Topic: LC-NA activity

The locus coeruleus (LC) is a small brainstem nucleus that provides the forebrain with the primary source of noradrenaline (NA), a neuromodulator important for a range of core behavioral and physiological functions (Aston-Jones & Cohen, 2005; Martins & Froemke, 2015; Poe et al., 2020). While early theories described the LC as a homogeneous structure whose neurons release NA uniformly to broadly coordinate brain states, recent studies have begun to reveal that complex behavioral contexts can lead to engagement of specific subpopulations of LC neurons depending on their inputs, outputs,

Noradrenaline (NA) is a ubiquitous neuromodulator largely produced by locus coeruleus (LC) neurons that impacts multiple cognitive processes. Non-invasive methods are used to track LC-NA activity. For instance, pupillometry is shown to be linked to arousal state, LC-NA, and other neuromodulator activity. However, given that pupillometry is a relatively slow process, the extent by which LC-NA can be predicted by pupil is limited. Since movements are linked with increased LC activity, orofacial movements could potentially be used as an additional psychophysiological marker for arousal and LC-N