Feedforward inhibition of stress by brainstem neuropeptide Y neurons

Yan Zhang, Jiayi Shen, Famin Xie, Zhiwei Liu, Fangfang Yin, Mingxiu Cheng, Liang Wang, Meiting Cai, Herbert Herzog, Ping Wu, Zhi Zhang (), Cheng Zhan () and Tiemin Liu ()
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Yan Zhang: Fudan University
Jiayi Shen: University of Science and Technology of China
Famin Xie: Fudan University
Zhiwei Liu: University of Science and Technology of China
Fangfang Yin: Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center
Mingxiu Cheng: National Institute of Biological Sciences
Liang Wang: University of Science and Technology of China
Meiting Cai: University of Science and Technology of China
Herbert Herzog: UNSW
Ping Wu: Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center
Zhi Zhang: Fudan University
Cheng Zhan: University of Science and Technology of China
Tiemin Liu: Fudan University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: Abstract Resistance to stress is a key determinant for mammalian functioning. While many studies have revealed neural circuits and substrates responsible for initiating and mediating stress responses, little is known about how the brain resists to stress and prevents overreactions. Here, we identified a previously uncharacterized neuropeptide Y (NPY) neuronal population in the dorsal raphe nucleus and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray region (DRN/vlPAG) with anxiolytic effects in male mice. NPYDRN/vlPAG neurons are rapidly activated by various stressful stimuli. Inhibiting these neurons exacerbated hypophagic and anxiety responses during stress, while activation significantly ameliorates acute stress-induced hypophagia and anxiety levels and transmits positive valence. Furthermore, NPYDRN/vlPAG neurons exert differential but synergic anxiolytic effects via inhibitory projections to the paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT) and the lateral hypothalamic area (LH). Together, our findings reveal a feedforward inhibition neural mechanism underlying stress resistance and suggest NPYDRN/vlPAG neurons as a potential therapeutic target for stress-related disorders.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51956-9

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