POMC neurons modulate infant vocalizations through opioid signaling

Abstract

Infants cry when separated from their mothers. Here, we show that POMC neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus-via β-endorphin production and signaling-modulate the crying behavior of mouse pups. The effect of POMC neurons on vocal behavior depends on the expression of μ-opioid receptors, the main receptor for β-endorphin. Thus, POMC neurons in the hypothalamus modulate infant cry through opioid signaling.