期刊
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
卷 20, 期 3, 页码 449-458出版社
NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
DOI: 10.1038/nn.4487
关键词
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资金
- National Institute of Mental Health [T32-MH093315]
- National Institute on Drug Abuse [F32-DA041184, R01 DA032750, R01 DA038168]
- ABMRF
- NIAAA [K01 AA020911, F30AA021312]
- NIDDK [F32-DK112564]
- Foundation of Hope
- Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
- Simons Foundation
- Department of Psychiatry at UNC-CH
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [AA022449]
Neural networks that control reproduction must integrate social and hormonal signals, tune motivation, and coordinate social interactions. However, the neural circuit mechanisms for these processes remain unresolved. The medial preoptic area (mPOA), an essential node for social behaviors, comprises molecularly diverse neurons with widespread projections. Here we identify a steroid responsive subset of neurotensin (Nts)-expressing mPOA neurons that interface with the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to form a socially engaged reward circuit. Using in vivo two-photon imaging in female mice, we show that mPOA(Nts) neurons preferentially encode, attractive male cues compared to nonsocial appetitive stimuli. Ovarian hormone signals regulate both the physiological and cue encoding properties of these cells. Furthermore, optogenetic stimulation of mPOA(Nts)-VTA circuitry promotes rewarding phenotypes, social approach and striatal dopamine release. Collectively, these data demonstrate that steroid-sensitive mPOA neurons encode ethologically relevant stimuli and co-opt midbrain reward circuits to promote prosocial behaviors critical for species survival.
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