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Blum K, Bowirrat A, Sunder K, Thanos PK, Hanna C, Gold MS, Dennen CA, Elman I, Murphy KT, Makale MT. Dopamine Dysregulation in Reward and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Brain Sci 2024; 14:733. [PMID: 39061473 PMCID: PMC11274922 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14070733] [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: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is primarily characterized by core deficits in social skills, communication, and cognition and by repetitive stereotyped behaviors. These manifestations are variable between individuals, and ASD pathogenesis is complex, with over a thousand implicated genes, many epigenetic factors, and multiple environmental influences. The mesolimbic dopamine (DA) mediated brain reward system is held to play a key role, but the rapidly expanding literature reveals intricate, nuanced signaling involving a wide array of mesolimbic loci, neurotransmitters and receptor subtypes, and neuronal variants. How altered DA signaling may constitute a downstream convergence of the manifold causal origins of ASD is not well understood. A clear working framework of ASD pathogenesis may help delineate common stages and potential diagnostic and interventional opportunities. Hence, we summarize the known natural history of ASD in the context of emerging data and perspectives to update ASD reward signaling. Then, against this backdrop, we proffer a provisional framework that organizes ASD pathogenesis into successive levels, including (1) genetic and epigenetic changes, (2) disrupted mesolimbic reward signaling pathways, (3) dysregulated neurotransmitter/DA signaling, and finally, (4) altered neurocognitive and social behavior and possible antagonist/agonist based ASD interventions. This subdivision of ASD into a logical progression of potentially addressable parts may help facilitate the rational formulation of diagnostics and targeted treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Blum
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Exercise Sports, Mental Health, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
- Sunder Foundation, Palm Springs, CA 92264, USA
- Division of Personalized Neuromodulations, PeakLogic, LLC, Del Mar, CA 92130, USA
| | - Abdalla Bowirrat
- Department of Molecular Biology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel
| | | | - Panayotis K. Thanos
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State University of New York, SUNY, Buffalo, NY 14215, USA
| | - Colin Hanna
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State University of New York, SUNY, Buffalo, NY 14215, USA
| | - Mark S. Gold
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Catherine A. Dennen
- Department of Family Medicine, Jefferson Health Northeast, Philadelphia, PA 19145, USA
| | - Igor Elman
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard University School of Medicine, Cambridge, MA 02215, USA
| | - Kevin T. Murphy
- Division of Personalized Neuromodulations, PeakLogic, LLC, Del Mar, CA 92130, USA
| | - Milan T. Makale
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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2
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Morgenstern NA, Esposito MS. The Basal Ganglia and Mesencephalic Locomotor Region Connectivity Matrix. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:1454-1472. [PMID: 37559244 PMCID: PMC11097982 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230809112840] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Although classically considered a relay station for basal ganglia (BG) output, the anatomy, connectivity, and function of the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) were redefined during the last two decades. In striking opposition to what was initially thought, MLR and BG are actually reciprocally and intimately interconnected. New viral-based, optogenetic, and mapping technologies revealed that cholinergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic neurons coexist in this structure, which, in addition to extending descending projections, send long-range ascending fibers to the BG. These MLR projections to the BG convey motor and non-motor information to specific synaptic targets throughout different nuclei. Moreover, MLR efferent fibers originate from precise neuronal subpopulations located in particular MLR subregions, defining independent anatomo-functional subcircuits involved in particular aspects of animal behavior such as fast locomotion, explorative locomotion, posture, forelimb- related movements, speed, reinforcement, among others. In this review, we revised the literature produced during the last decade linking MLR and BG. We conclude that the classic framework considering the MLR as a homogeneous output structure passively receiving input from the BG needs to be revisited. We propose instead that the multiple subcircuits embedded in this region should be taken as independent entities that convey relevant and specific ascending information to the BG and, thus, actively participate in the execution and tuning of behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás A. Morgenstern
- Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Instituto De Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria S. Esposito
- Department of Medical Physics, Centro Atomico Bariloche, CNEA, CONICET, Av. Bustillo 9500, San Carlos de Bariloche, Rio Negro, Argentina
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3
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Luo Y, Li Y, Yuan J. The regulation of the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus in sleep-wake states. Sleep Biol Rhythms 2024; 22:5-11. [PMID: 38469582 PMCID: PMC10900045 DOI: 10.1007/s41105-023-00489-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
The pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg) plays a vital role in sleep/wake states. There are three main kinds of heterogeneous neurons involved: cholinergic, glutamatergic, and gamma-aminobutyric acidergic (GABAergic) neurons. However, the precise roles of cholinergic, glutamatergic and GABAergic PPTg cell groups in regulating sleep-wake are unknown. Recent work suggests that the cholinergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic neurons of the PPTg may activate the main arousal-promoting nucleus, thus exerting their wakefulness effects. We review the related projection pathways and functions of various neurons of the PPTg, especially the mechanisms of the PPTg in sleep-wake, thus providing new perspectives for research of sleep-wake mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiting Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, No.149 Dalian Road, Huichuan District, Zunyi, 563000 Guizhou China
- Department of Pain Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000 Guizhou China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, No.149 Dalian Road, Huichuan District, Zunyi, 563000 Guizhou China
- Department of Pain Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000 Guizhou China
| | - Jie Yuan
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, No.149 Dalian Road, Huichuan District, Zunyi, 563000 Guizhou China
- Department of Pain Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000 Guizhou China
- Guizhou Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Organ Protection, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyin, China
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4
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Mieling M, Meier H, Bunzeck N. Structural degeneration of the nucleus basalis of Meynert in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease - Evidence from an MRI-based meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 154:105393. [PMID: 37717861 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105393] [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: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Recent models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) suggest that neuropathological changes of the medial temporal lobe, especially entorhinal cortex, are preceded by degenerations of the cholinergic Nucleus basalis of Meynert (NbM). Evidence from imaging studies in humans, however, is limited. Therefore, we performed an activation-likelihood estimation meta-analysis on whole brain voxel-based morphometry (VBM) MRI data from 54 experiments and 2581 subjects in total. It revealed, compared to healthy older controls, reduced gray matter in the bilateral NbM in AD, but only limited evidence for such an effect in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which typically precedes AD. Both patient groups showed less gray matter in the amygdala and hippocampus, with hints towards more pronounced amygdala effects in AD. We discuss our findings in the context of studies that highlight the importance of the cholinergic basal forebrain in learning and memory throughout the lifespan, and conclude that they are partly compatible with pathological staging models suggesting initial and pronounced structural degenerations within the NbM in the progression of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marthe Mieling
- Department of Psychology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Hannah Meier
- Department of Psychology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Nico Bunzeck
- Department of Psychology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany; Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany.
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5
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Lin C, Ridder MC, Sah P. The PPN and motor control: Preclinical studies to deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1095441. [PMID: 36925563 PMCID: PMC10011138 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1095441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) is the major part of the mesencephalic locomotor region, involved in the control of gait and locomotion. The PPN contains glutamatergic, cholinergic, and GABAergic neurons that all make local connections, but also have long-range ascending and descending connections. While initially thought of as a region only involved in gait and locomotion, recent evidence is showing that this structure also participates in decision-making to initiate movement. Clinically, the PPN has been used as a target for deep brain stimulation to manage freezing of gait in late Parkinson's disease. In this review, we will discuss current thinking on the role of the PPN in locomotor control. We will focus on the cytoarchitecture and functional connectivity of the PPN in relationship to motor control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caixia Lin
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.,Joint Centre for Neuroscience and Neural Engineering, and Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Margreet C Ridder
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Pankaj Sah
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.,Joint Centre for Neuroscience and Neural Engineering, and Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
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Kroeger D, Thundercliffe J, Phung A, De Luca R, Geraci C, Bragg S, McCafferty KJ, Bandaru SS, Arrigoni E, Scammell TE. Glutamatergic pedunculopontine tegmental neurons control wakefulness and locomotion via distinct axonal projections. Sleep 2022; 45:zsac242. [PMID: 36170177 PMCID: PMC9742893 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsac242] [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: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES The pedunculopontine tegmental (PPT) nucleus is implicated in many brain functions, ranging from sleep/wake control and locomotion, to reward mechanisms and learning. The PPT contains cholinergic, GABAergic, and glutamatergic neurons with extensive ascending and descending axonal projections. Glutamatergic PPT (PPTvGlut2) neurons are thought to promote wakefulness, but the mechanisms through which this occurs are unknown. In addition, some researchers propose that PPTvGlut2 neurons promote locomotion, yet even though the PPT is a target for deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease, the role of the PPT in locomotion is debated. We hypothesized that PPTvGluT2 neurons drive arousal and specific waking behaviors via certain projections and modulate locomotion via others. METHODS We mapped the axonal projections of PPTvGlut2 neurons using conditional anterograde tracing and then photostimulated PPTvGlut2 soma or their axon terminal fields across sleep/wake states and analyzed sleep/wake behavior, muscle activity, and locomotion in transgenic mice. RESULTS We found that stimulation of PPTvGlut2 soma and their axon terminals rapidly triggered arousals from non-rapid eye movement sleep, especially with activation of terminals in the basal forebrain (BF) and lateral hypothalamus (LH). With photoactivation of PPTvGlut2 terminals in the BF and LH, this wakefulness was accompanied by locomotion and other active behaviors, but stimulation of PPTvGlut2 soma and terminals in the substantia nigra triggered only quiet wakefulness without locomotion. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate the importance of the PPTvGluT2 neurons in driving various aspects of arousal and show that heterogeneous brain nuclei, such as the PPT, can promote a variety of behaviors via distinct axonal projections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kroeger
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Jack Thundercliffe
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alex Phung
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Roberto De Luca
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carolyn Geraci
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samuel Bragg
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kayleen J McCafferty
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Sathyajit S Bandaru
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elda Arrigoni
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas E Scammell
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Su JH, Hu YW, Yang Y, Li RY, Teng F, Li LX, Jin LJ. Dystonia and the pedunculopontine nucleus: Current evidences and potential mechanisms. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1065163. [PMID: 36504662 PMCID: PMC9727297 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1065163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Being a major component of the midbrain locomotion region, the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) is known to have various connections with the basal ganglia, the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and motor regions of the brainstem and spinal cord. Functionally, the PPN is associated with muscle tone control and locomotion modulation, including motor initiation, rhythm and speed. In addition to its motor functions, the PPN also contribute to level of arousal, attention, memory and learning. Recent studies have revealed neuropathologic deficits in the PPN in both patients and animal models of dystonia, and deep brain stimulation of the PPN also showed alleviation of axial dystonia in patients of Parkinson's disease. These findings indicate that the PPN might play an important role in the development of dystonia. Moreover, with increasing preclinical evidences showed presence of dystonia-like behaviors, muscle tone changes, impaired cognitive functions and sleep following lesion or neuromodulation of the PPN, it is assumed that the pathological changes of the PPN might contribute to both motor and non-motor manifestations of dystonia. In this review, we aim to summarize the involvement of the PPN in dystonia based on the current preclinical and clinical evidences. Moreover, potential mechanisms for its contributions to the manifestation of dystonia is also discussed base on the dystonia-related basal ganglia-cerebello-thalamo-cortical circuit, providing fundamental insight into the targeting of the PPN for the treatment of dystonia in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-hui Su
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China,Department of Neurology and Neurological Rehabilitation, Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yao-wen Hu
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruo-yu Li
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Teng
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-xi Li
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling-jing Jin
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China,Department of Neurology and Neurological Rehabilitation, Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Ling-jing Jin
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8
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Le Gratiet KL, Anderson CK, Puente N, Grandes P, Copas C, Nahirney PC, Delaney KR, Nashmi R. Differential Subcellular Distribution and Release Dynamics of Cotransmitted Cholinergic and GABAergic Synaptic Inputs Modify Dopaminergic Neuronal Excitability. J Neurosci 2022; 42:8670-8693. [PMID: 36195440 PMCID: PMC9671585 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2514-21.2022] [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: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We identified three types of monosynaptic cholinergic inputs spatially arranged onto medial substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons in male and female mice: cotransmitted acetylcholine (ACh)/GABA, GABA-only, and ACh only. There was a predominant GABA-only conductance along lateral dendrites and soma-centered ACh/GABA cotransmission. In response to repeated stimulation, the GABA conductance found on lateral dendrites decremented less than the proximally located GABA conductance, and was more effective at inhibiting action potentials. While soma-localized ACh/GABA cotransmission showed depression of the GABA component with repeated stimulation, ACh-mediated nicotinic responses were largely maintained. We investigated whether this differential change in inhibitory/excitatory inputs leads to altered neuronal excitability. We found that a depolarizing current or glutamate preceded by cotransmitted ACh/GABA was more effective in eliciting an action potential compared with current, glutamate, or ACh/GABA alone. This enhanced excitability was abolished with nicotinic receptor inhibitors, and modulated by T- and L-type calcium channels, thus establishing that activity of multiple classes of ion channels integrates to shape neuronal excitability.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Our laboratory has previously discovered a population of substantia nigra dopaminegic neurons (DA) that receive cotransmitted ACh and GABA. This study used subcellular optogenetic stimulation of cholinergic presynaptic terminals to map the functional ACh and GABA synaptic inputs across the somatodendritic extent of substantia nigra DA neurons. We determined spatially clustered GABA-only inputs on the lateral dendrites while cotransmitted ACh and GABA clustered close to the soma. We have shown that the action of GABA and ACh in cotransmission spatially clustered near the soma play a critical role in enhancing glutamate-mediated neuronal excitability through the activation of T- and L-type voltage-gated calcium channels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nagore Puente
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country Universidad del Pais Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Leioa, Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, E-48940, Leioa, Spain
| | - Pedro Grandes
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country Universidad del Pais Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Leioa, Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the UPV/EHU, E-48940, Leioa, Spain
| | - Charlotte Copas
- Division of Medical Sciences
- Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Patrick C Nahirney
- Division of Medical Sciences
- Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Kerry R Delaney
- Department of Biology
- Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Raad Nashmi
- Department of Biology
- Division of Medical Sciences
- Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
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Meng-zhen S, Ju L, Lan-chun Z, Cai-feng D, Shu-da Y, Hao-fei Y, Wei-yan H. Potential therapeutic use of plant flavonoids in AD and PD. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11440. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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10
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Noga BR, Whelan PJ. The Mesencephalic Locomotor Region: Beyond Locomotor Control. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:884785. [PMID: 35615623 PMCID: PMC9124768 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.884785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) was discovered several decades ago in the cat. It was functionally defined based on the ability of low threshold electrical stimuli within a region comprising the cuneiform and pedunculopontine nucleus to evoke locomotion. Since then, similar regions have been found in diverse vertebrate species, including the lamprey, skate, rodent, pig, monkey, and human. The MLR, while often viewed under the lens of locomotion, is involved in diverse processes involving the autonomic nervous system, respiratory system, and the state-dependent activation of motor systems. This review will discuss the pedunculopontine nucleus and cuneiform nucleus that comprises the MLR and examine their respective connectomes from both an anatomical and functional angle. From a functional perspective, the MLR primes the cardiovascular and respiratory systems before the locomotor activity occurs. Inputs from a variety of higher structures, and direct outputs to the monoaminergic nuclei, allow the MLR to be able to respond appropriately to state-dependent locomotion. These state-dependent effects are roughly divided into escape and exploratory behavior, and the MLR also can reinforce the selection of these locomotor behaviors through projections to adjacent structures such as the periaqueductal gray or to limbic and cortical regions. Findings from the rat, mouse, pig, and cat will be discussed to highlight similarities and differences among diverse species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian R. Noga
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Department of Neurological Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- *Correspondence: Brian R. Noga Patrick J. Whelan
| | - Patrick J. Whelan
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- *Correspondence: Brian R. Noga Patrick J. Whelan
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11
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Bohnen NI, Costa RM, Dauer WT, Factor SA, Giladi N, Hallett M, Lewis SJ, Nieuwboer A, Nutt JG, Takakusaki K, Kang UJ, Przedborski S, Papa SM. Discussion of Research Priorities for Gait Disorders in Parkinson's Disease. Mov Disord 2021; 37:253-263. [PMID: 34939221 PMCID: PMC10122497 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Gait and balance abnormalities develop commonly in Parkinson's disease and are among the motor symptoms most disabling and refractory to dopaminergic or other treatments, including deep brain stimulation. Efforts to develop effective therapies are challenged by limited understanding of these complex disorders. There is a major need for novel and appropriately targeted research to expedite progress in this area. The Scientific Issues Committee of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society has charged a panel of experts in the field to consider the current knowledge gaps and determine the research routes with highest potential to generate groundbreaking data. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolaas I. Bohnen
- Departments of Radiology and Neurology University of Michigan and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System Ann Arbor Michigan USA
| | - Rui M. Costa
- Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute Columbia University New York New York USA
| | - William T. Dauer
- Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience The Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Dallas Texas USA
| | - Stewart A. Factor
- Jean and Paul Amos Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Program Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta Georgia USA
| | - Nir Giladi
- Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel‐Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
| | - Mark Hallett
- Human Motor Control Section National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health Bethesda Maryland USA
| | - Simon J.G. Lewis
- ForeFront Parkinson's Disease Research Clinic, Brain and Mind Centre, School of Medical Sciences University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Alice Nieuwboer
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - John G. Nutt
- Movement Disorder Section, Department of Neurology Oregon Health & Science University Portland Oregon USA
| | - Kaoru Takakusaki
- Department of Physiology, Section of Neuroscience Asahikawa Medical University Asahikawa Japan
| | - Un Jung Kang
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Physiology Neuroscience Institute, The Marlene and Paolo Fresco Institute for Parkinson's and Movement Disorders, The Parekh Center for Interdisciplinary Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine New York New York USA
| | - Serge Przedborski
- Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Neurology, and Neuroscience Columbia University New York New York USA
| | - Stella M. Papa
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, and Yerkes National Primate Research Center Emory University Atlanta Georgia USA
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Dautan D, Kovács A, Bayasgalan T, Diaz-Acevedo MA, Pal B, Mena-Segovia J. Modulation of motor behavior by the mesencephalic locomotor region. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109594. [PMID: 34433068 PMCID: PMC8641693 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) serves as an interface between higher-order motor systems and lower motor neurons. The excitatory module of the MLR is composed of the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) and the cuneiform nucleus (CnF), and their activation has been proposed to elicit different modalities of movement. However, how the differences in connectivity and physiological properties explain their contributions to motor activity is not well known. Here we report that CnF glutamatergic neurons are more electrophysiologically homogeneous than PPN neurons and have mostly short-range connectivity, whereas PPN glutamatergic neurons are heterogeneous and maintain long-range connections, most notably with the basal ganglia. Optogenetic activation of CnF neurons produces short-lasting muscle activation, driving involuntary motor activity. In contrast, PPN neuron activation produces long-lasting increases in muscle tone that reduce motor activity and disrupt gait. Our results highlight biophysical and functional attributes among MLR neurons that support their differential contribution to motor behavior. Dautan et al. show key differences in the connectivity and physiological properties of neurons of the mesencephalic locomotor region. Although activation of CnF neurons elicits involuntary locomotor responses, activation of PPN neurons increases muscle tone and reduces motor activity, suggesting that PPN encodes a readiness signal that precedes locomotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Dautan
- Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.
| | - Adrienn Kovács
- Department of Physiology, University of Debrecen, Faculty of Medicine, 4012 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Tsogbadrakh Bayasgalan
- Department of Physiology, University of Debrecen, Faculty of Medicine, 4012 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Miguel A Diaz-Acevedo
- Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
| | - Balazs Pal
- Department of Physiology, University of Debrecen, Faculty of Medicine, 4012 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Juan Mena-Segovia
- Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.
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13
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Molina R, Hass CJ, Sowalsky K, Schmitt AC, Opri E, Roper JA, Martinez-Ramirez D, Hess CW, Foote KD, Okun MS, Gunduz A. Neurophysiological Correlates of Gait in the Human Basal Ganglia and the PPN Region in Parkinson's Disease. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:194. [PMID: 32581744 PMCID: PMC7287013 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to characterize the neurophysiological correlates of gait in the human pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) region and the globus pallidus internus (GPi) in Parkinson's disease (PD) cohort. Though much is known about the PPN region through animal studies, there are limited physiological recordings from ambulatory humans. The PPN has recently garnered interest as a potential deep brain stimulation (DBS) target for improving gait and freezing of gait (FoG) in PD. We used bidirectional neurostimulators to record from the human PPN region and GPi in a small cohort of severely affected PD subjects with FoG despite optimized dopaminergic medications. Five subjects, with confirmed on-dopaminergic medication FoG, were implanted with bilateral GPi and bilateral PPN region DBS electrodes. Electrophysiological recordings were obtained during various gait tasks for 5 months postoperatively in both the off- and on-medication conditions (obtained during the no stimulation condition). The results revealed suppression of low beta power in the GPi and a 1-8 Hz modulation in the PPN region which correlated with human gait. The PPN feature correlated with walking speed. GPi beta desynchronization and PPN low-frequency synchronization were observed as subjects progressed from rest to ambulatory tasks. Our findings add to our understanding of the neurophysiology underpinning gait and will likely contribute to the development of novel therapies for abnormal gait in PD. Clinical Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier; NCT02318927.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rene Molina
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases and the Program for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Chris J Hass
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases and the Program for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Kristen Sowalsky
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases and the Program for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Abigail C Schmitt
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases and the Program for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Enrico Opri
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases and the Program for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,J. Crayton Pruitt Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Jaime A Roper
- School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | | | - Christopher W Hess
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases and the Program for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Kelly D Foote
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases and the Program for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Michael S Okun
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases and the Program for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Aysegul Gunduz
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases and the Program for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,J. Crayton Pruitt Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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14
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Harris JP, Burrell JC, Struzyna LA, Chen HI, Serruya MD, Wolf JA, Duda JE, Cullen DK. Emerging regenerative medicine and tissue engineering strategies for Parkinson's disease. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2020; 6:4. [PMID: 31934611 PMCID: PMC6949278 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-019-0105-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common progressive neurodegenerative disease, affecting 1-2% of people over 65. The classic motor symptoms of PD result from selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), resulting in a loss of their long axonal projections to the striatum. Current treatment strategies such as dopamine replacement and deep brain stimulation (DBS) can only minimize the symptoms of nigrostriatal degeneration, not directly replace the lost pathway. Regenerative medicine-based solutions are being aggressively pursued with the goal of restoring dopamine levels in the striatum, with several emerging techniques attempting to reconstruct the entire nigrostriatal pathway-a key goal to recreate feedback pathways to ensure proper dopamine regulation. Although many pharmacological, genetic, and optogenetic treatments are being developed, this article focuses on the evolution of transplant therapies for the treatment of PD, including fetal grafts, cell-based implants, and more recent tissue-engineered constructs. Attention is given to cell/tissue sources, efficacy to date, and future challenges that must be overcome to enable robust translation into clinical use. Emerging regenerative medicine therapies are being developed using neurons derived from autologous stem cells, enabling the construction of patient-specific constructs tailored to their particular extent of degeneration. In the upcoming era of restorative neurosurgery, such constructs may directly replace SNpc neurons, restore axon-based dopaminergic inputs to the striatum, and ameliorate motor deficits. These solutions may provide a transformative and scalable solution to permanently replace lost neuroanatomy and improve the lives of millions of people afflicted by PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P. Harris
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Justin C. Burrell
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Laura A. Struzyna
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - H. Isaac Chen
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Mijail D. Serruya
- Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - John A. Wolf
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - John E. Duda
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education, and Clinical Center (PADRECC), Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - D. Kacy Cullen
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
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15
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Neural circuits and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors mediate the cholinergic regulation of midbrain dopaminergic neurons and nicotine dependence. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2020; 41:1-9. [PMID: 31554960 PMCID: PMC7468330 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-019-0299-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons are governed by an endogenous cholinergic system, originated in the mesopontine nuclei. Nicotine hijacks nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and interferes with physiological function of the cholinergic system. In this review, we describe the anatomical organization of the cholinergic system and the key nAChR subtypes mediating cholinergic regulation of DA transmission and nicotine reward and dependence, in an effort to identify potential targets for smoking intervention. Cholinergic modulation of midbrain DA systems relies on topographic organization of mesopontine cholinergic projections, and activation of nAChRs in midbrain DA neurons. Previous studies have revealed that α4, α6, and β2 subunit-containing nAChRs expressed in midbrain DA neurons and their terminals in the striatum regulate firings of midbrain DA neurons and activity-dependent dopamine release in the striatum. These nAChRs undergo modification upon chronic nicotine exposure. Clinical investigation has demonstrated that partial agonists of these receptors elevate the success rate of smoking cessation relative to placebo. However, further investigations are required to refine the drug targets to mitigate unpleasant side-effects.
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16
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Blanco-Lezcano L, Alberti-Amador E, González-Fraguela ME, Zaldívar-Lelo de Larrea G, Pérez-Serrano RM, Jiménez-Luna NA, Serrano-Sánchez T, Francis-Turner L, Camejo-Rodriguez D, Vega-Hurtado Y. Nurr1, Pitx3, and α7 nAChRs mRNA Expression in Nigral Tissue of Rats with Pedunculopontine Neurotoxic Lesion. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 55:medicina55100616. [PMID: 31547185 PMCID: PMC6843810 DOI: 10.3390/medicina55100616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The knowledge that the cholinergic neurons from pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) are vulnerable to the degeneration in early stages of the Parkinson disease progression has opened new perspectives to the development of experimental model focused in pontine lesions that could increase the risk of nigral degeneration. In this context it is known that PPN lesioned rats exhibit early changes in the gene expression of proteins responsible for dopaminergic homeostasis. At the same time, it is known that nicotinic cholinergic receptors (nAChRs) mediate the excitatory influence of pontine-nigral projection. However, the effect of PPN injury on the expression of transcription factors that modulate dopaminergic neurotransmission in the adult brain as well as the α7 nAChRs gene expression has not been studied. The main objective of the present work was the study of the effects of the unilateral neurotoxic lesion of PPN in nuclear receptor-related factor 1 (Nurr1), paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 3 (Pitx3), and α7 nAChRs mRNA expression in nigral tissue. Materials and Methods: The molecular biology studies were performed by means of RT-PCR. The following experimental groups were organized: Non-treated rats, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-lesioned rats, and Sham operated rats. Experimental subjects were sacrificed 24 h, 48 h and seven days after PPN lesion. Results: Nurr1 mRNA expression, showed a significant increase both 24 h (p < 0.001) and 48 h (p < 0.01) after PPN injury. Pitx3 mRNA expression evidenced a significant increase 24 h (p < 0.001) followed by a significant decrease 48 h and seven days after PPN lesion (p < 0.01). Finally, the α7 nAChRs nigral mRNA expression remained significantly diminished 24 h, 48 h (p < 0.001), and 7 days (p < 0.01) after PPN neurotoxic injury. Conclusion: Taking together these modifications could represent early warning signals and could be the preamble to nigral neurodegeneration events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisette Blanco-Lezcano
- International Center of Neurological Restoration (CIREN), Playa, Havana 10300, Cuba; (E.A.-A.); (M.E.G.-F.); (T.S.-S.); (D.C.-R.); (Y.V.-H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +53-7-271-6385 (ext. 219)
| | - Esteban Alberti-Amador
- International Center of Neurological Restoration (CIREN), Playa, Havana 10300, Cuba; (E.A.-A.); (M.E.G.-F.); (T.S.-S.); (D.C.-R.); (Y.V.-H.)
| | - María Elena González-Fraguela
- International Center of Neurological Restoration (CIREN), Playa, Havana 10300, Cuba; (E.A.-A.); (M.E.G.-F.); (T.S.-S.); (D.C.-R.); (Y.V.-H.)
| | | | - Rosa Martha Pérez-Serrano
- Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Querétaro 76176, Mexico; (G.Z.-L.d.L.); (R.M.P.-S.); (N.A.J.-L.)
| | - Nadia Angélica Jiménez-Luna
- Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Querétaro 76176, Mexico; (G.Z.-L.d.L.); (R.M.P.-S.); (N.A.J.-L.)
| | - Teresa Serrano-Sánchez
- International Center of Neurological Restoration (CIREN), Playa, Havana 10300, Cuba; (E.A.-A.); (M.E.G.-F.); (T.S.-S.); (D.C.-R.); (Y.V.-H.)
| | - Liliana Francis-Turner
- Experimental Group: “Experimental Models for Zoo-Human Sciences”, Faculty of Sciences, Tolima University, Ibagué 730001, Colombia;
| | - Dianet Camejo-Rodriguez
- International Center of Neurological Restoration (CIREN), Playa, Havana 10300, Cuba; (E.A.-A.); (M.E.G.-F.); (T.S.-S.); (D.C.-R.); (Y.V.-H.)
| | - Yamilé Vega-Hurtado
- International Center of Neurological Restoration (CIREN), Playa, Havana 10300, Cuba; (E.A.-A.); (M.E.G.-F.); (T.S.-S.); (D.C.-R.); (Y.V.-H.)
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17
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Vitale F, Capozzo A, Mazzone P, Scarnati E. Neurophysiology of the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus. Neurobiol Dis 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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18
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Tubert C, Galtieri D, Surmeier DJ. The pedunclopontine nucleus and Parkinson's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 128:3-8. [PMID: 30171892 PMCID: PMC6546542 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, scientific and clinical interest in the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) has grown dramatically. This growth is largely a consequence of experimental work demonstrating its connection to the control of gait and of clinical work implicating PPN pathology in levodopa-insensitive gait symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). In addition, the development of optogenetic and chemogenetic approaches has made experimental analysis of PPN circuitry and function more tractable. In this brief review, recent findings in the field linking PPN to the basal ganglia and PD are summarized; in addition, an attempt is made to identify key gaps in our understanding and challenges this field faces in moving forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Tubert
- Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Daniel Galtieri
- Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - D James Surmeier
- Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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19
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Galazky I, Kaufmann J, Voges J, Hinrichs H, Heinze HJ, Sweeney-Reed CM. Neuronal spiking in the pedunculopontine nucleus in progressive supranuclear palsy and in idiopathic Parkinson's disease. J Neurol 2019; 266:2244-2251. [PMID: 31155683 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-019-09396-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) is engaged in posture and gait control, and neuronal degeneration in the PPN has been associated with Parkinsonian disorders. Clinical outcomes of deep brain stimulation of the PPN in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) differ, and we investigated whether the PPN is differentially affected in these conditions. We had the rare opportunity to record continuous electrophysiological data intraoperatively in 30 s blocks from single microelectrode contacts implanted in the PPN in six PSP patients and three IPD patients during rest, passive movement, and active movement. Neuronal spikes were sorted according to shape using a wavelet-based clustering approach to enable comparisons between individual neuronal firing rates in the two disease states. The action potential widths showed a bimodal distribution consistent with previous findings, suggesting spikes from noncholinergic (likely glutamatergic) and cholinergic neurons. A higher PPN spiking rate of narrow action potentials was observed in the PSP than in the IPD patients when pooled across all three conditions (Wilcoxon rank sum test: p = 0.0141). No correlation was found between firing rate and disease severity or duration. The firing rates were higher during passive movement than rest and active movement in both groups, but the differences between conditions were not significant. PSP and IPD are believed to represent distinct disease processes, and our findings that the neuronal firing rates differ according to disease state support the proposal that pathological processes directly involving the PPN may be more pronounced in PSP than IPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Galazky
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - J Kaufmann
- Department of Behavioral Neurology, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
- Departments of Neurology and Stereotactic Neurosurgery, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - J Voges
- Department of Behavioral Neurology, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Stereotactic Neurosurgery, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - H Hinrichs
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Behavioral Neurology, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Disease (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany
- Forschungscampus STIMULATE, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - H-J Heinze
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Behavioral Neurology, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Disease (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany
| | - C M Sweeney-Reed
- Neurocybernetics and Rehabilitation, Departments of Neurology and Stereotactic Neurosurgery, Otto-Von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
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20
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Solinas M, Belujon P, Fernagut PO, Jaber M, Thiriet N. Dopamine and addiction: what have we learned from 40 years of research. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2018; 126:481-516. [PMID: 30569209 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-018-1957-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Among the neurotransmitters involved in addiction, dopamine (DA) is clearly the best known. The critical role of DA in addiction is supported by converging evidence that has been accumulated in the last 40 years. In the present review, first we describe the dopaminergic system in terms of connectivity, functioning and involvement in reward processes. Second, we describe the functional, structural, and molecular changes induced by drugs within the DA system in terms of neuronal activity, synaptic plasticity and transcriptional and molecular adaptations. Third, we describe how genetic mouse models have helped characterizing the role of DA in addiction. Fourth, we describe the involvement of the DA system in the vulnerability to addiction and the interesting case of addiction DA replacement therapy in Parkinson's disease. Finally, we describe how the DA system has been targeted to treat patients suffering from addiction and the result obtained in clinical settings and we discuss how these different lines of evidence have been instrumental in shaping our understanding of the physiopathology of drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Solinas
- Université de Poitiers, INSERM, U-1084, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Poitiers, France.
| | - Pauline Belujon
- Université de Poitiers, INSERM, U-1084, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Poitiers, France
| | - Pierre Olivier Fernagut
- Université de Poitiers, INSERM, U-1084, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Poitiers, France
| | - Mohamed Jaber
- Université de Poitiers, INSERM, U-1084, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Poitiers, France
- CHU de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Nathalie Thiriet
- Université de Poitiers, INSERM, U-1084, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Poitiers, France
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21
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Pasquereau B, Tremblay L, Turner RS. Local Field Potentials Reflect Dopaminergic and Non-Dopaminergic Activities within the Primate Midbrain. Neuroscience 2018; 399:167-183. [PMID: 30578975 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Midbrain dopamine neurons are thought to play a crucial role in motivating behaviors toward desired goals. While the activity of dopamine single-units is known to adhere closely to the reward prediction error (RPE) signal hypothesized by learning theory, much less is known about the dynamic coordination of population-level neuronal activities in the midbrain. Local field potentials (LFPs) are thought to reflect the changes in membrane potential synchronized across a population of neurons nearby a recording electrode. These changes involve complex combinations of local spiking activity with synaptic processing that are difficult to interpret. Here we sampled LFPs from the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) of behaving monkeys to determine if local population-level synchrony encodes specific aspects of a reward/effort instrumental task and whether dopamine single-units participate in that signal. We found that reward-correlated information is encoded in a low-frequency signal (<32-Hz; delta and beta bands) that is synchronized across a neural population that includes dopamine neurons. Conversely, high-frequency power (>33-Hz; gamma band) was anticorrelated with predicted reward value and dopamine single-units were never phase-locked to those frequencies. This high-frequency signal may reflect inhibitory processes that were not otherwise observable. LFP encoding of movement-related parameters was negligible. Together, LFPs provide novel insights into the multidimensional processing of reward information subserved by dopaminergic and other components of the midbrain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Léon Tremblay
- Centre de Neuroscience Cognitive, UMR-5229 CNRS, Bron, France
| | - Robert S Turner
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for Neuroscience and The Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States.
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22
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Di Giovanni G, Chagraoui A, Puginier E, Galati S, De Deurwaerdère P. Reciprocal interaction between monoaminergic systems and the pedunculopontine nucleus: Implication in the mechanism of L-DOPA. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 128:9-18. [PMID: 30149181 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) is part of the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) and has been involved in the control of gait, posture, locomotion, sleep, and arousal. It likely participates in some motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease and is regularly proposed as a surgical target to ameliorate gait, posture and sleep disorders in Parkinsonian patients. The PPN overlaps with the monoaminergic systems including dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline in the modulation of the above-mentioned functions. All these systems are involved in Parkinson's disease and the mechanism of the anti-Parkinsonian agents, mostly L-DOPA. This suggests that PPN interacts with monoaminergic neurons and vice versa. Some evidence indicates that the PPN sends cholinergic, glutamatergic and even gabaergic inputs to mesencephalic dopaminergic cells, with the data regarding serotonergic or noradrenergic cells being less well known. Similarly, the control exerted by the PPN on dopaminergic neurons, is multiple and complex, and more extensively explored than the other monoaminergic systems. The data on the influence of monoaminergic systems on PPN neuron activity are rather scarce. While there is evidence that the PPN influences the therapeutic response of L-DOPA, it is still difficult to discerne the reciprocal action of the PPN and monoaminergic systems in this action. Additional data are required to better understand the functional organization of monoaminergic inputs to the MLR including the PPN to get a clearer picture of their interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Di Giovanni
- Department of Physiology & Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Neuroscience Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
| | - Abdeslam Chagraoui
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSERM, U1239, CHU Rouen, Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication Laboratory, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine of Normandy (IRIB), Rouen, France; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Emilie Puginier
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSERM, U1239, CHU Rouen, Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication Laboratory, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine of Normandy (IRIB), Rouen, France; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Salvatore Galati
- Parkinson and movement Disorders Center Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ospedale Civico di Lugano, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Philippe De Deurwaerdère
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (Unité Mixte de Recherche 5287), 146 rue Léo Saignat, B.P.281, F-33000 Bordeaux Cedex, France.
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Surmeier DJ. Determinants of dopaminergic neuron loss in Parkinson's disease. FEBS J 2018; 285:3657-3668. [PMID: 30028088 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The cardinal motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) are caused by the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Alpha-synuclein (aSYN) pathology and mitochondrial dysfunction have been implicated in PD pathogenesis, but until recently it was unclear why SNc dopaminergic neurons should be particularly vulnerable to these two types of insult. In this brief review, the evidence that SNc dopaminergic neurons have an anatomical, physiological, and biochemical phenotype that predisposes them to mitochondrial dysfunction and synuclein pathology is summarized. The recognition that certain traits may predispose neurons to PD-linked pathology creates translational opportunities for slowing or stopping disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalton James Surmeier
- Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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French IT, Muthusamy KA. A Review of the Pedunculopontine Nucleus in Parkinson's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2018; 10:99. [PMID: 29755338 PMCID: PMC5933166 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) is situated in the upper pons in the dorsolateral portion of the ponto-mesencephalic tegmentum. Its main mass is positioned at the trochlear nucleus level, and is part of the mesenphalic locomotor region (MLR) in the upper brainstem. The human PPN is divided into two subnuclei, the pars compacta (PPNc) and pars dissipatus (PPNd), and constitutes both cholinergic and non-cholinergic neurons with afferent and efferent projections to the cerebral cortex, thalamus, basal ganglia (BG), cerebellum, and spinal cord. The BG controls locomotion and posture via GABAergic output of the substantia nigra pars reticulate (SNr). In PD patients, GABAergic BG output levels are abnormally increased, and gait disturbances are produced via abnormal increases in SNr-induced inhibition of the MLR. Since the PPN is vastly connected with the BG and the brainstem, dysfunction within these systems lead to advanced symptomatic progression in Parkinson's disease (PD), including sleep and cognitive issues. To date, the best treatment is to perform deep brain stimulation (DBS) on PD patients as outcomes have shown positive effects in ameliorating the debilitating symptoms of this disease by treating pathological circuitries within the parkinsonian brain. It is therefore important to address the challenges and develop this procedure to improve the quality of life of PD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isobel T. French
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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25
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Blanco-Lezcano L, Alberti-Amador E, Díaz-Hung ML, González-Fraguela ME, Estupiñán-Díaz B, Serrano-Sánchez T, Francis-Turner L, Jiménez-Martín J, Vega-Hurtado Y, Fernández-Jiménez I. Tyrosine Hydroxylase, Vesicular Monoamine Transporter and Dopamine Transporter mRNA Expression in Nigrostriatal Tissue of Rats with Pedunculopontine Neurotoxic Lesion. Behav Sci (Basel) 2018; 8:bs8020020. [PMID: 29389881 PMCID: PMC5836003 DOI: 10.3390/bs8020020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The degeneration of the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) precedes the degeneration of the nigral cells in the pre-symptomatic stages of Parkinson's disease (PD). Although the literature recognizes that a lesion of the PPN increases the vulnerability of dopaminergic cells, it is unknown if this risk is associated with the loss of capability of handling the dopaminergic function. METHODS In this paper, the effects of a unilateral neurotoxic lesion of the PPN in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) and dopamine transporter (DAT) mRNA expression in nigrostriatal tissue were evaluated. Three experimental groups were organized: non-treated rats, NMDA-lesioned rats and Sham-operated rats. RESULTS Seven days after the PPN lesion, in nigral tissue, TH mRNA expression was higher in comparison with control groups (p < 0.05); in contrast, VMAT2 mRNA expression showed a significant decrease (p < 0.01). DAT mRNA expression showed a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in the striatal tissue. Comparing nigral neuronal density of injured and control rats revealed no significant difference seven days post-PPN injury. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that the PPN lesion modifies the mRNA expression of the proteins associated with dopaminergic homeostasis at nigrostriatal level. It could represent vulnerability signals for nigral dopaminergic cells and further increase the risk of degeneration of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisette Blanco-Lezcano
- Experimental Neurophysiology Department, International Center of Neurological Restoration (CIREN) Ave. 25 No. 15805 e/158 and 160, Playa, Havana 11300, Cuba.
- Latinoamerican School of Medicine, Km 3½ Carretera Panamericana, Santa Fé. Playa, Havana 19148, Cuba.
| | - Esteban Alberti-Amador
- Experimental Neurophysiology Department, International Center of Neurological Restoration (CIREN) Ave. 25 No. 15805 e/158 and 160, Playa, Havana 11300, Cuba.
| | - Mei-Li Díaz-Hung
- Experimental Neurophysiology Department, International Center of Neurological Restoration (CIREN) Ave. 25 No. 15805 e/158 and 160, Playa, Havana 11300, Cuba.
- Latinoamerican School of Medicine, Km 3½ Carretera Panamericana, Santa Fé. Playa, Havana 19148, Cuba.
| | - María Elena González-Fraguela
- Experimental Neurophysiology Department, International Center of Neurological Restoration (CIREN) Ave. 25 No. 15805 e/158 and 160, Playa, Havana 11300, Cuba.
- Latinoamerican School of Medicine, Km 3½ Carretera Panamericana, Santa Fé. Playa, Havana 19148, Cuba.
| | - Bárbara Estupiñán-Díaz
- Experimental Neurophysiology Department, International Center of Neurological Restoration (CIREN) Ave. 25 No. 15805 e/158 and 160, Playa, Havana 11300, Cuba.
- Latinoamerican School of Medicine, Km 3½ Carretera Panamericana, Santa Fé. Playa, Havana 19148, Cuba.
| | - Teresa Serrano-Sánchez
- Experimental Neurophysiology Department, International Center of Neurological Restoration (CIREN) Ave. 25 No. 15805 e/158 and 160, Playa, Havana 11300, Cuba.
- Latinoamerican School of Medicine, Km 3½ Carretera Panamericana, Santa Fé. Playa, Havana 19148, Cuba.
| | - Liliana Francis-Turner
- Experimental Group: "Experimental Models for Zoo-Human Sciences", Faculty of Sciences, Tolima University, 42nd Street, Barrio Santa Elena, Parte Alta, CP 730001, Colombia.
| | - Javier Jiménez-Martín
- Department of Physiology, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, P.O. Box 913, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand.
| | - Yamilé Vega-Hurtado
- Experimental Neurophysiology Department, International Center of Neurological Restoration (CIREN) Ave. 25 No. 15805 e/158 and 160, Playa, Havana 11300, Cuba.
| | - Isabel Fernández-Jiménez
- Experimental Neurophysiology Department, International Center of Neurological Restoration (CIREN) Ave. 25 No. 15805 e/158 and 160, Playa, Havana 11300, Cuba.
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Cocaine Selectively Reorganizes Excitatory Inputs to Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta Dopamine Neurons. J Neurosci 2017; 38:1151-1159. [PMID: 29263240 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1975-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) dopamine neurons and their targets are involved in addiction and cue-induced relapse. However, afferents onto SNc dopamine neurons themselves appear insensitive to drugs of abuse, such as cocaine, when afferents are collectively stimulated electrically. This contrasts with ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons, whose glutamate afferents react robustly to cocaine. We used an optogenetic strategy to isolate identified SNc inputs and determine whether cocaine sensitivity in the mouse SNc circuit is conferred at the level of three glutamate afferents: dorsal raphé nucleus (DR), pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN), and subthalamic nucleus (STN). We found that excitatory afferents to SNc dopamine neurons are sensitive to cocaine in an afferent-specific manner. A single exposure to cocaine in vivo led to PPN-innervated synapses reducing the AMPA-to-NMDA receptor-mediated current ratio. In contrast to work in the VTA, this was due to increased NMDA receptor function with no change in AMPA receptor function. STN synapses showed a decrease in calcium-permeable AMPA receptors after cocaine, but no change in the AMPA-to-NMDA ratio. Cocaine also increased the release probability at DR-innervated and STN-innervated synapses, quantified by decreases in paired-pulse ratios. However, release probability at PPN-innervated synapses remained unaffected. By examining identified inputs, our results demonstrate a functional distribution among excitatory SNc afferent nuclei in response to cocaine, and suggest a compelling architecture for differentiation and separate parsing of inputs within the nigrostriatal system.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Prior studies have established that substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) dopamine neurons are a key node in the circuitry that drives addiction and relapse, yet cocaine apparently has no effect on electrically stimulated excitatory inputs. Our study is the first to demonstrate the functional impact of a drug of abuse on synaptic mechanisms of identified afferents to the SNc. Optogenetic dissection of inputs originating from dorsal raphé, pedunculopontine, and subthalamic nuclei were tested for synaptic modifications following in vivo cocaine exposure. Our results demonstrate that cocaine differentially induces modifications to SNc synapses depending on input origin. This presents implications for understanding dopamine processing of motivated behavior; most critically, it indicates that dopamine neurons selectively modulate signal reception processed by afferent nuclei.
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Hirabayashi KE, Vagefi MR. Oral Pharmacotherapy for Benign Essential Blepharospasm. Int Ophthalmol Clin 2017; 58:33-47. [PMID: 29239876 DOI: 10.1097/iio.0000000000000208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Mena-Segovia J, Bolam JP. Rethinking the Pedunculopontine Nucleus: From Cellular Organization to Function. Neuron 2017; 94:7-18. [PMID: 28384477 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2017.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) has long been considered an interface between the basal ganglia and motor systems, and its ability to regulate arousal states puts the PPN in a key position to modulate behavior. Despite the large amount of data obtained over recent decades, a unified theory of its function is still incomplete. By putting together classical concepts and new evidence that dissects the influence of its different neuronal subtypes on their various targets, we propose that the PPN and, in particular, cholinergic neurons have a central role in updating the behavioral state as a result of changes in environmental contingencies. Such a function is accomplished by a combined mechanism that simultaneously restrains ongoing obsolete actions while it facilitates new contextual associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Mena-Segovia
- Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.
| | - J Paul Bolam
- MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TH, UK
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29
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Activation of Pedunculopontine Glutamate Neurons Is Reinforcing. J Neurosci 2017; 37:38-46. [PMID: 28053028 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3082-16.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine transmission from midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA) neurons underlies behavioral processes related to motivation and drug addiction. The pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg) is a brainstem nucleus containing glutamate-, acetylcholine-, and GABA-releasing neurons with connections to basal ganglia and limbic brain regions. Here we investigated the role of PPTg glutamate neurons in reinforcement, with an emphasis on their projections to VTA dopamine neurons. We used cell-type-specific anterograde tracing and optogenetic methods to selectively label and manipulate glutamate projections from PPTg neurons in mice. We used anatomical, electrophysiological, and behavioral assays to determine their patterns of connectivity and ascribe functional roles in reinforcement. We found that photoactivation of PPTg glutamate cell bodies could serve as a direct positive reinforcer on intracranial self-photostimulation assays. Further, PPTg glutamate neurons directly innervate VTA; photostimulation of this pathway preferentially excites VTA dopamine neurons and is sufficient to induce behavioral reinforcement. These results demonstrate that ascending PPTg glutamate projections can drive motivated behavior, and PPTg to VTA synapses may represent an important target relevant to drug addiction and other mental health disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Uncovering brain circuits underlying reward-seeking is an important step toward understanding the circuit bases of drug addiction and other psychiatric disorders. The dopaminergic system emanating from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) plays a key role in regulating reward-seeking behaviors. We used optogenetics to demonstrate that the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus sends glutamatergic projections to VTA dopamine neurons, and that stimulation of this circuit promotes behavioral reinforcement. The findings support a critical role for pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus glutamate neurotransmission in modulating VTA dopamine neuron activity and behavioral reinforcement.
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30
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Xiao C, Cho JR, Zhou C, Treweek JB, Chan K, McKinney SL, Yang B, Gradinaru V. Cholinergic Mesopontine Signals Govern Locomotion and Reward through Dissociable Midbrain Pathways. Neuron 2017; 90:333-47. [PMID: 27100197 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The mesopontine tegmentum, including the pedunculopontine and laterodorsal tegmental nuclei (PPN and LDT), provides major cholinergic inputs to midbrain and regulates locomotion and reward. To delineate the underlying projection-specific circuit mechanisms, we employed optogenetics to control mesopontine cholinergic neurons at somata and at divergent projections within distinct midbrain areas. Bidirectional manipulation of PPN cholinergic cell bodies exerted opposing effects on locomotor behavior and reinforcement learning. These motor and reward effects were separable via limiting photostimulation to PPN cholinergic terminals in the ventral substantia nigra pars compacta (vSNc) or to the ventral tegmental area (VTA), respectively. LDT cholinergic neurons also form connections with vSNc and VTA neurons; however, although photo-excitation of LDT cholinergic terminals in the VTA caused positive reinforcement, LDT-to-vSNc modulation did not alter locomotion or reward. Therefore, the selective targeting of projection-specific mesopontine cholinergic pathways may offer increased benefit in treating movement and addiction disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Xiao
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Jounhong Ryan Cho
- Computation and Neural Systems, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Chunyi Zhou
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Jennifer B Treweek
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Ken Chan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Sheri L McKinney
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Bin Yang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Viviana Gradinaru
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
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Miniaturized and Wireless Optical Neurotransmitter Sensor for Real-Time Monitoring of Dopamine in the Brain. SENSORS 2016; 16:s16111894. [PMID: 27834927 PMCID: PMC5134553 DOI: 10.3390/s16111894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Revised: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Real-time monitoring of extracellular neurotransmitter concentration offers great benefits for diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders and diseases. This paper presents the study design and results of a miniaturized and wireless optical neurotransmitter sensor (MWONS) for real-time monitoring of brain dopamine concentration. MWONS is based on fluorescent sensing principles and comprises a microspectrometer unit, a microcontroller for data acquisition, and a Bluetooth wireless network for real-time monitoring. MWONS has a custom-designed application software that controls the operation parameters for excitation light sources, data acquisition, and signal processing. MWONS successfully demonstrated a measurement capability with a limit of detection down to a 100 nanomole dopamine concentration, and high selectivity to ascorbic acid (90:1) and uric acid (36:1).
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Mori F, Okada KI, Nomura T, Kobayashi Y. The Pedunculopontine Tegmental Nucleus as a Motor and Cognitive Interface between the Cerebellum and Basal Ganglia. Front Neuroanat 2016; 10:109. [PMID: 27872585 PMCID: PMC5097925 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2016.00109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As an important component of ascending activating systems, brainstem cholinergic neurons in the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg) are involved in the regulation of motor control (locomotion, posture and gaze) and cognitive processes (attention, learning and memory). The PPTg is highly interconnected with several regions of the basal ganglia, and one of its key functions is to regulate and relay activity from the basal ganglia. Together, they have been implicated in the motor control system (such as voluntary movement initiation or inhibition), and modulate aspects of executive function (such as motivation). In addition to its intimate connection with the basal ganglia, projections from the PPTg to the cerebellum have been recently reported to synaptically activate the deep cerebellar nuclei. Classically, the cerebellum and basal ganglia were regarded as forming separated anatomical loops that play a distinct functional role in motor and cognitive behavioral control. Here, we suggest that the PPTg may also act as an interface device between the basal ganglia and cerebellum. As such, part of the therapeutic effect of PPTg deep brain stimulation (DBS) to relieve gait freezing and postural instability in advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients might also involve modulation of the cerebellum. We review the anatomical position and role of the PPTg in the pathway of basal ganglia and cerebellum in relation to motor control, cognitive function and PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumika Mori
- Laboratories for Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience Group, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka UniversityOsaka, Japan; Center for Information and Neural Networks (CiNet), National Institute of Information and Communications Technology and Osaka UniversityOsaka, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Okada
- Laboratories for Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience Group, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka UniversityOsaka, Japan; Center for Information and Neural Networks (CiNet), National Institute of Information and Communications Technology and Osaka UniversityOsaka, Japan
| | - Taishin Nomura
- Bio-Dynamics Group, Department of Mechanical Science and Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University Osaka, Japan
| | - Yasushi Kobayashi
- Laboratories for Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience Group, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka UniversityOsaka, Japan; Center for Information and Neural Networks (CiNet), National Institute of Information and Communications Technology and Osaka UniversityOsaka, Japan; Research Center for Behavioral Economics, Osaka UniversityOsaka, Japan
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33
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Segregated cholinergic transmission modulates dopamine neurons integrated in distinct functional circuits. Nat Neurosci 2016; 19:1025-33. [PMID: 27348215 DOI: 10.1038/nn.4335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) receive cholinergic innervation from brainstem structures that are associated with either movement or reward. Whereas cholinergic neurons of the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) carry an associative/motor signal, those of the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDT) convey limbic information. We used optogenetics and in vivo juxtacellular recording and labeling to examine the influence of brainstem cholinergic innervation of distinct neuronal subpopulations in the VTA. We found that LDT cholinergic axons selectively enhanced the bursting activity of mesolimbic dopamine neurons that were excited by aversive stimulation. In contrast, PPN cholinergic axons activated and changed the discharge properties of VTA neurons that were integrated in distinct functional circuits and were inhibited by aversive stimulation. Although both structures conveyed a reinforcing signal, they had opposite roles in locomotion. Our results demonstrate that two modes of cholinergic transmission operate in the VTA and segregate the neurons involved in different reward circuits.
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34
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Mazzone P, Vilela Filho O, Viselli F, Insola A, Sposato S, Vitale F, Scarnati E. Our first decade of experience in deep brain stimulation of the brainstem: elucidating the mechanism of action of stimulation of the ventrolateral pontine tegmentum. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2016; 123:751-767. [DOI: 10.1007/s00702-016-1518-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Abstract
Besides their fundamental movement function evidenced by Parkinsonian deficits, the basal ganglia are involved in processing closely linked non-motor, cognitive and reward information. This review describes the reward functions of three brain structures that are major components of the basal ganglia or are closely associated with the basal ganglia, namely midbrain dopamine neurons, pedunculopontine nucleus, and striatum (caudate nucleus, putamen, nucleus accumbens). Rewards are involved in learning (positive reinforcement), approach behavior, economic choices and positive emotions. The response of dopamine neurons to rewards consists of an early detection component and a subsequent reward component that reflects a prediction error in economic utility, but is unrelated to movement. Dopamine activations to non-rewarded or aversive stimuli reflect physical impact, but not punishment. Neurons in pedunculopontine nucleus project their axons to dopamine neurons and process sensory stimuli, movements and rewards and reward-predicting stimuli without coding outright reward prediction errors. Neurons in striatum, besides their pronounced movement relationships, process rewards irrespective of sensory and motor aspects, integrate reward information into movement activity, code the reward value of individual actions, change their reward-related activity during learning, and code own reward in social situations depending on whose action produces the reward. These data demonstrate a variety of well-characterized reward processes in specific basal ganglia nuclei consistent with an important function in non-motor aspects of motivated behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfram Schultz
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, UK.
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36
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Dautan D, Hacioğlu Bay H, Bolam JP, Gerdjikov TV, Mena-Segovia J. Extrinsic Sources of Cholinergic Innervation of the Striatal Complex: A Whole-Brain Mapping Analysis. Front Neuroanat 2016; 10:1. [PMID: 26834571 PMCID: PMC4722731 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2016.00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 01/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Acetylcholine in the striatal complex plays an important role in normal behavior and is affected in a number of neurological disorders. Although early studies suggested that acetylcholine in the striatum (STR) is derived almost exclusively from cholinergic interneurons (CIN), recent axonal mapping studies using conditional anterograde tracing have revealed the existence of a prominent direct cholinergic pathway from the pedunculopontine and laterodorsal tegmental nuclei to the dorsal striatum and nucleus accumbens. The identification of the importance of this pathway is essential for creating a complete model of cholinergic modulation in the striatum, and it opens the question as to whether other populations of cholinergic neurons may also contribute to such modulation. Here, using novel viral tracing technologies based on phenotype-specific fluorescent reporter expression in combination with retrograde tracing, we aimed to define other sources of cholinergic innervation of the striatum. Systematic mapping of the projections of all cholinergic structures in the brain (Ch1 to Ch8) by means of conditional tracing of cholinergic axons, revealed that the only extrinsic source of cholinergic innervation arises in the brainstem pedunculopontine and laterodorsal tegmental nuclei. Our results thus place the pedunculopontine and laterodorsal nuclei in a key and exclusive position to provide extrinsic cholinergic modulation of the activity of the striatal systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Dautan
- MRC Anatomical Neuropharmacology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, University of OxfordOxford, UK; Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of LeicesterLeicester, UK
| | - Husniye Hacioğlu Bay
- MRC Anatomical Neuropharmacology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, University of OxfordOxford, UK; Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Marmara UniversityIstanbul, Turkey
| | - J Paul Bolam
- MRC Anatomical Neuropharmacology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford Oxford, UK
| | - Todor V Gerdjikov
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of Leicester Leicester, UK
| | - Juan Mena-Segovia
- MRC Anatomical Neuropharmacology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, University of OxfordOxford, UK; Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers UniversityNewark, NJ, USA
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Cholinergic excitation from the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus to the dentate nucleus in the rat. Neuroscience 2016; 317:12-22. [PMID: 26762800 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.12.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Revised: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In spite of the existence of pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg) projections to cerebellar nuclei, their nature and functional role is unknown. These fibers may play a crucial role in postural control and may be involved in the beneficial effects induced by deep-brain stimulation (DBS) of brainstem structures in motor disorders. We investigated the effects of PPTg microstimulation on single-unit activity of dentate, fastigial and interpositus nuclei. The effects of PPTg stimulation were also studied in rats whose PPTg neurons were destroyed by ibotenic acid and subsequently subjected to iontophoretically applied cholinergic antagonists. The main response recorded in cerebellar nuclei was a short-latency (1.5-2 ms) and brief (13-15 ms) orthodromic activation. The dentate nucleus was the most responsive to PPTg stimulation. The destruction of PPTg cells reduced the occurrence of PPTg-evoked activation of dentate neurons, suggesting that the effect was due to stimulation of cell bodies and not due to fibers passing through or close to the PPTg. Application of cholinergic antagonists reduced or eliminated the PPTg-evoked response recorded in the dentate nucleus. The results show that excitation is exerted by the PPTg on the cerebellar nuclei, in particular on the dentate nucleus. Taken together with the reduction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase-positive neurons in lesioned animals, the iontophoretic experiments suggest that the activation of dentate neurons is due to cholinergic fibers. These data help to explain the effects of DBS of the PPTg on axial motor disabilities in neurodegenerative disorders.
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Freestone PS, Wu XH, de Guzman G, Lipski J. Excitatory drive from the Subthalamic nucleus attenuates GABAergic transmission in the Substantia Nigra pars compacta via endocannabinoids. Eur J Pharmacol 2015; 767:144-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.09.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Revised: 09/19/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Takakusaki K, Chiba R, Nozu T, Okumura T. Brainstem control of locomotion and muscle tone with special reference to the role of the mesopontine tegmentum and medullary reticulospinal systems. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2015; 123:695-729. [PMID: 26497023 PMCID: PMC4919383 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-015-1475-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The lateral part of the mesopontine tegmentum contains functionally important structures involved in the control of posture and gait. Specifically, the mesencephalic locomotor region, which may consist of the cuneiform nucleus and pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPN), occupies the interest with respect to the pathophysiology of posture-gait disorders. The purpose of this article is to review the mechanisms involved in the control of postural muscle tone and locomotion by the mesopontine tegmentum and the pontomedullary reticulospinal system. To make interpretation and discussion more robust, the above issue is considered largely based on our findings in the experiments using decerebrate cat preparations in addition to the results in animal experimentations and clinical investigations in other laboratories. Our investigations revealed the presence of functional topographical organizations with respect to the regulation of postural muscle tone and locomotion in both the mesopontine tegmentum and the pontomedullary reticulospinal system. These organizations were modified by neurotransmitter systems, particularly the cholinergic PPN projection to the pontine reticular formation. Because efferents from the forebrain structures as well as the cerebellum converge to the mesencephalic and pontomedullary reticular formation, changes in these organizations may be involved in the appropriate regulation of posture-gait synergy depending on the behavioral context. On the other hand, abnormal signals from the higher motor centers may produce dysfunction of the mesencephalic-reticulospinal system. Here we highlight the significance of elucidating the mechanisms of the mesencephalic-reticulospinal control of posture and locomotion so that thorough understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of posture-gait disorders can be made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru Takakusaki
- Research Center for Brain Function and Medical Engineering, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1, 1-1, Asahikawa, 078-8511, Japan.
| | - Ryosuke Chiba
- Research Center for Brain Function and Medical Engineering, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka-Higashi 2-1, 1-1, Asahikawa, 078-8511, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Nozu
- Department of Regional Medicine and Education, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Toshikatsu Okumura
- Department of General Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
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Orzeł-Gryglewska J, Matulewicz P, Jurkowlaniec E. Brainstem system of hippocampal theta induction: The role of the ventral tegmental area. Synapse 2015; 69:553-75. [PMID: 26234671 DOI: 10.1002/syn.21843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Revised: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
This article summarizes the results of studies concerning the influence of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) on the hippocampal theta rhythm. Temporary VTA inactivation resulted in transient loss of the hippocampal theta. Permanent destruction of the VTA caused a long-lasting depression of the power of the theta and it also had some influence on the frequency of the rhythm. Activation of glutamate (GLU) receptors or decrease of GABAergic tonus in the VTA led to enhancement of dopamine release and increased hippocampal theta power. High time and frequency cross-correlation was detected for the theta band between the VTA and hippocampus during paradoxical sleep and active waking. Thus, the VTA may belong to the broad network involved in theta rhythm regulation. This article also presents a model of brainstem-VTA-hippocampal interactions in the induction of the hippocampal theta rhythm. The projections from the VTA which enhance theta rhythm are incorporated into the main theta generation pathway, in which the septum acts as the central node. The neuronal activity that may be responsible for the ability of the VTA to regulate theta probably derives from the structures associated with rapid eye movement (sleep) (REM) sleep or with sensorimotor activity (i.e., mainly from the pedunculopontine and laterodorsal tegmental nuclei and also from the raphe).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paweł Matulewicz
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, 80-308, Poland
| | - Edyta Jurkowlaniec
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, 80-308, Poland
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Pearlstein E, Gouty-Colomer LA, Michel FJ, Cloarec R, Hammond C. Glutamatergic synaptic currents of nigral dopaminergic neurons follow a postnatal developmental sequence. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:210. [PMID: 26074777 PMCID: PMC4448554 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The spontaneous activity pattern of adult dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) results from interactions between intrinsic membrane conductances and afferent inputs. In adult SNc DA neurons, low-frequency tonic background activity is generated by intrinsic pacemaker mechanisms, whereas burst generation depends on intact synaptic inputs in particular the glutamatergic ones. Tonic DA release in the striatum during pacemaking is required to maintain motor activity, and burst firing evokes phasic DA release, necessary for cue-dependent learning tasks. However, it is still unknown how the firing properties of SNc DA neurons mature during postnatal development before reaching the adult state. We studied the postnatal developmental profile of spontaneous and evoked AMPA and NMDA (N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid) receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in SNc DA neurons in brain slices from immature (postnatal days P4–P10) and young adult (P30–P50) tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-green fluorescent protein mice. We found that somato-dendritic fields of SNc DA neurons are already mature at P4–P10. In contrast, spontaneous glutamatergic EPSCs show a developmental sequence. Spontaneous NMDA EPSCs in particular are larger and more frequent in immature SNc DA neurons than in young adult ones and have a bursty pattern. They are mediated by GluN2B and GluN2D subunit-containing NMDA receptors. The latter generate long-lasting, DQP 1105-sensitive, spontaneous EPSCs, which are transiently recorded during this early period. Due to high NMDA activity, immature SNc DA neurons generate large and long lasting NMDA receptor-dependent (APV-sensitive) bursts in response to the stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus. We conclude that the transient high NMDA activity allows calcium influx into the dendrites of developing SNc DA neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edouard Pearlstein
- UMR 901, Aix-Marseille Université Marseille, France ; Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée, Inserm UMR 901 Marseille, France
| | - Laurie-Anne Gouty-Colomer
- UMR 901, Aix-Marseille Université Marseille, France ; Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée, Inserm UMR 901 Marseille, France
| | - François J Michel
- UMR 901, Aix-Marseille Université Marseille, France ; Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée, Inserm UMR 901 Marseille, France
| | - Robin Cloarec
- UMR 901, Aix-Marseille Université Marseille, France ; Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée, Inserm UMR 901 Marseille, France
| | - Constance Hammond
- UMR 901, Aix-Marseille Université Marseille, France ; Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée, Inserm UMR 901 Marseille, France
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Garcia-Rill E, D’Onofrio S, Mahaffey S, Bisagno V, Urbano FJ. Pedunculopontine arousal system physiology-Implications for schizophrenia. Sleep Sci 2015; 8:82-91. [PMID: 26483949 PMCID: PMC4608902 DOI: 10.1016/j.slsci.2015.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is characterized by major sleep/wake disturbances including increased vigilance and arousal, decreased slow wave sleep, and increased REM sleep drive. Other arousal-related symptoms include sensory gating deficits as exemplified by decreased habituation of the blink reflex. There is also dysregulation of gamma band activity, suggestive of disturbances in a host of arousal-related mechanisms. This review examines the role of the reticular activating system, especially the pedunculopontine nucleus, in the symptoms of the disease. Recent discoveries on the physiology of the pedunculopontine nucleus help explain many of these disorders of arousal in, and point to novel therapeutic avenues for, schizophrenia.
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Key Words
- CaMKII, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase
- Calcium channels
- EEG, electroencephalogram
- EPSC, excitatory postsynaptic potential
- GABA, γ aminobutyric acid
- Gamma band activity
- InsP, inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor protein
- KA, kainic acid
- NCS-1, neuronal calcium sensor protein 1
- NMDA, n methyl d aspartic acid
- Neuronal calcium sensor protein
- P50 potential
- PGO, ponto-geniculo-occipital
- PPN, pedunculopontine nucleus
- Pf, parafascicular nucleus
- RAS, reticular activating system
- REM, rapid eye movement
- SWS, slow wave sleep
- SubCD, subcoeruleus dorsalis
- cAMP, cyclic adenosine monophosphate
- ω-Aga, ω-agatoxin-IVA
- ω-CgTx, ω-conotoxin-GVIA
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Garcia-Rill
- Center for Translational Neuroscience, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Stasia D’Onofrio
- Center for Translational Neuroscience, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Susan Mahaffey
- Center for Translational Neuroscience, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Veronica Bisagno
- IFIBYNE-CONICET and ININFA-CONICET, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Francisco J. Urbano
- IFIBYNE-CONICET and ININFA-CONICET, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Bataveljic D, Petrovic J, Lazic K, Saponjic J, Andjus P. Glial response in the rat models of functionally distinct cholinergic neuronal denervations. J Neurosci Res 2014; 93:244-52. [PMID: 25250774 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23483] [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: 05/26/2014] [Revised: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves selective loss of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons, particularly in the nucleus basalis (NB). Similarly, Parkinson's disease (PD) might involve the selective loss of pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPT) cholinergic neurons. Therefore, lesions of these functionally distinct cholinergic centers in rats might serve as models of AD and PD cholinergic neuropathologies. Our previous articles described dissimilar sleep/wake-state disorders in rat models of AD and PD cholinergic neuropathologies. This study further examines astroglial and microglial responses as underlying pathologies in these distinct sleep disorders. Unilateral lesions of the NB or the PPT were induced with rats under ketamine/diazepam anesthesia (50 mg/kg i.p.) by using stereotaxically guided microinfusion of the excitotoxin ibotenic acid (IBO). Twenty-one days after the lesion, loss of cholinergic neurons was quantified by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase histochemistry, and the astroglial and microglial responses were quantified by glia fibrillary acidic protein/OX42 immunohistochemistry. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the anatomofunctionally related astroglial response following unilateral excitotoxic PPT cholinergic neuronal lesion. Whereas IBO NB and PPT lesions similarly enhanced local astroglial and microglial responses, astrogliosis in the PPT was followed by a remote astrogliosis within the ipslilateral NB. Conversely, there was no microglial response within the NB after PPT lesions. Our results reveal the rostrorostral PPT-NB astrogliosis after denervation of cholinergic neurons in the PPT. This hierarchically and anatomofunctionally guided PPT-NB astrogliosis emerged following cholinergic neuronal loss greater than 17% throughout the overall rostrocaudal PPT dimension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danijela Bataveljic
- Faculty of Biology, Center for Laser Microscopy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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Petrovic J, Lazic K, Kalauzi A, Saponjic J. REM sleep diversity following the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus lesion in rat. Behav Brain Res 2014; 271:258-68. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2014] [Revised: 06/09/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Knapp CM, Ciraulo DA, Datta S. Mechanisms underlying sleep-wake disturbances in alcoholism: focus on the cholinergic pedunculopontine tegmentum. Behav Brain Res 2014; 274:291-301. [PMID: 25151622 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2014] [Revised: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 08/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Sleep-wake (S-W) disturbances are frequently associated with alcohol use disorders (AUD), occurring during periods of active drinking, withdrawal, and abstinence. These S-W disturbances can persist after months or even years of abstinence, suggesting that chronic alcohol consumption may have enduring negative effects on both homeostatic and circadian sleep processes. It is now generally accepted that S-W disturbances in alcohol-dependent individuals are a significant cause of relapse in drinking. Although significant progress has been made in identifying the socio-economic burden and health risks of alcohol addiction, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms that lead to S-W disorders in AUD are poorly understood. Marked progress has been made in understanding the basic neurobiological mechanisms of how different sleep stages are normally regulated. This review article in seeking to explain the neurobiological mechanisms underlying S-W disturbances associated with AUD, describes an evidence-based, easily testable, novel hypothesis that chronic alcohol consumption induces neuroadaptive changes in the cholinergic cell compartment of the pedunculopontine tegmentum (CCC-PPT). These changes include increases in N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and kainate receptor sensitivity and a decrease in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAB)-receptor sensitivity in the CCC-PPT. Together these changes are the primary pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie S-W disturbances in AUD. This review is targeted for both basic neuroscientists in alcohol addiction research and clinicians who are in search of new and more effective therapeutic interventions to treat and/or eliminate sleep disorders associated with AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clifford M Knapp
- Laboratory of Sleep and Cognitive Neuroscience, Boston University Psychiatry Associates Clinical Studies Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, 85 East Newton Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Domenic A Ciraulo
- Laboratory of Sleep and Cognitive Neuroscience, Boston University Psychiatry Associates Clinical Studies Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, 85 East Newton Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Subimal Datta
- Laboratory of Sleep and Cognitive Neuroscience, Boston University Psychiatry Associates Clinical Studies Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, 85 East Newton Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
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Utsugi C, Miyazono S, Osada K, Matsuda M, Kashiwayanagi M. Impaired mastication reduced newly generated neurons at the accessory olfactory bulb and pheromonal responses in mice. Arch Oral Biol 2014; 59:1272-8. [PMID: 25150532 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2014.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A large number of neurons are generated at the subventricular zone (SVZ) even during adulthood. In a previous study, we have shown that a reduced mastication impairs both neurogenesis in the SVZ and olfactory functions. Pheromonal signals, which are received by the vomeronasal organ, provide information about reproductive and social states. Vomeronasal sensory neurons project to the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) located on the dorso-caudal surface of the main olfactory bulb. Newly generated neurons at the SVZ migrate to the AOB and differentiate into granule cells and periglomerular cells. This study aimed to explore the effects of changes in mastication on newly generated neurons and pheromonal responses. DESIGN Bromodeoxyuridine-immunoreactive (BrdU-ir; a marker of DNA synthesis) and Fos-ir (a marker of neurons excited) structures in sagittal sections of the AOB after exposure to urinary odours were compared between the mice fed soft and hard diets. RESULTS The density of BrdU-ir cells in the AOB in the soft-diet-fed mice after 1 month was essentially similar to that of the hard-diet-fed mice, while that was lower in the soft-diet-fed mice for 3 or 6 months than in the hard-diet-fed mice. The density of Fos-ir cells in the soft-diet-fed mice after 2 months was essentially similar to that in the hard-diet-fed mice, while that was lower in the soft-diet-fed mice for 4 months than in the hard-diet-fed mice. CONCLUSIONS The present results suggest that impaired mastication reduces newly generated neurons at the AOB, which in turn impairs olfactory function at the AOB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chizuru Utsugi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; Department of Sensory Physiology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Sadaharu Miyazono
- Department of Sensory Physiology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Kazumi Osada
- Department of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Tohbetu 061-0293, Japan
| | - Mitsuyoshi Matsuda
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Makoto Kashiwayanagi
- Department of Sensory Physiology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan.
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Hong S, Hikosaka O. Pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus neurons provide reward, sensorimotor, and alerting signals to midbrain dopamine neurons. Neuroscience 2014; 282:139-55. [PMID: 25058502 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/01/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) neurons in the midbrain are crucial for motivational control of behavior. However, recent studies suggest that signals transmitted by DA neurons are heterogeneous. This may reflect a wide range of inputs to DA neurons, but which signals are provided by which brain areas is still unclear. Here we focused on the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg) in macaque monkeys and characterized its inputs to DA neurons. Since the PPTg projects to many brain areas, it is crucial to identify PPTg neurons that project to DA neuron areas. For this purpose we used antidromic activation technique by electrically stimulating three locations (medial, central, lateral) in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). We found SNc-projecting neurons mainly in the PPTg, and some in the cuneiform nucleus. Electrical stimulation in the SNc-projecting PPTg regions induced a burst of spikes in presumed DA neurons, suggesting that the PPTg-DA (SNc) connection is excitatory. Behavioral tasks and clinical tests showed that the SNc-projecting PPTg neurons encoded reward, sensorimotor and arousal/alerting signals. Importantly, reward-related PPTg neurons tended to project to the medial and central SNc, whereas sensorimotor/arousal/alerting-related PPTg neurons tended to project to the lateral SNc. Most reward-related signals were positively biased: excitation and inhibition when a better and worse reward was expected, respectively. These PPTg neurons tended to retain the reward value signal until after a reward outcome, representing 'value state'; this was different from DA neurons which show phasic signals representing 'value change'. Our data, together with previous studies, suggest that PPTg neurons send positive reward-related signals mainly to the medial-central SNc where DA neurons encode motivational values, and sensorimotor/arousal signals to the lateral SNc where DA neurons encode motivational salience.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hong
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Laboratory of Sensorimotor Research, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, 49 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - O Hikosaka
- Laboratory of Sensorimotor Research, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, 49 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Utsugi C, Miyazono S, Osada K, Sasajima H, Noguchi T, Matsuda M, Kashiwayanagi M. Hard-diet feeding recovers neurogenesis in the subventricular zone and olfactory functions of mice impaired by soft-diet feeding. PLoS One 2014; 9:e97309. [PMID: 24817277 PMCID: PMC4016307 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Accepted: 04/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The subventricular zone (SVZ) generates an immense number of neurons even during adulthood. These neurons migrate to the olfactory bulb (OB) and differentiate into granule cells and periglomerular cells. The information broadcast by general odorants is received by the olfactory sensory neurons and transmitted to the OB. Recent studies have shown that a reduction of mastication impairs both neurogenesis in the hippocampus and brain functions. To examine these effects, we first measured the difference in Fos-immunoreactivity (Fos-ir) at the principal sensory trigeminal nucleus (Pr5), which receives intraoral touch information via the trigeminal nerve, when female adult mice ingested a hard or soft diet to explore whether soft-diet feeding could mimic impaired mastication. Ingestion of a hard diet induced greater expression of Fos-ir cells at the Pr5 than did a soft diet or no diet. Bromodeoxyuridine-immunoreactive (BrdU-ir) structures in sagittal sections of the SVZ and in the OB of mice fed a soft or hard diet were studied to explore the effects of changes in mastication on newly generated neurons. After 1 month, the density of BrdU-ir cells in the SVZ and OB was lower in the soft-diet-fed mice than in the hard-diet-fed mice. The odor preferences of individual female mice to butyric acid were tested in a Y-maze apparatus. Avoidance of butyric acid was reduced by the soft-diet feeding. We then explored the effects of the hard-diet feeding on olfactory functions and neurogenesis in the SVZ of mice impaired by soft-diet feeding. At 3 months of hard-diet feeding, avoidance of butyric acid was reversed and responses to odors and neurogenesis were recovered in the SVZ. The present results suggest that feeding with a hard diet improves neurogenesis in the SVZ, which in turn enhances olfactory function at the OB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chizuru Utsugi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
- Department of Sensory Physiology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Sadaharu Miyazono
- Department of Sensory Physiology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Kazumi Osada
- Department of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Tohbetu, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Sasajima
- Department of Sensory Physiology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Noguchi
- Department of Sensory Physiology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Mitsuyoshi Matsuda
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Makoto Kashiwayanagi
- Department of Sensory Physiology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Dautan D, Huerta-Ocampo I, Witten IB, Deisseroth K, Bolam JP, Gerdjikov T, Mena-Segovia J. A major external source of cholinergic innervation of the striatum and nucleus accumbens originates in the brainstem. J Neurosci 2014; 34:4509-18. [PMID: 24671996 PMCID: PMC3965779 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.5071-13.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2013] [Revised: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/15/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholinergic transmission in the striatal complex is critical for the modulation of the activity of local microcircuits and dopamine release. Release of acetylcholine has been considered to originate exclusively from a subtype of striatal interneuron that provides widespread innervation of the striatum. Cholinergic neurons of the pedunculopontine (PPN) and laterodorsal tegmental (LDT) nuclei indirectly influence the activity of the dorsal striatum and nucleus accumbens through their innervation of dopamine and thalamic neurons, which in turn converge at the same striatal levels. Here we show that cholinergic neurons in the brainstem also provide a direct innervation of the striatal complex. By the expression of fluorescent proteins in choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)::Cre(+) transgenic rats, we selectively labeled cholinergic neurons in the rostral PPN, caudal PPN, and LDT. We show that cholinergic neurons topographically innervate wide areas of the striatal complex: rostral PPN preferentially innervates the dorsolateral striatum, and LDT preferentially innervates the medial striatum and nucleus accumbens core in which they principally form asymmetric synapses. Retrograde labeling combined with immunohistochemistry in wild-type rats confirmed the topography and cholinergic nature of the projection. Furthermore, transynaptic gene activation and conventional double retrograde labeling suggest that LDT neurons that innervate the nucleus accumbens also send collaterals to the thalamus and the dopaminergic midbrain, thus providing both direct and indirect projections, to the striatal complex. The differential activity of cholinergic interneurons and cholinergic neurons of the brainstem during reward-related paradigms suggest that the two systems play different but complementary roles in the processing of information in the striatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Dautan
- Medical Research Council Anatomical Neuropharmacology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TH, United Kingdom
- School of Psychology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN, United Kingdom
| | - Icnelia Huerta-Ocampo
- Medical Research Council Anatomical Neuropharmacology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TH, United Kingdom
| | - Ilana B. Witten
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton New Jersey 08540, and
| | - Karl Deisseroth
- Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
| | - J. Paul Bolam
- Medical Research Council Anatomical Neuropharmacology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TH, United Kingdom
| | - Todor Gerdjikov
- School of Psychology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN, United Kingdom
| | - Juan Mena-Segovia
- Medical Research Council Anatomical Neuropharmacology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TH, United Kingdom
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Thompson JA, Felsen G. Activity in mouse pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus reflects action and outcome in a decision-making task. J Neurophysiol 2013; 110:2817-29. [PMID: 24089397 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00464.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies across several mammalian species have revealed a distributed network of cortical and subcortical brain regions responsible for sensorimotor decision making. Many of these regions have been shown to be interconnected with the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg), a brain stem structure characterized by neuronal heterogeneity and thought to be involved in several cognitive and behavioral functions. However, whether this structure plays a general functional role in sensorimotor decision making is unclear. We hypothesized that, in the context of a sensorimotor task, activity in the PPTg would reflect task-related variables in a similar manner as do the cortical and subcortical regions with which it is anatomically associated. To examine this hypothesis, we recorded PPTg activity in mice performing an odor-cued spatial choice task requiring a stereotyped leftward or rightward orienting movement to obtain a reward. We studied single-neuron activity during epochs of the task related to movement preparation, execution, and outcome (i.e., whether or not the movement was rewarded). We found that a substantial proportion of neurons in the PPTg exhibited direction-selective activity during one or more of these epochs. In addition, an overlapping population of neurons reflected movement direction and reward outcome. These results suggest that the PPTg should be considered within the network of brain areas responsible for sensorimotor decision making and lay the foundation for future experiments to examine how the PPTg interacts with other regions to control sensory-guided motor output.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A Thompson
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
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