Research
Research
Involvement of central neuropeptides in basic social behaviors of rats and mice
I am studying the effects of social stress and central neuropeptides, i.e. oxytocin, vasopressin, and neuropeptide S, on rodent social behavior and underlying neurobiological mechanisms. Focus on basic social abilities like social recognition and social approach behavior that are prerequisites for complex social behaviors, e.g. aggression, maternal behavior, and sexual behavior (Fig. 1).
Fig 1: Overview of research results
Methods:
Pharmacology: S.c. and i.p. injections, central microinfusion (icv, local), nasal application of neuropeptids, intracerebral microdialysis/retrodialysis
Social stress paradigms: Maternal separation, social defeat (male/female)
Behavioral assays: Social and object discrimination, social preference, resident-intruder, male sexual behavior, elevated plusmaze, black-white box, forced swimming, Y-maze
Histology: Receptor autoradiography
Profile
Profile
2011 to date
Post-doctoral researcher in Prof. Neumann's lab at the University of Regensburg
2007-2011
PhD student in neurobiology in Prof. Neumann's group at the University of Regensburg
2006-2007
MSc (Diplom)student in biology in Prof. Neumann's group at the University of Regensburg (Diploma/Master thesis: "Early life stress-induced changes in the central vasopressin system: Effects on social memory in Wistar rats")
2004-2007
Graduate studies in biology at the University of Regensburg with focus on Zoology/Neurobiology, Cellbiology and med. Microbiology
2001-2004
undergraduate studies in biology at the University of Regensburg
December 27th, 1980 in Roth, Germany
Publications
Publications
2013
Neumann ID, Maloumby R, Beiderbeck DI, Lukas M, Landgraf R (2013) Increased brain and plasma oxytocin after nasal and peripheral administration in rats and mice. Psychoneuroendocrinology. [Epup ahead of print] doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.03.003
2012
Nyuyki KD, Beiderbeck DI, Lukas M, Neumann ID, Reber SO (2012) Chronic subordinate colony housing (csc) as a model of chronic psychosocial stress in male rats. PLoS ONE 7, e52371. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0052371
Lukas M, Toth I, Veenema AH, Neumann ID (2012) Oxytocin mediates rodent social memory within the lateral septum and the medial amygdala depending on the relevance of the social stimulus: Juvenile versus adult female conspecifics. Psychoneuroendocrinology. [Epub ahead of print] doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2012.09.018
Lukas M, Neumann ID (2012) Oxytocin and vasopressin in rodent behaviors related to social dysfunctions in autism spectrum disorders. Behav. Brain Res. [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.08.011
Lukas M, Neumann ID (2012) Nasal application of neuropeptide s reduces anxiety and prolongs memory: Social versus non-social effects. Neuropharmacology 62, 398-405. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.08.016
2011
Lukas M, Toth I, Reber SO, Slattery DA, Veenema AH, Neumann ID (2011) The neuropeptide oxytocin facilitates pro-social behavior and prevents social avoidance in rats and mice. Neuropsychopharmacology. 36, 2159–2168.
doi:10.1038/npp.2011.95
Lukas M, Bredewold R, Landgraf R, Neumann ID, Veenema AH (2011) Early life stress impairs social recognition due to a blunted response of vasopressin release within the septum of adult male rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology 36, 843-853. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.11.007
Lukas M and Neumann ID (2011) Brain Oxytocin is a Main Regulator of Prosocial Behaviour - Link to Psychopathology, Autism - A Neurodevelopmental Journey from Genes to Behaviour, Valsamma Eapen (Ed.), ISBN: 978-953-307-493-1, InTech, Available from: http://www.intechopen.com/articles/show/title/brain-oxytocin-is-a-main-regulator-of-prosocial-behaviour-link-to-psychopathology
2010
Veenema AH, Beiderbeck DI, Lukas M, Neumann ID (2010) Distinct correlations of vasopressin release within the lateral septum and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis with the display of intermale aggression. Hormones and Behavior 58:273-281. doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2010.03.006
Lukas M, Bredewold R, Neumann ID, Veenema AH
(2010) Maternal separation interferes with developmental changes in brain vasopressin and oxytocin receptor binding in male rats. Neuropharmacology 58(1):78-87. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2009.06.020
