Dissecting the stress circuits of the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus

National Institute Of Mental Health

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Over the course of FY23, we completed a study in which by combining single nucleus RNA sequencing with multiplex fluorescent in situ hybridization methods we found that the PVT is composed of five molecularly distinct neuronal populations that are organized in a combination of neuronal gradients (Gao et al., 2023, eLife). 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. In addition, during FY23 we completed a study currently in preprint form that focused on investigating the mechanisms by which the prefrontal cortex exerts top-down control of the dorsal midline thalamus to gate avoidance decisions (Ma, OMalley, et al., 2023, Research Square, preprint). Lastly, we completed a study where we uncovered that parallel thalamostriatal pathways arising from molecularly distinct neurons of the PVT guide the execution and termination of goal-oriented behavior (Beas et al., 2023, bioRxiv, preprint). Our overarching goal is to disentangle how neuronal circuits involving the dorsal midline thalamus shape motivated processes. Given that changes in motivation are associated with various psychiatric conditions, we believe that our research efforts have the potential to inform future treatment of these disorders.