Brain-wide spatiotemporally distinct traveling waves drive anxiety-like behaviors in mice

Motivation: Even though traveling waves coordinate neural communication to modulate brain function and dysfunction, their propagation dynamics and functional roles remain unclear. Goal(s): We investigate brain-wide spatiotemporal propagation properties of traveling waves and their effects on behaviors. Approach: Using optogenetics alongside fMRI in mice. Results: We demenstrated that optogenetic activation induces cortical spreading depression (CSD)-like traveling waves. These waves propagate beyond the ipsilateral cortex to subcortical structures along cortico-amygdalar-striatal pathways, ultimately terminating in striatum. Propagation directions, speed, duration, and region involvement vary with origins. CSD-like waves induce anxiety-like behaviors by increasing dendritic spine density. Impact: Our study provide brain-wide view of the traveling wave propagation and reveals their functional role in inducing anxiety.