1. Substance P in the medial amygdala regulates aggressive behaviors in male mice.
- Author
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He ZX, Yue MH, Liu KJ, Wang Y, Qiao JY, Lv XY, Xi K, Zhang YX, Fan JN, Yu HL, He XX, and Zhu XJ
- Subjects
- Animals, Male, Mice, Glutamic Acid metabolism, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Neural Pathways physiology, Neurons physiology, Neurons metabolism, Receptors, Neurokinin-1 metabolism, Tachykinins metabolism, Ventromedial Hypothalamic Nucleus physiology, Ventromedial Hypothalamic Nucleus metabolism, Ventromedial Hypothalamic Nucleus drug effects, Aggression physiology, Corticomedial Nuclear Complex physiology, Corticomedial Nuclear Complex metabolism, Corticomedial Nuclear Complex drug effects, Substance P metabolism
- Abstract
Behavioral and clinical studies have revealed a critical role of substance P (SP) in aggression; however, the neural circuit mechanisms underlying SP and aggression remain elusive. Here, we show that tachykinin-expressing neurons in the medial amygdala (MeA
Tac1 neurons) are activated during aggressive behaviors in male mice. We identified MeATac1 neurons as a key mediator of aggression and found that MeATac1 →ventrolateral part of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMHvl) projections are critical to the regulation of aggression. Moreover, SP/neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) signaling in the VMHvl modulates aggressive behaviors in male mice. SP/NK-1R signaling regulates aggression by influencing glutamate transmission in neurons in the VMHvl. In summary, these findings place SP as a key node in aggression circuits., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to American College of Neuropsychopharmacology.)- Published
- 2024
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