Lateral Hypothalamic Area Glutamatergic Neurons and Their Projections to the Lateral Habenula Regulate Feeding and Reward

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1202-15.2016
• Publication Date: 2016-01-12T14:57:18Z
• Authors: Alice M. Stamatakis; Maaike Van Swieten; Marcus L. Basiri; Grace A. Blair; Pranish Kantak; Garret D. Stuber
• Keywords: Habenula; Lateral hypothalamus; Neocortex; Premovement neuronal activity; Biological neural network

The overconsumption of calorically dense, highly palatable foods is thought to be a major contributor the worldwide obesity epidemic; however, precise neural circuits that directly regulate hedonic feeding remain elusive. Here, we show lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) glutamatergic neurons, and their projections habenula (LHb), negatively consumption food. Genetic ablation LHA neurons increased daily caloric intake produced weight gain in mice had access high-fat diet, while not altering general locomotor activity. Anterior send functional projection LHb, brain region involved processing aversive stimuli negative reward prediction outcomes. Pathway-specific, optogenetic stimulation LHA-LHb circuit resulted detectable glutamate-mediated EPSCs as well GABA-mediated IPSCs, although net effect neurotransmitter release was increase firing most LHb neurons. In vivo inhibition fibers real-time place preference, whereas opposite effect. Furthermore, acutely liquid reward. Collectively, these results demonstrate are situated bidirectionally potentially other behavioral states via connectivity with regions. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT this study, genetic enhances intake. Some project habenula, important for generating avoidance. Optogenetic has excitatory effects on postsynaptic This first study characterize relevance within context reward-related behavior.