Title: Circuit-based mechanism of hunting behavior

Speaker: Professor Daesoo Kim, Ph.D. (KAIST)

Date & Time: March 21 (Wed), 4:30PM~5:45PM

Venue: YBS Bldg. (E16-1), Rm#207

Abstract:

Animals continuously interact with objects to acquire useful resources for their survival. It has been unknown as to how the brain yields the motivation toward objects. We reveal that a specific group of neurons in the medial preoptic area (MPA) induce hunting-like behavior to acquire target objects. Photostimulation of these neurons induces chasing, holding, biting, and retrieving target toys in mice. When exposed to crickets, these mice show predatory actions to catch and kill the prey. This finding strongly suggests that the biological meaning of playing with object is associated with hunting behavior. Inspired by this object-carving mechanism, researchers developed a new technology called by MIDAS (MPA-induced drive assisted steering). During photostimulation of the MPA circuit, mice chase a head mounted object swung around by computer program wirelessly in the front of head. The MIDAS mice navigate pathways along the programmed route in a complex maze with avoiding obstacles. This finding and the MIDAS technology will be useful for understanding and modulating of foraging behaviors and related human disorders such as object hoarding disorders and shopping addiction.