Graduate  student YAN Jingjing from Dr. Xu Xiaohong's lab gave a talk entitled "A subiculum to hypothalamus circuit for anxiety behaviors". In the talk, YAN Jingjing presented research progress related to controlling anxiety-related behavior and shared the latest results. The study used experimental methods such as optogenetics, optical fiber calcium signal recordings, and electrophysiology to reveal the role of a hippocampus to the hypothalamus circuit in regulating anxiety behavior. The findings point to an evolutionarily conserved origin of anxiety-related emotions rooted in innate avoidance. Experimental evidence obtained in her studies may also provide new insights for understanding and treating anxiety-related disorders.

This seminar has attracted active participation and lively discussions from young researchers and deepened the mutual understandings of various laboratories in the field. Investigators including Dr. XU Ninglong, XU Chun, and XU Huatai provided valuable suggestions and feedback to the speaker.