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A GABAergic nigrotectal pathway for coordination of drinking behavior
Mark A Rossi1, Haofang E Li1, Dongye Lu1
1Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Nature Neuroscience
|April 5, 2016
Summary
The substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNR) controls drinking. Inhibiting SNR neurons in the superior colliculus (SC) disrupted licking patterns and suppressed drinking behavior in mice.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience
Background:
- The role of basal ganglia outputs in consummatory behaviors like drinking is not well understood.
- The substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNR) is a key basal ganglia output nucleus.
- Understanding neural circuits controlling motivated behaviors is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the contribution of the SNR to drinking behavior.
- To elucidate the role of nigrotectal projections in coordinating licking.
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological recordings from SNR and superior colliculus (SC) neurons in mice during self-initiated drinking.
- Optogenetic manipulation to selectively activate GABAergic nigrotectal afferents.
- Analysis of neuronal firing rates, oscillatory patterns, and behavioral suppression.
Main Results:
- Lateral SNR neurons showed lick-timed firing patterns.
- SNR neurons project to the SC, with inhibitory (GABAergic) nigrotectal projections.
- Optogenetic activation of nigrotectal projections inhibited SC neurons, disrupted licking oscillations, and suppressed drinking.
Conclusions:
- GABAergic nigrotectal projections from the SNR play a critical role in coordinating drinking behavior.
- The SNR influences consummatory behaviors through its projections to the superior colliculus.
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