How do lateral septum projections to the ventral CA1 influence sociability?

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Behavioral Neuroscience
• Molecular Psychiatry

Background:

• Social dysfunction is a significant risk factor for various neuropsychiatric disorders.
• The lateral septum (LS) pathway is known to mediate social behaviors, but its downstream connections' roles are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of LS projections to the ventral CA1 (vCA1) on social behaviors.
• To elucidate the neural circuits underlying sociability regulation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a three-chamber test in mice.
• Employed electrophysiological and chemogenetic approaches.
• Examined the role of LS GABAergic neurons and their projections to vCA1 glutamatergic neurons.

Main Results:

• Activation of LS GABAergic neurons following social experience was observed.
• Chemogenetic modulation of these neurons enhanced social behaviors.
• LSGABA→vCA1Glu neural projections were found to regulate social preference and novelty behaviors, with suppression impeding these behaviors.

Conclusions:

• LS inputs to the vCA1 play a crucial role in controlling social behaviors.
• Understanding these neural circuits offers new insights into sociability regulation.
• This research provides a foundation for exploring therapeutic targets for social dysfunction in neuropsychiatric illnesses.