# Dissecting the neural circuits of maternal behaviors

> **NIH NIH R01** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2022 · $483,958

## Abstract

SUMMARY STATEMENT
Across mammalian species, maternal behavior is an innate social behavior essential for the
survival and success of the offspring. Decades of research has identified an evolutionarily
conserved hypothalamic area, the medial preoptic area (MPOA), as being essential for the
expression of maternal behavior. However, given that the MPOA contains heterogeneous and
multifunctional cells, the identity of cells relevant for maternal behavior remains unclear.
Recently, using a series of state-of-art functional manipulation and in vivo recording tools, we
found that cells in the MPOA that express the estrogen receptor alpha (Esr1) are necessary,
sufficient and naturally active during maternal behaviors. Our proposed study will expand on
these essential findings by seeking to further investigate the neural circuits extended from the
population. In Aim 1, we will combine retrograde and antegrade tracing and in vitro slice
electrophysiology to identify the downstream targets of the MPOA Esr1+ cells in female mice. In
Aim 2, we will employ optogenetic and pharmacogenetic tools to address the functional role of
each MPOA pathway and its related downstream cells in driving various components of
maternal behaviors. In Aim 3, we will use in vivo optical and electrophysiological recordings to
examine the natural responses of cells in the MPOA downstream regions during maternal
behaviors, and the principles that underlie the transfer of information from the MPOA to its
downstream cells. This project addresses a basic question in neuroscience regarding how
maternal behavior is generated and is relevant for understanding and treating a defective
maternal circuit that causes abnormal maternal behaviors, such as child neglect and abuse.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10401252
- **Project number:** 5R01HD092596-05
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Dayu Lin
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $483,958
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-10 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10401252

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10401252, Dissecting the neural circuits of maternal behaviors (5R01HD092596-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10401252. Licensed CC0.

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