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A common thalamic hub for general and defensive arousal control
Yiwei Wang1, Ling You1, KaMun Tan1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Tsinghua, Beijing 100084, China.
Neuron
|August 9, 2023
Summary
The medial auditory thalamus (ATm) controls both general wakefulness and defensive arousal. This brain region
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sleep research
- Sensory processing
Background:
- General arousal and specific defensive arousal states are necessary for responding to threats.
- The brain regions regulating these distinct arousal states remain largely unidentified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether common brain regions regulate both general and defensive arousal.
- To identify the role of the medial auditory thalamus (ATm) in arousal and defensive behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized in vivo electrophysiology and chemogenetics in mice.
- Recorded neuronal activity in the ATm during sleep and wakefulness.
- Manipulated ATm neuron activity to assess effects on arousal and behavior.
Main Results:
- Spontaneous activity of ATmVGluT2+ neurons correlated with and controlled wakefulness.
- ATmVGluT2+ activity predicted sensory-induced arousal during sleep.
- Inhibition of ATmVGluT2+ neurons reduced arousal; activation increased anxiety and avoidance.
- Blocking ATmVGluT2+ neurotransmission abolished defensive behaviors.
Conclusions:
- The ATm acts as a critical thalamic hub integrating general and defensive arousal.
- Findings suggest a potential link between ATm dysfunction, sleep disturbances, and sensory processing abnormalities in brain disorders.
Keywords:
arousalauditory thalamusdefensive behaviorsensory systemtemporal association cortexthalamocortical projectiontwo-photon microscopywakefulnessMore Related Videos
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