1526-C1-vlPAG Circuit: Brainstem Hub for Anxiety Regulation
This research explores the neurological foundations of anxiety by identifying a specific group of brainstem cells, known as C1 neurons, that bridge physiological stress and emotional behavior. Using sophisticated intersectional viral tools to isolate these cells from their neighbors, scientists discovered that stimulating C1 neurons directly triggers anxiety-like actions and aversive responses in mice. These neurons function by activating excitatory cells in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG), a brain region critical for processing threats and defensive freezing. The study…
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