Fig. 6: Lesions of LPAG afferents impair predatory hunting.
From: Periaqueductal gray neurons encode the sequential motor program in hunting behavior of mice
a Experimental scheme of ablation of LPAG-projecting GABAergic neurons from the CeA/LH/ZI. b Comparison of the effect on the latency to attack after ablation of LPAG-projecting GABAergic neurons from the CeA/LH/ZI (n = 30 mice, two-way ANOVA, Tukey’s multiple comparisons test, P = 0.991, P = 0.854, P = 0.9123, P = 0.0007, P = 0.9041, P = 0.0021). c Comparison of the effect on the chase rounds after ablation of LPAG-projecting GABAergic neurons from the CeA/LH/ZI (n = 30 mice, two-way ANOVA, Tukey’s multiple comparisons test, P > 0.9999, P > 0.9999, P > 0.9999, P = 0.2405, P = 0.0284, P = 0.9919). d Comparison of the effect on the attack efficiency after ablation of LPAG-projecting GABAergic neurons from the CeA/LH/ZI (n = 30 mice, two-way ANOVA, Tukey’s multiple comparisons test, P = 0.1904, P = 0.833, P = 0.4512, P = 0.1576, P = 0.2587, P = 0.9533). e Comparison of the effect on the attack segments after ablation of LPAG-projecting GABAergic neurons from the CeA/LH/ZI (n = 30 mice, two-way ANOVA, Tukey’s multiple comparisons test, P = 0.3874, P = 0.9612, P = 0.54, P = 0.0014, P = 0.0185, P = 0.54). f Comparison of the effect on the capture duration after ablation of LPAG-projecting GABAergic neurons from the CeA/LH/ZI (n = 30 mice, two-way ANOVA, Tukey’s multiple comparisons test, P = 0.117, P = 0.2629, P = 0.8872, P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, P = 0.052). g Comparison of the effect on the eating duration after ablation of LPAG-projecting GABAergic neurons from the CeA/LH/ZI (n = 30 mice, two-way ANOVA, Tukey’s multiple comparisons test, P = 0.2131, P = 0.227, P = 0.992, P = 0.1128, P = 0.0602, P = 0.9465). h Summary of functions of LPAG across predatory hunting. A neuronal ensemble sequence is formed in the LPAG across the whole predatory process. Vgat+ population (light purple) in the LPAG encodes the introduction, chase, and attack, while Vglut2+ population (light blue) encodes the attack. The neuronal activity of LPAG clusters across predatory processes depends on GABAergic inputs from the CeA (green line), LH (orange line), and ZI (purple line). GABAergic inputs from the CeA mainly control prey chase and attack, GABAergic inputs from the LH control prey attack, and GABAergic inputs from the ZI mainly control introduction and chase phases. The role of the inputs from the MPA on hunting needs further investigation. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM. Source data are provided as a Source Data File.
