Inputs and activational mechanisms of preoptic galanin neurons in mother rats

Galanin neurons in the preoptic area gained recent interest as they demonstrate Fos activation in response to pup exposure and their selective ablation led to the cessation of maternal behaviors. Here, we identified distinct populations of galanin neurons in the preoptic area of rat dams, which also contain oxytocin. Injecting retrograde tracer around preoptic galanin neurons led to the appearance of labeled cells in a distinct part of the posterior thalamus, the posterior intralaminar nucleus (PIL).

Source: Neuropeptides - October 1, 2017 Category: Neuroscience Authors: Arp ád Dobolyi Source Type: research