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Visocky V, Turner CJ, Lowrie MH, Alibro A, Messanvi F, Chudasama Y. Noradrenergic modulation of stress induced catecholamine release: Opposing influence of FG7142 and yohimbine. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.09.593389. [PMID: 38766011 PMCID: PMC11100835 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.09.593389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Background Life stress modulates decision making, particularly in the face of risk, in some cases prompting vulnerable populations to make suboptimal, life-altering choices. In the brain, stress is known to alter the extracellular release of catecholamines in structures such as basolateral amygdala (BLA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc), but the relationship between catecholamines and decision-making behavior under stress has not been systemically explored. Methods We developed an operant touchscreen decision-making task for rats comprising elements of loss aversion and risk seeking behavior. Rats were first injected systemically with an adrenergicα 2 A -receptor agonist (guanfacine) and antagonist (yohimbine), as well as a partial inverse GABAA agonist, FG 7142, known to induce anxiety and stress related physiological responses in a variety of species, including humans. We then used fiber photometry to monitor NE in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), and DA activity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) while animals engaged in decision-making and following systemic injections of FG 7142 and yohimbine. Results Neither yohimbine nor guanfacine had any impact on decision making strategy but altered motivational state with yohimbine making the animal almost insensitive to the reward outcome. The pharmacological induction of stress with FG 7142 biased the rats' decisions towards safety, but this bias shifted toward risk when co-treated with yohimbine. In the BLA and NAc, the FG 7142 altered catecholamine release, with systemic yohimbine producing opposing effects on NE and DA release. Conclusions Stress induced changes in catecholamine release in the BLA and NAc can directly influence loss sensitivity, decisions and motivation, which can be modulated by theα 2 A adrenoreceptor antagonist, yohimbine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Visocky
- Section on Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Carleigh J Turner
- Section on Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Matthew H Lowrie
- Section on Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Anthony Alibro
- Section on Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Fany Messanvi
- Section on Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yogita Chudasama
- Section on Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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2
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Ma W, Li L, Kong L, Zhang H, Yuan P, Huang Z, Wang Y. Whole-brain monosynaptic inputs to lateral periaqueductal gray glutamatergic neurons in mice. CNS Neurosci Ther 2023; 29:4147-4159. [PMID: 37424163 PMCID: PMC10651995 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The lateral periaqueductal gray (LPAG), which mainly contains glutamatergic neurons, plays an important role in social responses, pain, and offensive and defensive behaviors. Currently, the whole-brain monosynaptic inputs to LPAG glutamatergic neurons are unknown. This study aims to explore the structural framework of the underlying neural mechanisms of LPAG glutamatergic neurons. METHODS This study used retrograde tracing systems based on the rabies virus, Cre-LoxP technology, and immunofluorescence analysis. RESULTS We found that 59 nuclei projected monosynaptic inputs to the LPAG glutamatergic neurons. In addition, seven hypothalamic nuclei, namely the lateral hypothalamic area (LH), lateral preoptic area (LPO), substantia innominata (SI), medial preoptic area, ventral pallidum, posterior hypothalamic area, and lateral globus pallidus, projected most densely to the LPAG glutamatergic neurons. Notably, we discovered through further immunofluorescence analysis that the inputs to the LPAG glutamatergic neurons were colocalized with several markers related to important neurological functions associated with physiological behaviors. CONCLUSION The LPAG glutamatergic neurons received dense projections from the hypothalamus, especially nuclei such as LH, LPO, and SI. The input neurons were colocalized with several markers of physiological behaviors, which show the pivotal role of glutamatergic neurons in the physiological behaviors regulation by LPAG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei‐Xiang Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, and Institutes of Brain ScienceFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, and Institutes of Brain ScienceFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Ling‐Xi Kong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, and Institutes of Brain ScienceFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Hui Zhang
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center for Polysaccharide Drugs, Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Screening and Re‐evaluation of Active Compounds of Herbal Medicines in Southern Anhui, School of PharmacyWannan Medical CollegeWuhuChina
| | - Ping‐Chuan Yuan
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center for Polysaccharide Drugs, Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Screening and Re‐evaluation of Active Compounds of Herbal Medicines in Southern Anhui, School of PharmacyWannan Medical CollegeWuhuChina
| | - Zhi‐Li Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, and Institutes of Brain ScienceFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yi‐Qun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, and Institutes of Brain ScienceFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
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3
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McDonald AJ. Functional neuroanatomy of monoaminergic systems in the basolateral nuclear complex of the amygdala: Neuronal targets, receptors, and circuits. J Neurosci Res 2023; 101:1409-1432. [PMID: 37166098 PMCID: PMC10524224 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
This review discusses neuroanatomical aspects of the three main monoaminergic systems innervating the basolateral nuclear complex (BNC) of the amygdala (serotonergic, noradrenergic, and dopaminergic systems). It mainly focuses on immunohistochemical (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) studies that have analyzed the relationship of specific monoaminergic inputs and their receptors to specific neuronal subtypes in the BNC in order to better understand the anatomical substrates of the monoaminergic modulation of BNC circuitry. First, light and electron microscopic IHC investigations identifying the main BNC neuronal subpopulations and characterizing their local circuitry, including connections with discrete PN compartments and other INs, are reviewed. Then, the relationships of each of the three monoaminergic systems to distinct PN and IN cell types, are examined in detail. For each system, the neuronal targets and their receptor expression are discussed. In addition, pertinent electrophysiological investigations are discussed. The last section of the review compares and contrasts various aspects of each of the three monoaminergic systems. It is concluded that the large number of different receptors, each with a distinct mode of action, expressed by distinct cell types with different connections and functions, should offer innumerable ways to subtlety regulate the activity of the BNC by therapeutic drugs in psychiatric diseases in which there are alterations of BNC monoaminergic modulatory systems, such as in anxiety disorders, depression, and drug addiction. It is suggested that an important area for future studies is to investigate how the three systems interact in concert at the neuronal and neuronal network levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Joseph McDonald
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
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4
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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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Enhanced Retrieval of Taste Associative Memory by Chemogenetic Activation of Locus Coeruleus Norepinephrine Neurons. J Neurosci 2020; 40:8367-8385. [PMID: 32994339 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1720-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of animals to retrieve memories stored in response to the environment is essential for behavioral adaptation. Norepinephrine (NE)-containing neurons in the brain play a key role in the modulation of synaptic plasticity underlying various processes of memory formation. However, the role of the central NE system in memory retrieval remains unclear. Here, we developed a novel chemogenetic activation strategy exploiting insect olfactory ionotropic receptors (IRs), termed "IR-mediated neuronal activation," and used it for selective stimulation of NE neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC). Drosophila melanogaster IR84a and IR8a subunits were expressed in LC NE neurons in transgenic mice. Application of phenylacetic acid (a specific ligand for the IR84a/IR8a complex) at appropriate doses induced excitatory responses of NE neurons expressing the receptors in both slice preparations and in vivo electrophysiological conditions, resulting in a marked increase of NE release in the LC nerve terminal regions (male and female). Ligand-induced activation of LC NE neurons enhanced the retrieval process of conditioned taste aversion without affecting taste sensitivity, general arousal state, and locomotor activity. This enhancing effect on taste memory retrieval was mediated, in part, through α1- and β-adrenergic receptors in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA; male). Pharmacological inhibition of LC NE neurons confirmed the facilitative role of these neurons in memory retrieval via adrenergic receptors in the BLA (male). Our findings indicate that the LC NE system, through projections to the BLA, controls the retrieval process of taste associative memory.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Norepinephrine (NE)-containing neurons in the brain play a key role in the modulation of synaptic plasticity underlying various processes of memory formation, but the role of the NE system in memory retrieval remains unclear. We developed a chemogenetic activation system based on insect olfactory ionotropic receptors and used it for selective stimulation of NE neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) in transgenic mice. Ligand-induced activation of LC NE neurons enhanced the retrieval of conditioned taste aversion, which was mediated, in part, through adrenoceptors in the basolateral amygdala. Pharmacological blockade of LC activity confirmed the facilitative role of these neurons in memory retrieval. Our findings indicate that the LC-amygdala pathway plays an important role in the recall of taste associative memory.
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6
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Chen ZK, Yuan XS, Dong H, Wu YF, Chen GH, He M, Qu WM, Huang ZL. Whole-Brain Neural Connectivity to Lateral Pontine Tegmentum GABAergic Neurons in Mice. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:375. [PMID: 31068780 PMCID: PMC6491572 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The GABAergic neurons in the lateral pontine tegmentum (LPT) play key roles in the regulation of sleep and locomotion. The dysfunction of the LPT is related to neurological disorders such as rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder and ocular flutter. However, the whole-brain neural connectivity to LPT GABAergic neurons remains poorly understood. Using virus-based, cell-type-specific, retrograde and anterograde tracing systems, we mapped the monosynaptic inputs and axonal projections of LPT GABAergic neurons in mice. We found that LPT GABAergic neurons received inputs mainly from the superior colliculus, substantia nigra pars reticulata, dorsal raphe nucleus (DR), lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), parasubthalamic nucleus, and periaqueductal gray (PAG), as well as the limbic system (e.g., central nucleus of the amygdala). Further immunofluorescence assays revealed that the inputs to LPT GABAergic neurons were colocalized with several markers associated with important neural functions, especially the sleep-wake cycle. Moreover, numerous LPT GABAergic neuronal varicosities were observed in the medial and midline part of the thalamus, the LHA, PAG, DR, and parabrachial nuclei. Interestingly, LPT GABAergic neurons formed reciprocal connections with areas related to sleep-wake and motor control, including the LHA, PAG, DR, parabrachial nuclei, and superior colliculus, only the LPT-DR connections were in an equally bidirectional manner. These results provide a structural framework to understand the underlying neural mechanisms of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder and disorders of saccades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze-Ka Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang-Shan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Fang Wu
- Department of Neurology (Sleep Disorders), Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Gui-Hai Chen
- Department of Neurology (Sleep Disorders), Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Miao He
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Min Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Li Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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7
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Gebhardt C, Mosienko V, Alenina N, Albrecht D. Priming of LTP in amygdala and hippocampus by prior paired pulse facilitation paradigm in mice lacking brain serotonin. Hippocampus 2018; 29:610-618. [PMID: 30457189 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This study focuses on analyzing long-term potentiation (LTP) changes in the lateral nucleus of the amygdala (LA) and in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in slices derived from mice deficient in tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2-/- ), the rate-limiting enzyme for 5-HT synthesis in the brain. We found a reduced LTP in both brain structures in TPH2-/- mice. However, we found no changes in the magnitude of LTP in TPH2-/- mice compared to wildtype mice when it was preceded by a paired pulse protocol. Whereas the magnitude of long-term depression (LTD) did not differ between wildtype and TPH2-/- mice, priming synapses by LTD-induction facilitated subsequent CA1-LTP in wildtype mice to a greater extent than in TPH2-/- mice. In the LA we found no differences between the genotypes in this protocol of metaplasticity. These data show that, unlike exogenous 5-HT application, lack of 5-HT in the brain impairs cellular mechanisms responsible for induction of LTP. It is supposed that suppression of LTP observed in TPH2-/- mice might be compensated by mechanisms of metaplasticity induced by paired pulse stimulation or low frequency stimulation before the induction of LTP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Gebhardt
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Valentina Mosienko
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Natalia Alenina
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Doris Albrecht
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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8
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Meis S, Endres T, Munsch T, Lessmann V. Presynaptic Regulation of Tonic Inhibition by Neuromodulatory Transmitters in the Basal Amygdala. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 55:8509-8521. [PMID: 29560580 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-0984-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Tonic inhibition mediated by ambient levels of GABA that activate extrasynaptic GABAA receptors emerges as an essential factor that tunes neuronal network excitability in vitro and shapes behavioral responses in vivo. To address the role of neuromodulatory transmitter systems on this type of inhibition, we employed patch clamp recordings in mouse amygdala slice preparations. Our results show that the current amplitude of tonic inhibition (Itonic) in projection neurons of the basal amygdala (BA) is increased by preincubation with the neurosteroid THDOC, while the benzodiazepine diazepam is ineffective. This suggests involvement of THDOC sensitive δ subunit containing GABAA receptors in mediating tonic inhibition. Moreover, we provide evidence that the neuromodulatory transmitters NE, 5HT, and ACh strongly enhance spontaneous IPSCs as well as Itonic in the BA. As the increase in frequency, amplitude, and charge of sIPSCs by these neuromodulatory transmitters strongly correlated with the amplitude of Itonic, we conclude that spill-over of synaptic GABA leads to activation of Itonic and thereby to dampening of amygdala excitability. Since local injection of THDOC, as a positive modulator of tonic inhibition, into the BA interfered with the expression of contextual fear memory, our results point to a prominent role of Itonic in fear learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Meis
- Institut für Physiologie, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120, Magdeburg, Germany. .,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - T Endres
- Institut für Physiologie, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - T Munsch
- Institut für Physiologie, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - V Lessmann
- Institut für Physiologie, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120, Magdeburg, Germany. .,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany.
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9
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Yuan XS, Wang L, Dong H, Qu WM, Yang SR, Cherasse Y, Lazarus M, Schiffmann SN, d'Exaerde ADK, Li RX, Huang ZL. Striatal adenosine A 2A receptor neurons control active-period sleep via parvalbumin neurons in external globus pallidus. eLife 2017; 6:29055. [PMID: 29022877 PMCID: PMC5655138 DOI: 10.7554/elife.29055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction of the striatum is frequently associated with sleep disturbances. However, its role in sleep-wake regulation has been paid little attention even though the striatum densely expresses adenosine A2A receptors (A2ARs), which are essential for adenosine-induced sleep. Here we showed that chemogenetic activation of A2AR neurons in specific subregions of the striatum induced a remarkable increase in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Anatomical mapping and immunoelectron microscopy revealed that striatal A2AR neurons innervated the external globus pallidus (GPe) in a topographically organized manner and preferentially formed inhibitory synapses with GPe parvalbumin (PV) neurons. Moreover, lesions of GPe PV neurons abolished the sleep-promoting effect of striatal A2AR neurons. In addition, chemogenetic inhibition of striatal A2AR neurons led to a significant decrease of NREM sleep at active period, but not inactive period of mice. These findings reveal a prominent contribution of striatal A2AR neuron/GPe PV neuron circuit in sleep control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Shan Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Dong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Min Qu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Su-Rong Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yoan Cherasse
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Michael Lazarus
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Serge N Schiffmann
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Rui-Xi Li
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Li Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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10
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Parvalbumin, but not calretinin, neurons express high levels of α1-containing GABA A receptors, α7-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and D2-dopamine receptors in the basolateral amygdala of the rat. J Chem Neuroanat 2017; 86:41-51. [PMID: 28834708 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The generation of emotional responses by the basolateral amygdala is largely determined by the balance of excitatory and inhibitory inputs to its principal neurons - the pyramidal cells. The activity of these neurons is tightly controlled by g-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons, especially by those expressing parvalbumin (PV) and calretinin (CR). Although it is known that GABAergic, cholinergic and dopaminergic fibres make synapses on PV and CR cells, knowledge of the various receptors which are used by these cells is still incomplete. Thus, the present study investigates whether neurons expressing PV or CR co-express specific GABA, acetylcholine and/or dopamine receptors in the basolateral amygdala of the rat. The results show that almost two-thirds of PV neurons co-express high concentrations of α1 subunit of GABAA receptor, and more than half of them co-express high levels of α7 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and/or D2-subtype of dopamine receptor. In contrast, a smaller percentage of CR neurons had detectable amounts of these receptors and at lower levels of abundance in most cases. In conclusion, the present results indicate that not only principal neurons but also GABAergic interneurons have specific receptors, which allow these cells to respond to the GABAergic, cholinergic and dopaminergic inputs coming to the basolateral amygdala of the rat. Since these cells receive intrinsic GABAergic inputs, they are strongly interconnected. Since they also receive extrinsic cholinergic and dopaminergic inputs, such stimulation may result in stimulus-driven feed-forward control of the principal neurons. The effects of such control may be either feed-forward inhibition of the principal neurons via α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors or disinhibition of these cells via D2-dopamine receptors.
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11
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Activation of beta- and alpha-2-adrenoceptors in the basolateral amygdala has opposing effects on hippocampal-prefrontal long-term potentiation. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2017; 137:163-170. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2016.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Revised: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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12
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Gasser PJ, Hurley MM, Chan J, Pickel VM. Organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3) is localized to intracellular and surface membranes in select glial and neuronal cells within the basolateral amygdaloid complex of both rats and mice. Brain Struct Funct 2016; 222:1913-1928. [PMID: 27659446 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-016-1315-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3) is a high-capacity, low-affinity transporter that mediates corticosterone-sensitive uptake of monoamines including norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, histamine and serotonin. OCT3 is expressed widely throughout the amygdaloid complex and other brain regions where monoamines are key regulators of emotional behaviors affected by stress. However, assessing the contribution of OCT3 to the regulation of monoaminergic neurotransmission and monoamine-dependent regulation of behavior requires fundamental information about the subcellular distribution of OCT3 expression. We used immunofluorescence and immuno-electron microscopy to examine the cellular and subcellular distribution of the transporter in the basolateral amygdaloid complex of the rat and mouse brain. OCT3-immunoreactivity was observed in both glial and neuronal perikarya in both rat and mouse amygdala. Electron microscopic immunolabeling revealed plasma membrane-associated OCT3 immunoreactivity on axonal, dendritic, and astrocytic processes adjacent to a variety of synapses, as well as on neuronal somata. In addition to plasma membrane sites, OCT3 immunolabeling was also observed associated with neuronal and glial endomembranes, including Golgi, mitochondrial and nuclear membranes. Particularly prominent labeling of the outer nuclear membrane was observed in neuronal, astrocytic, microglial and endothelial perikarya. The localization of OCT3 to neuronal and glial plasma membranes adjacent to synaptic sites is consistent with an important role for this transporter in regulating the amplitude, duration, and physical spread of released monoamines, while its localization to mitochondrial and outer nuclear membranes suggests previously undescribed roles for the transporter in the intracellular disposition of monoamines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Gasser
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 53201-1881, USA.
| | - Matthew M Hurley
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 53201-1881, USA
| | - June Chan
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, 407 East 61st Street, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Virginia M Pickel
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, 407 East 61st Street, New York, NY, 10065, USA
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13
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Zhang J, McDonald AJ. Light and electron microscopic analysis of enkephalin-like immunoreactivity in the basolateral amygdala, including evidence for convergence of enkephalin-containing axon terminals and norepinephrine transporter-containing axon terminals onto common targets. Brain Res 2016; 1636:62-73. [PMID: 26835559 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.01.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Revised: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Modulatory interactions of opioids and norepinephrine (NE) in the anterior subdivision of the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLa) are critical for the consolidation of memories of emotionally arousing experiences. Although there have been several studies of the noradrenergic system in the amygdalar basolateral nuclear complex (BLC), little is known about the chemical neuroanatomy of opioid systems in this region. To address this knowledge gap the present study first examined the distribution of met-enkephalin-like immunoreactivity (ENK-ir) in the BLC at the light microscopic level, and then utilized dual-labeling immunocytochemistry combined with electron microscopy to investigate the extent of convergence of NE and ENK terminals onto common structures in the BLa. Antibodies to ENK and the norepinephrine transporter (NET) were used in these studies. Light microscopic examination revealed that a subpopulation of small nonpyramidal neurons expressed ENK-ir in all nuclei of the BLC. In addition, the somata of some pyramidal cells exhibited light to moderate ENK-ir. ENK+ axon terminals were also observed. Ultrastructural analysis confined to the BLa revealed that most ENK+ axon terminals formed asymmetrical synapses that mainly contacted spines and shafts of thin dendrites. ENK+ terminals forming symmetrical synapses mainly contacted dendritic shafts. Approximately 20% of NET+ terminals contacted a structure that was also contacted by an ENK+ terminal and 6% of NET+ terminals contacted an ENK+ terminal. These findings suggest that ENK and NE terminals in the BLa may interact by targeting common dendrites and by direct interactions between the two types of terminals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208, United States
| | - Alexander J McDonald
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208, United States.
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14
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Prager EM, Bergstrom HC, Wynn GH, Braga MFM. The basolateral amygdala γ-aminobutyric acidergic system in health and disease. J Neurosci Res 2015; 94:548-67. [PMID: 26586374 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Revised: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The brain comprises an excitatory/inhibitory neuronal network that maintains a finely tuned balance of activity critical for normal functioning. Excitatory activity in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), a brain region that plays a central role in emotion and motivational processing, is tightly regulated by a relatively small population of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibitory neurons. Disruption in GABAergic inhibition in the BLA can occur when there is a loss of local GABAergic interneurons, an alteration in GABAA receptor activation, or a dysregulation of mechanisms that modulate BLA GABAergic inhibition. Disruptions in GABAergic control of the BLA emerge during development, in aging populations, or after trauma, ultimately resulting in hyperexcitability. BLA hyperexcitability manifests behaviorally as an increase in anxiety, emotional dysregulation, or development of seizure activity. This Review discusses the anatomy, development, and physiology of the GABAergic system in the BLA and circuits that modulate GABAergic inhibition, including the dopaminergic, serotonergic, noradrenergic, and cholinergic systems. We highlight how alterations in various neurotransmitter receptors, including the acid-sensing ion channel 1a, cannabinoid receptor 1, and glutamate receptor subtypes, expressed on BLA interneurons, modulate GABAergic transmission and how defects of these systems affect inhibitory tonus within the BLA. Finally, we discuss alterations in the BLA GABAergic system in neurodevelopmental (autism/fragile X syndrome) and neurodegenerative (Alzheimer's disease) diseases and after the development of epilepsy, anxiety, and traumatic brain injury. A more complete understanding of the intrinsic excitatory/inhibitory circuit balance of the amygdala and how imbalances in inhibitory control contribute to excessive BLA excitability will guide the development of novel therapeutic approaches in neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric M Prager
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services, University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | - Gary H Wynn
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.,Department of Psychiatry, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.,Program in Neuroscience, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Maria F M Braga
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services, University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.,Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.,Department of Psychiatry, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.,Program in Neuroscience, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
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15
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Zhang J, Muller JF, McDonald AJ. Noradrenergic innervation of pyramidal cells in the rat basolateral amygdala. Neuroscience 2013; 228:395-408. [PMID: 23103792 PMCID: PMC4586037 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.10.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2012] [Revised: 10/16/2012] [Accepted: 10/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The basolateral nuclear complex of the amygdala (BLC) receives dense noradrenergic/norepinephrine (NE) inputs from the locus coeruleus that play a key role in modulating emotional memory consolidation. Knowledge of the extent of synapse formation by NE inputs to the BLC, as well as the cell types innervated, would contribute to an understanding of how NE modulates the activity of the BLC. To gain a better understanding of NE circuits in the BLC, dual-label immunohistochemistry was used at the light and electron microscopic levels in the present study to analyze NE axons and their innervation of pyramidal cells in the anterior subdivision of the basolateral amygdalar nucleus (BLa). NE axons and BLa pyramidal cells were labeled using antibodies to the norepinephrine transporter (NET) and Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK), respectively. Dual localization studies using antibodies to NET and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) revealed that virtually all NE axons and varicosities expressed both proteins. The BLa exhibited a medium density of NET+ fibers. Ultrastructural analysis of serial section reconstructions of NET+ axons revealed that only about half of NET+ terminals formed synapses. The main postsynaptic targets were small-caliber CAMK+ dendritic shafts and spines of pyramidal cells. A smaller number of NET+ terminals formed synapses with unlabeled cell bodies and dendrites. These findings indicate that the distal dendritic domain of BLa pyramidal cells is the major target of NE terminals in the BLa, and the relatively low synaptic incidence suggests that diffusion from non-synaptic terminals may be important for noradrenergic modulation of the BLa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208
| | - Jay F. Muller
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208
| | - Alexander J. McDonald
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208
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16
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Marcellino D, Frankowska M, Agnati L, Perez de la Mora M, Vargas-Barroso V, Fuxe K, Larriva-Sahd J. Intercalated and paracapsular cell islands of the adult rat amygdala: a combined rapid-Golgi, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical account. Neuroscience 2012; 226:324-47. [PMID: 22986165 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.08.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2012] [Revised: 08/31/2012] [Accepted: 08/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The anterior and rostral paracapsular intercalated islands (AIC and PIC, respectively) were studied in the context of the amygdaloid modulation of fear/anxiety using horizontal sections. The structural analysis carried out using silver-impregnated specimens revealed that the AIC is composed of tightly packed, medium-sized spiny neurons with distinct dendritic and axonal patterns that send projecting axons to the central nucleus of the amygdala. The AIC occupies a strategic position between the basolateral amygdaloid complex and the caudal limb of the anterior commissure from which it receives fibers en passage and axon terminals. Electron microscopic observation of terminal (i.e., synaptic) degeneration 72 h after the surgical interruption of the anterior commissure, confirms the synaptic interaction between the latter and the AIC neurons. These observations suggest that these islands may gate the activity of neurons from the contralateral basal forebrain and synchronize the anxiogenic output of both amygdalae. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that, within the AIC and rostral PIC, the distance between tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive terminals and the punctate dopamine D(1) receptor immunoreactivity, was in the micrometer range. These results indicate a short distance and a rapid extrasynaptic form of dopamine volume transmission mediated via D(1) receptors in the AIC and PIC which may enhance fear and anxiety by suppressing feed-forward inhibition in the basolateral and central amygdaloid nuclei. The strong suggestion for a commissural axon projection to the AIC documented here, coupled with the previous evidences indicting an isocortical and amygdalar contributions to the anterior commissure, opens the possibility that the AIC may be involved in decoding nerve impulses arising from both the ipsi- and contra-lateral forebrain to, in turn, modulate the homolateral amygdala.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Marcellino
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
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17
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Sreepathi H, Ferraguti F. Subpopulations of neurokinin 1 receptor-expressing neurons in the rat lateral amygdala display a differential pattern of innervation from distinct glutamatergic afferents. Neuroscience 2012; 203:59-77. [PMID: 22210508 PMCID: PMC3280357 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2011] [Revised: 11/21/2011] [Accepted: 12/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Substance P by acting on its preferred receptor neurokinin 1 (NK1) in the amygdala appears to be critically involved in the modulation of fear and anxiety. The present study was undertaken to identify neurochemically specific subpopulations of neuron expressing NK1 receptors in the lateral amygdaloid nucleus (LA), a key site for regulating these behaviors. We also analyzed the sources of glutamatergic inputs to these neurons. Immunofluorescence analysis of the co-expression of NK1 with calcium binding proteins in LA revealed that ~35% of NK1-containing neurons co-expressed parvalbumin (PV), whereas no co-localization was detected in the basal amygdaloid nucleus. We also show that neurons expressing NK1 receptors in LA did not contain detectable levels of calcium/calmodulin kinase IIα, thus suggesting that NK1 receptors are expressed by interneurons. By using a dual immunoperoxidase/immunogold-silver procedure at the ultrastructural level, we found that in LA ~75% of glutamatergic synapses onto NK1-expressing neurons were labeled for the vesicular glutamate transporter 1 indicating that they most likely are of cortical, hippocampal, or intrinsic origin. The remaining ~25% were immunoreactive for the vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGluT2), and may then originate from subcortical areas. On the other hand, we could not detect VGluT2-containing inputs onto NK1/PV immunopositive neurons. Our data add to previous localization studies by describing an unexpected variation between LA and basal nucleus of the amygdala (BA) in the neurochemical phenotype of NK1-expressing neurons and reveal the relative source of glutamatergic inputs that may activate these neurons, which in turn regulate fear and anxiety responses.
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Key Words
- nk1 receptor
- amygdala
- interneuron
- glutamate
- parvalbumin
- ba, basal nucleus of the amygdala
- bla, basolateral complex of the amygdala
- bp, band pass
- camkiiα, calcium/calmodulin kinase iiα
- cb, calbindin-d28k
- cbp, calcium binding protein
- cr, calretinin
- dab, 3,3′-diaminobenzidine
- gad67, glutamate decarboxylase isoform of 67 kda
- hrp, horseradish peroxidase
- la, lateral nucleus of the amygdala
- li, like immunoreactivity
- ngs, normal goat serum
- nk1, neurokinin 1
- pbs, phosphate buffered saline
- pv, parvalbumin
- rt, room temperature
- sp, substance p
- tbs, tris-buffered saline
- tbs-t, 0.1% v/v triton x-100 in tbs
- vglut, vesicular glutamate transporter
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Affiliation(s)
| | - F. Ferraguti
- Department of Pharmacology, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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18
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Müller M, Faber-Zuschratter H, Yanagawa Y, Stork O, Schwegler H, Linke R. Synaptology of ventral CA1 and subiculum projections to the basomedial nucleus of the amygdala in the mouse: relation to GABAergic interneurons. Brain Struct Funct 2011; 217:5-17. [PMID: 21584649 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-011-0326-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2011] [Accepted: 04/30/2011] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
GABAergic neurons of the amygdala are thought to play a critical role in establishing networks for feedback and feedforward inhibition and in mediating rhythmic network activity patterns relevant for emotional behavior, determination of stimulus salience, and memory strength under stressful experiences. These functions are typically fulfilled in interplay of amygdala and hippocampus. Therefore, we explored the putative connectivity of GABAergic neurons with the hippocampo-amygdalar projection with the anterograde tracers Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (Phal) and Miniruby injected to GAD67-GFP knock-in mice in which GABAergic neurons are labeled by the expression of the gene for green fluorescent protein (GFP) inserted to the GAD1 gene locus (Tamamaki et al. J Comp Neurol 467:60-79, 2003). We found that, while hippocampal axons target all nuclei of the amygdala, the densest fiber plexus was found in the posterior basomedial nucleus. Electron microscopy revealed that the vast majority of contacts in this nucleus were formed by thin fibers making small asymmetrical contacts, predominantly on GFP-negative profiles. However, several asymmetrical contacts could also be seen on GFP-positive profiles. A surprising result was the occasional occurrence of anterogradely labeled symmetrical synapses indicating a GABAergic contribution to the projection from the hippocampus to the amygdala. While hippocampal input to the amygdala appears to be largely excitatory and targets non-GABAergic neurons, our data provide evidence for a direct involvement of GABAergic neurons in the interplay of these regions, either as target in the amygdala or as projection neurons from the hippocampus. These particular "interface neurons" may be of relevance for the information processing in the amygdalo-hippocampal system involved in emotional behavior and memory formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Müller
- Institute of Anatomy, Otto-von-Guericke University, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
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19
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Farb CR, Chang W, Ledoux JE. Ultrastructural characterization of noradrenergic axons and Beta-adrenergic receptors in the lateral nucleus of the amygdala. Front Behav Neurosci 2010; 4:162. [PMID: 21048893 PMCID: PMC2967335 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2010.00162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2010] [Accepted: 08/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Norepinephrine (NE) is thought to play a key role in fear and anxiety, but its role in amygdala-dependent Pavlovian fear conditioning, a major model for understanding the neural basis of fear, is poorly understood. The lateral nucleus of the amygdala (LA) is a critical brain region for fear learning and regulating the effects of stress on memory. To understand better the cellular mechanisms of NE and its adrenergic receptors in the LA, we used antibodies directed against dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DβH), the synthetic enzyme for NE, or against two different isoforms of the beta-adrenergic receptors (βARs), one that predominately recognizes neurons (βAR 248) and the other astrocytes (βAR 404), to characterize the microenvironments of DβH and βAR. By electron microscopy, most DβH terminals did not make synapses, but when they did, they formed both asymmetric and symmetric synapses. By light microscopy, βARs were present in both neurons and astrocytes. Confocal microscopy revealed that both excitatory and inhibitory neurons express βAR248. By electron microscopy, βAR 248 was present in neuronal cell bodies, dendritic shafts and spines, and some axon terminals and astrocytes. When in dendrites and spines, βAR 248 was frequently concentrated along plasma membranes and at post-synaptic densities of asymmetric (excitatory) synapses. βAR 404 was expressed predominately in astrocytic cell bodies and processes. These astrocytic processes were frequently interposed between unlabeled terminals or ensheathed asymmetric synapses. Our findings provide a morphological basis for understanding ways in which NE may modulate transmission by acting via synaptic or non-synaptic mechanisms in the LA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia R Farb
- Center for Neural Science, New York University New York, NY, USA
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20
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Kaneko K, Tamamaki N, Owada H, Kakizaki T, Kume N, Totsuka M, Yamamoto T, Yawo H, Yagi T, Obata K, Yanagawa Y. Noradrenergic excitation of a subpopulation of GABAergic cells in the basolateral amygdala via both activation of nonselective cationic conductance and suppression of resting K+ conductance: a study using glutamate decarboxylase 67-green fluorescent protein knock-in mice. Neuroscience 2008; 157:781-97. [PMID: 18950687 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2008.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2008] [Revised: 08/31/2008] [Accepted: 09/16/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
GABAergic interneurons play central roles in the regulation of neuronal activity in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA). They are also suggested to be the principal targets of the brainstem noradrenergic afferents which are involved in the enhancement of the BLA-related memory. In addition, behavioral stress has been shown to impair noradrenergic facilitation of GABAergic transmission. However, the noradrenaline (NA) effects in the BLA have not been differentiated among medium- to large-sized GABAergic neurons and principal cells, and remain to be elucidated in terms of their underlying mechanisms. Glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) is a biosynthetic enzyme of GABA and is specifically expressed in GABAergic neurons. To facilitate the study of the NA effects on GABAergic neurons in live preparations, we generated GAD67-green fluorescent protein (GFP) knock-in mice, in which GFP was expressed under the control of an endogenous GAD67 gene promoter. Here, we show that GFP was specifically expressed in GABAergic neurons in the BLA of this GAD67-GFP knock-in mouse. Under whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in vitro, we identified a certain subpopulation of GABAergic neurons in the BLA chiefly on the basis of the electrophysiological properties. When depolarized by a current injection, these neurons, which are referred to as type A, generated action potentials at relatively low frequency. We found that NA directly excited type-A cells via alpha1-adrenoceptors, whereas its effects on the other types of neurons were negligible. Two ionic mechanisms were involved in this excitability: the activation of nonselective cationic conductance and the suppression of the resting K+ conductance. NA also increased the frequency of spontaneous IPSCs in the principal cells of the BLA. It is suggested that the NA-dependent excitation of type-A cells attenuates the BLA output for a certain period.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Kaneko
- Division of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, 683-0826, Japan; CREST, Japan Science and Technology Corporation, Kawaguchi, 332-0012, Japan
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21
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Chen FJ, Sara SJ. Locus coeruleus activation by foot shock or electrical stimulation inhibits amygdala neurons. Neuroscience 2006; 144:472-81. [PMID: 17097235 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2006.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2006] [Revised: 09/21/2006] [Accepted: 09/21/2006] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The noradrenergic nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) has a direct projection to the basal lateral amygdala (BLA). Behavioral, lesion and pharmacological studies suggest that this pathway has an important role in mediating responses to emotional stimuli and in the formation of long term memory. The effect of LC activation on the activity of BLA neurons in vivo is not known. Therefore, in the present experiments, simultaneous extracellular unit recordings were made in the two regions while the anesthetized rat received electrical stimulation of the paw to simulate a real-life acute stressor, commonly used as an aversive reinforcer in conditioning experiments. All LC neurons exhibited a multiphasic excitatory response followed by prolonged inhibition. Responses of BLA cells were more heterogeneous, but predominantly inhibitory, with a release from inhibition during the refractory phase of LC. Direct electrical stimulation of the LC with a single pulse also elicited an inhibitory response in BLA. BLA response to both footshock and LC stimulation was partially blocked by the beta adrenergic receptor antagonist, timolol, infused into the BLA. These experiments are the first to report in vivo effects of activation of the noradrenergic system on neuronal activity in the BLA.
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Affiliation(s)
- F-J Chen
- Neuromodulation, Neural Plasticity and Cognition, CNRS UMR 7102, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris6, 9 Quai Saint-Bernard, Batiment B 5eme etage, Paris, France
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22
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Finnegan TF, Chen SR, Pan HL. Mu opioid receptor activation inhibits GABAergic inputs to basolateral amygdala neurons through Kv1.1/1.2 channels. J Neurophysiol 2005; 95:2032-41. [PMID: 16306173 DOI: 10.1152/jn.01004.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is the major amygdaloid nucleus distributed with mu opioid receptors. The afferent input from the BLA to the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is considered important for opioid analgesia. However, little is known about the effect of mu opioids on synaptic transmission in the BLA. In this study, we examined the effect of mu opioid receptor stimulation on the inhibitory and excitatory synaptic inputs to CeA-projecting BLA neurons. BLA neurons were retrogradely labeled with a fluorescent tracer injected into the CeA of rats. Whole cell voltage-clamp recordings were performed on labeled BLA neurons in brain slices. The specific mu opioid receptor agonist, (D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol)-enkephalin (DAMGO, 1 microM), significantly reduced the frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) in 77% of cells tested. DAMGO also significantly decreased the peak amplitude of evoked IPSCs in 75% of cells examined. However, DAMGO did not significantly alter the frequency of mEPSCs or the peak amplitude of evoked EPSCs in 90% and 75% of labeled cells, respectively. Bath application of the Kv channel blockers, 4-AP (Kv1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 3.1, 3.2), alpha-dendrotoxin (Kv1.1, 1.2, 1.6), dendrotoxin-K (Kv1.1), or tityustoxin-Kalpha (Kv1.2) each blocked the inhibitory effect of DAMGO on mIPSCs. Double immunofluorescence labeling showed that some of the immunoreactivities of Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 were colocalized with synaptophysin in the BLA. This study provides new information that activation of presynaptic mu opioid receptors primarily attenuates GABAergic synaptic inputs to CeA-projecting neurons in the BLA through a signaling mechanism involving Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 channels.
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MESH Headings
- Amygdala/chemistry
- Amygdala/physiology
- Analgesics, Opioid/pharmacology
- Animals
- Bicuculline/pharmacology
- Elapid Venoms/pharmacology
- Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-/pharmacology
- Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials/physiology
- Kv1.1 Potassium Channel/analysis
- Kv1.1 Potassium Channel/drug effects
- Kv1.1 Potassium Channel/physiology
- Kv1.2 Potassium Channel/analysis
- Kv1.2 Potassium Channel/drug effects
- Kv1.2 Potassium Channel/physiology
- Limbic System/physiology
- Male
- Neurons, Afferent/drug effects
- Neurons, Afferent/physiology
- Patch-Clamp Techniques
- Peptides/pharmacology
- Potassium Channel Blockers/pharmacology
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Receptors, Opioid/physiology
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/physiology
- Scorpion Venoms/pharmacology
- Signal Transduction/physiology
- Synaptic Transmission/drug effects
- Synaptic Transmission/physiology
- Synaptophysin/analysis
- gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/physiology
- Nociceptin Receptor
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas F Finnegan
- Department of Anesthesiology , Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey Pennsylvania, USA
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Sotres-Bayon F, Bush DEA, LeDoux JE. Emotional perseveration: an update on prefrontal-amygdala interactions in fear extinction. Learn Mem 2004; 11:525-35. [PMID: 15466303 DOI: 10.1101/lm.79504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 287] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Fear extinction refers to the ability to adapt as situations change by learning to suppress a previously learned fear. This process involves a gradual reduction in the capacity of a fear-conditioned stimulus to elicit fear by presenting the conditioned stimulus repeatedly on its own. Fear extinction is context-dependent and is generally considered to involve the establishment of inhibitory control of the prefrontal cortex over amygdala-based fear processes. In this paper, we review research progress on the neural basis of fear extinction with a focus on the role of the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex. We evaluate two competing hypotheses for how the medial prefrontal cortex inhibits amygdala output. In addition, we present new findings showing that lesions of the basal amygdala do not affect fear extinction. Based on this result, we propose an updated model for integrating hippocampal-based contextual information with prefrontal-amygdala circuitry.
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McDonald AJ, Mascagni F. Parvalbumin-containing interneurons in the basolateral amygdala express high levels of the alpha1 subunit of the GABAA receptor. J Comp Neurol 2004; 473:137-46. [PMID: 15067724 DOI: 10.1002/cne.20101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The basolateral amygdala (ABL) is essential for the amnestic effects of benzodiazepines in aversive learning tasks. Because the alpha1 subunit of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)(A) receptor is critical for these amnestic actions, knowledge of the neuronal localization of this subunit in the ABL should contribute to an understanding of the candidate neuronal mechanisms involved. To examine this question, we used dual-labeling immunohistochemical techniques to study the localization of the alpha1 subunit in the ABL. Our results suggest that the alpha1 subunit of the GABA(A) receptor is localized primarily in GABAergic interneurons in the ABL at the somal level, although the intense neuropil staining in the lateral nucleus suggests that distal dendrites of pyramidal projection neurons in this nucleus may also contain high levels of the alpha1 subunit. The great majority of alpha1-immunoreactive interneurons also exhibit immunoreactivity for the beta2/3 subunits of the GABA(A) receptor. Parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneurons are the main interneuronal subpopulation exhibiting alpha1 immunoreactivity, but some calretinin-positive interneurons also express this subunit. These data suggest that certain subpopulations of GABAergic interneurons in the ABL, especially PV+ cells, receive a robust GABAergic innervation. Because the most likely source of this innervation is intrinsic, these results suggest that PV+ interneurons could constitute an important component of interneuronal networks in the ABL. These networks may be critical for the generation of synchronized rhythmic oscillations involved in consolidation of emotional memories. The activation of alpha1-containing GABA(A) receptors in the ABL by benzodiazepines may disrupt rhythmic oscillations critical for memory consolidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Joseph McDonald
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, USA.
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Braga MFM, Aroniadou-Anderjaska V, Manion ST, Hough CJ, Li H. Stress impairs alpha(1A) adrenoceptor-mediated noradrenergic facilitation of GABAergic transmission in the basolateral amygdala. Neuropsychopharmacology 2004; 29:45-58. [PMID: 14532911 DOI: 10.1038/sj.npp.1300297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Intense or chronic stress can produce pathophysiological alterations in the systems involved in the stress response. The amygdala is a key component of the brain's neuronal network that processes and assigns emotional value to life's experiences, consolidates the memory of emotionally significant events, and organizes the behavioral response to these events. Clinical evidence indicates that certain stress-related affective disorders are associated with changes in the amygdala's excitability, implicating a possible dysfunction of the GABAergic system. An important modulator of the GABAergic synaptic transmission, and one that is also central to the stress response is norepinephrine (NE). In the present study, we examined the hypothesis that stress impairs the noradrenergic modulation of GABAergic transmission in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). In control rats, NE (10 microM) facilitated spontaneous, evoked, and miniature IPSCs in the presence of beta and alpha(2) adrenoceptor antagonists. The effects of NE were not blocked by alpha(1D) and alpha(1B) adrenoceptor antagonists, and were mimicked by the alpha(1A) agonist, A61603 (1 microM). In restrain/tail-shock stressed rats, NE or A61603 had no significant effects on GABAergic transmission. Thus, in the BLA, NE acting via presynaptic alpha(1A) adrenoceptors facilitates GABAergic inhibition, and this effect is severely impaired by stress. This is the first direct evidence of stress-induced impairment in the modulation of GABAergic synaptic transmission. The present findings provide an insight into possible mechanisms underlying the antiepileptogenic effects of NE in temporal lobe epilepsy, the hyperexcitability and hyper-responsiveness of the amygdala in certain stress-related affective disorders, and the stress-induced exacerbation of seizure activity in epileptic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fatima M Braga
- Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
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