bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: June 1, 2022
Abstract
Defensive
behaviors
are
critical
for
animal’s
survival.
Both
the
paraventricular
nucleus
of
hypothalamus
(PVN)
and
parabrachial
(PBN)
have
been
shown
to
be
involved
in
defensive
behaviors.
However,
whether
there
direct
connections
between
them
mediate
remains
unclear.
Here,
by
retrograde
anterograde
tracing,
we
uncover
that
cholecystokinin
(CCK)-expressing
neurons
lateral
PBN
(LPB
CCK
)
directly
project
PVN.
By
vivo
fiber
photometry
recording,
found
LPB
actively
respond
various
threat
stimuli.
Selective
photoactivation
promotes
aversion
Conversely,
photoinhibition
attenuates
rat
or
looming
stimuli-induced
flight
responses.
Optogenetic
activation
axon
terminals
within
PVN
glutamatergic
promote
Whereas
chemogenetic
pharmacological
inhibition
local
prevent
-PVN
pathway
activation-driven
These
data
suggest
recruit
downstream
engage
Our
study
identifies
a
previously
unrecognized
role
controlling
Science,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
387(6730)
Published: Jan. 9, 2025
Sociosexual
preference
is
critical
for
reproduction
and
survival.
However,
neural
mechanisms
encoding
social
decisions
on
sex
remain
unclear.
In
this
study,
we
show
that
both
male
female
mice
exhibit
but
shift
to
when
facing
survival
threats;
their
mediated
by
the
dimorphic
changes
in
excitability
of
ventral
tegmental
area
dopaminergic
(VTA
DA
)
neurons.
males,
VTA
projections
nucleus
accumbens
(NAc)
mediate
preference,
those
medial
preoptic
preference.
females,
firing-pattern
(phasic-like
versus
tonic-like)
alteration
-NAc
projection
determines
sociosexual
preferences.
These
findings
define
neurons
as
a
key
node
decision-making
reveal
sexually
circuit
underlying
Science,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
385(6707), P. 409 - 416
Published: July 25, 2024
Understanding
the
neural
basis
of
infant
social
behaviors
is
crucial
for
elucidating
mechanisms
early
and
emotional
development.
In
this
work,
we
report
a
specific
population
somatostatin-expressing
neurons
in
zona
incerta
(ZI
The FASEB Journal,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
39(2)
Published: Jan. 20, 2025
Abstract
Neuropathic
pain,
caused
by
nerve
damage,
greatly
affects
quality
of
life.
Recent
research
proposes
modulating
brain
activity,
particularly
through
electrical
stimulation
the
insular
cortex
(IC),
as
a
treatment
option.
This
study
aimed
to
understand
how
IC
(ICS)
pain
modulation.
In
rat
neuropathy
model,
researchers
used
optogenetic
and
ICS
techniques
evaluate
changes
in
mechanical
allodynia
synaptic
changes,
focusing
on
glutamate
receptors
(AMPAR,
NR2A,
NR2B).
Optogenetic
inhibition
neurons
relieved
without
altering
plasticity.
However,
repetitive
combined
with
activation
diminished
pain‐relieving
effects
increased
AMPAR
NR2B
receptor
levels.
Additionally,
activating
inhibitory
also
reduced
while
excitatory
lessened
effectiveness
was
associated
heightened
expression.
These
findings
suggest
that
inhibiting
or
could
help
modulate
neuropathic
conditions,
shedding
light
can
influence
management
Defensive
behaviors
are
critical
for
animal’s
survival.
Both
the
paraventricular
nucleus
of
hypothalamus
(PVN)
and
parabrachial
(PBN)
have
been
shown
to
be
involved
in
defensive
behaviors.
However,
whether
there
direct
connections
between
them
mediate
remains
unclear.
Here,
by
retrograde
anterograde
tracing,
we
uncover
that
cholecystokinin
(CCK)-expressing
neurons
lateral
PBN
(LPB
CCK
)
directly
project
PVN.
By
vivo
fiber
photometry
recording,
find
LPB
actively
respond
various
threat
stimuli.
Selective
photoactivation
promotes
aversion
Conversely,
photoinhibition
attenuates
rat
or
looming
stimuli-induced
flight
responses.
Optogenetic
activation
axon
terminals
within
PVN
glutamatergic
Whereas
chemogenetic
pharmacological
inhibition
local
prevent
-PVN
pathway
activation-driven
These
data
suggest
recruit
downstream
engage
Our
study
identifies
a
previously
unrecognized
role
controlling
Ageing Research Reviews,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
93, P. 102140 - 102140
Published: Nov. 24, 2023
The
zona
incerta
(ZI)
is
a
subthalamic
region
composed
by
loosely
packed
neurochemically
mixed
neurons,
juxtaposed
to
the
main
ascending
and
descending
bundles.
extreme
neurochemical
diversity
that
characterizes
this
area,
together
with
diffuseness
of
its
connections
entire
neuraxis
hard-to-reach
positioning
in
brain
caused
ZI
keep
halo
mystery
for
over
century.
However,
last
decades,
rich
albeit
fragmentary
body
knowledge
regarding
both
incertal
anatomical
functional
implications
has
been
built
mostly
based
on
rodent
studies
lack
cohesion
makes
difficult
depict
an
integrated,
exhaustive
picture
roles.
This
review
aims
provide
unified
resource
summarizes
current
profile
interactions
rodents
non-human
primates
significance
connections,
highlighting
aspects
still
unbeknown
research.
The
zona
incerta
(ZI)
is
a
deep
brain
region
originally
described
by
Auguste
Forel
as
an
“immensely
confusing
area
about
which
nothing
can
be
said.”
Despite
the
elusive
nature
of
this
structure,
mounting
evidence
supports
role
ZI
and
surrounding
regions
across
diverse
range
functions
candidate
target
for
neuromodulatory
therapies.
Using
in
vivo
diffusion
MRI
data-driven
connectivity,
we
identify
topographic
organization
between
neocortex.
Specifically,
our
methods
rostral-caudal
gradient
predominantly
connecting
frontopolar
ventral
prefrontal
cortices
with
rostral
ZI,
primary
sensorimotor
caudal
ZI.
Moreover,
demonstrate
how
clustering
approaches
build
complementary
including
facilitating
mapping
central
connected
dorsal
cortex.
These
results
were
shown
to
replicable
multiple
datasets
at
individual
subject
level,
building
important
mediating
frontal
lobe-associated
tasks,
ranging
from
motor
cognitive
emotional
control.
Finally,
consider
impact
on
refinement
targets.
pave
way
increasingly
detailed
understanding
substructures,
considerations
targeting
neuromodulation.
The
zona
incerta
(ZI)
is
a
deep
brain
region
originally
described
by
Auguste
Forel
as
an
“immensely
confusing
area
about
which
nothing
can
be
said.”
Despite
the
elusive
nature
of
this
structure,
mounting
evidence
supports
role
ZI
and
surrounding
regions
across
diverse
range
functions
candidate
target
for
neuromodulatory
therapies.
Using
in
vivo
diffusion
MRI
data-driven
connectivity,
we
identify
topographic
organization
between
neocortex.
Specifically,
our
methods
rostral-caudal
gradient
predominantly
connecting
frontopolar
ventral
prefrontal
cortices
with
rostral
ZI,
primary
sensorimotor
caudal
ZI.
Moreover,
demonstrate
how
clustering
approaches
build
complementary
including
facilitating
mapping
central
connected
dorsal
cortex.
These
results
were
shown
to
replicable
multiple
datasets
at
individual
subject
level,
building
important
mediating
frontal
lobe-associated
tasks,
ranging
from
motor
cognitive
emotional
control.
Finally,
consider
impact
on
refinement
targets.
pave
way
increasingly
detailed
understanding
substructures,
considerations
targeting
neuromodulation.