New Imaging Technique Reveals Brain-Body Connection's Role in Emotion

Scientists have developed a novel imaging technique, D-PSCAN, to observe the brainstem's nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) in living animals. The NTS is a crucial relay for signals from organs via the vagus nerve, impacting emotion regulation and mental health. This research, published in *Cell Reports Methods* (April 4, 2025), from Japan, offers new insights into brain-body interactions. D-PSCAN allows high-resolution, minimally invasive visualization of NTS activity. Researchers visualized the NTS response to vagus nerve stimulation and the gut hormone cholecystokinin. This could optimize vagus nerve stimulation treatments for depression and other disorders. The D-PSCAN method involves implanting double microprisms between the cerebellum and brainstem. This preserves cerebellar function while providing a detailed view of the NTS. The technique promises to advance our understanding of brain-body-mind interactions.