Reward and aversion processing by input-defined parallel nucleus accumbens circuits in mice

Kuikui Zhou, Hua Xu, Shanshan Lu, Shaolei Jiang, Guoqiang Hou, Xiaofei Deng, Miao He and Yingjie Zhu ()
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Kuikui Zhou: Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions
Hua Xu: Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions
Shanshan Lu: Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions
Shaolei Jiang: Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions
Guoqiang Hou: Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions
Xiaofei Deng: Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions
Miao He: Fudan University
Yingjie Zhu: Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is critical in mediating reward seeking and is also involved in negative emotion processing, but the cellular and circuitry mechanisms underlying such opposing behaviors remain elusive. Here, using the recently developed AAV1-mediated anterograde transsynaptic tagging technique in mice, we show that NAc neurons receiving basolateral amygdala inputs (NAcBLA) promote positive reinforcement via disinhibiting dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). In contrast, NAc neurons receiving paraventricular thalamic inputs (NAcPVT) innervate GABAergic neurons in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) and mediate aversion. Silencing the synaptic output of NAcBLA neurons impairs reward seeking behavior, while silencing of NAcPVT or NAcPVT→LH pathway abolishes aversive symptoms of opiate withdrawal. Our results elucidate the afferent-specific circuit architecture of the NAc in controlling reward and aversion.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33843-3

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