Norepinephrine modulates wakefulness via α1 adrenoceptors in paraventricular thalamic nucleus.

ABSTRACT: Norepinephrine (NE) neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) play key roles in modulating sleep and wakefulness. Recent studies have revealed that the paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT) is a critical wakefulness-controlling nucleus in mice. However, the effects of NE on PVT neurons remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the mechanisms of NE modulating wakefulness in the PVT by using viral tracing, behavioral tests, slice electrophysiology, and optogenetics techniques. We found that the PVT-projecting LC neurons had few collateral projections to other brain nuclei. Behavioral tests showed that specific activation of the LC-PVT projections or microinjection of NE into the PVT accelerated emergence from general anesthesia and enhanced locomotion activity. Moreover, brain slice recording

SUBMITTER: Wang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8426266 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature