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Peng L, Zhang J, Feng J, Ge J, Zou Y, Chen Y, Xu L, Zeng Y, Li JX, Liu J. Activation of trace amine-associated receptor 1 ameliorates PTSD-like symptoms. Biochem Pharmacol 2024:116236. [PMID: 38670437 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116236] [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: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) negatively modulates monoaminergic transmission in the mammalian brain and participates in many psychiatric disorders. Preclinical evidence indicate that selective TAAR1 agonists have anxiolytic effects and anti-stress properties. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder triggered by experiencing or witnessing traumatic stressors. However, it remains unknown whether TAAR1 is involved in PTSD. Here, we investigated the role of TAAR1 in two PTSD animal models, including single prolonged stress (SPS)-induced impairment of fear extinction and stress-enhanced fear learning (SEFL). SPS decreased TAAR1 mRNA levels in the prefrontal cortex and ventral tegmental area. Acute treatment of the TAAR1 partial agonist RO5263397 attenuated SPS-induced anxiety-like behavior evaluated by the elevated-plus maze test. Compared to non-stressed animals, rats that experienced SPS showed higher freezing levels in the extinction retention test, indicating an impairment of fear extinction retention after SPS exposure. Acute and chronic treatment of RO5263397 ameliorated SPS-induced impairment of fear extinction retention. In the SEFL model, compared to the No-shock group, rats that experienced severe foot shock before fear conditioning showed higher freezing levels during the tests, indicating enhanced fear learning after stress exposure. Chronic treatment of RO5263397 partially attenuated the SEFL. Moreover, chronic treatment with the selective TAAR1 full agonist RO5166017 completely prevented the SEFL. Taken together, these data showed that pharmacological activation of TAAR1 could ameliorate PTSD-like symptoms. The present study thus provides the first evidence that TAAR1 might participate in the development of PTSD, and TAAR1 agonists could be potential pharmacological treatments for this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Peng
- Institute of Brain Science and Advanced Technology, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Institute of Brain Science and Advanced Technology, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, China
| | - Jialu Feng
- Institute of Brain Science and Advanced Technology, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, China
| | - Jing Ge
- Institute of Brain Science and Advanced Technology, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, China
| | - Yu Zou
- Institute of Brain Science and Advanced Technology, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Institute of Brain Science and Advanced Technology, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, China
| | - Lang Xu
- Institute of Brain Science and Advanced Technology, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, China
| | - Yan Zeng
- Institute of Brain Science and Advanced Technology, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, China.
| | - Jun-Xu Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
| | - Jianfeng Liu
- Institute of Brain Science and Advanced Technology, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, China; College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, China.
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Govindula A, Ranadive N, Nampoothiri M, Rao CM, Arora D, Mudgal J. Emphasizing the Crosstalk Between Inflammatory and Neural Signaling in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2023; 18:248-266. [PMID: 37097603 PMCID: PMC10577110 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-023-10064-z] [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: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic incapacitating condition with recurrent experience of trauma-related memories, negative mood, altered cognition, and hypervigilance. Agglomeration of preclinical and clinical evidence in recent years specified that alterations in neural networks favor certain characteristics of PTSD. Besides the disruption of hypothalamus-pituitary-axis (HPA) axis, intensified immune status with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and arachidonic metabolites of COX-2 such as PGE2 creates a putative scenario in worsening the neurobehavioral facet of PTSD. This review aims to link the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders (DSM-V) symptomology to major neural mechanisms that are supposed to underpin the transition from acute stress reactions to the development of PTSD. Also, to demonstrate how these intertwined processes can be applied to probable early intervention strategies followed by a description of the evidence supporting the proposed mechanisms. Hence in this review, several neural network mechanisms were postulated concerning the HPA axis, COX-2, PGE2, NLRP3, and sirtuins to unravel possible complex neuroinflammatory mechanisms that are obscured in PTSD condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anusha Govindula
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Niraja Ranadive
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Madhavan Nampoothiri
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - C Mallikarjuna Rao
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Devinder Arora
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast campus, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4222, Australia.
| | - Jayesh Mudgal
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
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Lv JM, Zhang LM, Wang JX, Shao JJ, Guo XG, Wang LY, Kang LQ, Zheng WC, Xin Y, Song RX, Guo W, Zhang DX. Abdominal surgery plus sevoflurane exposure induces abnormal emotional changes and cognitive dysfunction in aged rats. Behav Brain Res 2023; 442:114328. [PMID: 36740076 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive impairment, which includes perioperative psychological distress and cognitive dysfunction, can be determined by preoperative and post-operative neuropsychological tests. Several mechanisms have been proposed regarding the two-way communication between the immune system and the brain after surgery. We aimed to understand the mechanisms underlying perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) in elderly rats using an experimental abdominal surgery model. METHODS 24-month-old SD rats were exposed to the abdominal surgery model (AEL) under 3% anesthesia. On day 15 and day 30 post-surgery, fractional anisotropy (FA) using diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) was measured. From day 25 to day 30 post-surgery, behavioral tests, including open field test (OFT), Morris water maze (MWM), novel object recognition (NOR), force swimming test (FST), and elevated plus maze (EPM), were performed. Then, the rats were euthanized to perform pathological analysis and western blot measurement. RESULTS The rats exposed to AEL surgical treatment demonstrated significantly decreased time crossing the platform in the MWM, decreased recognition index in the NOR, reduced time in the open arm in the EPM, increased immobility time in the FST, and increased number of crossings in the OFT. Aged rats, after AEL exposure, further demonstrated decreased FA in the mPFC, nucleus accumbens (NAc), and hippocampus, together with reduced MAP2 intensity, attenuation of GAD65, VGlut2, CHAT, and phosphorylated P38MAPK expression, and increased reactive astrocytes and microglia. CONCLUSIONS In this study, the aged rats exposed to abdominal surgery demonstrated both emotional changes and cognitive dysfunction, which may be associated with neuronal degeneration and reduced phosphorylated P38MAPK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Meng Lv
- Department of Anesthesia and Trauma Research, Hebei Province Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Cangzhou, China.
| | - Li-Min Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hebei Province Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Cangzhou, China.
| | - Jie-Xia Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou, China.
| | - Jing-Jing Shao
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Xin-Gui Guo
- Department of Medical Iconography, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou, China.
| | - Lu-Ying Wang
- Department of Anesthesia and Trauma Research, Hebei Province Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Cangzhou, China.
| | - Li-Qing Kang
- Department of Medical Iconography, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou, China.
| | - Wei-Chao Zheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hebei Province Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Cangzhou, China.
| | - Yue Xin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou, China.
| | - Rong-Xin Song
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou, China.
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Orthopedics, Hebei Province Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Cangzhou, China.
| | - Dong-Xue Zhang
- Department of Gerontology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, China.
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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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Ning M, Wen S, Zhou P, Zhang C. Ventral tegmental area dopaminergic action in music therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder: A literature review. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1014202. [PMID: 36300072 PMCID: PMC9589351 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1014202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating sequela of extraordinary traumatic sufferings that threaten personal health and dramatically attenuate the patient's quality of life. Accumulating lines of evidence suggest that functional disorders in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopaminergic system contribute substantially to PTSD symptomatology. Notably, music therapy has been shown to greatly ameliorate PTSD symptoms. In this literature review, we focused on whether music improved PTSD symptoms, based on VTA dopaminergic action, including the effects of music on dopamine (DA)-related gene expression, the promotion of DA release and metabolism, and the activation of VTA functional activities. In addition, the strengths and limitations of the studies concerning the results of music therapy on PTSD are discussed. Collectively, music therapy is an effective approach for PTSD intervention, in which the VTA dopaminergic system may hold an important position.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Ning
- School of Music, Huainan Normal University, Huainan, China
| | - Shizhe Wen
- School of Educational Sciences, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Peiling Zhou
- School of Educational Sciences, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, China
- Peiling Zhou
| | - Changzheng Zhang
- School of Educational Sciences, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, China
- *Correspondence: Changzheng Zhang
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Pharmacological Implications of Adjusting Abnormal Fear Memory: Towards the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15070788. [PMID: 35890087 PMCID: PMC9322538 DOI: 10.3390/ph15070788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a unique clinical mental abnormality presenting a cluster of symptoms in which patients primarily experience flashbacks, nightmares and uncontrollable thoughts about the event that triggered their PTSD. Patients with PTSD may also have comorbid depression and anxiety in an intractable and long-term course, which makes establishing a comprehensive treatment plan difficult and complicated. The present article reviews current pharmacological manipulations for adjusting abnormal fear memory. The roles of the central monoaminergic systems (including serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine) within the fear circuit areas and the involvement of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) are explored based on attempts to integrate current clinical and preclinical basic studies. In this review, we explain how these therapeutic paradigms function based on their connections to stages of the abnormal fear memory process from condition to extinction. This may provide useful translational interpretations for clinicians to manage PTSD.
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Lan Q, Guan P, Huang C, Huang S, Zhou P, Zhang C. Arecoline Induces an Excitatory Response in Ventral Tegmental Area Dopaminergic Neurons in Anesthetized Rats. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:872212. [PMID: 35548350 PMCID: PMC9081529 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.872212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Arecoline is the principle psychoactive alkaloid in areca nuts. Areca nuts are chewable seeds of Areca catechu L., which are epidemic plants that grow in tropical and subtropical countries and cause dependency after long-term use. However, the mechanisms underlying such dependency remain largely unclear, and therefore, no effective interventions for its cessation have been developed. The present study aimed to examine the effects of arecoline on neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA). After rats were anesthetized and craniotomized, electrophysiological electrodes were lowered into the VTA to obtain extracellular recordings. The mean firing rate of dopaminergic and GABAergic neurons were then calculated and analyzed before and after arecoline treatment. The burst characteristics of the dopaminergic neurons were also analyzed. The results showed that arecoline evoked a significant enhancement of the firing rate of dopaminergic neurons, but not GABAergic neurons. Moreover, arecoline evoked remarkable burst firings in the dopaminergic neurons, including an increase in the burst rate, elongation in the burst duration, and an enhancement in the number of spikes per burst. Collectively, the findings revealed that arecoline significantly excited VTA dopaminergic neurons, which may be a mechanism underlying areca nut dependency and a potential target for areca nut cessation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghui Lan
- School of Educational Sciences, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Peiqing Guan
- School of Educational Sciences, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Chunzheng Huang
- School of Educational Sciences, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Shile Huang
- Western Guangdong Characteristic Biology and Medicine Engineering and Research Center, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Peiling Zhou
- School of Educational Sciences, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, China
- *Correspondence: Changzheng Zhang, ; Peiling Zhou,
| | - Changzheng Zhang
- School of Educational Sciences, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, China
- *Correspondence: Changzheng Zhang, ; Peiling Zhou,
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Laing PAF, Harrison BJ. Safety learning and the Pavlovian conditioned inhibition of fear in humans: Current state and future directions. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 127:659-674. [PMID: 34023357 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Safety learning occurs when an otherwise neutral stimulus comes to signal the absence of threat, allowing organisms to use safety information to inhibit fear and anxiety in nonthreatening environments. Although it continues to emerge as a topic of relevance in biological and clinical psychology, safety learning remains inconsistently defined and under-researched. Here, we analyse the Pavlovian conditioned inhibition paradigm and its application to the study of safety learning in humans. We discuss existing studies; address outstanding theoretical considerations; and identify prospects for its further application. Though Pavlovian conditioned inhibition presents a theoretically sound model of safety learning, it has been investigated infrequently, with decade-long interims between some studies, and notable methodological variability. Consequently, we argue that the full potential of conditioned inhibition as a model for human safety learning remains untapped, and propose that it could be revisited as a framework for addressing timely questions in the behavioural and clinical sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick A F Laing
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Ben J Harrison
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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