The neurobiology of motivated behavior

Cannabinoid receptor 1-expressing neurons in the nucleus accumbens

Endocannabinoid signaling critically regulates emotional and motivational states via activation of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) in the brain. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) functions to gate emotional and motivational responses. Although expression of CB1 in the NAc is low, manipulation of CB1 signaling within the NAc triggers robust emotional/motivational alterations related to drug addiction and other psychiatric disorders, and these effects cannot be exclusively attributed to CB1 located at afferents to the NAc. Rather, CB1-expressing neurons in the NAc, although sparse, appear to be critical for emotional and motivational responses. However, the cellular properties of these neurons remain largely unknown. Here, we generated a knock-in mouse line in which CB1-expressing neurons expressed the fluorescent protein td-Tomato (tdT). Using these mice, we demonstrated that tdT-positive neurons within the NAc were exclusively fast-spiking interneurons (FSIs). These FSIs were electrically coupled with each other, and thus may help synchronize populations/ensembles of NAc neurons. CB1-expressing FSIs also form GABAergic synapses on adjacent medium spiny neurons (MSNs), providing feed-forward inhibition of NAc output. Furthermore, the membrane excitability of tdT-positive FSIs in the NAc was up-regulated after withdrawal from cocaine exposure, an effect that might increase FSI-to-MSN inhibition. Taken together with our previous findings that the membrane excitability of NAc MSNs is decreased during cocaine withdrawal, the present findings suggest that the basal functional output of the NAc is inhibited during cocaine withdrawal by multiple mechanisms. As such, CB1-expressing FSIs are targeted by cocaine exposure to influence the overall functional output of the NAc.

The role of mesolimbic dopamine in the development and maintenance of ethanol reinforcement

The neurobiological processes by which ethanol seeking and consumption are established and maintained are thought to involve areas of the brain that mediate motivated behavior, such as the mesolimbic dopamine system. The mesolimbic dopamine system is comprised of cells that originate in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and project to several forebrain regions, including a prominent terminal area, the nucleus accumbens (NAcc). The NAcc has been subdivided into core and shell subregions. Both areas receive converging excitatory input from the cortex and amygdala and dopamine input from the VTA, with the accumbal medium spiny neuron situated to integrate the signals. Although forced ethanol administration enhances dopamine activity in the NAcc, conclusions regarding the role of mesolimbic dopamine in ethanol reinforcement cannot be made from these experiments. Behavioral experiments consistently show that pharmacological manipulations of the dopamine transmission in the NAcc alter responding for ethanol, although ethanol reinforcement is maintained after lesions of the accumbal dopamine system. Additionally, extracellular dopamine increases in the NAcc during operant self-administration of ethanol, which is consistent with a role of dopamine in ethanol reinforcement. Behavioral studies that distinguish appetitive responding from ethanol consumption show that dopamine is important in ethanol-seeking behavior, whereas neurochemical studies suggest that accumbal dopamine is also important during ethanol consumption before pharmacological effects occur. Cellular studies suggest that ethanol alters synaptic plasticity in the mesolimbic system, possibly through dopaminergic mechanisms, and this may underlie the development of ethanol reinforcement. Thus, anatomical, pharmacological, neurochemical, cellular, and behavioral studies are more clearly defining the role of mesolimbic dopamine in ethanol reinforcement.

Postnatal development of a GABA deficit and disturbance of neural functions in mice lacking GAD65

The 65-kDa isoform of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65) is believed to play an essential role for GABA synthesis in the central nervous system. Using mice with targeted disruption of the GAD65 gene (GAD65(-/-) mice) we investigated the contribution of GAD65 to GABA synthesis in different brain areas during postnatal development and in adulthood. In the amygdala, hypothalamus and parietal cortex of GAD65(+/+) mice an increase of GABA levels was observed during postnatal development, most prominently between the first and second month after birth. This increase appeared to be dependent on GAD65, as it was delayed by 2 months in GAD65(+/-) mice and was not observed in GAD65(-/-) mice. Likely as a consequence of their GABA deficit, adult GAD65(-/-) mice showed a largely abnormal neural activity with frequent paroxysmal discharges and spontaneous seizures. They furthermore displayed increased anxiety-like behaviour in a light/dark avoidance test and reduced intermale aggression, as well as a reduced forced-swimming-induced immobility indicative of an antidepressant-like behavioural change. Adult GAD65(+/-) mice did not show behavioural disturbances except for a reduced aggressive behaviour that was comparable to that in GAD65(-/-) mice. We conclude that GAD65-mediated GABA synthesis may be crucially involved in control of emotional behaviour and indispensable for a tonic inhibition that prevents the development of hyperexcitability in the maturating central nervous system. Aggressive, and possibly other social behaviour may be especially prone to regulation through GAD65-mediated GABA synthesis.

Increased intermale aggression and neuroendocrine response in mice deficient for the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM)

Mice deficient for the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) show morphological and behavioural abnormalities in the adult form, including a reduced size of the olfactory bulb, reduced exploratory behaviour, and deficits in spatial learning. Here we report increased aggressive behaviour of both homozygous (NCAM -/-) and heterozygous (NCAM +/-) male mutant mice towards an unfamiliar male intruding into their home cage. While plasma testosterone concentrations did not differ between genotypes before or after behavioural testing, corticosterone levels were higher in mutant residents than in wild-type (NCAM +/+) residents 30 min after encountering the intruder. Levels of c-fos mRNA, analysed to monitor neuronal activation, were similar in primary output structures of the olfactory bulb in NCAM-deficient and NCAM +/+ mice, but were increased in brain areas of the limbic system in both NCAM -/- and NCAM +/- mutant mice after the behavioural test. These results indicate that abnormalities in social behaviour correlate with enhanced neuronal activity in limbic brain areas and result in increased social stress in NCAM-deficient mice.

Efferent connections of the hypothalamic "aggression area" in the rat

The efferent connections of the hypothalamic area of the rat, where attack behaviour can be elicited by electrical stimulation, were studied using iontophoretic injections of Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin. Specificity for the hypothalamic "attack area" was investigated by comparison with efferents of hypothalamic sites outside the attack area. The hypothalamic attack area consists of the intermediate hypothalamic area and the ventrolateral pole of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus. Fibres from the hypothalamic attack area, as well as fibres from several other hypothalamic sites, form diffuse fibre "streams" running rostrally or caudally. Many varicosities that are found on the fibres suggest, that these fibres are capable of influencing many brain sites along their way. Projection sites were found throughout the brain. In the comparison between attack area efferents and controls, many overlapping brain sites were found. Hypothalamic efferents preferentially originating in the largest part of the attack area, i.e. the intermediate hypothalamic area, were found in the mediodorsal and parataenial thalamic nuclei. Within the septum, a spatial organization of hypothalamic innervation was found. Fibres from the attack area formed specialized "pericellular baskets" in the dorsolateral aspect of the intermediate part of the lateral septal nucleus. Fibres from other hypothalamic sites were found in other septal areas and did not form these septal baskets. Within the mesencephalic central gray, fibres from the attack area were found specifically in the dorsal part and dorsal aspect of the lateral part of the central gray. Physiological and pharmacological studies have shown that several brain sites are involved in different aspects of aggressive behaviour. Some of these areas, as for instance the dorsomedial thalamic nucleus, septum and central gray, are innervated by efferents from the hypothalamic attack area, whereas other sites, like ventral premammillary nucleus and ventral tegmental area, are not. It is concluded from the present findings, that a number of brain sites, that are known to be involved in agonistic behaviour, receive hypothalamic information preferentially from the hypothalamic attack area through diffusely arranged varicose fibres. The function of each connection in the regulation of specific behaviours remains to be further investigated.

Limbic brain structures are important sites of kappa-opioid receptor-mediated actions in the rat: a [14C]-2-deoxyglucose study

The [1-14C]-2-deoxyglucose technique was employed to evaluate the regional pattern of alterations in glucose utilization in the rat brain, pituitary and spinal cord induced by the selective kappa-opioid agonist U-50,488H (trans-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N[2-(1-pyrolidinyl) cyclohexyl]-benzeneacetamide). Within the dose range used (0.5-5 mg/kg), U-50,488H produced a dose-dependent attenuation of nociceptive thresholds and a place aversion in the place conditioning test, allowing for a correlation of the regional pattern of changes in glucose utilization with certain behavioral responses. The regional changes in glucose utilization induced by U-50,488H in the brain were most pronounced in components of the limbic forebrain circuit such as the anterior thalamic nuclei, mammillary body, frontal cortex, lateral septal nucleus, nucleus accumbens and lateral habenular nucleus as well as in the brainstem tegmental nuclei and the dorsal and median raphe nucleus (components of the limbic midbrain area). Glucose utilization was decreased in the frontal cortex and increased in the other regions. An increase in glucose utilization also was observed in the central gray pons. Increases in glucose utilization in the pituitary were restricted to the intermediate lobe. In the lumbar part of the spinal cord, glucose metabolism was enhanced in the region around the central canal and in the ventral horn. The changes in glucose metabolism observed in these structures suggest that the aversive (dysphoric) effects of U-50,488H may be due to the altered activity of the limbic structures of the forebrain and midbrain which have been implicated in emotional and affective processes. The increased activity in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary, furthermore, might reflect a stress component in the effects of this drug. Since the dorsal raphe nucleus and the region of the central gray pons have been implicated in both analgesia and pain processes a supraspinal site of antinociceptive action of U-50,488H, in addition to a spinal site of action, must be considered.

Basal forebrain efferents to the medial dorsal thalamic nucleus in the rhesus monkey

Thalamic efferent connections of the basal forebrain (BF); medial septal nucleus (MS), vertical limb of the diagonal band (VDB), horizontal limb of the diagonal band (HDB), nucleus basalis (NB), and ventral pallidum (VP) were investigated in twelve rhesus monkeys. In five animals, injections of radioactively labeled amino acids were placed in the BF. In four animals, the injections involved different divisions of the NB, HDB, and the most ventral part of the VDB. In those four cases, labeled fibers in the medial forebrain bundle were observed traveling caudally towards the hypothalamus where some turned dorsally to enter the inferior thalamic peduncle. These fibers terminated in the ventral half of the magnocellular part of the medial dorsal thalamic nucleus (MDmc). In a fifth case, the amino acid injection involved most of the MS and the VDB. Labeled fibers traveled caudally from the injection site and entered the stria medullaris. These fibers then traveled caudally before turning ventrally to terminate in the dorsal half of MDmc. To determine which of the diverse neuronal types in the BF gives rise to these thalamic projections, in two monkeys injections of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were placed into MDmc. Labeled neurons were observed throughout the full extent of the NB, the VDB, the MS, and part of the VP. In order to determine the extent of the cholinergic input to MDmc from the BF, one of the HRP cases was processed for the simultaneous visualization of HRP, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the hydrolytic enzyme for acetylcholine, and a second case was processed for simultaneous visualization of HRP, and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the synthetic enzyme for acetylcholine. We observed that 30-50% of the HRP-labeled neurons were putatively cholinergic. In order to determine if the NB projection to MD is a collateral of the NB projection to orbital frontal cortex, one fluorescent retrograde tracer was injected into the orbital frontal cortex and one into MD. This case showed that approximately 5% of the BF neurons that project to MDmc also project to the orbital frontal cortex. These results confirm a significant subcortical projection by which the cholinergic system of the basal forebrain may influence higher cortical functions through the thalamus.

Effect of nucleus accumbens destruction in rat

The paper presents the effects of nucleus accumbens destruction in rats. There are certain behavioral correlates (e.g., avoidance learning and dominance) which are influenced by the destruction of the nucleus accumbens, while other specific correlates are not significantly affected (namely, open field movements and competition for food). The results are discussed.

Neuropharmacological and electrophysiological evidence implicating the mesolimbic dopamine system in feeding responses elicited by electrical stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle

The contribution of the mesolimbic dopamine pathway to feeding behavior was investigated in rats in which feeding responses were elicited by electrical stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle at the level of the lateral hypothalamus. Injections of spiroperidol, a dopamine antagonist, into the nucleus accumbens ipsilateral to the stimulating electrode significantly attenuated the elicited feeding responses whereas injecting spiroperidol into the contralateral nucleus accumbens had no effect. The spontaneous discharge rates of neurons of the ventral tegmental area, identified by their electrophysiological characteristics as dopaminergic, were both increased and decreased in response to single pulse stimulation of sites in the medial forebrain bundle from which feeding responses had been elicited. These observations suggest that mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons may have a role in feeding behavior and indicate the need for chronic electrophysiological recording experiments to see whether or not the activity of these neurons is correlated with the initiation of elicited and spontaneous feeding responses.

Response of nucleus accumbens neurons to amygdala stimulation and its modification by dopamine

Extracellular single unit recordings were obtained from the nucleus accumbens of urethane anesthetized rats. It was found that electrical stimulation of the basal lateral and basal medial nuclei of the amygdala produced strong excitatory responses in neurons of the nucleus accumbens, in particular the medial region. Latencies of activation were relatively short with a mean of 10.7 ms. Dopamine applied iontophoretically had a marked attenuating effect on the excitatory response of nucleus accumbens neurons to amygdala stimulation. The spontaneous activity of all neurons recorded from the nucleus accumbens was also suppressed by dopamine, but the excitatory response was more sensitive to dopamine inhibition than the spontaneous activity. Neurons in the nucleus accumbens showed a variety of responses to single-pulse electrical stimulation of the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Some units in the nucleus accumbens received convergent inputs from both the amygdala and the VTA. Stimulation of the VTA also attenuated the response of nucleus accumbens neurons to excitatory inputs from the amygdala. A train of 10 pulses (0.15 ms, 200--600 microA) at 10 Hz delivered to the VTA at 100 ms before stimulation of the amygdala caused attenuation of the original excitatory response. The attenuating effect could be observed irrespective of whether individual single-pulse stimulation of the VTA elicited a response in that particular accumbens neuron or not. 6-Hydroxydopamine injected into the VTA 2 days prior to the recording experiment, or haloperidol injected intraperitoneally 1 h before the recording session, abolished this attenuating effect. However, responses to single-pulse stimulations of the VTA were not abolished. The results suggest that the attenuation of the excitatory response to amygdala stimulation was due to the release of dopamine from mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons. Responses to single-pulse stimulations of the VTA were probably due to activation of non-dopaminergic neurons projecting from the same area. It is suggested as a working hypothesis that this inhibitory effect of dopamine may be an important function of the mesolimbic dopamine pathway in modulating the extent to which limbic structures can exert an influence on the motor system through the accumbens.

Effects of ventral tegmental area stimulation and microiontophoretic application of dopamine and norepinephrine on hypothalamic neurons

The effects of ventral tegmental area of Tsai (VTA) stimulation on lateral hypothalamic (LH), lateral preoptic area (LPA). and medial hypothalamic neuronal activity were determined in anesthetized rats. Recordings from 81 hypothalamic neurons indicate that stimulation produces predominantly decreases in hypothalamic neuron activity. Increase in activity due to VTA stimulation occurred less frequently. Following single rectangular pulse stimulation, 0.5 msec. 0-500 microA, short latency decreases in activity occurred. Longer latency increases in discharge frequency were also observed. Dose response relations were established for 56% of the LH neurons, 78% of the LPA neurons, and for 82% of the medial hypothalamic neurons following VTA stimulation. Decreases and in a few cases increases in activity seemed to involve only one or two synapses. Antidromic responses verified interconnections between the VTA and the hypothalamus and revealed relatively slow conduction velocities of 0.45 and 0.81 m/sec. The changes in discharge frequency which occurred following VTA stimulation were similar in direction to the effects of the direct microiontophoretic application of dopamine (DA) or norepinephrine (NE). Since DA increased or decreased while NE decreased discharge frequency, these microiontophoretic tests indicated that the shorter latency VTA stimulation induced increases in decreases in neural activity were associated with VTA dopaminergic neuron stimulation and that in some cases short and long latency decreases in neuronal activity were due to activation of VTA ventral bundle NE fibers of passage or to indirect polysynaptic mechanisms. Results demonstrate the interconnections between various regions of the hypothalamus and the VTA along the extent of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB). The cross-validation of neuroanatomical and various electrophysiological methods in establishing the nature of hypothalamic connections was discussed.

Effects of food restriction on the periodicity of corticosteroids in plasma and on monoamine concentrations in discrete brain nuclei

The concentrations of plasma corticosteroids and of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin in microdissected brain regions were measured at 08.00, 12.00 and 20.00 h in male rats fed ad libitum and in rats whose food intake was restricted to 09.30-11.30 h. In ad libitum fed animals, plasma corticosteroids were lowest at 08.00 and highest at 20.00 h. As demonstrated previously, restriction of food availability was associated with appearance of a peak in corticosteroids at 08.00 h. In ad libitum fed animals, serotonin and dopamine concentrations in the median eminence were higher at 20.00 than at 08.00 h. Restriction of food availability significantly decreased the levels of these neurotransmitters at 20.00 h. In the paraventricular nucleus, amygdala, and hippocampus of ad libitum fed animals, serotonin levels were lower at 20.00 than at 08.00 or 12.00 h. In food-shifted animals, this pattern was reversed so that lowest levels of serotonin occured at 08.00 and markedly elevated levels were observed at 12.00 and 20.00 h. No changes were noted in norepinephrine content of the median eminence or paraventricular nucleus of ad libitum fed or food restricted animals. These results indicate that the shift in the periodicity of corticosteroid secretion produced by a restricted feeding regime is accompanied by changes in the periodicity of neurotransmitter concentrations in specific regions of the brain, and that such patterns are dissimilar in different regions.

Midbrain projections to the trigeminal, facial and hypoglossal nuclei in the opossum. A study using axonal transport techniques

It has been proposed (see Berntson and Micco for review) that circuits intrinsic to the midbrain play an important role in the elaboration and control of behaviors involving the motor nuclei of the trigeminal, facial and hypoglossal nerves (e.g. defense, threat, attack); but because of technical problems, it has been difficult to analyze their organization. Using the horseradish peroxidase technique we have localized those midbrain neurons which project to each of the above nuclei and by using the autoradiographic method we have plotted the intranuclear distribution of their axons. Using both techniques, we have seen that mesencephalic projections to oral-facial motor nuclei strongly favor the nucleus of the facial nerve. Cells ventral to the cerebral aqueduct, including the ventral periaqueductal gray, the interstitial nucleus of Cajal, the nucleus of Darkshchewitsch and the rostral oculomotor nucleus provide major midbrain-facial projections in the opossum. Their axons terminate densely and bilaterally within areas innervating auricular muscles and to a lesser extent, the platysma sheet. The projection to the caudal auricular area of the facial complex is particularly dense. Neurons within and dorsal to the red nucleus project to regions of the contralateral facial nucleus reported to supply buccolabial, zygomatic and cervical musculature. There is also a minor tectal projection to the facial nucleus. Direct projections to the hypoglossal nuclei also arise within the periaqueductal gray and interstitial nucleus, but if such regions influence the motor trigeminal nucleus, it is mainly by way of dendrites that extend outside the nucleus or by at least one synaptic delay. The mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, however, projects strongly to the motor trigeminal nucleus. These data are discussed in light of their possible functional significance.

Hypothalamic unit responses to alimentary perfusions in the anesthetised rat

Single unit discharges in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH) and lateral hypothalamic area (LH) were extracellularly recorded in urethane anesthetised female rats, while various solutions were perfused through the stomach or duodenum via implanted polythene tubes. Perfusates, which were maintained at 38 degrees C, were 0.9% (w/v) NaCl, 2.5% NaCl, 5.25% glucose, 30% glucose, 5.0% casein hydrolysate, and liquid food. Only units which did not respond to somatosensory stimuli were tested. One hundred and twenty six units were recorded for periods of up to 3 hr, occasionally longer, in 57 animals. Of these, 74 were recorded during gastric perfusions and 52 during duodenal perfusions. Distension of the stomach elicited changes in firing rate in 16 LH and 8 VMH units. Both increases and decreases in firing rate in response to gastric distension were observed in both the LH and VMH. There was no evidence that nutrient or osmotic properties of the perfusates exerted any modifying influence on hypothalamic unit discharges. Distention of the duodenum by the perfusions elicited changes in firing rate in 12 LH and 6 VMH units. In this case all LH units decreased firing and all VMH units increased firing during distension of the lumen. In addition 2 VMH units appeared to increase their firing rate in association with glucose perfusions. The results are discussed in terms of the role of gastrointestinal feedback to the hypothalamus in food intake regulation.

Organization of brainstem behavioral systems

A review of recent literature suggests that the brainstem may play a more fundamental role in the elaboration of adaptive behaviors than has often been assumed. This view is indicated by current reports documenting the substantial behavioral repertoire of decerebrate animals and by the recent findings that electrical stimulation of localized areas in all major levels of the brainstem can induce complex and coordinated behaviors, including eating, grooming and attack. Indeed, behaviors elicited from sites in the caudal brainstem evidence unexpected goal specificity and stimulus control over response topography. Additional neuroanatomical and behavioral data are reviewed which further implicate caudal brainstem networks in process of reward and aversion. From these and other findings it is argued that integrating mechanisms for the expression of many aspects of species-characteristic behaviors are intrinsic to the brainstem. In line with this view, rostral hypothalamic-limbic mechanisms, while perhaps contributing refinement to the integration of behaviors, may best be viewed as phylogenetically newer control mechanisms making the expression of species-characteristic behaviors subordinate to additional class of exteroceptive and interoceptive stimuli.