Matthew Lopez studies representations and circuits associated with retrieval of remote fear memories. In particular, he is interested in elucidating how representations in prefrontal cortex change in response to stimuli of different associative valence and whether these representations are similar during fear generalization. 

Selected Publications:

• Lopez MR, Wasberg SMH, Gagliardi CM, Normandin ME, Muzzio IA. Mystery of the memory engram: History, current knowledge, and unanswered questions. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2024 Apr;159:105574. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105574. Epub 2024 Feb 6. PMID: 38331127.

• Normandin, M. E., Garza, M. C., Ramos-Alvarez, M. M., Julian, J. B., Eresanara, T., Punjaala, N., Lopez, M. R.,. . . Muzzio, I. A. (2022). Navigable Space and Traversable Edges Differentially Influence Reorientation in Sighted and Blind Mice. Psychol Sci, 33(6), 925-947. doi:10.1177/09567976211055373
• Lefner, M. J., Magnon, A. P., Gutierrez, J. M., Lopez, M. R., & Wanat, M. J. (2021). Delays to Reward Delivery Enhance the Preference for an Initially Less Desirable Option: Role for the Basolateral Amygdala and Retrosplenial Cortex. J Neurosci, 41(35), 7461-7478. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0438-21.2021
• Yuan, R. K., Lopez, M. R., Ramos-Alvarez, M. M., Normandin, M. E., Thomas, A. S., Uygun, D. S., . . . Muzzio, I. A. (2021). Differential effect of sleep deprivation on place cell representations, sleep architecture, and memory in young and old mice. Cell Rep, 35(11), 109234. doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109234