Abstract
Neurons in the lateral habenula (LHb) discharge when an animal anticipates an aversive outcome or when an expected reward is not forthcoming, contributing to the behavioral response to aversive situations. So far, there is little information as to whether the LHb also contributes to autonomic physiological responses, including increases in body temperature (emotional hyperthermia) that are integrated with defensive behaviors. Vasoconstriction in cutaneous vascular bed and heat production in brown adipose tissue (BAT) both contribute to emotional hyperthermia. Our present study determines whether stimulation of the LHb elicits constriction of the tail artery and BAT thermogenesis in anesthetized Sprague–Dawley rats. Disinhibition of neurons in LHb with focal microinjections of bicuculline (1 nmol in 100 nl, bilaterally) acutely increased BAT temperature (+0.6 ± 0.1°C, n = 9 rats, P < 0.01) and reduced tail artery blood flow (by 88 ± 4%, n = 9 rats, P < 0.01). Falls in mesenteric blood flow, simultaneously recorded, were much less intense. The pattern of BAT thermogenesis and cutaneous vasoconstriction elicited by stimulating the habenula is similar to the pattern observed during stress-induced emotional hyperthermia, suggesting that the habenula may be important in this response.
Highlights
The habenula complex, a highly conserved region of the diencephalon (Bianco and Wilson 2009), comprises two distinct nuclei, the lateral (LHb) and the medial habenula
Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Physiological Society and The Physiological Society
There were no significant changes in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and body temperature and ExpCO2
Summary
The habenula complex, a highly conserved region of the diencephalon (Bianco and Wilson 2009), comprises two distinct nuclei, the lateral (LHb) and the medial habenula. The LHb receives diverse afferent information from a number of forebrain regions (Herkenham and Nauta 1977, 1979; Sutherland 1982). The LHb sends efferents to midbrain regions, including ventral tegmental area (VTA) and midbrain raphe monoaminergic systems important for autonomic control (Herkenham and Nauta 1977, 1979; Sutherland 1982). Threatening or aversive events produce autonomic physiological responses (Korte et al 2005; DiMicco et al 2006). Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Physiological Society and The Physiological Society.
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