A nigroincertal projection mediates aversion and enhances coping responses to potential threat.

Recent studies have shown that the non-DA neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra (SN) not only modulate motivational behaviors but also regulate defensive behaviors. While zona incerta (ZI) is a threat-responsive substrate and receives innervations from the ventral midbrain, the function of the ventral midbrain-to-ZI connection remains poorly defined. Here, we demonstrate that the ZI receives heterogenous innervations from the ventral midbrain.

Negative Emotions Recruit the Parabrachial Nucleus Efferent to the VTA to Disengage Instrumental Food Seeking.

The parabrachial nucleus (PBN) interfaces between taste and feeding systems and is also an important hub for relaying distress information and threats. Despite that the PBN sends projections to the ventral tegmental area (VTA), a heterogeneous brain region that regulates motivational behaviors, the function of the PBN-to-VTA connection remains elusive. Here, by using male mice in several behavioral paradigms, we discover that VTA-projecting PBN neurons are significantly engaged in contextual fear, restraint or mild stress but not palatable feeding, visceral malaise, or thermal pain.