A midbrain circuit that mediates headache aversiveness

Many VTA neurons receive monosynaptic input from the vlPAG, and cranial nociceptive input increases Fos expression in VTA-projecting vlPAG neurons. Activation of PAG inputs to the VTA induces avoidance behavior, while inactivation of these projections induces a place preference only in animals with headache.

This work identifies a distinct pathway that mediates cranial nociceptive aversiveness. Source data for electrophysiology and Fos counting in the vlPAG are provided here. A summary of behavioral data is also provided.