Afferent Connections to the Rostrolateral Part of the Periaqueductal Gray: A Critical Region Influencing the Motivation Drive to Hunt and Forage. (19th March 2009)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mota-Ortiz, Sandra Regina; Sukikara, Marcia Harumi; Felicio, Luciano Freitas; Canteras, Newton Sabino
• Other Names: Adamec Robert Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of neural transplantation & plasticity. Volume 2009(2009)
• Publication Date: 2009-03-19
• Subjects: Nerve tissue -- Transplantation -- Periodicals; Neuroplasticity -- Periodicals; Nerve tissue -- Transplantation; Neuroplasticity; Neuronal Plasticity -- Periodicals; Computer network resources; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.82
• DOI: 10.1155/2009/612698
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0792-8483

Abstract

Abstract : Previous studies have shown that a particular site in the periaqueductal gray (PAG), the rostrolateral PAG, influences the motivation drive to forage or hunt. To have a deeper understanding on the putative paths involved in the decision-making process between foraging, hunting, and other behavioral responses, in the present investigation, we carried out a systematic analysis of the neural inputs to the rostrolateral PAG (rlPAG), using Fluorogold as a retrograde tracer. According to the present findings, the rlPAG appears to be importantly driven by medial prefrontal cortical areas involved in controlling attention-related and decision-making processes. Moreover, the rlPAG also receives a wealth of information from different amygdalar, hypothalamic, and brainstem sites related to feeding, drinking, or hunting behavioral responses. Therefore, this unique combination of afferent connections puts the rlPAG in a privileged position to influence the motivation drive to choose whether hunting and foraging would be the most appropriate adaptive responses.