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Distinct subnetworks of the mouse anterior thalamic nuclei

Author

Listed:
  • Houri Hintiryan

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Mitchell Rudd

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Sumit Nanda

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Adriana E. Gutierrez

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Darrick Lo

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Tyler Boesen

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Luis Garcia

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Jiandong Sun

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Christian Estrada

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Hyun-Seung Mun

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Seita Yamashita

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Yeji E. Han

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Ian Bowman

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Lin Gou

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Chunru Cao

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Jennifer Gonzalez

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Keivan Moradi

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Qiuying Zhao

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Inga Yenokian

    (University of California Los Angeles
    Cedars-Sinai Medical Center)

  • Aishwarya Dev

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Brian Zingg

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Hanpeng Xu

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Qing Xue

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Muye Zhu

    (University of California Los Angeles
    Google)

  • Lijuan Liu

    (Southeast University
    Southeast University)

  • Xin Chen

    (Southeast University)

  • Zhixi Yun

    (Southeast University)

  • Hanchuan Peng

    (Fudan University)

  • Nicholas N. Foster

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Hong-Wei Dong

    (University of California Los Angeles)

Abstract

Currently, classification of neuron types in the mouse thalamus remains largely incomplete. The anterior thalamic nuclei (ATN), a Papez circuit component, encompass the anterodorsal (AD), anteroventral (AV), and anteromedial (AM) thalamic nuclei. Structurally, the ATN facilitate communication among the neocortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus. Functionally, they play pivotal roles in learning, memory, spatial navigation, and goal-directed behaviors. Therefore, the ATN provide a promising avenue to investigate the relationship between structural and functional complexity with neuron type diversity. In male mice, comprehensive, systematically collected, pathway tracing data revealed several connectionally unique ATN cell populations, suggesting multiple parallel subnetworks run through each nucleus. Further, we applied genetic sparse labeling, brain clearing, 3D microscopic imaging, and computational informatics to morphologically characterize and catalog ATN neuron types. This study provides insights into how the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala interact through neuron type-specific ATN subnetworks to coordinate cognitive and emotional aspects of goal-directed behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Houri Hintiryan & Mitchell Rudd & Sumit Nanda & Adriana E. Gutierrez & Darrick Lo & Tyler Boesen & Luis Garcia & Jiandong Sun & Christian Estrada & Hyun-Seung Mun & Seita Yamashita & Yeji E. Han & Ian, 2025. "Distinct subnetworks of the mouse anterior thalamic nuclei," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-26, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-60774-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60774-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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