Involvement of the projections from lateral habenula to RVM in the social defeat stress-induced behavioral impairments

• Grant number: 23/01110-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: November 01, 2023
• End date: October 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Felipe Villela Gomes
• Grantee: Marco Oreste Finocchio Pagliusi Junior
• Supervisor: Scott Russo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 20/08363-9 - Study of the modulation of afferent pathways to the rostral ventromedial medulla in depressive-like behavior and hyperalgesia induced by social stress in mice, BP.PD

Abstract

Rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) is a key structure of the descending pain pathway. Our group described a novel function of the RVM on stress-induced behavioral impairments. We also described a novel projection targeting RVM neurons originating from the lateral habenula (LHb), a structure that works as a relay station interconnecting the limbic forebrain with stress-related monoaminergic centers including the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and raphe nuclei. In the present project we will use chemogenetics, fiber photometry, and optogenetics approaches to investigate the function of LHb ’ RVM projections in the stress-induced behavioral impairments. It is important to note that the host group has great experience in using, developing, and teaching, the above-mentioned techniques, and is world leader in the field of stress-induced mental disorders. Furthermore, this project will impact decisively the candidate's career since he is profoundly interested in conducting his scientific career towards the study of neuronal connectivity. (AU)