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Control of Emotion and Wakefulness by Neurotensinergic Neurons in the Parabrachial Nucleus

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Abstract

The parabrachial nucleus (PBN) integrates interoceptive and exteroceptive information to control various behavioral and physiological processes including breathing, emotion, and sleep/wake regulation through the neural circuits that connect to the forebrain and the brainstem. However, the precise identity and function of distinct PBN subpopulations are still largely unknown. Here, we leveraged molecular characterization, retrograde tracing, optogenetics, chemogenetics, and electrocortical recording approaches to identify a small subpopulation of neurotensin-expressing neurons in the PBN that largely project to the emotional control regions in the forebrain, rather than the medulla. Their activation induces freezing and anxiety-like behaviors, which in turn result in tachypnea. In addition, optogenetic and chemogenetic manipulations of these neurons revealed their function in promoting wakefulness and maintaining sleep architecture. We propose that these neurons comprise a PBN subpopulation with specific gene expression, connectivity, and function, which play essential roles in behavioral and physiological regulation.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Giancarlo Vanini for advice on the EEG/EMG implantation surgery, and Dr. Roger Cone for the setups for elevated plus maze and open field test. We also thank Dr. Xuenan Wang for her help with EEG/EMG data analysis. This work was supported by the University of Michigan startup funds and the NIH Grants R01 AT011652 and R01 HL156989.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fundamental Research Center, Shanghai Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 201619, China

    Jingwen Chen, Rongrong Zhu & Chao Zhang

  2. Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Jingwen Chen, Noam Gannot, Xingyu Li & Peng Li

  3. Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Noam Gannot & Peng Li

  4. Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Peng Li

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Chen, J., Gannot, N., Li, X. et al. Control of Emotion and Wakefulness by Neurotensinergic Neurons in the Parabrachial Nucleus. Neurosci. Bull. 39, 589–601 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12264-022-00994-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12264-022-00994-8

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