Ventromedial hypothalamus relays chronic stress inputs and exerts bidirectional regulation on anxiety state and related sympathetic activity

The bidirectional influence between type 2 diabetes mellitus and the state of depression and anxiety

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a prevalent chronic disease with several complications that has a negative impact on patients' physical and mental health. People's life pressures are increasing as society develop, resulting in a series of adverse emotions. If it is not paid attention to for a long time, it will lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders. Depression and anxiety can occur separately or simultaneously, both of which are highly correlated. In recent years, the incidence of T2DM with the state of depression and anxiety has increased significantly. According to recent research, the state of depression and anxiety might increase the prevalence of T2DM and accelerate its progression by influencing patient's behavioral style and biological mechanisms. T2DM can also aggravate patients' state of depression and anxiety, worsening their life quality. However, few reviews have discussed the association between T2DM and the state of depression and anxiety. In order to reduce the prevalence of the two diseases, we ought to investigate them more thoroughly so that readers can recognize the close connection between the two and take appropriate interventions. Therefore, this article mainly discusses the interaction between T2DM and the state of depression and anxiety from behavioral and biological mechanisms, the effects of common hypoglycemic drugs on the state of depression and anxiety, and the effects of antidepressant anxiety treatments on T2DM. These three aspects are intended to shed light on the interaction between the two so as to find the appropriate interventions to reduce morbidity.

Disrupted functional connectome in a rodent model of autism during social isolation

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with disruptions in social behavior and the neural circuitry behind it. Very little data is available on the mechanisms that are responsible for the lack of motivation to reunite with conspecifics during isolation. It is as important to investigate the neural changes that reduce motivation to end social isolation, as those underlying the reactions to social stimuli. Using a rodent model of prenatal valproic acid (VPA) exposure, we investigated how social isolation affects the neural activation of key brain nuclei involved in social processing and stress regulation. Juvenile male C57BL/6 mice were treated prenatally with VPA or saline (CTR) and subjected to 24 h of social isolation from their cage mates, with neural activity assessed via c-Fos immunohistochemistry. Based on correlational activations we reconstructed and analyzed the functional connectome of the observed brain regions. Control animals exhibited elevated c-Fos expression in the regions central to the mesolimbic reward system (MRS), social brain network (SBN), and stress-related networks, with the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) at the core, compared to VPA-treated animals. Functional network analysis revealed a more widespread but less specific pattern of connectivity in VPA-treated animals. These findings suggest that prenatal VPA exposure disrupts certain neural circuits related to social behavior and stress regulation, offering an insight into the altered perception of social isolation in ASD models, and highlighting potential therapeutic targets.

Defense or death? A review of the neural mechanisms underlying sensory modality-triggered innate defensive behaviors

Defense or death presents a canonical dilemma for animals when encountering predators. Threatening sensory cues provide essential information that signals predator presence, driving the evolution of a spectrum of defensive behaviors. In rodents, these behaviors, as described by the classic "predatory imminence continuum" model, range from risk assessment and freezing to rapid escape responses. During the pre-encounter phase, risk assessment and avoidance responses are crucial for monitoring the environment with vigilance and cautiousness. Once detected during the post-encounter phase or physically attacked during the circa-strike phase, multiple sensory systems are rapidly activated, triggering escape responses to increase the distance from the threat. Although there are species-specific variations, the brain regions underpinning these defensive strategies, including the thalamus, hypothalamus, and midbrain, are evolutionarily conserved. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the universal innate defensive circuit framework to enrich our understanding of how animals respond to life-threatening situations.

[Mechanisms by Which Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus Participates in the Acupuncture Treatment of Diseases]

In recent years, a growing body of research has demonstrated that acupuncture can be used to effectively treat a diverse range of diseases, including functional gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, as well as anxiety and depression, through the modulation of the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN). Acupuncture may exert its therapeutic effect either by modulating specific neurons within the PVN, such as corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) neurons, or by regulating the release of hormones, such as oxytocin (OXT) and vasopressin (VP), and the activity of neural circuits associated with the PVN. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which PVN is involved in acupuncture treatment, including its regulatory mechanisms in gastrointestinal diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and negative emotions and pain. Future research should be conducted to further explore the precise mechanisms by which acupuncture regulates PVN to treat diseases, focusing on clarifying the specific processes of signaling pathway transduction, and exploring the specific effects of acupunture of different acupoint combinations and stimulation frequencies and intensity on PVN.