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Carboni E, Ibba M, Carboni E, Carta AR. Adolescent stress differentially modifies dopamine and norepinephrine release in the medial prefrontal cortex of adult rats. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 134:111055. [PMID: 38879069 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Adolescent stress (AS) has been associated with higher vulnerability to psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, or drug dependence. Moreover, the alteration of brain catecholamine (CAT) transmission in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been found to play a major role in the etiology of psychiatric disturbances. We investigated the effect of adolescent stress on CAT transmission in the mPFC of freely moving adult rats because of the importance of this area in the etiology of psychiatric disorders, and because CAT transmission is the target of a relevant group of drugs used in the therapy of depression and psychosis. We assessed basal dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) extracellular concentrations (output) by brain microdialysis in in the mPFC of adult rats that were exposed to chronic mild stress in adolescence. To ascertain the role of an altered release or reuptake, we stimulated DA and NE output by administering either different doses of amphetamine (0.5 and 1.0 mg / kg s.c.), which by a complex mechanism determines a dose dependent increase in the CAT output, or reboxetine (10 mg/kg i.p.), a selective NE reuptake inhibitor. The results showed the following: (i) basal DA output in AS rats was lower than in controls, while no difference in basal NE output was observed; (ii) amphetamine, dose dependently, stimulated DA and NE output to a greater extent in AS rats than in controls; (iii) reboxetine stimulated NE output to a greater extent in AS rats than in controls, while no difference in stimulated DA output was observed between the two groups. These results show that AS determines enduring effects on DA and NE transmission in the mPFC and might lead to the occurrence of psychiatric disorders or increase the vulnerability to drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezio Carboni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Marcello Ibba
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Elena Carboni
- Unit of Paediatrics, ASST Cremona Maggiore Hospital, Cremona, Italy
| | - Anna R Carta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
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2
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Domin H, Śmiałowska M. The diverse role of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and its CRF1 and CRF2 receptors under pathophysiological conditions: Insights into stress/anxiety, depression, and brain injury processes. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 163:105748. [PMID: 38857667 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105748] [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: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF, corticoliberin) is a neuromodulatory peptide activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, widely distributed in the central nervous system (CNS) in mammals. In addition to its neuroendocrine effects, CRF is essential in regulating many functions under physiological and pathophysiological conditions through CRF1 and CRF2 receptors (CRF1R, CRF2R). This review aims to present selected examples of the diverse and sometimes opposite effects of CRF and its receptor ligands in various pathophysiological states, including stress/anxiety, depression, and processes associated with brain injury. It seems interesting to draw particular attention to the fact that CRF and its receptor ligands exert different effects depending on the brain structures or subregions, likely stemming from the varied distribution of CRFRs in these regions and interactions with other neurotransmitters. CRFR-mediated region-specific effects might also be related to brain site-specific ligand binding and the associated activated signaling pathways. Intriguingly, different types of CRF molecules can also influence the diverse actions of CRF in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Domin
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Neurobiology, 12 Smętna Street, Kraków 31-343, Poland.
| | - Maria Śmiałowska
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Neurobiology, 12 Smętna Street, Kraków 31-343, Poland
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3
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Kniffin A, Targum M, Patel A, Bangasser DA, Parikh V. Alterations in hippocampal cholinergic dynamics following CRF infusions into the medial septum of male and female rats. Neurochem Int 2024; 176:105739. [PMID: 38604443 PMCID: PMC11078599 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2024.105739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Corticoptropin releasing factor (CRF) is implicated in stress-related physiological and behavioral changes. The septohippocampal pathway regulates hippocampal-dependent mnemonic processes, which are affected in stress-related disorders, and given the abundance of CRF receptors in the medial septum (MS), this pathway is influenced by CRF. Moreover, there are sex differences in the MS sensitivity to CRF and its impact on hippocampal function. However, the mechanisms underlying these associations remain elusive. In the present study, we utilized an in vivo biosensor-based electrochemistry approach to examine the impact of MS CRF infusions on hippocampal cholinergic signaling dynamics in male and female rats. Our results show increased amplitudes of depolarization-evoked phasic cholinergic signals in the hippocampus following MS infusion of CRF at the 3 ng dose as compared to the infusion involving artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF). Moreover, a trend for a sex × infusion interaction indicated larger cholinergic transients in females. On the contrary, intraseptal infusion of a physiologically high dose (100 ng) of CRF produced a subsequent reduction in phasic cholinergic transients in both males and females. The assessment of tonic cholinergic activity over 30 min post-infusion revealed no changes at the 3 ng CRF dose in either sex, but a significant infusion × sex interaction indicated a reduction in females at the 100 ng dose of CRF as compared to the aCSF. Taken together, our results show differential, dose-dependent modulatory effects of MS CRF on the dynamics of phasic and tonic modes of cholinergic signaling in the hippocampus of male and female rats. These cholinergic signaling modes are critical for memory encoding and maintaining arousal states, and may underlie sex differences in cognitive vulnerability to stress and stress-related psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Kniffin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Miranda Targum
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Aryan Patel
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Debra A Bangasser
- Neuroscience Institute and Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Vinay Parikh
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA.
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4
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Liang YF, Chen XQ, Zhang MT, Tang HY, Shen GM. Research Progress of Central and Peripheral Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone in Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Comorbid Dysthymic Disorders. Gut Liver 2024; 18:391-403. [PMID: 37551453 PMCID: PMC11096901 DOI: 10.5009/gnl220346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is considered a stress disorder characterized by psychological and gastrointestinal dysfunction. IBS patients not only suffer from intestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation but also, experience dysthymic disorders such as anxiety and depression. Studies have found that corticotropin-releasing hormone plays a key role in IBS with comorbid dysthymic disorders. Next, we will summarize the effects of corticotropin-releasing hormone from the central nervous system and periphery on IBS with comorbid dysthymic disorders and relevant treatments based on published literatures in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Feng Liang
- College of Acupuncture and Massage, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Xiao Qi Chen
- College of Acupuncture and Massage, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Meng Ting Zhang
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - He Yong Tang
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Guo Ming Shen
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
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Kniffin A, Bangasser DA, Parikh V. Septohippocampal cholinergic system at the intersection of stress and cognition: Current trends and translational implications. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:2155-2180. [PMID: 37118907 PMCID: PMC10875782 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Deficits in hippocampus-dependent memory processes are common across psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders such as depression, anxiety and Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, stress is a major environmental risk factor for these pathologies and it exerts detrimental effects on hippocampal functioning via the activation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The medial septum cholinergic neurons extensively innervate the hippocampus. Although, the cholinergic septohippocampal pathway (SHP) has long been implicated in learning and memory, its involvement in mediating the adaptive and maladaptive impact of stress on mnemonic processes remains less clear. Here, we discuss current research highlighting the contributions of cholinergic SHP in modulating memory encoding, consolidation and retrieval. Then, we present evidence supporting the view that neurobiological interactions between HPA axis stress response and cholinergic signalling impact hippocampal computations. Finally, we critically discuss potential challenges and opportunities to target cholinergic SHP as a therapeutic strategy to improve cognitive impairments in stress-related disorders. We argue that such efforts should consider recent conceptualisations on the dynamic nature of cholinergic signalling in modulating distinct subcomponents of memory and its interactions with cellular substrates that regulate the adaptive stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Kniffin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122
| | - Debra A. Bangasser
- Neuroscience Institute and Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Vinay Parikh
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122
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6
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Yang N, Guo J, Zhang J, Gao S, Xiang Q, Wen J, Huang Y, Rao C, Chen Y. A toxicological review of alkaloids. Drug Chem Toxicol 2024:1-15. [PMID: 38465444 DOI: 10.1080/01480545.2024.2326051] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Alkaloids are naturally occurring compounds with complex structures found in natural plants. To further improve the understanding of plant alkaloids, this review focuses on the classification, toxicity and mechanisms of action, providing insight into the occurrence of alkaloid-poisoning events and guiding the safe use of alkaloids in food, supplements and clinical applications. Based on their chemical structure, alkaloids can be divided into organic amines, diterpenoids, pyridines, isoquinolines, indoles, pyrrolidines, steroids, imidazoles and purines. The mechanisms of toxicity of alkaloids, including neurotoxicity, hepatoxicity, nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity and cytotoxicity, have also been reviewed. Some cases of alkaloid poisoning have been introduced when used as food or clinically, including accidental food poisoning, excessive consumption, and poisoning caused by the improper use of alkaloids in a clinical setting, and the importance of safety evaluation was illustrated. This review summarizes the toxicity and mechanism of action of alkaloids and provides evidence for the need for the safe use of alkaloids in food, supplements and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Yang
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiafu Guo
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Song Gao
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiwen Xiang
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiayu Wen
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yan Huang
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Chaolong Rao
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- R&D Center for Efficiency, Safety and Application in Chinese Materia Medica with Medical and Edible Values, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yan Chen
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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7
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Li XL, Li F, Zhu XY, Wang XD, Kou ZZ, Liu SQ, Li H. Whole-brain mapping of monosynaptic afferent inputs to the CRH neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex of mice. J Anat 2024; 244:527-536. [PMID: 38009263 PMCID: PMC10862190 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons are densely distributed in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which plays a crucial role in integrating and processing emotional and cognitive inputs from other brain regions. Therefore, it is important to know the neural afferent patterns of mPFCCRH neurons, which are still unclear. Here, we utilized a rabies virus-based monosynaptic retrograde tracing system to map the presynaptic afferents of the mPFCCRH neurons throughout the entire brain. The results show that the mPFCCRH neurons receive inputs from three main groups of brain regions: (1) the cortex, primarily the orbital cortex, somatomotor areas, and anterior cingulate cortex; (2) the thalamus, primarily the anteromedial nucleus, mediodorsal thalamic nucleus, and central medial thalamic nucleus; and (3) other brain regions, primarily the basolateral amygdala, hippocampus, and dorsal raphe nucleus. Taken together, our results are valuable for further investigations into the roles of the mPFCCRH neurons in normal and neurological disease states. These investigations can shed light on various aspects such as cognitive processing, emotional modulation, motivation, sociability, and pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Lan Li
- Institute of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K.K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K.K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xin-Yi Zhu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K.K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inner Mongolia Armed Police Corps Hospital, Hohhot, China
| | - Zhen-Zhen Kou
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K.K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shang-Qing Liu
- Institute of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- School of International Education and Cooperation, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K.K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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8
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Xu X, Zheng S, Ren J, Li Z, Li J, Xu Z, Yuan F, Yang Q, Margetts AV, Pollock TA, Vilca SJ, Yang C, Chen G, Shen P, Li S, Xia J, Chen C, Zhou T, Zhu Y, Tuesta LM, Wang L, Kenny PJ, Liu XA, Chen Z. Hypothalamic CRF neurons facilitate brain reward function. Curr Biol 2024; 34:389-402.e5. [PMID: 38215742 PMCID: PMC10842365 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.12.046] [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: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Aversive stimuli activate corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-expressing neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVNCRF neurons) and other brain stress systems to facilitate avoidance behaviors. Appetitive stimuli also engage the brain stress systems, but their contributions to reward-related behaviors are less well understood. Here, we show that mice work vigorously to optically activate PVNCRF neurons in an operant chamber, indicating a reinforcing nature of these neurons. The reinforcing property of these neurons is not mediated by activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. We found that PVNCRF neurons send direct projections to the ventral tegmental area (VTA), and selective activation of these projections induced robust self-stimulation behaviors, without activation of the HPA axis. Similar to the PVNCRF cell bodies, self-stimulation of PVNCRF-VTA projection was dramatically attenuated by systemic pretreatment of CRF receptor 1 or dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) antagonist and augmented by corticosterone synthesis inhibitor metyrapone, but not altered by dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) antagonist. Furthermore, we found that activation of PVNCRF-VTA projections increased c-Fos expression in the VTA dopamine neurons and rapidly triggered dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), and microinfusion of D1R or D2R antagonist into the NAc decreased the self-stimulation of these projections. Together, our findings reveal an unappreciated role of PVNCRF neurons and their VTA projections in driving reward-related behaviors, independent of their core neuroendocrine functions. As activation of PVNCRF neurons is the final common path for many stress systems, our study suggests a novel mechanism underlying the positive reinforcing effect of stressful stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinli Xu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shuidiao Zheng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510130, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiayan Ren
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zixuan Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jinyan Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhibin Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Feng Yuan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qixing Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Alexander V Margetts
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Tate A Pollock
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Samara J Vilca
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Canyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Gaowei Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Peilei Shen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shupeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianxun Xia
- Yunkang School of Medicine and Health, Nanfang College, Guangzhou 510970, Guangdong, China
| | - Chuyun Chen
- The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510130, Guangdong, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yingjie Zhu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Luis M Tuesta
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Liping Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Paul J Kenny
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Xin-An Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Zuxin Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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9
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Kelly EA, Love TM, Fudge JL. Corticotropin-releasing factor-dopamine interactions in male and female macaque: Beyond the classic VTA. Synapse 2024; 78:e22284. [PMID: 37996987 PMCID: PMC10842953 DOI: 10.1002/syn.22284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) is involved in stress and stress-related illnesses, including many psychiatric disorders. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) plays a role in stress responses and targets the ventral midbrain DA system, which is composed of DA and non-DA cells, and divided into specific subregions. Although CRF inputs to the midline A10 nuclei ("classic VTA") are known, in monkeys, CRF-containing terminals are also highly enriched in the expanded A10 parabrachial pigmented nucleus (PBP) and in the A8 retrorubral field subregions. We characterized CRF-labeled synaptic terminals on DA (tyrosine hydroxylase, TH+) and non-DA (TH-) cell types in the PBP and A8 regions using immunoreactive electron microscopy (EM) in male and female macaques. CRF labeling was present mostly in axon terminals, which mainly contacted TH-negative dendrites in both subregions. Most CRF-positive terminals had symmetric profiles. In both PBP and A8, CRF symmetric (putative inhibitory) synapses onto TH-negative dendrites were significantly greater than asymmetric (putative excitatory) profiles. This overall pattern was similar in males and females, despite shifts in the size of these effects between regions depending on sex. Because stress and gonadal hormone shifts can influence CRF expression, we also did hormonal assays over a 6-month time period and found little variability in basal cortisol across similarly housed animals at the same age. Together our findings suggest that at baseline, CRF-positive synaptic terminals in the primate PBP and A8 are poised to regulate DA indirectly through synaptic contacts onto non-DA neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Kelly
- Departments of Neuroscience, Del Monte Institute of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - T M Love
- Department of Biostatistics, Del Monte Institute of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - J L Fudge
- Departments of Neuroscience, Del Monte Institute of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Del Monte Institute of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
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10
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Yang X, Geng F. Corticotropin-releasing factor signaling and its potential role in the prefrontal cortex-dependent regulation of anxiety. J Neurosci Res 2023; 101:1781-1794. [PMID: 37592912 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
A large body of literature has highlighted the significance of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system in the regulation of neuropsychiatric diseases. Anxiety disorders are among the most common neuropsychiatric disorders. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that the CRF family mediates and regulates the development and maintenance of anxiety. Thus, the CRF family is considered to be a potential target for the treatment of anxiety disorders. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a role in the occurrence and development of anxiety, and both CRF and CRF-R1 are widely expressed in the PFC. This paper begins by reviewing CRF-related signaling pathways and their different roles in anxiety and related processes. Then, the role of the CRF system in other neuropsychiatric diseases is reviewed and the potential role of PFC CRF signaling in the regulation of anxiety disorders is discussed. Although other signaling pathways are potentially involved in the process of anxiety, CRF in the PFC primarily modulates anxiety disorders through the activation of corticotropin-releasing factor type1 receptors (CRF-R1) and the excitation of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. Moreover, the main signaling pathways of CRF involved in sex differentiation in the PFC appear to be different. In summary, this review suggests that the CRF system in the PFC plays a critical role in the occurrence of anxiety. Thus, CRF signaling is of great significance as a potential target for the treatment of stress-related disorders in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yang
- Department of Physiology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fei Geng
- Department of Physiology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
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11
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Govindula A, Ranadive N, Nampoothiri M, Rao CM, Arora D, Mudgal J. Emphasizing the Crosstalk Between Inflammatory and Neural Signaling in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2023; 18:248-266. [PMID: 37097603 PMCID: PMC10577110 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-023-10064-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic incapacitating condition with recurrent experience of trauma-related memories, negative mood, altered cognition, and hypervigilance. Agglomeration of preclinical and clinical evidence in recent years specified that alterations in neural networks favor certain characteristics of PTSD. Besides the disruption of hypothalamus-pituitary-axis (HPA) axis, intensified immune status with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and arachidonic metabolites of COX-2 such as PGE2 creates a putative scenario in worsening the neurobehavioral facet of PTSD. This review aims to link the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders (DSM-V) symptomology to major neural mechanisms that are supposed to underpin the transition from acute stress reactions to the development of PTSD. Also, to demonstrate how these intertwined processes can be applied to probable early intervention strategies followed by a description of the evidence supporting the proposed mechanisms. Hence in this review, several neural network mechanisms were postulated concerning the HPA axis, COX-2, PGE2, NLRP3, and sirtuins to unravel possible complex neuroinflammatory mechanisms that are obscured in PTSD condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anusha Govindula
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Niraja Ranadive
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Madhavan Nampoothiri
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - C Mallikarjuna Rao
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Devinder Arora
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast campus, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4222, Australia.
| | - Jayesh Mudgal
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
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12
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Shang M, Shen M, Xu R, Du J, Zhang J, OuYang D, Du J, Hu J, Sun Z, Wang B, Han Q, Hu Y, Liu Y, Guan Y, Li J, Guo G, Xing J. Moderate white light exposure enhanced spatial memory retrieval by activating a central amygdala-involved circuit in mice. Commun Biol 2023; 6:414. [PMID: 37059729 PMCID: PMC10104844 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04765-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Light exposure can profoundly affect neurological functions and behaviors. Here, we show that short-term exposure to moderate (400 lux) white light during Y-maze test promoted spatial memory retrieval and induced only mild anxiety in mice. This beneficial effect involves the activation of a circuit including neurons in the central amygdala (CeA), locus coeruleus (LC), and dentate gyrus (DG). Specifically, moderate light activated corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) positive (+) CeA neurons and induced the release of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) from their axon terminals ending in the LC. CRF then activated tyrosine hydroxylase-expressing LC neurons, which send projections to DG and release norepinephrine (NE). NE activated β-adrenergic receptors on CaMKIIα-expressing DG neurons, ultimately promoting spatial memory retrieval. Our study thus demonstrated a specific light scheme that can promote spatial memory without excessive stress, and unraveled the underlying CeA-LC-DG circuit and associated neurochemical mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- MengJuan Shang
- Department of Radiation Biology, Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, 710032, China
| | - MeiLun Shen
- Department of Radiation Biology, Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, 710032, China
| | - RuoTong Xu
- The Third Regiment, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, 710032, China
| | - JingYu Du
- The Third Regiment, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, 710032, China
| | - JiMeng Zhang
- The Second Regiment, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, 710032, China
| | - Ding OuYang
- The Third Regiment, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, 710032, China
| | - JunZe Du
- The Third Regiment, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, 710032, China
| | - JunFeng Hu
- Department of Radiation Biology, Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, 710032, China
| | - ZhiChuan Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Daxing Hospital, Xi'an, ShaanXi, 710032, China
| | - BingXia Wang
- Department of Radiation Biology, Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, 710032, China
| | - Qian Han
- Department of Radiation Biology, Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, 710032, China
| | - Yang Hu
- The Third Regiment, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, 710032, China
| | - YiHong Liu
- The Third Regiment, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, 710032, China
| | - Yun Guan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, the Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Radiation Biology, Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, 710032, China
| | - GuoZhen Guo
- Department of Radiation Biology, Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, 710032, China.
- Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, 710032, China.
| | - JunLing Xing
- Department of Radiation Biology, Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, 710032, China.
- Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, ShaanXi, 710032, China.
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13
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Rieger NS, Ng AJ, Lee S, Brady BH, Christianson JP. Maternal immune activation alters social affective behavior and sensitivity to corticotropin releasing factor in male but not female rats. Horm Behav 2023; 149:105313. [PMID: 36706685 PMCID: PMC9974777 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal infection increases risk for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism in offspring. In rodents, prenatal administration of the viral mimic Polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid (Poly I: C) allows for investigation of developmental consequences of gestational sickness on offspring social behavior and neural circuit function. Because maternal immune activation (MIA) disrupts cortical development and sociability, we examined approach and avoidance in a rat social affective preference (SAP) task. Following maternal Poly I:C (0.5 mg/kg) injection on gestational day 12.5, male adult offspring (PN 60-64) exhibited atypical social interactions with stressed conspecifics whereas female SAP behavior was unaffected by maternal Poly I:C. Social responses to stressed conspecifics depend upon the insular cortex where corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) modulates synaptic transmission and SAP behavior. We characterized insular field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSP) in adult offspring of Poly I:C or control treated dams. Male MIA offspring showed decreased sensitivity to CRF (300 nM) while female MIA offspring showed greater sensitivity to CRF compared to sham offspring. These sex specific effects appear to be behaviorally relevant as CRF injected into the insula of male and female rats prior to social exploration testing had no effect in MIA male offspring but increased social interaction in female MIA offspring. We examined the cellular distribution of CRF receptor mRNA but found no effect of maternal Poly I:C in the insula. Together, these experiments reveal sex specific effects of prenatal infection on offspring responses to social affective stimuli and identify insular CRF signaling as a novel neurobiological substrate for autism risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel S Rieger
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Alexandra J Ng
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Shanon Lee
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Bridget H Brady
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - John P Christianson
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
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14
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Chronically dysregulated corticosterone impairs dopaminergic transmission in the dorsomedial striatum by sex-divergent mechanisms. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023:10.1038/s41386-023-01551-1. [PMID: 36810463 PMCID: PMC10353992 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01551-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Individuals with MDD exhibit decreased motivation and deficits in reward processing. In a subset of MDD patients, chronic dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis occurs, resulting in increased levels of the 'stress hormone' cortisol during the normal rest period (i.e., evening and night). However, the mechanistic relationship between chronically elevated resting cortisol and behavioral deficits in motivation and reward processing remains unclear. Given that women are diagnosed with MDD at twice the rate of men, it is important to understand whether the mechanisms linking cortisol to the symptoms of MDD differ by sex. In this study, we used subcutaneous implants to chronically elevate free plasma corticosterone (the rodent homolog of cortisol; 'CORT') during the rest period in male and female mice and examined changes in behavior and dopamine system function. We found that chronic CORT treatment impaired motivated reward-seeking in both sexes. In female but not male mice, CORT treatment reduced dopamine content in the dorsomedial striatum (DMS). In male but not female mice, CORT treatment impaired the function of the dopamine transporter (DAT) in DMS. From these studies, we conclude that chronic CORT dysregulation impairs motivation by impairing dopaminergic transmission in the DMS, but via different mechanisms in male and female mice. A better understanding of these sex-specific mechanisms could lead to new directions in MDD diagnosis and treatment.
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15
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Eck SR, Kokras N, Wicks B, Baltimas P, Hall A, van Bendegem N, Salvatore M, Cohen SR, Bergmann J, Ceretti A, Parikh V, Dalla C, Bangasser DA. Corticotropin releasing factor in the nucleus basalis of Meynert impairs attentional performance and reduces levels of glutamate and taurine in male and female rats. Neuropharmacology 2022; 221:109280. [PMID: 36216029 PMCID: PMC9883789 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders that are characterized by impairments in sustained attention, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and major depression are also sensitive to exacerbation by stress. Sustained attention relies on cholinergic and non-cholinergic projections from the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) in the basal forebrain to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). We have previously shown that central administration of the stress neuropeptide corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) impairs performance on the sustained attention task (SAT) in adult male and female rats. The present study investigated whether this effect was mediated by CRF's action in the NBM. Rats were administered CRF in the NBM and subsequent SAT performance was measured. A high dose of CRF (100 ng) significantly impaired performance on non-signaled events across sex. Because performance on non-signaled events is believed to depend on non-cholinergic (i.e., GABA and glutamate) signaling, high performance liquid chromatography was used to quantify amino acid levels in the NBM and mPFC. We found females have higher levels of glutamate, glutamine, GABA glycine, and alanine in the NBM than males. Importantly, CRF in the NBM led to a local decrease of taurine and several amino acids involved in glutamate synthesis in males and females, changes which may mediate the CRF-induced SAT performance deficit. Together these studies suggest that CRF regulation of amino acids in the NMB contributes to stress-induced attention deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha R Eck
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Nikolaos Kokras
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, 11527, Goudi, Athens, Greece; First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - Brittany Wicks
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Petros Baltimas
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, 11527, Goudi, Athens, Greece
| | - Arron Hall
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Nina van Bendegem
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Madeleine Salvatore
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Sarah R Cohen
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Joy Bergmann
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Attilio Ceretti
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Vinay Parikh
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Christina Dalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, 11527, Goudi, Athens, Greece
| | - Debra A Bangasser
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA; Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
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16
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Critical review of RDoC approaches to the study of motivation with animal models: effort valuation/willingness to work. Emerg Top Life Sci 2022; 6:515-528. [PMID: 36218385 DOI: 10.1042/etls20220008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The NIMH research domain criteria (RDoC) approach was instigated to refocus mental health research on the neural circuits that mediate psychological functions, with the idea that this would foster an understanding of the neural basis of specific psychiatric dysfunctions (i.e. 'symptoms and circuits') and ultimately facilitate treatment. As a general idea, this attempt to go beyond traditional diagnostic categories and focus on neural circuit dysfunctions related to specific symptoms spanning multiple disorders has many advantages. For example, motivational dysfunctions are present in multiple disorders, including depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and other conditions. A critical aspect of motivation is effort valuation/willingness to work, and several clinical studies have identified alterations in effort-based decision making in various patient groups. In parallel, formal animal models focusing on the exertion of effort and effort-based decision making have been developed. This paper reviews the literature on models of effort-based motivational function in the context of a discussion of the RDoC approach, with an emphasis on the dissociable nature of distinct aspects of motivation. For example, conditions associated with depression and schizophrenia blunt the selection of high-effort activities as measured by several tasks in animal models (e.g. lever pressing, barrier climbing, wheel running). Nevertheless, these manipulations also leave fundamental aspects of hedonic reactivity, food motivation, and reinforcement intact. This pattern of effects demonstrates that the general emphasis of the RDoC on the specificity of the neural circuits mediating behavioral pathologies, and the dissociative nature of these dysfunctions, is a valid concept. Nevertheless, the specific placement of effort-related processes as simply a 'sub-construct' of 'reward processing' is empirically and conceptually problematic. Thus, while the RDoC is an excellent general framework for new ways to approach research and therapeutics, it still needs further refinement.
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17
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Cognitive flexibility assessment with a new Reversal learning task paradigm compared with the Wisconsin card sorting test exploring the moderating effect of gender and stress. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2022; 87:1439-1453. [DOI: 10.1007/s00426-022-01763-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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18
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Berridge CW, Martin AJ, Hupalo S, Nicol SE. Estrus cycle-dependent working memory effects of prefrontal cortex corticotropin-releasing factor neurotransmission. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:2016-2023. [PMID: 35618840 PMCID: PMC9556710 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01349-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) supports a diversity of cognitive processes. Impairment in PFC-dependent cognition is associated with multiple psychiatric disorders, including those known to display sex differences. Our ability to treat this impairment is limited, in part due to an incomplete understanding of the neural mechanisms that support PFC-dependent cognition. In previous studies in male rats, we demonstrated that corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptors and neurons in caudal dorsomedial PFC (dmPFC) regulate PFC-dependent working memory. Subcortically, CRF can exert sex-specific actions, a subset of which are ovarian steroid dependent. To date, the cognitive actions of dmPFC CRF neurotransmission in females are unknown. To address this gap, the current studies examined the effects of chemogenetic and pharmacological manipulations of CRF receptors and neurons within the dmPFC of female rats tested in a spatial working memory task. Outside of proestrus, activation of both CRF receptors and neurons in the caudal, but not rostral, dmPFC impaired working memory. Meanwhile, blockade of CRF receptors in the caudal dmPFC or globally in the brain, improved working memory performance, similar to that seen in males. In contrast, these effects were not observed during proestrus. These observations demonstrate that while CRF neurotransmission in the PFC regulates working memory similarly in males and females, these actions are not observed in females when ovarian steroids are at peak levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig W Berridge
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
| | - Andrea J Martin
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Sofiya Hupalo
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
- Division of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral Science, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Shannon E Nicol
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
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Zegers-Delgado J, Aguilera-Soza A, Calderón F, Davidson H, Verbel-Vergara D, Yarur HE, Novoa J, Blanlot C, Bastias CP, Andrés ME, Gysling K. Type 1 Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptor Differentially Modulates Neurotransmitter Levels in the Nucleus Accumbens of Juvenile versus Adult Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810800. [PMID: 36142716 PMCID: PMC9505341 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Adversity is particularly pernicious in early life, increasing the likelihood of developing psychiatric disorders in adulthood. Juvenile and adult rats exposed to social isolation show differences in anxiety-like behaviors and significant changes in dopamine (DA) neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Brain response to stress is partly mediated by the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system, composed of CRF and its two main receptors, CRF-R1 and CRF-R2. In the NAc shell of adult rats, CRF induces anxiety-like behavior and changes local DA balance. However, the role of CRF receptors in the control of neurotransmission in the NAc is not fully understood, nor is it known whether there are differences between life stages. Our previous data showed that infusion of a CRF-R1 antagonist into the NAc of juvenile rats increased DA levels in response to a depolarizing stimulus and decreased basal glutamate levels. To extend this analysis, we now evaluated the effect of a CRF-R1 antagonist infusion in the NAc of adult rats. Here, we describe that the opposite occurred in the NAc of adult compared to juvenile rats. Infusion of a CRF-R1 antagonist decreased DA and increased glutamate levels in response to a depolarizing stimulus. Furthermore, basal levels of DA, glutamate, and γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) were similar in juvenile animals compared to adults. CRF-R1 protein levels and localization were not different in juvenile compared to adult rats. Interestingly, we observed differences in the signaling pathways of CRF-R1 in the NAc of juveniles compared to adult rats. We propose that the function of CRF-R1 receptors is differentially modulated in the NAc according to life stage.
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20
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Treadway MT, Salamone JD. Vigor, Effort-Related Aspects of Motivation and Anhedonia. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2022; 58:325-353. [PMID: 35505057 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In this chapter we provide an overview of the pharmacological and circuit mechanisms that determine the willingness to expend effort in pursuit of rewards. A particular focus will be on the role of the mesolimbic dopamine system, as well the contributing roles of limbic and cortical brains areas involved in the evaluation, selection, and invigoration of goal-directed actions. We begin with a review of preclinical studies, which have provided key insights into the brain systems that are necessary and sufficient for effort-based decision-making and have characterized novel compounds that enhance selection of high-effort activities. Next, we summarize translational studies identifying and expanding this circuitry in humans. Finally, we discuss the relevance of this work for understanding common motivational impairments as part of the broader anhedonia symptom domain associated with mental illness, and the identification of new treatment targets within this circuitry to improve motivation and effort-expenditure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John D Salamone
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
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21
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Soden ME, Yee JX, Cuevas B, Rastani A, Elum J, Zweifel LS. Distinct Encoding of Reward and Aversion by Peptidergic BNST Inputs to the VTA. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:918839. [PMID: 35860212 PMCID: PMC9289195 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.918839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptides play an important role in modulating mesolimbic system function. However, while synaptic inputs to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have been extensively mapped, the sources of many neuropeptides are not well resolved. Here, we mapped the anatomical locations of three neuropeptide inputs to the VTA: neurotensin (NTS), corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF), and neurokinin B (NkB). Among numerous labeled inputs we identified the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) as a major source of all three peptides, containing similar numbers of NTS, CRF, and NkB VTA projection neurons. Approximately 50% of BNST to VTA inputs co-expressed two or more of the peptides examined. Consistent with this expression pattern, analysis of calcium dynamics in the terminals of these inputs in the VTA revealed both common and distinct patterns of activation during appetitive and aversive conditioning. These data demonstrate additional diversification of the mesolimbic dopamine system through partially overlapping neuropeptidergic inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta E. Soden
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- *Correspondence: Marta E. Soden
| | - Joshua X. Yee
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Beatriz Cuevas
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Ariana Rastani
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jordan Elum
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Larry S. Zweifel
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Larry S. Zweifel
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22
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Corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 in infralimbic cortex modulates social stress-altered decision-making. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 116:110523. [PMID: 35122897 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2022.110523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Chronic stress could lead to a bias in behavioral strategies toward habits. However, it remains unclear which neuronal system modulates stress-induced behavioral abnormality during decision making. The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which has been implicated in governing strategy choice, is involved in the response to stress. The present study aimed to clarify whether altered function in cortical CRF receptors is linked to abnormal behaviors after chronic stress. In results, mice subjected to a 10-day social defeat preferred to use a habitual strategy. The infralimbic cortex (IL), but not the prelimbic cortex (PL) or anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), showed higher cFos expression in stress-subjected mice than in control mice, which may be associated with habitual behavior choice. Furthermore, CRF receptor 1 (CRFR1) agonist and antagonist infusion in IL during behavioral training mimicked and rescued stress-caused behavioral change in the decision-making assessment, respectively. An electrophysiological approach showed that the frequencies of both spontaneous IPSC and spontaneous EPSC, but not their amplitude, increased after stress and were modulated by CRFR1 agents. Further recordings revealed that an increased ratio of excitation to inhibition (E/I ratio) of IL by stress was rescued under conditions with CRFR1 antagonist. Collectively, these data indicate that CRFR1 plays a critical role in stress-permitted or enhanced glutamatergic and GABAergic presynaptic transmission in direct or indirect ways, as well as the modulation for E/I ratio in the IL. Thus, CRFR1 in the mPFC may be a proper target for treating cases of chronic stress-altered behavior.
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Baumgartner HM, Granillo M, Schulkin J, Berridge KC. Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) systems: Promoting cocaine pursuit without distress via incentive motivation. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267345. [PMID: 35503756 PMCID: PMC9064096 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) systems in limbic structures are posited to mediate stress-induced relapse in addiction, traditionally by generating distress states that spur drug consumption as attempts at hedonic self-medication. Yet evidence suggests that activating CRF-expressing neurons in the central amygdala (CeA) or nucleus accumbens (NAc) can magnify incentive motivation in absence of distress, at least for sucrose rewards. However, traditional CRF hypotheses in addiction neuroscience are primarily directed toward drug rewards. The question remains open whether CRF systems can similarly act via incentive motivation mechanisms to promote pursuit of drug rewards, such as cocaine. Here we tested whether optogenetic excitation of CRF-containing neurons in either NAc medial shell, lateral CeA, or dorsolateral BNST of transgenic Crh-Cre+ rats would spur preference and pursuit of a particular laser-paired cocaine reward over an alternative cocaine reward, and whether excitation served as a positively-valenced incentive itself, through laser self-stimulation tests. We report that excitation of CRF-containing neurons in either NAc or CeA recruited mesocorticolimbic circuitry to amplify incentive motivation to pursue the laser-paired cocaine: focusing preference on the laser-paired cocaine reward in a two-choice task, and spurred pursuit as doubled breakpoint in a progressive ratio task. Crucially indicating positive-valence, excitation of CRF neurons in NAc and CeA also was actively sought after by most rats in self-stimulation tasks. Conversely, CRF neuronal activation in BNST was never self-stimulated, but failed to enhance cocaine consumption. Collectively, we find that NAc and CeA CRF-containing neurons can amplify pursuit and consumption of cocaine by positively-valenced incentive mechanisms, without any aversive distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M. Baumgartner
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United Started of America
| | - Madeliene Granillo
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United Started of America
| | - Jay Schulkin
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Kent C. Berridge
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United Started of America
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Zalachoras I, Astori S, Meijer M, Grosse J, Zanoletti O, de Suduiraut IG, Deussing JM, Sandi C. Opposite effects of stress on effortful motivation in high and low anxiety are mediated by CRHR1 in the VTA. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabj9019. [PMID: 35319997 PMCID: PMC8942367 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj9019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Individuals frequently differ in their behavioral and cognitive responses to stress. However, whether motivation is differently affected by acute stress in different individuals remains to be established. By exploiting natural variation in trait anxiety in outbred Wistar rats, we show that acute stress facilitates effort-related motivation in low anxious animals, while dampening effort in high anxious ones. This model allowed us to address the mechanisms underlying acute stress-induced differences in motivated behavior. We show that CRHR1 expression levels in dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA)-a neuronal type implicated in the regulation of motivation-depend on animals' anxiety, and these differences in CRHR1 expression levels explain the divergent effects of stress on both effortful behavior and the functioning of mesolimbic DA neurons. These findings highlight CRHR1 in VTA DA neurons-whose levels vary with individuals' anxiety-as a switching mechanism determining whether acute stress facilitates or dampens motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Zalachoras
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Corresponding author. (C.S.); (I.Z.); (S.A.)
| | - Simone Astori
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Corresponding author. (C.S.); (I.Z.); (S.A.)
| | - Mandy Meijer
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Jocelyn Grosse
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivia Zanoletti
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Guillot de Suduiraut
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jan M. Deussing
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry/Molecular Neurogenetics, Munich, Germany
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Corresponding author. (C.S.); (I.Z.); (S.A.)
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25
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Charlton AJ, Perry CJ. The Effect of Chronic Alcohol on Cognitive Decline: Do Variations in Methodology Impact Study Outcome? An Overview of Research From the Past 5 Years. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:836827. [PMID: 35360176 PMCID: PMC8960615 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.836827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive alcohol use is often associated with accelerated cognitive decline, and extensive research using animal models of human alcohol consumption has been conducted into potential mechanisms for this relationship. Within this literature there is considerable variability in the types of models used. For example, alcohol administration style (voluntary/forced), length and schedule of exposure and abstinence period are often substantially different between studies. In this review, we evaluate recent research into alcohol-induced cognitive decline according to methodology of alcohol access, as well as cognitive behavioral task employed. Our aim was to query whether the nature and severity of deficits observed may be impacted by the schedule and type of alcohol administration. We furthermore examined whether there is any apparent relationship between the amount of alcohol consumed and the severity of the deficit, as well as the potential impact of abstinence length, and other factors such as age of administration, and sex of subject. Over the past five years, researchers have overwhelmingly used non-voluntary methods of intake, however deficits are still found where intake is voluntary. Magnitude of intake and type of task seem most closely related to the likelihood of producing a deficit, however even this did not follow a consistent pattern. We highlight the importance of using systematic and clear reporting styles to facilitate consistency across the literature in this regard. We hope that this analysis will provide important insights into how experimental protocols might influence findings, and how different patterns of consumption are more or less likely to produce an addiction-vulnerable cognitive phenotype in animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annai J. Charlton
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Christina J. Perry
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- School of Psychological Sciences, Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Christina J. Perry,
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Salamone J, Ecevitoglu A, Carratala-Ros C, Presby R, Edelstein G, Fleeher R, Rotolo R, Meka N, Srinath S, Masthay JC, Correa M. Complexities and Paradoxes in Understanding the Role of Dopamine in Incentive Motivation and Instrumental Action: Exertion of Effort vs. Anhedonia. Brain Res Bull 2022; 182:57-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Potentials of Neuropeptides as Therapeutic Agents for Neurological Diseases. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020343. [PMID: 35203552 PMCID: PMC8961788 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite recent leaps in modern medicine, progress in the treatment of neurological diseases remains slow. The near impermeable blood-brain barrier (BBB) that prevents the entry of therapeutics into the brain, and the complexity of neurological processes, limits the specificity of potential therapeutics. Moreover, a lack of etiological understanding and the irreversible nature of neurological conditions have resulted in low tolerability and high failure rates towards existing small molecule-based treatments. Neuropeptides, which are small proteinaceous molecules produced by the body, either in the nervous system or the peripheral organs, modulate neurological function. Although peptide-based therapeutics originated from the treatment of metabolic diseases in the 1920s, the adoption and development of peptide drugs for neurological conditions are relatively recent. In this review, we examine the natural roles of neuropeptides in the modulation of neurological function and the development of neurological disorders. Furthermore, we highlight the potential of these proteinaceous molecules in filling gaps in current therapeutics.
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Lehner M, Skórzewska A, Wisłowska-Stanek A. Sex-Related Predisposition to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Development-The Role of Neuropeptides. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 19:314. [PMID: 35010574 PMCID: PMC8750761 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by re-experiencing a traumatic event, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, hyperarousal, and severe functional impairment. Women have a two times higher risk of developing PTSD than men. The neurobiological basis for the sex-specific predisposition to PTSD might be related to differences in the functions of stress-responsive systems due to the interaction between gonadal hormones and stress peptides such as corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), orexin, oxytocin, and neuropeptide Y. Additionally, in phases where estrogens levels are low, the risk of developing or exacerbating PTSD is higher. Most studies have revealed several essential sex differences in CRF function. They include genetic factors, e.g., the CRF promoter contains estrogen response elements. Importantly, sex-related differences are responsible for different predispositions to PTSD and diverse treatment responses. Fear extinction (the process responsible for the effectiveness of behavioral therapy for PTSD) in women during periods of high endogenous estradiol levels (the primary form of estrogens) is reportedly more effective than in periods of low endogenous estradiol. In this review, we present the roles of selected neuropeptides in the sex-related predisposition to PTSD development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Lehner
- Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 9 Sobieskiego Street, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland; (M.L.); (A.S.)
| | - Anna Skórzewska
- Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 9 Sobieskiego Street, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland; (M.L.); (A.S.)
| | - Aleksandra Wisłowska-Stanek
- Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology (CEPT), Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, 1B Banacha Street, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
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29
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Dong Z, Zhang G, Xiang S, Jiang C, Chen Z, Li Y, Huang B, Zhou W, Lian Q, Wu B. The Antagonism of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptor-1 in Brain Suppress Stress-Induced Propofol Self-Administration in Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:775209. [PMID: 34924971 PMCID: PMC8674615 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.775209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Propofol addiction has been detected in humans and rats, which may be facilitated by stress. Corticotropin-releasing factor acts through the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor-1 (CRF1R) and CRF2 receptor-2 (CRF2R) and is a crucial candidate target for the interaction between stress and drug abuse, but its role on propofol addiction remains unknown. Tail clip stressful stimulation was performed in rats to test the stress on the establishment of the propofol self-administration behavioral model. Thereafter, the rats were pretreated before the testing session at the bilateral lateral ventricle with one of the doses of antalarmin (CRF1R antagonist, 100–500 ng/site), antisauvagine 30 (CRF2R antagonist, 100–500 ng/site), and RU486 (glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, 100–500 ng/site) or vehicle. The dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) was detected to explore the underlying molecular mechanism. The sucrose self-administration establishment and maintenance, and locomotor activities were also examined to determine the specificity. We found that the establishment of propofol self-administration was promoted in the tail clip treated group (the stress group), which was inhibited by antalarmin at the dose of 100–500 ng/site but was not by antisauvagine 30 or RU486. Accordingly, the expression of D1R in the NAc was attenuated by antalarmin, dose-dependently. Moreover, pretreatments fail to change sucrose self-administration behavior or locomotor activities. This study supports the role of CRF1R in the brain in mediating the central reward processing through D1R in the NAc and provided a possibility that CRF1R antagonist may be a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of propofol addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanglei Dong
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Gaolong Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Saiqiong Xiang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chenchen Jiang
- Clinical Research Unit, The Second Affiliated and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhichuan Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Medical School, Institution of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Bingwu Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wenhua Zhou
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Addiction, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, School of Medicine, Ningbo Universtiy, Ningbo, China
| | - Qingquan Lian
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Binbin Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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Wang S, Leri F, Rizvi SJ. Anhedonia as a central factor in depression: Neural mechanisms revealed from preclinical to clinical evidence. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 110:110289. [PMID: 33631251 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Anhedonia is one of the core symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD), which is often inadequately treated by traditional antidepressants. The modern framework of anhedonia extends the definition from impaired consummatory pleasure or interest in rewards to a broad spectrum of deficits that impact functions such as reward anticipation, approach motivation, effort expenditure, reward valuation, expectation, and reward-cue association learning. Substantial preclinical and clinical research has explored the neural basis of reward deficits in the context of depression, and has implicated mesocorticolimbic reward circuitry comprising the nucleus accumbens, ventral pallidum, ventral tegmental area, amygdala, hippocampus, anterior cingulate, insula, orbitofrontal cortex, and other prefrontal cortex regions. Dopamine modulates several reward facets including anticipation, motivation, effort, and learning. As well, serotonin, norepinephrine, opioids, glutamate, Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), and acetylcholine are also involved in anhedonia, and medications targeting these systems may also potentially normalize reward processing in depression. Unfortunately, whereas reward anticipation and reward outcome are extensively explored by both preclinical and clinical studies, translational gaps remain in reward motivation, effort, valuation, and learning, where clinical neuroimaging studies are in the early stages. This review aims to synthesize the neurobiological mechanisms underlying anhedonia in MDD uncovered by preclinical and clinical research. The translational difficulties in studying the neural basis of reward are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijing Wang
- Arthur Sommer Rotenberg Suicide and Depression Studies Program, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Francesco Leri
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sakina J Rizvi
- Arthur Sommer Rotenberg Suicide and Depression Studies Program, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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31
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Pintér D, Balangó B, Simon B, Palotai M, Csabafi K, Dobó É, Ibos KE, Bagosi Z. The effects of CRF and the urocortins on the hippocampal acetylcholine release in rats. Neuropeptides 2021; 88:102147. [PMID: 33932861 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2021.102147] [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: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and the urocortins (Ucn1, Ucn2 and Ucn3) are structurally related neuropeptides which act via two distinct CRF receptors, CRF1 and CRF2, with putatively antagonistic effects in the brain. CRF and Ucn1 activate both CRF1 and CRF2, while Ucn2 and Ucn3 activate selectively CRF2. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of CRF, Ucn1, Ucn2 and Ucn3 on the hippocampal acetylcholine release through which they may modulate cognitive functions, including attention, learning and memory. In this purpose male Wistar rats were used, their hippocampus was isolated, dissected, incubated, superfused and stimulated electrically. The hippocampal slices were first pretreated with selective CRF1 antagonist antalarmin or selective CRF2 antagonist astressin2B, and then treated with non-selective CRF1 agonists, CRF or Ucn1, and selective CRF2 agonists, Ucn2 or Ucn3. The hippocampal acetylcholine release was increased significantly by CRF and Ucn1 and decreased significantly by Ucn2 and Ucn3. The increasing effect of CRF and Ucn1 was reduced significantly by antalarmin, but not astressin2B. In contrast, the decreasing effect of Ucn2 and Ucn3 was reversed significantly by the selective CRF2, but not the selective CRF1 antagonist. Our results demonstrate that CRF and Ucn1 stimulate the hippocampal acetylcholine release through CRF1, whereas Ucn2 and Ucn3 inhibit the hippocampal acetylcholine release through CRF2. Therefore, the present study suggests the existence of two apparently opposing CRF systems in the hippocampus, through which CRF and the urocortins might modulate cholinergic activity and thereby cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dávid Pintér
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Beáta Balangó
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | - Balázs Simon
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | - Miklós Palotai
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Krisztina Csabafi
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | - Éva Dobó
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | - Katalin Eszter Ibos
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Bagosi
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Hungary
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32
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Gilmartin MR, Ferrara NC. Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide in Learning and Memory. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:663418. [PMID: 34239418 PMCID: PMC8258392 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.663418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a highly conserved neuropeptide that regulates neuronal physiology and transcription through Gs/Gq-coupled receptors. Its actions within hypothalamic, limbic, and mnemonic systems underlie its roles in stress regulation, affective processing, neuroprotection, and cognition. Recently, elevated PACAP levels and genetic disruption of PAC1 receptor signaling in humans has been linked to maladaptive threat learning and pathological stress and fear in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PACAP is positioned to integrate stress and memory in PTSD for which memory of the traumatic experience is central to the disorder. However, PACAP's role in memory has received comparatively less attention than its role in stress. In this review, we consider the evidence for PACAP-PAC1 receptor signaling in learning and plasticity, discuss emerging data on sex differences in PACAP signaling, and raise key questions for further study toward elucidating the contribution of PACAP to adaptive and maladaptive fear learning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole C Ferrara
- Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
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33
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Zhao X, Tran H, DeRosa H, Roderick RC, Kentner AC. Hidden talents: Poly (I:C)-induced maternal immune activation improves mouse visual discrimination performance and reversal learning in a sex-dependent manner. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2021; 20:e12755. [PMID: 34056840 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
While there is a strong focus on the negative consequences of maternal immune activation (MIA) on developing brains, very little attention is directed towards potential advantages of early life challenges. In this study, we utilized a polyinosine-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) MIA model to test visual pairwise discrimination (PD) and reversal learning (RL) in mice using touchscreen technology. Significant sex differences emerged in that MIA reduced the latency for males to make a correct choice in the PD task while females reached criterion sooner, made fewer errors, and utilized fewer correction trials in RL compared to saline controls. These surprising improvements were accompanied by the sex-specific upregulation of several genes critical to cognitive functioning, indicative of compensatory plasticity in response to MIA. In contrast, when exposed to a 'two-hit' stress model (MIA + loss of the social component of environmental enrichment [EE]), mice did not display anhedonia but required an increased number of PD and RL correction trials. These animals also had significant reductions of CamK2a mRNA in the prefrontal cortex. Appropriate functioning of synaptic plasticity, via mediators such as this protein kinase and others, are critical for behavioral flexibility. Although EE has been implicated in, delaying the appearance of symptoms associated with certain brain disorders, these findings are in line with evidence that it also makes individuals more vulnerable to its loss. Overall, with the right 'dose', early life stress exposure can confer at least some functional advantages, which are lost when the number or magnitude of these exposures become too great.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhao
- School of Arts & Sciences, Health Psychology Program, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hieu Tran
- School of Arts & Sciences, Health Psychology Program, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Holly DeRosa
- School of Arts & Sciences, Health Psychology Program, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ryland C Roderick
- School of Arts & Sciences, Health Psychology Program, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amanda C Kentner
- School of Arts & Sciences, Health Psychology Program, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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34
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Baumgartner HM, Schulkin J, Berridge KC. Activating Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Systems in the Nucleus Accumbens, Amygdala, and Bed Nucleus of Stria Terminalis: Incentive Motivation or Aversive Motivation? Biol Psychiatry 2021; 89:1162-1175. [PMID: 33726937 PMCID: PMC8178165 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neural systems are important stress mechanisms in the central amygdala (CeA), bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST), nucleus accumbens (NAc), and related structures. CRF-containing neural systems are traditionally posited to generate aversive distress states that motivate overconsumption of rewards and relapse in addiction. However, CRF-containing systems may alternatively promote incentive motivation to increase reward pursuit and consumption without requiring aversive states. METHODS We optogenetically stimulated CRF-expressing neurons in the CeA, BNST, or NAc using Crh-Cre+ rats (n = 37 female, n = 34 male) to investigate roles in incentive motivation versus aversive motivation. We paired CRF-expressing neuronal stimulations with earning sucrose rewards in two-choice and progressive ratio tasks and investigated recruitment of distributed limbic circuitry. We further assessed valence with CRF-containing neuron laser self-stimulation tasks. RESULTS Channelrhodopsin excitation of CRF-containing neurons in the CeA and NAc amplified and focused incentive motivation and recruited activation of mesocorticolimbic reward circuitry. CRF systems in both the CeA and NAc supported laser self-stimulation, amplified incentive motivation for sucrose in a breakpoint test, and focused "wanting" on laser-paired sucrose over a sucrose alternative in a two-choice test. Conversely, stimulation of CRF-containing neurons in the BNST produced negative valence or aversive effects and recruited distress-related circuitry, as stimulation was avoided and suppressed motivation for sucrose. CONCLUSIONS CRF-containing systems in the NAc and CeA can promote reward consumption by increasing incentive motivation without involving aversion. In contrast, stimulation of CRF-containing systems in the BNST is aversive but suppresses sucrose reward pursuit and consumption rather than increase, as predicted by traditional hedonic self-medication hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jay Schulkin
- Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | - Kent C Berridge
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Hupalo S, Spencer RC, Berridge CW. Prefrontal corticotropin-releasing factor neurons impair sustained attention via distal transmitter release. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 54:10.1111/ejn.15260. [PMID: 33949025 PMCID: PMC9215710 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) supports cognitive processes critical for goal-directed behavior. Although the PFC contains a high density of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neurons, their role in cognition has been largely unexplored. We recently demonstrated that CRF neurons in the caudal dorsomedial PFC (dmPFC) of rats act to impair working memory via activation of local CRF receptors. However, there is heterogeneity in the neural mechanisms that support the diversity of PFC-dependent cognitive processes. Currently, the degree to which PFC CRF neurons impact other forms of PFC-dependent cognition is unknown. To address this issue, the current studies examined the effects of chemogenetic manipulations of PFC CRF neurons on sustained attention in male rats. Similar to working memory, activation of caudal dmPFC CRF neurons impaired, while inhibition of these neurons or global CRF receptor antagonism improved, sustained attention. However, unlike working memory, the sustained attention-impairing effect of PFC CRF neurons was not dependent on local CRF receptors. Moreover, CRF infusion into the caudal dmPFC or other medial PFC subregions had no effect on task performance. Together, these observations demonstrate that while caudal dmPFC CRF neurons impair both working memory and sustained attention, these actions involve distinct neural circuits (local CRF release for working memory and extra-PFC release for sustained attention). Nonetheless, the procognitive actions of systemically administered CRF antagonists across both tasks are similar to those seen with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-related treatments. Thus, CRF antagonists may have potential for use in the treatment of PFC cognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert C. Spencer
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Craig W. Berridge
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
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Wang Y, Hu P, Shan Q, Huang C, Huang Z, Chen P, Li A, Gong H, Zhou JN. Single-cell morphological characterization of CRH neurons throughout the whole mouse brain. BMC Biol 2021; 19:47. [PMID: 33722214 PMCID: PMC7962243 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-00973-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is an important neuromodulator that is widely distributed in the brain and plays a key role in mediating stress responses and autonomic functions. While the distribution pattern of fluorescently labeled CRH-expressing neurons has been studied in different transgenic mouse lines, a full appreciation of the broad diversity of this population and local neural connectivity can only come from integration of single-cell morphological information as a defining feature. However, the morphologies of single CRH neurons and the local circuits formed by these neurons have not been acquired at brain-wide and dendritic-scale levels. RESULTS We screened the EYFP-expressing CRH-IRES-Cre;Ai32 mouse line to reveal the morphologies of individual CRH neurons throughout the whole mouse brain by using a fluorescence micro-optical sectioning tomography (fMOST) system. Diverse dendritic morphologies and projection fibers of CRH neurons were found in various brain regions. Follow-up reconstructions showed that hypothalamic CRH neurons had the smallest somatic volumes and simplest dendritic branches and that CRH neurons in several brain regions shared a common bipolar morphology. Further investigations of local CRH neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex unveiled somatic depth-dependent morphologies of CRH neurons that exhibited three types of mutual connections: basal dendrites (upper layer) with apical dendrites (layer 3); dendritic-somatic connections (in layer 2/3); and dendritic-dendritic connections (in layer 4). Moreover, hypothalamic CRH neurons were classified into two types according to their somatic locations and characteristics of dendritic varicosities. Rostral-projecting CRH neurons in the anterior parvicellular area had fewer and smaller dendritic varicosities, whereas CRH neurons in the periventricular area had more and larger varicosities that were present within dendrites projecting to the third ventricle. Arborization-dependent dendritic spines of CRH neurons were detected, among which the most sophisticated types were found in the amygdala and the simplest types were found in the hypothalamus. CONCLUSIONS By using the CRH-IRES-Cre;Ai32 mouse line and fMOST imaging, we obtained region-specific morphological distributions of CRH neurons at the dendrite level in the whole mouse brain. Taken together, our findings provide comprehensive brain-wide morphological information of stress-related CRH neurons and may facilitate further studies of the CRH neuronal system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Chinese Academy of Science Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Pu Hu
- Chinese Academy of Science Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Qinghong Shan
- Chinese Academy of Science Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Chuan Huang
- Chinese Academy of Science Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Zhaohuan Huang
- Chinese Academy of Science Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Peng Chen
- Chinese Academy of Science Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Anan Li
- Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.,Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Hui Gong
- Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China. .,Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Jiang-Ning Zhou
- Chinese Academy of Science Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China. .,Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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McCorkle TA, Barson JR, Raghupathi R. A Role for the Amygdala in Impairments of Affective Behaviors Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:601275. [PMID: 33746719 PMCID: PMC7969709 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.601275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in chronic affective disorders such as depression, anxiety, and fear that persist up to years following injury and significantly impair the quality of life for patients. Although a great deal of research has contributed to defining symptoms of mild TBI, there are no adequate drug therapies for brain-injured individuals. Preclinical studies have modeled these deficits in affective behaviors post-injury to understand the underlying mechanisms with a view to developing appropriate treatment strategies. These studies have also unveiled sex differences that contribute to the varying phenotypes associated with each behavior. Although clinical and preclinical studies have viewed these behavioral deficits as separate entities with unique neurobiological mechanisms, mechanistic similarities suggest that a novel approach is needed to advance research on drug therapy. This review will discuss the circuitry involved in the expression of deficits in affective behaviors following mild TBI in humans and animals and provide evidence that the manifestation of impairment in these behaviors stems from an amygdala-dependent emotional processing deficit. It will highlight mechanistic similarities between these different types of affective behaviors that can potentially advance mild TBI drug therapy by investigating treatments for the deficits in affective behaviors as one entity, requiring the same treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor A. McCorkle
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jessica R. Barson
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ramesh Raghupathi
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Autophagy status as a gateway for stress-induced catecholamine interplay in neurodegeneration. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 123:238-256. [PMID: 33497785 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The catecholamine-containing brainstem nuclei locus coeruleus (LC) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) are critically involved in stress responses. Alterations of catecholamine systems during chronic stress may contribute to neurodegeneration, including cognitive decline. Stress-related catecholamine alterations, while contributing to anxiety and depression, might accelerate neuronal degeneration by increasing the formation of toxic dopamine and norepinephrine by-products. These, in turn, may impair proteostasis within a variety of cortical and subcortical areas. In particular, the molecular events governing neurotransmission, neuroplasticity, and proteostasis within LC and VTA affect a variety of brain areas. Therefore, we focus on alterations of autophagy machinery in these nuclei as a relevant trigger in this chain of events. In fact, these catecholamine-containing areas are mostly prone to autophagy-dependent neurodegeneration. Thus, we propose a dynamic hypothesis according to which stress-induced autophagy alterations within the LC-VTA network foster a cascade towards early neurodegeneration within these nuclei.
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Oliva I, Donate MM, Lefner MJ, Wanat MJ. Cocaine experience abolishes the motivation suppressing effect of CRF in the ventral midbrain. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12837. [PMID: 31714675 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Stress affects dopamine-dependent behaviors in part through the actions of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). For example, acute stress engages CRF signaling in the VTA to suppress the motivation to work for food rewards. In contrast, acute stress promotes drug-seeking behavior through the actions of CRF in the VTA. These diverging behavioral effects in food- and drug-based tasks could indicate that CRF modulates goal-directed actions in a reinforcer-specific manner. Alternatively, prior drug experience could functionally alter how CRF in the VTA regulates dopamine-dependent behavior. To address these possibilities, we examined how intra-VTA injections of CRF influenced cocaine intake and whether prior drug experience alters how CRF modulates the motivation for food rewards. Our results demonstrate that intra-VTA injections of CRF had no effect on drug intake when self-administering cocaine under a progressive ratio reinforcement schedule. We also found that a prior history of either contingent or noncontingent cocaine infusions abolished the capacity for CRF to reduce the motivation for food rewards. Furthermore, voltammetry recordings in the nucleus accumbens illustrate that CRF in the VTA had no effect on cocaine-evoked dopamine release. These results collectively illustrate that exposure to abused substances functionally alters how neuropeptides act within the VTA to influence motivated behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idaira Oliva
- Neurosciences Institute and Department of Biology University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio Texas USA
| | - Melissa M. Donate
- Neurosciences Institute and Department of Biology University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio Texas USA
| | - Merridee J. Lefner
- Neurosciences Institute and Department of Biology University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio Texas USA
| | - Matthew J. Wanat
- Neurosciences Institute and Department of Biology University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio Texas USA
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CRF-5-HT interactions in the dorsal raphe nucleus and motivation for stress-induced opioid reinstatement. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:29-40. [PMID: 33231727 PMCID: PMC7796902 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05652-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) system plays an important role in stress-related psychiatric disorders and substance abuse. Our previous data show that stressors can inhibit 5-HT neuronal activity and release by stimulating the release of the stress neurohormone corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) within the serotonergic dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). The inhibitory effects of CRF on 5-HT DRN neurons are indirect, mediated by CRF-R1 receptors located on GABAergic afferents. OBJECTIVES We tested the hypothesis that DRN CRF-R1 receptors contribute to stress-induced reinstatement of morphine-conditioned place preference (CPP). We also examined the role of this circuitry in stress-induced negative affective state with 22-kHz distress ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), which are naturally emitted by rats in response to environmental challenges such as pain, stress, and drug withdrawal. METHODS First, we tested if activation of CRF-R1 receptors in the DRN with the CRF-R1-preferring agonist ovine CRF (oCRF) would reinstate morphine CPP and then if blockade of CRF-R1 receptors in the DRN with the CRF-R1 antagonist NBI 35965 would attenuate swim stress-induced reinstatement of morphine CPP. Second, we tested if intra-DRN pretreatment with NBI 35965 would attenuate foot shock stress-induced 22-kHz USVs. RESULTS Intra-DRN injection of oCRF reinstated morphine CPP, while intra-DRN injection of NBI 35965 attenuated swim stress-induced reinstatement. Moreover, intra-DRN pretreatment with NBI 35965 significantly reduced 22-kHz distress calls induced by foot shock. CONCLUSIONS These data provide evidence that stress-induced negative affective state is mediated by DRN CRF-R1 receptors and may contribute to reinstatement of morphine CPP.
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Brockway DF, Crowley NA. Turning the 'Tides on Neuropsychiatric Diseases: The Role of Peptides in the Prefrontal Cortex. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:588400. [PMID: 33192369 PMCID: PMC7606924 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.588400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advancements in technology have enabled researchers to probe the brain with the greater region, cell, and receptor specificity. These developments have allowed for a more thorough understanding of how regulation of the neurophysiology within a region is essential for maintaining healthy brain function. Stress has been shown to alter the prefrontal cortex (PFC) functioning, and evidence links functional impairments in PFC brain activity with neuropsychiatric disorders. Moreover, a growing body of literature highlights the importance of neuropeptides in the PFC to modulate neural signaling and to influence behavior. The converging evidence outlined in this review indicates that neuropeptides in the PFC are specifically impacted by stress, and are found to be dysregulated in numerous stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders including substance use disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), posttraumatic stress disorder, and schizophrenia. This review explores how neuropeptides in the PFC function to regulate the neural activity, and how genetic and environmental factors, such as stress, lead to dysregulation in neuropeptide systems, which may ultimately contribute to the pathology of neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakota F Brockway
- Neuroscience Curriculum, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Nicole A Crowley
- Neuroscience Curriculum, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States.,The Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
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Limanaqi F, Busceti CL, Biagioni F, Fornai F, Puglisi-Allegra S. Autophagy-Based Hypothesis on the Role of Brain Catecholamine Response During Stress. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:569248. [PMID: 33093837 PMCID: PMC7527533 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.569248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Stressful events, similar to abused drugs, significantly affect the homeostatic balance of the catecholamine brain systems while activating compensation mechanisms to restore balance. In detail, norepinephrine (NE)- and dopamine (DA)-containing neurons within the locus coeruleus (LC) and ventral tegmental area (VTA), are readily and similarly activated by psychostimulants and stressful events involving neural processes related to perception, reward, cognitive evaluation, appraisal, and stress-dependent hormonal factors. Brain catecholamine response to stress results in time-dependent regulatory processes involving mesocorticolimbic circuits and networks, where LC-NE neurons respond more readily than VTA-DA neurons. LC-NE projections are dominant in controlling the forebrain DA-targeted areas, such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and medial pre-frontal cortex (mPFC). Heavy and persistent coping demand could lead to sustained LC-NE and VTA-DA neuronal activity, that, when persisting chronically, is supposed to alter LC-VTA synaptic connections. Increasing evidence has been provided indicating a role of autophagy in modulating DA neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. This alters behavior, and emotional/cognitive experience in response to drug abuse and occasionally, to psychological stress. Thus, relevant information to address the role of stress and autophagy can be drawn from psychostimulants research. In the present mini-review we discuss the role of autophagy in brain catecholamine response to stress and its dysregulation. The findings here discussed suggest a crucial role of regulated autophagy in the response and adaptation of LC-NE and VTA-DA systems to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Limanaqi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies on Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Francesco Fornai
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies on Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
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Stress-induced plasticity and functioning of ventral tegmental dopamine neurons. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 108:48-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Corticotropin Releasing Factor Type 1 and 2 Receptor Signaling in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Modulates Binge-Like Ethanol Consumption in C57BL/6J Mice. Brain Sci 2019; 9:brainsci9070171. [PMID: 31330967 PMCID: PMC6680756 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9070171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) signaling via limbic CRF1 and 2 receptors (CRF1R and CRF2R, respectively) is known to modulate binge-like ethanol consumption in rodents. Though CRF signaling in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been shown to modulate anxiety-like behavior and ethanol seeking, its role in binge ethanol intake is unknown. Here, we used “drinking-in-the-dark” (DID) procedures in male and female C57BL/6J mice to address this gap in the literature. First, the role of CRF1R and CRF2R signaling in the mPFC on ethanol consumption was evaluated through site-directed pharmacology. Next, we evaluated if CRF1R antagonist reduction of binge-intake was modulated in part through CRF2R activation by co-administration of a CRF1R and CRF2R antagonist. Intra-mPFC inhibition of CRF1R and activation of CRF2R resulted in decreased binge-like ethanol intake. Further, the inhibitory effect of the CRF1R antagonist was attenuated by co-administration of a CRF2R antagonist. We provide novel evidence that (1) inhibition of CRF1R or activation of CRF2R in the mPFC reduces binge-like ethanol intake; and (2) the effect of CRF1R antagonism may be mediated via enhanced CRF2R activation. These observations provide the first direct behavioral pharmacological evidence that CRF receptor activity in the mPFC modulates binge-like ethanol consumption.
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