Accumbal D2 cells orchestrate innate risk-avoidance according to orexin signals. (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blomeley, Craig; Garau, Celia; Burdakov, Denis
• Is Part Of: Nature neuroscience. Volume 21:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 29
• Page End: 32
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: Neurosciences -- Periodicals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1038/s41593-017-0023-y
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1097-6256

Abstract

Abstract Excitation of accumbal D2 cells governs vital actions, including avoidance of learned risks, but the origins of this excitation and roles of D2 cells in innate risk-avoidance are unclear. Hypothalamic neurons producing orexins (also called hypocretins) enhance innate risk-avoidance via poorly understood neurocircuits. We describe a direct orexin→D2 excitatory circuit and show that D2 cell activity is necessary for orexin-dependent innate risk-avoidance in mice, thus revealing an unsuspected hypothalamus–accumbens interplay in action selection. Most species exhibit instinctive risk-avoidance, e.g., lab mice avoid predator smells despite having never encountered predators. Here the authors show how innate risk-avoidance arises from accumbal dopamine receptor neurons tuned by orexin signals.