Zona incerta neurons projecting to the ventral tegmental area promote action initiation towards feeding.

ABSTRACT:

Key points

The zona incerta (ZI) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) are brain areas that are both implicated in feeding behaviour. The ZI projects to the VTA, although it has not yet been investigated whether this projection regulates feeding. We experimentally (in)activated the ZI to VTA projection by using dual viral vector technology, and studied the effects on feeding microstructure, the willingness to work for food, general activity and body temperature. Activity of the ZI to VTA projection promotes feeding by facilitating action initiation towards food, as reflected in meal frequency and the willingness to work for food reward, without affecting general activity or directly modulating body temperature. We show for the first time that activity of the ZI to VTA projection promote

SUBMITTER: de Git KCG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7839680 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature