Accumbal D2 cells orchestrate innate risk-avoidance according to orexin signals.

ABSTRACT: Excitation of accumbal D2 cells governs vital actions, including avoidance of learned risks, but the origins of this excitation and roles of D2 cells in innate risk-avoidance are unclear. Hypothalamic neurons producing orexins (also called hypocretins) enhance innate risk-avoidance via poorly understood neurocircuits. We describe a direct orexin→D2 excitatory circuit and show that D2 cell activity is necessary for orexin-dependent innate risk-avoidance in mice, thus revealing an unsuspected hypothalamus-accumbens interplay in action selection.

SUBMITTER: Blomeley C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5983352 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature