A neuronal coping mechanism linking stress-induced anxiety to motivation for reward Journal Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Stress coping involves innate and active motivational behaviors that reduce anxiety under stressful situations. However, the neuronal bases directly linking stress, anxiety, and motivation are largely unknown. Here, we show that acute stressors activate mouse GABAergic neurons in the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN). Stress-coping behavior including self-grooming and reward behavior including sucrose consumption inherently reduced IPN GABAergic neuron activity. Optogenetic silencing of IPN GABAergic neuron activation during acute stress episodes mimicked coping strategies and alleviated anxiety-like behavior. In a mouse model of stress-enhanced motivation for sucrose seeking, photoinhibition of IPN GABAergic neurons reduced stress-induced motivation for sucrose, whereas photoactivation of IPN GABAergic neurons or excitatory inputs from medial habenula potentiated sucrose seeking. Single-cell sequencing, fiber photometry, and optogenetic experiments revealed that stress-activated IPN GABAergic neurons that drive motivated sucrose seeking express somatostatin. Together, these data suggest that stress induces innate behaviors and motivates reward seeking to oppose IPN neuronal activation as an anxiolytic stress-coping mechanism.

publication date

  • December 8, 2023

has restriction

  • gold

Date in CU Experts

  • February 1, 2024 10:14 AM

Full Author List

  • Klenowski PM; Zhao-Shea R; Freels TG; Molas S; Zinter M; M’Angale P; Xiao C; Martinez-Núñez L; Thomson T; Tapper AR

author count

  • 10

Other Profiles

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 2375-2548

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 9

issue

  • 49