[BK21 Plus Seminar]

▶Subject: Neural circuits signaling water intake and quenching thirst

▶Speaker: Prof. Sung-Yon Kim (Seoul National University)

▶Date: 4:30 PM/June 29(Fri.)/2018

▶Place: Life Science Bldg. #104

▶Abctract
Thirst is quenched by drinking water. While central neural pathways that regulate homeostatic and anticipatory thirst have been extensively studied, the circuit basis of water intake remains unclear. Here we show that a subpopulation of neurons in the parabrachial nucleus (PB) signal water intake and quench thirst. By monitoring deep-brain calcium dynamics, we show that these neurons are strongly activated by water intake in both water-deprived and sated mice, but not by food, salt or oil intake. Optogenetic stimulation of the population selectively suppressed water intake, whereas chemogenetic inhibition of the same population augmented water intake in water-deprived mice. The PB neurons project to central osmoregulatory areas regulating thirst state, and stimulating their projections to the median preoptic area (MnPO) strongly reduces water intake. Our findings suggest that the PB neurons signal water intake and quench thirst, likely via influencing thirst-driving neurons in the MnPO.

▶Inquiry: Prof. Joung-Hun Kim(279-2347)


* This seminar will be given in korean.
Please refrain from taking photos during seminars. *