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Food and water intake are regulated by distinct central amygdala circuits revealed using intersectional genetics

Author

Listed:
  • Federica Fermani

    (Max-Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence)

  • Simon Chang

    (University of Regensburg)

  • Ylenia Mastrodicasa

    (Max-Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence)

  • Christian Peters

    (Max-Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence)

  • Louise Gaitanos

    (Max-Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence)

  • Pilar L. Alcala Morales

    (Max-Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence)

  • Charu Ramakrishnan

    (Stanford University)

  • Karl Deisseroth

    (Stanford University
    Stanford University
    Stanford University)

  • Rüdiger Klein

    (Max-Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence)

Abstract

The central amygdala (CeA) plays a crucial role in defensive and appetitive behaviours. It contains genetically defined GABAergic neuron subpopulations distributed over three anatomical subregions, capsular (CeC), lateral (CeL), and medial (CeM). The roles that these molecularly- and anatomically-defined CeA neurons play in appetitive behavior remain unclear. Using intersectional genetics in mice, we found that neurons driving food or water consumption are confined to the CeM. Separate CeM subpopulations exist for water only versus water or food consumption. In vivo calcium imaging revealed that CeMHtr2a neurons promoting feeding are responsive towards appetitive cues with little regard for their physical attributes. CeMSst neurons involved in drinking are sensitive to the physical properties of salient stimuli. Both CeM subtypes receive inhibitory input from CeL and send projections to the parabrachial nucleus to promote appetitive behavior. These results suggest that distinct CeM microcircuits evaluate liquid and solid appetitive stimuli to drive the appropriate behavioral responses.

Suggested Citation

  • Federica Fermani & Simon Chang & Ylenia Mastrodicasa & Christian Peters & Louise Gaitanos & Pilar L. Alcala Morales & Charu Ramakrishnan & Karl Deisseroth & Rüdiger Klein, 2025. "Food and water intake are regulated by distinct central amygdala circuits revealed using intersectional genetics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-21, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-58144-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58144-3
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