A Novel Cortical Mechanism for Top-Down Control of Water Intake

• Published in: Current biology 2020-12, Vol.30 (23), p.4789-4798.e4
• Main Authors: Zhao, Zhe, Soria-Gómez, Edgar, Varilh, Marjorie, Covelo, Ana, Julio-Kalajzić, Francisca, Cannich, Astrid, Castiglione, Adriana, Vanhoutte, Léonie, Duveau, Alexia, Zizzari, Philippe, Beyeler, Anna, Cota, Daniela, Bellocchio, Luigi, Busquets-Garcia, Arnau, Marsicano, Giovanni
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: anterior cingulate cortex; basolateral amygdala; CB1 receptors; Life Sciences; neuronal circuit; water intake
• ISSN: 0960-9822; 1879-0445
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.09.011

Water intake is crucial for maintaining body fluid homeostasis and animals’ survival [1–4]. In the brain, complex processes trigger thirst and drinking behavior [1–5]. The anterior wall of the third ventricle formed by the subfornical organ (SFO), the median preoptic nucleus, and the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT) constitute the primary structures sensing thirst signals and modulating water intake [6–10]. These subcortical regions are connected with the neocortex [11]. In particular, insular and anterior cingulate cortices (IC and ACC, respectively) have been shown to receive indirect innervations from the SFO and OVLT in rats [11] and to be involved in the control of water intake [12–15]. Type-1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1) modulate consummatory behaviors, such as feeding [16–26]. However, the role of CB1 receptors in the control of water intake is still a matter of debate [27–31]. Here, we show that endogenous activation of CB1 in cortical glutamatergic neurons of the ACC promotes water intake. Notably, presynaptic CB1 receptors of ACC glutamatergic neurons are abundantly located in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), a key area in the regulation of water intake. The selective expression of CB1 receptors in the ACC-to-BLA-projecting neurons is sufficient to stimulate drinking behavior. Moreover, chemogenetic stimulation of these projecting neurons suppresses drinking behavior, further supporting the role of this neuronal population in the control of water intake. Altogether, these data reveal a novel cortico-amygdalar mechanism involved in the regulation of drinking behavior. [Display omitted] •CB1 receptors are necessary for the control of water intake•CB1 receptors in the ACC glutamatergic neurons promote water intake•CB1 receptors in the ACC-to-BLA-projecting neurons promote water intake•Activation of the ACC neurons projecting to the BLA suppresses water intake Neocortical control of water intake is scantly known. Zhao et al. identify that CB1 receptors in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) glutamatergic neurons are sufficient to facilitate drinking behavior, and the facilitation is likely through the activation of the ACC presynaptic CB1 receptors located in the basolateral amygdala.