Genes that identify dopamine nerve cells needed for mice’s daily activity before mealtime

A small Calbindin1-positive substantia nigra dopamine neuron subset appears necessary for anticipatory locomotion before scheduled food in mice.

This was a mouse genetic and viral-rescue study deleting or restoring tyrosine hydroxylase in defined dopamine neuron populations while measuring food anticipatory activity.

The findings separate locomotor expression from food-seeking behavior in mice, but do not identify the full timing circuit or show that the same neurons govern food anticipation in other species.