Galanin neurons in the medial preoptic area govern parental behaviour

Zheng Wu, Anita E. Autry, Joseph F. Bergan, Mitsuko Watabe-Uchida and Catherine G. Dulac ()
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Zheng Wu: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University
Anita E. Autry: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University
Joseph F. Bergan: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University
Mitsuko Watabe-Uchida: Center for Brain Science, Harvard University
Catherine G. Dulac: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University

Nature, 2014, vol. 509, issue 7500, 325-330

Abstract: Abstract Mice display robust, stereotyped behaviours towards pups: virgin males typically attack pups, whereas virgin females and sexually experienced males and females display parental care. Here we show that virgin males genetically impaired in vomeronasal sensing do not attack pups and are parental. Furthermore, we uncover a subset of galanin-expressing neurons in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) that are specifically activated during male and female parenting, and a different subpopulation that is activated during mating. Genetic ablation of MPOA galanin neurons results in marked impairment of parental responses in males and females and affects male mating. Optogenetic activation of these neurons in virgin males suppresses inter-male and pup-directed aggression and induces pup grooming. Thus, MPOA galanin neurons emerge as an essential regulatory node of male and female parenting behaviour and other social responses. These results provide an entry point to a circuit-level dissection of parental behaviour and its modulation by social experience.

Date: 2014
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DOI: 10.1038/nature13307

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