Rapid, biphasic CRF neuronal responses encode positive and negative valence.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Behavioral Biology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) from the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is key to the stress response via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
• The real-time neuronal dynamics of PVN CRF neurons during behavior are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the activity patterns of PVN CRF neurons in response to aversive and appetitive stimuli in freely behaving mice.
• To determine the role of PVN CRF neurons in mediating behavioral responses to stimuli valence.

Main Methods:

• Recording neuronal activity of PVN CRF neurons in freely behaving mice.
• Utilizing optogenetics to activate or inhibit PVN CRF neurons.
• Assessing conditioned place preference and aversion induced by natural stimuli and optogenetic manipulation.

Main Results:

• PVN CRF neurons showed immediate activation by aversive stimuli.
• CRF neuronal activity decreased within a second of exposure to appetitive stimuli.
• Optogenetic manipulation of PVN CRF neurons induced conditioned place aversion or preference, and altered responses to natural stimuli.

Conclusions:

• PVN CRF neurons exhibit rapid, biphasic responses to stimuli.
• These neuronal dynamics encode the positive and negative valence of stimuli, influencing motivated behaviors.