Dissecting the stress circuits of the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus

National Institute Of Mental Health

Investigators

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Abstract

Over the course of FY22, we concluded a research study currently available as preprint, in which by combining single nucleus RNA sequencing with multiplex fluorescent in situ hybridization methods we identified five molecularly distinct neuronal populations of the PVT that are organized by a combination of neuronal gradients (Gao et al., 2022). Additionally, by comparing our dataset with a recently published single cell sequencing atlas of thalamus we uncovered novel insights about the PVTs connectivity with the cortex, including unexpected innervation of auditory and visual areas. Our findings identify previously unknown features of the molecular diversity and anatomical organization of the PVT and provide a valuable resource for future investigations. Ongoing work, partially completed during FY22, focuses on investigating the mechanisms by which cortico-thalamostriatal circuits involving PVT drive the learning and execution of avoidance behavior. Our overarching goal is to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the neural processes underlying avoidance behavior. Given that avoidance is a core feature of anxiety-related pathologies, we believe that our research efforts have the potential to inform future treatment of these disorders.