Specific brain cells in the claustrum of mice control stress-induced anxiety behaviors

It is well known that long-term exposure to stress can lead to serious psychiatric problems. However, the precise mechanisms underpinning the stress response have remained largely elusive. Recent advances in microscopic imaging by researchers from Japan have led to the exciting discovery of a small group of brain cells that control stress-induced responses. These cells could be the key to understanding the origin of stress-related mental disorders.

In a study published this month in Science Advances, researchers from Osaka University discovered a small group of brain cells in the claustrum of mice that controls stress-induced anxiety behaviors. When these cells were activated using chemogenetic technology, mice exhibited anxiety-related behaviors, whereas deactivation of the cells made mice more resilient against chronic stress.

Until recently, the identification of such small populations of cells using an unbiased and hypothesis-free approach has been challenging because of technical limitations. Now, the recent development of block-face serial microscopy tomography (known as FAST) by researchers at Osaka University has made this possible. This technique allowed the researchers to examine changes in cellular activity at the resolution of a single cell. It is widely understood that the processing of stress relies on the communication between cortical and subcortical regions of the brain; however, the exact mechanism underlying this communication is uncertain, which is what the researchers aimed to uncover using this technique.

The researchers used well-established psychological animal models of restraint and social defeat stress to map patterns of cellular activity in mice that were exposed to stress. Using the FAST technique, the team collected whole-brain images of control mice and mice exposed to these stressful conditions. Of the 22 brain regions studied, the claustrum was identified as a key region that differentiated stressed brains from non-stressed brains: "A combined approach using brain activation mapping and machine learning showed that the claustrum activation serves as a reliable marker of exposure to acute stressors," say lead authors Misaki Niu and Atsushi Kasai. Crucially, by manipulating the activity of these cells using chemogenetic technology, they concluded that the claustrum is crucial for the control of stress-induced anxiety-related behaviors. When the activity of these cells was amplified, mice exhibited anxious behaviors; these could then be reversed by suppressing claustrum cell activity.

Inactivation of stress-responsive claustrum neurons can serve as at least a partially preventative measure for the emergence of depression-like behavior, and moreover, for stress susceptibility to increase resilience to emotional stress."

Hitoshi Hashimoto, senior author

This exciting discovery opens new opportunities for claustrum activity as a new treatment target for anxiety-related conditions and gaining a better understanding of the cause of stress-related disorders.

Source:
Journal reference:

Niu, M., et al. (2022) Claustrum mediates bidirectional and reversible control of stress-induced anxiety responses. Science Advances. doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abi6375.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Osaka University. (2022, December 14). Specific brain cells in the claustrum of mice control stress-induced anxiety behaviors. AZoLifeSciences. Retrieved on October 10, 2024 from https://www.azolifesciences.com/news/20220321/Specific-brain-cells-in-the-claustrum-of-mice-control-stress-induced-anxiety-behaviors.aspx.

  • MLA

    Osaka University. "Specific brain cells in the claustrum of mice control stress-induced anxiety behaviors". AZoLifeSciences. 10 October 2024. <https://www.azolifesciences.com/news/20220321/Specific-brain-cells-in-the-claustrum-of-mice-control-stress-induced-anxiety-behaviors.aspx>.

  • Chicago

    Osaka University. "Specific brain cells in the claustrum of mice control stress-induced anxiety behaviors". AZoLifeSciences. https://www.azolifesciences.com/news/20220321/Specific-brain-cells-in-the-claustrum-of-mice-control-stress-induced-anxiety-behaviors.aspx. (accessed October 10, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Osaka University. 2022. Specific brain cells in the claustrum of mice control stress-induced anxiety behaviors. AZoLifeSciences, viewed 10 October 2024, https://www.azolifesciences.com/news/20220321/Specific-brain-cells-in-the-claustrum-of-mice-control-stress-induced-anxiety-behaviors.aspx.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of AZoLifeSciences.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
Insights on double-strand break repair may provide better understanding of cancer development