A limbic circuit selectively links active escape to food suppression

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Physiology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• The neural mechanisms underlying stress responses are not fully understood.
• Stress exerts diverse physiological effects, necessitating identification of specific neural circuits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize novel neural populations in mice that respond to specific types of stress.
• To investigate the role of these neurons in mediating physiological responses to stress, particularly feeding behavior.

Main Methods:

• Utilized chemogenetics to activate specific lateral septum neurons expressing neurotensin (LSNts) in mice.
• Assessed behavioral responses including locomotion, anxiety, food intake, and body weight.
• Investigated the role of glucagon-like peptide one receptor (Glp1r) signaling and LSNts projections to the lateral hypothalamus (LH).

Main Results:

• LSNts neurons were found to be selectively active during active escape stress, not freezing.
• Chemogenetic activation of LSNts neurons decreased food intake and body weight without affecting locomotion or anxiety.
• Glp1r signaling manipulation in the LS mimicked the effects of LSNts activation, and LH-projecting LSNts terminals reduced food intake.

Conclusions:

• LSNts neurons are specifically tuned to active escape stress.
• These neurons regulate food consumption through pathways involving the lateral hypothalamus.
• The findings elucidate a novel neural circuit linking a specific stress type to feeding behavior regulation.