Sparse genetically defined neurons refine the canonical role of periaqueductal gray columnar organization.

ABSTRACT: During threat exposure, survival depends on defensive reactions. Prior works linked large glutamatergic populations in the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) to defensive freezing and flight, and established that the overarching functional organization axis of the PAG is along anatomically-defined columns. Accordingly, broad activation of the dorsolateral column induces flight, while activation of the lateral or ventrolateral (l and vl) columns induces freezing. However, the PAG contains diverse cell types that vary in neurochemistry. How these cell types contribute to defense remains unknown, indicating that targeting sparse, genetically-defined populations may reveal how the PAG generates diverse behaviors. Though prior works showed that broad excitation of the lPAG or vlPAG causes freez

SUBMITTER: La-Vu MQ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9224993 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature