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Copenhaver AE, LeGates TA. Sex-Specific Mechanisms Underlie Long-Term Potentiation at Hippocampus→Medium Spiny Neuron Synapses in the Medial Shell of the Nucleus Accumbens. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e0100242024. [PMID: 38806250 PMCID: PMC11223474 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0100-24.2024] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Sex differences have complicated our understanding of the neurobiological basis of many behaviors that are key for survival. As such, continued elucidation of the similarities and differences between sexes is necessary to gain insight into brain function and vulnerability. The connection between the hippocampus (Hipp) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a crucial site where modulation of neuronal activity mediates reward-related behavior. Our previous work demonstrated that long-term potentiation (LTP) of Hipp→NAc synapses is rewarding, and mice can establish learned associations between LTP of these synapses and the contextual environment in which LTP occurred. Here, we investigated sex differences in the mechanisms underlying Hipp→NAc LTP using whole-cell electrophysiology and pharmacology. We observed similarities in basal synaptic strength between males and females and found that LTP occurs postsynaptically with similar magnitudes in both sexes. However, key sex differences emerged as LTP in males required NMDA receptors (NMDAR), whereas LTP in females utilized an NMDAR-independent mechanism involving L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs) and estrogen receptor α (ERα). We also uncovered sex-similar features as LTP in both sexes depended on CaMKII activity and occurred independently of dopamine-1 receptor (D1R) activation. Our results have elucidated sex-specific molecular mechanisms for LTP in an integral pathway that mediates reward-related behaviors, emphasizing the importance of considering sex as a variable in mechanistic studies. Continued characterization of sex-specific mechanisms underlying plasticity will offer novel insight into the neurophysiological basis of behavior, with significant implications for understanding how diverse processes mediate behavior and contribute to vulnerability to developing psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley E Copenhaver
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Baltimore, Maryland 21250
| | - Tara A LeGates
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Baltimore, Maryland 21250
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
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2
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Hamilton AR, Vishwanath A, Weintraub NC, Cowen SL, Heien ML. Dopamine Release Dynamics in the Nucleus Accumbens Are Modulated by the Timing of Electrical Stimulation Pulses When Applied to the Medial Forebrain Bundle and Medial Prefrontal Cortex. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024. [PMID: 38958080 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.4c00115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Electrical brain stimulation has been used in vivo and in vitro to investigate neural circuitry. Historically, stimulation parameters such as amplitude, frequency, and pulse width were varied to investigate their effects on neurotransmitter release and behavior. These experiments have traditionally employed fixed-frequency stimulation patterns, but it has previously been found that neurons are more precisely tuned to variable input. Introducing variability into the interpulse interval of stimulation pulses will inform on how dopaminergic release can be modulated by variability in pulse timing. Here, dopaminergic release in rats is monitored in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a key dopaminergic center which plays a role in learning and motivation, by fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. Dopaminergic release in the NAc could also be modulated by stimulation region due to differences in connectivity. We targeted two regions for stimulation─the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)─due to their involvement in reward processing and projections to the NAc. Our goal is to investigate how variable interpulse interval stimulation patterns delivered to these regions affect the time course of dopamine release in the NAc. We found that stimulating the MFB with these variable stimulation patterns saw a highly responsive, frequency-driven dopaminergic response. In contrast, variable stimulation patterns applied to the mPFC were not as sensitive to the variable frequency changes. This work will help inform on how stimulation patterns can be tuned specifically to the stimulation region to improve the efficiency of electrical stimulation and control dopamine release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea R Hamilton
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Arizona, 1306 East University Boulevard, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Abhilasha Vishwanath
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, 1306 East University Boulevard, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Nathan C Weintraub
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Arizona, 1306 East University Boulevard, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Stephen L Cowen
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, 1306 East University Boulevard, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
- Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Arizona, 1306 East University Boulevard, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - M Leandro Heien
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Arizona, 1306 East University Boulevard, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
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3
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Barbano MF, Qi J, Chen E, Mohammad U, Espinoza O, Candido M, Wang H, Liu B, Hahn S, Vautier F, Morales M. VTA glutamatergic projections to the nucleus accumbens suppress psychostimulant-seeking behavior. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024:10.1038/s41386-024-01905-3. [PMID: 38926603 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01905-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Converging evidence indicates that both dopamine and glutamate neurotransmission within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) play a role in psychostimulant self-administration and relapse in rodent models. Increased NAc dopamine release from ventral tegmental area (VTA) inputs is critical to psychostimulant self-administration and NAc glutamate release from prelimbic prefrontal cortex (PFC) inputs synapsing on medium spiny neurons (MSNs) is critical to reinstatement of psychostimulant-seeking after extinction. The regulation of the activity of MSNs by VTA dopamine inputs has been extensively studied, and recent findings have demonstrated that VTA glutamate neurons target the NAc medial shell. Here, we determined whether the mesoaccumbal glutamatergic pathway plays a role in psychostimulant conditioned place preference and self-administration in mice. We used optogenetics to induce NAc release of glutamate from VTA inputs during the acquisition, expression, and reinstatement phases of cocaine- or methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP), and during priming-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior. We found that NAc medial shell release of glutamate resulting from the activation of VTA glutamatergic fibers did not affect the acquisition of cocaine-induced CPP, but it blocked the expression, stress- and priming-induced reinstatement of cocaine- and methamphetamine CPP, as well as it blocked the priming-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior after extinction. These findings indicate that in contrast to the well-recognized mesoaccumbal dopamine system that is critical to psychostimulant reward and relapse, there is a parallel mesoaccumbal glutamatergic system that suppresses reward and psychostimulant-seeking behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Flavia Barbano
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Jia Qi
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Emma Chen
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Uzma Mohammad
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Orlando Espinoza
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Marcos Candido
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Huiling Wang
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Bing Liu
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Suyun Hahn
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - François Vautier
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Marisela Morales
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
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4
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Thibeault KC, Leonard MZ, Kondev V, Emerson SD, Bethi R, Lopez AJ, Sens JP, Nabit BP, Elam HB, Winder DG, Patel S, Kiraly DD, Grueter BA, Calipari ES. A cocaine-activated ensemble exerts increased control over behavior while decreasing in size. Biol Psychiatry 2024:S0006-3223(24)01388-X. [PMID: 38901723 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.06.008] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substance use disorder (SUD) is characterized by long-lasting changes in reward-related brain regions, such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Previous work has shown that cocaine exposure induces plasticity in broad, genetically-defined cell types in the NAc; however, in response to a stimulus, only a small percent of neurons are transcriptionally active - termed an ensemble. Here, we identify an Arc-expressing neuronal ensemble that has a unique trajectory of recruitment and causally controls drug self-administration after repeated, but not acute, cocaine exposure. METHOD Using Arc-CreERT2 transgenic mice, we expressed transgenes in Arc+ ensembles activated by cocaine exposure [either acute (1 x 10mg/kg IP), or repeated (10 x 10mg/kg IP)]. Using genetic, optical, and physiological recording and manipulation strategies, we assessed the contribution of these ensembles to behaviors associated with SUD. RESULTS Repeated cocaine exposure reduced the size of the ensemble, while simultaneously increasing its control over behavior. Neurons within the repeated cocaine ensemble were hyperexcitable and their optogenetic excitation was sufficient for reinforcement. Finally, lesioning the repeated cocaine, but not acute cocaine, ensemble blunted cocaine self-administration. Thus, repeated cocaine exposure reduced the size of the ensemble while simultaneously increasing its contributions to drug reinforcement. CONCLUSIONS We show that repeated, but not acute, cocaine exposure induces a physiologically distinct ensemble characterized by the expression of the immediate early gene Arc, that is uniquely capable of modulating reinforcement behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly C Thibeault
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Michael Z Leonard
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Veronika Kondev
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Soren D Emerson
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Rishik Bethi
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Alberto J Lopez
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jonathon P Sens
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Brett P Nabit
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Hannah B Elam
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Danny G Winder
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt J. F. Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Sachin Patel
- Department of Psychiatry, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Drew D Kiraly
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Brad A Grueter
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Erin S Calipari
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt J. F. Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
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5
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Guevara CA, Alloo K, Gupta S, Thomas R, Del Valle P, Magee AR, Benson DL, Huntley GW. Parkinson's LRRK2-G2019S risk gene mutation drives sex-specific behavioral and cellular adaptations to chronic variable stress. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.05.597647. [PMID: 38895277 PMCID: PMC11185622 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.05.597647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Anxiety is a psychiatric non-motor symptom of Parkinson's that can appear in the prodromal period, prior to significant loss of brainstem dopamine neurons and motor symptoms. Parkinson's-related anxiety affects females more than males, despite the greater prevalence of Parkinson's in males. How stress, anxiety and Parkinson's are related and the basis for a sex-specific impact of stress in Parkinson's are not clear. We addressed this using young adult male and female mice carrying a G2019S knockin mutation of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 ( Lrrk2 G2019S ) and Lrrk2 WT control mice. In humans, LRRK2 G2019S significantly elevates the risk of late-onset Parkinson's. To assess within-sex differences between Lrrk2 G2019S and control mice in stress-induced anxiety-like behaviors in young adulthood, we used a within-subject design whereby Lrrk2 G2019S and Lrrk2 WT control mice underwent tests of anxiety-like behaviors before (baseline) and following a 28 day (d) variable stress paradigm. There were no differences in behavioral measures between genotypes in males or females at baseline, indicating that the mutation alone does not produce anxiety-like responses. Following chronic stress, male Lrrk2 G2019S mice were affected similarly to male wildtypes except for novelty-suppressed feeding, where stress had no impact on Lrrk2 G2019S mice while significantly increasing latency to feed in Lrrk2 WT control mice. Female Lrrk2 G2019S mice were impacted by chronic stress similarly to wildtype females across all behavioral measures. Subsequent post-stress analyses compared cFos immunolabeling-based cellular activity patterns across several stress-relevant brain regions. The density of cFos-activated neurons across brain regions in both male and female Lrrk2 G2019S mice was generally lower compared to stressed Lrrk2 WT mice, except for the nucleus accumbens of male Lrrk2 G2019S mice, where cFos-labeled cell density was significantly higher than all other groups. Together, these data suggest that the Lrrk2 G2019S mutation differentially impacts anxiety-like behavioral responses to chronic stress in males and females that may reflect sex-specific adaptations observed in circuit activation patterns in stress-related brain regions.
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6
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Diehl MM, Moscarello JM, Trask S. Behavioral outputs and overlapping circuits between conditional fear and active avoidance. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2024; 213:107943. [PMID: 38821256 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2024.107943] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Aversive learning can produce a wide variety of defensive behavioral responses depending on the circumstances, ranging from reactive responses like freezing to proactive avoidance responses. While most of this initial learning is behaviorally supported by an expectancy of an aversive outcome and neurally supported by activity within the basolateral amygdala, activity in other brain regions become necessary for the execution of defensive strategies that emerge in other aversive learning paradigms such as active avoidance. Here, we review the neural circuits that support both reactive and proactive defensive behaviors that are motivated by aversive learning, and identify commonalities between the neural substrates of these distinct (and often exclusive) behavioral strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria M Diehl
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | | | - Sydney Trask
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
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7
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Zhang XF, Li YD, Li Y, Li Y, Xu D, Bi LL, Xu HB. Ventral subiculum promotes wakefulness through several pathways in male mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024:10.1038/s41386-024-01875-6. [PMID: 38734818 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01875-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The ventral subiculum (vSUB), the major output structure of the hippocampal formation, regulates motivation, stress integration, and anxiety-like behaviors that rely on heightened arousal. However, the roles and underlying neural circuits of the vSUB in wakefulness are poorly known. Using in vivo fiber photometry and multichannel electrophysiological recordings in mice, we found that the vSUB glutamatergic neurons exhibited high activities during wakefulness. Moreover, activation of vSUB glutamatergic neurons caused an increase in wakefulness and anxiety-like behaviors and induced a rapid transition from sleep to wakefulness. In addition, optogenetic stimulation of vSUB glutamatergic terminals and retrograde-targeted chemogenetic activation of vSUB glutamatergic neurons revealed that vSUB promoted arousal by innervating the lateral hypothalamus (LH), nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell, and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Nevertheless, local microinjection of dopamine D1 or D2/D3 receptor antagonist blocked the wake-promoting effect induced by chemogenetic activation of vSUB pathways. Finally, chemogenetic inhibition of vSUB glutamatergic neurons decreased arousal. Altogether, our findings reveal a prominent contribution of vSUB glutamatergic neurons to the control of wakefulness through several pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Fen Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yi-Dan Li
- Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Lin-Lin Bi
- Department of Pathology, Taikang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- Center for Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Hai-Bo Xu
- Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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Song N, Liu Z, Gao Y, Lu S, Yang S, Yuan C. NAc-DBS corrects depression-like behaviors in CUMS mouse model via disinhibition of DA neurons in the VTA. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:1550-1566. [PMID: 38361128 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02476-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by diverse debilitating symptoms that include loss of motivation and anhedonia. If multiple medications, psychotherapy, and electroconvulsive therapy fail in some patients with MDD, their condition is then termed treatment-resistant depression (TRD). MDD can be associated with abnormalities in the reward-system-dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway, in which the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) play major roles. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) applied to the NAc alleviates the depressive symptoms of MDD. However, the mechanism underlying the effects of this DBS has remained elusive. In this study, using the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mouse model, we investigated the behavioral and neurobiological effects of NAc-DBS on the multidimensional depression-like phenotypes induced by CUMS by integrating behavioral, in vivo microdialysis coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detector (HPLC-ECD), calcium imaging, pharmacological, and genetic manipulation methods in freely moving mice. We found that long-term and repeated, but not single, NAc-DBS induced robust antidepressant responses in CUMS mice. Moreover, even a single trial NAc-DBS led to the elevation of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter, accompanied by the increase in dopamine (DA) neuron activity in the VTA. Both the inhibition of the GABAA receptor activity and knockdown of the GABAA-α1 gene in VTA-GABA neurons blocked the antidepressant effect of NAc-DBS in CUMS mice. Our results showed that NAc-DBS could disinhibit VTA-DA neurons by regulating the level of GABA and the activity of VTA-GABA in the VTA and could finally correct the depression-like behaviors in the CUMS mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Song
- Center of Cognition and Brain Science, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China.
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China.
| | - Zhenhong Liu
- Institute for Brain Disorders, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Yan Gao
- Center of Cognition and Brain Science, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Shanshan Lu
- Center of Cognition and Brain Science, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Shenglian Yang
- Center of Cognition and Brain Science, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Chao Yuan
- Center of Cognition and Brain Science, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China
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Lallai V, Congiu C, Craig G, Manca L, Chen YC, Dukes AJ, Fowler CD, Dazzi L. Social isolation postweaning alters reward-related dopamine dynamics in a region-specific manner in adolescent male rats. Neurobiol Stress 2024; 30:100620. [PMID: 38486879 PMCID: PMC10937317 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Early development is characterized by dynamic transitions in brain maturation, which may be impacted by environmental factors. Here, we sought to determine the effects of social isolation from postweaning and during adolescence on reward behavior and dopaminergic signaling in male rats. Subjects were socially isolated or group housed at postnatal day 21. Three weeks later, extracellular dopamine concentrations were examined in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and nucleus accumbens shell (NAc) during a feeding bout. Surprisingly, opposing effects were found in which increased mPFC dopamine concentrations were observed in group housed, but not isolated, rats. In stark contrast, increased dopamine levels were found in the NAc of isolated, but not group housed, rats. Moreover, the absence of an effect in the mPFC of the isolated rats could not be reversed by subsequent group housing, demonstrating the remarkable long-term effects on dopamine signaling dynamics. When provided a highly palatable food, the isolated subjects exhibited a dramatic increase in mPFC dopamine levels when the chocolate was novel, but no effects following chronic chocolate consumption. In contrast, the group housed subjects showed significantly increased dopamine levels only with chronic chocolate consumption. The dopamine changes were correlated with differences in behavioral measures. Importantly, the deficit in reward-related behavior during isolation could be reversed by microinjection of either dopamine or cocaine into the mPFC. Together, these data provide evidence that social isolation from postweaning and during adolescence alters reward-induced dopamine levels in a brain region-specific manner, which has important functional implications for reward-related behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Lallai
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Cristina Congiu
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Giulia Craig
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Letizia Manca
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Yen-Chu Chen
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Angeline J. Dukes
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Christie D. Fowler
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Laura Dazzi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, CA, Italy
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10
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Yamada D, Davidson AM, Hige T. Cyclic nucleotide-induced bidirectional long-term synaptic plasticity in Drosophila mushroom body. J Physiol 2024; 602:2019-2045. [PMID: 38488688 PMCID: PMC11068490 DOI: 10.1113/jp285745] [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: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Activation of the cAMP pathway is one of the common mechanisms underlying long-term potentiation (LTP). In the Drosophila mushroom body, simultaneous activation of odour-coding Kenyon cells (KCs) and reinforcement-coding dopaminergic neurons activates adenylyl cyclase in KC presynaptic terminals, which is believed to trigger synaptic plasticity underlying olfactory associative learning. However, learning induces long-term depression (LTD) at these synapses, contradicting the universal role of cAMP as a facilitator of transmission. Here, we developed a system to electrophysiologically monitor both short-term and long-term synaptic plasticity at KC output synapses and demonstrated that they are indeed an exception in which activation of the cAMP-protein kinase A pathway induces LTD. Contrary to the prevailing model, our cAMP imaging found no evidence for synergistic action of dopamine and KC activity on cAMP synthesis. Furthermore, we found that forskolin-induced cAMP increase alone was insufficient for plasticity induction; it additionally required simultaneous KC activation to replicate the presynaptic LTD induced by pairing with dopamine. On the other hand, activation of the cGMP pathway paired with KC activation induced slowly developing LTP, proving antagonistic actions of the two second-messenger pathways predicted by behavioural study. Finally, KC subtype-specific interrogation of synapses revealed that different KC subtypes exhibit distinct plasticity duration even among synapses on the same postsynaptic neuron. Thus, our work not only revises the role of cAMP in synaptic plasticity by uncovering the unexpected convergence point of the cAMP pathway and neuronal activity, but also establishes the methods to address physiological mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in this important model. KEY POINTS: Although presynaptic cAMP increase generally facilitates synapses, olfactory associative learning in Drosophila, which depends on dopamine and cAMP signalling genes, induces long-term depression (LTD) at the mushroom body output synapses. By combining electrophysiology, pharmacology and optogenetics, we directly demonstrate that these synapses are an exception where activation of the cAMP-protein kinase A pathway leads to presynaptic LTD. Dopamine- or forskolin-induced cAMP increase alone is not sufficient for LTD induction; neuronal activity, which has been believed to trigger cAMP synthesis in synergy with dopamine input, is required in the downstream pathway of cAMP. In contrast to cAMP, activation of the cGMP pathway paired with neuronal activity induces presynaptic long-term potentiation, which explains behaviourally observed opposing actions of transmitters co-released by dopaminergic neurons. Our work not only revises the role of cAMP in synaptic plasticity, but also provides essential methods to address physiological mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in this important model system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daichi Yamada
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Andrew M. Davidson
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Toshihide Hige
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
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11
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Barnstedt O, Mocellin P, Remy S. A hippocampus-accumbens code guides goal-directed appetitive behavior. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3196. [PMID: 38609363 PMCID: PMC11015045 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47361-x] [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: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The dorsal hippocampus (dHPC) is a key brain region for the expression of spatial memories, such as navigating towards a learned reward location. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a prominent projection target of dHPC and implicated in value-based action selection. Yet, the contents of the dHPC→NAc information stream and their acute role in behavior remain largely unknown. Here, we found that optogenetic stimulation of the dHPC→NAc pathway while mice navigated towards a learned reward location was both necessary and sufficient for spatial memory-related appetitive behaviors. To understand the task-relevant coding properties of individual NAc-projecting hippocampal neurons (dHPC→NAc), we used in vivo dual-color two-photon imaging. In contrast to other dHPC neurons, the dHPC→NAc subpopulation contained more place cells, with enriched spatial tuning properties. This subpopulation also showed enhanced coding of non-spatial task-relevant behaviors such as deceleration and appetitive licking. A generalized linear model revealed enhanced conjunctive coding in dHPC→NAc neurons which improved the identification of the reward zone. We propose that dHPC routes specific reward-related spatial and behavioral state information to guide NAc action selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Barnstedt
- Department of Cellular Neuroscience, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, 39118, Magdeburg, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
- Institute for Biology, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Petra Mocellin
- Department of Cellular Neuroscience, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, 39118, Magdeburg, Germany
- International Max Planck Research, School for Brain & Behavior (IMPRS), 53175, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720-3370, USA
| | - Stefan Remy
- Department of Cellular Neuroscience, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, 39118, Magdeburg, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), 39106, Magdeburg, Germany.
- German Center for Mental Health (DZGP), partner site Halle-Jena-Magdeburg, 39118, Magdeburg, Germany.
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12
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Nusslock R, Alloy LB, Brody GH, Miller GE. Annual Research Review: Neuroimmune network model of depression: a developmental perspective. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2024; 65:538-567. [PMID: 38426610 PMCID: PMC11090270 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13961] [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] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Depression is a serious public health problem, and adolescence is an 'age of risk' for the onset of Major Depressive Disorder. Recently, we and others have proposed neuroimmune network models that highlight bidirectional communication between the brain and the immune system in both mental and physical health, including depression. These models draw on research indicating that the cellular actors (particularly monocytes) and signaling molecules (particularly cytokines) that orchestrate inflammation in the periphery can directly modulate the structure and function of the brain. In the brain, inflammatory activity heightens sensitivity to threats in the cortico-amygdala circuit, lowers sensitivity to rewards in the cortico-striatal circuit, and alters executive control and emotion regulation in the prefrontal cortex. When dysregulated, and particularly under conditions of chronic stress, inflammation can generate feelings of dysphoria, distress, and anhedonia. This is proposed to initiate unhealthy, self-medicating behaviors (e.g. substance use, poor diet) to manage the dysphoria, which further heighten inflammation. Over time, dysregulation in these brain circuits and the inflammatory response may compound each other to form a positive feedback loop, whereby dysregulation in one organ system exacerbates the other. We and others suggest that this neuroimmune dysregulation is a dynamic joint vulnerability for depression, particularly during adolescence. We have three goals for the present paper. First, we extend neuroimmune network models of mental and physical health to generate a developmental framework of risk for the onset of depression during adolescence. Second, we examine how a neuroimmune network perspective can help explain the high rates of comorbidity between depression and other psychiatric disorders across development, and multimorbidity between depression and stress-related medical illnesses. Finally, we consider how identifying neuroimmune pathways to depression can facilitate a 'next generation' of behavioral and biological interventions that target neuroimmune signaling to treat, and ideally prevent, depression in youth and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Nusslock
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston IL, USA
- Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston IL, USA
| | - Lauren B. Alloy
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. USA
| | - Gene H. Brody
- Center for Family Research, University of Georgia, Athens GA, USA
| | - Gregory E. Miller
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston IL, USA
- Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston IL, USA
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13
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Valyear MD, Brown A, Deyab G, Villaruel FR, Lahlou S, Caporicci-Dinucci N, Chaudhri N. Augmenting glutamatergic, but not dopaminergic, activity in the nucleus accumbens shell disrupts responding to a discrete alcohol cue in an alcohol context. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:1500-1518. [PMID: 38185906 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16231] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Discrete alcohol cues and contexts are relapse triggers for people with alcohol use disorder exerting particularly powerful control over behaviour when they co-occur. Here, we investigated the neural substrates subserving the capacity for alcohol-associated contexts to elevate responding to an alcohol-predictive conditioned stimulus (CS). Specifically, rats were trained in a distinct 'alcohol context' to respond by entering a fluid port during a discrete auditory CS that predicted the delivery of alcohol and were familiarized with a 'neutral context' wherein alcohol was never available. When conditioned CS responding was tested by presenting the CS without alcohol, we found that augmenting glutamatergic activity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell by microinfusing α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) reduced responding to an alcohol CS in an alcohol, but not neutral, context. Further, AMPA microinfusion robustly affected behaviour, attenuating the number, duration and latency of CS responses selectively in the alcohol context. Although dopaminergic inputs to the NAc shell were previously shown to be necessary for CS responding in an alcohol context, here, chemogenetic excitation of ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons and their inputs to the NAc shell did not affect CS responding. Critically, chemogenetic excitation of VTA dopamine neurons affected feeding behaviour and elevated c-fos immunoreactivity in the VTA and NAc shell, validating the chemogenetic approach. These findings enrich our understanding of the substrates underlying Pavlovian responding for alcohol and reveal that the capacity for contexts to modulate responding to discrete alcohol cues is delicately underpinned by the NAc shell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan D Valyear
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alexa Brown
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ghislaine Deyab
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Franz R Villaruel
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Soraya Lahlou
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nina Caporicci-Dinucci
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nadia Chaudhri
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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14
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Lei HY, Pi GL, He T, Xiong R, Lv JR, Liu JL, Wu DQ, Li MZ, Shi K, Li SH, Yu NN, Gao Y, Yu HL, Wei LY, Wang X, Zhou QZ, Zou PL, Zhou JY, Liu YZ, Shen NT, Yang J, Ke D, Wang Q, Liu GP, Yang XF, Wang JZ, Yang Y. Targeting vulnerable microcircuits in the ventral hippocampus of male transgenic mice to rescue Alzheimer-like social memory loss. Mil Med Res 2024; 11:16. [PMID: 38462603 PMCID: PMC10926584 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-024-00512-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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Episodic memory loss is a prominent clinical manifestation of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is closely related to tau pathology and hippocampal impairment. Due to the heterogeneity of brain neurons, the specific roles of different brain neurons in terms of their sensitivity to tau accumulation and their contribution to AD-like social memory loss remain unclear. Therefore, further investigation is necessary. METHODS We investigated the effects of AD-like tau pathology by Tandem mass tag proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis, social behavioural tests, hippocampal electrophysiology, immunofluorescence staining and in vivo optical fibre recording of GCaMP6f and iGABASnFR. Additionally, we utilized optogenetics and administered ursolic acid (UA) via oral gavage to examine the effects of these agents on social memory in mice. RESULTS The results of proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses revealed the characteristics of ventral hippocampal CA1 (vCA1) under both physiological conditions and AD-like tau pathology. As tau progressively accumulated, vCA1, especially its excitatory and parvalbumin (PV) neurons, were fully filled with mislocated and phosphorylated tau (p-Tau). This finding was not observed for dorsal hippocampal CA1 (dCA1). The overexpression of human tau (hTau) in excitatory and PV neurons mimicked AD-like tau accumulation, significantly inhibited neuronal excitability and suppressed distinct discrimination-associated firings of these neurons within vCA1. Photoactivating excitatory and PV neurons in vCA1 at specific rhythms and time windows efficiently ameliorated tau-impaired social memory. Notably, 1 month of UA administration efficiently decreased tau accumulation via autophagy in a transcription factor EB (TFEB)-dependent manner and restored the vCA1 microcircuit to ameliorate tau-impaired social memory. CONCLUSION This study elucidated distinct protein and phosphoprotein networks between dCA1 and vCA1 and highlighted the susceptibility of the vCA1 microcircuit to AD-like tau accumulation. Notably, our novel findings regarding the efficacy of UA in reducing tau load and targeting the vCA1 microcircuit may provide a promising strategy for treating AD in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Yang Lei
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Gui-Lin Pi
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430014, China
| | - Ting He
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Rui Xiong
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jing-Ru Lv
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jia-Le Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Dong-Qin Wu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Meng-Zhu Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Kun Shi
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Shi-Hong Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Na-Na Yu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hui-Ling Yu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Lin-Yu Wei
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qiu-Zhi Zhou
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Pei-Lin Zou
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jia-Yang Zhou
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ying-Zhou Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Nai-Ting Shen
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Dan Ke
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qun Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Gong-Ping Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xi-Fei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian-Zhi Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226000, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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15
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Lin S, Fan CY, Wang HR, Li XF, Zeng JL, Lan PX, Li HX, Zhang B, Hu C, Xu J, Luo JH. Frontostriatal circuit dysfunction leads to cognitive inflexibility in neuroligin-3 R451C knockin mice. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02505-9. [PMID: 38459194 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02505-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Cognitive and behavioral rigidity are observed in various psychiatric diseases, including in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. In this study, we found that neuroligin-3 (NL3) R451C knockin mouse model of autism (KI mice) exhibited deficits in behavioral flexibility in choice selection tasks. Single-unit recording of medium spiny neuron (MSN) activity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) revealed altered encoding of decision-related cue and impaired updating of choice anticipation in KI mice. Additionally, fiber photometry demonstrated significant disruption in dynamic mesolimbic dopamine (DA) signaling for reward prediction errors (RPEs), along with reduced activity in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) neurons projecting to the NAc in KI mice. Interestingly, NL3 re-expression in the mPFC, but not in the NAc, rescued the deficit of flexible behaviors and simultaneously restored NAc-MSN encoding, DA dynamics, and mPFC-NAc output in KI mice. Taken together, this study reveals the frontostriatal circuit dysfunction underlying cognitive inflexibility and establishes a critical role of the mPFC NL3 deficiency in this deficit in KI mice. Therefore, these findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of cognitive and behavioral inflexibility and potential intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Lin
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Fujian Provincial Institutes of Brain Disorders and Brain Sciences, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Cui-Ying Fan
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hao-Ran Wang
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Nanhu Brain-Computer Interface Institute, Hangzhou, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Fan Li
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Li Zeng
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Pei-Xuan Lan
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui-Xian Li
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chun Hu
- Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, Key Laboratory of Brain Cognition and Education Sciences of Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junyu Xu
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Jian-Hong Luo
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Nanhu Brain-Computer Interface Institute, Hangzhou, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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16
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Zachry JE, Kutlu MG, Yoon HJ, Leonard MZ, Chevée M, Patel DD, Gaidici A, Kondev V, Thibeault KC, Bethi R, Tat J, Melugin PR, Isiktas AU, Joffe ME, Cai DJ, Conn PJ, Grueter BA, Calipari ES. D1 and D2 medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens core have distinct and valence-independent roles in learning. Neuron 2024; 112:835-849.e7. [PMID: 38134921 PMCID: PMC10939818 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.11.023] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
At the core of value-based learning is the nucleus accumbens (NAc). D1- and D2-receptor-containing medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the NAc core are hypothesized to have opposing valence-based roles in behavior. Using optical imaging and manipulation approaches in mice, we show that neither D1 nor D2 MSNs signal valence. D1 MSN responses were evoked by stimuli regardless of valence or contingency. D2 MSNs were evoked by both cues and outcomes, were dynamically changed with learning, and tracked valence-free prediction error at the population and individual neuron level. Finally, D2 MSN responses to cues were necessary for associative learning. Thus, D1 and D2 MSNs work in tandem, rather than in opposition, by signaling specific properties of stimuli to control learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Zachry
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Munir Gunes Kutlu
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Hye Jean Yoon
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Michael Z Leonard
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Maxime Chevée
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Dev D Patel
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Anthony Gaidici
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Veronika Kondev
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Kimberly C Thibeault
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Rishik Bethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jennifer Tat
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Patrick R Melugin
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Atagun U Isiktas
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Max E Joffe
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Denise J Cai
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - P Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Brad A Grueter
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Erin S Calipari
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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17
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Bakoyiannis I, Ducourneau EG, N'diaye M, Fermigier A, Ducroix-Crepy C, Bosch-Bouju C, Coutureau E, Trifilieff P, Ferreira G. Obesogenic diet induces circuit-specific memory deficits in mice. eLife 2024; 13:e80388. [PMID: 38436653 PMCID: PMC10911750 DOI: 10.7554/elife.80388] [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: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Obesity is associated with neurocognitive dysfunction, including memory deficits. This is particularly worrisome when obesity occurs during adolescence, a maturational period for brain structures critical for cognition. In rodent models, we recently reported that memory impairments induced by obesogenic high-fat diet (HFD) intake during the periadolescent period can be reversed by chemogenetic manipulation of the ventral hippocampus (vHPC). Here, we used an intersectional viral approach in HFD-fed male mice to chemogenetically inactivate specific vHPC efferent pathways to nucleus accumbens (NAc) or medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) during memory tasks. We first demonstrated that HFD enhanced activation of both pathways after training and that our chemogenetic approach was effective in normalizing this activation. Inactivation of the vHPC-NAc pathway rescued HFD-induced deficits in recognition but not location memory. Conversely, inactivation of the vHPC-mPFC pathway restored location but not recognition memory impairments produced by HFD. Either pathway manipulation did not affect exploration or anxiety-like behaviour. These findings suggest that HFD intake throughout adolescence impairs different types of memory through overactivation of specific hippocampal efferent pathways and that targeting these overactive pathways has therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Bakoyiannis
- University of Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, UMR 1286, F-33077BordeauxFrance
| | - Eva Gunnel Ducourneau
- University of Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, UMR 1286, F-33077BordeauxFrance
| | - Mateo N'diaye
- University of Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, UMR 1286, F-33077BordeauxFrance
| | - Alice Fermigier
- University of Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, UMR 1286, F-33077BordeauxFrance
| | - Celine Ducroix-Crepy
- University of Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, UMR 1286, F-33077BordeauxFrance
| | - Clementine Bosch-Bouju
- University of Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, UMR 1286, F-33077BordeauxFrance
| | | | - Pierre Trifilieff
- University of Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, UMR 1286, F-33077BordeauxFrance
| | - Guillaume Ferreira
- University of Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, UMR 1286, F-33077BordeauxFrance
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18
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Huai Z, Huang B, He G, Li H, Liu Y, Le Q, Wang F, Ma L, Liu X. Accumulation of NMDA receptors in accumbal neuronal ensembles mediates increased conditioned place preference for cocaine after prolonged withdrawal. Prog Neurobiol 2024; 234:102573. [PMID: 38401668 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2024.102573] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Cue-induced cocaine craving gradually intensifies following abstinence, a phenomenon known as the incubation of drug craving. Neuronal ensembles activated by initial cocaine use, are critically involved in this process. However, the mechanisms by which neuronal changes occurring in the ensembles after withdrawal contribute to incubation remain largely unknown. Here we labeled neuronal ensembles in the shell of nucleus accumbens (NAcSh) activated by cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) training. NAcSh ensembles showed an increasing activity induced by CPP test after 21-day withdrawal. Inhibiting synaptic transmission of NAcSh ensembles suppressed the preference for cocaine paired-side after 21-day withdrawal, demonstrating a critical role of NAcSh ensembles in increased preference for cocaine. The density of dendritic spines in dopamine D1 receptor expressing ensembles was increased after 21-day withdrawal. Moreover, the expression of Grin1, a subunit of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, specifically increased in the NAcSh ensembles after cocaine withdrawal in both CPP and self-administration (SA) mouse models. Targeted knockdown or dysfunction of Grin1 in NAcSh ensembles significantly suppressed craving for cocaine. Our results suggest that the accumulation of NMDA receptors in NAcSh ensembles mediates increased craving for cocaine after prolonged withdrawal, thereby providing potential molecular targets for treatment of drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqing Huai
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Bing Huang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Guanhong He
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Haibo Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yonghui Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qiumin Le
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lan Ma
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Xing Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai 200032, China.
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19
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Piantadosi SC, Zhou ZC, Pizzano C, Pedersen CE, Nguyen TK, Thai S, Stuber GD, Bruchas MR. Holographic stimulation of opposing amygdala ensembles bidirectionally modulates valence-specific behavior via mutual inhibition. Neuron 2024; 112:593-610.e5. [PMID: 38086375 PMCID: PMC10984369 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.11.007] [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: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is an evolutionarily conserved brain region, well known for valence processing. Despite this central role, the relationship between activity of BLA neuronal ensembles in response to appetitive and aversive stimuli and the subsequent expression of valence-specific behavior has remained elusive. Here, we leverage two-photon calcium imaging combined with single-cell holographic photostimulation through an endoscopic lens to demonstrate a direct causal role for opposing ensembles of BLA neurons in the control of oppositely valenced behavior in mice. We report that targeted photostimulation of either appetitive or aversive BLA ensembles results in mutual inhibition and shifts behavioral responses to promote consumption of an aversive tastant or reduce consumption of an appetitive tastant, respectively. Here, we identify that neuronal encoding of valence in the BLA is graded and relies on the relative proportion of individual BLA neurons recruited in a stable appetitive or quinine ensemble.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean C Piantadosi
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Zhe Charles Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Carina Pizzano
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Christian E Pedersen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Tammy K Nguyen
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sarah Thai
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Garret D Stuber
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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20
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Nguyen R, Sivakumaran S, Lambe EK, Kim JC. Ventral hippocampal cholecystokinin interneurons gate contextual reward memory. iScience 2024; 27:108824. [PMID: 38303709 PMCID: PMC10831933 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108824] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Associating contexts with rewards depends on hippocampal circuits, with local inhibitory interneurons positioned to play an important role in shaping activity. Here, we demonstrate that the encoding of context-reward memory requires a ventral hippocampus (vHPC) to nucleus accumbens (NAc) circuit that is gated by cholecystokinin (CCK) interneurons. In a sucrose conditioned place preference (CPP) task, optogenetically inhibiting vHPC-NAc terminals impaired the acquisition of place preference. Transsynaptic rabies tracing revealed vHPC-NAc neurons were monosynaptically innervated by CCK interneurons. Using intersectional genetic targeting of CCK interneurons, ex vivo optogenetic activation of CCK interneurons increased GABAergic transmission onto vHPC-NAc neurons, while in vivo optogenetic inhibition of CCK interneurons increased cFos in these projection neurons. Notably, CCK interneuron inhibition during sucrose CPP learning increased time spent in the sucrose-associated location, suggesting enhanced place-reward memory. Our findings reveal a previously unknown hippocampal microcircuit crucial for modulating the strength of contextual reward learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Nguyen
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Evelyn K. Lambe
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of OBGYN, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jun Chul Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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21
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Warlow SM, Singhal SM, Hollon NG, Faget L, Dowlat DS, Zell V, Hunker AC, Zweifel LS, Hnasko TS. Mesoaccumbal glutamate neurons drive reward via glutamate release but aversion via dopamine co-release. Neuron 2024; 112:488-499.e5. [PMID: 38086374 PMCID: PMC10922836 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Ventral tegmental area (VTA) projections to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) drive reward-related motivation. Although dopamine neurons are predominant, a substantial glutamatergic projection is also present, and a subset of these co-release both dopamine and glutamate. Optogenetic stimulation of VTA glutamate neurons not only supports self-stimulation but can also induce avoidance behavior, even in the same assay. Here, we parsed the selective contribution of glutamate or dopamine co-release from VTA glutamate neurons to reinforcement and avoidance. We expressed channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) in mouse VTA glutamate neurons in combination with CRISPR-Cas9 to disrupt either the gene encoding vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGLUT2) or tyrosine hydroxylase (Th). Selective disruption of VGLUT2 abolished optogenetic self-stimulation but left real-time place avoidance intact, whereas CRISPR-Cas9 deletion of Th preserved self-stimulation but abolished place avoidance. Our results demonstrate that glutamate release from VTA glutamate neurons is positively reinforcing but that dopamine release from VTA glutamate neurons can induce avoidance behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley M Warlow
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sarthak M Singhal
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nick G Hollon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lauren Faget
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Dina S Dowlat
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Vivien Zell
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Avery C Hunker
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Larry S Zweifel
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Thomas S Hnasko
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.
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22
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Koya E. Microglia: The new player orchestrating the cocaine-induced expression of calcium-permeable AMPA receptors. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 116:22-23. [PMID: 38008387 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.11.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eisuke Koya
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Falmer BN1 9QG, United Kingdom.
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23
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Ibrahim KM, Massaly N, Yoon HJ, Sandoval R, Widman AJ, Heuermann RJ, Williams S, Post W, Pathiranage S, Lintz T, Zec A, Park A, Yu W, Kash TL, Gereau RW, Morón JA. Dorsal hippocampus to nucleus accumbens projections drive reinforcement via activation of accumbal dynorphin neurons. Nat Commun 2024; 15:750. [PMID: 38286800 PMCID: PMC10825206 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44836-9] [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: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The hippocampus is pivotal in integrating emotional processing, learning, memory, and reward-related behaviors. The dorsal hippocampus (dHPC) is particularly crucial for episodic, spatial, and associative memory, and has been shown to be necessary for context- and cue-associated reward behaviors. The nucleus accumbens (NAc), a central structure in the mesolimbic reward pathway, integrates the salience of aversive and rewarding stimuli. Despite extensive research on dHPC→NAc direct projections, their sufficiency in driving reinforcement and reward-related behavior remains to be determined. Our study establishes that activating excitatory neurons in the dHPC is sufficient to induce reinforcing behaviors through its direct projections to the dorso-medial subregion of the NAc shell (dmNAcSh). Notably, dynorphin-containing neurons specifically contribute to dHPC-driven reinforcing behavior, even though both dmNAcSh dynorphin- and enkephalin-containing neurons are activated with dHPC stimulation. Our findings unveil a pathway governing reinforcement, advancing our understanding of the hippocampal circuity's role in reward-seeking behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khairunisa Mohamad Ibrahim
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Nicolas Massaly
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Hye-Jean Yoon
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Rossana Sandoval
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Allie J Widman
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Robert J Heuermann
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Neurology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Sidney Williams
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - William Post
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Sulan Pathiranage
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Tania Lintz
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Azra Zec
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Ashley Park
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Waylin Yu
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Thomas L Kash
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Robert W Gereau
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Jose A Morón
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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24
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Wee RWS, Mishchanchuk K, AlSubaie R, Church TW, Gold MG, MacAskill AF. Internal-state-dependent control of feeding behavior via hippocampal ghrelin signaling. Neuron 2024; 112:288-305.e7. [PMID: 37977151 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Hunger is an internal state that not only invigorates feeding but also acts as a contextual cue for higher-order control of anticipatory feeding-related behavior. The ventral hippocampus is crucial for differentiating optimal behavior across contexts, but how internal contexts such as hunger influence hippocampal circuitry is unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of the ventral hippocampus during feeding behavior across different states of hunger in mice. We found that activity of a unique subpopulation of neurons that project to the nucleus accumbens (vS-NAc neurons) increased when animals investigated food, and this activity inhibited the transition to begin eating. Increases in the level of the peripheral hunger hormone ghrelin reduced vS-NAc activity during this anticipatory phase of feeding via ghrelin-receptor-dependent increases in postsynaptic inhibition and promoted the initiation of eating. Together, these experiments define a ghrelin-sensitive hippocampal circuit that informs the decision to eat based on internal state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan W S Wee
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower St., London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Karyna Mishchanchuk
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower St., London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Rawan AlSubaie
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower St., London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Timothy W Church
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower St., London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Matthew G Gold
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower St., London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Andrew F MacAskill
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower St., London WC1E 6BT, UK.
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25
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Cantini D, Choleris E, Kavaliers M. Neurobiology of Pathogen Avoidance and Mate Choice: Current and Future Directions. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:296. [PMID: 38254465 PMCID: PMC10812398 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Animals are under constant threat of parasitic infection. This has influenced the evolution of social behaviour and has strong implications for sexual selection and mate choice. Animals assess the infection status of conspecifics based on various sensory cues, with odours/chemical signals and the olfactory system playing a particularly important role. The detection of chemical cues and subsequent processing of the infection threat that they pose facilitates the expression of disgust, fear, anxiety, and adaptive avoidance behaviours. In this selective review, drawing primarily from rodent studies, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the detection and assessment of infection status and their relations to mate choice are briefly considered. Firstly, we offer a brief overview of the aspects of mate choice that are relevant to pathogen avoidance. Then, we specifically focus on the olfactory detection of and responses to conspecific cues of parasitic infection, followed by a brief overview of the neurobiological systems underlying the elicitation of disgust and the expression of avoidance of the pathogen threat. Throughout, we focus on current findings and provide suggestions for future directions and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dante Cantini
- Department of Psychology, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
| | - Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
| | - Martin Kavaliers
- Department of Psychology, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
- Department of Psychology, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
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26
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Copenhaver AE, LeGates TA. Sex-specific mechanisms underlie long-term potentiation at hippocampus-nucleus accumbens synapses. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.15.575709. [PMID: 38293132 PMCID: PMC10827060 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.15.575709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Sex differences have complicated our understanding of the neurobiological basis of many behaviors that are key for survival. As such, continued elucidation of the similarities and differences between sexes is necessary in order to gain insight into brain function and vulnerability. The connection between the hippocampus (Hipp) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a crucial site where modulation of neuronal activity mediates reward-related behavior. Our previous work demonstrated that long-term potentiation (LTP) of Hipp-NAc synapses is rewarding, and that mice can make learned associations between LTP of these synapses and the contextual environment in which LTP occurred. Here, we investigate sex differences in the mechanisms underlying Hipp-NAc LTP using whole-cell electrophysiology and pharmacology. We found that males and females display similar magnitudes of Hipp-NAc LTP which occurs postsynaptically. However, LTP in females requires L-type voltage-gated Ca 2+ channels (VGCC) for postsynaptic Ca 2+ influx, while males rely on NMDA receptors (NMDAR). Additionally, females require estrogen receptor α (ERα) activity for LTP while males do not. These differential mechanisms converge as LTP in both sexes depends on CAMKII activity and occurs independently of dopamine-1 receptor (D1R) activation. Our results have elucidated sex-specific molecular mechanisms for LTP in an integral excitatory pathway that mediates reward-related behaviors, emphasizing the importance of considering sex as a variable in mechanistic studies. Continued characterization of sex-specific mechanisms underlying plasticity will offer novel insight into the neurophysiological basis of behavior, with significant implications for understanding how diverse processes mediate behavior and contribute to vulnerability to developing psychiatric disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Strengthening of Hipp-NAc synapses drives reward-related behaviors. Male and female mice have similar magnitudes of long-term potentiation (LTP) and both sexes have a predicted postsynaptic locus of plasticity. Despite these similarities, we illustrate here that sex-specific molecular mechanisms are used to elicit LTP. Given the bidirectional relationship between Hipp-NAc synaptic strength in mediating reward-related behaviors, the use of distinct molecular mechanisms may explain sex differences observed in stress susceptibility or response to rewarding stimuli. Discovery and characterization of convergent sex differences provides mechanistic insight into the sex-specific function of Hipp-NAc circuitry and has widespread implications for circuits mediating learning and reward-related behavior.
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Stratilov V, Vetrovoy O, Potapova S, Tyulkova E. The Prenatal Hypoxic Pathology Associated with Maternal Stress Predisposes to Dysregulated Expression of the chrna7 Gene and the Subsequent Development of Nicotine Addiction in Adult Offspring. Neuroendocrinology 2024; 114:423-438. [PMID: 38198758 DOI: 10.1159/000536214] [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: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Previous studies have shown that fetal hypoxia predisposes individuals to develop addictive disorders in adulthood. However, the specific impact of maternal stress, mediated through glucocorticoids and often coexisting with fetal hypoxia, is not yet fully comprehended. METHODS To delineate the potential effects of these pathological factors, we designed models of prenatal severe hypoxia (PSH) in conjunction with maternal stress and prenatal intrauterine ischemia (PII). We assessed the suitability of these models for our research objectives by measuring HIF1α levels and evaluating the glucocorticoid neuroendocrine system. To ascertain nicotine dependence, we employed the conditioned place aversion test and the startle response test. To identify the key factor implicated in nicotine addiction associated with PSH, we employed techniques such as Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and correlational analysis between chrna7 and nr3c1 genes across different brain structures. RESULTS In adult rats exposed to PSH and PII, we observed increased levels of HIF1α in the hippocampus (HPC). However, the PSH group alone exhibited reduced glucocorticoid receptor levels and disturbed circadian glucocorticoid rhythms. Additionally, they displayed signs of nicotine addiction in the conditioned place aversion and startle response tests. We also observed elevated levels of phosphorylated DARPP-32 protein in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) indicated compromised glutamatergic efferent signaling. Furthermore, there was reduced expression of α7 nAChR, which modulates glutamate release, in the medial prefrontal cortex (PFC) and HPC. Correlation analysis revealed strong associations between chrna7 and nr3c1 expression in both brain structures. CONCLUSION Perturbations in the glucocorticoid neuroendocrine system and glucocorticoid-dependent gene expression of chrna7 associated with maternal stress response to hypoxia in prenatal period favor the development of nicotine addiction in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Stratilov
- Laboratory of Regulation of Brain Neuronal Functions, Pavlov Institute of Physiology RAS, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Oleg Vetrovoy
- Laboratory of Regulation of Brain Neuronal Functions, Pavlov Institute of Physiology RAS, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Sophia Potapova
- Laboratory of Regulation of Brain Neuronal Functions, Pavlov Institute of Physiology RAS, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Ekaterina Tyulkova
- Laboratory of Regulation of Brain Neuronal Functions, Pavlov Institute of Physiology RAS, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
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Lee IB, Lee E, Han NE, Slavuj M, Hwang JW, Lee A, Sun T, Jeong Y, Baik JH, Park JY, Choi SY, Kwag J, Yoon BJ. Persistent enhancement of basolateral amygdala-dorsomedial striatum synapses causes compulsive-like behaviors in mice. Nat Commun 2024; 15:219. [PMID: 38191518 PMCID: PMC10774417 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44322-8] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Compulsive behaviors are observed in a range of psychiatric disorders, however the neural substrates underlying the behaviors are not clearly defined. Here we show that the basolateral amygdala-dorsomedial striatum (BLA-DMS) circuit activation leads to the manifestation of compulsive-like behaviors. We revealed that the BLA neurons projecting to the DMS, mainly onto dopamine D1 receptor-expressing neurons, largely overlap with the neuronal population that responds to aversive predator stress, a widely used anxiogenic stressor. Specific optogenetic activation of the BLA-DMS circuit induced a strong anxiety response followed by compulsive grooming. Furthermore, we developed a mouse model for compulsivity displaying a wide spectrum of compulsive-like behaviors by chronically activating the BLA-DMS circuit. In these mice, persistent molecular changes at the BLA-DMS synapses observed were causally related to the compulsive-like phenotypes. Together, our study demonstrates the involvement of the BLA-DMS circuit in the emergence of enduring compulsive-like behaviors via its persistent synaptic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- In Bum Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Eugene Lee
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Na-Eun Han
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Marko Slavuj
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Wook Hwang
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Ahrim Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeyoung Sun
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Yehwan Jeong
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Ja-Hyun Baik
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Yong Park
- School of Biosystems and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Young Choi
- Department of Physiology, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeehyun Kwag
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong-June Yoon
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
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Yamada D, Davidson AM, Hige T. Cyclic nucleotide-induced bidirectional long-term synaptic plasticity in Drosophila mushroom body. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.09.28.560058. [PMID: 37808762 PMCID: PMC10557778 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.28.560058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Activation of the cAMP pathway is one of the common mechanisms underlying long-term potentiation (LTP). In the Drosophila mushroom body, simultaneous activation of odor-coding Kenyon cells (KCs) and reinforcement-coding dopaminergic neurons activates adenylyl cyclase in KC presynaptic terminals, which is believed to trigger synaptic plasticity underlying olfactory associative learning. However, learning induces long-term depression (LTD) at these synapses, contradicting the universal role of cAMP as a facilitator of transmission. Here, we develop a system to electrophysiologically monitor both short-term and long-term synaptic plasticity at KC output synapses and demonstrate that they are indeed an exception where activation of the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway induces LTD. Contrary to the prevailing model, our cAMP imaging finds no evidence for synergistic action of dopamine and KC activity on cAMP synthesis. Furthermore, we find that forskolin-induced cAMP increase alone is insufficient for plasticity induction; it additionally requires simultaneous KC activation to replicate the presynaptic LTD induced by pairing with dopamine. On the other hand, activation of the cGMP pathway paired with KC activation induces slowly developing LTP, proving antagonistic actions of the two second-messenger pathways predicted by behavioral study. Finally, KC subtype-specific interrogation of synapses reveals that different KC subtypes exhibit distinct plasticity duration even among synapses on the same postsynaptic neuron. Thus, our work not only revises the role of cAMP in synaptic plasticity by uncovering the unexpected convergence point of the cAMP pathway and neuronal activity, but also establishes the methods to address physiological mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in this important model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daichi Yamada
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Andrew M. Davidson
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Toshihide Hige
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
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Proaño SB, Miller CK, Krentzel AA, Dorris DM, Meitzen J. Sex steroid hormones, the estrous cycle, and rapid modulation of glutamatergic synapse properties in the striatal brain regions with a focus on 17β-estradiol and the nucleus accumbens. Steroids 2024; 201:109344. [PMID: 37979822 PMCID: PMC10842710 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2023.109344] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
The striatal brain regions encompassing the nucleus accumbens core (NAcc), shell (NAcs) and caudate-putamen (CPu) regulate cognitive functions including motivated behaviors, habit, learning, and sensorimotor action, among others. Sex steroid hormone sensitivity and sex differences have been documented in all of these functions in both normative and pathological contexts, including anxiety, depression and addiction. The neurotransmitter glutamate has been implicated in regulating these behaviors as well as striatal physiology, and there are likewise documented sex differences in glutamate action upon the striatal output neurons, the medium spiny neurons (MSNs). Here we review the available data regarding the role of steroid sex hormones such as 17β-estradiol (estradiol), progesterone, and testosterone in rapidly modulating MSN glutamatergic synapse properties, presented in the context of the estrous cycle as appropriate. Estradiol action upon glutamatergic synapse properties in female NAcc MSNs is most comprehensively discussed. In the female NAcc, MSNs exhibit development period-specific sex differences and estrous cycle variations in glutamatergic synapse properties as shown by multiple analyses, including that of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs). Estrous cycle-differences in NAcc MSN mEPSCs can be mimicked by acute exposure to estradiol or an ERα agonist. The available evidence, or lack thereof, is also discussed concerning estrogen action upon MSN glutamatergic synapse in the other striatal regions as well as the underexplored roles of progesterone and testosterone. We conclude that there is strong evidence regarding estradiol action upon glutamatergic synapse function in female NAcs MSNs and call for more research regarding other hormones and striatal regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie B Proaño
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Christiana K Miller
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Amanda A Krentzel
- Office of Research and Innovation, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - David M Dorris
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - John Meitzen
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA; Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA; Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
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Fang LZ, Creed MC. Updating the striatal-pallidal wiring diagram. Nat Neurosci 2024; 27:15-27. [PMID: 38057614 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01518-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The striatal and pallidal complexes are basal ganglia structures that orchestrate learning and execution of flexible behavior. Models of how the basal ganglia subserve these functions have evolved considerably, and the advent of optogenetic and molecular tools has shed light on the heterogeneity of subcircuits within these pathways. However, a synthesis of how molecularly diverse neurons integrate into existing models of basal ganglia function is lacking. Here, we provide an overview of the neurochemical and molecular diversity of striatal and pallidal neurons and synthesize recent circuit connectivity studies in rodents that takes this diversity into account. We also highlight anatomical organizational principles that distinguish the dorsal and ventral basal ganglia pathways in rodents. Future work integrating the molecular and anatomical properties of striatal and pallidal subpopulations may resolve controversies regarding basal ganglia network function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Z Fang
- Washington University Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Meaghan C Creed
- Washington University Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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Belilos A, Gray C, Sanders C, Black D, Mays E, Richie C, Sengupta A, Hake H, Francis TC. Nucleus accumbens local circuit for cue-dependent aversive learning. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113488. [PMID: 37995189 PMCID: PMC10795009 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113488] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Response to threatening environmental stimuli requires detection and encoding of important environmental features that dictate threat. Aversive events are highly salient, which promotes associative learning about stimuli that signal this threat. The nucleus accumbens is uniquely positioned to process this salient, aversive information and promote motivated output, through plasticity on the major projection neurons in the brain area. We describe a nucleus accumbens core local circuit whereby excitatory plasticity facilitates learning and recall of discrete aversive cues. We demonstrate that putative nucleus accumbens substance P release and long-term excitatory plasticity on dopamine 2 receptor-expressing projection neurons are required for cue-dependent fear learning. Additionally, we find that fear learning and recall is dependent on distinct projection neuron subtypes. Our work demonstrates a critical role for nucleus accumbens substance P in cue-dependent aversive learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Belilos
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Cortez Gray
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Christie Sanders
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Destiny Black
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Elizabeth Mays
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Christopher Richie
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Ayesha Sengupta
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Holly Hake
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - T Chase Francis
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
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Johnson CS, Chapp AD, Lind EB, Thomas MJ, Mermelstein PG. Sex differences in mouse infralimbic cortex projections to the nucleus accumbens shell. Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:87. [PMID: 38082417 PMCID: PMC10712109 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00570-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is an important region in motivation and reward. Glutamatergic inputs from the infralimbic cortex (ILC) to the shell region of the NAc (NAcSh) have been implicated in driving the motivation to seek reward through repeated action-based behavior. While this has primarily been studied in males, observed sex differences in motivational circuitry and behavior suggest that females may be more sensitive to rewarding stimuli. These differences have been implicated for the observed vulnerability in women to substance use disorders. METHODS We used an optogenetic self-stimulation task in addition to ex vivo electrophysiological recordings of NAcSh neurons in mouse brain slices to investigate potential sex differences in ILC-NAcSh circuitry in reward-seeking behavior. Glutamatergic neurons in the ILC were infected with an AAV delivering DNA encoding for channelrhodopsin. Entering the designated active corner of an open field arena resulted in photostimulation of the ILC terminals in the NAcSh. Self-stimulation occurred during two consecutive days of testing over three consecutive weeks: first for 10 Hz, then 20 Hz, then 30 Hz. Whole-cell recordings of medium spiny neurons in the NAcSh assessed both optogenetically evoked local field potentials and intrinsic excitability. RESULTS Although both sexes learned to seek the active zone, within the first day, females entered the zone more than males, resulting in a greater amount of photostimulation. Increasing the frequency of optogenetic stimulation amplified female reward-seeking behavior. Males were less sensitive to ILC stimulation, with higher frequencies and repeated days required to increase male reward-seeking behavior. Unexpectedly, ex vivo optogenetic local field potentials in the NAcSh were greater in slices from male animals. In contrast, female medium-spiny neurons (MSNs) displayed significantly greater intrinsic neuronal excitability. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these data indicate that there are sex differences in the motivated behavior driven by glutamate within the ILC-NAcSh circuit. Though glutamatergic signaling was greater in males, heightened intrinsic excitability in females appears to drive this sex difference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline S Johnson
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, 4-140 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Andrew D Chapp
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, 4-140 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, 3-432 McGuire Translational Research Facility, 2001 6th St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Erin B Lind
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, 4-140 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, 3-432 McGuire Translational Research Facility, 2001 6th St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Mark J Thomas
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, 4-140 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, 3-432 McGuire Translational Research Facility, 2001 6th St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Paul G Mermelstein
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, 4-140 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, 3-432 McGuire Translational Research Facility, 2001 6th St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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Dogra S, Aguayo C, Xiang Z, Putnam J, Smith J, Johnston C, Foster DJ, Lindsley CW, Niswender CM, Conn PJ. Activation of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 3 Modulates Thalamo-accumbal Transmission and Rescues Schizophrenia-like Physiological and Behavioral Deficits. Biol Psychiatry 2023:S0006-3223(23)01753-5. [PMID: 38061467 PMCID: PMC11150332 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polymorphisms in the gene encoding for metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 (mGlu3) are associated with an increased likelihood of schizophrenia diagnosis and can predict improvements in negative symptoms following treatment with antipsychotics. However, the mechanisms by which mGlu3 can regulate brain circuits involved in schizophrenia pathophysiology are not clear. METHODS We employed selective pharmacological tools and a variety of approaches including whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, slice optogenetics, and fiber photometry to investigate the effects of mGlu3 activation on phencyclidine (PCP)-induced impairments in thalamo-accumbal transmission and sociability deficits. A chemogenetic approach was used to evaluate the role of thalamo-accumbal transmission in PCP-induced sociability deficits. RESULTS We first established that PCP treatment augmented excitatory transmission onto dopamine D1 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and induced sociability deficits. Our studies revealed a selective increase in glutamatergic synaptic transmission from thalamic afferents to D1-MSNs in the NAc shell. Chemogenetic silencing of thalamo-accumbal inputs rescued PCP-induced sociability deficits. Pharmacological activation of mGlu3 normalized PCP-induced impairments in thalamo-accumbal transmission and sociability deficits. Mechanistic studies revealed that mGlu3 activation induced robust long-term depression at synapses from the thalamic projections onto D1-MSNs in the NAc shell. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that activation of mGlu3 decreases thalamo-accumbal transmission and thereby rescues sociability deficits in mouse modeling schizophrenia-like symptoms. These findings provide novel insights into the NAc-specific mechanisms and suggest that agents modulating glutamatergic signaling in the NAc may provide a promising approach for treating negative symptoms in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Dogra
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.
| | - Caleb Aguayo
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Zixiu Xiang
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jason Putnam
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Joshua Smith
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Curran Johnston
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina
| | - Daniel J Foster
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Vanderbilt Institute for Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Vanderbilt Institute for Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - P Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Vanderbilt Institute for Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.
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Augustin SM, Gracias AL, Luo G, Anumola RC, Lovinger DM. Striatonigral direct pathway 2-arachidonoylglycerol contributes to ethanol effects on synaptic transmission and behavior. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1941-1951. [PMID: 37528221 PMCID: PMC10584873 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01671-8] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Endocannabinoids (eCB) and cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) play important roles in mediating short- and long-term synaptic plasticity in many brain regions involved in learning and memory, as well as the reinforcing effects of misused substances. Ethanol-induced plasticity and neuroadaptations predominantly occur in striatal direct pathway projecting medium spiny neurons (dMSNs). It is hypothesized that alterations in eCB neuromodulation may be involved. Recent work has implicated a role of eCB 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in the rewarding effects of ethanol. However, there is insufficient research to answer which cellular subtype is responsible for mediating the 2-AG eCB signal that might be involved in the rewarding properties of ethanol and the mechanisms by which that occurs. To examine the role of dMSN mediated 2-AG signaling in ethanol related synaptic transmission and behaviors, we used conditional knockout mice in which the 2-AG-synthesizing enzyme diacylglycerol lipase α (DGLα) was deleted in dMSNs, DGLαD1-Cre+. Using acute brain slice photometry and a genetically encoded fluorescent eCB sensor, GRABeCB2.0, to assess real-time eCB mediated activity of sensorimotor inputs from primary motor cortices (M1/M2) to the dorsolateral striatum, we showed that DGLαD1-Cre+ mice had blunted evoked eCB-mediated presynaptic eCB signaling compared to littermate controls. Furthermore, ethanol induced eCB inhibition was significantly reduced in DGLαD1-Cre+ deficient mice. Additionally, there was a reduction in the duration of loss of righting reflex (LORR) to a high dose of ethanol in the DGLαD1-Cre+ mice compared to controls. These mice also showed a male-specific decrease in ethanol preference accompanied by an increase in ethanol-induced water consumption in a voluntary drinking paradigm. There were no significant differences observed in sucrose and quinine consumption between the genotypes. These findings reveal a novel role for dMSN mediated 2-AG signaling in modulating ethanol effects on presynaptic function and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shana M Augustin
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Alexa L Gracias
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Guoxiang Luo
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Rishitha C Anumola
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - David M Lovinger
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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Liu X, Wang F, Le Q, Ma L. Cellular and molecular basis of drug addiction: The role of neuronal ensembles in addiction. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 83:102813. [PMID: 37972536 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Addiction has been conceptualized as a disease of learning and memory. Learned associations between environmental cues and unconditioned rewards induced by drug administration, which play a critical role in addiction, have been shown to be encoded in sparsely distributed populations of neurons called neuronal ensembles. This review aims to highlight how synaptic remodeling and alterations in signaling pathways that occur specifically in neuronal ensembles contribute to the pathogenesis of addiction. Furthermore, a causal link between transcriptional and epigenetic modifications in neuronal ensembles and the development of the addictive state is proposed. Translational studies of molecular and cellular changes in neuronal ensembles that contribute to drug-seeking behavior, will allow the identification of molecular and circuit targets and interventions for substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China.
| | - Qiumin Le
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
| | - Lan Ma
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
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Karkhanis AN, West AM, Jones SR. Kappa opioid receptor agonist U50,488 inhibits dopamine more in caudal than rostral nucleus accumbens core. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2023; 133:526-534. [PMID: 37539456 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13929] [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: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens (NAc) core is involved in regulating stress and shaping reward seeking behaviours. Multiple neuromodulators, including dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) and dopamine systems, converge in this area to influence behavioural outcomes. KOR activation acutely inhibits dopamine release and chronically depresses overall dopamine transmission. Recently, studies in the NAc shell have revealed that the impact of KOR activation on behaviour is regionally specific, and these rostro-caudal differences are likely driven by greater control of KORs over dopamine inhibition in the caudal compared with rostral subregion. Given the importance of NAc core, particularly the interaction between KORs and dopamine in regulating reward seeking behaviours, we examined the impact of KOR activation on dopamine release and uptake along the rostro-caudal axis in the NAc core of male and female mice. Using ex vivo fast scan cyclic voltammetry, we observed that KOR mediated inhibition of dopamine release was significantly greater in caudal compared with rostral NAc core with no significant sex differences observed. These data suggest that KORs regulate dopamine release differentially along the rostro-caudal axis, providing a new axis on which to examine the process by which the KOR/dopamine system controls reward encoding.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alyssa M West
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sara R Jones
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
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Arab AO, Alasmari F, Albaker AB, Alhazmi HA, Alameen AA, Alagail NM, Alwaeli SA, Rizwan Ahamad S, AlAsmari AF, AlSharari SD. Clavulanic Acid Improves Memory Dysfunction and Anxiety Behaviors through Upregulating Glutamatergic Transporters in the Nucleus Accumbens of Mice Repeatedly Exposed to Khat Extract. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15657. [PMID: 37958641 PMCID: PMC10648086 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115657] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Khat (Catha edulis) is an evergreen shrub whose buds and leaves give a state of delight and euphoria when chewed. Cathinone, an amphetamine-like stimulant that is among the active ingredients in khat, is able to downregulate glutamate transporter subtype I (GLT-1). Neurobehavioral dysfunctions such as altered locomotor activity, anorexia, and nociception have been observed in animals exposed to cathinone. Interestingly, treatment with a β-lactam antibiotic such as ceftriaxone, which upregulates GLT-1, normalizes cathinone-induced conditioned place preference, and alters repetitive movements in rats. However, little is known about the role of the glutamatergic system in memory dysfunction and anxiety-like behaviors in mice exposed to khat. We found here that clavulanic acid, a β-lactam-containing compound and GLT-1 upregulator, would modulate the neurobehavioral changes, including memory impairment and anxiety-like behaviors, associated with repeated exposure of mice to khat. Our data supported that clavulanic acid could improve memory impairment and anxiety-like behaviors through upregulating GLT-1 in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), an effect abolished with a selective GLT-1 blocker. This upregulation was associated with restored glutamate/cystine antiporter expression in the NAc using a Western blotting assay. Cathine and cathinone were identified in khat extract using the gas chromatography technique. Our work provides preclinical insight into the efficacy of β-lactam-containing compounds for the attenuation of neurobehavioral changes induced by khat exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal O. Arab
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fawaz Alasmari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Awatif B. Albaker
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hassan A. Alhazmi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alaa Alnoor Alameen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naser M. Alagail
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh A. Alwaeli
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Syed Rizwan Ahamad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah F. AlAsmari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shakir D. AlSharari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Mesías RE, Zaki Y, Guevara CA, Friedman LG, Hussein A, Therrien K, Magee AR, Tzavaras N, Del Valle P, Baxter MG, Huntley GW, Benson DL. Development and cadherin-mediated control of prefrontal corticostriatal projections in mice. iScience 2023; 26:108002. [PMID: 37854688 PMCID: PMC10579443 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Action-outcome associations depend on prefrontal cortex (PFC) projections to the dorsal striatum. To assess how these projections form, we measured PFC axon patterning, synapse formation, and functional maturation in the postnatally developing mouse striatum. Using Hotspot analysis, we show that PFC axons form an adult-like pattern of clustered terminations in the first postnatal week that remains largely stable thereafter. PFC-striatal synaptic strength is adult-like by P21, while excitatory synapse density increases until adulthood. We then tested how the targeted deletion of a candidate adhesion/guidance protein, Cadherin-8 (Cdh8), from corticostriatal neurons regulates pathway development. Mutant mice showed diminished PFC axon targeting and reduced spontaneous glutamatergic synaptic activity in the dorsal striatum. They also exhibited impaired behavioral performance in action-outcome learning. The data show that PFC-striatal axons form striatal territories through an early, directed growth model and they highlight essential contributions of Cdh8 to the anatomical and functional features critical for the formation of action-outcome associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxana E. Mesías
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Yosif Zaki
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Christopher A. Guevara
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Lauren G. Friedman
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ayan Hussein
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Karen Therrien
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Alexandra R. Magee
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Nikolaos Tzavaras
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Pamela Del Valle
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Mark G. Baxter
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Section on Comparative Medicine, Department of Pathology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - George W. Huntley
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Deanna L. Benson
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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40
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Belilos A, Gray C, Sanders C, Black D, Mays E, Richie CT, Sengupta A, Hake HS, Francis TC. Nucleus Accumbens Local Circuit for Cue-Dependent Aversive Learning. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.06.527338. [PMID: 36798245 PMCID: PMC9934565 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.06.527338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Response to threatening environmental stimuli requires detection and encoding of important environmental features that dictate threat. Aversive events are highly salient which promotes associative learning about stimuli that signal this threat. The nucleus accumbens is uniquely positioned to process this salient, aversive information and promote motivated output, through plasticity on the major projection neurons in the brain area. We uncovered a nucleus accumbens core local circuit whereby excitatory plasticity facilitates learning and recall of discrete aversive cues. We demonstrate that putative nucleus accumbens substance P release and long-term excitatory plasticity on dopamine 2 receptor expressing projection neurons is required for cue-dependent fear learning. Additionally, we found fear learning and recall were dependent on distinct projection-neuron subtypes. Our work demonstrates a critical role for Nucleus Accumbens substance P in cue-dependent aversive learning.
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41
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Migliaro M, Ruiz-Contreras AE, Herrera-Solís A, Méndez-Díaz M, Prospéro-García OE. Endocannabinoid system and aggression across animal species. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105375. [PMID: 37643683 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105375] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
This narrative review article summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the relationship between the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and aggression across multiple vertebrate species. Experimental evidence indicates that acute administration of phytocannabinoids, synthetic cannabinoids, and the pharmacological enhancement of endocannabinoid signaling decreases aggressive behavior in several animal models. However, research on the chronic effects of cannabinoids on animal aggression has yielded inconsistent findings, indicating a need for further investigation. Cannabinoid receptors, particularly cannabinoid receptor type 1, appear to be an important part of the endogenous mechanism involved in the dampening of aggressive behavior. Overall, this review underscores the importance of the ECS in regulating aggressive behavior and provides a foundation for future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Migliaro
- Grupo de Neurociencias: Laboratorio de Cannabinoides, Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, UNAM, Mexico.
| | - Alejandra E Ruiz-Contreras
- Grupo de Neurociencias: Laboratorio de Neurogenómica Cognitiva, Unidad de Investigación en Psicobiología y Neurociencias, Coordinación de Psicobiología y Neurociencias, Facultad de Psicología, UNAM, Mexico
| | - Andrea Herrera-Solís
- Grupo de Neurociencias: Laboratorio de Efectos Terapéuticos de los Cannabinoides, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, Secretaría de Salud, Mexico
| | - Mónica Méndez-Díaz
- Grupo de Neurociencias: Laboratorio de Cannabinoides, Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, UNAM, Mexico
| | - Oscar E Prospéro-García
- Grupo de Neurociencias: Laboratorio de Cannabinoides, Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, UNAM, Mexico
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42
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Lim SC, Fusi S, Hen R. Ventral CA1 Population Codes for Anxiety. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.25.559358. [PMID: 37808689 PMCID: PMC10557595 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.25.559358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
The ventral hippocampus is a critical node in the distributed brain network that controls anxiety. Using miniature microscopy and calcium imaging, we recorded ventral CA1 (vCA1) neurons in freely moving mice as they explored variants of classic behavioral assays for anxiety. Unsupervised behavioral segmentation revealed clusters of behavioral motifs that corresponded to exploratory and vigilance-like states. We discovered multiple vCA1 population codes that represented the anxiogenic features of the environment, such as bright light and openness, as well as the moment-to-moment anxiety state of the animals. These population codes possessed distinct generalization properties: neural representations of anxiogenic features were different for open field and elevated plus/zero maze tasks, while neural representations of moment-to-moment anxiety state were similar across both experimental contexts. Our results suggest that anxiety is not tied to the aversive compartments of these mazes but is rather defined by a behavioral state and its corresponding population code that generalizes across environments.
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Dong X, Zhornitsky S, Wang W, Le TM, Chen Y, Chaudhary S, Li CSR, Zhang S. Resting-State Functional Connectivity of the Dorsal and Ventral Striatum, Impulsivity, and Severity of Use in Recently Abstinent Cocaine-Dependent Individuals. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2023; 26:627-638. [PMID: 37579016 PMCID: PMC10519818 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyac019] [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: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have focused on both ventral striatum (VS) and dorsal striatum (DS) in characterizing dopaminergic deficits in addiction. Animal studies suggest VS and DS dysfunction each in association with impulsive and compulsive cocaine use during early and later stages of addiction. However, few human studies have aimed to distinguish the roles of VS and DS dysfunction in cocaine misuse. METHODS We examined VS and DS resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of 122 recently abstinent cocaine-dependent individuals (CDs) and 122 healthy controls (HCs) in 2 separate cohorts. We followed published routines in imaging data analyses and evaluated the results at a corrected threshold with age, sex, years of drinking, and smoking accounted for. RESULTS CDs relative to HCs showed higher VS rsFC with the left inferior frontal cortex (IFC), lower VS rsFC with the hippocampus, and higher DS rsFC with the left orbitofrontal cortex. Region-of-interest analyses confirmed the findings in the 2 cohorts examined separately. In CDs, VS-left IFC and VS-hippocampus connectivity was positively and negatively correlated with average monthly cocaine use in the prior year, respectively. In the second cohort where participants were assessed with the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11), VS-left IFC and VS-hippocampus connectivity was also positively and negatively correlated with BIS-11 scores in CDs. In contrast, DS-orbitofrontal cortex connectivity did not relate significantly to cocaine use metrics or BIS-11 scores. CONCLUSION These findings associate VS rsFC with impulsivity and the severity of recent cocaine use. How DS connectivity partakes in cocaine misuse remains to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Dong
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Psychology, Youth Mental Health Education Center, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xian, Shaanxi, China
| | - Simon Zhornitsky
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Wuyi Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Thang M Le
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Shefali Chaudhary
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Chiang-Shan R Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Balouek JA, Mclain CA, Minerva AR, Rashford RL, Bennett SN, Rogers FD, Peña CJ. Reactivation of Early-Life Stress-Sensitive Neuronal Ensembles Contributes to Lifelong Stress Hypersensitivity. J Neurosci 2023; 43:5996-6009. [PMID: 37429717 PMCID: PMC10451005 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0016-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life stress (ELS) is one of the strongest lifetime risk factors for depression, anxiety, suicide, and other psychiatric disorders, particularly after facing additional stressful events later in life. Human and animal studies demonstrate that ELS sensitizes individuals to subsequent stress. However, the neurobiological basis of such stress sensitization remains largely unexplored. We hypothesized that ELS-induced stress sensitization would be detectable at the level of neuronal ensembles, such that cells activated by ELS would be more reactive to adult stress. To test this, we leveraged transgenic mice to genetically tag, track, and manipulate experience-activated neurons. We found that in both male and female mice, ELS-activated neurons within the nucleus accumbens (NAc), and to a lesser extent the medial prefrontal cortex, were preferentially reactivated by adult stress. To test whether reactivation of ELS-activated ensembles in the NAc contributes to stress hypersensitivity, we expressed hM4Dis receptor in control or ELS-activated neurons of pups and chemogenetically inhibited their activity during experience of adult stress. Inhibition of ELS-activated NAc neurons, but not control-tagged neurons, ameliorated social avoidance behavior following chronic social defeat stress in males. These data provide evidence that ELS-induced stress hypersensitivity is encoded at the level of corticolimbic neuronal ensembles.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Early-life stress enhances sensitivity to stress later in life, yet the mechanisms of such stress sensitization are largely unknown. Here, we show that neuronal ensembles in corticolimbic brain regions remain hypersensitive to stress across the life span, and quieting these ensembles during experience of adult stress rescues stress hypersensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie-Anne Balouek
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
| | - Christabel A Mclain
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
| | - Adelaide R Minerva
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
| | - Rebekah L Rashford
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
| | - Shannon N Bennett
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
| | - Forrest D Rogers
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
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Kondev V, Najeed M, Loomba N, Brown J, Winder DG, Grueter BA, Patel S. Synaptic and cellular endocannabinoid signaling mechanisms regulate stress-induced plasticity of nucleus accumbens somatostatin neurons. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2300585120. [PMID: 37590414 PMCID: PMC10450650 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2300585120] [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: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Interneuron populations within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) orchestrate excitatory-inhibitory balance, undergo experience-dependent plasticity, and gate-motivated behavior, all biobehavioral processes heavily modulated by endogenous cannabinoid (eCB) signaling. While eCBs are well known to regulate synaptic plasticity onto NAc medium spiny neurons and modulate NAc function at the behavioral level, how eCBs regulate NAc interneuron function is less well understood. Here, we show that eCB signaling differentially regulates glutamatergic and feedforward GABAergic transmission onto NAc somatostatin-expressing interneurons (NAcSOM+) in an input-specific manner, while simultaneously increasing postsynaptic excitability of NAcSOM+ neurons, ultimately biasing toward vHPC (ventral hippocampal), and away from BLA (basolateral amygdalalar), activation of NAcSOM+ neurons. We further demonstrate that NAcSOM+ are activated by stress in vivo and undergo stress-dependent plasticity, evident as a global increase in intrinsic excitability and an increase in excitation-inhibition balance specifically at vHPC, but not BLA, inputs onto NAcSOM+ neurons. Importantly, both forms of stress-induced plasticity are dependent on eCB signaling at cannabinoid type 1 receptors. These findings reveal eCB-dependent mechanisms that sculpt afferent input and excitability of NAcSOM+ neurons and demonstrate a key role for eCB signaling in stress-induced plasticity of NAcSOM+-associated circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Kondev
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN37232
| | | | - Niharika Loomba
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN37232
| | - Jordan Brown
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN37232
| | - Danny G. Winder
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN37232
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN27323
| | - Brad A. Grueter
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN27323
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN37232
| | - Sachin Patel
- Northwestern Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
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Gordon-Fennell A, Barbakh JM, Utley MT, Singh S, Bazzino P, Gowrishankar R, Bruchas MR, Roitman MF, Stuber GD. An open-source platform for head-fixed operant and consummatory behavior. eLife 2023; 12:e86183. [PMID: 37555578 PMCID: PMC10499376 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Head-fixed behavioral experiments in rodents permit unparalleled experimental control, precise measurement of behavior, and concurrent modulation and measurement of neural activity. Here, we present OHRBETS (Open-Source Head-fixed Rodent Behavioral Experimental Training System; pronounced 'Orbitz'), a low-cost, open-source platform of hardware and software to flexibly pursue the neural basis of a variety of motivated behaviors. Head-fixed mice tested with OHRBETS displayed operant conditioning for caloric reward that replicates core behavioral phenotypes observed during freely moving conditions. OHRBETS also permits optogenetic intracranial self-stimulation under positive or negative operant conditioning procedures and real-time place preference behavior, like that observed in freely moving assays. In a multi-spout brief-access consumption task, mice displayed licking as a function of concentration of sucrose, quinine, and sodium chloride, with licking modulated by homeostatic or circadian influences. Finally, to highlight the functionality of OHRBETS, we measured mesolimbic dopamine signals during the multi-spout brief-access task that display strong correlations with relative solution value and magnitude of consumption. All designs, programs, and instructions are provided freely online. This customizable platform enables replicable operant and consummatory behaviors and can be incorporated with methods to perturb and record neural dynamics in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Gordon-Fennell
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Joumana M Barbakh
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - MacKenzie T Utley
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Shreya Singh
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Paula Bazzino
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoUnited States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| | - Raajaram Gowrishankar
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Mitchell F Roitman
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoUnited States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| | - Garret D Stuber
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
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Ferré S, Köfalvi A, Ciruela F, Justinova Z, Pistis M. Targeting corticostriatal transmission for the treatment of cannabinoid use disorder. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2023; 44:495-506. [PMID: 37331914 PMCID: PMC10524660 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2023.05.003] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
It is generally assumed that the rewarding effects of cannabinoids are mediated by cannabinoid CB1 receptors (CB1Rs) the activation of which disinhibits dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). However, this mechanism cannot fully explain novel results indicating that dopaminergic neurons also mediate the aversive effects of cannabinoids in rodents, and previous results showing that preferentially presynaptic adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) antagonists counteract self-administration of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in nonhuman primates (NHPs). Based on recent experiments in rodents and imaging studies in humans, we propose that the activation of frontal corticostriatal glutamatergic transmission constitutes an additional and necessary mechanism. Here, we review evidence supporting the involvement of cortical astrocytic CB1Rs in the activation of corticostriatal neurons and that A2AR receptor heteromers localized in striatal glutamatergic terminals mediate the counteracting effects of the presynaptic A2AR antagonists, constituting potential targets for the treatment of cannabinoid use disorder (CUD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Ferré
- Integrative Neurobiology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Attila Köfalvi
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Francisco Ciruela
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Zuzana Justinova
- Division of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biological Chemistry (PPBC), National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marco Pistis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; Neuroscience Institute, Section of Cagliari, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy
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48
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Lucantonio F, Li S, Lu J, Roeglin J, Bontempi L, Shields BC, Zarate CA, Tadross MR, Pignatelli M. Ketamine rescues anhedonia by cell-type and input specific adaptations in the Nucleus Accumbens. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.08.544088. [PMID: 37333325 PMCID: PMC10274891 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.08.544088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Ketamine's role in providing a rapid and sustained antidepressant response, particularly for patients unresponsive to conventional treatments, is increasingly recognized. A core symptom of depression, anhedonia, or the loss of enjoyment or interest in previously pleasurable activities, is known to be significantly alleviated by ketamine. While several hypotheses have been proposed regarding the mechanisms by which ketamine alleviates anhedonia, the specific circuits and synaptic changes responsible for its sustained therapeutic effects are not yet understood. Here, we show that the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a major hub of the reward circuitry, is essential for ketamine's effect in rescuing anhedonia in mice subjected to chronic stress, a critical risk factor in the genesis of depression in humans. Specifically, a single exposure to ketamine rescues stress-induced decreased strength of excitatory synapses on NAc D1 dopamine receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs). By using a novel cell-specific pharmacology method, we demonstrate that this cell-type specific neuroadaptation is necessary for the sustained therapeutic effects of ketamine. To test for causal sufficiency, we artificially mimicked ketamine-induced increase in excitatory strength on D1-MSNs and found that this recapitulates the behavioral amelioration induced by ketamine. Finally, to determine the presynaptic origin of the relevant glutamatergic inputs for ketamine-elicited synaptic and behavioral effects, we used a combination of opto- and chemogenetics. We found that ketamine rescues stress-induced reduction in excitatory strength at medial prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus inputs to NAc D1-MSNs. Chemogenetically preventing ketamine-evoked plasticity at those unique inputs to the NAc reveals a ketamine-operated input-specific control of hedonic behavior. These results establish that ketamine rescues stress-induced anhedonia via cell-type-specific adaptations as well as information integration in the NAc via discrete excitatory synapses.
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Nguyen R, Koukoutselos K, Forro T, Ciocchi S. Fear extinction relies on ventral hippocampal safety codes shaped by the amygdala. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg4881. [PMID: 37256958 PMCID: PMC10413664 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg4881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Extinction memory retrieval is influenced by spatial contextual information that determines responding to conditioned stimuli (CS). However, it is poorly understood whether contextual representations are imbued with emotional values to support memory selection. Here, we performed activity-dependent engram tagging and in vivo single-unit electrophysiological recordings from the ventral hippocampus (vH) while optogenetically manipulating basolateral amygdala (BLA) inputs during the formation of cued fear extinction memory. During fear extinction when CS acquire safety properties, we found that CS-related activity in the vH reactivated during sleep consolidation and was strengthened upon memory retrieval. Moreover, fear extinction memory was facilitated when the extinction context exhibited precise coding of its affective zones. Last, these activity patterns along with the retrieval of the fear extinction memory were dependent on glutamatergic transmission from the BLA during extinction learning. Thus, fear extinction memory relies on the formation of contextual and stimulus safety representations in the vH instructed by the BLA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thomas Forro
- Laboratory of Systems Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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50
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Zhang Y, Huang X, Xin WJ, He S, Deng J, Ruan X. Somatostatin Neurons from Periaqueductal Gray to Medulla Facilitate Neuropathic Pain in Male Mice. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2023; 24:1020-1029. [PMID: 36641028 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Projections from the periaqueductal gray (PAG) to the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) are known to engage in descending pain modulation, but how the neural substrates of the PAG-RVM projections contribute to neuropathic pain remains largely unknown. In this study, we showed somatostatin-expressing glutamatergic neurons in the lateral/ventrolateral PAG that facilitate mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity in a mouse model of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain. We found that these neurons form direct excitatory connections with neurons in the RVM region. Inhibition of this PAG-RVM projection alleviates mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity associated with neuropathy, whereas its activation enhances hypersensitivity in the mice. Thus, our findings revealed that somatostatin neurons within the PAG-RVM axial are crucial for descending pain facilitation and can potentially be exploited as a useful therapeutic target for neuropathic pain. PERSPECTIVE: We report the profound contribution of somatostatin neurons within the PAG-RVM projections to descending pain facilitation underlying neuropathic pain. These results may help to develop central therapeutic strategies for neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehong Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Medicine and Diagnostics, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xuelin Huang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Medicine and Diagnostics, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wen-Jun Xin
- Zhongshan Medical School and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shilang He
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jie Deng
- Zhongshan Medical School and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiangcai Ruan
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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