General Anesthesia Activates a Central Anxiolytic Center in the BNST

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Anesthesiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Low doses of anesthetics like ketamine and dexmedetomidine possess anxiolytic effects separate from sedation.
• The precise neural mechanisms underlying these anxiolytic effects remain unclear.

Approach:

• Identified a population of GABAergic neurons in the oval division of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (ovBNST GA) activated by anesthetics and diazepam.
• Investigated the role of ovBNST GA neurons, particularly those expressing neurotensin receptor 1 (Ntsr1), in anxiety-related behaviors and autonomic responses using optogenetics.
• Examined the impact of activating or inhibiting these neurons on anxiety-like behaviors in both naive and pain- 모델 mice.

Key Points:

• A majority of ovBNST GA neurons express Ntsr1 and project to brain regions involved in anxiety and stress.
• Optogenetic activation of ovBNST GA /ovBNST Ntsr1 neurons significantly reduced anxiety-like behaviors.
• Inhibition of these neurons increased anxiety-like behaviors.
• Activation of these neurons decreased heart rate and increased heart rate variability, indicating a shift towards an anxiolytic autonomic state.

Conclusions:

• ovBNST GA /ovBNST Ntsr1 neurons represent an endogenous anxiolytic center within the brain.
• These neurons offer a potential therapeutic target for anxiety-related disorders.
• Anesthesia-activated ovBNST neurons bidirectionally modulate anxiety-like behavior and autonomic state.