Fig. 2: Photoactivation of the lPB-PSTN promotes avoidance behavior and aversive learning. | Nature Communications

Fig. 2: Photoactivation of the lPB-PSTN promotes avoidance behavior and aversive learning.

From: Parabrachial-to-parasubthalamic nucleus pathway mediates fear-induced suppression of feeding in male mice

Fig. 2

a Schematic of microinjection and placement of the LED cannula unit of the C57BL/6J mouse. b Images of the projection site, in the PSTN (top) and the injection site in the lPB (bottom). The dashed line in the top image indicates the position of the optic fiber. Scale bars, 200 μm. scp, superior cerebellar peduncle. More than five independent experiments were conducted and similar results were obtained. c Schematic illustrations of the Y-shaped apparatus. d Experimental schedule of the place avoidance test. e, f Density plots and a scatter plot showing the position of a representative YFP (e) and Chronos (f) mouse every 0.5 s in the 10-min conditioning session (top). Time spent in each arm during each 2-min interval (bottom) (YFP, n = 15; Chronos, n = 16). g, h Summary of ratios of time spent in and entries into Arm 2/Arm 3 for 5–10 min of the conditioning session (YFP, n = 15; Chronos, n = 16). i, j Heatmaps represent averaged moving speed of each mouse during the 10-min conditioning session. k Average speed for a second after mice left the LED area during the 10-min conditioning session (YFP, n = 15; Chronos, n = 16). l Time spent in the LED area during the 10-min conditioning session (YFP, n = 15; Chronos, n = 16). m Correlations of time spent in LED area and moving speed after leaving LED area. Gray and green plots indicate YFP and Chronos mice, respectively. Regression lines were drawn with 95% confidence intervals. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were shown (YFP, r = 0.12, p = 0.67; Chronos, r = –0.62, p = 0.02). n, o The position of a mouse in the 10-min retrieval session (top) and the time spent in each arm during each 2-min interval (bottom) (YFP, n = 15; Chronos, n = 16). p–s Summary of ratios of time spent in and entries into Arm 2/Arm 3 during the retrieval session (YFP, n = 15; Chronos, n = 16). Data are represented as mean ± SEM (e–h, k, l, and n–s). n.s., p > 0.05; *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; and ***p < 0.001 (two-way repeated measures ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post hoc test (e, f, n, and o) and unpaired two-sided t-test (g, h, k, l, and p–s)). See also Supplementary Fig. 2 and Supplementary Movie 2.

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