Substance P in the medial amygdala regulates aggressive behaviors in male mice.

ABSTRACT: Behavioral and clinical studies have revealed a critical role of substance P (SP) in aggression; however, the neural circuit mechanisms underlying SP and aggression remain elusive. Here, we show that tachykinin-expressing neurons in the medial amygdala (MeA^Tac1 neurons) are activated during aggressive behaviors in male mice. We identified MeA^Tac1 neurons as a key mediator of aggression and found that MeA^Tac1→ventrolateral part of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMHvl) projections are critical to the regulation of aggression. Moreover, SP/neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) signaling in the VMHvl modulates aggressive behaviors in male mice. SP/NK-1R signaling regulates aggression by influencing glutamate transmission in neurons in the VMHvl. In summary, the

SUBMITTER: He ZX 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11399394 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature