Presentation Details
| Distribution and Function of Neurons Producing Gastrin-releasing Peptide in Mouse Gustatory Cortex Diana Guarino1, 2, Lindsey Czarnecki2, John Chen1, 2, Aylar Berenji Kalkhoran1, 2, Olivia Swanson1, 2, Siddarth Swaminathan1, Arianna Maffei1, 2, Alfredo Fontanini1, 2. 1Program in Neuroscience, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.2Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA |
Abstract
The gustatory cortex (GC) integrates sensory, limbic, and cognitive information to guide feeding behavior in the context of the homeostatic state of the animal, yet the cellular mechanisms through which GC encodes homeostatic states and regulates consumption remain poorly understood. Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) is a neuropeptide known to reduce consumption, but its role within cortical circuits has yet to be examined. Here, we test the central idea that GC contains neurons that produce GRP (GRP+ neurons), and that these neurons are engaged by gustatory stimulation and are capable of controlling consummatory behaviors. We first relied on anatomical methods to quantify GRP+ neurons in the GC of GRP-tdTomato mice and identified their neurotransmitter identity. Patch clamp recordings in slice confirmed that GC GRP+ neurons are predominantly pyramidal neurons. Upon identifying such a population of GC pyramidal neurons, we recorded their responses to various tastants: sucrose, NaCl, citric acid, quinine, Ensure, and water. We found that GRP+ neurons show taste-evoked activity and have enhanced encoding of the meal replacement, Ensure. Finally, to directly assess the behavioral role of GC GRP+ neurons, we selectively ablated them using virally introduced caspase and monitored home-cage feeding. We found that ablation of these neurons alters meal structure by increasing its size, confirming the behavioral role of this population of neurons. Together, these studies uncover a novel neuropeptidergic mechanism within GC and may reveal new insights into how sensory cortices guide feeding behaviors.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
Content Locked. Log into a registered attendee account to access this presentation.