PhD Scientific Days 2022

Neurosciences I. (Poster discussion will take place in the Aula during the Coffee Break)

The Role of Posterior Intralaminar Thalamic Neurons in Aggressive Behavior

Text of the abstract

In a previous study, we established the activation of the posterior intralaminar thalamic (PIL) neurons during social interactions between adult female rats. In this study we focused on the role of PIL in intermale aggressive behavior.
For manipulation of PIL neurons, adeno-associated virus was injected into the PIL using stereotaxic apparatus. The virus expressed mCherry and a DREADD in the infected cells. We used excitatory and inhibitory DREADDs, which were activated by clozapine-N-oxide (CNO). Behavioral tests were recorded during the chemogenetic manipulation. After perfusion of the animals, we performed histological analysis. We identified the brain areas activated by aggressive behavior using c-Fos method. We found neuronal activation in the ILC, MPOA and in the lateral septum upon aggressive behavior.
To induce aggression, the animals were separated at an early age. The behavioral tests were performed at the age 5 month. On the first day of the experiment, vehicle was injected to the animal. We performed aggressive behavioral test, where an unfamiliar intruder was placed in the subject animal’s cage resulting in aggressive response. On the second day, the same test was repeated starting 1,5 hours after CNO administration. Chemogenetic stimulation of PIL neurons significantly decreased aggression and increased the duration of positive valance contact, meanwhile inhibiting the PIL resulted in the increase of aggression and decreased the duration of positive valance contact. On the third day, we repeated the vehicle injection.
Based on these results, PIL neurons may participate in the regulation of aggressive behavior conveying sensory inputs from the conspecific to higher brain areas.

Grant support: NKFIH-4300-1/2017-NKP_17-00002, OTKA K1342221, EFOP-3.6.3-VEKOP-16-2017-00009