Aberrant TSC-Rheb axis in Oxytocin receptor+ cells mediate stress-induced anxiety.

Stress is a major risk for the onset of several maladaptive processes including pathological anxiety, a diffuse state of heightened apprehension over anticipated threats. Pathological anxiety is prevalent in up to 59% of patients with Tuberous Sclerosis complex (TSC), a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) caused by loss-of-function mutations in genes for Tuberin () and/or Hamartin () that together comprise the eponymous protein complex. Here, we generated cell type-specific heterozygous knockout of in cells expressing oxytocin receptor (OTRCs) to model pathological anxiety-like behaviors observed in TSC patient population.