Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
121(20)
Published: May 6, 2024
One
of
the
largest
sex
differences
in
brain
neurochemistry
is
expression
neuropeptide
arginine
vasopressin
(AVP)
within
vertebrate
brain,
with
males
having
more
AVP
cells
bed
nucleus
stria
terminalis
(BNST)
than
females.
Despite
long-standing
implication
social
and
anxiety-like
behaviors,
circuitry
underlying
AVP’s
control
these
behaviors
still
not
well
defined.
Using
optogenetic
approaches,
we
show
that
inhibiting
BNST
reduces
investigation
males,
but
females,
whereas
stimulating
increases
both
sexes,
so
males.
These
may
facilitate
male
through
their
projections
to
lateral
septum
(LS),
an
area
highest
density
sexually
differentiated
innervation
as
stimulation
→
LS
increased
behavior
females;
same
also
caused
a
biphasic
response
ex
vivo.
Blocking
1a
receptor
(V1aR)
eliminated
all
responses.
Together,
findings
establish
role
for
behavior,
likely
mediated
by
LS.
Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
66, P. 101010 - 101010
Published: June 15, 2022
Women
are
at
twice
the
risk
for
anxiety
and
depression
disorders
as
men
are,
although
underlying
biological
factors
mechanisms
largely
unknown.
In
this
review,
we
address
sex
disparity
both
etiological
mechanistic
level.
We
dissect
role
of
fluctuating
hormones
a
critical
factor
contributing
to
increased
in
women.
provide
parallel
evidence
humans
rodents
that
brain
structure
function
vary
with
naturally-cycling
ovarian
hormones.
This
female-unique
plasticity
associated
vulnerability
primarily
driven
by
estrogen
level
changes.
For
first
time,
hormone-driven
molecular
mechanism,
namely
chromatin
organizational
changes,
regulates
neuronal
gene
expression
but
may
also
prime
(epi)genome
psychopathology.
Finally,
map
out
future
directions
including
experimental
clinical
studies
will
facilitate
novel
sex-
gender-informed
approaches
treat
disorders.
Current Biology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
33(7), P. 1358 - 1364.e4
Published: March 7, 2023
Behavior
is
shaped
by
both
the
internal
state
of
an
animal
and
its
individual
behavioral
biases.
Rhythmic
variation
in
gonadal
hormones
during
estrous
cycle
a
defining
feature
female
state,
one
that
regulates
many
aspects
sociosexual
behavior.
However,
it
remains
unclear
whether
influences
spontaneous
behavior
and,
if
so,
how
these
effects
might
relate
to
variation.
Here,
we
address
this
question
longitudinally
characterizing
open-field
mice
across
different
phases
cycle,
using
unsupervised
machine
learning
decompose
into
constituent
elements.
Nature Neuroscience,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
26(12), P. 2237 - 2249
Published: Oct. 26, 2023
Abstract
The
amygdala
is
a
brain
region
primarily
associated
with
emotional
response.
use
of
genetic
markers
and
single-cell
transcriptomics
can
provide
insights
into
behavior-associated
cell
state
changes.
Here
we
present
detailed
cell-type
taxonomy
the
adult
mouse
during
fear
learning
memory
consolidation.
We
perform
RNA
sequencing
on
naïve
fear-conditioned
mice,
identify
130
neuronal
types
validate
their
spatial
distributions.
A
subset
all
transcriptionally
responsive
to
retrieval.
activated
engram
cells
upregulate
activity-response
genes
coordinate
expression
neurite
outgrowth,
synaptic
signaling,
plasticity
development.
known
previously
undescribed
candidate
learning.
Our
molecular
atlas
may
be
used
generate
hypotheses
unveil
neuron
neural
circuits
regulating
component
memory.
Science,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
382(6669), P. 399 - 404
Published: Oct. 26, 2023
Sexual,
parental,
and
aggressive
behaviors
are
central
to
the
reproductive
success
of
individuals
species
survival
thus
supported
by
hardwired
neural
circuits.
The
behavior
control
column
(RBCC),
which
comprises
medial
preoptic
nucleus
(MPN),
ventrolateral
part
ventromedial
hypothalamus
(VMHvl),
ventral
premammillary
(PMv),
is
essential
for
all
social
behaviors.
RBCC
integrates
diverse
hormonal
metabolic
cues
adjusts
an
animal's
physical
activity,
hence
chance
encounters.
further
engages
mesolimbic
dopamine
system
maintain
interest
reinforces
actions
that
time-locked
with
We
propose
brainstem
form
a
dual-control
generating
moment-to-moment
actions.
This
Review
summarizes
recent
progress
regarding
identities
cells
their
pathways
drive
different
aspects
Cell,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
186(18), P. 3862 - 3881.e28
Published: Aug. 1, 2023
Male
sexual
behavior
is
innate
and
rewarding.
Despite
its
centrality
to
reproduction,
a
molecularly
specified
neural
circuit
governing
male
reward
remains
be
characterized.
We
have
discovered
developmentally
wired
necessary
sufficient
for
mating.
This
connects
chemosensory
input
BNSTprTac1
neurons,
which
innervate
POATacr1
neurons
that
project
centers
regulating
motor
output
reward.
Epistasis
studies
demonstrate
are
upstream
of
BNSTprTac1-released
substance
P
following
mate
recognition
potentiates
activation
through
Tacr1
initiate
Experimental
triggers
mating,
even
in
sexually
satiated
males,
it
rewarding,
eliciting
dopamine
release
self-stimulation
these
cells.
Together,
we
uncovered
governs
the
key
aspects
behavior:
displays,
drive,
Cell,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
186(6), P. 1195 - 1211.e19
Published: Feb. 15, 2023
Social
interactions
require
awareness
and
understanding
of
the
behavior
others.
Mirror
neurons,
cells
representing
an
action
by
self
others,
have
been
proposed
to
be
integral
cognitive
substrates
that
enable
such
understanding.
neurons
primate
neocortex
represent
skilled
motor
tasks,
but
it
is
unclear
if
they
are
critical
for
actions
embody,
social
behaviors,
or
exist
in
non-cortical
regions.
We
demonstrate
activity
individual
VMHvl
