A Distinct Metabolically Defined Central Nucleus Circuit Bidirectionally Controls Anxiety-Related Behaviors

Anxiety disorders are debilitating psychiatric diseases that affect ∼16% of the world's population. Although it has been proposed that the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) plays a role in anxiety, the molecular and circuit mechanisms through which CeA neurons modulate anxiety-related behaviors are largely uncharacterized. Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is a key enzyme in the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and has been shown to play a role in psychiatric disorders. Here, we reported that sEH was enriched in neurons in the CeA and regulated anxiety-related behaviors in adult male mice. Deletion of sEH in CeA neurons but not astrocytes induced anxiety-like behaviors. Mechanistic studies indicated that sEH was required for maintaining the the excitability of sEH positive neurons (sEH^CeA neurons) in the CeA. Using chemogenetic manipulations, we found that sEH^CeA neurons bidirectionally regulated anxiety-related behaviors. Notably, we identified that sEH^CeA neurons directly projected to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST; sEH^CeA-BNST). Optogenetic activation and inhibition of the sEH^CeA-BNST pathway produced anxiolytic and anxiogenic effects, respectively. In summary, our studies reveal a set of molecular and circuit mechanisms of sEH^CeA neurons underlying anxiety.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), a key enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of EETs, is shown to play a key role in mood disorders. It is well known that sEH is mostly localized in astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex and regulates depressive-like behaviors. Notably, sEH is also expressed in central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) neurons. While the CeA has been studied for its role in the regulation of anxiety, the molecular and circuit mechanism is quite complex. In the present study, we explored a previously unknown cellular and circuitry mechanism that guides sEH^CeA neurons response to anxiety. Our findings reveal a critical role of sEH in the CeA, sEH^CeA neurons and CeA-bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) pathway in regulation of anxiety-related behaviors.