Vestibular CCK neurons drive motion-induced malaise

Abstract

Travel can induce motion sickness (MS) in susceptible individuals. MS is an evolutionary conserved mechanism caused by mismatches between motion-related sensory information and past visual and motion memory, triggering a malaise accompanied by hypolocomotion, hypothermia, hypophagia and nausea. Vestibular nuclei (VN) are critical for the processing of movement input from the inner ear. Motion-induced activation of VN neurons recapitulates MS-related signs. However, the genetic identity of VN neurons mediating MS- related autonomic and aversive responses remains unknown. Here, we identify a central role of cholecystokinin (CCK)-expressing VN neurons in motion-induced malaise. Moreover, we show that CCK VN inputs onto the parabrachial nucleus activate Calca- expressing neurons and are sufficient to establish avoidance to novel food, which is prevented by CCK-A receptor antagonism. These observations provide greater insight into the neurobiological regulation of MS by identifying the neural substrates of MS and providing potential targets for treatment. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTWe live in an age where travel is paramount. However, one of the most disabling conditions inherent to traveling is motion sickness (MS). While studies have underscored the role of the vestibular system in the development of MS, the neuronal populations involved in motion-induced malaise remain largely unknown. Here, we describe the vestibular pathways eliciting MS responses, and identify a key role for cholecystokinin (CCK)-expressing vestibular neurons. We reveal that a vestibulo-parabrachial (PBN) CCKergic projection is sufficient to induce conditioned taste aversion, likely through the activation of calcitonin gene-related peptide-expressing PBN neurons. Finally, we underscore the role of CCK-A receptor signaling as a novel druggable target to treat MS, providing novel insight on the neurobiological substrates of MS.