaptations that involve the recruitment and pathological activity of extrahypothalamic stress systems, providing an incentive for negatively reinforced alcohol intake. The neuropeptide corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in the CeA has been hypothesized to have an important role in brain emotional function. Thus, Dr. Roberto has characterized synaptic action of CRF at CeA synapses and the involvement of this system and other stress-related neurotransmitters/neuroregulators (e.g.; nociceptin and neuropeptide Y) in alcohol dependence. Her findings provide a framework for further molecular and cellular research that will facilitate medication development and may help tailor personalized therapies for alcoholism and other addictive disorders.

    Future Research Plans

     Future research is focused on understanding the neural mechanisms that mediate addiction to drugs of abuse and on uncovering key neuroadaptative sites associated with the transition to addiction. We will further explore the role of the CeA synapses in ethanol dependence and excessive drinking and test the interactions of ethanol and specific neuropeptides (e.g.; nociceptin, NPY etc) at these synapses. Notably, the findings of the Dr. Roberto laboratory point to a novel but recurring theme: the presynaptic effects of ethanol and neuropeptides are regulated by multiple presynaptic GPCRs and protein kinases. The ultimate goal of Dr. Roberto’s research is to fully characterize the intracellular signaling pathways which regulate vesicular GABA release. Future studies will use advanced imaging and immunohistochemical techniques to dissect the neuronal circuitry underlying alcohol and drug dependence. A long-term goal in the context of these basic neurobiological studies is the development of novel molecules that moderate alcohol dependence by acting at the cellular level in brain regions such as the amygdala that are associated with ethanol-dependence.

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Background

education and training

  • Ph.D. in Biology, University of Pisa 2001
  • B.A. in Biology, University of Pisa 1996
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Contact

full name

  • Marisa Roberto

geographic location

  • Scripps California 
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Identity

ORCID iD

  • ORCID iD http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0729-3961

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