Extended Data Fig. 6: VMHBDNF neuron projections to brainstem drive solid food intake.
From: A subcortical feeding circuit linking an interoceptive node to jaw movement
a, Schematic of open loop optogenetic activation with ChR and experimental timeline. b, Latency to approach the chow pellet in ChR and Ctrl mice (n = 7 mice each group). Two-way RM ANOVA with Šídák’s multiple comparisons test. c, Schematic of open loop optogentic activation and experimental timeline for licking measurements. d, Quantification of time spent licking of ChR (n = 7) and control mice (n = 6) given 50 µl liquid diet in an open loop inhibition setup. ChR: 43.71 ± 10.84 s, two-way RM ANOVA with Šídák’s multiple comparisons test. e, Schematic of a ‘cre out’ Cheta YFP virus injection into VMH of BDNF cre mice, labelling non-BDNF neurons. f, Representative image (n = 4 mice) of a coronal section of the injection site and g, image of projections to Barrington nucleus and surrounding areas and high magnification of area in dotted square. Me5 was marked by autofluorescence of neurons in this nucleus. 4 V = fourth ventricle, Bar = Barrington’s nucleus, LDTg = Laterodorsal tegmental nucleus. h, Schematic of virus injection into the CeA and VMH of Cre and Flp reporter expressing mice. i, Representative example of n = 3 mice of brainstem premotor areas (mesencephalic) and j, high magnification of AAV1 labelled neurons. k, Schematic of open loop optostimulation for food approach assessment. l, Quantification of latency to reach a food pellet of BDNF cre mice injected with eOPN3 into VMH and fibres implanted above pMe5 (n = 5) and control mice (n = 5). Two-way RM ANOVA with Šídák’s multiple comparisons test. m, Schematic of a proposed circuit for energy state driven food consumption behaviour. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001. Error bars ± s.e.m.
