Extended Data Figure 4 |. Neural dynamics of SFO^nNOS and MnPO^nNOS neurons.

a, Left, Schematic of fibre photometry experiments from SFO^nNOS (top) and MnPO^nNOS (bottom) neurons. nNOS-cre mice were injected with AAV-FLEX-GCaMP6s or eYFP into the SFO and MnPO. Right, representative traces showing the real-time activity of the SFO^nNOS (blue trace) and MnPO^nNOS (green trace) populations with water intake in water-restricted mice. Grey traces show the activity of eYFP control mice. Corresponding lick patterns are also shown (lower traces). SFO^nNOS and MnPO^nNOS neurons are rapidly and persistently inhibited by water drinking. b, SFO^nNOS and MnPO^nNOS neurons are sensitive to thirst-inducing stimuli. Intraperitoneal injection of NaCl (2 M, 300 μl) in a water-satiated animal robustly activated SFO^nNOS (blue) and MnPO^nNOS (green) neurons. c, Quantification of the neuronal responses. During liquid intake (black bars, n = 4 mice for SFO, n = 6 mice for MnPO) and sodium loading (grey bars, n = 5 mice), both SFO^nNOS and MnPO^nNOS neurons showed opposite activity changes. All error bars show mean ± s.e.m.