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Sun X, Zhang Y, Li X, Liu X, Qin C. Early-Life Neglect Alters Emotional and Cognitive Behavior in a Sex-Dependent Manner and Reduces Glutamatergic Neuronal Excitability in the Prefrontal Cortex. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:572224. [PMID: 33574771 PMCID: PMC7870800 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.572224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life neglect in critical developmental periods has been associated with emotional and cognitive consequences. Maternal separation (MS) has been commonly used as a rodent model to identify the developmental effects of child neglect. However, reports have shown considerable variability in behavioral results from MS studies in both mice and rats. Difficulties in developing reliable child neglect models have impeded advances in identifying the effects of early-life stress. Accumulating evidence shows that neuronal intrinsic excitability plays an important role in information processing and storage in the brain. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) integrates information from many cortical and subcortical structures. No studies to date have examined the impact of early-life stress on glutamatergic neuronal excitability in the PFC. This study aimed to develop a reliable child neglect rat model and observe glutamatergic neuronal excitability in the PFC. An MS with early weaning (MSEW) rat model was developed. Rats were separated from the dam for 4 h per day on postnatal days (PNDs) 2-5 and for 8 h per day on PNDs 6-16 and then weaned on PND 17. A battery of behavioral tests was used to assess anxiety-like behavior, coping behavior, working memory, spatial reference memory, and fear memory. The action potentials (APs) of glutamatergic neuronal membranes were recorded. MSEW resulted in anxiety-like behavior, a passive coping strategy and increased fear memory in male rats and decreased locomotor activity in both sexes. MSEW slightly impaired working memory during non-stressful situations in female rats but did not change spatial reference memory or associative learning under stressful circumstances in either sex. MSEW reduced the number of glutamatergic neuron APs in male rats. Our findings showed that MS with early weaning induced anxiety-like behavior in male rats. The reduced glutamatergic neuronal excitability may be associated with the emotional alteration induced by MSEW in male rats. In addition, MSEW induced adaptive modification, which depended on a non-stressful context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuping Sun
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Xianglei Li
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Xinmin Liu
- Peking Union Medical College, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Chuan Qin
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing, China
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Klorig DC, Alberto GE, Smith T, Godwin DW. Optogenetically-Induced Population Discharge Threshold as a Sensitive Measure of Network Excitability. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0229-18.2019. [PMID: 31619450 PMCID: PMC6838688 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0229-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Network excitability is governed by synaptic efficacy, intrinsic excitability, and the circuitry in which these factors are expressed. The complex interplay between these factors determines how circuits function and, at the extreme, their susceptibility to seizure. We have developed a sensitive, quantitative estimate of network excitability in freely behaving mice using a novel optogenetic intensity-response procedure. Synchronous activation of deep sublayer CA1 pyramidal cells produces abnormal network-wide epileptiform population discharges (PDs) that are nearly indistinguishable from spontaneously-occurring interictal spikes (IISs). By systematically varying light intensity, and therefore the magnitude of the optogenetically-mediated current, we generated intensity-response curves using the probability of PD as the dependent variable. Manipulations known to increase excitability, such as sub-convulsive doses (20 mg/kg) of the chemoconvulsant pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), produced a leftward shift in the curve compared to baseline. The anti-epileptic drug levetiracetam (LEV; 40 mk/kg), in combination with PTZ, produced a rightward shift. Optogenetically-induced PD threshold (oPDT) baselines were stable over time, suggesting the metric is appropriate for within-subject experimental designs with multiple pharmacological manipulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- D C Klorig
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy
- Neuroscience Program
| | - G E Alberto
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy
- Neuroscience Program
| | - T Smith
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy
| | - D W Godwin
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy
- Neuroscience Program
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
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53
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Shao LX, Jiang Q, Liu XX, Gong DM, Yin YX, Wu G, Sun NH, Wang CK, Chen QZ, Yu C, Shi WX, Fan HY, Fukunaga K, Chen Z, Lu YM, Han F. Functional coupling of Tmem74 and HCN1 channels regulates anxiety-like behavior in BLA neurons. Mol Psychiatry 2019; 24:1461-1477. [PMID: 30886335 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0402-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent psychiatric disorders, but their pathogenic mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we report that transmembrane protein 74 (TMEM74), which contains two putative transmembrane domains and exhibits high levels of mRNA in the brain, is closely associated with the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders. TMEM74 was decreased in the serum of patients with anxiety and the basolateral amygdaloid nucleus (BLA) in chronic stress mice. Furthermore, genetic deletion of Tmem74 or selective knockdown of Tmem74 in BLA pyramidal neurons resulted in anxiety-like behaviors in mice. Whole-cell recordings in BLA pyramidal neurons revealed lower hyperpolarization-activated cation current (Ih) and greater input resistance and excitability in Tmem74-/- neurons than in wild-type neurons. Accordingly, surface expression of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated 1 (HCN1) channels was also lower in the BLA of Tmem74-/- mice. The Ih current blocker ZD7288 mimicked these effects in BLA pyramidal neurons in wild-type mice but not in Tmem74-/- mice. Consistent with the improvement in anxiety-like behaviors, Tmem74 overexpression restored HCN1 channel trafficking and pyramidal neuron excitability in the BLA of Tmem74-/- and chronic stress mice. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that interactions between Tmem74 and HCN1 are physiologically relevant and that transmembrane domain 1 (TM1) is essential for the cellular membrane localization of Tmem74 to enhance Ih. Together, our findings suggest that Tmem74 coupling with HCN1 acts as a critical component in the pathophysiology of anxiety and is a potential target for new treatments of anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Xiao Shao
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Quan Jiang
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiu-Xiu Liu
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dong-Mei Gong
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Xuan Yin
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Gang Wu
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ning-He Sun
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Cheng-Kun Wang
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiao-Zhen Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chao Yu
- Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Biology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei-Xing Shi
- Departments of Pharmaceutical, Administrative, and Basic Sciences, Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Heng-Yu Fan
- Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Biology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kohji Fukunaga
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Zhong Chen
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Ying-Mei Lu
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, China. .,Department of Neurobiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Feng Han
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Blume SR, Padival M, Urban JH, Rosenkranz JA. Disruptive effects of repeated stress on basolateral amygdala neurons and fear behavior across the estrous cycle in rats. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12292. [PMID: 31444385 PMCID: PMC6707149 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48683-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress is a precipitating factor in depression and anxiety disorders. Patients with these disorders often show amygdala abnormalities. The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is integral in mood and emotion, and is sensitive to stress. While much is known about effects of stress on BLA neuron activity and morphology in males, less is known in females. We tested whether repeated stress exerts distinct effects on BLA in vivo neuronal activity and morphology of Golgi-stained BLA neurons [lateral (LAT) and basal (BA) nuclei] in adult female rats. Repeated restraint stress increased BLA neuronal firing and caused hypertrophy of BLA neurons in males, while it decreased LAT and BA neuronal firing and caused hypotrophy of neurons in the LAT of females. BLA neuronal activity and function, such as fear conditioning, shifts across the estrous cycle. Repeated stress disrupted this pattern of BLA activity and fear expression over the estrous cycle. The disruptive effects of stress on the pattern of BLA function across estrous may produce behavior that is non-optimal for a specific phase of the estrous cycle. The contrasting effects of stress may contribute to sex differences in the effects of stress on mood and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon R Blume
- Discipline of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA
- AbbVie, Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA
| | - Mallika Padival
- Discipline of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA
- Center for Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA
| | - Janice H Urban
- Discipline of Physiology and Biophysics, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA
- Center for Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA
| | - J Amiel Rosenkranz
- Discipline of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA.
- Center for Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA.
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Pavlenko D, Akiyama T. Why does stress aggravate itch? A possible role of the amygdala. Exp Dermatol 2019; 28:1439-1441. [PMID: 30991457 DOI: 10.1111/exd.13941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Stress is the exacerbating factor of itch across patients with chronic itch due to different origins. However, the precise mechanisms behind stress-induced exacerbation of itch remain unknown. Chronic stress induces hyperexcitability of the amygdala, the centre of emotional processing. Recent findings on the itch neuronal pathways support a pivotal role of the amygdala for itch processing. We hypothesized that itch is enhanced by stress through hyperexcitation of the amygdala. Modulation of amygdala activity, therefore, may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of chronic itch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darya Pavlenko
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Miami Itch Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Tasuku Akiyama
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Miami Itch Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
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56
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Chronic Stress Causes Projection-Specific Adaptation of Amygdala Neurons via Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel Downregulation. Biol Psychiatry 2019; 85:812-828. [PMID: 30737013 PMCID: PMC6800185 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Revised: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of the amygdala in mediating stress coping has been long appreciated. However, basolateral amygdala (BLA) projection neurons (PNs) are organized into discrete output circuits, and it remains unclear whether stress differentially impacts these circuits. METHODS Mice were exposed to acute restraint stress or chronic restraint stress (CRS), and c-fos expression was measured as a proxy for neuronal activation in Retrobead retrogradely labeled dorsomedial prefrontal cortex-targeting PNs (BLA→dmPFC) and non-dmPFC-targeting PNs (BLA↛dmPFC). Next, the effects of CRS on neuronal firing and membrane potassium channel current were examined via ex vivo electrophysiology in these neuronal populations and correlated with anxiety-like behavior, as measured in the elevated plus maze and novel open field tests. Lastly, the ability of virus-mediated overexpression of subtype 2 of small-conductance, calcium-activated potassium (SK2) channel in BLA↛dmPFC PNs to negate the anxiety-related effects of CRS was assessed. RESULTS BLA→dmPFC PNs were transiently activated after CRS, whereas BLA↛dmPFC showed sustained c-fos expression and augmented firing to external input. CRS led to a loss of SK2 channel-mediated currents in BLA↛dmPFC PNs, which correlated with heightened anxiety-like behavior. Virus-mediated maintenance of SK2 channel currents in BLA↛dmPFC PNs prevented CRS-induced anxiety-like behavior. Finally, CRS produced persistent activation of BLA PNs targeting the ventral hippocampus, and virally overexpressing SK2 channels in this projection population were sufficient to prevent CRS-induced anxiety-like behavior. CONCLUSIONS The current data reveal that chronic stress produces projection-specific functional adaptations in BLA PNs. These findings offer new insight into the neural circuits that contribute to stress-induced psychopathology.
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57
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Tellez-Merlo G, Morales-Medina JC, Camacho-Ábrego I, Juárez-Díaz I, Aguilar-Alonso P, de la Cruz F, Iannitti T, Flores G. Prenatal immune challenge induces behavioral deficits, neuronal remodeling, and increases brain nitric oxide and zinc levels in the male rat offspring. Neuroscience 2019; 406:594-605. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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58
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O'Flaherty B, Neigh GN, Rainnie D. High-fructose diet initiated during adolescence does not affect basolateral amygdala excitability or affective-like behavior in Sprague Dawley rats. Behav Brain Res 2019; 365:17-25. [PMID: 30807811 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.02.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Patients with type-2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome have a significantly increased risk of developing depression. Dysregulated metabolism may contribute to the etiology of depression by affecting neuronal activity in key limbic areas. The basolateral amygdala (BLA) acts as a critical emotional valence detector in the brain's limbic circuit, and shows hyperactivity and abnormal glucose metabolism in depressed patients. Furthermore, administering a periadolescent high-fructose diet (HFrD; a model of metabolic syndrome) to male Wistar rats increases anxiety- and depressive-like behavior. Repeated shock stress in Sprague Dawley rats similarly increases anxiety-like behavior and increases BLA excitability. We therefore investigated whether a metabolic stressor (HFrD) would have similar effects as shock stress on BLA excitability in Sprague Dawley rats. We found that a HFrD did not affect the intrinsic excitability of BLA neurons. Fructose-fed Sprague Dawley rats had elevated body fat mass, but did not show increases in metabolic efficiency and fasting blood glucose relative to control. Finally unlike Wistar rats, fructose-fed Sprague Dawley rats did not show increased anxiety- and depressive-like behavior. These results suggest that genetic differences between rat strains may affect susceptibility to a metabolic insult. Collectively, these data show that a periadolescent HFrD disrupts metabolism, but does not change affective behavior or BLA excitability in Sprague Dawley rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan O'Flaherty
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30329, United States
| | - Gretchen N Neigh
- Department of Physiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, United States; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, United States
| | - Donald Rainnie
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30329, United States.
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Famitafreshi H, Karimian M. Social Isolation Rearing Induces Neuropsychiatric Diseases: Updated Overview. MOLECULAR NEUROPSYCHIATRY 2019; 4:190-195. [PMID: 30815454 DOI: 10.1159/000495659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric and neurologic diseases cause a great burden for individuals, families, and societies. Social isolation rearing can trigger a variety of psychiatric diseases. New advances suggest that epigenetic factors along with other neurochemical changes can be an important topic in neuropsychiatric diseases. It is thought that the prevention of social isolation rearing that occurs around birth can reduce the occurrence of neuropsychiatric diseases. It has been suggested that the environment can induce epigenetic alternation. So, for the diagnosis of a proportion of neuropsychiatric diseases, assessing epigenetic factors may be helpful. Also, apart from epigenetic factors, new advances have been made about new mechanisms of and treatments for such a disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamidreza Famitafreshi
- Physiology Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences - International Campus, Tehran, Iran
| | - Morteza Karimian
- Physiology Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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60
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Ewin SE, Morgan JW, Niere F, McMullen NP, Barth SH, Almonte AG, Raab-Graham KF, Weiner JL. Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Exposure Selectively Increases Synaptic Excitability in the Ventral Domain of the Rat Hippocampus. Neuroscience 2018; 398:144-157. [PMID: 30481568 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Many studies have implicated hippocampal dysregulation in the pathophysiology of alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, over the past twenty years, a growing body of evidence has revealed distinct functional roles of the dorsal (dHC) and ventral (vHC) hippocampal subregions, with the dHC being primarily involved in spatial learning and memory and the vHC regulating anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors. Notably, to our knowledge, no rodent studies have examined the effects of chronic ethanol exposure on synaptic transmission along the dorsal/ventral axis. To that end, we examined the effects of the chronic intermittent ethanol vapor exposure (CIE) model of AUD on dHC and vHC synaptic excitability. Adult male Long-Evans rats were exposed to CIE or AIR for 10 days (12 h/day; targeting blood ethanol levels of 175-225 mg%) and recordings were made 24 h into withdrawal. As expected, this protocol increased anxiety-like behaviors on the elevated plus-maze and successive alleys test. Extracellular recordings revealed marked CIE-associated increases in synaptic excitation in the CA1 region that were exclusively restricted to the ventral domain of the hippocampus. Western blot analysis of synaptoneurosomal fractions revealed that the expression of two proteins that regulate synaptic strength, GluA2 and SK2, were dysregulated in the vHC, but not the dHC, following CIE. Together, these findings suggest that the ventral CA1 region may be particularly sensitive to the maladaptive effects of chronic ethanol exposure and provide new insight into some of the neural substrates that may contribute to the negative affective state that develops during withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Ewin
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - James W Morgan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Farr Niere
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Nate P McMullen
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Samuel H Barth
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Antoine G Almonte
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Kimberly F Raab-Graham
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Weiner
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
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61
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Agoglia AE, Herman MA. The center of the emotional universe: Alcohol, stress, and CRF1 amygdala circuitry. Alcohol 2018; 72:61-73. [PMID: 30220589 PMCID: PMC6165695 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2018.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The commonalities between different phases of stress and alcohol use as well as the high comorbidity between alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and anxiety disorders suggest common underlying cellular mechanisms governing the rewarding and aversive aspects of these related conditions. As an integrative center that assigns emotional salience to a wide variety of internal and external stimuli, the amygdala complex plays a major role in how alcohol and stress influence cellular physiology to produce disordered behavior. Previous work has illustrated the broad role of the amygdala in alcohol, stress, and anxiety. However, the challenge of current and future studies is to identify the specific dysregulations that occur within distinct amygdala circuits and subpopulations and the commonalities between these alterations in each disorder, with the long-term goal of identifying potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Specific intra-amygdala circuits and cell type-specific subpopulations are emerging as critical targets for stress- and alcohol-induced plasticity, chief among them the corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and CRF receptor 1 (CRF1) system. CRF and CRF1 have been implicated in the effects of alcohol in several amygdala nuclei, including the basolateral (BLA) and central amygdala (CeA); however, the precise circuitry involved in these effects and the role of these circuits in stress and anxiety are only beginning to be understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail E Agoglia
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Melissa A Herman
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States.
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62
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Varlinskaya EI, Spear LP, Diaz MR. Stress alters social behavior and sensitivity to pharmacological activation of kappa opioid receptors in an age-specific manner in Sprague Dawley rats. Neurobiol Stress 2018; 9:124-132. [PMID: 30450378 PMCID: PMC6234253 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2018.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor (DYN/KOR) system has been identified as a primary target of stress due to behavioral effects, such as dysphoria, aversion, and anxiety-like alterations that result from activation of this system. Numerous adaptations in the DYN/KOR system have also been identified in response to stress. However, whereas most studies examining the function of the DYN/KOR system have been conducted in adult rodents, there is growing evidence suggesting that this system is ontogenetically regulated. Likewise, the outcome of exposure to stress also differs across ontogeny. Based on these developmental similarities, the objective of this study was to systematically test effects of a selective KOR agonist, U-62066, on various aspects of social behavior across ontogeny in non-stressed male and female rats as well as in males and females with a prior history of repeated exposure to restraint (90 min/day, 5 exposures). We found that the social consequences of repeated restraint differed as a function of age: juvenile stress produced substantial increases in play fighting, whereas adolescent and adult stress resulted in decreases in social investigation and social preference. The KOR agonist U-62066 dose-dependently reduced social behaviors in non-stressed adults, producing social avoidance at the highest dose tested, while younger animals displayed reduced sensitivity to this socially suppressing effect of U-62066. Interestingly, in stressed animals, the socially suppressing effects of the KOR agonist were blunted at all ages, with juveniles and adolescents exhibiting increased social preference in response to certain doses of U-62066. Taken together, these findings support the hypothesis that the DYN/KOR system changes with age and differentially responds and adapts to stress across development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena I Varlinskaya
- Department of Psychology, Center for Development and Behavioral Neuroscience, Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY13902, United States
| | - Linda Patia Spear
- Department of Psychology, Center for Development and Behavioral Neuroscience, Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY13902, United States
| | - Marvin R Diaz
- Department of Psychology, Center for Development and Behavioral Neuroscience, Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY13902, United States
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63
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Reduced Microglial Activity and Enhanced Glutamate Transmission in the Basolateral Amygdala in Early CNS Autoimmunity. J Neurosci 2018; 38:9019-9033. [PMID: 30185466 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0398-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Emotional dysfunction is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and in mouse models of MS, including experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE); however, the etiology of these behaviors is poorly understood. To identify CNS changes associated with these behaviors, we focused on the basolateral amygdala (BLA) because of its central role in the regulation of emotional behavior. Whole-cell recordings were performed in the principal neurons of the BLA in early EAE, before demyelination, T-cell invasion, and motor dysfunction. EAE female mice displayed increased frequency of mEPSCs, with no alteration in amplitude or evoked EPSC paired-pulse ratio compared with controls. We found an increase in the AMPA-NMDA ratio and dendritic spine density, indicating increased numbers of glutamatergic synapses. We saw similar electrophysiological changes in BLA principal neurons after microglia were either inactivated (minocycline) or depleted (Mac1-Saporin) in the BLA. Microglia regulate synapses through pruning, directed by complement protein 3 (C3) expression. C3 was downregulated in the BLA in EAE. Ultrastructural analysis of microglia revealed more complex ramifications and reduced extracellular digestion of cellular elements. We also observed reduced IBA-1 and CD68 staining and lack of proinflammatory cytokine expression in the amygdala. Thus, early EAE is a state of microglial "deactivation" associated with reduced synaptic pruning. This contrasts with the prototypic microglial activation commonly associated with inflammatory CNS disease. Additionally, these data support a role for the acquired immune system to influence both neuronal and microglial function in early CNS autoimmunity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Microglia help regulate synaptic homeostasis, but there has been little evidence for how this might be important in neuroinflammatory diseases. The data from this study reveal increased synaptic activity and spine density in early stages of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (an animal model of multiple sclerosis) in the basolateral amygdala, a nucleus important in the types of behavioral changes we have previously described. These electrophysiological and morphological effects occurred without significant elevation of local inflammatory cytokines or local demyelination. Unexpectedly, in the context of inflammatory state, we found that microglia were "deactivated." This study provides strong evidence for a link between microglial activity and synaptic function; the conclusions contrast with the generally accepted view that microglia are activated in inflammatory disease.
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Lowery-Gionta EG, Crowley NA, Bukalo O, Silverstein S, Holmes A, Kash TL. Chronic stress dysregulates amygdalar output to the prefrontal cortex. Neuropharmacology 2018; 139:68-75. [PMID: 29959957 PMCID: PMC6067970 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Chronic stress contributes to the neuropathology of mental health disorders, including those associated with anxiety. The basolateral amygdala (BLA) coordinates emotional behavioral responses through glutamatergic outputs to downstream regions such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC), nucleus accumbens core (NAcc) and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). We explored the effects of chronic stress on BLA outputs to the PFC, NAcc and BNST using slice electrophysiology combined with optogenetics in two inbred mouse strains with distinct stress-induced anxiety responses. We found that ten consecutive days of chronic restraint stress enhanced pre-synaptic glutamate release at BLA-to-PFC synapses in C57BL/6J mice, but reduced pre-synaptic glutamate release at these synapses in DBA/2J mice. To assess the behavioral relevance of enhanced glutamate output at BLA-to-PFC synapses, we approximated the effects of chronic stress on the BLA-PFC circuit using optogenetics. We found that photostimulation of the BLA-PFC circuit in unstressed C57BL/6J mice produced persistent (i.e., post-stimulation) increased anxiety-like behavior and hyperactivity in the elevated plus-maze - a profile consistent with prototypical behavioral responses of stressed C57BL/6J mice. These data demonstrate that chronic stress dysregulates the BLA-PFC circuit by altering pre-synaptic glutamate release from BLA outputs, and provide a mechanism by which chronic stress can lead to increased anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily G Lowery-Gionta
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Thurston Bowles Building 104 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Nicole A Crowley
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Thurston Bowles Building 104 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Olena Bukalo
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 5625 Fishers Lane Rockville, MD, 20852-9411, USA
| | - Shana Silverstein
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 5625 Fishers Lane Rockville, MD, 20852-9411, USA
| | - Andrew Holmes
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 5625 Fishers Lane Rockville, MD, 20852-9411, USA
| | - Thomas Louis Kash
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Thurston Bowles Building 104 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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Alcohol Consumption during Adolescence in a Mouse Model of Binge Drinking Alters the Intrinsic Excitability and Function of the Prefrontal Cortex through a Reduction in the Hyperpolarization-Activated Cation Current. J Neurosci 2018; 38:6207-6222. [PMID: 29915134 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0550-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Periodic episodes of excessive alcohol consumption ("binge drinking") occur frequently among adolescents, and early binge drinking is associated with an increased risk of alcohol use disorders later in life. The PFC undergoes significant development during adolescence and hence may be especially susceptible to the effects of binge drinking. In humans and in animal models, adolescent alcohol exposure is known to alter PFC neuronal activity and produce deficits in PFC-dependent behaviors, such as decision making, response inhibition, and working memory. Using a voluntary intermittent access to alcohol (IA EtOH) procedure in male mice, we demonstrate that binge-level alcohol consumption during adolescence leads to altered drinking patterns and working memory deficits in young adulthood, two outcomes that suggest medial PFC dysfunction. We recorded from pyramidal neurons (PNs) in the prelimbic subregion of the medial PFC in slices obtained from mice that had IA EtOH and found that they display altered excitability, including a hyperpolarization of the resting membrane potential and reductions in the hyperpolarization-activated cation current (Ih) and in intrinsic persistent activity (a mode of neuronal firing that is dependent on Ih). Many of these effects on intrinsic excitability were sustained following abstinence and observed in mice that showed working memory deficits. In addition, we found that resting membrane potential and the Ih-dependent voltage "sag" in prelimbic PFC PNs are developmentally regulated during adolescence, suggesting that adolescent alcohol exposure may compromise PFC function by arresting the normal developmental trajectory of PN intrinsic excitability.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Binge alcohol drinking during adolescence has negative consequences for the function of the developing PFC. Using a mouse model of voluntary binge drinking during adolescence, we found that this behavior leads to working memory deficits and altered drinking behavior in adulthood. In addition, we found that adolescent drinking is associated with specific changes to the intrinsic excitability of pyramidal neurons in the PFC, reducing the ability of these neurons to generate intrinsic persistent activity, a phenomenon thought to be important for working memory. These findings may help explain why human adolescent binge drinkers show performance deficits on tasks mediated by the PFC.
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Song J, Chen M, Dong Y, Lai B, Zheng P. Chronic morphine selectively sensitizes the effect of D1 receptor agonist on presynaptic glutamate release in basolateral amygdala neurons that project to prelimbic cortex. Neuropharmacology 2018; 133:375-384. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Lo Iacono L, Carola V. The impact of adolescent stress experiences on neurobiological development. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 77:93-103. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.09.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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68
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Harmine enhances GABAergic transmission onto basoamygdala projection neurons in mice. Brain Res Bull 2018; 137:294-300. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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69
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Guadagno A, Wong TP, Walker CD. Morphological and functional changes in the preweaning basolateral amygdala induced by early chronic stress associate with anxiety and fear behavior in adult male, but not female rats. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 81:25-37. [PMID: 28963066 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Suboptimal maternal care is a form of chronic early-life stress (ELS) and a risk factor for mental illness and behavioral impairments throughout the life span. The amygdala, particularly the basolateral amygdala (BLA), exhibits exquisite sensitivity to ELS and could promote dysregulation of stress reactivity and anxiety-related disorders. While ELS has profound impacts on the adult or adolescent amygdala, less is known regarding the sensitivity of the preweaning BLA to ELS. We employed a naturalistic rodent model of chronic ELS that limits the amount of bedding/nesting material (LB) available to the mother between postnatal day (PND) 1-9 and examined the morphological and functional effects in the preweaning BLA on PND10 and 18-22. BLA neurons displayed dendritic hypertrophy and increased spine numbers in male, but not female, LB pups already by PND10 and BLA volume tended to increase after LB exposure in preweaning rats, suggesting an accelerated and long-lasting recruitment of the amygdala. Morphological changes seen in male LB pups were paralleled with increased evoked synaptic responses recorded from BLA neurons in vitro, suggesting enhanced excitatory inputs to these neurons. Interestingly, morphological and functional changes in the preweaning BLA were not associated with basal hypercorticosteronemia or enhanced stress responsiveness in LB pups, perhaps due to a differential sensitivity of the neuroendocrine stress axis to the effects of LB exposure. Early changes in the synaptic organization and excitability of the neonatal amygdala might contribute to the increased anxiety-like and fear behavior observed in adulthood, specifically in male offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Guadagno
- Neuroscience Division, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tak Pan Wong
- Neuroscience Division, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Claire-Dominique Walker
- Neuroscience Division, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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Morales M, McGinnis MM, Robinson SL, Chappell AM, McCool BA. Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Exposure Modulation of Glutamatergic Neurotransmission in Rat Lateral/Basolateral Amygdala is Duration-, Input-, and Sex-Dependent. Neuroscience 2017; 371:277-287. [PMID: 29237566 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The basolateral amygdala (BLA) controls numerous behaviors, like anxiety and reward seeking, via the activity of glutamatergic principal neurons. These BLA neurons receive excitatory inputs primarily via two major anatomical pathways - the external capsule (EC), which contains afferents from lateral cortical structures, and the stria terminalis (ST), containing synapses from more midline brain structures. Chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure/withdrawal produces distinct alterations in these pathways. Specifically, 10 days of CIE (via vapor inhalation) increases presynaptic function at ST synapses and postsynaptic function at EC synapses. Given that 10-day CIE/withdrawal also increases anxiety-like behavior, we sought to examine the development of these alterations at these inputs using an exposure time-course in both male and female rats. Specifically, using 3, 7, and 10 days CIE exposure, we found that all three durations increase anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze. At BLA synapses, increased presynaptic function at ST inputs required shorter exposure durations relative to post-synaptic alterations at EC inputs in both sexes. But, synaptic alterations in females required longer ethanol exposures compared to males. These data suggest that presynaptic alteration at ST-BLA afferents is an early neuroadaptation during repeated ethanol exposures. And, the similar patterns of presynaptic-then-postsynaptic facilitation across the sexes suggest the former may be required for the latter. These cooperative interactions may contribute to the increased anxiety-like behavior that is observed following CIE-induced withdrawal and may provide novel therapeutic targets to reverse withdrawal-induced anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Morales
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, USA.
| | - Molly M McGinnis
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, USA
| | - Stacey L Robinson
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, USA
| | - Ann M Chappell
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, USA
| | - Brian A McCool
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, USA
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71
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Tian J, Tian Z, Qin SL, Zhao PY, Jiang X, Tian Z. Anxiolytic-like effects of α-asarone in a mouse model of chronic pain. Metab Brain Dis 2017; 32:2119-2129. [PMID: 28913780 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-017-0108-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
α-asarone (ASR) is a major bioactive compound isolated from the rhizome of Acorus tatarinowii Schott and it has extensive biological effects. Clinically, anxiety disorder is a common comorbidity of chronic pain. However, limited information is available regarding the effects of ASR on chronic pain-related anxiety. This study aims to evaluate the anxiolytic effects of ASR in chronic pain mice. Chronic inflammatory pain was induced by hind-paw injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Behavioral tests, western-blot analysis and whole-cell patch recordings were performed to evaluate the subsequent events. We found that ASR induced anxiolytic activities in CFA-injected mice but did not affect the nociceptive threshold. ASR administration reversed the up-regulation of GluR1-containing α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, NR2A-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and down-regulation of γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptors in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) of CFA-injected mice. Electrophysiological data revealed that ASR treatment restored the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmissions, which was disturbed in the BLA of CFA-injected mice. Moreover, ASR prevented the hyper-excitability of pyramidal neurons in the BLA of chronic pain mice. Our results suggested that the anxiolytic effects of ASR were partially due to maintaining the balance between excitatory/inhibitory transmissions and attenuating neuronal hyper-excitability of excitatory neurons in the BLA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Tian
- Department of Pediatrics, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Zhen Tian
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
- Department of Pharmacy, The 154th Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Xinyang, 464000, China
| | - Shu-Li Qin
- Department of Pharmacy, The 154th Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Xinyang, 464000, China
| | - Pu-Yu Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, The 154th Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Xinyang, 464000, China
| | - Xun Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China.
| | - Zhen Tian
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
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Bobeck EN, Gomes I, Pena D, Cummings KA, Clem RL, Mezei M, Devi LA. The BigLEN-GPR171 Peptide Receptor System Within the Basolateral Amygdala Regulates Anxiety-Like Behavior and Contextual Fear Conditioning. Neuropsychopharmacology 2017; 42:2527-2536. [PMID: 28425495 PMCID: PMC5686498 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 04/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Studies show that neuropeptide-receptor systems in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) play an important role in the pathology of anxiety and other mood disorders. Since GPR171, a recently deorphanized receptor for the abundant neuropeptide BigLEN, is expressed in the BLA, we investigated its role in fear and anxiety-like behaviors. To carry out these studies we identified small molecule ligands using a homology model of GPR171 to virtually screen a library of compounds. One of the hits, MS0021570_1, was identified as a GPR171 antagonist based on its ability to block (i) BigLEN-mediated activation of GPR171 in heterologous cells, (ii) BigLEN-mediated hyperpolarization of BLA pyramidal neurons, and (iii) feeding induced by DREADD-mediated activation of BigLEN containing AgRP neurons in the arcuate nucleus. The role of GPR171 in anxiety-like behavior or fear conditioning was evaluated following systemic or intra-BLA administration of MS0021570_1, as well as following lentiviral-mediated knockdown of GPR171 in the BLA. We find that systemic administration of MS0021570_1 attenuates anxiety-like behavior while intra-BLA administration or knockdown of GPR171 in the BLA reduces anxiety-like behavior and fear conditioning. These results indicate that the BigLEN-GPR171 system plays an important role in these behaviors and could be a novel target to develop therapeutics to treat psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin N Bobeck
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L Levy Place, Annenberg 19-84, New York, NY 10029, USA. Tel: +1 212 2418345, Fax: +1 212 9967214, E-mail: or
| | - Ivone Gomes
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Darlene Pena
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kirstie A Cummings
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Roger L Clem
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mihaly Mezei
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lakshmi A Devi
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L Levy Place, Annenberg 19-84, New York, NY 10029, USA. Tel: +1 212 2418345, Fax: +1 212 9967214, E-mail: or
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Chronic stress exacerbates neuropathic pain via the integration of stress-affect-related information with nociceptive information in the central nucleus of the amygdala. Pain 2017; 158:717-739. [PMID: 28225710 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Exacerbation of pain by chronic stress and comorbidity of pain with stress-related psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression, represent significant clinical challenges. However, the underlying mechanisms still remain unclear. Here, we investigated whether chronic forced swim stress (CFSS)-induced exacerbation of neuropathic pain is mediated by the integration of stress-affect-related information with nociceptive information in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). We first demonstrated that CFSS indeed produces both depressive-like behaviors and exacerbation of spared nerve injury (SNI)-induced mechanical allodynia in rats. Moreover, we revealed that CFSS induces both sensitization of basolateral amygdala (BLA) neurons and augmentation of long-term potentiation (LTP) at the BLA-CeA synapse and meanwhile, exaggerates both SNI-induced sensitization of CeA neurons and LTP at the parabrachial (PB)-CeA synapse. In addition, we discovered that CFSS elevates SNI-induced functional up-regulation of GluN2B-containing NMDA (GluN2B-NMDA) receptors in the CeA, which is proved to be necessary for CFSS-induced augmentation of LTP at the PB-CeA synapse and exacerbation of pain hypersensitivity in SNI rats. Suppression of CFSS-elicited depressive-like behaviors by antidepressants imipramine or ifenprodil inhibits the CFSS-induced exacerbation of neuropathic pain. Collectively, our findings suggest that CFSS potentiates synaptic efficiency of the BLA-CeA pathway, leading to the activation of GluN2B-NMDA receptors and sensitization of CeA neurons, which subsequently facilitate pain-related synaptic plasticity of the PB-CeA pathway, thereby exacerbating SNI-induced neuropathic pain. We conclude that chronic stress exacerbates neuropathic pain via the integration of stress-affect-related information with nociceptive information in the CeA.
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74
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Almonte AG, Ewin SE, Mauterer MI, Morgan JW, Carter ES, Weiner JL. Enhanced ventral hippocampal synaptic transmission and impaired synaptic plasticity in a rodent model of alcohol addiction vulnerability. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12300. [PMID: 28951619 PMCID: PMC5615051 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12531-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It has long been appreciated that adolescence represents a uniquely vulnerable period when chronic exposure to stressors can precipitate the onset of a broad spectrum of psychiatric disorders and addiction in adulthood. However, the neurobiological substrates and the full repertoire of adaptations within these substrates making adolescence a particularly susceptible developmental stage are not well understood. Prior work has demonstrated that a rodent model of adolescent social isolation (aSI) produces robust and persistent increases in phenotypes relevant to anxiety/stressor disorders and alcohol addiction, including anxiogenesis, deficits in fear extinction, and increased ethanol consumption. Here, we used extracellular field recordings in hippocampal slices to investigate adaptations in synaptic function and synaptic plasticity arising from aSI. We demonstrate that this early life stressor leads to enhanced excitatory synaptic transmission and decreased levels of long-term potentiation at hippocampal Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses. Further, these changes were largely confined to the ventral hippocampus. As the ventral hippocampus is integral to neurocircuitry that mediates emotional behaviors, our results add to mounting evidence that aSI has profound effects on brain areas that regulate affective states. These studies also lend additional support to our recent proposal of the aSI model as a valid model of alcohol addiction vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine G Almonte
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Sarah E Ewin
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Madelyn I Mauterer
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - James W Morgan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Eugenia S Carter
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Weiner
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA.
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Lin S, Li X, Chen YH, Gao F, Chen H, Hu NY, Huang L, Luo ZY, Liu JH, You QL, Yin YN, Li ZL, Li XW, Du ZJ, Yang JM, Gao TM. Social Isolation During Adolescence Induces Anxiety Behaviors and Enhances Firing Activity in BLA Pyramidal Neurons via mGluR5 Upregulation. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:5310-5320. [PMID: 28914419 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0766-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Social isolation during the vulnerable period of adolescence contributes to the occurrence of psychiatric disorders and profoundly affects brain development and adult behavior. Although the impact of social isolation during adolescence on anxiety behaviors has been well studied, much less is known about the onset and underlying mechanisms of these behaviors. We observed that following 2 weeks, but not 1 week, of social isolation, adolescent mice exhibited anxiety behaviors. Strikingly, the mGluR5 protein levels in the amygdala increased concomitantly with anxiety behaviors, and both intraperitoneal administration and intra-basolateral amygdala (BLA) infusion of MPEP, a metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 antagonist, normalized anxiety behaviors. Furthermore, electrophysiological studies showed that 2 weeks of social isolation during adolescence facilitated pyramidal neuronal excitability in the BLA, which could be normalized by MPEP. Together, these results reveal a critical period in adolescence during which social isolation can induce anxiety behaviors and facilitate BLA pyramidal neuronal excitability, both of which are mediated by mGluR5, thus providing mechanistic insights into the onset of anxiety behaviors after social isolation during adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023S Shatai Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023S Shatai Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yi-Hua Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023S Shatai Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Feng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023S Shatai Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Hao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023S Shatai Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Neng-Yuan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023S Shatai Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Lang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023S Shatai Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Zheng-Yi Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023S Shatai Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Ji-Hong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023S Shatai Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Qiang-Long You
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023S Shatai Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Ya-Nan Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023S Shatai Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Ze-Lin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023S Shatai Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Xiao-Wen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023S Shatai Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Zhuo-Jun Du
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023S Shatai Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jian-Ming Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023S Shatai Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Tian-Ming Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023S Shatai Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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76
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Sharp BM. Basolateral amygdala and stress-induced hyperexcitability affect motivated behaviors and addiction. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1194. [PMID: 28786979 PMCID: PMC5611728 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The amygdala integrates and processes incoming information pertinent to reward and to emotions such as fear and anxiety that promote survival by warning of potential danger. Basolateral amygdala (BLA) communicates bi-directionally with brain regions affecting cognition, motivation and stress responses including prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, nucleus accumbens and hindbrain regions that trigger norepinephrine-mediated stress responses. Disruption of intrinsic amygdala and BLA regulatory neurocircuits is often caused by dysfunctional neuroplasticity frequently due to molecular alterations in local GABAergic circuits and principal glutamatergic output neurons. Changes in local regulation of BLA excitability underlie behavioral disturbances characteristic of disorders including post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and stress-induced relapse to drug use. In this Review, we discuss molecular mechanisms and neural circuits that regulate physiological and stress-induced dysfunction of BLA/amygdala and its principal output neurons. We consider effects of stress on motivated behaviors that depend on BLA; these include drug taking and drug seeking, with emphasis on nicotine-dependent behaviors. Throughout, we take a translational approach by integrating decades of addiction research on animal models and human trials. We show that changes in BLA function identified in animal addiction models illuminate human brain imaging and behavioral studies by more precisely delineating BLA mechanisms. In summary, BLA is required to promote responding for natural reward and respond to second-order drug-conditioned cues; reinstate cue-dependent drug seeking; express stress-enhanced reacquisition of nicotine intake; and drive anxiety and fear. Converging evidence indicates that chronic stress causes BLA principal output neurons to become hyperexcitable.
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Affiliation(s)
- B M Sharp
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
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77
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Sheth C, McGlade E, Yurgelun-Todd D. Chronic Stress in Adolescents and Its Neurobiological and Psychopathological Consequences: An RDoC Perspective. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [PMID: 29527590 PMCID: PMC5841253 DOI: 10.1177/2470547017715645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative provides a strategy for classifying psychopathology based on behavioral dimensions and neurobiological measures. Neurodevelopment is an orthogonal dimension in the current RDoC framework; however, it has not yet been fully incorporated into the RDoC approach. A combination of both a neurodevelopmental and RDoC approach offers a multidimensional perspective for understanding the emergence of psychopathology during development. Environmental influence (e.g., stress) has a profound impact on the risk for development of psychiatric illnesses. It has been shown that chronic stress interacts with the developing brain, producing significant changes in neural circuits that eventually increase the susceptibility for development of psychiatric disorders. This review highlights effects of chronic stress on the adolescent brain, as adolescence is a period characterized by a combination of significant brain alterations, high levels of stress, and emergence of psychopathology. The literature synthesized in this review suggests that chronic stress-induced changes in neurobiology and behavioral constructs underlie the shared vulnerability across a number of disorders in adolescence. The review particularly focuses on depression and substance use disorders; however, a similar argument can also be made for other psychopathologies, including anxiety disorders. The summarized findings underscore the need for a framework to integrate neurobiological findings from disparate psychiatric disorders and to target transdiagnostic mechanisms across disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandni Sheth
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Diagnostic Neuroimaging, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Erin McGlade
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Diagnostic Neuroimaging, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VA VISN 19 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRREC), Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Deborah Yurgelun-Todd
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Diagnostic Neuroimaging, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VA VISN 19 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRREC), Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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78
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Varodayan FP, Bajo M, Soni N, Luu G, Madamba SG, Schweitzer P, Roberto M. Chronic alcohol exposure disrupts CB 1 regulation of GABAergic transmission in the rat basolateral amygdala. Addict Biol 2017; 22:766-778. [PMID: 26786379 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA) is critical to the pathophysiology of anxiety-driven alcohol drinking and relapse. The endogenous cannabinoid/type 1 cannabinoid receptor (eCB/CB1 ) system curbs BLA-driven anxiety and stress responses via a retrograde negative feedback system that inhibits neurotransmitter release, and BLA CB1 activation reduces GABA release and drives anxiogenesis. Additionally, decreased amygdala CB1 is observed in abstinent alcoholic patients and ethanol withdrawn rats. Here, we investigated the potential disruption of eCB/CB1 signaling on GABAergic transmission in BLA pyramidal neurons of rats exposed to 2-3 weeks intermittent ethanol. In the naïve rat BLA, the CB1 agonist WIN 55,212-2 (WIN) decreased GABA release, and this effect was prevented by the CB1 antagonist AM251. AM251 alone increased GABA release via a mechanism requiring postsynaptic calcium-dependent activity. This retrograde tonic eCB/CB1 signaling was diminished in chronic ethanol exposed rats, suggesting a functional impairment of the eCB/CB1 system. In contrast, acute ethanol increased GABAergic transmission similarly in naïve and chronic ethanol exposed rats, via both presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms. Notably, CB1 activation impaired ethanol's facilitation of GABAergic transmission across both groups, but the AM251-induced and ethanol-induced facilitation of GABA release was additive, suggesting independent presynaptic sites of action. Collectively, the present findings highlight a critical CB1 influence on BLA GABAergic transmission that is dysregulated by chronic ethanol exposure and, thus, may contribute to the alcohol-dependent state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence P. Varodayan
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders; The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI); La Jolla CA USA
| | - Michal Bajo
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders; The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI); La Jolla CA USA
| | - Neeraj Soni
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders; The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI); La Jolla CA USA
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences; University of Copenhagen (UCPH); Denmark
| | - George Luu
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders; The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI); La Jolla CA USA
| | - Samuel G. Madamba
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders; The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI); La Jolla CA USA
| | - Paul Schweitzer
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders; The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI); La Jolla CA USA
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders; The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI); La Jolla CA USA
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79
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Scheich B, Csekő K, Borbély É, Ábrahám I, Csernus V, Gaszner B, Helyes Z. Higher susceptibility of somatostatin 4 receptor gene-deleted mice to chronic stress-induced behavioral and neuroendocrine alterations. Neuroscience 2017; 346:320-336. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.01.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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80
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McCormick CM, Green MR, Simone JJ. Translational relevance of rodent models of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function and stressors in adolescence. Neurobiol Stress 2017; 6:31-43. [PMID: 28229107 PMCID: PMC5314422 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Revised: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Elevations in glucocorticoids that result from environmental stressors can have programming effects on brain structure and function when the exposure occurs during sensitive periods that involve heightened neural development. In recent years, adolescence has gained increasing attention as another sensitive period of development, a period in which pubertal transitions may increase the vulnerability to stressors. There are similarities in physical and behavioural development between humans and rats, and rats have been used effectively as an animal model of adolescence and the unique plasticity of this period of ontogeny. This review focuses on benefits and challenges of rats as a model for translational research on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function and stressors in adolescence, highlighting important parallels and contrasts between adolescent rats and humans, and we review the main stress procedures that are used in investigating HPA stress responses and their consequences in adolescence in rats. We conclude that a greater focus on timing of puberty as a factor in research in adolescent rats may increase the translational relevance of the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl M. McCormick
- Department of Psychology, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Matthew R. Green
- Department of Psychology, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Jonathan J. Simone
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada
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81
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Cacciaglia R, Nees F, Grimm O, Ridder S, Pohlack ST, Diener SJ, Liebscher C, Flor H. Trauma exposure relates to heightened stress, altered amygdala morphology and deficient extinction learning: Implications for psychopathology. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 76:19-28. [PMID: 27871027 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Revised: 11/06/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Stress exposure causes a structural reorganization in neurons of the amygdala. In particular, animal models have repeatedly shown that both acute and chronic stress induce neuronal hypertrophy and volumetric increase in the lateral and basolateral nuclei of amygdala. These effects are visible on the behavioral level, where stress enhances anxiety behaviors and provokes greater fear learning. We assessed stress and anxiety levels in a group of 18 healthy human trauma-exposed individuals (TR group) compared to 18 non-exposed matched controls (HC group), and related these measurements to amygdala volume. Traumas included unexpected adverse experiences such as vehicle accidents or sudden loss of a loved one. As a measure of aversive learning, we implemented a cued fear conditioning paradigm. Additionally, to provide a biological marker of chronic stress, we measured the sensitivity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis using a dexamethasone suppression test. Compared to the HC, the TR group showed significantly higher levels of chronic stress, current stress and trait anxiety, as well as increased volume of the left amygdala. Specifically, we observed a focal enlargement in its lateral portion, in line with previous animal data. Compared to HC, the TR group also showed enhanced late acquisition of conditioned fear and deficient extinction learning, as well as salivary cortisol hypo-suppression to dexamethasone. Left amygdala volumes positively correlated with suppressed morning salivary cortisol. Our results indicate differences in trauma-exposed individuals which resemble those previously reported in animals exposed to stress and in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. These data provide new insights into the mechanisms through which traumatic stress might prompt vulnerability for psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Cacciaglia
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Square J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Passeig de la vall d'Hebron 171, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Frauke Nees
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Square J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Oliver Grimm
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stephanie Ridder
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Square J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sebastian T Pohlack
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Square J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Slawomira J Diener
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Square J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Claudia Liebscher
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Square J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Herta Flor
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Square J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany.
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82
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Song C, Zhang WH, Wang XH, Zhang JY, Tian XL, Yin XP, Pan BX. Acute stress enhances the glutamatergic transmission onto basoamygdala neurons embedded in distinct microcircuits. Mol Brain 2017; 10:3. [PMID: 28069030 PMCID: PMC5223467 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-016-0283-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 12/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Amygdala activation is known to be critical for the processing of stressful events in brain. Recent studies have shown that the projection neurons (PNs) in amygdala, although architecturally intermingled, are integrated into distinct microcircuits and thus play divergent roles in amygdala-related behaviors. It remains unknown how stress regulates the individual amygdala PNs embedded in distinct microcircuits. Here, by using retrograde tracing and electrophysiological recording in in vitro slices, we explored the modulation of acute immobilization stress (AIS) on the basoamygdala (BA) PNs projecting either to medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) or elsewhere, which we designated as BA-mPFC and non-BA-mPFC PNs respectively. The results showed that in the control mice, both the excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs/sIPSCs) were comparable between these two subsets of BA PNs. The influences of AIS on sEPSCs and sIPSCs were overall similar between the two neuronal populations. It markedly increased the sEPSCs amplitude but left unaltered their frequency as well as the sIPSCs amplitude and frequency. Despite this, several differences emerged between the effects of AIS on the distribution of sEPSCs/sIPSCs frequency in these two groups of BA PNs. Similar changes were also observed in the sEPSCs/sIPSCs of the two PN populations from mice experiencing forced swimming stress. Their intrinsic excitability, on the other hand, was nearly unaltered following AIS. Our results thus suggest that acute stress recruit both BA-mPFC and non-BA-mPFC PNs mainly through enhancing the glutamatergic transmission they receive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Song
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, 330031, Nanchang, China.,College of Life Science, 330031, Nanchang, China
| | - Wen-Hua Zhang
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, 330031, Nanchang, China
| | - Xue-Hui Wang
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, 330031, Nanchang, China
| | - Jun-Yu Zhang
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, 330031, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiao-Li Tian
- College of Life Science, 330031, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiao-Ping Yin
- Department of Neurology, the 2nd affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, 330031, Nanchang, China
| | - Bing-Xing Pan
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, 330031, Nanchang, China. .,College of Life Science, 330031, Nanchang, China. .,Department of Neurology, the 2nd affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, 330031, Nanchang, China. .,Jiangxi Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular, Digestive and Neuropsychiatric diseases, 330031, Nanchang, China.
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83
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Gilpin NW, Weiner JL. Neurobiology of comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol-use disorder. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2016; 16:15-43. [PMID: 27749004 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Revised: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol-use disorder (AUD) are highly comorbid in humans. Although we have some understanding of the structural and functional brain changes that define each of these disorders, and how those changes contribute to the behavioral symptoms that define them, little is known about the neurobiology of comorbid PTSD and AUD, which may be due in part to a scarcity of adequate animal models for examining this research question. The goal of this review is to summarize the current state-of-the-science on comorbid PTSD and AUD. We summarize epidemiological data documenting the prevalence of this comorbidity, review what is known about the potential neurobiological basis for the frequent co-occurrence of PTSD and AUD and discuss successes and failures of past and current treatment strategies. We also review animal models that aim to examine comorbid PTSD and AUD, highlighting where the models parallel the human condition, and we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each model. We conclude by discussing key gaps in our knowledge and strategies for addressing them: in particular, we (1) highlight the need for better animal models of the comorbid condition and better clinical trial design, (2) emphasize the need for examination of subpopulation effects and individual differences and (3) urge cross-talk between basic and clinical researchers that is reflected in collaborative work with forward and reverse translational impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- N W Gilpin
- Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA.,Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA
| | - J L Weiner
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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84
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Uribe-Mariño A, Gassen NC, Wiesbeck MF, Balsevich G, Santarelli S, Solfrank B, Dournes C, Fries GR, Masana M, Labermeier C, Wang XD, Hafner K, Schmid B, Rein T, Chen A, Deussing JM, Schmidt MV. Prefrontal Cortex Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptor 1 Conveys Acute Stress-Induced Executive Dysfunction. Biol Psychiatry 2016; 80:743-753. [PMID: 27318500 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.03.2106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) subserves complex cognition and is impaired by stress. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), through CRF receptor 1 (CRFR1), constitutes a key element of the stress response. However, its contribution to the effects of stress in the mPFC remains unclear. METHODS Mice were exposed to acute social defeat stress and subsequently to either the temporal order memory (n = 11-12) or reversal learning (n = 9-11) behavioral test. Changes in mPFC Crhr1 messenger RNA levels were measured in acutely stressed mice (n = 12). Crhr1loxP/loxP mice received either intra-mPFC adeno-associated virus-Cre or empty microinjections (n = 17-20) and then were submitted to acute stress and later to the behavioral tests. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to detect activation of the protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway in the mPFC of acutely stressed mice (n = 8) or intra-mPFC CRF injected mice (n = 7). Finally, mice received intra-mPFC CRF (n = 11) and/or Rp-isomer cyclic adenosine 3',5' monophosphorothioate (Rp-cAMPS) (n = 12) microinjections and underwent behavioral testing. RESULTS We report acute stress-induced effects on mPFC-mediated cognition, identify CRF-CRFR1-containing microcircuits within the mPFC, and demonstrate stress-induced changes in Crhr1 messenger RNA expression. Importantly, intra-mPFC CRFR1 deletion abolishes acute stress-induced executive dysfunction, whereas intra-mPFC CRF mimics acute stress-induced mPFC dysfunction. Acute stress and intra-mPFC CRF activate the PKA signaling pathway in the mPFC, leading to cyclic AMP response element binding protein phosphorylation in intra-mPFC CRFR1-expressing neurons. Finally, PKA blockade reverses the intra-mPFC CRF-induced executive dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these results unravel a molecular mechanism linking acute stress to executive dysfunction via CRFR1. This will aid in the development of novel therapeutic targets for stress-induced cognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Uribe-Mariño
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Nils C Gassen
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Maximilian F Wiesbeck
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Georgia Balsevich
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Sara Santarelli
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Beate Solfrank
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Carine Dournes
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Gabriel R Fries
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany; INCT for Translational Medicine, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Merce Masana
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Christiana Labermeier
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Xiao-Dong Wang
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany; Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Ministry of Health of China, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kathrin Hafner
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Bianca Schmid
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Theo Rein
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Alon Chen
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Jan M Deussing
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Mathias V Schmidt
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.
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85
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Meadows JP, Guzman-Karlsson MC, Phillips S, Brown JA, Strange SK, Sweatt JD, Hablitz JJ. Dynamic DNA methylation regulates neuronal intrinsic membrane excitability. Sci Signal 2016; 9:ra83. [PMID: 27555660 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aaf5642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA cytosine methylation, contribute to the mechanisms underlying learning and memory by coordinating adaptive gene expression and neuronal plasticity. Transcription-dependent plasticity regulated by DNA methylation includes synaptic plasticity and homeostatic synaptic scaling. Memory-related plasticity also includes alterations in intrinsic membrane excitability mediated by changes in the abundance or activity of ion channels in the plasma membrane, which sets the threshold for action potential generation. We found that prolonged inhibition of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity increased intrinsic membrane excitability of cultured cortical pyramidal neurons. Knockdown of the cytosine demethylase TET1 or inhibition of RNA polymerase blocked the increased membrane excitability caused by DNMT inhibition, suggesting that this effect was mediated by subsequent cytosine demethylation and de novo transcription. Prolonged DNMT inhibition blunted the medium component of the after-hyperpolarization potential, an effect that would increase neuronal excitability, and was associated with reduced expression of the genes encoding small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (SK) channels. Furthermore, the specific SK channel blocker apamin increased neuronal excitability but was ineffective after DNMT inhibition. Our results suggested that DNMT inhibition enables transcriptional changes that culminate in decreased expression of SK channel-encoding genes and decreased activity of SK channels, thus providing a mechanism for the regulation of neuronal intrinsic membrane excitability by dynamic DNA cytosine methylation. This study has implications for human neurological and psychiatric diseases associated with dysregulated intrinsic excitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarrod P Meadows
- Department of Neurobiology and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Mikael C Guzman-Karlsson
- Department of Neurobiology and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Scott Phillips
- Department of Neurobiology and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Jordan A Brown
- Department of Neurobiology and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Sarah K Strange
- Department of Neurobiology and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - J David Sweatt
- Department of Neurobiology and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - John J Hablitz
- Department of Neurobiology and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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86
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Effects of Repeated Stress on Age-Dependent GABAergic Regulation of the Lateral Nucleus of the Amygdala. Neuropsychopharmacology 2016; 41:2309-23. [PMID: 26924679 PMCID: PMC4946062 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2016.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Revised: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The adolescent age is associated with lability of mood and emotion. The onset of depression and anxiety disorders peaks during adolescence and there are differences in symptomology during adolescence. This points to differences in the adolescent neural circuitry that underlies mood and emotion, such as the amygdala. The human adolescent amygdala is more responsive to evocative stimuli, hinting to less local inhibitory regulation of the amygdala, but this has not been explored in adolescents. The amygdala, including the lateral nucleus (LAT) of the basolateral amygdala complex, is sensitive to stress. The amygdala undergoes maturational processes during adolescence, and therefore may be more vulnerable to harmful effects of stress during this time period. However, little is known about the effects of stress on the LAT during adolescence. GABAergic inhibition is a key regulator of LAT activity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to test whether there are differences in the local GABAergic regulation of the rat adolescent LAT, and differences in its sensitivity to repeated stress. We found that LAT projection neurons are subjected to weaker GABAergic inhibition during adolescence. Repeated stress reduced in vivo endogenous and exogenous GABAergic inhibition of LAT projection neurons in adolescent rats. Furthermore, repeated stress decreased measures of presynaptic GABA function and interneuron activity in adolescent rats. In contrast, repeated stress enhanced glutamatergic drive of LAT projection neurons in adult rats. These results demonstrate age differences in GABAergic regulation of the LAT, and age differences in the mechanism for the effects of repeated stress on LAT neuron activity. These findings provide a substrate for increased mood lability in adolescents, and provide a substrate by which adolescent repeated stress can induce distinct behavioral outcomes and psychiatric symptoms.
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Gamble-George JC, Baldi R, Halladay L, Kocharian A, Hartley N, Silva CG, Roberts H, Haymer A, Marnett LJ, Holmes A, Patel S. Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition reduces stress-induced affective pathology. eLife 2016; 5:e14137. [PMID: 27162170 PMCID: PMC4862754 DOI: 10.7554/elife.14137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2015] [Accepted: 04/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mood and anxiety disorders are the most prevalent psychiatric conditions and are exacerbated by stress. Recent studies have suggested cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition could represent a novel treatment approach or augmentation strategy for affective disorders including anxiety disorders and major depression. We show that traditional COX-2 inhibitors and a newly developed substrate-selective COX-2 inhibitor (SSCI) reduce a variety of stress-induced behavioral pathologies in mice. We found that these behavioral effects were associated with a dampening of neuronal excitability in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) ex vivo and in vivo, and were mediated by small-conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channel and CB1 cannabinoid receptor activation. Taken together, these data provide further support for the potential utility of SSCIs, as well as traditional COX-2 inhibitors, as novel treatment approaches for stress-related psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyonna Carrie Gamble-George
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, United States
| | - Rita Baldi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States
| | - Lindsay Halladay
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, Bethesda, United States
| | - Adrina Kocharian
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, Bethesda, United States
| | - Nolan Hartley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, United States
| | - Carolyn Grace Silva
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States
| | - Holly Roberts
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States
| | - Andre Haymer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States
| | - Lawrence J Marnett
- A.B. Hancock Jr. Memorial Laboratory for Cancer Research, Departments of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Center in Molecular Toxicology, and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, United States
| | - Andrew Holmes
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, Bethesda, United States
| | - Sachin Patel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, United States
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Human Development, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States
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88
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Butler TR, Karkhanis AN, Jones SR, Weiner JL. Adolescent Social Isolation as a Model of Heightened Vulnerability to Comorbid Alcoholism and Anxiety Disorders. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2016; 40:1202-14. [PMID: 27154240 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Individuals diagnosed with anxiety-related illnesses are at increased risk of developing alcoholism, exhibit a telescoped progression of this disease and fare worse in recovery, relative to alcoholics that do not suffer from a comorbid anxiety disorder. Similarly, preclinical evidence supports the notion that stress and anxiety represent major risk factors for the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Despite the importance of understanding the link between anxiety and alcoholism, much remains unknown about the neurobiological substrates underlying this relationship. One stumbling block has been the lack of animal models that reliably reproduce the spectrum of behaviors associated with increased vulnerability to these diseases. Here, we review the literature that has examined the behavioral and neurobiological outcomes of a simple rodent adolescent social isolation procedure and discuss its validity as a model of vulnerability to comorbid anxiety disorders and alcoholism. Recent studies have provided strong evidence that adolescent social isolation of male rats leads to the expression of a variety of behaviors linked with increased vulnerability to anxiety and/or AUD, including deficits in sensory gating and fear extinction, and increases in anxiety measures and ethanol drinking. Neurobiological studies are beginning to identify mesolimbic adaptations that may contribute to the behavioral phenotype engendered by this model. Some of these changes include increased excitability of ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons and pyramidal cells in the basolateral amygdala and significant alterations in baseline and stimulated catecholamine signaling. A growing body of evidence suggests that adolescent social isolation may represent a reliable rodent model of heightened vulnerability to anxiety disorders and alcoholism in male rats. These studies provide initial support for the face, construct, and predictive validity of this model and highlight its utility in identifying neurobiological adaptations associated with increased risk of developing these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy R Butler
- Department of Psychology , University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio
| | - Anushree N Karkhanis
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology , Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
| | - Sara R Jones
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology , Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
| | - Jeffrey L Weiner
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology , Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
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Diaz MR, Mooney SM, Varlinskaya EI. Acute prenatal exposure to ethanol on gestational day 12 elicits opposing deficits in social behaviors and anxiety-like behaviors in Sprague Dawley rats. Behav Brain Res 2016; 310:11-9. [PMID: 27154534 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Our previous research has shown that in Long Evans rats acute prenatal exposure to a high dose of ethanol on gestational day (G) 12 produces social deficits in male offspring and elicits substantial decreases in social preference relative to controls, in late adolescents and adults regardless of sex. In order to generalize the observed detrimental effects of ethanol exposure on G12, pregnant female Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to ethanol or saline and their offspring were assessed in a modified social interaction (SI) test as early adolescents, late adolescents, or young adults. Anxiety-like behavior was also assessed in adults using the elevated plus maze (EPM) or the light/dark box (LDB) test. Age- and sex-dependent social alterations were evident in ethanol-exposed animals. Ethanol-exposed males showed deficits in social investigation at all ages and age-dependent alterations in social preference. Play fighting was not affected in males. In contrast, ethanol-exposed early adolescent females showed no changes in social interactions, whereas older females demonstrated social deficits and social indifference. In adulthood, anxiety-like behavior was decreased in males and females prenatally exposed to ethanol in the EPM, but not the LDB. These findings suggest that social alterations associated with acute exposure to ethanol on G12 are not strain-specific, although they are more pronounced in Long Evans males and Sprague Dawley females. Furthermore, given that anxiety-like behaviors were attenuated in a test-specific manner, this study indicates that early ethanol exposure can have differential effects on different forms of anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin R Diaz
- Department of Psychology, Center for Development and Behavioral Neuroscience, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States; Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States.
| | - Sandra M Mooney
- Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States; Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
| | - Elena I Varlinskaya
- Department of Psychology, Center for Development and Behavioral Neuroscience, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States; Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States
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Breese GR, Knapp DJ. Persistent adaptation by chronic alcohol is facilitated by neuroimmune activation linked to stress and CRF. Alcohol 2016; 52:9-23. [PMID: 27139233 PMCID: PMC4855305 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2016.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 01/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
This review updates the conceptual basis for the association of alcohol abuse with an insidious adaptation that facilitates negative affect during withdrawal from chronic intermittent alcohol (CIA) exposure - a change that later supports sensitization of stress-induced anxiety following alcohol abstinence. The finding that a CRF1-receptor antagonist (CRF1RA) minimized CIA withdrawal-induced negative affect supported an association of alcohol withdrawal with a stress mechanism. The finding that repeated stresses or multiple CRF injections into selected brain sites prior to a single 5-day chronic alcohol (CA) exposure induced anxiety during withdrawal provided critical support for a linkage of CIA withdrawal with stress. The determination that CRF1RA injection into positive CRF-sensitive brain sites prevented CIA withdrawal-induced anxiety provided support that neural path integration maintains the persistent CIA adaptation. Based upon reports that stress increases neuroimmune function, an effort was undertaken to test whether cytokines would support the adaptation induced by stress/CA exposure. Twenty-four hours after withdrawal from CIA, cytokine mRNAs were found to be increased in cortex as well as other sites in brain. Further, repeated cytokine injections into previously identified brain sites substituted for stress and CRF induction of anxiety during CA withdrawal. Discovery that a CRF1RA prevented the brain cytokine mRNA increase induced by CA withdrawal provided critical evidence for CRF involvement in this neuroimmune induction after CA withdrawal. However, the CRF1RA did not block the stress increase in cytokine mRNA increases in controls. The latter data supported the hypothesis that distinct mechanisms linked to stress and CA withdrawal can support common neuroimmune functions within a brain site. As evidence evolves concerning neural involvement in brain neuroimmune function, a better understanding of the progressive adaptation associated with CIA exposure will advance new knowledge that could possibly lead to strategies to combat alcohol abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- George R Breese
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7178, USA; Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7178, USA; Department of Psychiatry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7178, USA; Curriculum in Neurobiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7178, USA; The UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7178, USA.
| | - Darin J Knapp
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7178, USA; Department of Psychiatry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7178, USA
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