Neuronal substrates governing approach/avoidance conflict

About This Grant

Project Summary Many research groups concentrate on elucidating the substrates underlying reward approach or avoidance behaviors, resulting in a wealth of datasets detailing neuronal circuits governing motivation. However, the dynamics of opposing motivational circuits operating during approach/avoidance conflicts remain poorly understood. This knowledge gap is significant, as compromised approach/avoidance behaviors are hallmark features of anxiety, depression, and addiction. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a key mediator of approach/avoidance conflict. Here, we propose to characterize the role of NAc neurons and astrocytes and circuits in influencing approach/avoidance conflict behaviors in mice, using fiber photometry, virally-mediated cellular signal ablation, and optogenetics in mice trained in the platform-mediated avoidance task. In Aim 1, we will characterize how NAc neurons and astrocytes encode approach/avoidance conflict learning and expression with calcium fiber photometry in mice training in the platform-mediated avoidance task. In Aim 2, we will ablate signaling of NAc neurons and astrocytes to probe their role in approach/avoidance conflict learning in mice training in the platform-mediated avoidance task the activity of NAc cell types and circuits during behavioral conflict in platform-mediated avoidance. In Aim 3, we will optogenetically silence NAc neurons and astrocytes to probe their role in approach/avoidance conflict expression in mice training in the platform-mediated avoidance task. Findings from this work will shed light on how NAc mediates approach/avoidance conflict and potentially shed light into the role of NAc in psychiatric disorders involving poor approach/avoidance behaviors.