RESUMO
Mammalian hibernators survive prolonged periods of cold and resource scarcity by temporarily modulating normal physiological functions, but the mechanisms underlying these adaptations are poorly understood. The hibernation cycle of thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) lasts for 5-7 months and comprises weeks of hypometabolic, hypothermic torpor interspersed with 24-48-h periods of an active-like interbout arousal (IBA) state. We show that ground squirrels, who endure the entire hibernation season without food, have negligible hunger during IBAs. These squirrels exhibit reversible inhibition of the hypothalamic feeding center, such that hypothalamic arcuate nucleus neurons exhibit reduced sensitivity to the orexigenic and anorexigenic effects of ghrelin and leptin, respectively. However, hypothalamic infusion of thyroid hormone during an IBA is sufficient to rescue hibernation anorexia. Our results reveal that thyroid hormone deficiency underlies hibernation anorexia and demonstrate the functional flexibility of the hypothalamic feeding center.
Assuntos
Anorexia , Grelina , Hibernação , Hipotálamo , Sciuridae , Animais , Hibernação/fisiologia , Sciuridae/fisiologia , Anorexia/fisiopatologia , Anorexia/metabolismo , Hipotálamo/metabolismo , Grelina/metabolismo , Grelina/deficiência , Leptina/deficiência , Leptina/metabolismo , Núcleo Arqueado do Hipotálamo/metabolismo , Neurônios/metabolismo , Neurônios/fisiologia , Masculino , Hormônios Tireóideos/metabolismo , Nível de Alerta/fisiologia , Feminino , Estações do Ano , Comportamento Alimentar/fisiologiaRESUMO
Acute SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers the generation of diverse and functional autoantibodies (AABs), even after mild cases. Persistently elevated autoantibodies have been found in some individuals with long COVID (LC). Using a >21,000 human protein array, we identified diverse AAB targets in LC patients that correlated with their symptoms. Elevated AABs to proteins in the nervous system were found in LC patients with neurocognitive and neurological symptoms. Purified Immunoglobulin G (IgG) samples from these individuals reacted with human pons tissue and were cross-reactive with mouse sciatic nerves, spinal cord, and meninges. Antibody reactivity to sciatic nerves and meninges correlated with patient-reported headache and disorientation. Passive transfer of IgG from patients to mice led to increased sensitivity and pain, mirroring patient-reported symptoms. Similarly, mice injected with IgG showed loss of balance and coordination, reflecting donor-reported dizziness. Our findings suggest that targeting AABs could benefit some LC patients.
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Reproduction is safeguarded by multiple, often cooperative, regulatory networks. Kisspeptin signaling, via KISS1R, plays a fundamental role in reproductive control, primarily by regulation of hypothalamic GnRH neurons. We disclose herein a pathway for direct kisspeptin actions in astrocytes that contributes to central reproductive modulation. Protein-protein interaction and ontology analyses of hypothalamic proteomic profiles after kisspeptin stimulation revealed that glial/astrocyte markers are regulated by kisspeptin in mice. This glial-kisspeptin pathway was validated by the demonstrated expression of Kiss1r in mouse astrocytes in vivo and astrocyte cultures from humans, rats, and mice, where kisspeptin activated canonical intracellular signaling-pathways. Cellular coexpression of Kiss1r with the astrocyte markers GFAP and S100-ß occurred in different brain regions, with higher percentage in Kiss1- and GnRH-enriched areas. Conditional ablation of Kiss1r in GFAP-positive cells in the G-KiR-KO mouse altered gene expression of key factors in PGE2 synthesis in astrocytes and perturbed astrocyte-GnRH neuronal appositions, as well as LH responses to kisspeptin and LH pulsatility, as surrogate marker of GnRH secretion. G-KiR-KO mice also displayed changes in reproductive responses to metabolic stress induced by high-fat diet, affecting female pubertal onset, estrous cyclicity, and LH-secretory profiles. Our data unveil a nonneuronal pathway for kisspeptin actions in astrocytes, which cooperates in fine-tuning the reproductive axis and its responses to metabolic stress.
Assuntos
Astrócitos , Hormônio Liberador de Gonadotropina , Kisspeptinas , Camundongos Knockout , Receptores de Kisspeptina-1 , Transdução de Sinais , Kisspeptinas/metabolismo , Kisspeptinas/genética , Animais , Astrócitos/metabolismo , Camundongos , Receptores de Kisspeptina-1/metabolismo , Receptores de Kisspeptina-1/genética , Humanos , Ratos , Feminino , Hormônio Liberador de Gonadotropina/metabolismo , Hormônio Liberador de Gonadotropina/genética , Masculino , Hipotálamo/metabolismo , Neurônios/metabolismo , Dinoprostona/metabolismo , Subunidade beta da Proteína Ligante de Cálcio S100/metabolismo , Subunidade beta da Proteína Ligante de Cálcio S100/genética , Proteína Glial Fibrilar Ácida/metabolismo , Proteína Glial Fibrilar Ácida/genética , ReproduçãoRESUMO
Mammalian hibernators survive prolonged periods of cold and resource scarcity by temporarily modulating normal physiological functions, but the mechanisms underlying these adaptations are poorly understood. The hibernation cycle of thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) lasts for 5-7 months and comprises weeks of hypometabolic, hypothermic torpor interspersed with 24-48-hour periods of an active-like interbout arousal (IBA) state. We show that ground squirrels, who endure the entire hibernation season without food, have negligible hunger during IBAs. These squirrels exhibit reversible inhibition of the hypothalamic feeding center, such that hypothalamic arcuate nucleus neurons exhibit reduced sensitivity to the orexigenic and anorexigenic effects of ghrelin and leptin, respectively. However, hypothalamic infusion of thyroid hormone during an IBA is sufficient to rescue hibernation anorexia. Our results reveal that thyroid hormone deficiency underlies hibernation anorexia and demonstrate the functional flexibility of the hypothalamic feeding center.
RESUMO
Empirical evidence suggests that heat exposure reduces food intake. However, the neurocircuit architecture and the signalling mechanisms that form an associative interface between sensory and metabolic modalities remain unknown, despite primary thermoceptive neurons in the pontine parabrachial nucleus becoming well characterized1. Tanycytes are a specialized cell type along the wall of the third ventricle2 that bidirectionally transport hormones and signalling molecules between the brain's parenchyma and ventricular system3-8. Here we show that tanycytes are activated upon acute thermal challenge and are necessary to reduce food intake afterwards. Virus-mediated gene manipulation and circuit mapping showed that thermosensing glutamatergic neurons of the parabrachial nucleus innervate tanycytes either directly or through second-order hypothalamic neurons. Heat-dependent Fos expression in tanycytes suggested their ability to produce signalling molecules, including vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA). Instead of discharging VEGFA into the cerebrospinal fluid for a systemic effect, VEGFA was released along the parenchymal processes of tanycytes in the arcuate nucleus. VEGFA then increased the spike threshold of Flt1-expressing dopamine and agouti-related peptide (Agrp)-containing neurons, thus priming net anorexigenic output. Indeed, both acute heat and the chemogenetic activation of glutamatergic parabrachial neurons at thermoneutrality reduced food intake for hours, in a manner that is sensitive to both Vegfa loss-of-function and blockage of vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2)-dependent exocytosis from tanycytes. Overall, we define a multimodal neurocircuit in which tanycytes link parabrachial sensory relay to the long-term enforcement of a metabolic code.
Assuntos
Tronco Encefálico , Células Ependimogliais , Comportamento Alimentar , Temperatura Alta , Hipotálamo , Vias Neurais , Neurônios , Animais , Feminino , Masculino , Camundongos , Proteína Relacionada com Agouti/metabolismo , Núcleo Arqueado do Hipotálamo/metabolismo , Núcleo Arqueado do Hipotálamo/citologia , Tronco Encefálico/citologia , Tronco Encefálico/fisiologia , Dopamina/metabolismo , Ingestão de Alimentos/fisiologia , Células Ependimogliais/citologia , Células Ependimogliais/fisiologia , Comportamento Alimentar/fisiologia , Ácido Glutâmico/metabolismo , Hipotálamo/citologia , Hipotálamo/fisiologia , Vias Neurais/metabolismo , Neurônios/metabolismo , Núcleos Parabraquiais/citologia , Núcleos Parabraquiais/metabolismo , Núcleos Parabraquiais/fisiologia , Sensação Térmica/fisiologia , Fatores de Tempo , Fator A de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Fator A de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/metabolismoRESUMO
AgRP neurons drive hunger, and excessive nutrient intake is the primary driver of obesity and associated metabolic disorders. While many factors impacting central regulation of feeding behavior have been established, the role of microRNAs in this process is poorly understood. Utilizing unique mouse models, we demonstrate that miR-33 plays a critical role in the regulation of AgRP neurons, and that loss of miR-33 leads to increased feeding, obesity, and metabolic dysfunction in mice. These effects include the regulation of multiple miR-33 target genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid metabolism. Our findings elucidate a key regulatory pathway regulated by a non-coding RNA that impacts hunger by controlling multiple bioenergetic processes associated with the activation of AgRP neurons, providing alternative therapeutic approaches to modulate feeding behavior and associated metabolic diseases.
Assuntos
Fome , MicroRNAs , Animais , Camundongos , Proteína Relacionada com Agouti/genética , Proteína Relacionada com Agouti/metabolismo , Fome/fisiologia , Hipotálamo/metabolismo , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Neurônios/metabolismo , Obesidade/metabolismoRESUMO
Dysregulation of hypothalamic ceramides has been associated with disrupted neuronal pathways in control of energy and glucose homeostasis. However, the specific ceramide species promoting neuronal lipotoxicity in obesity have remained obscure. Here, we find increased expression of the C16:0 ceramide-producing ceramide synthase (CerS)6 in cultured hypothalamic neurons exposed to palmitate in vitro and in the hypothalamus of obese mice. Conditional deletion of CerS6 in hypothalamic neurons attenuates high-fat diet (HFD)-dependent weight gain and improves glucose metabolism. Specifically, CerS6 deficiency in neurons expressing pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) or steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) alters feeding behavior and alleviates the adverse metabolic effects of HFD feeding on insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. POMC-expressing cell-selective deletion of CerS6 prevents the diet-induced alterations of mitochondrial morphology and improves cellular leptin sensitivity. Our experiments reveal functions of CerS6-derived ceramides in hypothalamic lipotoxicity, altered mitochondrial dynamics, and ER/mitochondrial stress in the deregulation of food intake and glucose metabolism in obesity.
Assuntos
Obesidade , Pró-Opiomelanocortina , Animais , Camundongos , Ceramidas/metabolismo , Dieta Hiperlipídica/efeitos adversos , Glucose/metabolismo , Homeostase , Hipotálamo/metabolismo , Camundongos Obesos , Neurônios/metabolismo , Obesidade/metabolismo , Pró-Opiomelanocortina/metabolismoRESUMO
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric disorder mainly characterized by extreme hypophagia, severe body weight loss, hyperactivity, and hypothermia. Currently, AN has the highest mortality rate among psychiatric illnesses. Despite decades of research, there is no effective cure for AN nor is there a clear understanding of its etiology. Since a complex interaction between genetic, environmental, social, and cultural factors underlines this disorder, the development of a suitable animal model has been difficult so far. Here, we present our protocol that couples a loss-of-function mouse model to the activity-based anorexia model (ABA), which involves self-imposed starvation in response to exposure to food restriction and exercise. We provide insights into a neural circuit that drives survival in AN and, in contrast to previous protocols, propose a model that mimics the conditions that mainly promote AN in humans, such as increased incidence during adolescence, onset preceded by negative energy balance, and increased compulsive exercise. This protocol will be useful for future studies that aim to identify neuronal populations or brain circuits that promote the onset or long-term maintenance of this devastating eating disorder.
RESUMO
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric illness with the highest mortality. Current treatment options have been limited to psychotherapy and nutritional support, with low efficacy and high relapse rates. Hypothalamic AgRP (agouti-related peptide) neurons that coexpress AGRP and neuropeptide Y (NPY) play a critical role in driving feeding while also modulating other complex behaviors. We have previously reported that genetic ablation of Tet3, which encodes a member of the TET family dioxygenases, specifically in AgRP neurons in mice, activates these neurons and increases the expression of AGRP, NPY, and the vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT), leading to hyperphagia and anxiolytic effects. Bobcat339 is a synthetic small molecule predicted to bind to the catalytic pockets of TET proteins. Here, we report that Bobcat339 is effective in mitigating AN and anxiety/depressive-like behaviors using a well-established mouse model of activity-based anorexia (ABA). We show that treating mice with Bobcat339 decreases TET3 expression in AgRP neurons and activates these neurons leading to increased feeding, decreased compulsive running, and diminished lethality in the ABA model. Mechanistically, Bobcat339 induces TET3 protein degradation while simultaneously stimulating the expression of AGRP, NPY, and VGAT in a TET3-dependent manner both in mouse and human neuronal cells, demonstrating a conserved, previously unsuspected mode of action of Bobcat339. Our findings suggest that Bobcat339 may potentially be a therapeutic for anorexia nervosa and stress-related disorders.
Assuntos
Anorexia Nervosa , Dioxigenases , Camundongos , Humanos , Animais , Proteína Relacionada com Agouti/genética , Proteína Relacionada com Agouti/metabolismo , Anorexia Nervosa/tratamento farmacológico , Anorexia Nervosa/metabolismo , Neurônios/metabolismo , Hipotálamo/metabolismo , Modelos Animais , Dioxigenases/metabolismoRESUMO
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) is almost exclusively expressed in glial cells in postnatal mouse brain, but its impact in glia for brain behavioral functioning is poorly understood. We compared behavioral effects from FGFR2 loss in both neurons and astroglial cells and from FGFR2 loss in astroglial cells by using either the pluripotent progenitor-driven hGFAP-cre or the tamoxifen-inducible astrocyte-driven GFAP-creERT2 in Fgfr2 floxed mice. When FGFR2 was eliminated in embryonic pluripotent precursors or in early postnatal astroglia, mice were hyperactive, and had small changes in working memory, sociability, and anxiety-like behavior. In contrast, FGFR2 loss in astrocytes starting at 8 weeks of age resulted only in reduced anxiety-like behavior. Therefore, early postnatal loss of FGFR2 in astroglia is critical for broad behavioral dysregulation. Neurobiological assessments demonstrated that astrocyte-neuron membrane contact was reduced and glial glutamine synthetase expression increased only by early postnatal FGFR2 loss. We conclude that altered astroglial cell function dependent on FGFR2 in the early postnatal period may result in impaired synaptic development and behavioral regulation, modeling childhood behavioral deficits like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Assuntos
Astrócitos , Memória de Curto Prazo , Receptor Tipo 2 de Fator de Crescimento de Fibroblastos , Animais , Camundongos , Astrócitos/metabolismo , Locomoção , Neuroglia/metabolismo , Neurônios/metabolismo , Receptor Tipo 2 de Fator de Crescimento de Fibroblastos/metabolismoRESUMO
As marijuana use during adolescence has been increasing, the need to understand the effects of its long-term use becomes crucial. Previous research suggested that marijuana consumption during adolescence increases the risk of developing mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. Ghrelin is a peptide produced primarily in the gut and is important for feeding behavior. Recent studies have shown that ghrelin and its receptor, the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), play important roles in mediating stress, as well as anxiety and depression-like behaviors in animal models. Here, we investigated the effects of chronic tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) administration during late adolescence (P42-55) in GHSR (GHSR -/-) knockout mice and their wild-type littermates in relation to anxiety-like behaviors. We determined that continuous THC exposure during late adolescence did not lead to any significant alterations in the anxiety-like behaviors of adult mice, regardless of genotype, following a prolonged period of no exposure (1 month). These data indicate that in the presence of intact or impaired ghrelin/GHSR signaling, THC exposure during late adolescence has limited if any long-term impact on anxiety-like behaviors in mice.
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AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between ghrelin levels and the subjective effects of alcohol in heavy drinkers, and to compare them to healthy controls. METHODS: Ghrelin levels were collected as part of two laboratory studies. Both groups received either IV infusion of saline or high dose of alcohol (100 mg%). In the study of heavy drinkers, ghrelin was gathered on all subjects, but data was analyzed only for participants who received placebo (N=12). Healthy controls (N=20) came from another study that collected data on family history. Ghrelin levels and measures of alcohol effects (BAES, VAS, NDS, YCS [see manuscript for details]) were collected at 4 timepoints: baseline, before infusion, during infusion and after infusion. RESULTS: IV alcohol significantly reduced ghrelin levels and higher fasting ghrelin levels were associated with more intense subjective alcohol effects. There were no differences in fasting ghrelin levels or subjective effects between heavy drinkers and controls. However, while both groups showed similar decline in ghrelin levels following alcohol infusion, on the placebo day, ghrelin levels in the healthy subjects increased significantly and exponentially over time while for the heavy drinkers ghrelin levels remained flat. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the role of ghrelin in reward mechanisms for alcohol. Contrary to others, we found no differences in fasting ghrelin levels or subjective experiences of alcohol between heavy drinkers and healthy controls. However, the group differences on the IV placebo day may be a possible indication of ghrelin abnormalities in heavy drinkers.
Assuntos
Intoxicação Alcoólica , Hipnóticos e Sedativos , Humanos , Grelina , Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas , EtanolRESUMO
The TET family of dioxygenases promote DNA demethylation by oxidizing 5-methylcytosine to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). Hypothalamic agouti-related peptide-expressing (AGRP-expressing) neurons play an essential role in driving feeding, while also modulating nonfeeding behaviors. Besides AGRP, these neurons produce neuropeptide Y (NPY) and the neurotransmitter GABA, which act in concert to stimulate food intake and decrease energy expenditure. Notably, AGRP, NPY, and GABA can also elicit anxiolytic effects. Here, we report that in adult mouse AGRP neurons, CRISPR-mediated genetic ablation of Tet3, not previously known to be involved in central control of appetite and metabolism, induced hyperphagia, obesity, and diabetes, in addition to a reduction of stress-like behaviors. TET3 deficiency activated AGRP neurons, simultaneously upregulated the expression of Agrp, Npy, and the vesicular GABA transporter Slc32a1, and impeded leptin signaling. In particular, we uncovered a dynamic association of TET3 with the Agrp promoter in response to leptin signaling, which induced 5hmC modification that was associated with a chromatin-modifying complex leading to transcription inhibition, and this regulation occurred in both the mouse models and human cells. Our results unmasked TET3 as a critical central regulator of appetite and energy metabolism and revealed its unexpected dual role in the control of feeding and other complex behaviors through AGRP neurons.
Assuntos
Ansiolíticos , Dioxigenases , 5-Metilcitosina/metabolismo , Proteína Relacionada com Agouti/genética , Proteína Relacionada com Agouti/metabolismo , Animais , Ansiolíticos/farmacologia , Cromatina/metabolismo , Dioxigenases/genética , Dioxigenases/metabolismo , Humanos , Hipotálamo/metabolismo , Leptina/metabolismo , Camundongos , Neurônios/metabolismo , Neuropeptídeo Y/metabolismo , Ácido gama-Aminobutírico/genética , Ácido gama-Aminobutírico/metabolismo , Ácido gama-Aminobutírico/farmacologiaRESUMO
The lateral septum (LS) has been implicated in the regulation of locomotion. Nevertheless, the neurons synchronizing LS activity with the brain's clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) remain unknown. By interrogating the molecular, anatomical and physiological heterogeneity of dopamine neurons of the periventricular nucleus (PeVN; A14 catecholaminergic group), we find that Th+/Dat1+ cells from its anterior subdivision innervate the LS in mice. These dopamine neurons receive dense neuropeptidergic innervation from the SCN. Reciprocal viral tracing in combination with optogenetic stimulation ex vivo identified somatostatin-containing neurons in the LS as preferred synaptic targets of extrahypothalamic A14 efferents. In vivo chemogenetic manipulation of anterior A14 neurons impacted locomotion. Moreover, chemogenetic inhibition of dopamine output from the anterior PeVN normalized amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion, particularly during sedentary periods. Cumulatively, our findings identify a hypothalamic locus for the diurnal control of locomotion and pinpoint a midbrain-independent cellular target of psychostimulants.
Assuntos
Dopamina , Hipotálamo , Animais , Dopamina/fisiologia , Camundongos , Neurônios/fisiologia , Somatostatina , Núcleo Supraquiasmático/fisiologiaRESUMO
The role of glia as active participants in brain functions has become increasingly evident. In this issue of Cell Metabolism, Herrera Moro Chao et al. reveal that astrocytes in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) bidirectionally control neuronal behavior in response to metabolic cues and that this control is disrupted in obesity.
Assuntos
Neurônios , Núcleo Hipotalâmico Paraventricular , Astrócitos , Metabolismo Energético , Humanos , Neurônios/metabolismo , Obesidade/metabolismo , Núcleo Hipotalâmico Paraventricular/metabolismoRESUMO
Dysregulation of long interspersed nuclear element 1 (LINE-1, L1), a dominant class of transposable elements in the human genome, has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases, but whether elevated L1 expression is sufficient to cause neurodegeneration has not been directly tested. Here, we show that the cerebellar expression of L1 is significantly elevated in ataxia telangiectasia patients and strongly anti-correlated with the expression of epigenetic silencers. To examine the role of L1 in the disease etiology, we developed an approach for direct targeting of the L1 promoter for overexpression in mice. We demonstrated that L1 activation in the cerebellum led to Purkinje cell dysfunctions and degeneration and was sufficient to cause ataxia. Treatment with a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor blunted ataxia progression by reducing DNA damage, attenuating gliosis, and reversing deficits of molecular regulators for calcium homeostasis in Purkinje cells. Our study provides the first direct evidence that L1 activation can drive neurodegeneration.
Assuntos
Elementos de DNA Transponíveis , Inibidores da Transcriptase Reversa , Animais , Humanos , Camundongos , Ataxia/metabolismo , Cálcio/metabolismo , Cerebelo/metabolismo , Nucleosídeos/metabolismo , Células de Purkinje/fisiologia , Inibidores da Transcriptase Reversa/metabolismo , Elementos Nucleotídeos Longos e DispersosRESUMO
The ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) is known to regulate body weight and counterregulatory response. However, how VMH neurons regulate lipid metabolism and energy balance remains unknown. O-linked ß-d-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification (O-GlcNAcylation), catalyzed by O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), is considered a cellular sensor of nutrients and hormones. Here, we report that genetic ablation of OGT in VMH neurons inhibits neuronal excitability. Mice with VMH neuron-specific OGT deletion show rapid weight gain, increased adiposity, and reduced energy expenditure, without significant changes in food intake or physical activity. The obesity phenotype is associated with adipocyte hypertrophy and reduced lipolysis of white adipose tissues. In addition, OGT deletion in VMH neurons down-regulates the sympathetic activity and impairs the sympathetic innervation of white adipose tissues. These findings identify OGT in the VMH as a homeostatic set point that controls body weight and underscore the importance of the VMH in regulating lipid metabolism through white adipose tissue-specific innervation.
Assuntos
Lipólise , N-Acetilglucosaminiltransferases , Obesidade , Tecido Adiposo/metabolismo , Animais , Peso Corporal , Hipotálamo/metabolismo , Lipólise/genética , Camundongos , Obesidade/genética , Obesidade/metabolismoRESUMO
Hypothalamic agouti-related peptide and neuropeptide Y-expressing (AgRP) neurons have a critical role in both feeding and non-feeding behaviors of newborn, adolescent, and adult mice, suggesting their broad modulatory impact on brain functions. Here we show that constitutive impairment of AgRP neurons or their peripubertal chemogenetic inhibition resulted in both a numerical and functional reduction of neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of mice. These changes were accompanied by alteration of oscillatory network activity in mPFC, impaired sensorimotor gating, and altered ambulatory behavior that could be reversed by the administration of clozapine, a non-selective dopamine receptor antagonist. The observed AgRP effects are transduced to mPFC in part via dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area and may also be conveyed by medial thalamic neurons. Our results unmasked a previously unsuspected role for hypothalamic AgRP neurons in control of neuronal pathways that regulate higher-order brain functions during development and in adulthood.