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Amini E, Shokrnejad-namin T, Zarrindast MR, Khakpai F. Synergistic effect between citalopram and muscimol upon induction of anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects in male mice: An isobologram analysis. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2024; 16:353-360. [PMID: 38415182 PMCID: PMC10897807 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2024.02.003] [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: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background There is evidence that both the GABAergic system and serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as citalopram are involved in the modulation of anxiety and depression processes. In this research, we examined the effects of GABAA receptor agents and citalopram on anxiety- and depression-related behaviors and their interaction in male mice. Methods For intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion, a guide cannula was implanted in the left lateral ventricle. Anxiety and depression behaviors were evaluated using the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and forced swimming test (FST). Results The results revealed that i.c.v. microinjection of muscimol (1 µg/mouse) enhanced % OAT (open arm time) and % OAE (open arm entries) in the EPM test and decreased immobility time in the FST without affecting locomotor activity, presenting anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like behaviors in the EPM and FST, respectively. On the other hand, i.c.v. microinjection of bicuculline (1 µg/mouse) reduced % OAT and % OAE without affecting locomotor activity and immobility time, presenting an anxiogenic-like effect. Moreover, i.p. administration of citalopram (8 mg/kg) increased %OAT and %OAE and reduced immobility time with no effect on locomotor activity, showing anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like responses in male mice. Furthermore, i.c.v. infusion of an ineffective dosage of muscimol potentiated the anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like responses induced by i.p. injection of citalopram in male mice. When citalopram and bicuculline were co-injected, a non-significant dose of bicuculline reversed the anxiolytic-like effect of citalopram in male mice. Also, the data revealed synergistic anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like behaviors between citalopram and muscimol in male mice. Conclusions The results suggested an interaction between citalopram and GABAergic agents on the modulation of anxiety and depression behaviors in male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elnaz Amini
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Taha Shokrnejad-namin
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Reza Zarrindast
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Institute for Cognitive Science Studies (ICSS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Khakpai
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
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Tseng YT, Schaefke B, Wei P, Wang L. Defensive responses: behaviour, the brain and the body. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:655-671. [PMID: 37730910 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00736-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Most animals live under constant threat from predators, and predation has been a major selective force in shaping animal behaviour. Nevertheless, defence responses against predatory threats need to be balanced against other adaptive behaviours such as foraging, mating and recovering from infection. This behavioural balance in ethologically relevant contexts requires adequate integration of internal and external signals in a complex interplay between the brain and the body. Despite this complexity, research has often considered defensive behaviour as entirely mediated by the brain processing threat-related information obtained via perception of the external environment. However, accumulating evidence suggests that the endocrine, immune, gastrointestinal and reproductive systems have important roles in modulating behavioural responses to threat. In this Review, we focus on how predatory threat defence responses are shaped by threat imminence and review the circuitry between subcortical brain regions involved in mediating defensive behaviours. Then, we discuss the intersection of peripheral systems involved in internal states related to infection, hunger and mating with the neurocircuits that underlie defence responses against predatory threat. Through this process, we aim to elucidate the interconnections between the brain and body as an integrated network that facilitates appropriate defensive responses to threat and to discuss the implications for future behavioural research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ting Tseng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behaviour, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bernhard Schaefke
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Pengfei Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liping Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behaviour, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
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Carli G, Farabollini F. Neuromediators and defensive responses including tonic immobility (TI): Brain areas and circuits involved. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2022; 271:167-189. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2022.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Exercise exerts an anxiolytic effect against repeated restraint stress through 5-HT 2A-mediated suppression of the adenosine A 2A receptor in the basolateral amygdala. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 108:182-189. [PMID: 31248747 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Repeated or chronic stressful stimuli induce emotion- and mood-related abnormalities, such as anxiety and depression. Conversely, regular exercise exerts protective effects. Here, we found that exercise recovered anxiety-like behaviors, as measured using the open field and elevated plus maze tests in an anxiety mouse model. In addition to behavioral improvement, exercise enhanced the synaptic density of the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor (5-HT2AR), but not the 5-HT1AR in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) region in this mouse model. Furthermore, global treatment with a selective 5-HT2AR antagonist (MDL11930) generated an anxiety phenotype. Thus, synaptic recruitment of 5-HT2AR in BLA neurons may mediate the anxiolytic effects of exercise. The exercise regimen also reduced adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR)-mediated protein kinase A (PKA) activation, and the anxiolytic effect of the exercise was blunted by local activation of A2AR within the BLA using CGS21680, a selective A2AR agonist. Particularly, A2AR-mediated PKA activity was shown to be dependent on 5-HT2AR signaling in the BLA. These results imply that repeated stress upregulates A2AR-mediated adenosine signaling to facilitate PKA activation, whereas regular exercise inhibits A2AR function by increasing 5-HT2AR in the BLA. Accordingly, this integrated modulation of 5-HT and adenosine signaling, via 5-HT2AR and A2AR respectively, may be a mechanism underlying the anxiolytic effect of regular exercise.
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de Paula BB, de Melo JR, Leite-Panissi CRA. Modulation of tonic immobility by GABAA and GABAB receptors of the medial amygdala. Neurosci Lett 2019; 699:189-194. [PMID: 30753913 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.01.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Tonic immobility (TI) is a temporary state of profound motor inhibition associated with great danger as the attack of a predator. Previous studies carried out in our laboratory evidenced high Fos-IR in the posteroventral region of the medial nucleus of the amygdala (MEA) after induction of the TI response. Here, we investigated the effects of GABAA and GABAB of the MEA on TI duration. Intra-MEA injections of the GABAA agonist muscimol and GABAB agonist baclofen reduced TI response, while intra-MEA injections of the GABAA antagonist bicuculline and GABAB antagonist phaclofen increased the TI response. Moreover, the effects observed with muscimol and baclofen administrations into MEA were blocked by pretreatment with bicuculline and phaclofen (at ineffective doses per se). Finally, the activation of GABAA and GABAB receptors in the MEA did not alter the spontaneous motor activity in the open field test. These data support the role of the GABAergic system of the MEA in the modulation of innate fear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna B de Paula
- Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Science and Literature of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-901, SP, Brazil
| | - Jeanne R de Melo
- Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Science and Literature of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-901, SP, Brazil
| | - Christie R A Leite-Panissi
- Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Science and Literature of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-901, SP, Brazil.
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Spinieli RL, Leite-Panissi CRA. Similar effect of CRF 1 and CRF 2 receptor in the basolateral or central nuclei of the amygdala on tonic immobility behavior. Brain Res Bull 2017; 137:187-196. [PMID: 29246866 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2017.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Studies have used paradigms based on animal models to understand human emotional behavior because they appear to be correlated with fear- and anxiety-related defensive patterns in non-human mammals. In this context, tonic immobility (TI) behavior is an innate response associated with extreme threat situations, such as predator attack. Some reports have demonstrated the involvement of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in regulation of the endocrine system, defensive behaviors and behavioral responses to stress. Particularly, a previous study showed that the activation of CRF receptors in the basolateral (BLA) or central (CeA) nuclei of the amygdala increased TI responses, whereas treatment with a non-selective CRF antagonist, alpha-helical-CRF9-41, decreased this innate fear response. However, while CRF1 receptors have pronounced effects in stress-induced anxiety, CRF2 receptors appear be involved in the expression of both stress-induced anxiety and spontaneous anxiety behavior. In this study, we investigated the effects of specific CRF receptors, CRF1 and CRF2, in the BLA and CeA on the duration of TI in guinea pigs. The results show that blockade of CRF1 and CRF2 receptors in the BLA and CeA produces a decrease in fear and/or anxiety, as suggested by a decrease in TI duration in the guinea pigs. Additionally, the specific antagonists for CRF1 and CRF2 receptors were able to prevent the increase in TI duration induced by CRF administration at the same sites. These results suggest that the modulation of fear and anxiety by the CRF system in the BLA and CeA occurs through concomitant effects on CRF1 and CRF2 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Leandro Spinieli
- Psychobiology Graduation Program, School of Philosophy, Science and Literature of Ribeirão Preto of the University of São Paulo, 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Christie Ramos Andrade Leite-Panissi
- Psychobiology Graduation Program, School of Philosophy, Science and Literature of Ribeirão Preto of the University of São Paulo, 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Department of Morphology, Physiology and Basic Pathology, Ribeirão Preto Dentistry School of the University of São Paulo, 14040-904 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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de Paula BB, Leite-Panissi CRA. Distinct effect of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors in the medial nucleus of the amygdala on tonic immobility behavior. Brain Res 2016; 1643:152-8. [PMID: 27150816 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.04.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The tonic immobility (TI) response is an innate fear behavior associated with intensely dangerous situations, exhibited by many species of invertebrate and vertebrate animals. In humans, it is possible that TI predicts the severity of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. This behavioral response is initiated and sustained by the stimulation of various groups of neurons distributed in the telencephalon, diencephalon and brainstem. Previous research has found the highest Fos-IR in the posteroventral part of the medial nucleus of the amygdala (MEA) during TI behavior; however, the neurotransmission of this amygdaloid region involved in the modulation of this innate fear behavior still needs to be clarified. Considering that a major drug class used for the treatment of psychopathology is based on serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission, we investigated the effects of serotonergic receptor activation in the MEA on the duration of TI. The results indicate that the activation of the 5HT1A receptors or the blocking of the 5HT2 receptors of the MEA can promote a reduction in fear and/or anxiety, consequently decreasing TI duration in guinea pigs. In contrast, blocking the 5HT1A receptors or activating the 5HT2 receptors in this amygdalar region increased the TI duration, suggesting an increase in fear and/or anxiety. These alterations do not appear to be due to a modification of spontaneous motor activity, which might non-specifically affect TI duration. Thus, these results suggest a distinct role of the 5HT receptors in the MEA in innate fear modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Balbino de Paula
- Psychobiology Graduate Program, University of São Paulo - Ribeirão Preto Dentistry School - Dept. Morphology, Physiology and Basic Pathology 14040-901, SP, Brazil
| | - Christie Ramos Andrade Leite-Panissi
- Psychobiology Graduate Program, University of São Paulo - Ribeirão Preto Dentistry School - Dept. Morphology, Physiology and Basic Pathology 14040-901, SP, Brazil; Departament of Morphology, Physiology and Basic Pathology of Dentistry School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, 14040-904 SP, Brazil.
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Martin CBP, Gassmann M, Chevarin C, Hamon M, Rudolph U, Bettler B, Lanfumey L, Mongeau R. Effect of genetic and pharmacological blockade of GABA receptors on the 5-HT2C receptor function during stress. J Neurochem 2014; 131:566-72. [PMID: 25113583 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Revised: 07/27/2014] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Serotonin (5-HT)2C receptors play a role in psychoaffective disorders and often contribute to the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of psychotropic drugs. During stress, activation of these receptors exerts a negative feedback on 5-HT release, probably by increasing the activity of GABAergic interneurons. However, to date, the GABA receptor types that mediate the 5-HT2C receptor-induced feedback inhibition are still unknown. To address this question, we assessed the inhibition of 5-HT turnover by a 5-HT2C receptor agonist (RO 60-0175) at the hippocampal level and under conditions of stress, after pharmacological or genetic inactivation of either GABA-A or GABA-B receptors in mice. Neither the GABA-B receptor antagonist phaclofen nor the specific genetic ablation of either GABA-B1a or GABA-B1b subunits altered the inhibitory effect of RO 60-0175, although 5-HT turnover was markedly decreased in GABA-B1a knock-out mice in both basal and stress conditions. In contrast, the 5-HT2C receptor-mediated inhibition of 5-HT turnover was reduced by the GABA-A receptor antagonist bicuculline. However, a significant effect of 5-HT2C receptor activation persisted in mutant mice deficient in the α3 subunit of GABA-A receptors. It can be inferred that non-α3 subunit-containing GABA-A receptors, but not GABA-B receptors, mediate the 5-HT2C -induced inhibition of stress-induced increase in hippocampal 5-HT turnover in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cédric B P Martin
- Paris Descartes, University of Paris, Paris, France; UPMC, University of Paris, Paris, France; Inserm UMR S894, Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Paris, France
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Yildirim BO, Derksen JJ. Systematic review, structural analysis, and new theoretical perspectives on the role of serotonin and associated genes in the etiology of psychopathy and sociopathy. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2013; 37:1254-96. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Revised: 04/09/2013] [Accepted: 04/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Kometer M, Schmidt A, Bachmann R, Studerus E, Seifritz E, Vollenweider FX. Psilocybin biases facial recognition, goal-directed behavior, and mood state toward positive relative to negative emotions through different serotonergic subreceptors. Biol Psychiatry 2012; 72:898-906. [PMID: 22578254 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2012.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2011] [Revised: 04/03/2012] [Accepted: 04/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serotonin (5-HT) 1A and 2A receptors have been associated with dysfunctional emotional processing biases in mood disorders. These receptors further predominantly mediate the subjective and behavioral effects of psilocybin and might be important for its recently suggested antidepressive effects. However, the effect of psilocybin on emotional processing biases and the specific contribution of 5-HT2A receptors across different emotional domains is unknown. METHODS In a randomized, double-blind study, 17 healthy human subjects received on 4 separate days placebo, psilocybin (215 μg/kg), the preferential 5-HT2A antagonist ketanserin (50 mg), or psilocybin plus ketanserin. Mood states were assessed by self-report ratings, and behavioral and event-related potential measurements were used to quantify facial emotional recognition and goal-directed behavior toward emotional cues. RESULTS Psilocybin enhanced positive mood and attenuated recognition of negative facial expression. Furthermore, psilocybin increased goal-directed behavior toward positive compared with negative cues, facilitated positive but inhibited negative sequential emotional effects, and valence-dependently attenuated the P300 component. Ketanserin alone had no effects but blocked the psilocybin-induced mood enhancement and decreased recognition of negative facial expression. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that psilocybin shifts the emotional bias across various psychological domains and that activation of 5-HT2A receptors is central in mood regulation and emotional face recognition in healthy subjects. These findings may not only have implications for the pathophysiology of dysfunctional emotional biases but may also provide a framework to delineate the mechanisms underlying psylocybin's putative antidepressant effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kometer
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging, and Heffter Research Center, Clinic of Affective Disorders and General Psychiatry, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Izumo N, Ishibashi Y, Ohba M, Morikawa T, Manabe T. Decreased voluntary activity and amygdala levels of serotonin and dopamine in ovariectomized rats. Behav Brain Res 2012; 227:1-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2011.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2011] [Revised: 10/14/2011] [Accepted: 10/21/2011] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Serotonin-2A receptor regulation of panic-like behavior in the rat dorsal periaqueductal gray matter: the role of GABA. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2011; 218:725-32. [PMID: 21660445 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-011-2369-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2011] [Accepted: 05/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Electrical stimulation of the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG) evokes escape, a defensive response associated with panic attacks. Stimulation of 5-HT1A or 5-HT2A receptors in this midbrain area equally inhibits escape performance, even though at the molecular level these receptors cause opposite effects, i.e., activation of the former hyperpolarizes the cell membrane, while the latter excites it. A proposal has been made that 5-HT2A receptor agonists exert their inhibitory effect on escape by activating GABAergic interneurons located in the dPAG. OBJECTIVES In the present study, we evaluated this hypothesis by investigating whether previous intra-dPAG administration of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline blocks the anti-escape effect caused by the local injection of different 5-HT2A/2C receptor agonists. RESULTS Intra-dPAG administration of 5-HT, the preferential 5-HT2A receptor agonist DOI, the nonselective 5-HT2C receptor agonist mCPP or the 5-HT2C receptor agonist RO 60-0175 significantly inhibited the escape reaction induced by electrical stimulation of the same brain area. In all cases, this panicolytic-like effect was blocked by previous microinjection of bicuculline. This GABAA antagonist, however, failed to antagonize the anti-escape effect caused by the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT. The inhibitory effect caused by DOI, RO 60-0175, and mCPP was also blocked by previous intra-dPAG injection of the preferential 5-HT2A receptor antagonist ketanserin. Pre-administration of the 5-HT2C receptor antagonist SB-242084 in the dPAG did not block the anti-escape effect of RO 60-0175. CONCLUSIONS Stimulation of 5-HT2A but not 5-HT2C receptors in the dPAG causes a panicolytic-like effect that is mediated by facilitation of GABAergic neurotransmission.
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Donatti AF, Leite-Panissi CRA. Activation of corticotropin-releasing factor receptors from the basolateral or central amygdala increases the tonic immobility response in guinea pigs: an innate fear behavior. Behav Brain Res 2011; 225:23-30. [PMID: 21741994 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2011.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2010] [Revised: 06/17/2011] [Accepted: 06/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The tonic immobility (TI) behavior is an innate response associated with extreme threat situations such as a predator attack. Several studies have provided evidence suggesting an important role for corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in the regulation of the endocrine system, defensive behaviors and behavioral responses to stress. TI has been shown to be positively correlated with the basal plasma levels of corticosterone. CRF receptors and neurons that are immunoreactive to CRF are found in many cerebral regions, especially in the amygdaloid complex. Previous reports have demonstrated the involvement of the basolateral amygdaloid (BLA) and central amygdaloid (CeA) nuclei in the TI response. In this study, we evaluated the CRF system of the BLA and the CeA in the modulation of the TI response in guinea pigs. The activation of CRF receptors in the BLA and in the CeA promoted an increase in the TI response. In contrast, the inhibition of these receptors via alpha-helical-CRF(9-41) decreased the duration of the TI response. Moreover, neither the activation nor inhibition of CRF receptors in the BLA or the CeA altered spontaneous motor activity in the open-field test. These data suggest that the activation of the CRF receptors in the BLA or the CeA probably potentiates fear and anxiety, which may be one of the factors that promote an increase in the TI behavior. Therefore, these data support the role of the CRF system in the control of emotional responses, particularly in the modulation of innate fear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Ferreira Donatti
- Psychobiology Graduation Program, School of Philosophy, Science and Literature of Ribeirão Preto of the University of São Paulo, 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Amygdalar orexinergic–GABAergic interactions regulate anxiety behaviors of the Syrian golden hamster. Behav Brain Res 2011; 218:288-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2010.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2010] [Revised: 10/22/2010] [Accepted: 11/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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GABAergic influences on ORX receptor-dependent abnormal motor behaviors and neurodegenerative events in fish. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2010; 243:77-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2009.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2009] [Revised: 10/13/2009] [Accepted: 11/09/2009] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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