Somatostatin Neurons in the Basal Forebrain Promote High-Calorie Food Intake
Chen Zhu,
Yun Yao,
Yan Xiong,
Mingxiu Cheng,
Jing Chen,
Rui Zhao,
Fangzhou Liao,
Runsheng Shi,
Sen Song
Affiliations
Chen Zhu
School of Life Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, China
Yun Yao
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Brain-Inspired Computing Research, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, China
Yan Xiong
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Brain-Inspired Computing Research, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, China
Mingxiu Cheng
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Brain-Inspired Computing Research, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, China
Jing Chen
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Brain-Inspired Computing Research, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, China
Rui Zhao
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Brain-Inspired Computing Research, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, China
Fangzhou Liao
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Brain-Inspired Computing Research, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, China
Runsheng Shi
School of Life Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, China
Sen Song
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Brain-Inspired Computing Research, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, China
Obesity has become a global issue, and the overconsumption of food is thought to be a major contributor. However, the regulatory neural circuits that regulate palatable food consumption remain unclear. Here, we report that somatostatin (SOM) neurons and GABAergic (VGAT) neurons in the basal forebrain (BF) play specific roles in regulating feeding. Optogenetic stimulation of BF SOM neurons increased fat and sucrose intake within minutes and promoted anxiety-like behaviors. Furthermore, optogenetic stimulation of projections from BF SOM neurons to the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) selectively resulted in fat intake. In addition, activation of BF VGAT neurons rapidly induced general food intake and gnawing behaviors. Whole-brain mapping of inputs and outputs showed that BF SOM neurons form bidirectional connections with several brain areas important in feeding and regulation of emotion. Collectively, these results suggest that BF SOM neurons play a selective role in hedonic feeding.