Hubness of Paraventricular Thalamic Nucleus Predicts Thalamocortical Connectivity Changes Driven by Locus Coeruleus Activity

Motivation: The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is modulated by noradrenergic neurons from the locus coeruleus (LC) noradrenergic neurons and has reciprocal connection with thalamus, forming a circuit essential for goal-directed behavior. Goal(s): To understand how the paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT) integrates LC-NE signaling to modulate thalamocortical connectivity and its role in behaviors. Approach: This study used chemogenetics and fMRI to explore the thalamus's regulatory role on LC-driven connectivity changes. Results: Findings highlight the paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT) as a key predictor of LC-induced alterations in thalamocortical connectivity. Impact: This work reveals how the hubness of specific thalamic nuclei modulates thalamocortical circuits, offering insights into individual variability in LC-related behavior and potential implications for treating neuropsychiatric disorders.