GUSTATORY RESPONSES OF NEURONS IN THE PARABRACHIAL NUCLEUS OF RATS

Objective To investigate the gustatory neural response of the neurons to five basic taste stimuli in the parabrachial nucleus (PBN). Methods Evoked responses from PBN taste neurons to tastants were recorded using standard extracellular microelectrode technique. Results 46 taste neurons were recorded in PBN, and most of them were broadly responsive. On the basis of their most effective taste stimuli, these taste neurons were classified into five types. Those are NaCl-, HCl-, quinine-, sucrose-, and monosodium glutamate (MSG)-best neurons. Except for the quinine-best neurons, the responses of each best-stimulus category to its best stimulus were significantly stronger than those of others (P<0.01). The results of correlation analysis showed that the correlations between sucrose and each of the other 4 tastants were smaller than those among others. Conclusion The results suggest that PBN taste neurons probably play an important role in discriminating for hedonic taste.

Control of Emotion and Wakefulness by Neurotensinergic Neurons in the Parabrachial Nucleus

The parabrachial nucleus(PBN)integrates interoceptive and exteroceptive information to control various behavioral and physiological processes including breathing,emotion,and sleep/wake regulation through the neural circuits that connect to the forebrain and the brainstem.However,the precise identity and function of distinct PBN subpopulations are still largely unknown.Here,we leveraged molecular characterization,retrograde tracing,optogenetics,chemogenetics,and electrocortical recording approaches to identify a small subpopulation of neurotensin-expressing neurons in the PBN that largely project to the emotional control regions in the forebrain,rather than the medulla.Their activation induces freezing and anxiety-like behaviors,which in turn result in tachypnea.In addition,optogenetic and chemogenetic manipulations of these neurons revealed their function in promoting wakefulness and maintaining sleep architecture.We propose that these neurons comprise a PBN subpopulation with specific gene expression,connectivity,and function,which play essential roles in behavioral and physiological regulation.

Functional dissection of parabrachial substrates in processing nociceptive information

Painful stimuli elicit first-line reflexive defensive reactions and,in many cases,also evoke second-line recuperative behaviors,the latter of which reflects the sensing of tissue damage and the alleviation of suffering.The lateral parabrachial nucleus(lPBN),composed of external-(elPBN),dorsal-(dlPBN),and central/superior-subnuclei(jointly referred to as slPBN),receives sensory inputs from spinal projection neurons and plays important roles in processing affective information from external threats and body integrity disruption.However,the organizational rules of lPBN neurons that provoke diverse behaviors in response to different painful stimuli from cutaneous and deep tissues remain unclear.In this study,we used region-specific neuronal depletion or silencing approaches combined with a battery of behavioral assays to show that slPBN neurons expressing substance P receptor(NK1R)(lPBNNK1R)are crucial for driving pain-associated self-care behaviors evoked by sustained noxious thermal and mechanical stimuli applied to skin or bone/muscle,while elPBN neurons are dispensable for driving such reactions.Notably,lPBNNK1R neurons are specifically required for forming sustained somatic pain-induced negative teaching signals and aversive memory but are not necessary for fear-learning or escape behaviors elicited by external threats.Lastly,both lPBNNK1R and elPBN neurons contribute to chemical irritant-induced nocifensive reactions.Our results reveal the functional organization of parabrachial substrates that drive distinct behavioral outcomes in response to sustained pain versus external danger under physiological conditions.

Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy reduces intake of sweet-tasting solutions in rats

Studies have shown that there are strong interactions between gustatory and visceral sensations the central nervous system when rats ingest sweet foods or solutions. To investigate the role of th subdiaphragmatic vagi in transmitting general visceral information during the process of drinking sweet-tasting solutions, we examined the effects of subdiaphragmatic vagotomy on the intake of 0.5 mol/L sucrose, 0.005 mol/L saccharin or distilled water over the course of 1 hour in rats depriv~ of water. Results showed no significant difference in consumption of these three solutions in vagotomized rats. However, rats in the sham-surgery group drank more saccharin solution than sucrose solution or distilled water. Moreover, the intake of distilled water was similar between vagotomized rats and sham-surgery group rats, but significantly less sucrose and saccharin were consumed by vagotomized rats compared with rats in the sham-surgery group. These findings indicate that subdiaphragmatic vagotomy reduces intake of sweet-tasting solution in rats, and suggest that vagal and extravagal inputs play a balanced role in the control of the intake of sweet-tasting solutions. They also suggest that subdiaphragmatic vagotomy eliminates the difference in hedonic perception induced by sweet-tasting solutions compared with distilled water II E