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The thalamus, often called “the gateway to the cerebral cortex,” is vital in processing and directing sensory and motor signals throughout the brain. Almost all inputs destined for the cerebral cortex, except for olfactory signals, are relayed through the thalamus. The thalamus is  a sophisticated relay station, channeling information from various brain regions to the cerebral cortex, as well as a filter, prioritizing certain signals over others based on current physiological...
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The medulla oblongata is a crucial part of the brainstem responsible for controlling various autonomic and involuntary functions. It contains several nuclei, including the olivary, cuneate, gracile, and solitary nuclei.
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The diencephalon, etymologically translated as 'through brain,' plays an integral role as the conduit between the cerebrum and the vast extent of the nervous system. However, the olfactory system is an exception, as it interfaces directly with the cerebrum. The diencephalon, deeply ensconced beneath the cerebrum, primarily consists of three paired structures — the thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithelamus. It also includes accessory structures such as the subthalamus, which houses the...
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The hypothalamus is a small yet highly complex and essential brain region that plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions. Anatomically, it is located at the base of the brain, just above the brainstem and below the thalamus, forming part of the limbic system.
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The indirect motor or extrapyramidal pathways originate in the brainstem, the lower portion of the brain that connects it to the spinal cord. They consist of several distinct tracts, each with specialized functions. The four main tracts of the indirect motor pathways are the vestibulospinal tract, the reticulospinal tract, the tectospinal tract, and the rubrospinal tract.
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The brainstem, located inferior to the brain and superior to the spinal cord, serves as a bridge between the cerebrum and the spinal cord. It plays a vital role in relaying information and controlling critical life functions. It comprises three primary regions: the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.
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Related Experiment Video

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A substantia innominata-midbrain circuit controls a general aggressive response.

Zhenggang Zhu1, Qingqing Ma1, Lu Miao1

  • 1Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.

Neuron
|March 19, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Researchers identified a brain circuit, the posterior substantia innominata (pSI)-periaqueductal gray (PAG) pathway, that controls general aggression in mice. This pathway may offer a target for treating pathological aggression in humans.

Keywords:
aggressionaggressive statearousaldefensive behaviorfemaleperiaqueductal grayposterior substantia innominata

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Behavioral Biology
  • Animal Behavior

Background:

  • Aggression is crucial for survival, but abnormal aggression has severe social costs.
  • Neural circuits for specific aggression types are known, but a general aggression circuit is unidentified.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the brain circuits governing a general aggressive response.
  • To identify neural mechanisms underlying diverse aggressive behaviors.

Main Methods:

  • Recorded activity of posterior substantia innominata (pSI) neurons in mice exposed to aggression-provoking cues.
  • Manipulated pSI neuron activity and their projections to the periaqueductal gray (PAG).
  • Observed effects on various aggressive behaviors and mating.

Main Results:

  • pSI neurons showed graded activity predicting aggressive states and behavior.
  • Activation of pSI neurons projecting to the PAG increased aggressive arousal and initiated diverse aggressive behaviors.
  • Inactivation of the pSI-PAG circuit blocked aggression but not mating.

Conclusions:

  • The pSI-PAG circuit encodes a general aggressive response, driving multiple aggressive behaviors.
  • This circuit represents a potential therapeutic target for pathological human aggression.