Higher-order thalamic input to cortex selectively conveys state information

Cell Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 44(2), P. 115292 - 115292

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Communication among neocortical areas is largely thought to be mediated by long-range synaptic interactions between cortical neurons, with the thalamus providing only an initial relay of information from sensory periphery. Higher-order thalamic nuclei receive strong inputs cortex and send robust projections back other areas, a distinct potentially critical route for corticocortical communication. However, relative contributions thalamocortical higher-order function remain unclear. Using imaging neurons axon terminals in combination optogenetic manipulations, we find that visual mice has unique impact on posterior medial (PM). Whereas lower convey PM, about global arousal state. Together, these findings suggest key role contextual signals may flexibly modulate processing.

Language: Английский

Beyond vision: effects of light on the circadian clock and mood-related behaviours

Deleted Journal, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 2(1)

Published: March 13, 2025

Abstract Light is a crucial environmental factor that influences various aspects of life, including physiological and psychological processes. While light well-known for its role in enabling humans other animals to perceive their surroundings, influence extends beyond vision. Importantly, affects our internal time-keeping system, the circadian clock, which regulates daily rhythms biochemical processes, ultimately impacting mood behaviour. The 24-h availability can have profound effects on well-being, both physically mentally, as seen cases jet lag shift work. This review summarizes intricate relationships between light, mood-related behaviours, exploring underlying mechanisms implications health.

Language: Английский

Prefrontal cortex neurons encode ambient light intensity differentially across regions and layers

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: June 29, 2024

Abstract While light can affect emotional and cognitive processes of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), no light-encoding was hitherto identified in this region. Here, extracellular recordings awake mice revealed that over half studied mPFC neurons showed photosensitivity, diminished by inhibition intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), or upstream thalamic perihabenular nucleus (PHb). In 15% neurons, firing rate changed monotonically along light-intensity steps gradients. These light-intensity-encoding comprised four types, two enhancing suppressing their with increased intensity. Similar types were PHb, where they exhibited shorter latency sensitivity. Light suppressed prelimbic activity but boosted infralimbic activity, mirroring regions’ contrasting roles fear-conditioning, drug-seeking, anxiety. We posit photosensitivity represents a substrate light-susceptible, mPFC-mediated functions, which could be ultimately as therapeutical target psychiatric addiction disorders.

Language: Английский