Cell-type-specific investigation of the neural circuits that control thirst

University Of California, San Francisco, San Francisco CA

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Abstract

? DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Animals have the remarkable ability to respond to a wide variety of internal need states with appropriate behaviors in order to restore homeostasis. One of these need states is dehydration, which generates thirst and leads to drinking in order to restore proper water balance. Recently, we and others have shown that activity of subfornical organ (SFO) excitatory and inhibitory neurons drive and inhibit drinking behavior in mice, respectively, providing an entry point for analysis of this neural circuit. We will study the circut downstream of SFO excitatory and inhibitory populations in mice by systematically testing the behavioral function of their axonal projections to key brain areas. In addition, we will identify te key signals that regulate the activity SFO excitatory and inhibitory neurons in vivo during water deprivation and rehydration. This work will further our fundamental understanding of the generation of thirst in the brain. Importantly, this work will also contribute to our understandingof other motivated behaviors, such as feeding and drug-seeking. Finally, the same neural circuits that induce thirst influence other aspects of body fluid regulation, such as blood pressure and cardiovascular output, making these circuits potential therapeutic targets with relevance for hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.