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Oliveira A, Azevedo M, Seixas R, Martinho R, Serrão P, Moreira-Rodrigues M. Glucose may Contribute to Retrieval and Reconsolidation of Contextual Fear Memory Through Hippocampal Nr4a3 and Bdnf mRNA Expression and May Act Synergically with Adrenaline. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:2784-2797. [PMID: 37938511 PMCID: PMC11043124 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03745-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Adrenaline (Ad) and glucose released into the bloodstream during stress may strengthen contextual fear memory. However, no previous studies have detached the effects of glucose from Ad in this paradigm. Using Ad-deficient mice, we aimed to evaluate the effect of glucose on contextual fear memory when endogenous Ad is absent. Fear conditioning was performed in wild-type (WT) and Ad-deficient mice (129 × 1/SvJ) administered with glucose (30 or 10 mg/kg; i.p.) or/and Ad (0.01 mg/kg; i.p.) or vehicle (0.9% NaCl; i.p.). Catecholamines were quantified using HPLC-ED. Real-time qPCR was used to assess mRNA expression of hippocampal genes. WT and Ad-deficient mice display increased contextual fear memory when administered with glucose both in acquisition and context days when compared to vehicle. Also, Nr4a3 and Bdnf mRNA expression increased in glucose-administered Ad-deficient mice. Sub-effective doses of glucose plus Ad administered simultaneously to Ad-deficient mice increased contextual fear memory, contrary to independent sub-effective doses. Concluding, glucose may be an important part of the peripheral to central pathway involved in the retrieval and reconsolidation of fear contextual memories independently of Ad, possibly due to increased hippocampal Nr4a3 and Bdnf gene expression. Furthermore, Ad and glucose may act synergically to strengthen contextual fear memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Oliveira
- Department of Immuno-physiology and Pharmacology, Laboratory of General Physiology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto (UP), R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, Building 2, Floor 4, Cabinet 22, Porto, 4050-313, Portugal
- Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines, University of Porto (MedInUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Márcia Azevedo
- Department of Immuno-physiology and Pharmacology, Laboratory of General Physiology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto (UP), R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, Building 2, Floor 4, Cabinet 22, Porto, 4050-313, Portugal
- Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines, University of Porto (MedInUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Rafaela Seixas
- Department of Immuno-physiology and Pharmacology, Laboratory of General Physiology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto (UP), R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, Building 2, Floor 4, Cabinet 22, Porto, 4050-313, Portugal
- Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines, University of Porto (MedInUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel Martinho
- Department of Immuno-physiology and Pharmacology, Laboratory of General Physiology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto (UP), R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, Building 2, Floor 4, Cabinet 22, Porto, 4050-313, Portugal
- Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines, University of Porto (MedInUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Serrão
- Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines, University of Porto (MedInUP), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto (FMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Mónica Moreira-Rodrigues
- Department of Immuno-physiology and Pharmacology, Laboratory of General Physiology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto (UP), R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, Building 2, Floor 4, Cabinet 22, Porto, 4050-313, Portugal.
- Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines, University of Porto (MedInUP), Porto, Portugal.
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Azevedo M, Martinho R, Oliveira A, Correia-de-Sá P, Moreira-Rodrigues M. Molecular pathways underlying sympathetic autonomic overshooting leading to fear and traumatic memories: looking for alternative therapeutic options for post-traumatic stress disorder. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 16:1332348. [PMID: 38260808 PMCID: PMC10800988 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1332348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The sympathoadrenal medullary system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis are both activated upon stressful events. The release of catecholamines, such as dopamine, norepinephrine (NE), and epinephrine (EPI), from sympathetic autonomic nerves participate in the adaptive responses to acute stress. Most theories suggest that activation of peripheral β-adrenoceptors (β-ARs) mediates catecholamines-induced memory enhancement. These include direct activation of β-ARs in the vagus nerve, as well as indirect responses to catecholamine-induced glucose changes in the brain. Excessive sympathetic activity is deeply associated with memories experienced during strong emotional stressful conditions, with catecholamines playing relevant roles in fear and traumatic memories consolidation. Recent findings suggest that EPI is implicated in fear and traumatic contextual memories associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by increasing hippocampal gene transcription (e.g., Nr4a) downstream to cAMP response-element protein activation (CREB). Herein, we reviewed the literature focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of memories associated with fear and traumatic experiences to pave new avenues for the treatment of stress and anxiety conditions, such as PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márcia Azevedo
- Laboratory of General Physiology, Department of Immuno-Physiology and Pharmacology and Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines (MedInUP), School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto (UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel Martinho
- Laboratory of General Physiology, Department of Immuno-Physiology and Pharmacology and Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines (MedInUP), School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto (UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Oliveira
- Laboratory of General Physiology, Department of Immuno-Physiology and Pharmacology and Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines (MedInUP), School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto (UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Paulo Correia-de-Sá
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Neurobiology, Department of Immuno-Physiology and Pharmacology and Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines (MedInUP), School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto (UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Mónica Moreira-Rodrigues
- Laboratory of General Physiology, Department of Immuno-Physiology and Pharmacology and Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines (MedInUP), School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto (UP), Porto, Portugal
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