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Thirst neurons discovered

17.09.2017

Scientists at Stanford University have discovered nerve cells in the brains of mice that control thirst.

More than 60 years ago, an area of the brain that controls thirst was discovered, and now researchers have found specific nerve cells that "tell" the body that it needs water.

To begin with, the scientists deprived the test mice of drinking for 48 hours, and then analyzed gene expression in the median preoptic nucleus, a brain region that, as previously established, is associated with thirst. Through the analysis, the researchers were able to focus on specific clusters of neurons in a given brain region.

Next, the scientists looked at how manipulation of the selected cells would affect water intake in mice. The scientists inhibited neuronal activation using optogenetics (a technique that uses light to control genetically modified cells) and found that the animals consumed less water. When the neurons, on the contrary, were excited, the animals experienced greater thirst.

The researchers trained some mice to get a drink by pushing a lever. It turned out that when the neural activity in the animals subsided (which means they did not experience strong thirst), they pressed the lever with less frequency.

Thirst is one of the main human instincts. If we do not get enough water, dehydration occurs, which leads to disruption of the biological system. A person can die of thirst. At the same time, excessive water consumption is also fraught with dangers and can lead to serious consequences.

The new study may lead to the development of new drugs for people suffering from adipsia (inability to feel thirsty) and polydipsia (increased thirst).

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