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Papers of the Week


Papers: 16 Nov 2024 - 22 Nov 2024


2024 Nov 26


Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A


39565313


121


48

Differential modulation of pain and associated anxiety by GABAergic neuronal circuits in the lateral habenula.

Authors

Chen T, Liu WB, Zhu SJ, Aji A, Zhang C, Zhang CC, Duan YJ, Zuo JX, Liu ZC, Li HJ, Wang YQ, Mi WL, Mao-Ying QL, Wang YQ, Chu YX

Abstract

Persistent pain frequently precipitates the development of anxiety disorders, yet the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we employed a mouse model that simulates trigeminal neuralgia and observed a marked reduction in the activity of GABAergic neurons in the lateral habenula (LHb), a critical region for modulating pain and anxiety. We utilized precise optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques to modulate these neurons, which significantly alleviated behaviors associated with pain and anxiety. Our investigations revealed an inhibitory pathway from the LHb GABAergic neurons to the posterior paraventricular thalamus. Activation of this pathway primarily mitigated pain-related behaviors, with minimal effects on anxiety. Conversely, interactions between GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons within the LHb were essential in alleviating both pain and anxiety following trigeminal nerve damage. Additionally, we identified that β-sitosterol interacts directly with LHb GABAergic neurons via the estrogen receptor α, providing dual therapeutic effects for both pain and anxiety. These findings highlight the critical role of reduced GABAergic neuronal activity in the LHb in the intersection of pain and anxiety, pointing to promising therapeutic possibilities.