Glutamatergic pedunculopontine tegmental neurons control wakefulness and locomotion via distinct axonal projections.

ABSTRACT:

Study objectives

The pedunculopontine tegmental (PPT) nucleus is implicated in many brain functions, ranging from sleep/wake control and locomotion, to reward mechanisms and learning. The PPT contains cholinergic, GABAergic, and glutamatergic neurons with extensive ascending and descending axonal projections. Glutamatergic PPT (PPTvGlut2) neurons are thought to promote wakefulness, but the mechanisms through which this occurs are unknown. In addition, some researchers propose that PPTvGlut2 neurons promote locomotion, yet even though the PPT is a target for deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease, the role of the PPT in locomotion is debated. We hypothesized that PPTvGluT2 neurons drive arousal and specific waking behaviors via certain projections and modulate locomotion via

SUBMITTER: Kroeger D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9742893 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature