Neuropeptide Y neurons surrounding the locus coeruleus inhibit noradrenergic system activity to reduce anxiety.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
NPY-expressing neurons surrounding the locus coeruleus inhibit noradrenaline output through NPY-Y1R signaling, providing bidirectional control of anxiety. Stress activates these neurons, and enhancing their activity reduces anxiety after stress.
Key Numbers
Not specified quantitatively. Demonstrated bidirectional control via activation/inhibition experiments. NPY-Y1R signaling identified as mechanism.
How They Did This
Functional circuit dissection in mice. Combined optogenetics, chemogenetics, in vivo fiber photometry, and NPY release measurement. Tested in naive and stress-exposed conditions.
Why This Research Matters
The brain has a built-in brake system for stress responses using neuropeptide Y. Understanding this system could lead to new anxiety treatments that boost the brain's own calming mechanisms rather than suppressing the entire stress response.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Mouse model only. Neural circuits may differ in humans. Manipulations are invasive and not directly translatable to therapy. Acute stress paradigm may not reflect chronic anxiety disorders.
Trust & Context
- Original Title:
- Neuropeptide Y neurons surrounding the locus coeruleus inhibit noradrenergic system activity to reduce anxiety.
- Published In:
- Science advances, 11(30), eadq0011 (2025)
- Authors:
- Riga, Danai, Kooij, Karlijn L, Rademakers, Kelly, Wolterink-Donselaar, Inge G, Basak, Onur, Meye, Frank J
- Database ID:
- RPEP-13266
Evidence Hierarchy
Read More on RethinkPeptides
Cite This Study
https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-13266APA
Riga, Danai; Kooij, Karlijn L; Rademakers, Kelly; Wolterink-Donselaar, Inge G; Basak, Onur; Meye, Frank J. (2025). Neuropeptide Y neurons surrounding the locus coeruleus inhibit noradrenergic system activity to reduce anxiety.. Science advances, 11(30), eadq0011. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adq0011
MLA
Riga, Danai, et al. "Neuropeptide Y neurons surrounding the locus coeruleus inhibit noradrenergic system activity to reduce anxiety.." Science advances, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adq0011
RethinkPeptides
RethinkPeptides Research Database. "Neuropeptide Y neurons surrounding the locus coeruleus inhib..." RPEP-13266. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/riga-2025-neuropeptide-y-neurons-surrounding
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.