Parasubthalamic Glutamatergic Neurons Coordinate Cardiovascular Homeostasis and Locomotion in Mice.

ABSTRACT: Cardiovascular homeostasis and locomotion are vital for animal survival and the maintenance of essential physiological functions. The parasubthalamic nucleus (PSTN) has recently emerged as a novel interoceptive center in the central nervous system, yet its role in coordinating cardiovascular homeostasis and locomotor behavior remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that PSTN^Vglut2 neurons serve as a novel baroreflex center, exhibiting heightened activity during acute hypertension. Through their glutamatergic monosynaptic descending projections to the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), these neurons mediate parasympathetic output to regulate cardiovascular homeostasis while coordinately modulating locomotor activity. Chemogenetic activation of NTS-projecting PSTN^Vg

SUBMITTER: Lu MX 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12561448 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature