STATEMENT Across mammalian species, maternal behavior is an innate social behavior essential for the survival and success of the offspring. Decades of research has identified an evolutionarily conserved hypothalamic area, the medial preoptic area (MPOA), as being essential for the expression of maternal behavior. However, given that the MPOA contains heterogeneous and multifunctional cells, the identity of cells relevant for maternal behavior remains unclear. Recently, using a series of state-of-art functional manipulation and in vivo recording tools, we found that cells in the MPOA that express the estrogen receptor alpha (Esr1) are necessary, sufficient and naturally active during maternal behaviors. Our proposed study will expand on these essential findings by seeking to further investigate the neural circuits extended from the population.
In Aim 1, we will combine retrograde and antegrade tracing and in vitro slice electrophysiology to identify the downstream targets of the MPOA Esr1+ cells in female mice.
In Aim 2, we will employ optogenetic and pharmacogenetic tools to address the functional role of each MPOA pathway and its related downstream cells in driving various components of maternal behaviors.
In Aim 3, we will use in vivo optical and electrophysiological recordings to examine the natural responses of cells in the MPOA downstream regions during maternal behaviors, and the principles that underlie the transfer of information from the MPOA to its downstream cells. This project addresses a basic question in neuroscience regarding how maternal behavior is generated and is relevant for understanding and treating a defective maternal circuit that causes abnormal maternal behaviors, such as child neglect and abuse.
Maternal behavior is essential for the survival of a species and the health of offspring. Our study seeks to understand the neural circuit underlying the expression of mammalian maternal behaviors by using mice as an animal model. The findings will improve our understanding of the defective maternal circuit that causes abnormal maternal behavior, potentially resulting in child neglect and abuse.
