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Optogenetic Manipulation of Neuronal Activity to Modulate Behavior in Freely Moving Mice
Published on: October 27, 2020
Diverging neural pathways assemble a behavioural state from separable features in anxiety
Sung-Yon Kim1, Avishek Adhikari, Soo Yeun Lee
1Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
Nature
|March 22, 2013
Summary
The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) coordinates anxiety features. Distinct BNST subregions exert opposing effects, with anterodorsal BNST projections mediating anxiolysis through specific neural circuits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Anxiety Research
Background:
- Anxious states in mammals involve coordinated regulation of behavioral and physiological features.
- The central nervous system, particularly specific brain regions, orchestrates these diverse anxiety manifestations.
- Understanding the neural circuitry underlying anxiety is crucial for developing targeted therapeutic interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how neural projections from a single brain region, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), mediate diverse features of anxiety.
- To identify specific subregions and efferent pathways within the BNST involved in anxiety modulation.
- To elucidate the circuit mechanisms by which the BNST assembles the anxious state.
Main Methods:
- Integration of behavioral assays, in vivo and in vitro electrophysiology, and optogenetics in mice.
- Analysis of respiratory physiology and behavioral choice patterns.
- In vivo recordings of neuronal activity in freely moving animals during exposure to different environments.
Main Results:
- Two BNST subregions showed opposing effects: oval BNST promoted anxiety features, while anterodorsal BNST exhibited anxiolytic effects.
- Three distinct anterodorsal BNST efferent projections differentially mediated anxiolysis: reduced risk-avoidance (lateral hypothalamus), reduced respiratory rate (parabrachial nucleus), and increased positive valence (ventral tegmental area).
- Selective inhibition and excitation of circuit elements produced opposing behavioral outcomes, and anterodorsal BNST neurons differentiated safe from anxiogenic environments.
Conclusions:
- Distinct BNST subregions play opposing roles in modulating anxiety.
- Specific anterodorsal BNST projections mediate separable anxiolytic effects, highlighting functional specialization.
- This study illustrates novel circuit mechanisms underlying the coordinated assembly of anxiety-related behavioral and physiological features.
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