Overview

• Researchers identified peri-LC neurons as a critical modulatory layer that fine-tunes locus coeruleus activity through GABA-mediated inhibition.
• The study highlights the heterogeneity of peri-LC neurons, showing distinct subpopulations that modulate arousal and attention based on contextual demands.
• Advanced techniques, including single-cell RNA sequencing and Pixel-seq, enabled precise mapping of peri-LC and locus coeruleus microcircuits in mice.
• Findings provide a detailed roadmap for targeting these circuits to address conditions like opioid withdrawal, anxiety, PTSD, and Alzheimer's disease.
• Published in Nature on May 7, 2025, the study underscores the translational potential of targeting peri-LC pathways to modulate maladaptive stress and arousal responses.