A Deep Mesencephalic Nucleus Circuit Regulates Licking Behavior.
10.1007/s12264-021-00817-2
- Author:
Di ZHENG
1
;
Jia-Yu FU
1
;
Meng-Yu TANG
1
;
Xiao-Dan YU
1
;
Yi ZHU
1
;
Chen-Jie SHEN
2
;
Chun-Yue LI
1
;
Shi-Ze XIE
1
;
Shan LIN
1
;
Minmin LUO
3
;
Xiao-Ming LI
4
Author Information
1. Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
2. NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brian Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
3. National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS), Beijing, 102206, China.
4. Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China. lixm@zju.edu.cn.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Amygdala;
Licking;
Midbrain;
Neural Circuit;
Optogenetics
- From:
Neuroscience Bulletin
2022;38(6):565-575
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Licking behavior is important for water intake. The deep mesencephalic nucleus (DpMe) has been implicated in instinctive behaviors. However, whether the DpMe is involved in licking behavior and the precise neural circuit behind this behavior remains unknown. Here, we found that the activity of the DpMe decreased during water intake. Inhibition of vesicular glutamate transporter 2-positive (VGLUT2+) neurons in the DpMe resulted in increased water intake. Somatostatin-expressing (SST+), but not protein kinase C-δ-expressing (PKC-δ+), GABAergic neurons in the central amygdala (CeA) preferentially innervated DpMe VGLUT2+ neurons. The SST+ neurons in the CeA projecting to the DpMe were activated at the onset of licking behavior. Activation of these CeA SST+ GABAergic neurons, but not PKC-δ+ GABAergic neurons, projecting to the DpMe was sufficient to induce licking behavior and promote water intake. These findings redefine the roles of the DpMe and reveal a novel CeASST-DpMeVGLUT2 circuit that regulates licking behavior and promotes water intake.
