丘脑室旁核形态和功能研究进展

Advances in morphological and functional studies on the paraventricular thalamic nucleus

丘脑室旁核(PVT)为丘脑中线核团的重要组成部分,是多种行为的中继传导核团及整合中心,参与动物觉醒、摄食、成瘾、奖赏、恐惧记忆等多种行为的调节。PVT内主要分布着表达囊泡谷氨酸转运体-2(VGluT2)的谷氨酸能兴奋性神经元,却无γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)能抑制性神经元。基于PVT的复杂功能与其内神经元相对单一的兴奋性属性,有必要对PVT内兴奋性神经元进行分类。在本综述中,我们主要对PVT的形态及电生理特点、传入和传出联系、前后两段的形态和功能差异进行总结,并以纤维联系和神经化学性质作为分类标准对PVT的兴奋性神经元进行分类,以便为阐明PVT的复杂功能提供帮助。

Paraventricular thalamic nucleus(PVT)is an essential component of the midline thalamus,which has been regarded as a transmit relay nucleus and an integrated center in multiple behaviors including wakefulness,food intake,addiction,reward and fear memory.PVT is predominantly populated with glutaminergic excitatory neurons expressing vesicular glutamate transporter-2(VGluT2)but without GABAergic inhibitory neurons.Therefore,based on the paradox of its multiplexed roles in different behaviors and its comparatively simplex excitatory nature,more specific subclassification of excitatory PVT neurons is required in studies in this field.In the present review,morphological and electrophysiological characteristics,efferent and afferent connections,and morphological and functional distinctions in anterior subregion and posterior subregion of PVT are summarized.In addition,neural connections and neurochemical properties are used as subclassification criteria in PVT neurons.This review might explain the integrated role of PVT in different behaviors,which would be helpful for further studies on the PVT.