Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System

Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System

The limbic system, often called the "emotional brain," is a complex set of structures located deep within the brain. The intricate network of the limbic system supports a wide range of psychological functions, from emotional regulation to memory formation and sensory processing. This functional brain region encompasses specific parts of the diencephalon and the cerebrum, integrating the higher mental functions of the cerebral cortex with the primitive emotional responses of the deep brain...

Brainstem: Control Centers of Medulla

Brainstem: Control Centers of Medulla

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.
Olivary Nucleus
The olivary nucleus, or inferior olivary nucleus, is located within the ventrolateral part of the medulla oblongata. It is primarily involved in motor coordination and motor learning. The olivary nucleus receives input from the spinal cord, cerebellum, and motor...

Neural Circuits

Neural Circuits

Neural circuits and neuronal pools are two of the main structures found in the nervous system. Neural circuits are networks of neurons that work together to carry out a specific task or process. They consist of interconnected neurons and glial cells, which provide structural and metabolic support.
Neuronal pools are collections of nerve cells with similar functions and interact through chemical and electrical signals. These pools include both interneurons (the central neural circuit nodes that...

Diencephalon: Thalamus and Information Relay

Diencephalon: Thalamus and Information Relay

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...

Role of Amygdala in Memory

Role of Amygdala in Memory

The amygdala is a small, almond-shaped structure responsible for processing and storing memories, particularly those linked to emotions like fear and stress. It plays an essential role in the brain's response to emotionally significant events and often enhances memory formation by triggering stress hormone release. The amygdala is vital for encoding and retrieving memories associated with fear or stress, a process that is adaptive by helping organisms avoid dangerous situations.
One of the...

Diencephalon: Anatomical Regions

Diencephalon: Anatomical Regions

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

The transfer of maternal antibodies and dynamics of maternal and natural infection-induced antibodies against coxsackievirus A16 in Chinese children 0-13 years of age: a longitudinal cohort study.

BMC medicine·2022

Same author

Axial resolution and imaging contrast enhancement in inverted light-sheet microscopy by natural illumination modulation.

Frontiers in neuroscience·2022

Same author

Artifact propagation in subdural cortical electrostimulation: Characterization and modeling.

Frontiers in neuroscience·2022

Same author

CD34<sup>+</sup> cell atlas of main organs implicates its impact on fibrosis.

Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS·2022

Same author

Therapeutic drug monitoring practices of anti-infectives: An Asia-wide cross-sectional survey.

Frontiers in pharmacology·2022

Same author

Corrigendum: Patterned hippocampal stimulation facilitates memory in patients with a history of head impact and/or brain injury.

Frontiers in human neuroscience·2022

Same journal

Fast-conducting mechanonociceptors uniquely engage reflexive and affective pain circuitry to drive protective responses.

Neuron·2026

Same journal

Sparse component analysis: A method that uncovers separable computations within neural population activity.

Neuron·2026

Same journal

Spatiomolecular mapping reveals anatomical organization of heterogeneous cell types in the human nucleus accumbens.

Neuron·2026

Same journal

TGF-β1-induced endothelial transcytosis drives blood-brain barrier leakage during aging.

Neuron·2026

Same journal

Image space opens up for visual neuroscience.

Neuron·2026

Same journal

Septal GLP-1 receptors control alcohol taking and seeking.

Neuron·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2025

Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Tool to Induce Plasticity in Pathways Relevant for Extinction Learning

Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Tool to Induce Plasticity in Pathways Relevant for Extinction Learning

Published on: August 21, 2015

A brainstem circuit amplifies aversion.

Jingwen Liang¹, Yu Zhou², Qiru Feng³

¹National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS), Beijing 102206, China; Division of Neurobiology, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK.

|September 13, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers identified a brainstem circuit, the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) to nucleus incertus (NI) pathway, that amplifies aversion. This pathway enhances behavioral responses to negative stimuli and may be a target for treating affective disorders.

Keywords:

addiction chemogenetics fear fiber photometry interpeduncular nucleus learning and memory medial habenula nucleus incertus opioids single-cell reconstruction

More Related Videos

Ex Vivo Optogenetic Dissection of Fear Circuits in Brain Slices

Ex Vivo Optogenetic Dissection of Fear Circuits in Brain Slices

Published on: April 5, 2016

Neural Circuit Recording from an Intact Cockroach Nervous System

Neural Circuit Recording from an Intact Cockroach Nervous System

Published on: November 4, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 13, 2025

Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Tool to Induce Plasticity in Pathways Relevant for Extinction Learning

Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Tool to Induce Plasticity in Pathways Relevant for Extinction Learning

Published on: August 21, 2015

Ex Vivo Optogenetic Dissection of Fear Circuits in Brain Slices

Ex Vivo Optogenetic Dissection of Fear Circuits in Brain Slices

Published on: April 5, 2016

Neural Circuit Recording from an Intact Cockroach Nervous System

Neural Circuit Recording from an Intact Cockroach Nervous System

Published on: November 4, 2013

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Behavioral Science

Background:

The amygdala's role in processing aversive signals is known, but the specific neural pathways responsible for amplifying aversion are not fully understood.
Adaptive behavioral responses rely on dynamic gain control of aversive signals.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify and characterize the neural circuit responsible for amplifying aversive signals.
To investigate the role of the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) and nucleus incertus (NI) circuit in aversion and avoidance behaviors.

Main Methods:

Utilized optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques to manipulate specific neuronal populations in the brainstem.
Performed circuit dissections to identify distinct neuronal subgroups and their projections.
Recorded neuronal activity in response to aversive stimuli and predicting cues.

Main Results:

The brainstem circuit linking the IPN and NI was found to amplify aversion and promote avoidant behaviors.
IPN GABA neurons are activated by aversive stimuli and cues, with response intensity correlating with aversive values.
Activation of these neurons amplified responses to aversive stimuli, while ablation or inhibition suppressed them.

Conclusions:

The IPN-NI circuit acts as an amplifier for aversion, modulating responses related to fear and opioid withdrawal.
This circuit represents a potential therapeutic target for affective disorders and preventing opioid relapse.