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Jeong M, Jang JH, Oh SJ, Park J, Lee J, Hwang S, Oh YS. Maladaptation of dentate gyrus mossy cells mediates contextual discrimination deficit after traumatic stress. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114000. [PMID: 38527063 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114000] [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: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Fear overgeneralization is a maladaptive response to traumatic stress that is associated with the inability to discriminate between threat and safety contexts, a hallmark feature of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the neural mechanisms underlying this deficit remain unclear. Here, we show that traumatic stress exposure impairs contextual discrimination between threat and safety contexts in the learned helplessness (LH) model. Mossy cells (MCs) in the dorsal hippocampus are suppressed in response to traumatic stress. Bidirectional manipulation of MC activity in the LH model reveals that MC inhibition is causally linked to impaired contextual discrimination. Mechanistically, MC inhibition increases the number of active granule cells in a given context, significantly overlapping context-specific ensembles. Our study demonstrates that maladaptive inhibition of MCs after traumatic stress is a substantial mechanism underlying fear overgeneralization with contextual discrimination deficit, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for cognitive symptoms of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minseok Jeong
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Hyeonpung-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Hyeok Jang
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Hyeonpung-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Seo-Jin Oh
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Hyeonpung-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongrak Park
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Hyeonpung-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Junseop Lee
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Hyeonpung-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Sehyeon Hwang
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Hyeonpung-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Seok Oh
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Hyeonpung-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea; Emotion, Cognition & Behavior Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, 61 Cheomdan-ro, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Cohen H, Matar MA, Todder D, Cohen C, Zohar J, Hawlena H, Abramsky Z. Sounds of danger and post-traumatic stress responses in wild rodents: ecological validity of a translational model of post-traumatic stress disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4719-4728. [PMID: 37674017 PMCID: PMC10914612 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02240-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
In the wild, animals face a highly variable world full of predators. Most predator attacks are unsuccessful, and the prey survives. According to the conventional perspective, the fear responses elicited by predators are acute and transient in nature. However, the long-term, non-lethal effects of predator exposure on prey behavioral stress sequelae, such as anxiety and post-traumatic symptoms, remain poorly understood. Most experiments on animal models of anxiety-related behavior or post-traumatic stress disorder have been carried out using commercial strains of rats and mice. A fundamental question is whether laboratory rodents appropriately express the behavioral responses of wild species in their natural environment; in other words, whether behavioral responses to stress observed in the laboratory can be generalized to natural behavior. To further elucidate the relative contributions of the natural selection pressures influences, this study investigated the bio-behavioral and morphological effects of auditory predator cues (owl territorial calls) in males and females of three wild rodent species in a laboratory set-up: Acomys cahirinus; Gerbillus henleyi; and Gerbillus gerbillus. Our results indicate that owl territorial calls elicited not only "fight or flight" behavioral responses but caused PTSD-like behavioral responses in wild rodents that have never encountered owls in nature and could cause, in some individuals, enduring physiological and morphological responses that parallel those seen in laboratory rodents or traumatized people. In all rodent species, the PTSD phenotype was characterized by a blunting of fecal cortisol metabolite response early after exposure and by a lower hypothalamic orexin-A level and lower total dendritic length and number in the dentate gyrus granule cells eight days after predator exposure. Phenotypically, this refers to a significant functional impairment that could affect reproduction and survival and thus fitness and population dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagit Cohen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel & Ministry of Health, Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Beer-Sheva Mental Health Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
- Department of Psychology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
| | - Michael A Matar
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel & Ministry of Health, Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Beer-Sheva Mental Health Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Doron Todder
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel & Ministry of Health, Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Beer-Sheva Mental Health Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Carmit Cohen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel & Ministry of Health, Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Beer-Sheva Mental Health Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Joseph Zohar
- Post-Trauma Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 52621, Israel
| | - Hadas Hawlena
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion Israel, Sde Boker, 8499000, Israel
| | - Zvika Abramsky
- Department of Life Sciences and Ramon Science Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel
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3
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Aberrant ventral dentate gyrus structure and function in trauma susceptible mice. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:502. [PMID: 36473832 PMCID: PMC9723770 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02264-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder vulnerable individuals can develop following a traumatic event, whereas others are resilient. Enhanced insight into the mechanistic underpinnings contributing to these inter-individual differences in trauma susceptibility is key to improved treatment and prevention. Aberrant function of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) may contribute to its psychopathology, with the dorsal DG potentially encoding trauma memory generalization and the ventral DG anxiety. Using a mouse model, we hypothesized that susceptibility to develop PTSD-like symptoms following trauma will be underpinned by aberrant DG structure and function. Mice were exposed to a traumatic event (unpredictable, inescapable foot shocks) and tested for PTSD-like symptomatology following recovery. In four independent experiments, DG neuronal morphology, synaptic protein gene and protein expression, and neuronal activity during trauma encoding and recall were assessed. Behaviorally, trauma-susceptible animals displayed increased anxiety-like behavior already prior to trauma, increased novelty-induced freezing, but no clear differences in remote trauma memory recall. Comparison of the ventral DG of trauma susceptible vs resilient mice revealed lower spine density, reduced expression of the postsynaptic protein homer1b/c gene and protein, a larger population of neurons active during trauma encoding, and a greater presence of somatostatin neurons. In contrast, the dorsal DG of trauma-susceptible animals did not differ in terms of spine density or gene expression but displayed more active neurons during trauma encoding and a lower amount of somatostatin neurons. Collectively, we here report on specific structural and functional changes in the ventral DG in trauma susceptible male mice.
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Barroca NCB, Della Santa G, Suchecki D, García-Cairasco N, Umeoka EHDL. Challenges in the use of animal models and perspectives for a translational view of stress and psychopathologies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 140:104771. [PMID: 35817171 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The neurobiology and development of treatments for stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders rely heavily on animal models. However, the complexity of these disorders makes it difficult to model them entirely, so only specific features of human psychopathology are emulated and these models should be used with great caution. Importantly, the effects of stress depend on multiple factors, like duration, context of exposure, and individual variability. Here we present a review on pre-clinical studies of stress-related disorders, especially those developed to model posttraumatic stress disorder, major depression, and anxiety. Animal models provide relevant evidence of the underpinnings of these disorders, as long as face, construct, and predictive validities are fulfilled. The translational challenges faced by scholars include reductionism and anthropomorphic/anthropocentric interpretation of the results instead of a more naturalistic and evolutionary understanding of animal behavior that must be overcome to offer a meaningful model. Other limitations are low statistical power of analysis, poor evaluation of individual variability, sex differences, and possible conflicting effects of stressors depending on specific windows in the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayara Cobra Barreiro Barroca
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Science, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Giovanna Della Santa
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Science, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Deborah Suchecki
- Department of Psychobiology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Norberto García-Cairasco
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Science, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Department of Physiology, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Henrique de Lima Umeoka
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Science, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; School of Medicine, University Center UniCerrado, Goiatuba, GO, Brazil
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Nahum K, Todder D, Zohar J, Cohen H. The Role of Microglia in the (Mal)adaptive Response to Traumatic Experience in an Animal Model of PTSD. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137185. [PMID: 35806185 PMCID: PMC9266429 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study investigates whether predator scent-stress (PSS) shifts the microglia from a quiescent to a chronically activated state and whether morphological alterations in microglial activation differ between individuals displaying resilient vs. vulnerable phenotypes. In addition, we examined the role that GC receptors play during PSS exposure in the impairment of microglial activation and thus in behavioral response. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to PSS or sham-PSS for 15 min. Behaviors were assessed with the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and acoustic startle response (ASR) paradigms 7 days later. Localized brain expression of Iba-1 was assessed, visualized, and classified based on their morphology and stereological counted. Hydrocortisone and RU486 were administered systemically 10 min post PSS exposure and behavioral responses were measured on day 7 and hippocampal expression of Ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1) was subsequently evaluated. Animals whose behavior was extremely disrupted (PTSD-phenotype) selectively displayed excessive expression of Iba-1 with concomitant downregulation in the expression of CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) in hippocampal structures as compared with rats whose behavior was minimally or partially disrupted. Changes in microglial morphology have also been related only to the PTSD-phenotype group. These data indicate that PSS-induced microglia activation in the hippocampus serves as a critical mechanistic link between the HPA-axis and PSS-induced impairment in behavioral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kesem Nahum
- Department of Psychology Experimental Psychology, Brain and Cognition, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel;
| | - Doron Todder
- Beer-Sheva Mental Health Center, Ministry of Health, Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8461144, Israel;
| | - Joseph Zohar
- Post-Trauma Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 52621, Israel;
| | - Hagit Cohen
- Department of Psychology Experimental Psychology, Brain and Cognition, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel;
- Beer-Sheva Mental Health Center, Ministry of Health, Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8461144, Israel;
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-8-6401742
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6
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Gupta S, Guleria RS. Involvement of Nuclear Factor-κB in Inflammation and Neuronal Plasticity Associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Cells 2022; 11:cells11132034. [PMID: 35805118 PMCID: PMC9265339 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychiatric condition which develops either due to stress or witnessing a traumatic situation. PTSD is characterized by acute and chronic stress response exhibit anxiety, fear, and an increased inflammatory etiology. Inflammation contributes a critical role in several parts of the brain that control fear and flashback cognatic function. It is known that impairment of the neurological circuit leads to the development of PTSD. Evidence has suggested that dysregulation of the sympathetic nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis and inflammatory responsiveness are pivotal and a greater risk in PTSD. NF-κB, a master regulator for inflammation, has been showed to modulate memory reconsolidation and synaptic plasticity; however, NF-κB’s association with PTSD remain elusive. In this review, we provide relevant findings regarding NF-κB activity in various components of brain and describe a potential mechanism linking PTSD using preclinical and clinical models. We envisage NF-κB signaling as a crucial mediator for inflammation, cognitive function, memory restoration and behavioral actions of stress and suggest that it could be used for therapeutic intervention in PTSD.
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7
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Belity T, Horowitz M, Hoffman JR, Epstein Y, Bruchim Y, Todder D, Cohen H. Heat-Stress Preconditioning Attenuates Behavioral Responses to Psychological Stress: The Role of HSP-70 in Modulating Stress Responses. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084129. [PMID: 35456946 PMCID: PMC9031159 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to high ambient temperature is a stressor that influences both biological and behavioral functions and has been previously shown to have an extensive impact on brain structure and function. Physiological, cellular and behavioral responses to heat-stress (HS) (40-41 °C, 2 h) were evaluated in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. The effect of HS exposure before predator-scent stress (PSS) exposure (i.e., HS preconditioning) was examined. Finally, a possible mechanism of HS-preconditioning to PSS was investigated. Immunohistochemical analyses of chosen cellular markers were performed in the hippocampus and in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Plasma corticosterone levels were evaluated, and the behavioral assessment included the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and the acoustic startle response (ASR) paradigms. Endogenous levels of heat shock protein (HSP)-70 were manipulated using an amino acid (L-glutamine) and a pharmacological agent (Doxazosin). A single exposure to an acute HS resulted in decreased body mass (BM), increased body temperature and increased corticosterone levels. Additionally, extensive cellular, but not behavioral changes were noted. HS-preconditioning provided behavioral resiliency to anxiety-like behavior associated with PSS, possibly through the induction of HSP-70. Targeting of HSP-70 is an attractive strategy for stress-related psychopathology treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Belity
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel;
| | - Michal Horowitz
- Laboratory of Environmental Physiology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel; (M.H.); (Y.B.)
| | - Jay R. Hoffman
- Department of Physical Therapy, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
| | - Yoram Epstein
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv and the Heller Institute of Medical Research, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel;
| | - Yaron Bruchim
- Laboratory of Environmental Physiology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel; (M.H.); (Y.B.)
- Intensive Care, Veterinary Emergency and Specialist Center, Youth Village Ben Shemen, Ben-Shemen 7311200, Israel
| | - Doron Todder
- Beer-Sheva Mental Health Center, Ministry of Health, Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8461144, Israel;
| | - Hagit Cohen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel;
- Beer-Sheva Mental Health Center, Ministry of Health, Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8461144, Israel;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-8-6401743
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Li B, Zhang D, Verkhratsky A. Astrocytes in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Neurosci Bull 2022; 38:953-965. [PMID: 35349095 PMCID: PMC8960712 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-00845-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Although posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is on the rise, traumatic events and their consequences are often hidden or minimized by patients for reasons linked to PTSD itself. Traumatic experiences can be broadly classified into mental stress (MS) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), but the cellular mechanisms of MS- or TBI-induced PTSD remain unknown. Recent evidence has shown that the morphological remodeling of astrocytes accompanies and arguably contributes to fearful memories and stress-related disorders. In this review, we summarize the roles of astrocytes in the pathogenesis of MS-PTSD and TBI-PTSD. Astrocytes synthesize and secrete neurotrophic, pro- and anti-inflammatory factors and regulate the microenvironment of the nervous tissue through metabolic pathways, ionostatic control, and homeostatic clearance of neurotransmitters. Stress or trauma-associated impairment of these vital astrocytic functions contribute to the pathophysiological evolution of PTSD and may present therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoman Li
- Department of Forensic Analytical Toxicology, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Dianjun Zhang
- Department of Forensic Analytical Toxicology, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Alexei Verkhratsky
- Department of Forensic Analytical Toxicology, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China.
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, 01102, Vilnius, Lithuania.
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Bruzsik B, Biro L, Sarosdi KR, Zelena D, Sipos E, Szebik H, Török B, Mikics E, Toth M. Neurochemically distinct populations of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis modulate innate fear response to weak threat evoked by predator odor stimuli. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 15:100415. [PMID: 34765699 PMCID: PMC8572958 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Anxiety and trauma-related disorders are characterized by significant alterations in threat detection, resulting in inadequate fear responses evoked by weak threats or safety stimuli. Recent research pointed out the important role of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) in threat anticipation and fear modulation under ambiguous threats, hence, exaggerated fear may be traced back to altered BNST function. To test this hypothesis, we chemogenetically inhibited specific BNST neuronal populations (corticotropin-releasing hormone - BNSTCRH and somatostatin - BNSTSST expressing neurons) in a predator odor-evoked innate fear paradigm. The rationale for this paradigm was threefold: (1) predatory cues are particularly strong danger signals for all vertebrate species evoking defensive responses on the flight-avoidance-freezing dimension (conservative mechanisms), (2) predator odor can be presented in a scalable manner (from weak to strong), and (3) higher-order processing of olfactory information including predatory odor stimuli is integrated by the BNST. Accordingly, we exposed adult male mice to low and high predatory threats presented by means of cat urine, or low- and high-dose of 2-methyl-2-thiazoline (2MT), a synthetic derivate of a fox anogenital product, which evoked low and high fear response, respectively. Then, we tested the impact of chemogenetic inhibition of BNSTCRH and BNSTSST neurons on innate fear responses using crh- and sst-ires-cre mouse lines. We observed that BNSTSST inhibition was effective only under low threat conditions, resulting in reduced avoidance and increased exploration of the odor source. In contrast, BNSTCRH inhibition had no impact on 2MT-evoked responses, but enhanced fear responses to cat odor, representing an even weaker threat stimulus. These findings support the notion that BNST is recruited by uncertain or remote, potential threats, and CRH and SST neurons orchestrate innate fear responses in complementary ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biborka Bruzsik
- Laboratory of Translational Behavioural Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.,Janos Szentagothai Doctoral School of Neurosciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Laszlo Biro
- Laboratory of Translational Behavioural Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.,Laboratory of Thalamus Research, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Klara Rebeka Sarosdi
- Laboratory of Translational Behavioural Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dora Zelena
- Laboratory of Behavioural and Stress Studies, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.,Center for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Center, Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Eszter Sipos
- Laboratory of Behavioural and Stress Studies, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Huba Szebik
- Laboratory of Translational Behavioural Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.,Janos Szentagothai Doctoral School of Neurosciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bibiána Török
- Janos Szentagothai Doctoral School of Neurosciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.,Laboratory of Behavioural and Stress Studies, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eva Mikics
- Laboratory of Translational Behavioural Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mate Toth
- Laboratory of Translational Behavioural Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
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10
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Chakraborty P, Chattarji S, Jeanneteau F. A salience hypothesis of stress in PTSD. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 54:8029-8051. [PMID: 34766390 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15526] [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: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Attention to key features of contexts and things is a necessary tool for all organisms. Detecting these salient features of cues, or simply, salience, can also be affected by exposure to traumatic stress, as has been widely reported in individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Interestingly, similar observations have been robustly replicated across many animal models of stress as well. By using evidence from such rodent stress paradigms, in the present review, we explore PTSD through the lens of salience processing. In this context, we propose that interaction between the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glucocorticoids determines the long lasting cellular and behavioural consequences of stress salience. We also describe the dual effect of glucocorticoid therapy in the amelioration of PTSD symptoms. Finally, by integrating in vivo observations at multiple scales of plasticity, we propose a unifying hypothesis that pivots on a crucial role of glucocorticoid signalling in dynamically orchestrating stress salience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabahan Chakraborty
- Institut de Genomique Fonctionnelle, University of Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, Montpellier, 34090, France.,Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bellary Road, Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - Sumantra Chattarji
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bellary Road, Bangalore, 560065, India.,Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, India.,Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Freddy Jeanneteau
- Institut de Genomique Fonctionnelle, University of Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, Montpellier, 34090, France
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Repeated cocaine exposure prior to fear conditioning induces persistency of PTSD-like symptoms and enhancement of hippocampal and amygdala cell density in male rats. Brain Struct Funct 2021; 226:2219-2241. [PMID: 34195855 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-021-02320-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Pre- and post-trauma drug use can interfere with recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the biological underpinnings of this interference are poorly understood. Here we examined the effect of pre-fear conditioning cocaine self-administration on PTSD-like symptoms in male rats, and defined impairment of fear extinction as difficulty to recover from PTSD. We also examined cell density changes in brain regions suspected of being involved in resistance to PTSD recovery. Before footshock stress testing, rats were trained to self-administer cocaine during 20 consecutive days, after which they were exposed to footshocks, while other rats continued to self-administer cocaine until the end of the experiment. Upon assessment of three PTSD-like symptoms (fear during situational reminders, anxiety-like behavior, and impairment of recognition memory) and fear extinction learning and memory, changes in cell density were measured in the medial prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala. Results show that pre-footshock cocaine exposure did not affect fear during situational reminders. Fear conditioning did not lead to an increase in cocaine consumption. However, in footshock stressed rats, cocaine induced a reduction of anxiety-like behavior, an aggravation of recognition memory decline, and an impairment of extinction memory. These behavioral alterations were associated with increased cell density in the hippocampal CA1, CA2, and CA3 regions and basolateral amygdala, but not in the medial prefrontal cortex. Our findings suggest that enhancement of cell density in the hippocampus and amygdala may be changes associated with drug use, interfering with PTSD recovery.
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12
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Postel C, Mary A, Dayan J, Fraisse F, Vallée T, Guillery-Girard B, Viader F, Sayette VDL, Peschanski D, Eustache F, Gagnepain P. Variations in response to trauma and hippocampal subfield changes. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 15:100346. [PMID: 34113695 PMCID: PMC8170416 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Models of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) suggest that the hippocampus is key to the persistence of traumatic memory. Yet very little is known about the precise changes that take place in this structure, nor their relation with PTSD symptoms. Previous studies have mostly used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at low resolutions, making it impossible to identify sensitive anatomical landmarks, or compared groups often unequally matched in terms of traumatic exposure. The present cross-sectional study included 92 individuals who had all been exposed to the terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13, 2015 (53 of whom subsequently developed PTSD) and 56 individuals who had not been exposed. Hippocampal subfield volumes were estimated using cross-validated automatic segmentation of high-resolution MRI images. Results revealed changes in CA1 and CA2-3/dentate gyrus (DG) volumes in individuals with PTSD, but not in resilient (i.e., exposed but without PTSD) individuals, after controlling for potential nuisance variables such as previous traumatic exposure and substance abuse. In line with current models of hippocampal subfield functions, CA1 changes were linked to the uncontrollable re-experiencing of intrusive memories, while CA2-3/DG changes, potentially exacerbated by comorbid depression, fostered the overgeneralization of fear linked to avoidance and hypervigilance behaviors. Additional analyses revealed that CA1 integrity was linked to optimum functioning of the memory control network in resilient individuals. These findings shed new light on potential pathophysiological mechanisms in the hippocampus subtending the development of PTSD and the failure to recover from trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Postel
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, PSL Research University, EPHE, INSERM, U1077, CHU de Caen, GIP Cyceron, Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Alison Mary
- Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Research Unit (UR2NF), Centre for Research in Cognition and Neurosciences (CRCN), UNI-ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université libre de Bruxelles, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jacques Dayan
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, PSL Research University, EPHE, INSERM, U1077, CHU de Caen, GIP Cyceron, Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Florence Fraisse
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, PSL Research University, EPHE, INSERM, U1077, CHU de Caen, GIP Cyceron, Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Thomas Vallée
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, PSL Research University, EPHE, INSERM, U1077, CHU de Caen, GIP Cyceron, Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Bérengère Guillery-Girard
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, PSL Research University, EPHE, INSERM, U1077, CHU de Caen, GIP Cyceron, Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Fausto Viader
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, PSL Research University, EPHE, INSERM, U1077, CHU de Caen, GIP Cyceron, Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Vincent de la Sayette
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, PSL Research University, EPHE, INSERM, U1077, CHU de Caen, GIP Cyceron, Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Denis Peschanski
- Université Paris I Panthéon Sorbonne, HESAM Université, EHESS, CNRS, UMR8209, Paris, France
| | - Francis Eustache
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, PSL Research University, EPHE, INSERM, U1077, CHU de Caen, GIP Cyceron, Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Pierre Gagnepain
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, PSL Research University, EPHE, INSERM, U1077, CHU de Caen, GIP Cyceron, Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, 14000, Caen, France
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13
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Understanding stress: Insights from rodent models. CURRENT RESEARCH IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 2:100013. [PMID: 36246514 PMCID: PMC9559100 DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2021.100013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Through incorporating both physical and psychological forms of stressors, a variety of rodent models have provided important insights into the understanding of stress physiology. Rodent models also have provided significant information with regards to the mechanistic basis of the pathophysiology of stress-related disorders such as anxiety disorders, depressive illnesses, cognitive impairment and post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, rodent models of stress have served as valuable tools in the area of drug screening and drug development for treatment of stress-induced conditions. Although rodent models do not accurately reproduce the biochemical or physiological parameters of stress response and cannot fully mimic the natural progression of human disorders, yet, animal research has provided answers to many important scientific questions. In this review article, important studies utilizing a variety of stress models are described in terms of their design and apparatus, with specific focus on their capabilities to generate reliable behavioral and biochemical read-out. The review focusses on the utility of rodent models by discussing examples in the literature that offer important mechanistic insights into physiologically relevant questions. The review highlights the utility of rodent models of stress as important tools for advancing the mission of scientific research and inquiry. Stressful life events may lead to the onset of severe psychopathologies in humans. Rodents may model many features of stress exposure in human populations. Induction of stress via pharmacological and psychological manipulations alter rodent behavior. Mechanistic rodent studies reveal key molecular targets critical for new therapeutic targets.
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14
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Khan AR, Geiger L, Wiborg O, Czéh B. Stress-Induced Morphological, Cellular and Molecular Changes in the Brain-Lessons Learned from the Chronic Mild Stress Model of Depression. Cells 2020; 9:cells9041026. [PMID: 32326205 PMCID: PMC7226496 DOI: 10.3390/cells9041026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a severe illness imposing an increasing social and economic burden worldwide. Numerous rodent models have been developed to investigate the pathophysiology of MDD. One of the best characterized and most widely used models is the chronic mild stress (CMS) model which was developed more than 30 years ago by Paul Willner. More than 2000 published studies used this model, mainly to assess novel compounds with potential antidepressant efficacy. Most of these studies examined the behavioral consequences of stress and concomitant drug intervention. Much fewer studies focused on the CMS-induced neurobiological changes. However, the stress-induced cellular and molecular changes are important as they may serve as potential translational biomarkers and increase our understanding of the pathophysiology of MDD. Here, we summarize current knowledge on the structural and molecular alterations in the brain that have been described using the CMS model. We discuss the latest neuroimaging and postmortem histopathological data as well as molecular changes including recent findings on microRNA levels. Different chronic stress paradigms occasionally deliver dissimilar findings, but the available experimental data provide convincing evidence that the CMS model has a high translational value. Future studies examining the neurobiological changes in the CMS model in combination with clinically effective antidepressant drug intervention will likely deliver further valuable information on the pathophysiology of MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Raza Khan
- Centre of Biomedical Research, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute (SGPGI) Campus, Lucknow-226017, U.P, India;
| | - Lili Geiger
- Neurobiology of Stress Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary;
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ove Wiborg
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark;
| | - Boldizsár Czéh
- Neurobiology of Stress Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary;
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Correspondence:
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15
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Nerve growth factor against PTSD symptoms: Preventing the impaired hippocampal cytoarchitectures. Prog Neurobiol 2020; 184:101721. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2019.101721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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16
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Zhang HH, Meng SQ, Guo XY, Zhang JL, Zhang W, Chen YY, Lu L, Yang JL, Xue YX. Traumatic Stress Produces Delayed Alterations of Synaptic Plasticity in Basolateral Amygdala. Front Psychol 2019; 10:2394. [PMID: 31708835 PMCID: PMC6824323 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute traumatic event exposure is a direct cause of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Amygdala is suggested to be associated with the development of PTSD. In our previous findings, different activation patterns of GABAergic neurons and glutamatergic neurons in early or late stages after stress were found. However, the neural plastic mechanism underlying the role of basolateral amygdala (BLA) in post-traumatic stress disorder remains unclear. Therefore, this study mainly aimed at investigating time-dependent morphologic and electrophysiological changes in BLA during the development of PTSD. We used single prolonged stress (SPS) procedure to establish PTSD model of rats. The rats showed no alterations in anxiety behavior as well as in dendritic spine density or synaptic transmission in BLA 1 day after SPS. However, 10 days after SPS, rats showed enhancement of anxiety behavior, and spine density and frequency of miniature excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents in BLA. Our results suggested that after traumatic stress, BLA displayed delayed increase in both spinogenesis and synaptic transmission, which seemed to facilitate the development of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan-Huan Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Clinical Psychology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Shi-Qiu Meng
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin-Yi Guo
- Department of Psychiatry, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Clinical Psychology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jing-Liang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Peking University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University College of Pharmacy and Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Wen Zhang
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Yun Chen
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Lu
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Peking University Sixth Hospital/Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Li Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Clinical Psychology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yan-Xue Xue
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
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17
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Kalinichenko LS, Kornhuber J, Müller CP. Individual differences in inflammatory and oxidative mechanisms of stress-related mood disorders. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 55:100783. [PMID: 31415777 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Emotional stress leads to the development of peripheral disorders and is recognized as a modifiable risk factor for psychiatric disorders, particularly depression and anxiety. However, not all individuals develop the negative consequences of emotional stress due to different stress coping strategies and resilience to stressful stimuli. In this review, we discuss individual differences in coping styles and the potential mechanisms that contribute to individual vulnerability to stress, such as parameters of the immune system and oxidative state. Initial differences in inflammatory and oxidative processes determine resistance to stress and stress-related disorders via the alteration of neurotransmitter content in the brain and biological fluids. Differences in coping styles may serve as possible predictors of resistance to stress and stress-related disorders, even before stressful conditions. The investigation of natural variabilities in stress resilience may allow the development of new methods for preventive medicine and the personalized treatment of stress-related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- L S Kalinichenko
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - J Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - C P Müller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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18
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Chen X, Jiang Y, Wang J, Liu Y, Xiao M, Song C, Bai Y, Yinuo Han N, Han F. Synapse impairment associated with enhanced apoptosis in post-traumatic stress disorder. Synapse 2019; 74:e22134. [PMID: 31562782 DOI: 10.1002/syn.22134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Synapse impairment is associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is characterized by enhanced apoptosis in the hippocampus, amygdala, and other brain regions. However, there are no detailed studies on the relationship between apoptosis and synaptic connectivity in PTSD. In this review, we discuss results from various studies describing the synaptic changes observed in the PTSD brain. A decreased number of dendrites/spines or increased number of immature spines in the hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex, and other brain regions has been reported. Studies on axon guidance, myelination, and the cytoskeleton suggest that PTSD may involve axon overgrowth and overbranching. Apoptosis affects synapse formation; low levels of caspase maintain the balance between growth cone attraction and repulsion and inhibit axon elongation. PTSD enhances neuronal apoptosis through caspase activation, which disrupts the balance between growth cone attraction and repulsion and alters growth cone trajectory, leading to axon mistargeting. Meanwhile, caspase activation induces dendritic pruning and dendrite degeneration. These events contribute to the formation of fewer and aberrant synapses, which is associated with enhanced apoptosis in PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinzhao Chen
- PTSD Laboratory, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yifan Jiang
- PTSD Laboratory, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jiayu Wang
- PTSD Laboratory, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yishu Liu
- PTSD Laboratory, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Menglei Xiao
- PTSD Laboratory, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Congshan Song
- PTSD Laboratory, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yu Bai
- PTSD Laboratory, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Nancy Yinuo Han
- Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Fang Han
- PTSD Laboratory, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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19
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A potential role for microglia in stress- and drug-induced plasticity in the nucleus accumbens: A mechanism for stress-induced vulnerability to substance use disorder. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 107:360-369. [PMID: 31550452 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Stress is an important risk factor for the development of substance use disorder (SUD). Exposure to both stress and drugs abuse lead to changes in synaptic plasticity and stress-induced alterations in synaptic plasticity may contribute to later vulnerability to SUD. Recent developmental neuroscience studies have identified microglia as regulators of synaptic plasticity. As both stress and drugs of abuse lead to microglial activation, we propose this as a potential mechanism underlying their ability to change synaptic plasticity. This review focuses on three components of synaptic plasticity: spine density, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor expression. Their roles in addiction, stress, and development will be reviewed, as well as possible mechanisms by which microglia could regulate their function. Potential links between stress, vulnerability to addiction, and microglial activity will be explored.
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20
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Neves LT, Neves PFR, Paz LV, Zancan M, Milanesi BB, Lazzari GZ, da Silva RB, de Oliveira MMBP, Venturin GT, Greggio S, da Costa JC, Rasia-Filho AA, Mestriner RG, Xavier LL. Increases in dendritic spine density in BLA without metabolic changes in a rodent model of PTSD. Brain Struct Funct 2019; 224:2857-2870. [PMID: 31440907 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-019-01943-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Imaging studies have shown abnormal amygdala function in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition, alterations in synaptic plasticity have been associated with psychiatric disorders and previous reports have indicated alterations in the amygdala morphology, especially in basolateral (BLA) neurons, are associated with stress-related disorders. Since, some individuals exposed to a traumatic event develop PTSD, the goals of this study were to evaluate the early effects of PTSD on amygdala glucose metabolism and analyze the possible BLA dendritic spine plasticity in animals with different levels of behavioral response. We employed the inescapable footshock protocol as an experimental model of PTSD and the animals were classified according to the duration of their freezing behavior into distinct groups: "extreme behavioral response" (EBR) and "minimal behavioral response". We evaluated the amygdala glucose metabolism at baseline (before the stress protocol) and immediately after the situational reminder using the microPET and the radiopharmaceutical 18F-FDG. The BLA dendritic spines were analyzed according to their number, density, shape and morphometric parameters. Our results show the EBR animals exhibited longer freezing behavior and increased proximal dendritic spines density in the BLA neurons. Neither the amygdaloid glucose metabolism, the types of dendritic spines nor their morphometric parameters showed statistically significant differences. The extreme behavior response induced by this PTSD protocol produces an early increase in BLA spine density, which is unassociated with either additional changes in the shape of spines or metabolic changes in the whole amygdala of Wistar rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Tartari Neves
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Escola de Ciências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga 6681, Prédio 12C, Sala 104, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 90619-900, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Paula Fernanda Ribas Neves
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Escola de Ciências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga 6681, Prédio 12C, Sala 104, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 90619-900, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Lisiê Valéria Paz
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Escola de Ciências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga 6681, Prédio 12C, Sala 104, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 90619-900, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Mariana Zancan
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas/Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Bruna Bueno Milanesi
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Escola de Ciências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga 6681, Prédio 12C, Sala 104, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Gabriele Zenato Lazzari
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Escola de Ciências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga 6681, Prédio 12C, Sala 104, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Barboza da Silva
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Escola de Ciências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga 6681, Prédio 12C, Sala 104, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Marina Mena Barreto Peres de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Escola de Ciências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga 6681, Prédio 12C, Sala 104, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Gianina Teribele Venturin
- Instituto do Cérebro do Rio Grande do Sul (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Samuel Greggio
- Instituto do Cérebro do Rio Grande do Sul (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jaderson Costa da Costa
- Instituto do Cérebro do Rio Grande do Sul (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Alberto A Rasia-Filho
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas/Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Régis Gemerasca Mestriner
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Escola de Ciências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga 6681, Prédio 12C, Sala 104, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 90619-900, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Léder Leal Xavier
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Escola de Ciências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga 6681, Prédio 12C, Sala 104, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 90619-900, Brazil. .,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
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21
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Zubedat S, Havkin E, Maoz I, Aga-Mizrachi S, Avital A. A probabilistic model of startle response reveals opposite effects of acute versus chronic Methylphenidate treatment. J Neurosci Methods 2019; 327:108389. [PMID: 31415846 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2019.108389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The startle response is considered as the major physio-behavioral indication of anxiety in health and disease conditions. However, due to different protocols of stimulation and measurement, the magnitude as well as the appearance of the startle response is inconsistent. NEW METHOD We postulate that the startle probability and not merely the amplitude may bare information that will form a consistent physiological measure of anxiety. RESULTS To examine the proof-of-concept of our suggested probability model, we evaluated the effects of acute (single) versus chronic (14 days) MPH administration on both startle amplitude and probability. We found that both acute and chronic MPH administration has yielded similar effects on startle amplitude. However, acute MPH increased the startle's probability while chronic MPH decreased it. Next, we evaluated the effects of acute versus chronic stress on the startle's parameters and found a complementary effect. Explicitly, acute stress increased the startle's probability while chronic stress increased the startle amplitude. In contrast, enriched environment had no significant effects. Finally, to further validate the probability measure, we show that Midazolam had significant anxiolytic effects. In the second part, we investigated the acoustic startle response parameters (e.g. background noise and pulse duration), to better understand the interplay between these parameters and the startle amplitude versus probability. CONCLUSIONS We show that the probabilistic element of the startle response does not only point to deeper physiologic relationships but may also serve as "hidden variables" congruent but not entirely identical to the commonly researched amplitude of the startle response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salman Zubedat
- Behavioral Neuroscience Lab, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Evgeny Havkin
- Behavioral Neuroscience Lab, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Inon Maoz
- Behavioral Neuroscience Lab, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Shlomit Aga-Mizrachi
- Behavioral Neuroscience Lab, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Avi Avital
- Behavioral Neuroscience Lab, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
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22
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Zhou CH, Xue F, Xue SS, Sang HF, Liu L, Wang Y, Cai M, Zhang ZJ, Tan QR, Wang HN, Peng ZW. Electroacupuncture Pretreatment Ameliorates PTSD-Like Behaviors in Rats by Enhancing Hippocampal Neurogenesis via the Keap1/Nrf2 Antioxidant Signaling Pathway. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:275. [PMID: 31293390 PMCID: PMC6598452 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment is a clinically useful therapy for several brain disorders. However, whether and via which exact molecular mechanisms it ameliorates post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains unclear. In the present study, rats received EA stimulation for seven consecutive days before exposure to enhanced single prolonged stress (ESPS). Anxiety-like and fear learning behaviors; hippocampal neurogenesis; the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (keap1), and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1); and the activity of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) were evaluated at 14 days after ESPS. EA pretreatment improved hippocampal neurogenesis and ameliorated anxiety-like behaviors in ESPS-treated rats. EA pretreatment also increased the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 and the activity of AMPK. Furthermore, Nrf2 knockdown by a short hairpin RNA affected anxiety-like behaviors and expression of neuroprotective markers (BDNF, DCX) in a manner similar to ESPS alone and dampened the neuroprotective effects of EA pretreatment. In contrast, Keap1 knockdown increased the expression of HO-1, improved hippocampal neurogenesis, and alleviated PTSD-like behaviors. Altogether, our results suggest that EA pretreatment ameliorates ESPS-induced anxiety-like behaviors and prevents hippocampal neurogenesis disruption in a rat model of PTSD possibly through regulation of the keap1/Nrf2 antioxidant defense pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui-Hong Zhou
- Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fen Xue
- Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shan-Shan Xue
- Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Han-Fei Sang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiang'an Hospital, Xiamen, China
| | - Ling Liu
- Institution of Neuroscience, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Min Cai
- Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhang-Jin Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Qing-Rong Tan
- Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hua-Ning Wang
- Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zheng-Wu Peng
- Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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23
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Bhattacharya S, Fontaine A, MacCallum PE, Drover J, Blundell J. Stress Across Generations: DNA Methylation as a Potential Mechanism Underlying Intergenerational Effects of Stress in Both Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Pre-clinical Predator Stress Rodent Models. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:113. [PMID: 31191267 PMCID: PMC6547031 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although most humans will experience some type of traumatic event in their lifetime only a small set of individuals will go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Differences in sex, age, trauma type, and comorbidity, along with many other elements, contribute to the heterogenous manifestation of this disorder. Nonetheless, aberrant hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, especially in terms of cortisol and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) alterations, has been postulated as a tenable factor in the etiology and pathophysiology of PTSD. Moreover, emerging data suggests that the harmful effects of traumatic stress to the HPA axis in PTSD can also propagate into future generations, making offspring more prone to psychopathologies. Predator stress models provide an ethical and ethologically relevant way to investigate tentative mechanisms that are thought to underlie this phenomenon. In this review article, we discuss findings from human and laboratory predator stress studies that suggest changes to DNA methylation germane to GRs may underlie the generational effects of trauma transmission. Understanding mechanisms that promote stress-induced psychopathology will represent a major advance in the field and may lead to novel treatments for such devastating, and often treatment-resistant trauma and stress-disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sriya Bhattacharya
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Audrey Fontaine
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada.,Institut des Systèmes Intelligents et de Robotique (ISIR), Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, France
| | - Phillip E MacCallum
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - James Drover
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Jacqueline Blundell
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
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24
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Abstract
The goals of animal research in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) include better understanding the neurophysiological etiology of PTSD, identifying potential targets for novel pharmacotherapies, and screening drugs for their potential use as PTSD treatment in humans. Diagnosis of PTSD relies on a patient interview and, as evidenced by changes to the diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5, an adequate description of this disorder in humans is a moving target. Therefore, it may seem insurmountable to model the construct of PTSD in animals such as rodents. Fortunately, the neural circuitry involved in fear and anxiety, thought to be essential to the etiology of PTSD in humans, is highly conserved throughout evolution. Furthermore, many symptoms can be modeled using behavioral tests that have face, construct, and predictive validity. Because PTSD is precipitated by a definite traumatic experience, animal models can simulate the induction of PTSD, and test causal factors with longitudinal designs. Accordingly, several animal models of physical and psychological trauma have been established. This review discusses the widely used animal models of PTSD in rodents, and overviews their strengths and weaknesses in terms of face, construct, and predictive validity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth I Flandreau
- Grand Valley State University, 1 Campus Drive, Allendale, MI, 49401, USA.
- Department of Behavioral Neurobiology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 43 Szigony Street, Budapest, 1083, Hungary.
| | - Mate Toth
- Grand Valley State University, 1 Campus Drive, Allendale, MI, 49401, USA
- Department of Behavioral Neurobiology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 43 Szigony Street, Budapest, 1083, Hungary
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25
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Xu JN, Chen LF, Su J, Liu ZL, Chen J, Lin QF, Mao WD, Gao ZW, Shen D. The anxiolytic-like effects of estazolam on a PTSD animal model. Psychiatry Res 2018; 269:529-535. [PMID: 30195748 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.08.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious psychiatric disorder. Estazolam has been shown to produce anxiolytic-, hypnotic-, amnestic-, and sedative-like effects. However, few studies are concerned about its anti-PTSD-like effects. The anti-PTSD-like effects of estazolam were evaluated by single prolonged stress animal model. After exposure to single prolonged stress, rats (Sprague-Dawley, male, 8 weeks) were administered by estazolam (0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg, i.p.) from day 2 to 13 once daily. The behavioral assessments were performed during treatment with drugs. After the behavioral evaluation, the role of allopregnanolone in the anti-PTSD-like effects of estazolam was also evaluated via astrocyte cells and brain tissues (e.g. prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala). The PTSD-like behavioral deficits were significantly blocked by estazolam (1 and 2 mg/kg, i.p.) without affecting locomotor activity. Consistently, the levels on allopregnanolone were increased by estazolam (1 and 2 mg/kg, i.p.) in prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala. The levels of allopregnanolone were increased by sertraline (1 µmoL/L) and estazolam (4 µmoL/L), while the effects were antagonized by trilostane (1 µmoL/L) and finasteride (1 µmoL/L) in astrocyte cells, respectively. Collectively, the anxiety-like behavior deficits were ameliorated by estazolam in the single prolonged stress animal model that was associated with biosynthesis of allopregnanolone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Ning Xu
- Department of Emergency, The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College, Jiangyin, Jiangsu 214400, PR China
| | - Li-Fang Chen
- Department of Emergency, The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College, Jiangyin, Jiangsu 214400, PR China
| | - Jun Su
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College, Jiangyin, Jiangsu 214400, PR China
| | - Zhi-Li Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College, Jiangyin, Jiangsu 214400, PR China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College, Jiangyin, Jiangsu 214400, PR China
| | - Qing-Fen Lin
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College, Jiangyin, Jiangsu 214400, PR China
| | - Wei-Dong Mao
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College, Jiangyin, Jiangsu 214400, PR China
| | - Zhuo-Wei Gao
- Shunde Hospital of Southern Medical University, Foshan, 528308, PR China; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China; Shunde Hospital of Guangzhou University of TCM, Foshan, 528333, PR China
| | - Dong Shen
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College, Jiangyin, Jiangsu 214400, PR China.
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26
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Chen CV, Chaby LE, Nazeer S, Liberzon I. Effects of Trauma in Adulthood and Adolescence on Fear Extinction and Extinction Retention: Advancing Animal Models of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:247. [PMID: 30429779 PMCID: PMC6220349 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence for and against adolescent vulnerability to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is mounting, but this evidence is largely qualitative, retrospective, or complicated by variation in prior stress exposure and trauma context. Here, we examine the effects of development on trauma vulnerability using adult post-natal (PN) day 61, early adolescent (PN23) and mid adolescence (PN34) rats and two types of trauma: an established animal model of PTSD, single prolonged stress (SPS), and a novel composite model—SPS predation (SPSp) version. We demonstrate that early and mid adolescent rats are capable of fear conditioning and fear extinction, as well as extinction retention. Our results also demonstrate that both types of trauma induced a deficit in the retention of fear extinction in adulthood, a hallmark of PTSD, but not after early or mid adolescence trauma, suggesting that adolescence might convey resilience to SPS and SPSp traumas. Across all three life stages, the effects of SPS exposure and a novel predation trauma model, SPSp, had similar effects on behavior suggesting that trauma type did not affect the likelihood of developing PTSD-like symptoms, and that SPSp is a predation-based trauma model worth exploring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chieh V Chen
- Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Lauren E Chaby
- Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Sahana Nazeer
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Israel Liberzon
- Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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27
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Schwendt M, Shallcross J, Hadad NA, Namba MD, Hiller H, Wu L, Krause EG, Knackstedt LA. A novel rat model of comorbid PTSD and addiction reveals intersections between stress susceptibility and enhanced cocaine seeking with a role for mGlu5 receptors. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:209. [PMID: 30291225 PMCID: PMC6173705 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0265-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PTSD is highly comorbid with cocaine use disorder (CUD), and cocaine users with PTSD + CUD are more resistant to treatment. Here we sought to develop a rat model of PTSD + CUD in order to identify the neurobiological changes underlying such comorbidity and screen potential medications for reducing cocaine seeking in the PTSD population. We utilized a predator scent stress model of PTSD, wherein rats received a single exposure to the fox pheromone 2,5-dihydro-2,4,5-trimethylthiazoline (TMT). One week after TMT exposure, stress-susceptible (susceptible), intermediate, and resilient phenotypes were detected and were consistent with behavioral, corticosterone, and gene expression profiles 3 weeks post TMT. We assessed phenotypic differences in cocaine self-administration, extinction, and cue-primed reinstatement. Susceptible rats exhibited deficits in extinction learning and increased cue-primed reinstatement that was not prevented by Ceftriaxone, an antibiotic that consistently attenuates the reinstatement of cocaine seeking. TMT-exposed resilient rats displayed increased mGlu5 gene expression in the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex and did not display the enhanced cocaine seeking observed in susceptible rats. Combined treatment with the mGlu5 positive allosteric modulator 3-Cyano-N-(1,3-diphenyl-1 H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamide (CDPPB), fear extinction, and ceftriaxone prevented the reinstatement of cocaine seeking in susceptible rats with fear extinction an important mediating condition. These results highlight the need for animal models of PTSD to consider stress-responsivity, as only a subset of trauma-exposed individuals develop PTSD and these individuals likely exhibit distinct neurobiological changes compared with trauma-exposed populations who are resilient to stress. This work further identifies glutamate homeostasis and mGlu5 as a target for treating relapse in comorbid PTSD-cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Schwendt
- Psychology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA. .,Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | - John Shallcross
- 0000 0004 1936 8091grid.15276.37Psychology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA
| | - Natalie A. Hadad
- 0000 0004 1936 8091grid.15276.37Psychology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA
| | - Mark D. Namba
- 0000 0004 1936 8091grid.15276.37Psychology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA
| | - Helmut Hiller
- 0000 0004 1936 8091grid.15276.37Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
| | - Lizhen Wu
- 0000 0004 1936 8091grid.15276.37Psychology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA
| | - Eric G. Krause
- 0000 0004 1936 8091grid.15276.37Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
| | - Lori A. Knackstedt
- 0000 0004 1936 8091grid.15276.37Psychology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA ,0000 0004 1936 8091grid.15276.37Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
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28
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Homiack D, O'Cinneide E, Hajmurad S, Dohanich GP, Schrader LA. Effect of acute alarm odor exposure and biological sex on generalized avoidance and glutamatergic signaling in the hippocampus of Wistar rats. Stress 2018; 21:292-303. [PMID: 29916754 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2018.1484099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by the development of paradoxical memory disturbances including intrusive memories and amnesia for specific details of the traumatic experience. Despite evidence that women are at higher risk to develop PTSD, most animal research has focused on the processes by which male rodents develop adaptive fear memory. As such, the mechanisms contributing to sex differences in the development of PTSD-like memory disturbances are poorly understood. In this investigation, we exposed adult male and female Wistar rats to the synthetic alarm odor 2,4,5-trimethylthiazole (TMT) to assess development of generalized fear behavior and rapid modulation of glutamate uptake and signaling cascades associated with hippocampus-dependent long-term memory. We report that female Wistar rats exposed to alarm odor exhibit context discrimination impairments relative to TMT-exposed male rats, suggesting the intriguing possibility that females are at greater risk in developing generalized fear memories. Mechanistically, alarm odor exposure rapidly modulated signaling cascades consistent with activation of the CREB shut-off cascade in the male, but not the female hippocampus. Moreover, TMT exposure dampened glutamate uptake and affected expression of the glutamate transporter, GLT-1 in the hippocampus. Taken together, these results provide evidence for rapid sex-dependent modulation of CREB signaling in the hippocampus by alarm odor exposure which may contribute to the development of generalized fear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damek Homiack
- a Neuroscience Program, Brain Institute , Tulane University , New Orleans , LA , USA
| | - Emma O'Cinneide
- a Neuroscience Program, Brain Institute , Tulane University , New Orleans , LA , USA
| | - Sema Hajmurad
- b Department of Cell and Molecular Biology , Tulane University , New Orleans , LA , USA
| | - Gary P Dohanich
- a Neuroscience Program, Brain Institute , Tulane University , New Orleans , LA , USA
- c Department of Psychology , Tulane University , New Orleans , LA , USA
| | - Laura A Schrader
- a Neuroscience Program, Brain Institute , Tulane University , New Orleans , LA , USA
- b Department of Cell and Molecular Biology , Tulane University , New Orleans , LA , USA
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29
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Deslauriers J, Toth M, Der-Avakian A, Risbrough VB. Current Status of Animal Models of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Behavioral and Biological Phenotypes, and Future Challenges in Improving Translation. Biol Psychiatry 2018; 83:895-907. [PMID: 29338843 PMCID: PMC6085893 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Increasing predictability of animal models of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has required active collaboration between clinical and preclinical scientists. Modeling PTSD is challenging, as it is a heterogeneous disorder with ≥20 symptoms. Clinical research increasingly utilizes objective biological measures (e.g., imaging, peripheral biomarkers) or nonverbal behaviors and/or physiological responses to complement verbally reported symptoms. This shift toward more-objectively measurable phenotypes enables refinement of current animal models of PTSD, and it supports the incorporation of homologous measures across species. We reviewed >600 articles to examine the ability of current rodent models to probe biological phenotypes of PTSD (e.g., sleep disturbances, hippocampal and fear-circuit dysfunction, inflammation, glucocorticoid receptor hypersensitivity) in addition to behavioral phenotypes. Most models reliably produced enduring generalized anxiety-like or depression-like behaviors, as well as hyperactive fear circuits, glucocorticoid receptor hypersensitivity, and response to long-term selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Although a few paradigms probed fear conditioning/extinction or utilized peripheral immune, sleep, and noninvasive imaging measures, we argue that these should be incorporated more to enhance translation. Data on female subjects, on subjects at different ages across the life span, or on temporal trajectories of phenotypes after stress that can inform model validity and treatment study design are needed. Overall, preclinical (and clinical) PTSD researchers are increasingly incorporating homologous biological measures to assess markers of risk, response, and treatment outcome. This shift is exciting, as we and many others hope it not only will support translation of drug efficacy from animal models to clinical trials but also will potentially improve predictability of stage II for stage III clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Deslauriers
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Veterans Affairs Hospital, La Jolla, California
| | - Mate Toth
- Department of Behavioural Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andre Der-Avakian
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Victoria B Risbrough
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Veterans Affairs Hospital, La Jolla, California.
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30
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Khan AR, Hansen B, Wiborg O, Kroenke CD, Jespersen SN. Diffusion MRI and MR spectroscopy reveal microstructural and metabolic brain alterations in chronic mild stress exposed rats: A CMS recovery study. Neuroimage 2018; 167:342-353. [PMID: 29196269 PMCID: PMC5845761 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.11.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 10/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic mild stress (CMS) induced depression elicits several debilitating symptoms and causes a significant economic burden on society. High variability in the symptomatology of depression poses substantial impediment to accurate diagnosis and therapy outcome. CMS exposure induces significant metabolic and microstructural alterations in the hippocampus (HP), prefrontal cortex (PFC), caudate-putamen (CP) and amygdala (AM), however, recovery from these maladaptive changes are limited and this may provide negative effects on the therapeutic treatment and management of depression. The present study utilized anhedonic rats from the unpredictable CMS model of depression to study metabolic recovery in the ventral hippocampus (vHP) and microstructural recovery in the HP, AM, CP, and PFC. The study employed 1H MR spectroscopy (1H MRS) and in-vivo diffusion MRI (d-MRI) at the age of week 18 (week 1 post CMS exposure) week 20 (week 3 post CMS) and week 25 (week 8 post CMS exposure) in the anhedonic group, and at the age of week 18 and week 22 in the control group. The d-MRI data have provided an array of diffusion tensor metrics (FA, MD, AD, and RD), and fast kurtosis metrics (MKT, WL and WT). CMS exposure induced a significant metabolic alteration in vHP, and significant microstructural alterations were observed in the HP, AM, and PFC in comparison to the age match control and within the anhedonic group. A significantly high level of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) was observed in vHP at the age of week 18 in comparison to age match control and week 20 and week 25 of the anhedonic group. HP and AM showed significant microstructural alterations up to the age of week 22 in the anhedonic group. PFC showed significant microstructural alterations only at the age of week 18, however, most of the metrics showed significantly higher value at the age of week 20 in the anhedonic group. The significantly increased NAA concentration may indicate impaired catabolism due to astrogliosis or oxidative stress. The significantly increased WL in the AM and HP may indicate hypertrophy of AM and reduced volume of HP. Such metabolic and microstructural alterations could be useful in disease diagnosis and follow-up treatment intervention in depression and similar disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Raza Khan
- Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Brian Hansen
- Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ove Wiborg
- Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Christopher D Kroenke
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Sune Nørhøj Jespersen
- Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
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31
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Wingo AP, Velasco ER, Florido A, Lori A, Choi DC, Jovanovic T, Ressler KJ, Andero R. Expression of the PPM1F Gene Is Regulated by Stress and Associated With Anxiety and Depression. Biol Psychiatry 2018; 83:284-295. [PMID: 29054677 PMCID: PMC5743606 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Molecular mechanisms underlying psychological sequelae of exposure to stressful experiences, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, are not well understood. METHODS Using convergent evidence from animal and human transcriptomic and genomic studies, we aimed to identify genetic mechanisms underlying depression and anxiety after traumatic experiences. RESULTS From a transcriptome-wide analysis in mice, we found the Ppm1f gene to be differentially expressed in the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) a week after immobilization stress. Next, we found that PPM1F messenger RNA levels in human blood were downregulated in cases with symptoms of comorbid PTSD and depression and consistently in cases with anxiety symptoms in a separate human dataset. Furthermore, we showed that a genetic variant of PPM1F, rs17759843, was associated with comorbid PTSD and depression and with PPM1F expression in both human brain and blood. Given prior reported mechanistic links between PPM1F and CAMK2 (CAMKII), we examined blood messenger RNA level of CAMK2G in humans and found it to be lower in cases with comorbid PTSD and depression. We also found that PPM1F protein levels and colocalization with CAMK2G were altered in amygdala and mPFC of male mice. Additionally, we found that a systemic dose of corticosterone blocked the depressive-like phenotype elicited by stress in female mice. Lastly, corticosterone rescued the anxiety-like phenotype and messenger RNA levels of Ppm1f in amygdala and mPFC in male mice and in mPFC of female mice. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our data suggest a mechanistic pathway involving PPM1F and CAMK2G in stress- and trauma-related manifestation of anxiety and depression across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliza P Wingo
- Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Eric R Velasco
- Institut de Neurociènces, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Florido
- Institut de Neurociènces, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adriana Lori
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Dennis C Choi
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Raül Andero
- Institut de Neurociènces, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Unitat de Psicobiologia (Facultat de Psicologia), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
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32
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Cohen H, Zohar J, Kaplan Z, Arnt J. Adjunctive treatment with brexpiprazole and escitalopram reduces behavioral stress responses and increase hypothalamic NPY immunoreactivity in a rat model of PTSD-like symptoms. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2018; 28:63-74. [PMID: 29224968 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2017.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The study explored effects of brexpiprazole (partial D2/5-HT1A agonist, 5-HT2A and α1B/2C-adrenoceptor antagonist) in rats exposed to predator scent stress (PSS), a proposed model of PTSD-like phenotype. Brexpiprazole (3.0mg/kg, PO), escitalopram (5.0mg/kg, IP) and their combination were administered twice daily for 14 days, starting 14 days after exposure to PSS or sham-PSS, shortly after a situational stress reminder. One day after last treatment behavioral responsivity was assessed. Brexpiprazole+escitalopram-treated rats spent more time in open arms, entered open arms more often and exhibited a lower anxiety index in the elevated plus maze than vehicle-treated, PSS-exposed rats. Adjunct brexpiprazole+escitalopram treatment reduced startle amplitude, compared with vehicle-treated, PSS-exposed rats. Treatment with either drug alone did not attenuate anxiety-like behaviors following PSS exposure. Use of cut-off behavioral criteria confirmed that adjunct treatment shifted prevalence of PSS-exposed rats from extreme towards minimal behavioral responders. One day following behavioral tests, brains were prepared for immunohistochemical analysis of number of BDNF-positive cells and of NPY-positive cells/fibers. PSS exposure decreased BDNF levels in hippocampus, but this was not affected by drug treatments. PSS exposure decreased number of NPY positive cells/fibers in paraventricular and arcuate nuclei of hypothalamus. Adjunct treatment with brexpiprazole+escitalopram increased NPY in PSS- and sham-exposed rats. Treatment with brexpiprazole alone had no effects, while treatment with escitalopram alone increased NPY in the arcuate nucleus of PSS-exposed rats. In conclusion, treatment with brexpiprazole+escitalopram may be an effective intervention for the attenuation of PTSD-like stress responses, which in part may be mediated by activating NPY function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagit Cohen
- Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Joseph Zohar
- The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Zeev Kaplan
- Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Jørn Arnt
- Synaptic Transmission, H. Lundbeck A/S, Ottiliavej 9, DK-2500 Valby, Denmark; Sunred Pharma Consulting ApS, Svend Gonges Vej 11A, DK-2680 Solrod Strand, Denmark.
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Saur L, Neves LT, Greggio S, Venturin GT, Jeckel CMM, Costa Da Costa J, Bertoldi K, Schallenberger B, Siqueira IR, Mestriner RG, Xavier LL. Ketamine promotes increased freezing behavior in rats with experimental PTSD without changing brain glucose metabolism or BDNF. Neurosci Lett 2017; 658:6-11. [PMID: 28823895 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Acute treatment with ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, has been reported to be efficacious in treating depression. The goal of our study was to evaluate ketamine treatment in an animal model of another important psychiatric disease, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Fifty-eight male rats were initially divided into four groups: Control+Saline (CTRL+SAL), Control+Ketamine (CTRL+KET), PTSD+Saline (PTSD+SAL) and PTSD+Ketamine (PTSD+KET). To mimic PTSD we employed the inescapable footshock protocol. The PTSD animals were classified according to freezing behavior duration into "extreme behavioral response" (EBR) or "minimal behavioral response" (MBR). Afterwards, the glucose metabolism and BDNF were evaluated in the hippocampus, frontal cortex, and amygdala. Our results show that animals classified as EBR exhibited increased freezing behavior and that ketamine treatment further increased freezing duration. Glucose metabolism and BDNF levels showed no significant differences. These results suggest ketamine might aggravate PTSD symptoms and that this effect is unrelated to alterations in glucose metabolism or BDNF protein levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisiani Saur
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, FaBio, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Laura Tartari Neves
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, FaBio, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Samuel Greggio
- Instituto do Cérebro do Rio Grande do Sul- PUCRS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Karine Bertoldi
- Departamento de Farmacologia, ICBS, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Léder Leal Xavier
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, FaBio, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Homiack D, O'Cinneide E, Hajmurad S, Barrileaux B, Stanley M, Kreutz MR, Schrader LA. Predator odor evokes sex-independent stress responses in male and female Wistar rats and reduces phosphorylation of cyclic-adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein in the male, but not the female hippocampus. Hippocampus 2017; 27:1016-1029. [PMID: 28599071 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.22749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by memory disturbances following trauma. Acute predator threat has emerged as an ethological model of PTSD, yet the effects of predator odor on signaling cascades associated with long-term memory remain poorly understood. In this study, we exposed male and female Wistar rats to the synthetic predator odor 2,5-dihydro-2,4,5-trimethylthiazoline (TMT) to assess behavioral and physiological responses as well as rapid modulation of signal transduction cascades associated with learning and memory in the male and female hippocampus. During exposure to TMT in the homecage, both male and female animals displayed robust immobility, avoidance, and altered activity as a function of time. Physiologically, TMT exposure increased circulating corticosterone and blood glucose in both male and female rodents, suggesting that TMT evokes sex-independent behavioral and physiological responses. With respect to signal transduction, TMT exposure rapidly reduced phosphorylation of cyclic-adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CREB) in the male, but not the female hippocampus. Furthermore, TMT exposure reduced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and increased nuclear expression of the synapto-nuclear messenger protein Jacob in the male hippocampus, consistent with activation of the CREB shut-off pathway. In a follow-up behavioral experiment, post-training exposure to TMT did not affect spatial water maze performance of male rats. However, male rats re-introduced to the context in which TMT had previously been presented displayed avoidance and hyperactivity, but not freezing behavior or elevated corticosterone responses, suggesting that TMT exposure supports a form of contextual conditioning which is not characterized by immobility. Taken together, our findings suggest that TMT evokes similar behavioral and physiological responses in male and female Wistar rats, but affects distinct signaling cascades in the male and female hippocampus which may contribute to behavioral disruptions associated with predator exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damek Homiack
- Neuroscience Program, Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70118
| | - Emma O'Cinneide
- Neuroscience Program, Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70118
| | - Sema Hajmurad
- Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70118
| | - Brett Barrileaux
- Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70118
| | - Mary Stanley
- Neuroscience Program, Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70118.,Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142
| | - Michael R Kreutz
- RG Neuroplasticity, Leibniz-Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany.,Leibniz Group 'Dendritic Organelles and Synaptic Function', Hamburg, Germany
| | - Laura A Schrader
- Neuroscience Program, Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70118.,Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70118
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Reciprocal Interaction of Dendrite Geometry and Nuclear Calcium-VEGFD Signaling Gates Memory Consolidation and Extinction. J Neurosci 2017. [PMID: 28626015 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2345-16.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear calcium is an important signaling end point in synaptic excitation-transcription coupling that is critical for long-term neuroadaptations. Here, we show that nuclear calcium acting via a target gene, VEGFD, is required for hippocampus-dependent fear memory consolidation and extinction in mice. Nuclear calcium-VEGFD signaling upholds the structural integrity and complexity of the dendritic arbor of CA1 neurons that renders those cells permissive for the efficient generation of synaptic input-evoked nuclear calcium transients driving the expression of plasticity-related genes. Therefore, the gating of memory functions rests on the reciprocally reinforcing maintenance of an intact dendrite geometry and a functional synapse-to-nucleus communication axis. In psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, therapeutic application of VEGFD may help to stabilize dendritic structures and network connectivity, which may prevent cognitive decline and could boost the efficacy of extinction-based exposure therapies.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study uncovers a reciprocal relationship between dendrite geometry, the ability to generate nuclear calcium transients in response to synaptic inputs, and the subsequent induction of expression of plasticity-related and dendritic structure-preserving genes. Insufficient nuclear calcium signaling in CA1 hippocampal neurons and, consequently, reduced expression of the nuclear calcium target gene VEGFD, a dendrite maintenance factor, leads to reduced-complexity basal dendrites of CA1 neurons, which severely compromises the animals' consolidation of both memory and extinction memory. The structure-protective function of VEGFD may prove beneficial in psychiatric disorders as well as neurodegenerative and aging-related conditions that are associated with loss of neuronal structures, dysfunctional excitation-transcription coupling, and cognitive decline.
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Behavioral and inflammatory response in animals exposed to a low-pressure blast wave and supplemented with β-alanine. Amino Acids 2017; 49:871-886. [PMID: 28161798 PMCID: PMC5383715 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-017-2383-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the benefit of β-alanine (BA) supplementation on behavioral and cognitive responses relating to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in rats exposed to a low-pressure blast wave. Animals were fed a normal diet with or without (PL) BA supplementation (100 mg kg−1) for 30-day, prior to being exposed to a low-pressure blast wave. A third group of animals served as a control (CTL). These animals were fed a normal diet, but were not exposed to the blast. Validated cognitive-behavioral paradigms were used to assess both mTBI and PTSD-like behavior on days 7–14 following the blast. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neuropeptide Y, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and tau protein expressions were analyzed a day later. In addition, brain carnosine and histidine content was assessed as well. The prevalence of animals exhibiting mTBI-like behavior was significantly lower (p = 0.044) in BA than PL (26.5 and 46%, respectively), but no difference (p = 0.930) was noted in PTSD-like behavior between the groups (10.2 and 12.0%, respectively). Carnosine content in the cerebral cortex was higher (p = 0.048) for BA compared to PL, while a trend towards a difference was seen in the hippocampus (p = 0.058) and amygdala (p = 0.061). BDNF expression in the CA1 subregion of PL was lower than BA (p = 0.009) and CTL (p < 0.001), while GFAP expression in CA1 (p = 0.003) and CA3 (p = 0.040) subregions were higher in PL than other groups. Results indicated that BA supplementation for 30-day increased resiliency to mTBI in animals exposed to a low-pressure blast wave.
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Albrecht A, Müller I, Ardi Z, Çalışkan G, Gruber D, Ivens S, Segal M, Behr J, Heinemann U, Stork O, Richter-Levin G. Neurobiological consequences of juvenile stress: A GABAergic perspective on risk and resilience. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 74:21-43. [PMID: 28088535 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
ALBRECHT, A., MÜLLER, I., ARDI, Z., ÇALIŞKAN, G., GRUBER, D., IVENS, S., SEGAL, M., BEHR, J., HEINEMANN, U., STORK, O., and RICHTER-LEVIN, G. Neurobiological consequences of juvenile stress: A GABAergic perspective on risk and resilience. NEUROSCI BIOBEHAV REV XXX-XXX, 2016.- Childhood adversity is among the most potent risk factors for developing mood and anxiety disorders later in life. Therefore, understanding how stress during childhood shapes and rewires the brain may optimize preventive and therapeutic strategies for these disorders. To this end, animal models of stress exposure in rodents during their post-weaning and pre-pubertal life phase have been developed. Such 'juvenile stress' has a long-lasting impact on mood and anxiety-like behavior and on stress coping in adulthood, accompanied by alterations of the GABAergic system within core regions for the stress processing such as the amygdala, prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. While many regionally diverse molecular and electrophysiological changes are observed, not all of them correlate with juvenile stress-induced behavioral disturbances. It rather seems that certain juvenile stress-induced alterations reflect the system's attempts to maintain homeostasis and thus promote stress resilience. Analysis tools such as individual behavioral profiling may allow the association of behavioral and neurobiological alterations more clearly and the dissection of alterations related to the pathology from those related to resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Albrecht
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, 199 Aba-Hushi Avenue, 3498838 Haifa, Israel; The Institute for the Study of Affective Neuroscience (ISAN), 199 Aba-Hushi Avenue, 3498838 Haifa, Israel; Department of Genetics & Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Iris Müller
- Department of Genetics & Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ziv Ardi
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, 199 Aba-Hushi Avenue, 3498838 Haifa, Israel
| | - Gürsel Çalışkan
- Department of Genetics & Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; Neuroscience Research Center, Charité University Hospital Berlin, Hufelandweg 14, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - David Gruber
- Neuroscience Research Center, Charité University Hospital Berlin, Hufelandweg 14, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Ivens
- Neuroscience Research Center, Charité University Hospital Berlin, Hufelandweg 14, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Menahem Segal
- Department of Neurobiology, The Weizmann Institute, Herzl St 234, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Joachim Behr
- Research Department of Experimental and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité University Hospital Berlin, Garystraße 5, 14195 Berlin, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic, Brandenburg Medical School - Campus Neuruppin, Fehrbelliner Straße 38, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Uwe Heinemann
- Neuroscience Research Center, Charité University Hospital Berlin, Hufelandweg 14, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Oliver Stork
- Department of Genetics & Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Gal Richter-Levin
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, 199 Aba-Hushi Avenue, 3498838 Haifa, Israel; The Institute for the Study of Affective Neuroscience (ISAN), 199 Aba-Hushi Avenue, 3498838 Haifa, Israel; Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, 199 Aba-Hushi Avenue, 3498838 Haifa, Israel
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HOFFMAN JAYR, COHEN HADAS, OSTFELD ISHAY, KAPLAN ZEEV, ZOHAR JOSEPH, COHEN HAGIT. Exercise Maintains Dendritic Complexity in an Animal Model of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2016; 48:2487-2494. [DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000001038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Conrad CD, Ortiz JB, Judd JM. Chronic stress and hippocampal dendritic complexity: Methodological and functional considerations. Physiol Behav 2016; 178:66-81. [PMID: 27887995 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The current understanding of how chronic stress impacts hippocampal dendritic arbor complexity and the subsequent relationship to hippocampal-dependent spatial memory is reviewed. A surge in reports investigating hippocampal dendritic morphology is occurring, but with wide variations in methodological detail being reported. Consequently, this review systematically outlines the basic neuroanatomy of relevant hippocampal features to help clarify how chronic stress or glucocorticoids impact hippocampal dendritic complexity and how these changes occur in parallel with spatial cognition. Chronic stress often leads to hippocampal CA3 apical dendritic retraction first with other hippocampal regions (CA3 basal dendrites, CA1, dentate gyrus, DG) showing dendritic retraction when chronic stress is sufficiently robust or long lasting. The stress-induced reduction in hippocampal CA3 apical dendritic arbor complexity often coincides with impaired hippocampal function, such as spatial learning and memory. Yet, when chronic stress ends and a post-stress recovery period ensues, the atrophied dendritic arbors and poor spatial abilities often improve. However, this process differs from a simple reversal of chronic stress-induced deficits. Recent reports suggest that this return to baseline-like functioning is uniquely different from non-stressed controls, emphasizing the need for further studies to enhance our understanding of how a history of stress subsequently alters an organism's spatial abilities. To provide a consistent framework for future studies, this review concludes with an outline for a quick and easy reference on points to consider when planning chronic stress studies with the goal of measuring hippocampal dendritic complexity and spatial ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl D Conrad
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Box 1104, Tempe, AZ 85287-1104, United States.
| | - J Bryce Ortiz
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Box 1104, Tempe, AZ 85287-1104, United States
| | - Jessica M Judd
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Box 1104, Tempe, AZ 85287-1104, United States
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Perez-Garcia G, Gama Sosa MA, De Gasperi R, Lashof-Sullivan M, Maudlin-Jeronimo E, Stone JR, Haghighi F, Ahlers ST, Elder GA. Exposure to a Predator Scent Induces Chronic Behavioral Changes in Rats Previously Exposed to Low-level Blast: Implications for the Relationship of Blast-Related TBI to PTSD. Front Neurol 2016; 7:176. [PMID: 27803688 PMCID: PMC5067529 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2016.00176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Blast-related mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) has been unfortunately common in veterans who served in the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The postconcussion syndrome associated with these mTBIs has frequently appeared in combination with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The presence of PTSD has complicated diagnosis, since clinically, PTSD and the postconcussion syndrome of mTBI have many overlapping symptoms. In particular, establishing how much of the symptom complex can be attributed to the psychological trauma associated with PTSD in contrast to the physical injury of traumatic brain injury has proven difficult. Indeed, some have suggested that much of what is now being called blast-related postconcussion syndrome is better explained by PTSD. The relationship between the postconcussion syndrome of mTBI and PTSD is complex. Association of the two disorders might be viewed as additive effects of independent psychological and physical traumas suffered in a war zone. However, we previously found that rats exposed to repetitive low-level blast exposure in the absence of a psychological stressor developed a variety of anxiety and PTSD-related behavioral traits that were present months following the last blast exposure. Here, we show that a single predator scent challenge delivered 8 months after the last blast exposure induces chronic anxiety related changes in blast-exposed rats that are still present 45 days later. These observations suggest that in addition to independently inducing PTSD-related traits, blast exposure sensitizes the brain to react abnormally to a subsequent psychological stressor. These studies have implications for conceptualizing the relationship between blast-related mTBI and PTSD and suggest that blast-related mTBI in humans may predispose to the later development of PTSD in reaction to subsequent psychological stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina Perez-Garcia
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Research and Development Service, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Miguel A Gama Sosa
- Research and Development Service, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rita De Gasperi
- Research and Development Service, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Margaret Lashof-Sullivan
- Department of Neurotrauma, Operational and Undersea Medicine, Naval Medical Research Center , Silver Spring, MD , USA
| | - Eric Maudlin-Jeronimo
- Department of Neurotrauma, Operational and Undersea Medicine, Naval Medical Research Center , Silver Spring, MD , USA
| | - James R Stone
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Fatemeh Haghighi
- Research and Development Service, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen T Ahlers
- Department of Neurotrauma, Operational and Undersea Medicine, Naval Medical Research Center , Silver Spring, MD , USA
| | - Gregory A Elder
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Neurology Service, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
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New translational perspectives for blood-based biomarkers of PTSD: From glucocorticoid to immune mediators of stress susceptibility. Exp Neurol 2016; 284:133-140. [PMID: 27481726 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Although biological systems have evolved to promote stress-resilience, there is variation in stress-responses. Understanding the biological basis of such individual differences has implications for understanding Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) etiology, which is a maladaptive response to trauma occurring only in a subset of vulnerable individuals. PTSD involves failure to reinstate physiological homeostasis after traumatic events and is due to either intrinsic or trauma-related alterations in physiological systems across the body. Master homeostatic regulators that circulate and operate throughout the organism, such as stress hormones (e.g., glucocorticoids) and immune mediators (e.g., cytokines), are at the crossroads of peripheral and central susceptibility pathways and represent promising functional biomarkers of stress-response and target for novel therapeutics.
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Biophysical modeling of high field diffusion MRI demonstrates micro-structural aberration in chronic mild stress rat brain. Neuroimage 2016; 142:421-430. [PMID: 27389790 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Immense heterogeneity in symptoms of depression causes difficulty in diagnosis, and to date, there are no established biomarkers or imaging methods to examine depression. Unpredictable chronic mild stress (CMS) induced anhedonia is considered to be a realistic model of depression in studies of animal subjects. Stereological and neuronal tracing techniques have demonstrated persistent remodeling of microstructure in hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and amygdala of CMS brains. Recent developments in diffusion MRI (d-MRI) analyses, such as neurite density and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI), are able to capture microstructural changes and are considered to be robust tools in preclinical and clinical imaging. The present study utilized d-MRI analyzed with a neurite density model and the DKI framework to investigate microstructure in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, caudate putamen and amygdala regions of CMS rat brains by comparison to brains from normal controls. To validate findings of CMS induced microstructural alteration, histology was performed to determine neurite, nuclear and astrocyte density. d-MRI based neurite density and tensor-based mean kurtosis (MKT) were significantly higher, while mean diffusivity (MD), extracellular diffusivity (Deff) and intra-neurite diffusivity(DL) were significantly lower in the amygdala of CMS rat brains. Deff was also significantly lower in the hippocampus and caudate putamen in stressed groups. Histological neurite density corroborated the d-MRI findings in the amygdala and reductions in nuclear and astrocyte density further buttressed the d-MRI results. The present study demonstrated that the d-MRI based neurite density and MKT can reveal specific microstructural changes in CMS rat brains and these parameters might have value in clinical diagnosis of depression and for evaluation of treatment efficacy.
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Zoladz PR, Diamond DM. Predator-based psychosocial stress animal model of PTSD: Preclinical assessment of traumatic stress at cognitive, hormonal, pharmacological, cardiovascular and epigenetic levels of analysis. Exp Neurol 2016; 284:211-219. [PMID: 27283115 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Research on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is faced with the challenge of understanding how a traumatic experience produces long-lasting detrimental effects on behavior and brain functioning, and more globally, how stress exacerbates somatic disorders, including cardiovascular disease. Moreover, the design of translational research needs to link animal models of PTSD to clinically relevant risk factors which address why only a subset of traumatized individuals develop persistent psychopathology. In this review, we have summarized our psychosocial stress rodent model of PTSD which is based on well-described PTSD-inducing risk factors, including a life-threatening experience, a sense of horror and uncontrollability, and insufficient social support. Specifically, our animal model of PTSD integrates acute episodes of inescapable exposure of immobilized rats to a predator with chronic daily social instability. This stress regimen produces PTSD-like effects in rats at behavioral, cognitive, physiological, pharmacological and epigenetic levels of analysis. We have discussed a recent extension of our animal model of PTSD in which stress exacerbated coronary pathology following an ischemic event, assessed in vitro. In addition, we have reviewed our research investigating pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies which may have value in clinical approaches toward the treatment of traumatized people. Overall, our translational approach bridges the gap between human and animal PTSD research to create a framework with which to enhance our understanding of the biological basis of trauma-induced pathology and to assess therapeutic approaches in the treatment of psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip R Zoladz
- Department of Psychology, Sociology, & Criminal Justice, Ohio Northern University, 525 S. Main St., Ada, OH 45810, USA
| | - David M Diamond
- Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33620, USA; Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33620, USA; Center for Preclinical & Clinical Research on PTSD, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33620, USA.
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Patel R, Girard TA, Pukay-Martin N, Monson C. Preferential recruitment of the basolateral amygdala during memory encoding of negative scenes in posttraumatic stress disorder. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2016; 130:170-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2016.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Revised: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Guardado P, Olivera A, Rusch HL, Roy M, Martin C, Lejbman N, Lee H, Gill JM. Altered gene expression of the innate immune, neuroendocrine, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) systems is associated with posttraumatic stress disorder in military personnel. J Anxiety Disord 2016; 38:9-20. [PMID: 26751122 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2015.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Revised: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Whole transcriptome analysis provides an unbiased examination of biological activity, and likely, unique insight into the mechanisms underlying posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and comorbid depression and traumatic brain injury. This study compared gene-expression profiles in military personnel with PTSD (n=28) and matched controls without PTSD (n=27) using HG-U133 Plus 2.0 microarrays (Affymetrix), which contain 54,675 probe sets representing more than 38,500 genes. Analysis of expression profiles revealed 203 differentially expressed genes in PTSD, of which 72% were upregulated. Using Partek Genomics Suite 6.6, differentially expressed transcription clusters were filtered based on a selection criterion of ≥1.5 relative fold change at a false discovery rate of ≤5%. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (Qiagen) of the differentially expressed genes indicated a dysregulation of genes associated with the innate immune, neuroendocrine, and NF-κB systems. These findings provide novel insights that may lead to new pharmaceutical agents for PTSD treatments and help mitigate mental and physical comorbidity risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Guardado
- National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Anlys Olivera
- National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Heather L Rusch
- National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Henry M Jackson Foundation for The Advancement of Military Medicine, 6720A Rockledge Drive #100, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | - Michael Roy
- Uniformed Service University of the Health Science, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Christiana Martin
- National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Natasha Lejbman
- National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hwyunhwa Lee
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Nursing, 4505 South Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - Jessica M Gill
- National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Borghans B, Homberg JR. Animal models for posttraumatic stress disorder: An overview of what is used in research. World J Psychiatry 2015; 5:387-396. [PMID: 26740930 PMCID: PMC4694552 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v5.i4.387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common anxiety disorder characterised by its persistence of symptoms after a traumatic experience. Although some patients can be cured, many do not benefit enough from the psychological therapies or medication strategies used. Many researchers use animal models to learn more about the disorder and several models are available. The most-used physical stressor models are single-prolonged stress, restraint stress, foot shock, stress-enhanced fear learning, and underwater trauma. Common social stressors are housing instability, social instability, early-life stress, and social defeat. Psychological models are not as diverse and rely on controlled exposure to the test animal’s natural predator. While validation of these models has been resolved with replicated symptoms using analogous stressors, translating new findings to human patients remains essential for their impact on the field. Choosing a model to experiment with can be challenging; this overview of what is possible with individual models may aid in making a decision.
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Saur L, Baptista PPA, Bagatini PB, Neves LT, de Oliveira RM, Vaz SP, Ferreira K, Machado SA, Mestriner RG, Xavier LL. Experimental Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Decreases Astrocyte Density and Changes Astrocytic Polarity in the CA1 Hippocampus of Male Rats. Neurochem Res 2015; 41:892-904. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-015-1770-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Revised: 10/20/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Daskalakis NP, De Kloet ER, Yehuda R, Malaspina D, Kranz TM. Early Life Stress Effects on Glucocorticoid-BDNF Interplay in the Hippocampus. Front Mol Neurosci 2015; 8:68. [PMID: 26635521 PMCID: PMC4644789 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2015.00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Early life stress (ELS) is implicated in the etiology of multiple psychiatric disorders. Important biological effects of ELS are manifested in stress-susceptible regions of the hippocampus and are partially mediated by long-term effects on glucocorticoid (GC) and/or neurotrophin signaling pathways. GC-signaling mediates the regulation of stress response to maintain homeostasis, while neurotrophin signaling plays a key role in neuronal outgrowth and is crucial for axonal guidance and synaptic integrity. The neurotrophin and GC-signaling pathways co-exist throughout the central nervous system (CNS), particularly in the hippocampus, which has high expression levels of glucocorticoid-receptors (GR) and mineralocorticoid-receptors (MR) as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, tropomyosin-related kinase receptor B (TrkB). This review addresses the effects of ELS paradigms on GC- and BDNF-dependent mechanisms and their crosstalk in the hippocampus, including potential implications for the pathogenesis of common stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos P Daskalakis
- Traumatic Stress Studies Division and Laboratory of Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, USA ; Mental Health Patient Care Center, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Edo Ronald De Kloet
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research Leiden, Netherlands ; Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Rachel Yehuda
- Traumatic Stress Studies Division and Laboratory of Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, USA ; Mental Health Patient Care Center, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center Bronx, NY, USA ; Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, USA
| | - Dolores Malaspina
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine New York, NY, USA
| | - Thorsten M Kranz
- Departments of Cell Biology, Physiology and Neuroscience, and Psychiatry, Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University New York, NY, USA
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