Work

Ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHvl) nNOS neurons regulate social behaviors in a sex-specific manner

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) neurons are ubiquitously spread in the mouse brain. Data using knockouts and pharmacology have revealed that nNOS is essential for the display of sexual and aggressive behavior. Yet, the specific neuronal populations regulating those behaviors remain elusive. Here, we aim to study the role of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHvl)-nNOS neurons in social behaviors in both sexes. First, we evaluate whether the expression of nNOS overlaps with the well characterized estrogen receptor alpha (ERα + )-VMHvl population. Next, we assess how different social stimuli affected VMHvl-nNOS neurons' activity. Lastly, we use transgenic mice and viral approaches to ablate VMHvl-nNOS neurons and evaluate their impact on behavior. Our findings suggest that nNOS neurons constitute a small cluster within the VMHvl-ERα+ population that regulates social behaviors in a sex-specific manner. In males, those neurons seem to be essential for aggression, whereas in females for sexual behavior and social motivation.

Source: Communications Biology

DOI: 10.1038/s42003-025-09279-y

Authors: Vinícius Elias de Moura Oliveira, Ioana Bodea, Julie Bakker

Institutions: University of Liège, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

Language: English

Topic: Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,190

Funders: Fonds De La Recherche Scientifique - FNRS, Fonds Léon Fredericq