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Yao D, Chen Y, Chen G. The role of pain modulation pathway and related brain regions in pain. Rev Neurosci 2023; 34:899-914. [PMID: 37288945 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2023-0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Pain is a multifaceted process that encompasses unpleasant sensory and emotional experiences. The essence of the pain process is aversion, or perceived negative emotion. Central sensitization plays a significant role in initiating and perpetuating of chronic pain. Melzack proposed the concept of the "pain matrix", in which brain regions associated with pain form an interconnected network, rather than being controlled by a singular brain region. This review aims to investigate distinct brain regions involved in pain and their interconnections. In addition, it also sheds light on the reciprocal connectivity between the ascending and descending pathways that participate in pain modulation. We review the involvement of various brain areas during pain and focus on understanding the connections among them, which can contribute to a better understanding of pain mechanisms and provide opportunities for further research on therapies for improved pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Yao
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Yeru Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
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Moura-Pacheco TL, Martins-Pereira RC, Medeiros P, Sbragia L, Ramos Andrade Leite-Panissi C, Machado HR, Coimbra NC, de Freitas RL. Effect of electrical and chemical (activation versus inactivation) stimulation of the infralimbic division of the medial prefrontal cortex in rats with chronic neuropathic pain. Exp Brain Res 2023; 241:2591-2604. [PMID: 37725136 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-023-06657-y] [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: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain (NP) represents a complex disorder with sensory, cognitive, and emotional symptoms. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) takes critical regulatory roles and may change functionally and morphologically during chronic NP. There needs to be a complete understanding of the neurophysiological and psychopharmacological bases of the NP phenomenon. This study aimed to investigate the participation of the infralimbic division (IFL) of the mPFC in chronic NP, as well as the role of the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAr) in the elaboration of chronic NP. Male Wistar rats were submitted to the von Frey and acetone tests to assess mechanical and cold allodynia after 21 days of chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve or Sham-procedure ("false operated"). Electrical neurostimulation of the IFL/mPFC was performed by low-frequency stimuli (20 μA, 100 Hz) applied for 15 s by deep brain stimulation (DBS) device 21 days after CCI. Either cobalt chloride (CoCl2 at 1.0 mM/200 nL), NMDAr agonist (at 0.25, 1.0, and 2.0 nmol/200 nL) or physiological saline (200 nL) was administered into the IFL/mPFC. CoCl2 administration in the IFL cortex did not alter either mechanical or cold allodynia. DBS stimulation of the IFL cortex decreased mechanical allodynia in CCI rats. Chemical stimulation of the IFL cortex by an NMDA agonist (at 2.0 nmol) decreased mechanical allodynia. NMDA at any dose (0.25, 1.0, and 2.0 nmol) reduced the flicking/licking duration in the cold test. These findings suggest that the IFL/mPFC and the NMDAr of the neocortex are involved in attenuating chronic NP in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thais Lohanny Moura-Pacheco
- Multi-User Center of Neuroelectrophysiology, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
- Laboratory of Neurosciences of Pain and Emotions, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, FMRP-USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
- Pediatric Surgery Laboratory, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, FMRP-USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Renata Cristina Martins-Pereira
- Multi-User Center of Neuroelectrophysiology, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
- Laboratory of Neurosciences of Pain and Emotions, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, FMRP-USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
- Protection Laboratory in Childhood, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, FMRP-USP, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Priscila Medeiros
- Multi-User Center of Neuroelectrophysiology, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
- Laboratory of Neurosciences of Pain and Emotions, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, FMRP-USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, FMRP-USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
- Department of General and Specialized Nursing, Ribeirão Preto Nursing School of the University of São Paulo (EERP-USP), Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Lourenço Sbragia
- Pediatric Surgery Laboratory, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, FMRP-USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Christie Ramos Andrade Leite-Panissi
- Department of Psychology,, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters of Ribeirão Preto of the University of São Paulo (FFCLRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Hélio Rubens Machado
- Multi-User Center of Neuroelectrophysiology, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
- Department of Psychology,, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters of Ribeirão Preto of the University of São Paulo (FFCLRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Norberto Cysne Coimbra
- Multi-User Center of Neuroelectrophysiology, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, FMRP-USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Renato Leonardo de Freitas
- Multi-User Center of Neuroelectrophysiology, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Neurosciences of Pain and Emotions, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, FMRP-USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil.
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Thomas CMP, Bouton ME, Green JT. Prelimbic cortex inactivation prevents ABA renewal based on satiety state. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2023; 202:107759. [PMID: 37119848 PMCID: PMC10330499 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
We have previously shown that the rat prelimbic cortex (PL) is necessary for contexts to promote the performance of instrumental behaviors that have been learned in them, whether the context is physical (operant chamber) or behavioral (recent performance of a behavior that has historically preceded the target in a behavior chain). In the present experiment, we investigated the role of the PL in satiety level as an interoceptive acquisition context. Rats were trained to lever-press for sweet/fat pellets while sated (22 hrs continuous food access) followed by the extinction of the response while hungry (22 hrs food deprived). Pharmacological inactivation of the PL (with baclofen/muscimol infusion) attenuated renewal of the response that occurred upon a return to the sated context. In contrast, animals that received a vehicle (saline) infusion showed renewal of the previously extinguished response. These results support the hypothesis that the PL monitors the relevant contextual elements (physical, behavioral, or satiety state) associated with reinforcement of a response and promotes the subsequent performance of that response in their presence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callum M P Thomas
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, United States; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, United States
| | - Mark E Bouton
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, United States
| | - John T Green
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, United States.
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4
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Papadogiannis A, Dimitrov E. A Possible Mechanism for Development of Working Memory Impairment in Male Mice Subjected to Inflammatory Pain. Neuroscience 2022; 503:17-27. [PMID: 36100034 PMCID: PMC9588797 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.09.007] [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: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We studied the effects of inflammatory pain on working memory and correlated the pain effects with changes in dendritic spine density and glutamate signaling in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of male and female mice. Injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) into the hind paw modeled inflammatory pain. The CFA equally decreased the mechanical thresholds in both sexes. The density of dendritic spines, as a marker for neuronal input, increased on the dendrites of both, pyramidal cells and interneurons in males but only on the dendrites of interneurons in CFA injected females. Next, we injected virus with glutamate sensor (pAAV5.hSyn.iGluSnFr) into the mPFC and used fiber photometry to record glutamate signaling during Y-maze spontaneous alternations test, which is a test for working memory in rodents. The detected fluorescent signal was higher during correct alternations when compared to incorrect alternations in both sexes. The CFA injection did not change the pattern of glutamate fluorescence during the test but the female mice made fewer incorrect alternations than their male counterparts. Furthermore, while the CFA injection decreased the expression of the glutamate transporter VGlut1 on the soma of mPFC neurons in both sexes, the decrease was sex dependent. We concluded that inflammatory pain, which increases sensory input into the mPFC neurons, may impair working memory by altering the glutamate signaling. The glutamate deficit that develops as a result of the pain is more pronounced in male mice in comparison to female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Papadogiannis
- Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, United States.
| | - Eugene Dimitrov
- Center for the Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, United States.
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Howland JG, Ito R, Lapish CC, Villaruel FR. The rodent medial prefrontal cortex and associated circuits in orchestrating adaptive behavior under variable demands. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 135:104569. [PMID: 35131398 PMCID: PMC9248379 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence implicates rodent medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in tasks requiring adaptation of behavior to changing information from external and internal sources. However, the computations within mPFC and subsequent outputs that determine behavior are incompletely understood. We review the involvement of mPFC subregions, and their projections to the striatum and amygdala in two broad types of tasks in rodents: 1) appetitive and aversive Pavlovian and operant conditioning tasks that engage mPFC-striatum and mPFC-amygdala circuits, and 2) foraging-based tasks that require decision making to optimize reward. We find support for region-specific function of the mPFC, with dorsal mPFC and its projections to the dorsomedial striatum supporting action control with higher cognitive demands, and ventral mPFC engagement in translating affective signals into behavior via discrete projections to the ventral striatum and amygdala. However, we also propose that defined mPFC subdivisions operate as a functional continuum rather than segregated functional units, with crosstalk that allows distinct subregion-specific inputs (e.g., internal, affective) to influence adaptive behavior supported by other subregions.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Howland
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
| | - Rutsuko Ito
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto-Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Christopher C Lapish
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Franz R Villaruel
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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The Neurophysiology of the Cerebellum in Emotion. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1378:87-108. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-99550-8_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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Mabou Tagne A, Fotio Y, Alan Springs Z, Su S, Piomelli D. Frequent Δ 9- tetrahydrocannabinol exposure during adolescence impairs sociability in adult mice exposed to an aversive painful stimulus. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2021; 53:19-24. [PMID: 34358818 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2021.07.007] [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: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Early-life exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the intoxicating constituent of cannabis, may produce enduring neurochemical changes in brain structures involved in the regulation of sociality but it is still unclear how such changes influence social behavior later in life. In the present study, we exposed male mice to moderate daily doses of Δ9-THC (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) during adolescence (postnatal day, PND, 30 to 43) and, when animals reached adulthood (PND70), we assessed their performance in the three-chamber social interaction task before and 3 weeks after injection of the chemical irritant formalin (1 % vol, intraplantar), which produces both immediate and persistent pain-related behaviors in mice. Prior Δ9-THC treatment did not alter social interaction in control adult mice but disrupted it in animals that developed lasting sensory abnormalities following formalin injection. The findings suggest that frequent exposure to Δ9-THC during adolescence causes in male mice a dormant dysfunction in social behavior which can be unmasked in adulthood when the animals experience an aversive state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Mabou Tagne
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4625, United States.
| | - Yannick Fotio
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4625, United States.
| | - Zachary Alan Springs
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4625, United States.
| | - Shiqi Su
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4625, United States.
| | - Daniele Piomelli
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4625, United States; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4625, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4625, United States.
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Hernández-Matias A, Bermúdez-Rattoni F, Osorio-Gómez D. Maintenance of conditioned place avoidance induced by gastric malaise requires NMDA activity within the ventral hippocampus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 28:270-276. [PMID: 34400528 PMCID: PMC8372560 DOI: 10.1101/lm.052720.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
It has been reported that during chemotherapy treatment, some patients can experience nausea before pharmacological administration, suggesting that contextual stimuli are associated with the nauseating effects. There are attempts to reproduce with animal models the conditions under which this phenomenon is observed to provide a useful paradigm for studying contextual aversion learning and the brain structures involved. This manuscript assessed the hippocampus involvement in acquiring and maintaining long-term conditioned place avoidance (CPA) induced by a gastric malaise-inducing agent, LiCl. Our results demonstrate that a reliable induction of CPA is possible after one acquisition trial. However, CPA establishment requires a 20-min confinement in the compartment associated with LiCl administration. Interestingly, both hippocampal regions seem to be necessary for CPA establishment; nonetheless, inactivation of the ventral hippocampus results in a reversion of avoidance and turns it into preference. Moreover, we demonstrate that activation of dorsal/ventral hippocampal NMDA receptors after CS–US association is required for long-term CPA memory maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Hernández-Matias
- División de Neurociencias. Instituto de Fisiología Celular. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Federico Bermúdez-Rattoni
- División de Neurociencias. Instituto de Fisiología Celular. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Daniel Osorio-Gómez
- División de Neurociencias. Instituto de Fisiología Celular. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico
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Tan LL, Kuner R. Neocortical circuits in pain and pain relief. Nat Rev Neurosci 2021; 22:458-471. [PMID: 34127843 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-021-00468-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The sensory, associative and limbic neocortical structures play a critical role in shaping incoming noxious inputs to generate variable pain perceptions. Technological advances in tracing circuitry and interrogation of pathways and complex behaviours are now yielding critical knowledge of neocortical circuits, cellular contributions and causal relationships between pain perception and its abnormalities in chronic pain. Emerging insights into neocortical pain processing suggest the existence of neocortical causality and specificity for pain at the level of subdomains, circuits and cellular entities and the activity patterns they encode. These mechanisms provide opportunities for therapeutic intervention for improved pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linette Liqi Tan
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Rohini Kuner
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Liu X, Wang N, Wang J, Luo F. Formalin-induced pain prolongs sub- to supra-second time estimation in rats. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11002. [PMID: 33717706 PMCID: PMC7934679 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11002] [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: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Temporal estimation can be influenced by pain, which is a complex psychological and physiological phenomenon. However, the time range in which perception is most sensitive to pain remains unclear. Methods In the present study, we explored the effects of acute inflammatory pain on time perception in the sub- to supra-second (0.6–2.4-s) and supra-second (2–8-s) ranges in rats. Plantar formalin injection was used to induce acute inflammatory pain, and a temporal bisection task was used to measure time perception. Task test sessions were held for five consecutive days (one per day): the day before injection (baseline), immediately after injection, and the three post-injection days. The point of subjective equality (PSE, which reflects the subjective duration) and Weber fraction (which reflects temporal sensitivity) were calculated and analysed. Results In the 0.6–2.4-s range, the PSE was significantly lower, indicating prolonged subjective duration, in the formalin group relative to the saline group (p = 0.049) immediately after injection. Formalin-induced pain also tended to lengthened time perception in the 0.6–2.4-s range on post-injection days 2 (p = 0.06) and 3 (p = 0.054). In the 2–8-s range, formalin injection did not affect the PSE or Weber fraction. Conclusions The enhanced effect of pain on temporal perception in the sub- to supra-second range is observed in this study and this effect is attenuated with the prolongation of estimated time, even in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhe Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinyan Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Kirouac GJ. The Paraventricular Nucleus of the Thalamus as an Integrating and Relay Node in the Brain Anxiety Network. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:627633. [PMID: 33732118 PMCID: PMC7959748 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.627633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The brain anxiety network is composed of a number of interconnected cortical regions that detect threats and execute appropriate defensive responses via projections to the shell of the nucleus accumbens (NAcSh), dorsolateral region of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTDL) and lateral region of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeL). The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) is anatomically positioned to integrate threat- and arousal-related signals from cortex and hypothalamus and then relay these signals to neural circuits in the NAcSh, BSTDL, and CeL that mediate defensive responses. This review describes the anatomical connections of the PVT that support the view that the PVT may be a critical node in the brain anxiety network. Experimental findings are reviewed showing that the arousal peptides orexins (hypocretins) act at the PVT to promote avoidance of potential threats especially following exposure of rats to a single episode of footshocks. Recent anatomical and experimental findings are discussed which show that neurons in the PVT provide divergent projections to subcortical regions that mediate defensive behaviors and that the projection to the NAcSh is critical for the enhanced social avoidance displayed in rats exposed to footshocks. A theoretical model is proposed for how the PVT integrates cortical and hypothalamic signals to modulate the behavioral responses associated with anxiety and other challenging situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert J. Kirouac
- Department of Oral Biology, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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12
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Kummer KK, Mitrić M, Kalpachidou T, Kress M. The Medial Prefrontal Cortex as a Central Hub for Mental Comorbidities Associated with Chronic Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3440. [PMID: 32414089 PMCID: PMC7279227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain patients frequently develop and suffer from mental comorbidities such as depressive mood, impaired cognition, and other significant constraints of daily life, which can only insufficiently be overcome by medication. The emotional and cognitive components of pain are processed by the medial prefrontal cortex, which comprises the anterior cingulate cortex, the prelimbic, and the infralimbic cortex. All three subregions are significantly affected by chronic pain: magnetic resonance imaging has revealed gray matter loss in all these areas in chronic pain conditions. While the anterior cingulate cortex appears hyperactive, prelimbic, and infralimbic regions show reduced activity. The medial prefrontal cortex receives ascending, nociceptive input, but also exerts important top-down control of pain sensation: its projections are the main cortical input of the periaqueductal gray, which is part of the descending inhibitory pain control system at the spinal level. A multitude of neurotransmitter systems contributes to the fine-tuning of the local circuitry, of which cholinergic and GABAergic signaling are particularly emerging as relevant components of affective pain processing within the prefrontal cortex. Accordingly, factors such as distraction, positive mood, and anticipation of pain relief such as placebo can ameliorate pain by affecting mPFC function, making this cortical area a promising target region for medical as well as psychosocial interventions for pain therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Michaela Kress
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (K.K.K.); (M.M.); (T.K.)
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Zhang T, Yanagida J, Kamii H, Wada S, Domoto M, Sasase H, Deyama S, Takarada T, Hinoi E, Sakimura K, Yamanaka A, Maejima T, Mieda M, Sakurai T, Nishitani N, Nagayasu K, Kaneko S, Minami M, Kaneda K. Glutamatergic neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex mediate the formation and retrieval of cocaine-associated memories in mice. Addict Biol 2020; 25:e12723. [PMID: 30734456 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
In drug addiction, environmental stimuli previously associated with cocaine use readily elicit cocaine-associated memories, which persist long after abstinence and trigger cocaine craving and consumption. Although previous studies suggest that the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is involved in the expression of cocaine-addictive behaviors, it remains unclear whether excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the mPFC are causally related to the formation and retrieval of cocaine-associated memories. To address this issue, we used the designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD) technology combined with a cocaine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. We suppressed mPFC neuronal activity in a cell-type- and timing-dependent manner. C57BL/6J wild-type mice received bilateral intra-mPFC infusion of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) expressing inhibitory DREADD (hM4Di) under the control of CaMKII promotor to selectively suppress mPFC pyramidal neurons. GAD67-Cre mice received bilateral intra-mPFC infusion of a Cre-dependent AAV expressing hM4Di to specifically silence GABAergic neurons. Chemogenetic suppression of mPFC pyramidal neurons significantly attenuated both the acquisition and expression of cocaine CPP, while suppression of mPFC GABAergic neurons affected neither the acquisition nor expression of cocaine CPP. Moreover, chemogenetic inhibition of mPFC glutamatergic neurons did not affect the acquisition and expression of lithium chloride-induced conditioned place aversion. These results suggest that the activation of glutamatergic, but not GABAergic, neurons in the mPFC mediates both the formation and retrieval of cocaine-associated memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health SciencesKanazawa University Kanazawa Japan
| | - Junko Yanagida
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health SciencesKanazawa University Kanazawa Japan
| | - Hironori Kamii
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health SciencesKanazawa University Kanazawa Japan
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical SciencesHokkaido University Sapporo Japan
| | - Shintaro Wada
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health SciencesKanazawa University Kanazawa Japan
| | - Masaki Domoto
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health SciencesKanazawa University Kanazawa Japan
| | - Hitoki Sasase
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health SciencesKanazawa University Kanazawa Japan
| | - Satoshi Deyama
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health SciencesKanazawa University Kanazawa Japan
| | - Takeshi Takarada
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health SciencesKanazawa University Kanazawa Japan
- Department of Regenerative ScienceOkayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Okayama Japan
| | - Eiichi Hinoi
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health SciencesKanazawa University Kanazawa Japan
| | - Kenji Sakimura
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Brain Research InstituteNiigata University Niigata Japan
| | - Akihiro Yamanaka
- Department of Neuroscience II, Research Institute of Environmental MedicineNagoya University Nagoya Japan
| | - Takashi Maejima
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medical SciencesKanazawa University Kanazawa Japan
| | - Michihiro Mieda
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medical SciencesKanazawa University Kanazawa Japan
| | - Takeshi Sakurai
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medical SciencesKanazawa University Kanazawa Japan
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep MedicineUniversity of Tsukuba Tsukuba Japan
| | - Naoya Nishitani
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical SciencesKyoto University Kyoto Japan
| | - Kazuki Nagayasu
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical SciencesKyoto University Kyoto Japan
| | - Shuji Kaneko
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical SciencesKyoto University Kyoto Japan
| | - Masabumi Minami
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical SciencesHokkaido University Sapporo Japan
| | - Katsuyuki Kaneda
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health SciencesKanazawa University Kanazawa Japan
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14
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Wu Y, Jiang Y, Shao X, He X, Shen Z, Shi Y, Wang C, Fang J. Proteomics analysis of the amygdala in rats with CFA-induced pain aversion with electro-acupuncture stimulation. J Pain Res 2019; 12:3067-3078. [PMID: 32009812 PMCID: PMC6859335 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s211826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clinical patients suffering from pain usually exhibit aversion to pain-associated environments (pain aversion). Electro-acupuncture (EA) has been proven to be effective for the treatment of pain aversion in our previous studies. The amygdala could have substantial consequences on emotion and pain consolidation as well as general pain aversion behavior, however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Purpose The current study was performed to investigate Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) based quantitative proteomic analysis of the amygdala in rats with complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced pain aversion, and comprehensive analysis of protein expression were performed to explore the underlying mechanism by which EA affects pain aversion. Materials and methods Inflammatory pain was induced with an intraplantar injection of 100 μL of CFA in the plantar surface of the left hind paw of the male Spragure-Dawley (SD) rats. Then the CFA-induced conditioned place aversion (C-CPA) test was performed. EA stimulation on the bilateral Zusanli and Sanyinjiao acu-points was used for 14 days and the EA stimulation frequency is 2 Hz. Based on iTRAQ-based proteomics analysis, we investigated the protein expression in the amygdala. Results EA can increase the paw withdrawal threshold in inflammatory pain induced by noxious stimulation. A total of 6319 proteins were quantified in amygdala. Of these identified proteins, 123 were identified in the pain aversion group relative to those in the saline group, and 125 significantly altered proteins were identified in the pain aversion + EA group relative to the pain aversion group. A total of 11 proteins were found to be differentially expressed in the amygdala of pain aversion and EA-treated rats. The expression of three proteins, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutamate transporter-1, and p21-activated kinase 6, were confirmed to be consistent with the results of the proteome. Conclusion Our investigation demonstrated the possible mechanism of central nerve system by which EA intervetion on pain aversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongliang Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaomei Shao
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaofen He
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zui Shen
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Shi
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, The Fourth Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianqiao Fang
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
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15
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Becker S, Bräscher AK, Bannister S, Bensafi M, Calma-Birling D, Chan RCK, Eerola T, Ellingsen DM, Ferdenzi C, Hanson JL, Joffily M, Lidhar NK, Lowe LJ, Martin LJ, Musser ED, Noll-Hussong M, Olino TM, Pintos Lobo R, Wang Y. The role of hedonics in the Human Affectome. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 102:221-241. [PMID: 31071361 PMCID: PMC6931259 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Experiencing pleasure and displeasure is a fundamental part of life. Hedonics guide behavior, affect decision-making, induce learning, and much more. As the positive and negative valence of feelings, hedonics are core processes that accompany emotion, motivation, and bodily states. Here, the affective neuroscience of pleasure and displeasure that has largely focused on the investigation of reward and pain processing, is reviewed. We describe the neurobiological systems of hedonics and factors that modulate hedonic experiences (e.g., cognition, learning, sensory input). Further, we review maladaptive and adaptive pleasure and displeasure functions in mental disorders and well-being, as well as the experience of aesthetics. As a centerpiece of the Human Affectome Project, language used to express pleasure and displeasure was also analyzed, and showed that most of these analyzed words overlap with expressions of emotions, actions, and bodily states. Our review shows that hedonics are typically investigated as processes that accompany other functions, but the mechanisms of hedonics (as core processes) have not been fully elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Becker
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Anne-Kathrin Bräscher
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Mainz, Wallstr. 3, 55122 Mainz, Germany.
| | | | - Moustafa Bensafi
- Research Center in Neurosciences of Lyon, CNRS UMR5292, INSERM U1028, Claude Bernard University Lyon 1, Lyon, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, 95 bd Pinel, 69675 Bron Cedex, France.
| | - Destany Calma-Birling
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 800 Algoma, Blvd., Clow F011, Oshkosh, WI 54901, USA.
| | - Raymond C K Chan
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Tuomas Eerola
- Durham University, Palace Green, DH1 RL3, Durham, UK.
| | - Dan-Mikael Ellingsen
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, CNY149-2301, 13th St, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
| | - Camille Ferdenzi
- Research Center in Neurosciences of Lyon, CNRS UMR5292, INSERM U1028, Claude Bernard University Lyon 1, Lyon, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, 95 bd Pinel, 69675 Bron Cedex, France.
| | - Jamie L Hanson
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychology, 3939 O'Hara Street, Rm. 715, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA.
| | - Mateus Joffily
- Groupe d'Analyse et de Théorie Economique (GATE), 93 Chemin des Mouilles, 69130, Écully, France.
| | - Navdeep K Lidhar
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada.
| | - Leroy J Lowe
- Neuroqualia (NGO), 36 Arthur Street, Truro, NS, B2N 1X5, Canada.
| | - Loren J Martin
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada.
| | - Erica D Musser
- Department of Psychology, Center for Childen and Families, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33199, USA.
| | - Michael Noll-Hussong
- Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Saarland University Medical Centre, Kirrberger Strasse 100, D-66421 Homburg, Germany.
| | - Thomas M Olino
- Temple University, Department of Psychology, 1701N. 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19010, USA.
| | - Rosario Pintos Lobo
- Department of Psychology, Center for Childen and Families, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33199, USA.
| | - Yi Wang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
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16
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Mitrić M, Seewald A, Moschetti G, Sacerdote P, Ferraguti F, Kummer KK, Kress M. Layer- and subregion-specific electrophysiological and morphological changes of the medial prefrontal cortex in a mouse model of neuropathic pain. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9479. [PMID: 31263213 PMCID: PMC6603192 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45677-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic neuropathic pain constitutes a serious public health problem, but the disease mechanisms are only partially understood. The involvement of different brain regions like the medial prefrontal cortex has already been established, but the comparison of the role of different subregions and layers is still inconclusive. In the current study, we performed patch-clamp recordings followed by anatomical reconstruction of pyramidal cells from different layers of the prelimbic and infralimbic subregions of the medial prefrontal cortex in neuropathic (spared nerve injury, SNI) and control mice. We found that in the prelimbic cortex, layer 2/3 pyramidal cells from SNI mice exhibited increased excitability compared to sham controls, whereas prelimbic layer 5 pyramidal neurons showed reduced excitability. Pyramidal cells in both layer 2/3 and layer 5 of the infralimbic subregion did not change their excitability, but layer 2/3 pyramidal cells displayed increased dendritic length and branching. Our findings support the view that chronic pain is associated with subregion- and layer-specific changes in the medial prefrontal cortex. They therefore provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying the chronification of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miodrag Mitrić
- Division of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anna Seewald
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Giorgia Moschetti
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Sacerdote
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Ferraguti
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Kai K Kummer
- Division of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Michaela Kress
- Division of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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17
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Riaz S, Puveendrakumaran P, Khan D, Yoon S, Hamel L, Ito R. Prelimbic and infralimbic cortical inactivations attenuate contextually driven discriminative responding for reward. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3982. [PMID: 30850668 PMCID: PMC6408592 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40532-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The infralimbic (IL) and prelimbic (PL) cortices of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) have been shown to differentially control context-dependent behavior, with the PL implicated in the expression of contextually conditioned fear and drug-seeking, and the IL in the suppression of these behaviors. However, the roles of these subregions in contextually driven natural reward-seeking remain relatively underexplored. The present study further examined the functional dichotomy within the mPFC in the contextual control over cued reward-seeking, using a contextual biconditional discrimination (CBD) task. Rats were first trained to emit a nose poke response to the presentation of an auditory stimulus (e.g., X) for the delivery of sucrose reward, and to withhold a nose poke response to the presentation of another auditory stimulus (e.g., Y) in a context-specific manner (e.g. Context A: X+, Y−; Context B: X−, Y+). Following acquisition, rats received bilateral microinjections of GABA receptor agonists (muscimol and baclofen), or saline into the IL or PL, prior to a CBD training session and a probe test (under extinction conditions). Both IL and PL inactivation resulted in robust impairment in CBD performance, indicating that both subregions are involved in the processing of appetitively motivated contextual memories in reward-seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadia Riaz
- Department of Psychology (Scarborough), University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Dinat Khan
- Department of Psychology (Scarborough), University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sharon Yoon
- Department of Psychology (Scarborough), University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Laurie Hamel
- Department of Psychology (Scarborough), University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Rutsuko Ito
- Department of Psychology (Scarborough), University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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18
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Taylor AM. Corticolimbic circuitry in the modulation of chronic pain and substance abuse. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 87:263-268. [PMID: 28501595 PMCID: PMC5681440 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Revised: 04/14/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The transition from acute to chronic pain is accompanied by increased engagement of emotional and motivational circuits. Adaptations within this corticolimbic circuitry contribute to the cellular and behavioral maladaptations associated with chronic pain. Central regions within the corticolimbic brain include the mesolimbic dopamine system, the amygdala, and the medial prefrontal cortex. The evidence reviewed herein supports the notion that chronic pain induces significant changes within these corticolimbic regions that contribute to the chronicity and intractability of pain. In addition, pain-induced changes in corticolimbic circuitry are poised to impact motivated behavior and reward responsiveness to environmental stimuli, and may modulate the addiction liability of drugs of abuse, such as opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M.W. Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry and the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles
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19
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Sieveritz B, García-Muñoz M, Arbuthnott GW. Thalamic afferents to prefrontal cortices from ventral motor nuclei in decision-making. Eur J Neurosci 2018; 49:646-657. [PMID: 30346073 PMCID: PMC6587977 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The focus of this literature review is on the three interacting brain areas that participate in decision‐making: basal ganglia, ventral motor thalamic nuclei, and medial prefrontal cortex, with an emphasis on the participation of the ventromedial and ventral anterior motor thalamic nuclei in prefrontal cortical function. Apart from a defining input from the mediodorsal thalamus, the prefrontal cortex receives inputs from ventral motor thalamic nuclei that combine to mediate typical prefrontal functions such as associative learning, action selection, and decision‐making. Motor, somatosensory and medial prefrontal cortices are mainly contacted in layer 1 by the ventral motor thalamic nuclei and in layer 3 by thalamocortical input from mediodorsal thalamus. We will review anatomical, electrophysiological, and behavioral evidence for the proposed participation of ventral motor thalamic nuclei and medial prefrontal cortex in rat and mouse motor decision‐making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Sieveritz
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Marianela García-Muñoz
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Gordon W Arbuthnott
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan
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20
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Chung G, Kim SJ, Kim SK. Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5 in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex as a Molecular Determinant of Pain and Ensuing Depression. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:376. [PMID: 30349459 PMCID: PMC6186831 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain and depression affect one another, and this bidirectional interaction implies the existence of common or interacting neural pathways. Among the neural circuits relevant to negative affection, the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is known to be involved in both pain and depression. Persistent stress from physical pain and mental distress can evoke maladaptive changes in mPFC circuits to induce depression. Conversely, the unpleasant mood condition alters mPFC circuits to distort the appraisal of aversion and make individuals vulnerable to pain. In this article, recent findings regarding mPFC in chronic pain and/or depression are reviewed, with particular focus on the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5). Although the involvement of mGluR5 within the mPFC in both pain and depressive disorders has been extensively studied, there are controversies regarding changes in the activity of the mPFC during chronic pain and depression, and the functional roles of mGluR5 on altered mPFC activity. We discuss alterations in the availability of mGluR5 in the mPFC in these disorders, its role in behavioral manifestations, and its possible influence on cellular subpopulations that mediate dysfunction in the mPFC. We also propose molecular mechanisms that may cause expressional changes in mGluR5 within the mPFC circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geehoon Chung
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang Jeong Kim
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sun Kwang Kim
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
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21
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Rea K, McGowan F, Corcoran L, Roche M, Finn DP. The prefrontal cortical endocannabinoid system modulates fear-pain interactions in a subregion-specific manner. Br J Pharmacol 2018; 176:1492-1505. [PMID: 29847859 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The emotional processing and coordination of top-down responses to noxious and conditioned aversive stimuli involves the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Evidence suggests that subregions of the mPFC [infralimbic (IfL), prelimbic (PrL) and anterior cingulate (ACC) cortices] differentially alter the expression of contextually induced fear and nociceptive behaviour. We investigated the role of the endocannabinoid system in the IfL, PrL and ACC in formalin-evoked nociceptive behaviour, fear-conditioned analgesia (FCA) and conditioned fear in the presence of nociceptive tone. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH FCA was modelled in male Lister-hooded rats by assessing formalin-evoked nociceptive behaviour in an arena previously paired with footshock. The effects of intra-mPFC administration of AM251 [cannabinoid type 1 (CB1 ) receptor antagonist/inverse agonist], URB597 [fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor] or URB597 + AM251 on FCA and freezing behaviour were assessed. KEY RESULTS AM251 attenuated FCA when injected into the IfL or PrL and reduced contextually induced freezing behaviour when injected intra-IfL but not intra-PrL or intra-ACC. Intra-ACC administration of AM251 alone or in combination with URB597 had no effect on FCA or freezing. URB597 attenuated FCA and freezing behaviour when injected intra-IfL, prolonged the expression of FCA when injected intra-PrL and had no effect on these behaviours when injected intra-ACC. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These results suggest important and differing roles for FAAH substrates or CB1 receptors in the PrL, IfL and ACC in the expression of FCA and conditioned fear in the presence of nociceptive tone. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on 8th European Workshop on Cannabinoid Research. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.10/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran Rea
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.,Galway Neuroscience Centre and Centre for Pain Research, NCBES, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Fiona McGowan
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.,Galway Neuroscience Centre and Centre for Pain Research, NCBES, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Louise Corcoran
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.,Galway Neuroscience Centre and Centre for Pain Research, NCBES, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Michelle Roche
- Physiology, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.,Galway Neuroscience Centre and Centre for Pain Research, NCBES, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - David P Finn
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.,Galway Neuroscience Centre and Centre for Pain Research, NCBES, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
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22
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Altered Excitability and Local Connectivity of mPFC-PAG Neurons in a Mouse Model of Neuropathic Pain. J Neurosci 2018; 38:4829-4839. [PMID: 29695413 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2731-17.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) plays a major role in both sensory and affective aspects of pain. There is extensive evidence that chronic pain produces functional changes within the mPFC. However, our understanding of local circuit changes to defined subpopulations of mPFC neurons in chronic pain models remains unclear. A major subpopulation of mPFC neurons project to the periaqueductal gray (PAG), which is a key midbrain structure involved in endogenous pain suppression and facilitation. Here, we used laser scanning photostimulation of caged glutamate to map cortical circuits of retrogradely labeled cortico-PAG (CP) neurons in layer 5 (L5) of mPFC in brain slices prepared from male mice having undergone chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. Whole-cell recordings revealed a significant reduction in excitability for L5 CP neurons contralateral to CCI in the prelimbic (PL), but not infralimbic (IL), region of mPFC. Circuit mapping showed that excitatory inputs to L5 CP neurons in both PL and IL arose primarily from layer 2/3 (L2/3) and were significantly reduced in CCI mice. Glutamate stimulation of L2/3 and L5 elicited inhibitory inputs to CP neurons in both PL and IL, but only L2/3 input was significantly reduced in CP neurons of CCI mice. We also observed significant reduction in excitability and L2/3 inhibitory input to CP neurons ipsilateral to CCI. These results demonstrating region and laminar specific changes to mPFC-PAG neurons suggest that a unilateral CCI bilaterally alters cortical circuits upstream of the endogenous analgesic network, which may contribute to persistence of chronic pain.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Chronic pain is a significant unresolved medical problem that is refractory to traditional analgesics and can negatively affect emotional health. The role of central circuits in mediating the persistent nature of chronic pain remains unclear. Local circuits within the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) process ascending pain inputs and can modulate endogenous analgesia via direct projections to the periaqueductal gray (PAG). However, the mechanisms by which chronic pain alters intracortical circuitry of mPFC-PAG neurons are unknown. Here, we report specific changes to local circuits of mPFC-PAG neurons in mice displaying chronic pain behavior after nerve injury. These findings provide evidence for a neural mechanism by which chronic pain disrupts the descending analgesic system via functional changes to cortical circuits.
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Regulation and function of MeCP2 Ser421 phosphorylation in U50488-induced conditioned place aversion in mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:913-923. [PMID: 28116477 PMCID: PMC5321784 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4527-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Phosphorylation of the methyl DNA-binding protein MeCP2 at Ser421 (pMeCP2-S421) is induced in corticolimbic brain regions during exposure to drugs of abuse and modulates reward-driven behaviors. However, whether pMeCP2-S421 is also involved in behavioral adaptations to aversive drugs is unknown. OBJECTIVES Our goal was to establish the role and regulation of pMeCP2-S421 in corticolimbic brain regions of mice upon acute treatment with the kappa opioid receptor agonist U50488 and during the expression of U50488-induced conditioned place aversion (CPA). METHODS pMeCP2-S421 levels were measured in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), prelimbic cortex, infralimbic cortex (ILC), and basolateral amygdala (BLA) of male mice after intraperitoneal administration of U50488 and upon the expression of U50488-induced CPA. Fos was measured as marker of neural activity in the same brain regions. U50488-induced CPA and Fos levels were compared between knockin (KI) mice that lack pMeCP2-S421 and their wild-type (WT) littermates. RESULTS U50488 administration acutely induced pMeCP2-S421 and Fos selectively in the NAc but did not alter MeCP2 levels in any brain region. U50488-induced CPA was associated with decreased pMeCP2-S421 in the ILC and BLA and induced Fos in the BLA. MeCP2 KI mice showed CPA indistinguishable from their WT littermates, but they also showed less BLA Fos induction upon CPA. CONCLUSION These data are the first to show that pMeCP2-S421 is induced in the brain acutely after U50488 administration but not upon U50488-induced CPA. Although pMeCP2-S421 is not required for U50488-induced CPA, this phosphorylation event may contribute to molecular plasticities in brain regions that govern aversive behaviors.
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Wang N, Li SG, Lin XX, Su YL, Qi WJ, Wang JY, Luo F. Increasing Pain Sensation Eliminates the Inhibitory Effect of Depression on Evoked Pain in Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2016; 10:183. [PMID: 27733820 PMCID: PMC5039174 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although previous studies have suggested that depression may be associated with inhibition of evoked pain but facilitation of spontaneous pain, the mechanisms underlying these relationships are unclear. The present study investigated whether the difference between evoked and spontaneous pain on sensory (descending inhibition) and affective (avoidance motivation) components contributes to the divergent effects of depression on them. Depressive-like behavior was produced in male Wistar rats by unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS). Tone-laser conditioning and formalin-induced conditioned place avoidance (F-CPA) were used to explore avoidance motivation in evoked and spontaneous pain, respectively. Behavioral pharmacology experiments were conducted to examine descending inhibition of both evoked (thermal stimulation) and spontaneous pain behavior (formalin pain). The results revealed that the inhibitory effect of depression on evoked pain was eliminated following repeated thermal stimuli. Avoidance behavior in the tone-laser conditioning task was reduced in UCMS rats, relative to controls. However, avoidance motivation for formalin pain in the UCMS group was similar to controls. 5-HT1A receptor antagonism interfered with inhibition of pain responses over time. The present study demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of depression on evoked pain dissipates with increased nociception and that the sensory-discriminative and affective-motivational components of pain are jointly involved in the divergent effects of depression on pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing, China
| | - Sheng-Guang Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Xiao Lin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Yuan-Lin Su
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing, China
| | - Wei-Jing Qi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing, China
| | - Jin-Yan Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Fei Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
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Geng KW, He T, Wang RR, Li CL, Luo WJ, Wu FF, Wang Y, Li Z, Lu YF, Guan SM, Chen J. Ethanol Increases Mechanical Pain Sensitivity in Rats via Activation of GABAA Receptors in Medial Prefrontal Cortex. Neurosci Bull 2016; 32:433-44. [PMID: 27628528 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-016-0063-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethanol is widely known for its ability to cause dramatic changes in emotion, social cognition, and behavior following systemic administration in humans. Human neuroimaging studies suggest that alcohol dependence and chronic pain may share common mechanisms through amygdala-medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) interactions. However, whether acute administration of ethanol in the mPFC can modulate pain perception is unknown. Here we showed that bilateral microinjections of ethanol into the prelimbic and infralimbic areas of the mPFC lowered the bilateral mechanical pain threshold for 48 h without influencing thermal pain sensitivity in adult rats. However, bilateral microinjections of artificial cerebrospinal fluid into the mPFC or bilateral microinjections of ethanol into the dorsolateral PFC (also termed as motor cortex area 1 in Paxinos and Watson's atlas of The Rat Brain. Elsevier Academic Press, Amsterdam, 2005) failed to do so, suggesting regional selectivity of the effects of ethanol. Moreover, bilateral microinjections of ethanol did not change the expression of either pro-apoptotic (caspase-3 and Bax) or anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) proteins, suggesting that the dose was safe and validating the method used in the current study. To determine whether γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptors are involved in mediating the ethanol effects, muscimol, a selective GABAA receptor agonist, or bicuculline, a selective GABAA receptor antagonist, was administered alone or co-administered with ethanol through the same route into the bilateral mPFC. The results showed that muscimol mimicked the effects of ethanol while bicuculline completely reversed the effects of ethanol and muscimol. In conclusion, ethanol increases mechanical pain sensitivity through activation of GABAA receptors in the mPFC of rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Wen Geng
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences of Pain and Institute for Functional Brain Disorders, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Ting He
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences of Pain and Institute for Functional Brain Disorders, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Rui-Rui Wang
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences of Pain and Institute for Functional Brain Disorders, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
- Key Laboratory of Brain Stress and Behavior, People's Liberation Army, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Chun-Li Li
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences of Pain and Institute for Functional Brain Disorders, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
- Key Laboratory of Brain Stress and Behavior, People's Liberation Army, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Wen-Jun Luo
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences of Pain and Institute for Functional Brain Disorders, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Fang-Fang Wu
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences of Pain and Institute for Functional Brain Disorders, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences of Pain and Institute for Functional Brain Disorders, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
- Key Laboratory of Brain Stress and Behavior, People's Liberation Army, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences of Pain and Institute for Functional Brain Disorders, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
- Key Laboratory of Brain Stress and Behavior, People's Liberation Army, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Yun-Fei Lu
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences of Pain and Institute for Functional Brain Disorders, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Su-Min Guan
- School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
| | - Jun Chen
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences of Pain and Institute for Functional Brain Disorders, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China.
- Key Laboratory of Brain Stress and Behavior, People's Liberation Army, Xi'an, 710038, China.
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China.
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Halladay LR, Blair HT. Prefrontal infralimbic cortex mediates competition between excitation and inhibition of body movements during pavlovian fear conditioning. J Neurosci Res 2016; 95:853-862. [PMID: 26997207 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2015] [Revised: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The infralimbic subregion of the prefrontal cortex (IL) is broadly involved in behavioral flexibility, risk assessment, and outcome reinforcement. In aversive conditioning tasks, the IL has been implicated in fear extinction and in mediating transitions between Pavlovian and instrumental responses. Here we examine the role of the IL in mediating transitions between two competing Pavlovian fear responses, conditioned motor inhibition (CMI) and conditioned motor excitation (CME). Rats were trained to fear an auditory conditioned stimulus (CS) by pairing it with periorbital shock to one eyelid (the unconditioned stimulus [US]). Trained animals exhibited CMI responses (movement suppression) to the CS when they had not recently encountered the US (>24 hr), but, after recent encounters with the US (<5 min), the CS evoked CME responses (turning in circles away from anticipated shock). Animals then received bilateral infusions of muscimol or picrotoxin to inactivate or hyperactivate the IL, respectively. Neither drug reliably affected CMI responses, but there was a bidirectional effect on CME responses; inactivation of the IL attenuated CME responses, whereas hyperactivation potentiated CME responses. These results provide evidence that activation of the IL may promote behavioral strategies that involve mobilizing the body and suppress strategies that involve immobilizing the body. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay R Halladay
- Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Hugh T Blair
- Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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Yetnikoff L, Cheng AY, Lavezzi HN, Parsley KP, Zahm DS. Sources of input to the rostromedial tegmental nucleus, ventral tegmental area, and lateral habenula compared: A study in rat. J Comp Neurol 2015; 523:2426-56. [PMID: 25940654 PMCID: PMC4575621 DOI: 10.1002/cne.23797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2015] [Revised: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Profound inhibitory control exerted on midbrain dopaminergic neurons by the lateral habenula (LHb), which has mainly excitatory outputs, is mediated by the GABAergic rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg), which strongly innervates dopaminergic neurons in the ventral midbrain. Early reports indicated that the afferent connections of the RMTg, excepting its very strong LHb inputs, do not differ appreciably from those of the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Presumably, however, the RMTg contributes more to behavioral synthesis than to simply invert the valence of the excitatory signal coming from the LHb. Therefore, the present study was done to directly compare the inputs to the RMTg and VTA and, in deference to its substantial involvement with this circuitry, the LHb was also included in the comparison. Data indicated that, while the afferents of the RMTg, VTA, and LHb do originate within the same large pool of central nervous system (CNS) structures, each is also related to structures that project more strongly to it than to the others. The VTA gets robust input from ventral striatopallidum and extended amygdala, whereas RMTg biased inputs arise in structures with a more direct impact on motor function, such as deep layers of the contralateral superior colliculus, deep cerebellar and several brainstem nuclei, and, via a relay in the LHb, the entopeduncular nucleus. Input from the ventral pallidal-lateral preoptic-lateral hypothalamus continuum is strong in the RMTg and VTA and dominant in the LHb. Axon collateralization was also investigated, providing additional insights into the organization of the circuitry of this important triad of structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leora Yetnikoff
- Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Science, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Anita Y Cheng
- Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Science, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Heather N Lavezzi
- Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Science, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Kenneth P Parsley
- Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Science, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Daniel S Zahm
- Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Science, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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Ang ST, Lee ATH, Foo FC, Ng L, Low CM, Khanna S. GABAergic neurons of the medial septum play a nodal role in facilitation of nociception-induced affect. Sci Rep 2015; 5:15419. [PMID: 26487082 PMCID: PMC4614072 DOI: 10.1038/srep15419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study explored the functional details of the influence of medial septal region (MSDB) on spectrum of nociceptive behaviours by manipulating intraseptal GABAergic mechanisms. Results showed that formalin-induced acute nociception was not affected by intraseptal microinjection of bicuculline, a GABAA receptor antagonist, or on selective lesion of septal GABAergic neurons. Indeed, the acute nociceptive responses were dissociated from the regulation of sensorimotor behaviour and generation of theta-rhythm by the GABAergic mechanisms in MSDB. The GABAergic lesion attenuated formalin-induced unconditioned cellular response in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and blocked formalin-induced conditioned place avoidance (F-CPA), and as well as the contextual fear induced on conditioning with brief footshock. The effects of lesion on nociceptive-conditioned cellular responses were, however, variable. Interestingly, the lesion attenuated the conditioned representation of experimental context in dorsal hippocampus field CA1 in the F-CPA task. Collectively, the preceding suggests that the MSDB is a nodal centre wherein the GABAergic neurons mediate nociceptive affect-motivation by regulating cellular mechanisms in ACC that confer an aversive value to the noxious stimulus. Further, in conjunction with a modulatory influence on hippocampal contextual processing, MSDB may integrate affect with context as part of associative learning in the F-CPA task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seok Ting Ang
- Departments of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, 10 Medical Dr, Singapore
- Neurobiology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Rd, Singapore
| | - Andy Thiam Huat Lee
- Departments of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, 10 Medical Dr, Singapore
- Neurobiology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Rd, Singapore
| | - Fang Chee Foo
- Departments of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, 10 Medical Dr, Singapore
- Neurobiology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Rd, Singapore
| | - Lynn Ng
- Departments of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, 10 Medical Dr, Singapore
| | - Chian-Ming Low
- Departments of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, 10 Medical Dr, Singapore
- Departments of Anaesthesia, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, 10 Medical Dr, Singapore
- Neurobiology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Rd, Singapore
| | - Sanjay Khanna
- Departments of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, 10 Medical Dr, Singapore
- Neurobiology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Rd, Singapore
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