Abstract
Masking is a direct behavioral response to environmental changes and plays an important role in the temporal distribution of activity. However, the mechanisms responsible for masking remain unclear. Here we identify thermosensors and a possible neural circuit regulating temperature-dependent masking behavior in mice. Analysis of mice lacking thermosensitive transient receptor potential (TRP) channels (Trpv1/3/4 and Trpm2/8) reveals that temperature-dependent masking is impaired in Trpm2- and Trpm8-null mice. Several brain regions are activated during temperature-dependent masking, including the preoptic area (POA), known as the thermoregulatory center, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which is the primary circadian pacemaker, the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT), and the nucleus accumbens (NAc). The POA, SCN, PVT are interconnected, and the PVT sends dense projections to the NAc, a key brain region involved in wheel-running activity. Partial chemical lesion of the PVT attenuates masking, suggesting the involvement of the PVT in temperature-dependent masking behavior.