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Guan P, Huang C, Lan Q, Huang S, Zhou P, Zhang C. Activation of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic neurons ameliorates anxiety-like behaviors in single prolonged stress-induced PTSD model rats. Neurochem Int 2022; 161:105424. [PMID: 36228742 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2022.105424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychiatric condition that arises after extremely traumatic events, with clinically significant and lasting impacts on both physical and psychological health. The present study examined the role of ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopaminergic signaling in anxiety-like behaviors and the underlying mechanisms in PTSD model rats. Chemogenetic technology was employed to specifically activate VTA dopamine (DA) neurons in rats subjected to single prolonged stress (SPS), and open field and elevated plus maze tests were applied to evaluate the anxiety-like manifestations. Subsequently, in vivo extracellular electrophysiological analyses were used to examine alterations in the firing characteristics of VTA DA neurons. Chemogenetic activation enhanced the firing and burst rates of VTA DA neurons in SPS-induced PTSD model rats and concomitantly mitigated the anxiety-like behavioral phenotypes. Collectively, these findings reveal a direct association between PTSD-relevant anxiety behaviors and VTA dopaminergic activity, and further suggest that interventions designed to enhance VTA dopaminergic activity may be a potential strategy for PTSD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiqing Guan
- School of Educational Sciences, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, 524048, China
| | - Chunzheng Huang
- School of Educational Sciences, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, 524048, China
| | - Qinghui Lan
- School of Educational Sciences, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, 524048, China
| | - Shile Huang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, 524048, China
| | - Peiling Zhou
- School of Educational Sciences, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, 524048, China.
| | - Changzheng Zhang
- School of Educational Sciences, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, 524048, China.
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Zhou P, Deng M, Wu J, Lan Q, Yang H, Zhang C. Ventral Tegmental Area Dysfunction and Disruption of Dopaminergic Homeostasis: Implications for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:2423-2434. [PMID: 33428093 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02278-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychiatric condition characterized by intrusive recollections of the traumatic event, avoidance behaviors, hyper-arousal to event-related cues, cognitive disruption, and mood dysregulation. Accumulating preclinical and clinical evidence implicates dysfunction of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopaminergic system in PTSD pathogenesis. This article reviews recent advances in our knowledge of the relationship between dopaminergic dyshomeostasis and PTSD, including the contributions of specific dopaminergic gene variants to disease susceptibility, alterations in VTA dopamine neuron activity, dysregulation of dopaminergic transmission, and potential pharmacological and psychological interventions for PTSD targeting the dopaminergic system. An in-depth understanding of PTSD etiology is crucial for the development of innovative risk assessment, diagnostic, and treatment strategies following traumatic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiling Zhou
- School of Educational Sciences & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Development and Education for Special Needs Children, Lingnan Normal University, 29 Cunjing Road, Chikan District, Zhanjiang, 524048, China
| | - Meiping Deng
- School of Educational Sciences & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Development and Education for Special Needs Children, Lingnan Normal University, 29 Cunjing Road, Chikan District, Zhanjiang, 524048, China
| | - Jiashan Wu
- School of Educational Sciences & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Development and Education for Special Needs Children, Lingnan Normal University, 29 Cunjing Road, Chikan District, Zhanjiang, 524048, China
| | - Qinghui Lan
- School of Educational Sciences & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Development and Education for Special Needs Children, Lingnan Normal University, 29 Cunjing Road, Chikan District, Zhanjiang, 524048, China
| | - Huifang Yang
- School of Educational Sciences & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Development and Education for Special Needs Children, Lingnan Normal University, 29 Cunjing Road, Chikan District, Zhanjiang, 524048, China.
| | - Changzheng Zhang
- School of Educational Sciences & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Development and Education for Special Needs Children, Lingnan Normal University, 29 Cunjing Road, Chikan District, Zhanjiang, 524048, China. .,School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, 122 Ninghai Road, Gulou District, Nanjing, 210097, China.
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Saur L, Baptista PPA, Bagatini PB, Neves LT, de Oliveira RM, Vaz SP, Ferreira K, Machado SA, Mestriner RG, Xavier LL. Experimental Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Decreases Astrocyte Density and Changes Astrocytic Polarity in the CA1 Hippocampus of Male Rats. Neurochem Res 2015; 41:892-904. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-015-1770-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Revised: 10/20/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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