Esr1⁺ hypothalamic-habenula neurons shape aversive states.

ABSTRACT: Excitatory projections from the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) to the lateral habenula (LHb) drive aversive responses. We used patch-sequencing (Patch-seq) guided multimodal classification to define the structural and functional heterogeneity of the LHA-LHb pathway. Our classification identified six glutamatergic neuron types with unique electrophysiological properties, molecular profiles and projection patterns. We found that genetically defined LHA-LHb neurons signal distinct aspects of emotional or naturalistic behaviors, such as estrogen receptor 1-expressing (Esr1⁺) LHA-LHb neurons induce aversion, whereas neuropeptide Y-expressing (Npy⁺) LHA-LHb neurons control rearing behavior. Repeated optogenetic drive of Esr1⁺ LHA-LHb neurons induces a behavioral

SUBMITTER: Calvigioni D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10322719 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature