CRN Team Cragg used array photometry in mice to reveal a topography of opposing changes in ACh release across distinct striatal regions. Reward prediction error encoding was localized to specific phases of ACh dynamics in anterior dorsal striatum.

🔗 Read the full #publication: bit.ly/3JjqQCE

Dropping our latest preprint 🚨 We show that arcuate Kiss1 neurons act as melanocortin sensitive regulators of BAT thermogenesis through a glutamate dependent Leptr/CART pathway from the DMH to the RPa. @victor-navarro.bsky.social

Many thanks to Mark Howe and all colleagues who contributed to this work! 🙏

This reveals how the brain balances learning vs unlearning! But how do these ACh “unlearning “signals emerge? well it takes two (ACh and DA) to tango! Many more details in the Paper!

When we silenced ACh in this region, extinction was impaired, demonstrating the role of ACh elevations in down-regulating cue-reward associations.

We identified precise topographic organization of ACh release, with the anterior dorsal striatum as the key hub for this learning/extinction switch.

Key finding: ACh dips during cue-reward associations ("that bell means treats - learn this!") while ACh elevations emerge when cues lose their predictive value ("bell but no treats anymore - forget this association!").

We mapped striatum-wide acetylcholine dynamics and investigated how ACh release evolves during Pavlovian learning and extinction.

🚨I’m excited to share that the first piece of my postdoc work with Mark Howe is out! www.nature.com/articles/s41... 🧵⬇️

Congratulations to new JNE ECR Board Member, Dr Rajae Talbi!

“I'm excited about the opportunity to contribute to the publication of rigorous and impactful research that pushes the boundaries of our understanding in the field.” - @rajaetalbi.bsky.social‬

Read more: www.neuroendo.org.uk...