Lateral hypothalamic orexin→VTA projection regulates consolation via orexin receptor 1 in male mice

Description

This dataset accompanies a study examining how lateral hypothalamic orexin (LHOX) neurons and their projection to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) regulate consolation-like behavior in male mice. We hypothesized that the LHOX→VTA pathway modulates consolation through a specific orexin receptor subtype in the VTA. Data include behavioral recordings (allogrooming, self-grooming, sociability, anxiety-like behavior), c-Fos quantification in LHOX neurons, chemogenetic manipulations of LHOX neurons and the LHOX→VTA projection, and intra-VTA pharmacological infusions. Key findings: consolation was accompanied by reduced c-Fos in LHOX neurons; activation of LHOX neurons or the LHOX→VTA pathway decreased allogrooming; intra-VTA OX1R blockade, but not OX2R blockade, reversed this deficit, identifying VTA OX1R as the critical receptor. These effects occurred without changes in anxiety-like behavior or general sociability. The data can be reused to re-analyze orexinergic modulation of prosocial behavior, compare receptor-specific effects, and support secondary analyses of hypothalamic–midbrain circuits. Detailed methods, group information, and statistical analyses are provided in the associated manuscript.

Institutions

• Nanyang Normal University

  Henan, Nanyang

Categories

Funders

• National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Beijing, Beijing

  Grant ID: 32270529

Licence