Glutamatergic Circuits in the Pedunculopontine Nucleus Modulate Multiple Motor Functions

• DOI: 10.1007/s12264-024-01314-y
• Publication Date: 2024-11-11T10:09:11Z
• Authors: Yanwang Huang; Shangyi Wang; Qingxiu Wang; Chaowen Zheng; Feng Yang; Lei Wei; Xintong Zhou; Zuoren Wang
• Keywords: Pedunculopontine nucleus; Pain medicine; Human physiology

Abstract The functional role of glutamatergic (vGluT2) neurons in the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) modulating motor activity remains controversial. Here, we demonstrated that vGluT2 rostral PPN is correlated with locomotion and ipsilateral head-turning. Beyond these functions, found PPN-vGluT2 remarkably respond to salient stimuli. Furthermore, systematically traced upstream downstream projections identified two from caudal pontine reticular nucleus/anterior gigantocellular (PnC/GiA) zona incerta (ZI). Our findings indicate PnC/GiA inhibit movement, consistent ‘pause-and-play’ behavior, whereas those ZI promote locomotion, others a new ‘pause-switch-play’ pattern. Collectively, elucidate multifaceted influence on functions provide robust theoretical framework for understanding its physiological potential therapeutic implications.