When mice are low on salt, a specific group of brain cells makes them desperately want to eat salt—even if it tastes bad—and these cells also make the mice feel bad, so they do things to stop the feeling.

Scientific Claim

In sodium-depleted mice, activation of prodynorphin-expressing excitatory neurons in the pre-locus coeruleus drives robust ingestion of sodium, even from aversive sources like rock salt, and these neurons encode an aversive motivational state that animals work to terminate.

Original Statement

“Acute stimulation of this population triggered robust sodium ingestion even from rock salt... photostimulation of pre-LCPDYN neurons significantly reduced occupancy time in the compartment paired with light... animals exhibited robust lever-press behavior to stop stimulation.”

From study:Chemosensory modulation of neural circuits for sodium appetite

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

definitive

Can make definitive causal claims

Assessment Explanation

The study uses precise genetic targeting, optogenetic activation/inhibition, and behavioral assays in mice to establish a direct, causal-like role for these neurons in sodium intake and aversion within the experimental model. Definitive language is appropriate for describing neural circuit function in this controlled animal model.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Chemosensory modulation of neural circuits for sodium appetite

Cohort Study

Animal

2019 Apr

When mice are low on salt, special brain cells make them really want to eat salt—even if it tastes bad—because those cells feel unpleasant. Eating salt, even just tasting it, turns off those cells and makes them feel better.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Chemosensory modulation of neural circuits for sodium appetite

Score: 12

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1053-2

Similar Assertions

Mice stop wanting salt almost instantly when they taste it in their mouth—even before the salt gets into their body—and this happens because a specific brain signal turns off when salt is tasted.

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These brain cells only make mice want salt—not water or food—and don’t affect how much they move around.

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When mice taste salt, a different group of brain cells that use a calming chemical (GABA) gets turned on and sends a 'stop' signal to the salt-craving cells, making them quiet down.

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When the body is low on salt, special cells in the brainstem that detect this imbalance send a 'go' signal to the salt-craving neurons, turning them on.

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The brain uses two different signals to control salt craving: one slow signal that says 'we need salt' and one fast signal that says 'you tasted salt, stop now'—and they work together to make the mouse eat just enough.

73%