Distinct Neuronal Projections From the Hypothalamic Ventromedial Nucleus Mediate Glycemic and Behavioral Effects.

ABSTRACT: The hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMN) is implicated both in autonomic control of blood glucose and in behaviors including fear and aggression, but whether these divergent effects involve the same or distinct neuronal subsets and their projections is unknown. To address this question, we used an optogenetic approach to selectively activate the subset of VMN neurons that express neuronal nitric oxide synthase 1 (VMN^NOS1 neurons) implicated in glucose counterregulation. We found that photoactivation of these neurons elicits 1) robust hyperglycemia achieved by activation of counterregulatory responses usually reserved for the physiological response to hypoglycemia and 2) defensive immobility behavior. Moreover, we show that the glucagon, but not corticosterone, r

SUBMITTER: Faber CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6245222 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature