A Whole-Brain Connectivity Map of VTA and SNc Glutamatergic and GABAergic Neurons in Mice

• DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2021.818242
• Publication Date: 2021-12-23T08:47:58Z
• Authors: Sile An; Xiangning Li; Lei Deng; Peilin Zhao; Zhangheng Ding; Yutong Han; Yue Luo; Xin Liu; Anan Li; Qingming Luo; Zhao Feng; Hui Gong
• Keywords: Superior colliculus; Pars compacta; Pedunculopontine Tegmental Nucleus; Periaqueductal gray; Tegmentum

The glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) mediated diverse brain functions. However, their whole-brain neural connectivity has not been comprehensively mapped. Here we used virus tracers to characterize inputs outputs of VTA SNc. We found that these received similar from upstream regions, but some quantitative differences were also observed. Neocortex dorsal striatum provided a greater share input neurons. Periaqueductal gray lateral hypothalamic preferentially innervated Specifically, superior colliculus largest SNc Compared patterns, output patterns showed significant preference different regions. Our results laid anatomical foundation for understanding functions cell-type-specific