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Stern SA, Azevedo EP, Pomeranz LE, Doerig KR, Ivan VJ, Friedman JM. Top-down control of conditioned overconsumption is mediated by insular cortex Nos1 neurons. Cell Metab 2021; 33:1418-1432.e6. [PMID: 33761312 PMCID: PMC8628615 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Associative learning allows animals to adapt their behavior in response to environmental cues. For example, sensory cues associated with food availability can trigger overconsumption even in sated animals. However, the neural mechanisms mediating cue-driven non-homeostatic feeding are poorly understood. To study this, we recently developed a behavioral task in which contextual cues increase feeding even in sated mice. Here, we show that an insular cortex to central amygdala circuit is necessary for conditioned overconsumption, but not for homeostatic feeding. This projection is marked by a population of glutamatergic nitric oxide synthase-1 (Nos1)-expressing neurons, which are specifically active during feeding bouts. Finally, we show that activation of insular cortex Nos1 neurons suppresses satiety signals in the central amygdala. The data, thus, indicate that the insular cortex provides top-down control of homeostatic circuits to promote overconsumption in response to learned cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Stern
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Estefania P Azevedo
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lisa E Pomeranz
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Katherine R Doerig
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Violet J Ivan
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Friedman
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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102
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Seewald A, Schönherr S, Hörtnagl H, Ehrlich I, Schmuckermair C, Ferraguti F. Fear Memory Retrieval Is Associated With a Reduction in AMPA Receptor Density at Thalamic to Amygdala Intercalated Cell Synapses. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2021; 13:634558. [PMID: 34295235 PMCID: PMC8290482 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2021.634558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The amygdala plays a crucial role in attaching emotional significance to environmental cues. Its intercalated cell masses (ITC) are tight clusters of GABAergic neurons, which are distributed around the basolateral amygdala complex. Distinct ITC clusters are involved in the acquisition and extinction of conditioned fear responses. Previously, we have shown that fear memory retrieval reduces the AMPA/NMDA ratio at thalamic afferents to ITC neurons within the dorsal medio-paracapsular cluster. Here, we investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the fear-mediated reduction in the AMPA/NMDA ratio at these synapses and, in particular, whether specific changes in the synaptic density of AMPA receptors underlie the observed change. To this aim, we used a detergent-digested freeze-fracture replica immunolabeling technique (FRIL) approach that enables to visualize the spatial distribution of intrasynaptic AMPA receptors at high resolution. AMPA receptors were detected using an antibody raised against an epitope common to all AMPA subunits. To visualize thalamic inputs, we virally transduced the posterior thalamic complex with Channelrhodopsin 2-YFP, which is anterogradely transported along axons. Using face-matched replica, we confirmed that the postsynaptic elements were ITC neurons due to their prominent expression of μ-opioid receptors. With this approach, we show that, following auditory fear conditioning in mice, the formation and retrieval of fear memory is linked to a significant reduction in the density of AMPA receptors, particularly at spine synapses formed by inputs of the posterior intralaminar thalamic and medial geniculate nuclei onto identified ITC neurons. Our study is one of the few that has directly linked the regulation of AMPA receptor trafficking to memory processes in identified neuronal networks, by showing that fear-memory induced reduction in AMPA/NMDA ratio at thalamic-ITC synapses is associated with a reduced postsynaptic AMPA receptor density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Seewald
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sabine Schönherr
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Heide Hörtnagl
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ingrid Ehrlich
- Center for Integrative Neuroscience, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomolecular Systems, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | | | - Francesco Ferraguti
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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103
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Central amygdala circuitry modulates nociceptive processing through differential hierarchical interaction with affective network dynamics. Commun Biol 2021; 4:732. [PMID: 34127787 PMCID: PMC8203648 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02262-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The central amygdala (CE) emerges as a critical node for affective processing. However, how CE local circuitry interacts with brain wide affective states is yet uncharted. Using basic nociception as proxy, we find that gene expression suggests diverging roles of the two major CE neuronal populations, protein kinase C δ-expressing (PKCδ+) and somatostatin-expressing (SST+) cells. Optogenetic (o)fMRI demonstrates that PKCδ+/SST+ circuits engage specific separable functional subnetworks to modulate global brain dynamics by a differential bottom-up vs. top-down hierarchical mesoscale mechanism. This diverging modulation impacts on nocifensive behavior and may underly CE control of affective processing. In order to examine how central amygdala (CE) local circuitry interacts with brain-wide affective states, Wank et al performed gene expression analysis and optogenetic fMRI in mice, using basic nociception as a proxy. They found evidence for diverging roles of two major CE neuronal populations in modulating global brain states, which impacts on aversive processing and nocifensive behaviour.
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104
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Sánchez-Salcedo JA, Cabrera MME, Molina-Jiménez T, Cortes-Altamirano JL, Alfaro-Rodríguez A, Bonilla-Jaime H. Depression and Pain: use of antidepressant. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 20:384-402. [PMID: 34151765 PMCID: PMC9413796 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666210609161447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Emotional disorders are common comorbid affectations that exacerbate the severity and persistence of chronic pain. Specifically, depressive symptoms can lead to an excessive duration and intensity of pain. Clinical and preclinical studies have been focused on the underlying mechanisms of chronic pain and depression comorbidity and the use of antidepressants to reduce pain. Aim: This review provides an overview of the comorbid relationship of chronic pain and depression, the clinical and pre-clinical studies performed on the neurobiological aspects of pain and depression, and the use of antidepressants as analgesics. Methods: A systematic search of literature databases was conducted according to pre-defined criteria. The authors independently conducted a focused analysis of the full-text articles. Results: Studies suggest that pain and depression are highly intertwined and may co-exacerbate physical and psychological symptoms. One important biochemical basis for pain and depression focuses on the serotonergic and norepinephrine system, which have been shown to play an important role in this comorbidity. Brain structures that codify pain are also involved in mood. It is evident that using serotonergic and norepinephrine antidepressants are strategies commonly employed to mitigate pain Conclusion: Literature indicates that pain and depression impact each other and play a prominent role in the development and maintenance of other chronic symptoms. Antidepressants continue to be a major therapeutic tool for managing chronic pain. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are more effective in reducing pain than Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs).
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Affiliation(s)
- José Armando Sánchez-Salcedo
- Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud. Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, UAM-I, Apartado Postal 55 535, C.P. 09340, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Maribel Maetizi Estevez Cabrera
- Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud. Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, UAM-I, Apartado Postal 55 535, C.P. 09340, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Tania Molina-Jiménez
- Facultad de Química Farmacéutica Biológica, Universidad Veracruzana. Circuito Gonzálo Aguirre Beltrán Sn, Zona Universitaria. C.P. 91090 Xalapa-Enríquez
| | - José Luis Cortes-Altamirano
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación "Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra", Secretaría de Salud, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Alfonso Alfaro-Rodríguez
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación "Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra", Secretaría de Salud, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Herlinda Bonilla-Jaime
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa. Apartado Postal 55 535, C.P. 09340, Ciudad de México, Mexico
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105
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Modulation of PARP-1 Activity in a Broad Time Window Attenuates Memorizing Fear. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126170. [PMID: 34201014 PMCID: PMC8226584 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The amygdala plays a critical role in the acquisition and consolidation of fear-related memories. Recent studies have demonstrated that ADP-ribosylation of histones, accelerated by PARPs, affects the chromatin structure and the binding of chromatin remodeling complexes with transcription factors. Inhibition of PARP-1 activity during the labile phase of re-consolidation may erase memory. Accordingly, we investigated the possibility of interfering with fear conditioning by PARP-1 inhibition. Herein, we demonstrate that injection of PARP-1 inhibitors, specifically into the CeA or i.p., in different time windows post-retrieval, attenuates freezing behavior. Moreover, the association of memory with pharmacokinetic timing of PARP inhibitor arrival to the brain enabled/achieved attenuation of a specific cue-associated memory of fear but did not hinder other memories (even traumatic events) associated with other cues. Our results suggest using PARP-1 inhibitors as a new avenue for future treatment of PTSD by disrupting specific traumatic memories in a broad time window, even long after the traumatic event. The safety of using these PARP inhibitors, that is, not interfering with other natural memories, is an added value.
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106
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Giovanniello J, Ahrens S, Yu K, Li B. Sex-Specific Stress-Related Behavioral Phenotypes and Central Amygdala Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of 16p11.2 Microdeletion. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 1:59-69. [PMID: 36324434 PMCID: PMC9616311 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Substantial evidence indicates that a microdeletion on human chromosome 16p11.2 is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Carriers of this deletion show divergent symptoms besides the core features of autism spectrum disorder, such as anxiety and emotional symptoms. The neural mechanisms underlying these symptoms are poorly understood. Methods We used mice heterozygous for a deletion allele of the genomic region corresponding to the human 16p11.2 microdeletion locus (i.e., 16p11.2 del/+ mice) and their sex-matched wild-type littermates for the study and examined their anxiety-related behaviors, auditory perception, and central amygdala circuit function using behavioral, circuit tracing, and electrophysiological techniques. Results Mice heterozygous for a deletion allele of the genomic region corresponding to the human 16p11.2 microdeletion locus (i.e., 16p11.2 del/+ mice) had sex-specific anxiety-related behavioral and neural circuit changes. Specifically, we found that female, but not male, 16p11.2 del/+ mice showed enhanced fear generalization-a hallmark of anxiety disorders-after auditory fear conditioning and displayed increased anxiety-like behaviors after physical restraint stress. Notably, such sex-specific behavioral changes were paralleled by an increase in activity in central amygdala neurons projecting to the globus pallidus in female, but not male, 16p11.2 del/+ mice. Conclusions Together, these results reveal female-specific anxiety phenotypes related to 16p11.2 microdeletion syndrome and a potential underlying neural circuit mechanism. Our study therefore identifies previously underappreciated sex-specific behavioral and neural changes in a genetic model of 16p11.2 microdeletion syndrome and highlights the importance of investigating female-specific aspects of this syndrome for targeted treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Giovanniello
- School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
| | - Sandra Ahrens
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
| | - Kai Yu
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
| | - Bo Li
- School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
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107
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Ressler KJ. Translating Across Circuits and Genetics Toward Progress in Fear- and Anxiety-Related Disorders. FOCUS (AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC PUBLISHING) 2021; 19:247-255. [PMID: 34690590 PMCID: PMC8475910 DOI: 10.1176/appi.focus.19205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
(Reprinted with permission from Am J Psychiatry 2020; 177:214-222).
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108
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Mazzitelli M, Marshall K, Pham A, Ji G, Neugebauer V. Optogenetic Manipulations of Amygdala Neurons Modulate Spinal Nociceptive Processing and Behavior Under Normal Conditions and in an Arthritis Pain Model. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:668337. [PMID: 34113253 PMCID: PMC8185300 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.668337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The amygdala is an important neural substrate for the emotional–affective dimension of pain and modulation of pain. The central nucleus (CeA) serves major amygdala output functions and receives nociceptive and affected–related information from the spino-parabrachial and lateral–basolateral amygdala (LA–BLA) networks. The CeA is a major site of extra–hypothalamic expression of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF, also known as corticotropin releasing hormone, CRH), and amygdala CRF neurons form widespread projections to target regions involved in behavioral and descending pain modulation. Here we explored the effects of modulating amygdala neurons on nociceptive processing in the spinal cord and on pain-like behaviors, using optogenetic activation or silencing of BLA to CeA projections and CeA–CRF neurons under normal conditions and in an acute pain model. Extracellular single unit recordings were made from spinal dorsal horn wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons, which respond more strongly to noxious than innocuous mechanical stimuli, in normal and arthritic adult rats (5–6 h postinduction of a kaolin/carrageenan–monoarthritis in the left knee). For optogenetic activation or silencing of CRF neurons, a Cre–inducible viral vector (DIO–AAV) encoding channelrhodopsin 2 (ChR2) or enhanced Natronomonas pharaonis halorhodopsin (eNpHR3.0) was injected stereotaxically into the right CeA of transgenic Crh–Cre rats. For optogenetic activation or silencing of BLA axon terminals in the CeA, a viral vector (AAV) encoding ChR2 or eNpHR3.0 under the control of the CaMKII promoter was injected stereotaxically into the right BLA of Sprague–Dawley rats. For wireless optical stimulation of ChR2 or eNpHR3.0 expressing CeA–CRF neurons or BLA–CeA axon terminals, an LED optic fiber was stereotaxically implanted into the right CeA. Optical activation of CeA–CRF neurons or of BLA axon terminals in the CeA increased the evoked responses of spinal WDR neurons and induced pain-like behaviors (hypersensitivity and vocalizations) under normal condition. Conversely, optical silencing of CeA–CRF neurons or of BLA axon terminals in the CeA decreased the evoked responses of spinal WDR neurons and vocalizations, but not hypersensitivity, in the arthritis pain model. These findings suggest that the amygdala can drive the activity of spinal cord neurons and pain-like behaviors under normal conditions and in a pain model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariacristina Mazzitelli
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Kendall Marshall
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Andrew Pham
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Guangchen Ji
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Volker Neugebauer
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
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109
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Davis SM, Zuke JT, Berchulski MR, Burman MA. Amygdalar Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Signaling Is Required for Later-Life Behavioral Dysfunction Following Neonatal Pain. Front Physiol 2021; 12:660792. [PMID: 34045975 PMCID: PMC8144524 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.660792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neonatal pain such as that experienced by infants in the neonatal intensive care unit is known to produce later-life dysfunction including heightened pain sensitivity and anxiety, although the mechanisms remain unclear. Both chronic pain and stress in adult organisms are known to influence the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system in the Central Nucleus of the Amygdala, making this system a likely candidate for changes following neonatal trauma. To examine this, neonatal rats were subjected to daily pain, non-painful handling or left undisturbed for the first week of life. Beginning on postnatal day, 24 male and female rats were subjected to a 4-day fear conditioning and sensory testing protocol. Some subjects received intra-amygdalar administration of either Vehicle, the CRF receptor 1 (CRF1) receptor antagonist Antalarmin, or the CRF receptor 2 (CRF2) receptor antagonist Astressin 2B prior to fear conditioning and somatosensory testing, while others had tissue collected following fear conditioning and CRF expression in the CeA and BLA was assessed using fluorescent in situ hybridization. CRF1 antagonism attenuated fear-induced hypersensitivity in neonatal pain and handled rats, while CRF2 antagonism produced a general antinociception. In addition, neonatal pain and handling produced a lateralized sex-dependent decrease in CRF expression, with males showing a diminished number of CRF-expressing cells in the right CeA and females showing a similar reduction in the number of CRF-expressing cells in the left BLA compared to undisturbed controls. These data show that the amygdalar CRF system is a likely target for alleviating dysfunction produced by early life trauma and that this system continues to play a major role in the lasting effects of such trauma into the juvenile stage of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth M Davis
- Department of Psychology, University of New England, Biddeford, ME, United States.,Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences, University of New England, Biddeford, ME, United States
| | - Jared T Zuke
- Department of Psychology, University of New England, Biddeford, ME, United States.,Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences, University of New England, Biddeford, ME, United States
| | - Mariah R Berchulski
- Department of Psychology, University of New England, Biddeford, ME, United States.,Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences, University of New England, Biddeford, ME, United States
| | - Michael A Burman
- Department of Psychology, University of New England, Biddeford, ME, United States.,Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences, University of New England, Biddeford, ME, United States
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110
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Kong MS, Zweifel LS. Central amygdala circuits in valence and salience processing. Behav Brain Res 2021; 410:113355. [PMID: 33989728 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral responses to environmental stimuli are dictated by the affective valence of the stimulus, good (positive valence) or bad (negative valence). These stimuli can innately elicit an affective response that promotes approach or avoidance behavior. In addition to innately valenced stimuli, valence can also be assigned to initially neutral stimuli through associative learning. A stimulus of a given valence can vary in salience depending on the strength of the stimulus, the underlying state of the animal, and the context of the stimulus presentation. Salience endows the stimulus with the ability to direct attention and elicit preparatory responses to mount an incentive-based motivated behavior. The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) has emerged as an early integration point for valence and salience detection to engage preparatory autonomic responses and behavioral posturing in response to both aversive and appetitive stimuli. There are numerous cell types in the CeA that are involved in valence and salience processing through a variety of connections, and we will review the recent progress that has been made in identifying these circuit elements and their roles in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Seon Kong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States
| | - Larry S Zweifel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States; Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States.
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111
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Memories are not written in stone: Re-writing fear memories by means of non-invasive brain stimulation and optogenetic manipulations. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 127:334-352. [PMID: 33964307 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The acquisition of fear associative memory requires brain processes of coordinated neural activity within the amygdala, prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus, thalamus and brainstem. After fear consolidation, a suppression of fear memory in the absence of danger is crucial to permit adaptive coping behavior. Acquisition and maintenance of fear extinction critically depend on amygdala-PFC projections. The robust correspondence between the brain networks encompassed cortical and subcortical hubs involved into fear processing in humans and in other species underscores the potential utility of comparing the modulation of brain circuitry in humans and animals, as a crucial step to inform the comprehension of fear mechanisms and the development of treatments for fear-related disorders. The present review is aimed at providing a comprehensive description of the literature on recent clinical and experimental researches regarding the noninvasive brain stimulation and optogenetics. These innovative manipulations applied over specific hubs of fear matrix during fear acquisition, consolidation, reconsolidation and extinction allow an accurate characterization of specific brain circuits and their peculiar interaction within the specific fear processing.
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112
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Sidorov MS, Kim H, Rougie M, Williams B, Siegel JJ, Gavornik JP, Philpot BD. Visual Sequences Drive Experience-Dependent Plasticity in Mouse Anterior Cingulate Cortex. Cell Rep 2021; 32:108152. [PMID: 32937128 PMCID: PMC7536640 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms of experience-dependent plasticity have been well characterized in mouse primary visual cortex (V1), including a form of potentiation driven by repeated presentations of a familiar visual sequence (“sequence plasticity”). The prefrontal anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) responds to visual stimuli, yet little is known about if and how visual experience modifies ACC circuits. We find that mouse ACC exhibits sequence plasticity, but in contrast to V1, the plasticity expresses as a change in response timing, rather than a change in response magnitude. Sequence plasticity is absent in ACC, but not V1, in a mouse model of a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with intellectual disability and autism-like features. Our results demonstrate that simple sensory stimuli can be used to reveal how experience functionally (or dysfunctionally) modifies higher-order prefrontal circuits and suggest a divergence in how ACC and V1 encode familiarity. Sidorov et al. demonstrate that patterned visual input can drive experience-dependent plasticity in the timing of neural responses in mouse anterior cingulate cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Sidorov
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010, USA; Departments of Pediatrics and Pharmacology & Physiology, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
| | - Hyojin Kim
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Marie Rougie
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Brittany Williams
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jennifer J Siegel
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Benjamin D Philpot
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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113
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Totty MS, Warren N, Huddleston I, Ramanathan KR, Ressler RL, Oleksiak CR, Maren S. Behavioral and brain mechanisms mediating conditioned flight behavior in rats. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8215. [PMID: 33859260 PMCID: PMC8050069 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87559-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental contexts can inform animals of potential threats, though it is currently unknown how context biases the selection of defensive behavior. Here we investigated context-dependent flight responses with a Pavlovian serial-compound stimulus (SCS) paradigm that evokes freeze-to-flight transitions. Similar to previous work in mice, we show that male and female rats display context-dependent flight-like behavior in the SCS paradigm. Flight behavior was dependent on contextual fear insofar as it was only evoked in a shock-associated context and was reduced in the conditioning context after context extinction. Flight behavior was only expressed to white noise regardless of temporal order within the compound. Nonetheless, rats that received unpaired SCS trials did not show flight-like behavior to the SCS, indicating it is associative. Finally, we show that pharmacological inactivation of two brain regions critical to the expression of contextual fear, the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), attenuates both contextual fear and flight responses. All of these effects were similar in male and female rats. This work demonstrates that contextual fear can summate with cued and innate fear to drive a high fear state and transition from post-encounter to circa-strike defensive modes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Totty
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Dr., College Station, TX, 77843-3474, USA
| | - Naomi Warren
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Dr., College Station, TX, 77843-3474, USA
| | - Isabella Huddleston
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Dr., College Station, TX, 77843-3474, USA
| | - Karthik R Ramanathan
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Dr., College Station, TX, 77843-3474, USA
| | - Reed L Ressler
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Dr., College Station, TX, 77843-3474, USA
| | - Cecily R Oleksiak
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Dr., College Station, TX, 77843-3474, USA
| | - Stephen Maren
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Dr., College Station, TX, 77843-3474, USA.
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114
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Rajbhandari AK, Octeau CJ, Gonzalez S, Pennington ZT, Mohamed F, Trott J, Chavez J, Ngyuen E, Keces N, Hong WZ, Neve RL, Waschek J, Khakh BS, Fanselow MS. A Basomedial Amygdala to Intercalated Cells Microcircuit Expressing PACAP and Its Receptor PAC1 Regulates Contextual Fear. J Neurosci 2021; 41:3446-3461. [PMID: 33637560 PMCID: PMC8051692 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2564-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Trauma can cause dysfunctional fear regulation leading some people to develop disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The amygdala regulates fear, whereas PACAP (pituitary adenylate activating peptide) and PAC1 receptors are linked to PTSD symptom severity at genetic/epigenetic levels, with a strong link in females with PTSD. We discovered a PACAPergic projection from the basomedial amygdala (BMA) to the medial intercalated cells (mICCs) in adult mice. In vivo optogenetic stimulation of this pathway increased CFOS expression in mICCs, decreased fear recall, and increased fear extinction. Selective deletion of PAC1 receptors from the mICCs in females reduced fear acquisition, but enhanced fear generalization and reduced fear extinction in males. Optogenetic stimulation of the BMA-mICC PACAPergic pathway produced EPSCs in mICC neurons, which were enhanced by the PAC1 receptor antagonist, PACAP 6-38. Our findings show that mICCs modulate contextual fear in a dynamic and sex-dependent manner via a microcircuit containing the BMA and mICCs, and in a manner that was dependent on behavioral state.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Traumatic stress can affect different aspects of fear behaviors, including fear learning, generalization of learned fear to novel contexts, how the fear of the original context is recalled, and how fear is reduced over time. While the amygdala has been studied for its role in regulation of different aspects of fear, the molecular circuitry of this structure is quite complex. In addition, aspects of fear can be modulated differently in males and females. Our findings show that a specific circuitry containing the neuropeptide PACAP and its receptor, PAC1, regulates various aspects of fear, including acquisition, generalization, recall, and extinction in a sexually dimorphic manner, characterizing a novel pathway that modulates traumatic fear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abha K Rajbhandari
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
- Staglin Center for Brain and Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Christopher J Octeau
- Department of Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Sarah Gonzalez
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
- Staglin Center for Brain and Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Zachary T Pennington
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Farzanna Mohamed
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Jeremy Trott
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
- Staglin Center for Brain and Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Jasmine Chavez
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Erin Ngyuen
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Natasha Keces
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Weizhe Z Hong
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Rachael L Neve
- Gene Delivery Technology Core, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, California 02114
| | - James Waschek
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Baljit S Khakh
- Department of Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Michael S Fanselow
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
- Staglin Center for Brain and Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
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115
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Kenwood MM, Kalin NH. Nonhuman Primate Models to Explore Mechanisms Underlying Early-Life Temperamental Anxiety. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 89:659-671. [PMID: 33229035 PMCID: PMC7952470 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders, causing significant suffering and disability. Behavioral inhibition is a temperament that is linked to an increased risk for the later development of anxiety disorders and other stress-related psychopathology, and understanding the neural systems underlying this dispositional risk could provide insight into novel treatment targets for anxiety disorders. Nonhuman primates (NHPs) have anxiety-related temperaments that are similar to those of humans with behavioral inhibition, facilitating the design of translational models related to human psychopathology. Characterization of our NHP model of behavioral inhibition, which we term anxious temperament (AT), reveals that it is trait-like. Exploration of the neural substrates of AT in NHPs has revealed a distributed neural circuit that is linked to individual differences in AT, which includes the dorsal amygdala. AT-related metabolism in the dorsal amygdala, including the central nucleus, is stable across time and can be detected even in safe contexts, suggesting that AT has trait-like neural signatures within the brain. The use of lesioning and novel chemogenetic methods allows for mechanistic perturbation of the amygdala to determine its causal contribution to AT. Studies characterizing the molecular bases for individual differences in AT in the dorsal amygdala, which take advantage of novel methods for probing cellular and molecular systems, suggest involvement of neurotrophic systems, which point to the importance of neuroplasticity in AT. These novel methods, when used in combination with translational NHP models such as AT, promise to provide insights into the brain systems underlying the early risk for anxiety disorder development.
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116
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Walker LC. A balancing act: the role of pro- and anti-stress peptides within the central amygdala in anxiety and alcohol use disorders. J Neurochem 2021; 157:1615-1643. [PMID: 33450069 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is widely implicated as a structure that integrates both appetitive and aversive stimuli. While intrinsic CeA microcircuits primarily consist of GABAergic neurons that regulate amygdala output, a notable feature of the CeA is the heterogeneity of neuropeptides and neuropeptide/neuromodulator receptors that it expresses. There is growing interest in the role of the CeA in mediating psychopathologies, including stress and anxiety states and their interactions with alcohol use disorders. Within the CeA, neuropeptides and neuromodulators often exert pro- or anti- stress actions, which can influence anxiety and alcohol associated behaviours. In turn, alcohol use can cause adaptions within the CeA, which may render an individual more vulnerable to stress which is a major trigger of relapse to alcohol seeking. This review examines the neurocircuitry, neurochemical phenotypes and how pro- and anti-stress peptide systems act within the CeA to regulate anxiety and alcohol seeking, focusing on preclinical observations from animal models. Furthermore, literature exploring the targeting of genetically defined populations or neuronal ensembles and the role of the CeA in mediating sex differences in stress x alcohol interactions are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh C Walker
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Vic, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia
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117
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Cell-Type Specificity of Neuronal Excitability and Morphology in the Central Amygdala. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0402-20.2020. [PMID: 33188006 PMCID: PMC7877473 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0402-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Central amygdala (CeA) neurons expressing protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ+) or somatostatin (Som+) differentially modulate diverse behaviors. The underlying features supporting cell-type-specific function in the CeA, however, remain unknown. Using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology in acute mouse brain slices and biocytin-based neuronal reconstructions, we demonstrate that neuronal morphology and relative excitability are two distinguishing features between Som+ and PKCδ+ neurons in the laterocapsular subdivision of the CeA (CeLC). Som+ neurons, for example, are more excitable, compact, and with more complex dendritic arborizations than PKCδ+ neurons. Cell size, intrinsic membrane properties, and anatomic localization were further shown to correlate with cell-type-specific differences in excitability. Lastly, in the context of neuropathic pain, we show a shift in the excitability equilibrium between PKCδ+ and Som+ neurons, suggesting that imbalances in the relative output of these cells underlie maladaptive changes in behaviors. Together, our results identify fundamentally important distinguishing features of PKCδ+ and Som+ cells that support cell-type-specific function in the CeA.
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118
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Somatostatin Neurons of the Bed Nucleus of Stria Terminalis Enhance Associative Fear Memory Consolidation in Mice. J Neurosci 2021; 41:1982-1995. [PMID: 33468566 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1944-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive fear learning and generalized, extinction-resistant fear memories are core symptoms of anxiety and trauma-related disorders. Despite significant evidence from clinical studies reporting hyperactivity of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) under these conditions, the role of BNST in fear learning and expression is still not clarified. Here, we tested how BNST modulates fear learning in male mice using a chemogenetic approach. Activation of GABAergic neurons of BNST during fear conditioning or memory consolidation resulted in enhanced cue-related fear recall. Importantly, BNST activation had no acute impact on fear expression during conditioning or recalls, but it enhanced cue-related fear recall subsequently, potentially via altered activity of downstream regions. Enhanced fear memory consolidation could be replicated by selectively activating somatostatin (SOM), but not corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), neurons of the BNST, which was accompanied by increased fear generalization. Our findings suggest the significant modulation of fear memory strength by specific circuits of the BNST.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) mediates different defensive behaviors, and its connections implicate its integrative modulatory role in fear memory formation; however, the involvement of BNST in fear learning has yet to be elucidated in detail. Our data highlight that BNST stimulation enhances fear memory formation without direct effects on fear expression. Our study identified somatostatin (SOM) cells within the extended amygdala as specific neurons promoting fear memory formation. These data underline the importance of anxiety circuits in maladaptive fear memory formation, indicating elevated BNST activity as a potential vulnerability factor to anxiety and trauma-related disorders.
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119
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κ Opioid Receptor-Dynorphin Signaling in the Central Amygdala Regulates Conditioned Threat Discrimination and Anxiety. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0370-20.2020. [PMID: 33323398 PMCID: PMC7877472 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0370-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptides within the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) potently modulate neuronal excitability and have been shown to regulate conditioned threat discrimination and anxiety. Here, we investigated the role of κ opioid receptor (KOR) and its endogenous ligand dynorphin in the CeA for regulation of conditioned threat discrimination and anxiety-like behavior in mice. We demonstrate that reduced KOR expression through genetic inactivation of the KOR encoding gene, Oprk1, in the CeA results in increased anxiety-like behavior and impaired conditioned threat discrimination. In contrast, reduction of dynorphin through genetic inactivation of the dynorphin encoding gene, Pdyn, in the CeA has no effect on anxiety or conditioned threat discrimination. However, inactivation of Pdyn from multiple sources, intrinsic and extrinsic to the CeA phenocopies Oprk1 inactivation. These findings suggest that dynorphin inputs to the CeA signal through KOR to promote threat discrimination and dampen anxiety.
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120
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Wiktorowska L, Bilecki W, Tertil M, Kudla L, Szumiec L, Mackowiak M, Przewlocki R. Knockdown of the astrocytic glucocorticoid receptor in the central nucleus of the amygdala diminishes conditioned fear expression and anxiety. Behav Brain Res 2021; 402:113095. [PMID: 33359366 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.113095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The amygdala is a key structure involved in both physiological and behavioural effects of fearful and stressful stimuli. The central stress response is controlled by the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis via glucocorticoid hormones, acting mainly through glucocorticoid receptors (GR), widely expressed among different brain regions, including the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). Although to date, neuronal GR was postulated to be involved in the mediating stress effects, increasing evidence points to the vital role of glial GR. Here, we aimed to evaluate the role of astrocytic GR in CeA in various aspects of the stress response. We used a lentiviral vector to disrupt an astrocytic GR in the CeA of Aldh1l1-Cre transgenic mice. Astrocytic GR knockdown mice (GR KD) exhibited an attenuated expression of fear-related memory in the fear conditioning paradigm. Interestingly, the consolidation of non-stressful memory in the novel object recognition test remained unchanged. Moreover, GR KD group presented reduced anxiety, measured in the open field test. However, knockdown of astrocytic GR in the CeA did not affect an acute response to stress in the tail suspension test. Taken together, obtained results suggest that astrocytic GR in the CeA promotes aversive memory consolidation and some aspects of anxiety behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucja Wiktorowska
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Wiktor Bilecki
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Biostructure, Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Magdalena Tertil
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Biostructure, Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Lucja Kudla
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Lukasz Szumiec
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Marzena Mackowiak
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Biostructure, Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ryszard Przewlocki
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland.
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121
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Liu J, Hu T, Zhang MQ, Xu CY, Yuan MY, Li RX. Differential efferent projections of GABAergic neurons in the basolateral and central nucleus of amygdala in mice. Neurosci Lett 2021; 745:135621. [PMID: 33421491 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The Basolateral amygdala (BLA) and central nucleus of the amygdala (CEA) have been proved to play a key role in the control of anxiety, stress and fear-related behaviors. BLA is a cortex-like complex consisting of both γ-aminobutyric acidergic (GABAergic) interneurons and glutamatergic neurons. The CEA is a striatum-like output of the amygdala, consisting almost exclusively of GABAergic medium spiny neurons. In this study, we explored the morphology and axonal projections of the GABAergic neurons in BLA and CEA, using conditional anterograde axonal tracing, immunohistochemistry, and VGAT-Cre transgenic mice to further understand their functional roles. We found that the axonal projections of GABAergic neurons from the BLA mainly distributed to the forebrain, whilst GABAergic neurons from the CEA distributed to the forebrain, midbrain and brainstem. In the forebrain, the axonal projections of GABAergic neurons from the BLA projected to the anterior olfactory nucleus, the cerebral cortex, the septum, the striatum, the thalamus, the amygdala and the hippocampus. The axonal projections of GABAergic neurons from the CEA distributed to the nuclei of the prefrontal cortex, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the hypothalamus and the thalamus. In the midbrain and brainstem, the axonal projections of GABAergic neurons from the CEA were found in the periaqueductal gray, the substantia nigra, and the locus coeruleus. These data reveal the neuroanatomical basis for exploring the function of GABAergic neurons in the BLA and CEA, particularly during the processing of fear-related behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Department of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Life Sciences College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.
| | - Tao Hu
- Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Meng-Qi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, The Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuan-Ying Xu
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Mao-Yun Yuan
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui-Xi Li
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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122
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Organizational principles of amygdalar input-output neuronal circuits. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:7118-7129. [PMID: 34400771 PMCID: PMC8873025 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01262-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The amygdala, one of the most studied brain structures, integrates brain-wide heterogeneous inputs and governs multidimensional outputs to control diverse behaviors central to survival, yet how amygdalar input-output neuronal circuits are organized remains unclear. Using a simplified cell-type- and projection-specific retrograde transsynaptic tracing technique, we scrutinized brain-wide afferent inputs of four major output neuronal groups in the amygdalar basolateral complex (BLA) that project to the bed nucleus of the stria terminals (BNST), ventral hippocampus (vHPC), medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAc), respectively. Brain-wide input-output quantitative analysis unveils that BLA efferent neurons receive a diverse array of afferents with varied input weights and predominant contextual representation. Notably, the afferents received by BNST-, vHPC-, mPFC- and NAc-projecting BLA neurons exhibit virtually identical origins and input weights. These results indicate that the organization of amygdalar BLA input-output neuronal circuits follows the input-dependent and output-independent principles, ideal for integrating brain-wide diverse afferent stimuli to control parallel efferent actions. The data provide the objective basis for improving the virtual reality exposure therapy for anxiety disorders and validate the simplified cell-type- and projection-specific retrograde transsynaptic tracing method.
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123
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Xiao Q, Zhou X, Wei P, Xie L, Han Y, Wang J, Cai A, Xu F, Tu J, Wang L. A new GABAergic somatostatin projection from the BNST onto accumbal parvalbumin neurons controls anxiety. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:4719-4741. [PMID: 32555286 PMCID: PMC8589681 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0816-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The prevailing view is that parvalbumin (PV) interneurons play modulatory roles in emotional response through local medium spiny projection neurons (MSNs). Here, we show that PV activity within the nucleus accumbens shell (sNAc) is required for producing anxiety-like avoidance when mice are under anxiogenic situations. Firing rates of sNAcPV neurons were negatively correlated to exploration time in open arms (threatening environment). In addition, sNAcPV neurons exhibited high excitability in a chronic stress mouse model, which generated excessive maladaptive avoidance behavior in an anxiogenic context. We also discovered a novel GABAergic pathway from the anterior dorsal bed nuclei of stria terminalis (adBNST) to sNAcPV neurons. Optogenetic activation of these afferent terminals in sNAc produced an anxiolytic effect via GABA transmission. Next, we further demonstrated that chronic stressors attenuated the inhibitory synaptic transmission at adBNSTGABA → sNAcPV synapses, which in turn explains the hyperexcitability of sNAc PV neurons on stressed models. Therefore, activation of these GABAergic afferents in sNAc rescued the excessive avoidance behavior related to an anxious state. Finally, we identified that the majority GABAergic input neurons, which innervate sNAcPV cells, were expressing somatostatin (SOM), and also revealed that coordination between SOM- and PV- cells functioning in the BNST → NAc circuit has an inhibitory influence on anxiety-like responses. Our findings provide a potentially neurobiological basis for therapeutic interventions in pathological anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Xiao
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055 China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 PR China
| | - Xinyi Zhou
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055 China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 PR China
| | - Pengfei Wei
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055 China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 PR China
| | - Li Xie
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Yaning Han
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055 China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 PR China
| | - Jie Wang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 PR China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Center of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan, 430071 PR China
| | - Aoling Cai
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 PR China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Center of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan, 430071 PR China
| | - Fuqiang Xu
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055 China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Center of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan, 430071 PR China ,grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074 PR China
| | - Jie Tu
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR, China.
| | - Liping Wang
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR, China.
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Griessner J, Pasieka M, Böhm V, Grössl F, Kaczanowska J, Pliota P, Kargl D, Werner B, Kaouane N, Strobelt S, Kreitz S, Hess A, Haubensak W. Central amygdala circuit dynamics underlying the benzodiazepine anxiolytic effect. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:534-544. [PMID: 30504824 PMCID: PMC6411154 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0310-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 10/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Benzodiazepines (BZDs) have been a standard treatment for anxiety disorders for decades, but the neuronal circuit interactions mediating their anxiolytic effect remain largely unknown. Here, we find that systemic BZDs modulate central amygdala (CEA) microcircuit activity to gate amygdala output. Combining connectome data with immediate early gene (IEG) activation maps, we identified the CEA as a primary site for diazepam (DZP) anxiolytic action. Deep brain calcium imaging revealed that brain-wide DZP interactions shifted neuronal activity in CEA microcircuits. Chemogenetic silencing showed that PKCδ+/SST- neurons in the lateral CEA (CEAl) are necessary and sufficient to induce the DZP anxiolytic effect. We propose that BZDs block the relay of aversive signals through the CEA, in part by local binding to CEAl SST+/PKCδ- neurons and reshaping intra-CEA circuit dynamics. This work delineates a strategy to identify biomedically relevant circuit interactions of clinical drugs and highlights the critical role for CEA circuitry in the pathophysiology of anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Griessner
- grid.14826.390000 0000 9799 657XResearch Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Manuel Pasieka
- grid.473822.8Bioinformatics and Scientific Computing, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Vincent Böhm
- grid.14826.390000 0000 9799 657XResearch Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian Grössl
- grid.14826.390000 0000 9799 657XResearch Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Joanna Kaczanowska
- grid.14826.390000 0000 9799 657XResearch Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Pinelopi Pliota
- grid.14826.390000 0000 9799 657XResearch Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Dominic Kargl
- grid.14826.390000 0000 9799 657XResearch Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Werner
- grid.14826.390000 0000 9799 657XResearch Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nadia Kaouane
- grid.14826.390000 0000 9799 657XResearch Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sandra Strobelt
- grid.5330.50000 0001 2107 3311Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Fahrstrasse 17, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Silke Kreitz
- grid.5330.50000 0001 2107 3311Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Fahrstrasse 17, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Hess
- grid.5330.50000 0001 2107 3311Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Fahrstrasse 17, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Wulf Haubensak
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria.
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125
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Wang J, Tian Y, Zeng LH, Xu H. Prefrontal Disinhibition in Social Fear: A Vital Action of Somatostatin Interneurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:611732. [PMID: 33390908 PMCID: PMC7773700 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.611732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Social fear and avoidance of social partners and social situations represent the core behavioral symptom of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), a prevalent psychiatric disorder worldwide. The pathological mechanism of SAD remains elusive and there are no specific and satisfactory therapeutic options currently available. With the development of appropriate animal models, growing studies start to unravel neuronal circuit mechanisms underlying social fear, and underscore a fundamental role of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Prefrontal cortical functions are implemented by a finely wired microcircuit composed of excitatory principal neurons (PNs) and diverse subtypes of inhibitory interneurons (INs). Disinhibition, defined as a break in inhibition via interactions between IN subtypes that enhances the output of excitatory PNs, has recently been discovered to serve as an efficient strategy in cortical information processing. Here, we review the rodent animal models of social fear, the prefrontal IN diversity, and their circuits with a particular emphasis on a novel disinhibitory microcircuit mediated by somatostatin-expressing INs in gating social fear behavior. The INs subtype distinct and microcircuit-based mechanism advances our understanding of the etiology of social fear and sheds light on developing future treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders associated with social fear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Tian
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ling-Hui Zeng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Han Xu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, China
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126
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Kargl D, Kaczanowska J, Ulonska S, Groessl F, Piszczek L, Lazovic J, Buehler K, Haubensak W. The amygdala instructs insular feedback for affective learning. eLife 2020; 9:60336. [PMID: 33216712 PMCID: PMC7679142 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Affective responses depend on assigning value to environmental predictors of threat or reward. Neuroanatomically, this affective value is encoded at both cortical and subcortical levels. However, the purpose of this distributed representation across functional hierarchies remains unclear. Using fMRI in mice, we mapped a discrete cortico-limbic loop between insular cortex (IC), central amygdala (CE), and nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM), which decomposes the affective value of a conditioned stimulus (CS) into its salience and valence components. In IC, learning integrated unconditioned stimulus (US)-evoked bodily states into CS valence. In turn, CS salience in the CE recruited these CS representations bottom-up via the cholinergic NBM. This way, the CE incorporated interoceptive feedback from IC to improve discrimination of CS valence. Consequently, opto-/chemogenetic uncoupling of hierarchical information flow disrupted affective learning and conditioned responding. Dysfunctional interactions in the IC↔CE/NBM network may underlie intolerance to uncertainty, observed in autism and related psychiatric conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Kargl
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Joanna Kaczanowska
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Sophia Ulonska
- VRVis Zentrum für Virtual Reality und Visualisierung Forschungs-GmbH (VRVis), Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian Groessl
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukasz Piszczek
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Jelena Lazovic
- Preclinical Imaging Facility (pcIMAG), Vienna Biocenter Core Facilities (VBCF), Vienna, Austria
| | - Katja Buehler
- VRVis Zentrum für Virtual Reality und Visualisierung Forschungs-GmbH (VRVis), Vienna, Austria
| | - Wulf Haubensak
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
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127
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IL-10 normalizes aberrant amygdala GABA transmission and reverses anxiety-like behavior and dependence-induced escalation of alcohol intake. Prog Neurobiol 2020; 199:101952. [PMID: 33197496 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol elicits a neuroimmune response in the brain contributing to the development and maintenance of alcohol use disorder (AUD). While pro-inflammatory mediators initiate and drive the neuroimmune response, anti-inflammatory mediators provide an important homeostatic mechanism to limit inflammation and prevent pathological damage. However, our understanding of the role of anti-inflammatory signaling on neuronal physiology in critical addiction-related brain regions and pathological alcohol-dependence induced behaviors is limited, precluding our ability to identify promising therapeutic targets. Here, we hypothesized that chronic alcohol exposure compromises anti-inflammatory signaling in the central amygdala, a brain region implicated in anxiety and addiction, consequently perpetuating a pro-inflammatory state driving aberrant neuronal activity underlying pathological behaviors. We found that alcohol dependence alters the global brain immune landscape increasing IL-10 producing microglia and T-regulatory cells but decreasing local amygdala IL-10 levels. Amygdala IL-10 overexpression decreases anxiety-like behaviors, suggesting its local role in regulating amygdala-mediated behaviors. Mechanistically, amygdala IL-10 signaling through PI3K and p38 MAPK modulates GABA transmission directly at presynaptic terminals and indirectly through alterations in spontaneous firing. Alcohol dependence-induces neuroadaptations in IL-10 signaling leading to an overall IL-10-induced decrease in GABA transmission, which normalizes dependence-induced elevated amygdala GABA transmission. Notably, amygdala IL-10 overexpression abolishes escalation of alcohol intake, a diagnostic criterion of AUD, in dependent mice. This highlights the importance of amygdala IL-10 signaling in modulating neuronal activity and underlying anxiety-like behavior and aberrant alcohol intake, providing a new framework for therapeutic intervention.
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128
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Mattera A, Pagani M, Baldassarre G. A Computational Model Integrating Multiple Phenomena on Cued Fear Conditioning, Extinction, and Reinstatement. Front Syst Neurosci 2020; 14:569108. [PMID: 33132856 PMCID: PMC7550679 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2020.569108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Conditioning, extinction, and reinstatement are fundamental learning processes of animal adaptation, also strongly involved in human pathologies such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and dependencies. Cued fear conditioning, extinction, restatement, and systematic manipulations of the underlying brain amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex, represent key experimental paradigms to study such processes. Numerous empirical studies have revealed several aspects and the neural systems and plasticity underlying them, but at the moment we lack a comprehensive view. Here we propose a computational model based on firing rate leaky units that contributes to such integration by accounting for 25 different experiments on fear conditioning, extinction, and restatement, on the basis of a single neural architecture having a structure and plasticity grounded in known brain biology. This allows the model to furnish three novel contributions to understand these open issues: (a) the functioning of the central and lateral amygdala system supporting conditioning; (b) the role played by the endocannabinoids system in within- and between-session extinction; (c) the formation of three important types of neurons underlying fear processing, namely fear, extinction, and persistent neurons. The model integration of the results on fear conditioning goes substantially beyond what was done in previous models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Mattera
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Pagani
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Baldassarre
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
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129
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Mollick JA, Hazy TE, Krueger KA, Nair A, Mackie P, Herd SA, O'Reilly RC. A systems-neuroscience model of phasic dopamine. Psychol Rev 2020; 127:972-1021. [PMID: 32525345 PMCID: PMC8453660 DOI: 10.1037/rev0000199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
We describe a neurobiologically informed computational model of phasic dopamine signaling to account for a wide range of findings, including many considered inconsistent with the simple reward prediction error (RPE) formalism. The central feature of this PVLV framework is a distinction between a primary value (PV) system for anticipating primary rewards (Unconditioned Stimuli [USs]), and a learned value (LV) system for learning about stimuli associated with such rewards (CSs). The LV system represents the amygdala, which drives phasic bursting in midbrain dopamine areas, while the PV system represents the ventral striatum, which drives shunting inhibition of dopamine for expected USs (via direct inhibitory projections) and phasic pausing for expected USs (via the lateral habenula). Our model accounts for data supporting the separability of these systems, including individual differences in CS-based (sign-tracking) versus US-based learning (goal-tracking). Both systems use competing opponent-processing pathways representing evidence for and against specific USs, which can explain data dissociating the processes involved in acquisition versus extinction conditioning. Further, opponent processing proved critical in accounting for the full range of conditioned inhibition phenomena, and the closely related paradigm of second-order conditioning. Finally, we show how additional separable pathways representing aversive USs, largely mirroring those for appetitive USs, also have important differences from the positive valence case, allowing the model to account for several important phenomena in aversive conditioning. Overall, accounting for all of these phenomena strongly constrains the model, thus providing a well-validated framework for understanding phasic dopamine signaling. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Mollick
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
| | - Thomas E Hazy
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
| | - Kai A Krueger
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
| | - Ananta Nair
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
| | - Prescott Mackie
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
| | - Seth A Herd
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
| | - Randall C O'Reilly
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
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130
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A Central Amygdala-Globus Pallidus Circuit Conveys Unconditioned Stimulus-Related Information and Controls Fear Learning. J Neurosci 2020; 40:9043-9054. [PMID: 33067362 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2090-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The central amygdala (CeA) is critically involved in a range of adaptive behaviors, including defensive behaviors. Neurons in the CeA send long-range projections to a number of extra-amygdala targets, but the functions of these projections remain elusive. Here, we report that a previously neglected CeA-to-globus pallidus external segment (GPe) circuit plays an essential role in classical fear conditioning. By anatomic tracing, in situ hybridization and channelrhodopsin (ChR2)-assisted circuit mapping in both male and female mice, we found that a subset of CeA neurons send projections to the GPe, and the majority of these GPe-projecting CeA neurons express the neuropeptide somatostatin. Notably, chronic inhibition of GPe-projecting CeA neurons with the tetanus toxin light chain (TeLC) completely blocks auditory fear conditioning. In vivo fiber photometry revealed that these neurons are selectively excited by the unconditioned stimulus (US) during fear conditioning. Furthermore, transient optogenetic inactivation or activation of these neurons selectively during US presentation impairs or promotes, respectively, fear learning. Our results suggest that a major function of GPe-projecting CeA neurons is to represent and convey US-related information through the CeA-GPe circuit, thereby regulating learning in fear conditioning.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The central amygdala (CeA) has been implicated in the establishment of defensive behaviors toward threats, but the underlying circuit mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we found that a subpopulation of neurons in the CeA, which are mainly those that express the neuropeptide somatostatin, send projections to the globus pallidus external segment (GPe), and this CeA-GPe circuit conveys unconditioned stimulus (US)-related information during classical fear conditioning, thereby having an indispensable role in learning. Our results reveal a previously unknown circuit mechanism for fear learning.
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131
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Hardaway JA. Central Amygdala Discovery Efforts in Primates Reveals New Clues on Anxious Temperament. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 88:e35-e36. [PMID: 32972516 PMCID: PMC8085899 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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132
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Kovner R, Souaiaia T, Fox AS, French DA, Goss CE, Roseboom PH, Oler JA, Riedel MK, Fekete EM, Fudge JL, Knowles JA, Kalin NH. Transcriptional Profiling of Primate Central Nucleus of the Amygdala Neurons to Understand the Molecular Underpinnings of Early-Life Anxious Temperament. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 88:638-648. [PMID: 32709417 PMCID: PMC7530008 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children exhibiting extreme anxious temperament (AT) are at an increased risk for developing anxiety and depression. Our previous mechanistic and neuroimaging work in young rhesus monkeys linked the central nucleus of the amygdala to AT and its underlying neural circuit. METHODS Here, we used laser capture microscopy and RNA sequencing in 47 young rhesus monkeys to investigate AT's molecular underpinnings by focusing on neurons from the lateral division of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeL). RNA sequencing identified numerous AT-related CeL transcripts, and we used immunofluorescence (n = 3) and tract-tracing (n = 2) methods in a different sample of monkeys to examine the expression, distribution, and projection pattern of neurons expressing one of these transcripts. RESULTS We found 555 AT-related transcripts, 14 of which were confirmed with high statistical confidence (false discovery rate < .10), including protein kinase C delta (PKCδ), a CeL microcircuit cell marker implicated in rodent threat processing. We characterized PKCδ neurons in the rhesus CeL, compared its distribution with that of the mouse, and demonstrated that a subset of these neurons project to the laterodorsal bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that CeL PKCδ is associated with primate anxiety, provides evidence of a CeL to laterodorsal bed nucleus of the stria terminalis circuit that may be relevant to understanding human anxiety, and points to specific molecules within this circuit that could serve as potential treatment targets for anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rothem Kovner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin; Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin; HealthEmotions Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin.
| | - Tade Souaiaia
- Department of Cell Biology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Andrew S Fox
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Delores A French
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin; HealthEmotions Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Cooper E Goss
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Patrick H Roseboom
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin; Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin; HealthEmotions Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Jonathan A Oler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin; HealthEmotions Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Marissa K Riedel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin; HealthEmotions Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Eva M Fekete
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin; HealthEmotions Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Julie L Fudge
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York; Department of Neuroscience/Del Monte Institute for Brain Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - James A Knowles
- Department of Cell Biology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Ned H Kalin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin; Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin; HealthEmotions Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin.
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133
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McCullough KM, Chatzinakos C, Hartmann J, Missig G, Neve RL, Fenster RJ, Carlezon WA, Daskalakis NP, Ressler KJ. Genome-wide translational profiling of amygdala Crh-expressing neurons reveals role for CREB in fear extinction learning. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5180. [PMID: 33057013 PMCID: PMC7560654 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18985-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fear and extinction learning are adaptive processes caused by molecular changes in specific neural circuits. Neurons expressing the corticotropin-releasing hormone gene (Crh) in central amygdala (CeA) are implicated in threat regulation, yet little is known of cell type-specific gene pathways mediating adaptive learning. We translationally profiled the transcriptome of CeA Crh-expressing cells (Crh neurons) after fear conditioning or extinction in mice using translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP) and RNAseq. Differential gene expression and co-expression network analyses identified diverse networks activated or inhibited by fear vs extinction. Upstream regulator analysis demonstrated that extinction associates with reduced CREB expression, and viral vector-induced increased CREB expression in Crh neurons increased fear expression and inhibited extinction. These findings suggest that CREB, within CeA Crh neurons, may function as a molecular switch that regulates expression of fear and its extinction. Cell-type specific translational analyses may suggest targets useful for understanding and treating stress-related psychiatric illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth M McCullough
- McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Chris Chatzinakos
- McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Jakob Hartmann
- McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Galen Missig
- McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Rachael L Neve
- Gene Transfer Core, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Robert J Fenster
- McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - William A Carlezon
- McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Nikolaos P Daskalakis
- McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA.
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA.
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134
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The Insula Cortex Contacts Distinct Output Streams of the Central Amygdala. J Neurosci 2020; 40:8870-8882. [PMID: 33051345 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0567-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of genetic tools has provided new means of mapping functionality in central amygdala (CeA) neuron populations based on their molecular profiles, response properties, and importantly, connectivity patterns. While abundant evidence indicates that neuronal signals arrive in the CeA eliciting both aversive and appetitive behaviors, our understanding of the anatomy of the underlying long-range CeA network remains fragmentary. In this study, we combine viral tracings, electrophysiological, and optogenetic approaches to establish in male mice, a wiring chart between the insula cortex (IC), a major sensory input region of the lateral and capsular part of the CeA (CeL/C), and four principal output streams of this nucleus. We found that retrogradely labeled output neurons occupy discrete and likely strategic locations in the CeL/C, and that they are disproportionally controlled by the IC. We identified a direct line of connection between the IC and the lateral hypothalamus (LH), which engages numerous LH-projecting CeL/C cells whose activity can be strongly upregulated on firing of IC neurons. In comparison, CeL/C neurons projecting to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) are also frequently contacted by incoming IC axons, but the strength of this connection is weak. Our results provide a link between long-range inputs and outputs of the CeA and pave the way to a better understanding of how internal, external, and experience dependent information may impinge on action selection by the CeA.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Our current knowledge of the circuit organization within the central amygdala (CeA), a critical regulator of emotional states, includes independent information about its long-range efferents and afferents. We do not know how incoming sensory information is appraised and routed through the CeA to the different output channels. We address this issue by using three different techniques to investigate how a sensory region, the insula cortex (IC), connects with the motor, physiological and autonomic output centers of the CeA. We uncover a strong connection between the IC and the lateral hypothalamus (LH) with a monosynaptic relay in the CeA and shed new light on the previously described functions of IC and CeA through direct projections to the LH.
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135
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Botta P, Fushiki A, Vicente AM, Hammond LA, Mosberger AC, Gerfen CR, Peterka D, Costa RM. An Amygdala Circuit Mediates Experience-Dependent Momentary Arrests during Exploration. Cell 2020; 183:605-619.e22. [PMID: 33031743 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Exploration of novel environments ensures survival and evolutionary fitness. It is expressed through exploratory bouts and arrests that change dynamically based on experience. Neural circuits mediating exploratory behavior should therefore integrate experience and use it to select the proper behavioral output. Using a spatial exploration assay, we uncovered an experience-dependent increase in momentary arrests in locations where animals arrested previously. Calcium imaging in freely exploring mice revealed a genetically and projection-defined neuronal ensemble in the basolateral amygdala that is active during self-paced behavioral arrests. This ensemble was recruited in an experience-dependent manner, and closed-loop optogenetic manipulation of these neurons revealed that they are sufficient and necessary to drive experience-dependent arrests during exploration. Projection-specific imaging and optogenetic experiments revealed that these arrests are effected by basolateral amygdala neurons projecting to the central amygdala, uncovering an amygdala circuit that mediates momentary arrests in familiar places but not avoidance or anxiety/fear-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Botta
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
| | - Akira Fushiki
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Ana Mafalda Vicente
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Luke A Hammond
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Alice C Mosberger
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | | | - Darcy Peterka
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Rui M Costa
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; Champalimaud Neuroscience Program, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon 1400-038, Portugal.
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136
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Shrestha P, Shan Z, Mamcarz M, Ruiz KSA, Zerihoun AT, Juan CY, Herrero-Vidal PM, Pelletier J, Heintz N, Klann E. Amygdala inhibitory neurons as loci for translation in emotional memories. Nature 2020; 586:407-411. [PMID: 33029009 PMCID: PMC7572709 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2793-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
To survive in a dynamic environment, animals need to identify and appropriately respond to stimuli that signal danger1. Survival also depends on suppressing the threat-response during a stimulus that predicts the absence of threat (safety)2-5. An understanding of the biological substrates of emotional memories during a task in which animals learn to flexibly execute defensive responses to a threat-predictive cue and a safety cue is critical for developing treatments for memory disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder5. The centrolateral amygdala is an important node in the neuronal circuit that mediates defensive responses6-9, and a key brain area for processing and storing threat memories. Here we applied intersectional chemogenetic strategies to inhibitory neurons in the centrolateral amygdala of mice to block cell-type-specific translation programs that are sensitive to depletion of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) and phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (p-eIF2α). We show that de novo translation in somatostatin-expressing inhibitory neurons in the centrolateral amygdala is necessary for the long-term storage of conditioned-threat responses, whereas de novo translation in protein kinase Cδ-expressing inhibitory neurons in the centrolateral amygdala is necessary for the inhibition of a conditioned response to a safety cue. Our results provide insight into the role of de novo protein synthesis in distinct inhibitory neuron populations in the centrolateral amygdala during the consolidation of long-term memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prerana Shrestha
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Zhe Shan
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maggie Mamcarz
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Adam T Zerihoun
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chien-Yu Juan
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Jerry Pelletier
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nathaniel Heintz
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eric Klann
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
- NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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137
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Sharma V, Sood R, Khlaifia A, Eslamizade MJ, Hung TY, Lou D, Asgarihafshejani A, Lalzar M, Kiniry SJ, Stokes MP, Cohen N, Nelson AJ, Abell K, Possemato AP, Gal-Ben-Ari S, Truong VT, Wang P, Yiannakas A, Saffarzadeh F, Cuello AC, Nader K, Kaufman RJ, Costa-Mattioli M, Baranov PV, Quintana A, Sanz E, Khoutorsky A, Lacaille JC, Rosenblum K, Sonenberg N. eIF2α controls memory consolidation via excitatory and somatostatin neurons. Nature 2020; 586:412-416. [PMID: 33029011 PMCID: PMC7874887 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2805-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
An important tenet of learning and memory is the notion of a molecular switch that promotes the formation of long-term memory1-4. The regulation of proteostasis is a critical and rate-limiting step in the consolidation of new memories5-10. One of the most effective and prevalent ways to enhance memory is by regulating the synthesis of proteins controlled by the translation initiation factor eIF211. Phosphorylation of the α-subunit of eIF2 (p-eIF2α), the central component of the integrated stress response (ISR), impairs long-term memory formation in rodents and birds11-13. By contrast, inhibiting the ISR by mutating the eIF2α phosphorylation site, genetically11 and pharmacologically inhibiting the ISR kinases14-17, or mimicking reduced p-eIF2α with the ISR inhibitor ISRIB11, enhances long-term memory in health and disease18. Here we used molecular genetics to dissect the neuronal circuits by which the ISR gates cognitive processing. We found that learning reduces eIF2α phosphorylation in hippocampal excitatory neurons and a subset of hippocampal inhibitory neurons (those that express somatostatin, but not parvalbumin). Moreover, ablation of p-eIF2α in either excitatory or somatostatin-expressing (but not parvalbumin-expressing) inhibitory neurons increased general mRNA translation, bolstered synaptic plasticity and enhanced long-term memory. Thus, eIF2α-dependent mRNA translation controls memory consolidation via autonomous mechanisms in excitatory and somatostatin-expressing inhibitory neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijendra Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
| | - Rapita Sood
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Mohammad Javad Eslamizade
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Tzu-Yu Hung
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Danning Lou
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Maya Lalzar
- Bioinformatics Services Unit, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel
| | - Stephen J Kiniry
- School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University College Cork, Cork, T12 XF62, Ireland
| | - Matthew P Stokes
- Proteomics Division, Cell Signaling Technology, Danvers, MA, 01923, USA
| | - Noah Cohen
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Alissa J Nelson
- Proteomics Division, Cell Signaling Technology, Danvers, MA, 01923, USA
| | - Kathryn Abell
- Proteomics Division, Cell Signaling Technology, Danvers, MA, 01923, USA
| | | | | | - Vinh T Truong
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Adonis Yiannakas
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Fatemeh Saffarzadeh
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - A Claudio Cuello
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Karim Nader
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Randal J Kaufman
- Degenerative Diseases Program, Sanford-Burnham-Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Pavel V Baranov
- School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University College Cork, Cork, T12 XF62, Ireland
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Albert Quintana
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Neuroscience Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Elisenda Sanz
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Neuroscience Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Arkady Khoutorsky
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jean-Claude Lacaille
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Brain and Learning, University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Kobi Rosenblum
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
- Center for Gene Manipulation in the Brain, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Nahum Sonenberg
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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138
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Zhu X, Zhou W, Jin Y, Tang H, Cao P, Mao Y, Xie W, Zhang X, Zhao F, Luo MH, Wang H, Li J, Tao W, Farzinpour Z, Wang L, Li X, Li J, Tang ZQ, Zhou C, Pan ZZ, Zhang Z. A Central Amygdala Input to the Parafascicular Nucleus Controls Comorbid Pain in Depression. Cell Rep 2020; 29:3847-3858.e5. [PMID: 31851918 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
While comorbid pain in depression (CP) occurs at a high rate worldwide, the neural connections underlying the core symptoms of CP have yet to be elucidated. Here, we define a pathway whereby GABAergic neurons from the central nucleus of the amygdala (GABACeA) project to glutamatergic neurons in the parafascicular nucleus (GluPF). These GluPF neurons relay directly to neurons in the second somatosensory cortex (S2), a well-known area involved in pain signal processing. Enhanced inhibition of the GABACeA→GluPF→S2 pathway is found in mice exhibiting CP symptoms. Reversing this pathway using chemogenetic or optogenetic approaches alleviates CP symptoms. Together, the current study demonstrates the putative importance of the GABACeA→GluPF→S2 pathway in controlling at least some aspects of CP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Zhu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, PR China
| | - Wenjie Zhou
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, PR China
| | - Yan Jin
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, PR China
| | - Haodi Tang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, PR China
| | - Peng Cao
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, PR China
| | - Yu Mao
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, PR China; Department of Anesthesiology and Department of Pain Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China
| | - Wen Xie
- Department of Psychology, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei 230026, PR China
| | - Xulai Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei 230026, PR China
| | - Fei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology (CEBSIT), Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Min-Hua Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology (CEBSIT), Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Haitao Wang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, PR China
| | - Jie Li
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, PR China
| | - Wenjuan Tao
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, PR China; Department of Anesthesiology and Department of Pain Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China
| | - Zahra Farzinpour
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, PR China
| | - Likui Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Department of Pain Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China
| | - Xiangyao Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Key Laboratory of Neurobiology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Juan Li
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, PR China
| | - Zheng-Quan Tang
- Oregon Hearing Research Center and Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Chenghua Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhizhong Z Pan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, PR China.
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139
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Satoh Y, Tsuji K. Suppression of the Swallowing Reflex during Rhythmic Jaw Movements Induced by Repetitive Electrical Stimulation of the Dorsomedial Part of the Central Amygdaloid Nucleus in Rats. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 10:life10090190. [PMID: 32927817 PMCID: PMC7554838 DOI: 10.3390/life10090190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A previous study indicated that the swallowing reflex is inhibited during rhythmic jaw movements induced by electrical stimulation of the anterior cortical masticatory area. Rhythmic jaw movements were induced by electrical stimulation of the central amygdaloid nucleus (CeA). The swallowing central pattern generator is the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and the lateral reticular formation in the medulla. Morphological studies have reported that the CeA projects to the NTS and the lateral reticular formation. It is therefore likely that the CeA is related to the control of the swallowing reflex. The purpose of this study was to determine if rhythmic jaw movements driven by CeA had inhibitory roles in the swallowing reflex induced by electrical stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN). Rats were anesthetised with urethane. The SLN was solely stimulated for 10 s, and the swallowing reflex was recorded (SLN stimulation before SLN + CeA stimulation). Next, the SLN and the CeA were electrically stimulated at the same time for 10 s, and the swallowing reflex was recorded during rhythmic jaw movements (SLN + CeA stimulation). Finally, the SLN was solely stimulated (SLN stimulation following SLN + CeA stimulation). The number of swallows was reduced during rhythmic jaw movements. The onset latency of the first swallow was significantly longer in the SLN + CeA stimulation than in the SLN stimulation before SLN + CeA stimulation and SLN stimulation following SLN + CeA stimulation. These results support the idea that the coordination of swallowing reflex with rhythmic jaw movements could be regulated by the CeA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihide Satoh
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-25-267-1500; Fax: +81-25-267-1134
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140
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Wilson TD, Valdivia S, Khan A, Ahn HS, Adke AP, Martinez Gonzalez S, Sugimura YK, Carrasquillo Y. Dual and Opposing Functions of the Central Amygdala in the Modulation of Pain. Cell Rep 2020; 29:332-346.e5. [PMID: 31597095 PMCID: PMC6816228 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain perception is essential for survival and can be amplified or suppressed by expectations, experiences, and context. The neural mechanisms underlying bidirectional modulation of pain remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) functions as a pain rheostat, decreasing or increasing pain-related behaviors in mice. This dual and opposing function of the CeA is encoded by opposing changes in the excitability of two distinct subpopulations of GABAergic neurons that receive excitatory inputs from the parabrachial nucleus (PB). Thus, cells expressing protein kinase C-delta (CeA-PKCδ) are sensitized by nerve injury and increase pain-related responses. In contrast, cells expressing somatostatin (CeA-Som) are inhibited by nerve injury and their activity drives antinociception. Together, these results demonstrate that the CeA can amplify or suppress pain in a cell-type-specific manner, uncovering a previously unknown mechanism underlying bidirectional control of pain in the brain. The brain can bidirectionally influence behavioral responses to painful stimuli. Wilson et al identify a cellular mechanism underlying a pain rheostat system within the forebrain, with activation of CeA-Som neurons attenuating pain-related responses and increases in the activity of CeA-PKCδ neurons promoting amplification of pain-related behaviors following injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torri D Wilson
- National Center of Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Spring Valdivia
- National Center of Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Aleisha Khan
- National Center of Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Hye-Sook Ahn
- National Center of Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Anisha P Adke
- National Center of Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Santiago Martinez Gonzalez
- National Center of Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Yae K Sugimura
- National Center of Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Yarimar Carrasquillo
- National Center of Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.
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141
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Allen HN, Bobnar HJ, Kolber BJ. Left and right hemispheric lateralization of the amygdala in pain. Prog Neurobiol 2020; 196:101891. [PMID: 32730859 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Hemispheric asymmetries within the brain have been identified across taxa and have been extensively studied since the early 19th century. Here, we discuss lateralization of a brain structure, the amygdala, and how this lateralization is reshaping how we understand the role of the amygdala in pain processing. The amygdala is an almond-shaped, bilateral brain structure located within the limbic system. Historically, the amygdala was known to have a role in the processing of emotions and attaching emotional valence to memories and other experiences. The amygdala has been extensively studied in fear conditioning and affect but recently has been shown to have an important role in processing noxious information and impacting pain. The amygdala is composed of multiple nuclei; of special interest is the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). The CeA receives direct nociceptive inputs from the parabrachial nucleus (PBN) through the spino-parabrachio-amygdaloid pathway as well as more highly processed cortical and thalamic input via the lateral and basolateral amygdala. Although the amygdala is a bilateral brain region, most data investigating the amygdala's role in pain have been generated from the right CeA, which has an overwhelmingly pro-nociceptive function across pain models. The left CeA has often been characterized to have no effect on pain modulation, a dampened pro-nociceptive function, or most recently an anti-nociceptive function. This review explores the current literature on CeA lateralization and the hemispheres' respective roles in the processing and modulation of different forms of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather N Allen
- Department of Biological Sciences and Chronic Pain Research Consortium, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15282, United States
| | - Harley J Bobnar
- Department of Biological Sciences and Chronic Pain Research Consortium, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15282, United States
| | - Benedict J Kolber
- Department of Biological Sciences and Chronic Pain Research Consortium, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15282, United States; Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, United States.
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142
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NMDA receptors in the CeA and BNST differentially regulate fear conditioning to predictable and unpredictable threats. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2020; 174:107281. [PMID: 32721480 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2020.107281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Considerable work demonstrates that Pavlovian fear conditioning depends on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependent plasticity within the amygdala. In addition, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) has also been implicated in fear conditioning, particularly in the expression of fear to poor predictors of threat. We recently found that the expression of backward (BW) fear conditioning, in which an auditory conditioned stimulus (CS) follows a footshock unconditioned stimulus (US), requires the BNST; the expression of forward (FW) fear conditioning was not disrupted by BNST inactivation. However, whether NMDA receptors within the BNST contribute to the acquisition of fear conditioning is unknown. Moreover, the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), which has extensive connections with the BNST, is critically involved in FW conditioning, however whether it participates in BW conditioning has not been explored. Here we test the specific hypothesis that the CeA and the BNST mediate the acquisition of FW and BW fear conditioning, respectively. Adult female and male rats were randomly assigned to receive bilateral infusions of the NMDA receptor antagonist, D,L-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV), into the CeA or BNST prior to FW or BW fear conditioning. We found that intra-CeA APV impaired the acquisition of both FW and BW conditioning, whereas intra-BNST APV produced selective deficits in BW conditioning. Moreover, APV in the BNST significantly reduced contextual freezing, whereas CeA NMDA receptor antagonism impeded early but not long-lasting contextual fear. Collectively, these data reveal that CeA and BNST NMDA receptors have unique roles in fear conditioning.
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143
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Yang L, Chen M, Ma Q, Sheng H, Cui D, Shao D, Lai B, Zheng P. Morphine selectively disinhibits glutamatergic input from mPFC onto dopamine neurons of VTA, inducing reward. Neuropharmacology 2020; 176:108217. [PMID: 32679049 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons presynaptic glutamate release plays a very important role in the mechanism of morphine. Previously, a study from our lab found that morphine disinhibited glutamatergic input onto the VTA-DA neurons, which was an important mechanism for the morphine-induced increase in the VTA-DA neuron firing and related behaviors (Chen et al., 2015). However, what source of glutamatergic inputs is disinhibited by morphine remains to be elucidated. Using optogenetic strategy combined with whole-cell patch-clamp, qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence and chemical genetic approach combined with behavioral methods, our results show that: 1) morphine promotes glutamate release from glutamatergic terminals of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) neurons projecting to VTA-DA neurons but does not on those from glutamatergic terminals of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) neurons projecting to VTA-DA neurons; 2) different response of glutamatergic neurons projecting to VTA-DA neurons from the mPFC or the LH to morphine is related to the expression of GABAB receptors at terminals of these neurons; 3) inhibition of projection neurons from the mPFC to the VTA significantly reduces morphine-induced locomotor activity increase and conditioned place preference but inhibition of projection neurons from the LH to the VTA does not. These results suggest that morphine selectively promotes glutamate release of the glutamatergic input from mPFC onto VTA-DA neurons by removing the inhibition of the GABAB receptors in this glutamatergic input from mPFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qianqian Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Huan Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Dongyang Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Da Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Bin Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ping Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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144
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Zhang Y, Zhu Y, Cao SX, Sun P, Yang JM, Xia YF, Xie SZ, Yu XD, Fu JY, Shen CJ, He HY, Pan HQ, Chen XJ, Wang H, Li XM. MeCP2 in cholinergic interneurons of nucleus accumbens regulates fear learning. eLife 2020; 9:55342. [PMID: 32420873 PMCID: PMC7259956 DOI: 10.7554/elife.55342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) encoded by the MECP2 gene is a transcriptional regulator whose mutations cause Rett syndrome (RTT). Mecp2-deficient mice show fear regulation impairment; however, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this abnormal behavior are largely uncharacterized. Here, we showed that Mecp2 gene deficiency in cholinergic interneurons of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) dramatically impaired fear learning. We further found that spontaneous activity of cholinergic interneurons in Mecp2-deficient mice decreased, mediated by enhanced inhibitory transmission via α2-containing GABAA receptors. With MeCP2 restoration, opto- and chemo-genetic activation, and RNA interference in ChAT-expressing interneurons of the NAc, impaired fear retrieval was rescued. Taken together, these results reveal a previously unknown role of MeCP2 in NAc cholinergic interneurons in fear regulation, suggesting that modulation of neurons in the NAc may ameliorate fear-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- Center for Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Zhu
- Center for Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shu-Xia Cao
- Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peng Sun
- Center for Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Ming Yang
- Center for Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan-Fang Xia
- Center for Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shi-Ze Xie
- Center for Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Dan Yu
- Center for Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Yu Fu
- Center for Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chen-Jie Shen
- Center for Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hai-Yang He
- Center for Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hao-Qi Pan
- Center for Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Juan Chen
- Center for Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Center for Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Li
- Center for Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Joint Institute for Genetics and Genome Medicine between Zhejiang University and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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145
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van den Burg EH, Hegoburu C. Modulation of expression of fear by oxytocin signaling in the central amygdala: From reduction of fear to regulation of defensive behavior style. Neuropharmacology 2020; 173:108130. [PMID: 32389750 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Many studies in preclinical animal models have described fear-reducing effects of the neuropeptide oxytocin in the central nucleus of the amygdala. However, recent studies have refined the role of oxytocin in the central amygdala, which may extend to the selection of an active defensive coping style in the face of immediate threat, and also fear-enhancing effects have been reported. On top of this, oxytocin enables the discrimination of unfamiliar conspecifics on the basis of their emotional state, which could allow for the selection of an appropriate coping style. This is in line with many observations that support the hypothesis that the precise outcome of oxytocin signaling in the central amygdala or other brain regions depends on the emotional or physiological state of an animal. In this review, we highlight a number of studies to exemplify the diverse effects oxytocin exerts on fear in the central amygdala of rodents. These are discussed in the context of the organization of the neural network within the central amygdala and in relation to the oxytocin-synthesizing neurons in the hypothalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwin H van den Burg
- Center for Psychiatric Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital Center (CHUV), Prilly, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Chloé Hegoburu
- Center for Psychiatric Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital Center (CHUV), Prilly, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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146
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Sex differences in behavioral responses during a conditioned flight paradigm. Behav Brain Res 2020; 389:112623. [PMID: 32348872 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Females exhibit greater susceptibility to trauma- and stress-related disorders compared to males; therefore, it is imperative to study sex differences in the mode and magnitude of defensive responses in the face of threat. To test for sex differences in defensive behavior, we used a modified Pavlovian fear conditioning paradigm that elicits clear transitions between freezing and flight behaviors within individual subjects. Female mice subjected to this paradigm exhibited more freezing behavior compared to males, especially during the intertrial interval period. Female mice also exhibited more freezing in response to conditioned auditory stimuli in the last block of extinction training. Furthermore, there were sex differences in the expression of other adaptive behaviors during fear conditioning. Assaying rearing, grooming, and tail rattling behaviors during the conditioned flight paradigm yielded measurable differences across sessions and between males and females. Overall, these results provide insight into sex-dependent alterations in mouse behavior induced by fear conditioning.
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147
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Steinberg EE, Gore F, Heifets BD, Taylor MD, Norville ZC, Beier KT, Földy C, Lerner TN, Luo L, Deisseroth K, Malenka RC. Amygdala-Midbrain Connections Modulate Appetitive and Aversive Learning. Neuron 2020; 106:1026-1043.e9. [PMID: 32294466 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The central amygdala (CeA) orchestrates adaptive responses to emotional events. While CeA substrates for defensive behaviors have been studied extensively, CeA circuits for appetitive behaviors and their relationship to threat-responsive circuits remain poorly defined. Here, we demonstrate that the CeA sends robust inhibitory projections to the lateral substantia nigra (SNL) that contribute to appetitive and aversive learning in mice. CeA→SNL neural responses to appetitive and aversive stimuli were modulated by expectation and magnitude consistent with a population-level salience signal, which was required for Pavlovian conditioned reward-seeking and defensive behaviors. CeA→SNL terminal activation elicited reinforcement when linked to voluntary actions but failed to support Pavlovian associations that rely on incentive value signals. Consistent with a disinhibitory mechanism, CeA inputs preferentially target SNL GABA neurons, and CeA→SNL and SNL dopamine neurons respond similarly to salient stimuli. Collectively, our results suggest that amygdala-nigra interactions represent a previously unappreciated mechanism for influencing emotional behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth E Steinberg
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Felicity Gore
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Departments of Bioengineering and Psychiatry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Boris D Heifets
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Madison D Taylor
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Zane C Norville
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kevin T Beier
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Csaba Földy
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Talia N Lerner
- Departments of Bioengineering and Psychiatry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Liqun Luo
- Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Karl Deisseroth
- Departments of Bioengineering and Psychiatry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Robert C Malenka
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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148
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Zhang-Molina C, Schmit MB, Cai H. Neural Circuit Mechanism Underlying the Feeding Controlled by Insula-Central Amygdala Pathway. iScience 2020; 23:101033. [PMID: 32311583 PMCID: PMC7168768 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Central nucleus of amygdala (CeA) contains distinct populations of neurons that play opposing roles in feeding. The circuit mechanism of how CeA neurons process information sent from their upstream inputs to regulate feeding is still unclear. Here we show that activation of the neural pathway projecting from insular cortex neurons to the CeA suppresses food intake. Surprisingly, we find that the inputs from insular cortex form excitatory connections with similar strength to all types of CeA neurons. To reconcile this puzzling result, and previous findings, we developed a conductance-based dynamical systems model for the CeA neuronal network. Computer simulations showed that both the intrinsic electrophysiological properties of individual CeA neurons and the overall synaptic organization of the CeA circuit play a functionally significant role in shaping CeA neural dynamics. We successfully identified a specific CeA circuit structure that reproduces the desired circuit output consistent with existing experimentally observed feeding behaviors. Activation of the insular cortex→central amygdala (CeA) pathway suppresses feeding Insular cortex neurons send similar excitatory inputs to different types of CeA neurons Model suggests a required circuit with both late firing and regular spiking cells The circuit model can explain current and previous CeA-mediated feeding behaviors
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew B Schmit
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Haijiang Cai
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Bio5 Institute and Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
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149
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Beyeler A, Dabrowska J. Neuronal diversity of the amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. HANDBOOK OF BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2020; 26:63-100. [PMID: 32792868 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-815134-1.00003-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Beyeler
- Neurocentre Magendie, French National Institutes of Health (INSERM) unit 1215, Neurocampus of Bordeaux University, Bordeaux, France
| | - Joanna Dabrowska
- Center for the Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Discipline of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
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150
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Vaaga CE, Brown ST, Raman IM. Cerebellar modulation of synaptic input to freezing-related neurons in the periaqueductal gray. eLife 2020; 9:e54302. [PMID: 32207681 PMCID: PMC7124251 DOI: 10.7554/elife.54302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Innate defensive behaviors, such as freezing, are adaptive for avoiding predation. Freezing-related midbrain regions project to the cerebellum, which is known to regulate rapid sensorimotor integration, raising the question of cerebellar contributions to freezing. Here, we find that neurons of the mouse medial (fastigial) cerebellar nuclei (mCbN), which fire spontaneously with wide dynamic ranges, send glutamatergic projections to the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG), which contains diverse cell types. In freely moving mice, optogenetically stimulating glutamatergic vlPAG neurons that express Chx10 reliably induces freezing. In vlPAG slices, mCbN terminals excite ~20% of neurons positive for Chx10 or GAD2 and ~70% of dopaminergic TH-positive neurons. Stimulating either mCbN afferents or TH neurons augments IPSCs and suppresses EPSCs in Chx10 neurons by activating postsynaptic D2 receptors. The results suggest that mCbN activity regulates dopaminergic modulation of the vlPAG, favoring inhibition of Chx10 neurons. Suppression of cerebellar output may therefore facilitate freezing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher E Vaaga
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, United States
| | - Spencer T Brown
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, United States
| | - Indira M Raman
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, United States
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