Neurochemically distinct populations of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis modulate innate fear response to weak threat evoked by predator odor stimuli

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100415
• Publication Date: 2021-10-29T07:07:56Z
• Authors: Biborka Bruzsik; Laszlo Biro; Klara Rebeka Sarosdi; Dora Zelena; Eszter Sipos; Huba Szebik; Bibiána Török; Eva Mikics; Mate Toth
• Keywords: Septal nuclei

Anxiety and trauma-related disorders are characterized by significant alterations in threat detection, resulting inadequate fear responses evoked weak threats or safety stimuli. Recent research pointed out the important role of bed nucleus stria terminalis (BNST) anticipation modulation under ambiguous threats, hence, exaggerated may be traced back to altered BNST function. To test this hypothesis, we chemogenetically inhibited specific neuronal populations (corticotropin-releasing hormone - BNSTCRH somatostatin BNSTSST expressing neurons) a predator odor-evoked innate paradigm. The rationale for paradigm was threefold: (1) predatory cues particularly strong danger signals all vertebrate species evoking defensive on flight-avoidance-freezing dimension (conservative mechanisms), (2) odor can presented scalable manner (from strong), (3) higher-order processing olfactory information including stimuli is integrated BNST. Accordingly, exposed adult male mice low high means cat urine, low- high-dose 2-methyl-2-thiazoline (2MT), synthetic derivate fox anogenital product, which response, respectively. Then, tested impact chemogenetic inhibition neurons using crh- sst-ires-cre mouse lines. We observed that effective only conditions, reduced avoidance increased exploration source. In contrast, had no 2MT-evoked responses, but enhanced odor, representing an even weaker stimulus. These findings support notion recruited uncertain remote, potential CRH SST orchestrate complementary ways.