# Dissecting Peri-LC GABA Neurons in Anxiety-like Behavior

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2021 · $36,826

## Abstract

Project Summary:
The primary goal of this training proposal is to dissect the functional neurocircuitry of pericoerulear (peri-LC)
GABA neurons in anxiety-like behaviors. By providing inhibitory input to noradrenergic neurons in the locus
coeruleus (LC), this GABAergic population may act to limit the activity of LC neurons, thereby reducing the
behavioral affects associated with LC activation, i.e. anxiety-like and stress behaviors. The first aim of this
training proposal seeks to determine how peri-LC GABA neurons tune LC activity and impact anxiety-like
behaviors through cell-type specific optogenetic and chemogenetic manipulation and observation in transgenic
mouse lines. Aim 1A uses fiber photometry to observe the endogenous activity of this circuit, while Aim 1B uses
optogenetic activation and chemogenetic inhibition to determine the effects of peri-LC GABA neurons on
behavior. Aim 1C combines optogenetic observation of the LC with activation of the peri-LC network to determine
if the effects of peri-LC activation affect behavioral responses to stress in an LC-dependent manner. Aim 2 of
this proposal seeks to determine the anatomy, molecular identity, and network characteristics of this GABAergic
population through use of single-cell RNA sequencing, in situ hybridization, and circuit-tracing. This will be the
first study to use a series of high-resolution approaches to dissect the genetic characteristics, behavioral
implications, and diversity of this pericoerulear population. This research training proposal will provide a basic
understanding of how inputs onto a local inhibitory network can affect the activity of LC, thereby affecting arousal
across the brain and affecting stress response and anxiety-like behaviors.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10205960
- **Project number:** 5F31MH122033-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Andrew T Luskin
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $36,826
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2022-02-21

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10205960

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10205960, Dissecting Peri-LC GABA Neurons in Anxiety-like Behavior (5F31MH122033-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10205960. Licensed CC0.

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