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Aukema RJ, Petrie GN, Matarasso AK, Baglot SL, Molina LA, Füzesi T, Kadhim S, Nastase AS, Rodriguez Reyes I, Bains JS, Morena M, Bruchas MR, Hill MN. Identification of a stress-responsive subregion of the basolateral amygdala in male rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024:10.1038/s41386-024-01927-x. [PMID: 39117904 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01927-x] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is reliably activated by psychological stress and hyperactive in conditions of pathological stress or trauma; however, subsets of BLA neurons are also readily activated by rewarding stimuli and can suppress fear and avoidance behaviours. The BLA is highly heterogeneous anatomically, exhibiting continuous molecular and connectivity gradients throughout the entire structure. A critical gap remains in understanding the anatomical specificity of amygdala subregions, circuits, and cell types explicitly activated by acute stress and how they are dynamically activated throughout stimulus exposure. Using a combination of topographical mapping for the activity-responsive protein FOS and fiber photometry to measure calcium transients in real-time, we sought to characterize the spatial and temporal patterns of BLA activation in response to a range of novel stressors (shock, swim, restraint, predator odour) and non-aversive, but novel stimuli (crackers, citral odour). We report four main findings: (1) the BLA exhibits clear spatial activation gradients in response to novel stimuli throughout the medial-lateral and dorsal-ventral axes, with aversive stimuli strongly biasing activation towards medial aspects of the BLA; (2) novel stimuli elicit distinct temporal activation patterns, with stressful stimuli exhibiting particularly enhanced or prolonged temporal activation patterns; (3) changes in BLA activity are associated with changes in behavioural state; and (4) norepinephrine enhances stress-induced activation of BLA neurons via the ß-noradrenergic receptor. Moving forward, it will be imperative to combine our understanding of activation gradients with molecular and circuit-specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Aukema
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Mathison Centre for Mental Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Gavin N Petrie
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Mathison Centre for Mental Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Avi K Matarasso
- Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- UW Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion (NAPE), University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Samantha L Baglot
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Mathison Centre for Mental Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Leonardo A Molina
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Tamás Füzesi
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Sandra Kadhim
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Mathison Centre for Mental Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Andrei S Nastase
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Mathison Centre for Mental Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Itzel Rodriguez Reyes
- Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- UW Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion (NAPE), University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Jaideep S Bains
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Maria Morena
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Mathison Centre for Mental Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00185, Italy
- Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, 00143, Italy
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- UW Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion (NAPE), University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Matthew N Hill
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
- Mathison Centre for Mental Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
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Xie B, Wang Y, Lu Y, Wang M, Hui R, Yu H, Li W, Zhang L, Yu F, Ni Z, Cong B, Ma C, Wen D. A novel intervention of molecular hydrogen on the unbalance of the gut microbiome in opioid addiction: Experimental and human studies. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 178:117273. [PMID: 39116782 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117273] [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: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The gut-brain axis mediates the interaction pathway between microbiota and opioid addiction. In recent years, many studies have shown that molecular hydrogen has therapeutic and preventive effects on various diseases. This study aimed to investigate whether molecular hydrogen could serve as pharmacological intervention agent to reduce risks of reinstatement of opioid seeking and explore the mechanism of gut microbiota base on animal experiments and human studies. Morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) was constructed to establish acquisition, extinction, and reinstatement stage, and the potential impact of H2 on the behaviors related to morphine-induced drug extinction was determined using both free accessible and confined CPP extinction paradigms. The effects of morphine on microbial diversity and composition of microbiota, as well as the subsequent changes after H2 intervention, were assessed using 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) in mice serum were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Meanwhile, we also conducted molecular hydrogen intervention and gut microbiota testing in opioid-addicted individuals. Our results revealed that molecular hydrogen could enhance the extinction of morphine-related behavior, reducing morphine reinstatement. Gut microbes may be a potential mechanism behind the therapeutic effects of molecular hydrogen on morphine addiction. Additionally, molecular hydrogen improved symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as gut microbial features, in individuals with opioid addiction. This study supports molecular hydrogen as a novel and effective intervention for morphine-induced addiction and reveals the mechanism of gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Xie
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province 050017, PR China
| | - Yong Wang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province 050017, PR China
| | - Yun Lu
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province 050017, PR China
| | - Mengmeng Wang
- Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, College of Clinical Medicine, Hebei University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Tumor Microecological Metabolism Regulation, Baoding, Hebei Province 071000, PR China
| | - Rongji Hui
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province 050017, PR China
| | - Hailei Yu
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province 050017, PR China
| | - Wenbo Li
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province 050017, PR China
| | - Ludi Zhang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province 050017, PR China; Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province 050017, PR China
| | - Feng Yu
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province 050017, PR China
| | - Zhiyu Ni
- Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, College of Clinical Medicine, Hebei University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Tumor Microecological Metabolism Regulation, Baoding, Hebei Province 071000, PR China; Clinical Medical College, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, Hebei Province 056038, PR China
| | - Bin Cong
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province 050017, PR China
| | - Chunling Ma
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province 050017, PR China.
| | - Di Wen
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province 050017, PR China.
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3
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Shalev A, Cho D, Marmar CR. Neurobiology and Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Am J Psychiatry 2024; 181:705-719. [PMID: 39086292 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20240536] [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] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
The recent worldwide surge of warfare and hostilities exposes increasingly large numbers of individuals to traumatic events, placing them at risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and challenging both clinicians and service delivery systems. This overview summarizes and updates the core knowledge of the genetic, molecular, and neural circuit features of the neurobiology of PTSD and advances in evidence-based psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, neuromodulation, and digital treatments. While the complexity of the neurobiology and the biological and clinical heterogeneity of PTSD have challenged clinicians and researchers, there is an emerging consensus concerning the underlying mechanisms and approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of PTSD. This update addresses PTSD diagnosis, prevalence, course, risk factors, neurobiological mechanisms, current standard of care, and innovations in next-generation treatment and prevention strategies. It provides a comprehensive summary and concludes with areas of research for integrating advances in the neurobiology of the disorder with novel treatment and prevention targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arieh Shalev
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York
| | - Dayeon Cho
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York
| | - Charles R Marmar
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York
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4
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Ma LH, Li S, Jiao XH, Li ZY, Zhou Y, Zhou CR, Zhou CH, Zheng H, Wu YQ. BLA-involved circuits in neuropsychiatric disorders. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 99:102363. [PMID: 38838785 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102363] [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: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is the subregion of the amygdala located in the medial of the temporal lobe, which is connected with a wide range of brain regions to achieve diverse functions. Recently, an increasing number of studies have focused on the participation of the BLA in many neuropsychiatric disorders from the neural circuit perspective, aided by the rapid development of viral tracing methods and increasingly specific neural modulation technologies. However, how to translate this circuit-level preclinical intervention into clinical treatment using noninvasive or minor invasive manipulations to benefit patients struggling with neuropsychiatric disorders is still an inevitable question to be considered. In this review, we summarized the role of BLA-involved circuits in neuropsychiatric disorders including Alzheimer's disease, perioperative neurocognitive disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, posttraumatic stress disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and pain-associative affective states and cognitive dysfunctions. Additionally, we provide insights into future directions and challenges for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Hui Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Shuai Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Xin-Hao Jiao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Zi-Yi Li
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Yue Zhou
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Chen-Rui Zhou
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Cheng-Hua Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China.
| | - Hui Zheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China.
| | - Yu-Qing Wu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China.
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5
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Sekeres MJ, Schomaker J, Nadel L, Tse D. To update or to create? The influence of novelty and prior knowledge on memory networks. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230238. [PMID: 38853571 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0238] [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: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Schemas are foundational mental structures shaped by experience. They influence behaviour, guide the encoding of new memories and are shaped by associated information. The adaptability of memory schemas facilitates the integration of new information that aligns with existing knowledge structures. First, we discuss how novel information consistent with an existing schema can be swiftly assimilated when presented. This cognitive updating is facilitated by the interaction between the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. Second, when novel information is inconsistent with the schema, it likely engages the hippocampus to encode the information as part of an episodic memory trace. Third, novelty may enhance hippocampal dopamine through either the locus coeruleus or ventral tegmental area pathways, with the pathway involved potentially depending on the type of novelty encountered. We propose a gradient theory of schema and novelty to elucidate the neural processes by which schema updating or novel memory traces are formed. It is likely that experiences vary along a familiarity-novelty continuum, and the degree to which new experiences are increasingly novel will guide whether memory for a new experience either integrates into an existing schema or prompts the creation of a new cognitive framework. This article is part of the theme issue 'Long-term potentiation: 50 years on'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie J Sekeres
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa , Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Judith Schomaker
- Health, Medical & Neuropsychology, Leiden University , Leiden 2333 AK, The Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition , Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lynn Nadel
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona , Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Dorothy Tse
- Department of Psychology, Edge Hill University , Ormskirk L39 4QP, UK
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Li M, Yang XK, Yang J, Li TX, Cui C, Peng X, Lei J, Ren K, Ming J, Zhang P, Tian B. Ketamine ameliorates post-traumatic social avoidance by erasing the traumatic memory encoded in VTA-innervated BLA engram cells. Neuron 2024:S0896-6273(24)00461-6. [PMID: 39032491 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.06.026] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Erasing traumatic memory during memory reconsolidation is a promising retrieval-extinction strategy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Here, we developed an acute social defeat stress (SDS) mouse model with short-term and re-exposure-evoked long-term social avoidance. SDS-associated traumatic memories were identified to be stored in basolateral amygdala (BLA) engram cells. A single intraperitoneal administration of subanesthetic-dose ketamine within, but not beyond, the re-exposure time window significantly alleviates SDS-induced social avoidance, which reduces the activity and quantity of reactivated BLA engram cells. Furthermore, activation or inhibition of dopaminergic projections from the ventral tegmental area to the BLA effectively mimics or blocks the therapeutic effect of re-exposure with ketamine and is dopamine D2 receptor dependent. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals that re-exposure with ketamine triggered significant changes in memory-related pathways in the BLA. Together, our research advances the understanding of how ketamine mitigates PTSD symptoms and offers promising avenues for developing more effective treatments for trauma-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China
| | - Xue-Ke Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China
| | - Tong-Xia Li
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China
| | - Chi Cui
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China
| | - Xiang Peng
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China
| | - Jie Lei
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China
| | - Kun Ren
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China
| | - Jie Ming
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Pei Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China; Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China.
| | - Bo Tian
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China; School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430081, P.R. China; Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China.
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7
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Santos TB, de Oliveira Coelho CA, Kramer-Soares JC, Frankland PW, Oliveira MGM. Reactivation of encoding ensembles in the prelimbic cortex supports temporal associations. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:1296-1308. [PMID: 38454052 PMCID: PMC11224261 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01825-2] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Fear conditioning is encoded by strengthening synaptic connections between the neurons activated by a conditioned stimulus (CS) and those activated by an unconditioned stimulus (US), forming a memory engram, which is reactivated during memory retrieval. In temporal associations, activity within the prelimbic cortex (PL) plays a role in sustaining a short-term, transient memory of the CS, which is associated with the US after a temporal gap. However, it is unknown whether the PL has only a temporary role, transiently representing the CS, or is part of the neuronal ensembles that support the retrieval, i.e., whether PL neurons support both transient, short-term memories and stable, long-term memories. We investigated neuronal ensembles underlying temporal associations using fear conditioning with a 5-s interval between the CS and US (CFC-5s). Controls were trained in contextual fear conditioning (CFC), in which the CS-US overlaps. We used Robust Activity Marking (RAM) to selectively manipulate PL neurons activated by CFC-5s learning and Targeted Recombination in Active Populations (TRAP2) mice to label neurons activated by CFC-5s learning and reactivated by memory retrieval in the amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, perirhinal cortices (PER) and subiculum. We also computed their co-reactivation to generate correlation-based networks. The optogenetic reactivation or silencing of PL encoding ensembles either promoted or impaired the retrieval of CFC-5s but not CFC. CFC-5s retrieval reactivated encoding ensembles in the PL, PER, and basolateral amygdala. The engram network of CFC-5s had higher amygdala and PER centralities and interconnectivity. The same PL neurons support learning and stable associative memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thays Brenner Santos
- Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP, São Paulo, 04023-062, Brazil.
| | | | - Juliana Carlota Kramer-Soares
- Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP, São Paulo, 04023-062, Brazil
- Universidade Cruzeiro do Sul - UNICSUL, São Paulo, 08060-070, Brazil
| | - Paul W Frankland
- Neuroscience and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada
- Child & Brain Development Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada
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8
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Cui K, Qi X, Liu Z, Sun W, Jiao P, Liu C, Tong J, Sun X, Sun H, Fu S, Wang J, Zheng Y, Liu T, Cui S, Liu F, Mao J, Zheng J, Wan Y, Yi M. Dominant activities of fear engram cells in the dorsal dentate gyrus underlie fear generalization in mice. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002679. [PMID: 38995985 PMCID: PMC11244812 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002679] [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: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Over-generalized fear is a maladaptive response to harmless stimuli or situations characteristic of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other anxiety disorders. The dorsal dentate gyrus (dDG) contains engram cells that play a crucial role in accurate memory retrieval. However, the coordination mechanism of neuronal subpopulations within the dDG network during fear generalization is not well understood. Here, with the Tet-off system combined with immunostaining and two-photon calcium imaging, we report that dDG fear engram cells labeled in the conditioned context constitutes a significantly higher proportion of dDG neurons activated in a similar context where mice show generalized fear. The activation of these dDG fear engram cells encoding the conditioned context is both sufficient and necessary for inducing fear generalization in the similar context. Activities of mossy cells in the ventral dentate gyrus (vMCs) are significantly suppressed in mice showing fear generalization in a similar context, and activating the vMCs-dDG pathway suppresses generalized but not conditioned fear. Finally, modifying fear memory engrams in the dDG with "safety" signals effectively rescues fear generalization. These findings reveal that the competitive advantage of dDG engram cells underlies fear generalization, which can be rescued by activating the vMCs-dDG pathway or modifying fear memory engrams, and provide novel insights into the dDG network as the neuronal basis of fear generalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Cui
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Life Science Academy, Beijing, China
| | - Xuetao Qi
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zilong Liu
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Weiqi Sun
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Peijie Jiao
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Beijing Life Science Academy, Beijing, China
| | - Jifu Tong
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Sun
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Haojie Sun
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Su Fu
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaxin Wang
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yawen Zheng
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyu Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shuang Cui
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Fengyu Liu
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Mao
- Beijing Life Science Academy, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - You Wan
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Life Science Academy, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Ming Yi
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing, China
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9
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Sniffen SE, Ryu SE, Kokoska MM, Bhattarai J, Wang Y, Thomas ER, Skates GM, Johnson NL, Chavez AA, Iaconis SR, Janke E, Ma M, Wesson DW. Bidirectional modulation of negative emotional states by parallel genetically-distinct basolateral amygdala pathways to ventral striatum subregions. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.19.599749. [PMID: 38948716 PMCID: PMC11213032 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.19.599749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Distinct basolateral amygdala (BLA) cell populations influence emotional responses in manners thought important for anxiety and anxiety disorders. The BLA contains numerous cell types which can broadcast information into structures that may elicit changes in emotional states and behaviors. BLA excitatory neurons can be divided into two main classes, one of which expresses Ppp1r1b (encoding protein phosphatase 1 regulatory inhibitor subunit 1B) which is downstream of the genes encoding the D1 and D2 dopamine receptors (drd1 and drd2 respectively). The role of drd1+ or drd2+ BLA neurons in learned and unlearned emotional responses is unknown. Here, we identified that the drd1+ and drd2+ BLA neuron populations form two parallel pathways for communication with the ventral striatum. These neurons arise from the basal nucleus of the BLA, innervate the entire space of the ventral striatum, and are capable of exciting ventral striatum neurons. Further, through three separate behavioral assays, we found that the drd1+ and drd2+ parallel pathways bidirectionally influence both learned and unlearned emotional states when they are activated or suppressed, and do so depending upon where they synapse in the ventral striatum - with unique contributions of drd1+ and drd2+ circuitry on negative emotional states. Overall, these results contribute to a model whereby parallel, genetically-distinct BLA to ventral striatum circuits inform emotional states in a projection-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Sniffen
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Center for Smell and Taste, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Sang Eun Ryu
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Center for Smell and Taste, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Milayna M. Kokoska
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Center for Smell and Taste, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Janardhan Bhattarai
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yingqi Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ellyse R. Thomas
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Center for Smell and Taste, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Graylin M. Skates
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Center for Smell and Taste, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Natalie L. Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Center for Smell and Taste, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Andy A. Chavez
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Center for Smell and Taste, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Sophia R. Iaconis
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Center for Smell and Taste, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Emma Janke
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Minghong Ma
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Daniel W. Wesson
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Center for Smell and Taste, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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10
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Liu Y, Ye S, Li XN, Li WG. Memory Trace for Fear Extinction: Fragile yet Reinforceable. Neurosci Bull 2024; 40:777-794. [PMID: 37812300 PMCID: PMC11178705 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01129-3] [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: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Fear extinction is a biological process in which learned fear behavior diminishes without anticipated reinforcement, allowing the organism to re-adapt to ever-changing situations. Based on the behavioral hypothesis that extinction is new learning and forms an extinction memory, this new memory is more readily forgettable than the original fear memory. The brain's cellular and synaptic traces underpinning this inherently fragile yet reinforceable extinction memory remain unclear. Intriguing questions are about the whereabouts of the engram neurons that emerged during extinction learning and how they constitute a dynamically evolving functional construct that works in concert to store and express the extinction memory. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the engram circuits and their neural connectivity plasticity for fear extinction, aiming to establish a conceptual framework for understanding the dynamic competition between fear and extinction memories in adaptive control of conditioned fear responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Huashan Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Shuai Ye
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Huashan Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xin-Ni Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Huashan Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wei-Guang Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Huashan Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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11
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Zhang Y, Xu C, Gu Y. Context Processing in Contextual and Cued Fear Extinction. Neurosci Bull 2024; 40:835-839. [PMID: 38619694 PMCID: PMC11178715 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-024-01205-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yimu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chun Xu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| | - Yu Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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12
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Concina G, Milano L, Renna A, Manassero E, Stabile F, Sacchetti B. Hippocampus-to-amygdala pathway drives the separation of remote memories of related events. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114151. [PMID: 38656872 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114151] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The mammalian brain can store and retrieve memories of related events as distinct memories and remember common features of those experiences. How it computes this function remains elusive. Here, we show in rats that recent memories of two closely timed auditory fear events share overlapping neuronal ensembles in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and are functionally linked. However, remote memories have reduced neuronal overlap and are functionally independent. The activity of parvalbumin (PV)-expressing neurons in the BLA plays a crucial role in forming separate remote memories. Chemogenetic blockade of PV preserves individual remote memories but prevents their segregation, resulting in reciprocal associations. The hippocampus drives this process through specific excitatory connections with BLA GABAergic interneurons. These findings provide insights into the neuronal mechanisms that minimize the overlap between distinct remote memories and enable the retrieval of related memories separately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Concina
- Rita Levi-Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Luisella Milano
- Rita Levi-Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Annamaria Renna
- Rita Levi-Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Eugenio Manassero
- Rita Levi-Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Francesca Stabile
- Rita Levi-Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Benedetto Sacchetti
- Rita Levi-Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy.
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13
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Li Z, Li J, Wei Y, Zou W, Vidjro OE, Wang J, Zhou L, Zhu Y, Ma T. Anterior and Posterior Basolateral Amygdala Projections of Cell Type-Specific D1-Expressing Neurons From the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Differentially Control Alcohol-Seeking Behavior. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 95:963-973. [PMID: 37952812 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.11.005] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorder is characterized by compulsive alcohol-seeking behavior, which is associated with dysregulation of afferent projections from the medial prefrontal cortex to the basolateral amygdala (BLA). However, the contribution of the cell type-specific mechanism in this neuronal circuit to alcohol-seeking behavior remains unclear. METHODS Mice were trained with 2-bottle choice and operant alcohol self-administration procedures. Anterograde and retrograde viral methods traced the connection between dopamine type 1 receptor (D1R) neurons and BLA neurons. Electrophysiology and in vivo optogenetic techniques were used to test the function of neural circuits in alcohol-seeking behavior. RESULTS Chronic alcohol consumption preferentially changed the activity of posterior BLA (pBLA) neurons but not anterior BLA (aBLA) neurons and overexcited D1R neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex. Interestingly, we found that 2 populations of D1R neurons, anterior and posterior (pD1R) neurons, separately targeted the aBLA and pBLA, respectively, and only a few D1R neurons innervated both aBLA and pBLA neurons. Furthermore, pD1R neurons exhibited more excitability than anterior D1R neurons in alcohol-drinking mice. Moreover, we observed enhanced glutamatergic transmission and an increased NMDA/AMPA receptor ratio in the medial prefrontal cortex inputs from pD1R neurons to the pBLA. Optogenetic long-term depression induction of the pD1R-pBLA circuit reduced alcohol-seeking behavior, while optogenetic long-term depression or long-term potentiation induction of the anterior D1R-aBLA circuit produced no change in alcohol intake. CONCLUSIONS The pD1R-pBLA circuit mediates chronic alcohol consumption, which may suggest a cell type-specific neuronal mechanism underlying reward-seeking behavior in alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Li
- Institute for Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration and Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiaxin Li
- Institute for Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration and Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanxia Wei
- Institute for Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration and Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wanying Zou
- Institute for Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration and Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Olivia Ewi Vidjro
- Institute for Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration and Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Toxicology, the Key laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yongsheng Zhu
- College of Forensic Science, Key Laboratory of National Health Commission for Forensic Science, National Biosafety Evidence Foundation, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Tengfei Ma
- Institute for Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration and Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Department of Toxicology, the Key laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
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14
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Haris EM, Bryant RA, Korgaonkar MS. Structural covariance, topological organization, and volumetric features of amygdala subnuclei in posttraumatic stress disorder. Neuroimage Clin 2024; 42:103619. [PMID: 38744025 PMCID: PMC11108976 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2024.103619] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The amygdala is divided into functional subnuclei which have been challenging to investigate due to functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) limitations in mapping small neural structures. Hence their role in the neurobiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains poorly understood. Examination of covariance of structural MRI measures could be an alternate approach to circumvent this issue. T1-weighted anatomical scans from a 3 T scanner from non-trauma-exposed controls (NEC; n = 71, 75 % female) and PTSD participants (n = 67, 69 % female) were parcellated into 105 brain regions. Pearson's r partial correlations were computed for three and nine bilateral amygdala subnuclei and every other brain region, corrected for age, sex, and total brain volume. Pairwise correlation comparisons were performed to examine subnuclei covariance profiles between-groups. Graph theory was employed to investigate subnuclei network topology. Volumetric measures were compared to investigate structural changes. We found differences between amygdala subnuclei in covariance with the hippocampus for both groups, and additionally with temporal brain regions for the PTSD group. Network topology demonstrated the importance of the right basal nucleus in facilitating network communication only in PTSD. There were no between-group differences for any of the three structural metrics. These findings are in line with previous work that has failed to find structural differences for amygdala subnuclei between PTSD and controls. However, differences between amygdala subnuclei covariance profiles observed in our study highlight the need to investigate amygdala subnuclei functional connectivity in PTSD using higher field strength fMRI for better spatial resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Haris
- Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia; School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Richard A Bryant
- Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia; School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mayuresh S Korgaonkar
- Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia; Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, Westmead, NSW, Australia; Department of Radiology, Western Sydney Local Health District, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
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15
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Ahlbrand R, Wilson A, Woller P, Sachdeva Y, Lai J, Davis N, Wiggins J, Sah R. Sex-specific threat responding and neuronal engagement in carbon dioxide associated fear and extinction: Noradrenergic involvement in female mice. Neurobiol Stress 2024; 30:100617. [PMID: 38433995 PMCID: PMC10907837 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100617] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Difficulty in appropriately responding to threats is a key feature of psychiatric disorders, especially fear-related conditions such as panic disorder (PD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Most prior work on threat and fear regulation involves exposure to external threatful cues. However, fear can also be triggered by aversive, within-the-body, sensations. This interoceptive signaling of fear is highly relevant to PD and PTSD but is not well understood, especially in the context of sex. Using female and male mice, the current study investigated fear-associated spontaneous and conditioned behaviors to carbon dioxide (CO2) inhalation, a potent interoceptive threat that induces fear and panic. We also investigated whether behavioral sensitivity to CO2 is associated with delayed PTSD-relevant behaviors. CO2 evoked heterogenous freezing behaviors in both male and female animals. However, active, rearing behavior was significantly reduced in CO2-exposed male but not female mice. Interestingly, behavioral sensitivity to CO2 was associated with compromised fear extinction, independent of sex. However, in comparison to CO2-exposed males, females elicited less freezing and higher rearing during extinction suggesting an engagement of active versus passive defensive coping. Persistent neuronal activation marker ΔFosB immuno-mapping revealed attenuated engagement of infralimbic-prefrontal areas in both sexes but higher activation of brain stem locus coeruleus (LC) area in females. Inter-regional co-activation mapping revealed sex-independent disruptions in the infralimbic-amygdala associations but altered LC associations only in CO2-exposed female mice. Lastly, dopamine β hydroxylase positive (DβH + ve) noradrenergic neuronal cell counts in the LC correlated with freezing and rearing behaviors during CO2 inhalation and extinction only in female but not male mice. Collectively, these data provide evidence for higher active defensive responding to interoceptive threat CO2-associated fear in females that may stem from increased recruitment of the brainstem noradrenergic system. Our findings reveal distinct contributory mechanisms that may promote sex differences in fear and panic associated pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Ahlbrand
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, USA
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Allison Wilson
- Neuroscience Undergraduate Program, University of Cincinnati, USA
| | - Patrick Woller
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, USA
| | - Yuv Sachdeva
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, USA
| | - Jayden Lai
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, USA
| | - Nikki Davis
- Neuroscience Undergraduate Program, University of Cincinnati, USA
| | - James Wiggins
- Neuroscience Undergraduate Program, University of Cincinnati, USA
| | - Renu Sah
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, USA
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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16
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Luft JG, Popik B, Gonçalves DA, Cruz FC, de Oliveira Alvares L. Distinct engrams control fear and extinction memory. Hippocampus 2024; 34:230-240. [PMID: 38396226 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23601] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Memories are stored in engram cells, which are necessary and sufficient for memory recall. Recalling a memory might undergo reconsolidation or extinction. It has been suggested that the original memory engram is reactivated during reconsolidation so that memory can be updated. Conversely, during extinction training, a new memory is formed that suppresses the original engram. Nonetheless, it is unknown whether extinction creates a new engram or modifies the original fear engram. In this study, we utilized the Daun02 procedure, which uses c-Fos-lacZ rats to induce apoptosis of strongly activated neurons and examine whether a new memory trace emerges as a result of a short or long reactivation, or if these processes rely on modifications within the original engram located in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and infralimbic (IL) cortex. By eliminating neurons activated during consolidation and reactivation, we observed significant impacts on fear memory, highlighting the importance of the BLA engram in these processes. Although we were unable to show any impact when removing the neurons activated after the test of a previously extinguished memory in the BLA, disrupting the IL extinction engram reactivated the aversive memory that was suppressed by the extinction memory. Thus, we demonstrated that the IL cortex plays a crucial role in the network involved in extinction, and disrupting this specific node alone is sufficient to impair extinction behavior. Additionally, our findings indicate that extinction memories rely on the formation of a new memory, supporting the theory that extinction memories rely on the formation of a new memory, whereas the reconsolidation process reactivates the same original memory trace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordana Griebler Luft
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia da Memória, Departamento de Biofísica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Bruno Popik
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia da Memória, Departamento de Biofísica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Débora Aguirre Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia da Memória, Departamento de Biofísica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Fabio Cardoso Cruz
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas de Oliveira Alvares
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia da Memória, Departamento de Biofísica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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17
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Shirsath KR, Patil VK, Awathale SN, Goyal SN, Nakhate KT. Pathophysiological and therapeutic implications of neuropeptide S system in neurological disorders. Peptides 2024; 175:171167. [PMID: 38325715 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2024.171167] [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: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a 20 amino acids-containing neuroactive molecule discovered by the reverse pharmacology method. NPS is detected in specific brain regions like the brainstem, amygdala, and hypothalamus, while its receptor (NPSR) is ubiquitously expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). Besides CNS, NPS and NPSR are also expressed in the peripheral nervous system. NPSR is a G-protein coupled receptor that primarily uses Gq and Gs signaling pathways to mediate the actions of NPS. In animal models of Parkinsonism and Alzheimer's disease, NPS exerts neuroprotective effects. NPS suppresses oxidative stress, anxiety, food intake, and pain, and promotes arousal. NPSR facilitates reward, reinforcement, and addiction-related behaviors. Genetic variation and single nucleotide polymorphism in NPSR are associated with depression, schizophrenia, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma. NPS interacts with several neurotransmitters including glutamate, noradrenaline, serotonin, corticotropin-releasing factor, and gamma-aminobutyric acid. It also modulates the immune system via augmenting pro-inflammatory cytokines and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. In the present review, we discussed the distribution profile of NPS and NPSR, signaling pathways, and their importance in the pathophysiology of various neurological disorders. We have also proposed the areas where further investigations on the NPS system are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamini R Shirsath
- Department of Pharmacology, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India
| | - Vaishnavi K Patil
- Department of Pharmacology, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sanjay N Awathale
- Department of Pharmacology, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sameer N Goyal
- Department of Pharmacology, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India
| | - Kartik T Nakhate
- Department of Pharmacology, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India.
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18
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Han RW, Zhang ZY, Jiao C, Hu ZY, Pan BX. Synergism between two BLA-to-BNST pathways for appropriate expression of anxiety-like behaviors in male mice. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3455. [PMID: 38658548 PMCID: PMC11043328 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47966-2] [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: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding how distinct functional circuits are coordinated to fine-tune mood and behavior is of fundamental importance. Here, we observe that within the dense projections from basolateral amygdala (BLA) to bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST), there are two functionally opposing pathways orchestrated to enable contextually appropriate expression of anxiety-like behaviors in male mice. Specifically, the anterior BLA neurons predominantly innervate the anterodorsal BNST (adBNST), while their posterior counterparts send massive fibers to oval BNST (ovBNST) with moderate to adBNST. Optogenetic activation of the anterior and posterior BLA inputs oppositely regulated the activity of adBNST neurons and anxiety-like behaviors, via disengaging and engaging the inhibitory ovBNST-to-adBNST microcircuit, respectively. Importantly, the two pathways exhibited synchronized but opposite responses to both anxiolytic and anxiogenic stimuli, partially due to their mutual inhibition within BLA and the different inputs they receive. These findings reveal synergistic interactions between two BLA-to-BNST pathways for appropriate anxiety expression with ongoing environmental demands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren-Wen Han
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.
| | - Zi-Yi Zhang
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
- College of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Chen Jiao
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
- College of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Ze-Yu Hu
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
- College of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Bing-Xing Pan
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.
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19
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Asim M, Wang H, Chen X, He J. Potentiated GABAergic neuronal activities in the basolateral amygdala alleviate stress-induced depressive behaviors. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14422. [PMID: 37715582 PMCID: PMC10915993 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14422] [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: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Major depressive disorder is a severe psychiatric disorder that afflicts ~17% of the world population. Neuroimaging investigations of depressed patients have consistently reported the dysfunction of the basolateral amygdala in the pathophysiology of depression. However, how the BLA and related circuits are implicated in the pathogenesis of depression is poorly understood. METHODS Here, we combined fiber photometry, immediate early gene expression (c-fos), optogenetics, chemogenetics, behavioral analysis, and viral tracing techniques to provide multiple lines of evidence of how the BLA neurons mediate depressive-like behavior. RESULTS We demonstrated that the aversive stimuli elevated the neuronal activity of the excitatory BLA neurons (BLACAMKII neurons). Optogenetic activation of CAMKII neurons facilitates the induction of depressive-like behavior while inhibition of these neurons alleviates the depressive-like behavior. Next, we found that the chemogenetic inhibition of GABAergic neurons in the BLA (BLAGABA ) increased the firing frequency of CAMKII neurons and mediates the depressive-like phenotypes. Finally, through fiber photometry recording and chemogenetic manipulation, we proved that the activation of BLAGABA neurons inhibits BLACAMKII neuronal activity and alleviates depressive-like behavior in the mice. CONCLUSION Thus, through evaluating BLAGABA and BLACAMKII neurons by distinct interaction, the BLA regulates depressive-like behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Asim
- Department of NeuroscienceCity University of Hong KongKowloon TongPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Biomedical ScienceCity University of Hong KongKowloon TongPeople's Republic of China
| | - Huajie Wang
- Department of NeuroscienceCity University of Hong KongKowloon TongPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Biomedical ScienceCity University of Hong KongKowloon TongPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of NeuroscienceCity University of Hong KongKowloon TongPeople's Republic of China
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research InstituteShenzhenPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jufang He
- Department of NeuroscienceCity University of Hong KongKowloon TongPeople's Republic of China
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research InstituteShenzhenPeople's Republic of China
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20
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Sladky R, Kargl D, Haubensak W, Lamm C. An active inference perspective for the amygdala complex. Trends Cogn Sci 2024; 28:223-236. [PMID: 38103984 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2023.11.004] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The amygdala is a heterogeneous network of subcortical nuclei with central importance in cognitive and clinical neuroscience. Various experimental designs in human psychology and animal model research have mapped multiple conceptual frameworks (e.g., valence/salience and decision making) to ever more refined amygdala circuitry. However, these predominantly bottom up-driven accounts often rely on interpretations tailored to a specific phenomenon, thus preventing comprehensive and integrative theories. We argue here that an active inference model of amygdala function could unify these fractionated approaches into an overarching framework for clearer empirical predictions and mechanistic interpretations. This framework embeds top-down predictive models, informed by prior knowledge and belief updating, within a dynamical system distributed across amygdala circuits in which self-regulation is implemented by continuously tracking environmental and homeostatic demands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Sladky
- Social, Cognitive, and Affective Neuroscience Unit, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010 Vienna, Austria; Vienna Cognitive Science Hub, University of Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Dominic Kargl
- Department of Neuronal Cell Biology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Wulf Haubensak
- Department of Neuronal Cell Biology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Campus Vienna Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Claus Lamm
- Social, Cognitive, and Affective Neuroscience Unit, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010 Vienna, Austria; Vienna Cognitive Science Hub, University of Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria
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21
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Hamati R, Ahrens J, Shvetz C, Holahan MR, Tuominen L. 65 years of research on dopamine's role in classical fear conditioning and extinction: A systematic review. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:1099-1140. [PMID: 37848184 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine, a catecholamine neurotransmitter, has historically been associated with the encoding of reward, whereas its role in aversion has received less attention. Here, we systematically gathered the vast evidence of the role of dopamine in the simplest forms of aversive learning: classical fear conditioning and extinction. In the past, crude methods were used to augment or inhibit dopamine to study its relationship with fear conditioning and extinction. More advanced techniques such as conditional genetic, chemogenic and optogenetic approaches now provide causal evidence for dopamine's role in these learning processes. Dopamine neurons encode conditioned stimuli during fear conditioning and extinction and convey the signal via activation of D1-4 receptor sites particularly in the amygdala, prefrontal cortex and striatum. The coordinated activation of dopamine receptors allows for the continuous formation, consolidation, retrieval and updating of fear and extinction memory in a dynamic and reciprocal manner. Based on the reviewed literature, we conclude that dopamine is crucial for the encoding of classical fear conditioning and extinction and contributes in a way that is comparable to its role in encoding reward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rami Hamati
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jessica Ahrens
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cecelia Shvetz
- University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthew R Holahan
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lauri Tuominen
- University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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22
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Laricchiuta D, Papi M, Decandia D, Panuccio A, Cutuli D, Peciccia M, Mazzeschi C, Petrosini L. The role of glial cells in mental illness: a systematic review on astroglia and microglia as potential players in schizophrenia and its cognitive and emotional aspects. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1358450. [PMID: 38419655 PMCID: PMC10899480 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1358450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex and severe mental disorder that affects approximately 1% of the global population. It is characterized by a wide range of symptoms, including delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech and behavior, and cognitive impairment. Recent research has suggested that the immune system dysregulation may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, and glial cells, such as astroglia and microglia known to be involved in neuroinflammation and immune regulation, have emerged as potential players in this process. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the glial hallmarks of schizophrenia, choosing as cellular candidate the astroglia and microglia, and focusing also on disease-associated psychological (cognitive and emotional) changes. We conducted a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for articles that investigated the differences in astroglia and microglia in patients with schizophrenia, published in the last 5 years. The present systematic review indicates that changes in the density, morphology, and functioning of astroglia and microglia may be involved in the development of schizophrenia. The glial alterations may contribute to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia by dysregulating neurotransmission and immune responses, worsening cognitive capabilities. The complex interplay of astroglial and microglial activation, genetic/epigenetic variations, and cognitive assessments underscores the intricate relationship between biological mechanisms, symptomatology, and cognitive functioning in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Laricchiuta
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Martina Papi
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Davide Decandia
- Laboratory of Experimental and Behavioral Neurophysiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Panuccio
- Laboratory of Experimental and Behavioral Neurophysiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Debora Cutuli
- Laboratory of Experimental and Behavioral Neurophysiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Peciccia
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Claudia Mazzeschi
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Laura Petrosini
- Laboratory of Experimental and Behavioral Neurophysiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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23
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Sun Z, Zhang X, Dong Y, Liu Y, Wang C, Li Y, Ma C, Xu G, Wang S, Yang C, Zhang G, Cong B. Norepinephrine-Activated p38 MAPK Pathway Mediates Stress-Induced Cytotoxic Edema of Basolateral Amygdala Astrocytes. Brain Sci 2024; 14:161. [PMID: 38391735 PMCID: PMC10887202 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14020161] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The amygdala is a core region in the limbic system that is highly sensitive to stress. Astrocytes are key players in stress disorders such as anxiety and depression. However, the effects of stress on the morphology and function of amygdala astrocytes and its potential mechanisms remain largely unknown. Hence, we performed in vivo and in vitro experiments using a restraint stress (RS) rat model and stress-induced astrocyte culture, respectively. Our data show that norepinephrine (NE) content increased, cytotoxic edema occurred, and aquaporin-4 (AQP4) expression was up-regulated in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) obtained from RS rats. Additionally, the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was also observed to be significantly activated in the BLA of rats subjected to RS. The administration of NE to in vitro astrocytes increased the AQP4 level and induced cell edema. Furthermore, p38 MAPK signaling was activated. The NE inhibitor alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (AMPT) alleviated cytotoxic edema in astrocytes, inhibited AQP4 expression, and inactivated the p38 MAPK pathway in RS rats. Meanwhile, in the in vitro experiment, the p38 MAPK signaling inhibitor SB203580 reversed NE-induced cytotoxic edema and down-regulated the expression of AQP4 in astrocytes. Briefly, NE-induced activation of the p38 MAPK pathway mediated cytotoxic edema in BLA astrocytes from RS rats. Thus, our data provide novel evidence that NE-induced p38 MAPK pathway activation may be one of the mechanisms leading to cytotoxic edema in BLA under stress conditions, which also could enable the development of an effective therapeutic strategy against cytotoxic edema in BLA under stress and provide new ideas for the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoling Sun
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Xiaojing Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Yiming Dong
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Yichang Liu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226000, China
| | - Chuan Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Yingmin Li
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Chunling Ma
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Guangming Xu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Songjun Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Chenteng Yang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Guozhong Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
- Hebei Province Laboratory of Experimental Animal, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Bin Cong
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
- Hainan Tropical Forensic Medicine Academician Workstation, Haikou 571199, China
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24
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Zhang K, Shen D, Huang S, Iqbal J, Huang G, Si J, Xue Y, Yang JL. The sexually divergent cFos activation map of fear extinction. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23748. [PMID: 38205315 PMCID: PMC10777019 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Exposure therapy is a common treatment for PTSD, but it has varying levels of efficacy depending on sex. In this study, we aimed to compare the sexual dimorphism in brain activation during the extinction of fear conditioning in male and female rats by detecting the c-fos levels in the whole brain. Methods Thirty-two rats (Male: n = 16; Female: n = 16) were randomly separated into the extinction group as well as the non-extinction group, and fear conditioning was followed by extinction and non-extinction, respectively. Subsequently, brain sections from the sacrificed animal were performed immunofluorescence and the collected data were analyzed by repeated two-way ANOVAs as well as Pearson Correlation Coefficient. Results Our findings showed that most brain areas activated during extinction were similar in both male and female rats, except for the reuniens thalamic nucleus and ventral hippocampi. Furthermore, we found differences in the correlation between c-fos activation levels and freezing behavior during extinction between male and female rats. Specifically, in male rats, c-fos activation in the anterior cingulate cortex was negatively correlated with the freezing level, while c-fos activation in the retrosplenial granular cortex was positively correlated with the freezing level; but in female rats did not exhibit any correlation between c-fos activation and freezing level. Finally, the functional connectivity analysis revealed differences in the neural networks involved in extinction learning between male and female rats. In male rats, the infralimbic cortex and insular cortex, anterior cingulate cortex and retrosplenial granular cortex, and dorsal dentate gyrus and dCA3 were strongly correlated after extinction. In female rats, prelimbic cortex and basolateral amygdala, insular cortex and dCA3, and anterior cingulate cortex and dCA1 were significantly correlated. Conclusion These results suggest divergent neural networks involved in extinction learning in male and female rats and provide a clue for improving the clinical treatment of exposure therapy based on the sexual difference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhang
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Dan Shen
- Xinxiang Medical University, 601 Jinsui Dadao, Hongqi District, Xinxiang City, Henan Province, China
| | - Shihao Huang
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory on Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, 100191, Beijing, China
| | - Javed Iqbal
- Shenzhen Kangning Hospital & Shenzhen Mental Health Center, No. 77 Zhenbi Road, Shenzhen, 518118, China
- Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Gengdi Huang
- Shenzhen Kangning Hospital & Shenzhen Mental Health Center, No. 77 Zhenbi Road, Shenzhen, 518118, China
- Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jijian Si
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanxue Xue
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory on Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, 100191, Beijing, China
- Xinxiang Medical University, 601 Jinsui Dadao, Hongqi District, Xinxiang City, Henan Province, China
| | - Jian-Li Yang
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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25
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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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26
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Pang B, Wu X, Chen H, Yan Y, Du Z, Yu Z, Yang X, Wang W, Lu K. Exploring the memory: existing activity-dependent tools to tag and manipulate engram cells. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 17:1279032. [PMID: 38259503 PMCID: PMC10800721 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1279032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The theory of engrams, proposed several years ago, is highly crucial to understanding the progress of memory. Although it significantly contributes to identifying new treatments for cognitive disorders, it is limited by a lack of technology. Several scientists have attempted to validate this theory but failed. With the increasing availability of activity-dependent tools, several researchers have found traces of engram cells. Activity-dependent tools are based on the mechanisms underlying neuronal activity and use a combination of emerging molecular biological and genetic technology. Scientists have used these tools to tag and manipulate engram neurons and identified numerous internal connections between engram neurons and memory. In this review, we provide the background, principles, and selected examples of applications of existing activity-dependent tools. Using a combination of traditional definitions and concepts of engram cells, we discuss the applications and limitations of these tools and propose certain developmental directions to further explore the functions of engram cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Pang
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hailun Chen
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiwen Yan
- School of Basic Medicine Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zibo Du
- The First Clinical Medical College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zihan Yu
- School of Basic Medicine Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiai Yang
- Department of Neurology, Ankang Central Hospital, Ankang, China
| | - Wanshan Wang
- Laboratory Animal Management Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Southern Medical Laboratory Animal Sci. and Tech. Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Kangrong Lu
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Safety Evaluation of Cosmetics, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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27
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Jung H, Han D, Lee C, Kaang BK. Synaptic Engram. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 38:131-145. [PMID: 39008014 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-62983-9_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
The concept of the engram refers to structural and/or physiological changes that underlie memory associations during learning. However, the precise biological basis of the engram remains elusive, with ongoing controversy regarding whether it resides at the cellular level or within the synaptic connections between activated cells. Here, we briefly review the studies investigating the cellular engram and the challenges they encounter. Subsequently, we delve into the biological basis of the engram within synaptic connections. In this regard, we introduce the history of synaptic engrams and discuss recent findings suggesting that synaptic plasticity serves as a substrate for memory. Additionally, we provide an overview of key technologies utilized in the study of synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunsu Jung
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Life Science Institute, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Daehee Han
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Life Science Institute, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chaery Lee
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Life Science Institute, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Bong-Kiun Kaang
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Life Science Institute, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea.
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
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28
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Guo H, Guo J, Gao Z, Luo F, Zhang E. The role of amygdala-ventral pallidum pathway in depression-like behaviors in male mice. J Neurosci Res 2024; 102:e25258. [PMID: 37814992 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25258] [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: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
The basolateral amygdala (BLA) appears to serve an important function in the pathophysiology of depression. Depressive symptoms, such as anhedonia are largely caused by dysfunction in the brain's reward system, in which the ventral pallidum (VP) participates in by controlling dopamine release. However, the role of the BLA-VP pathway in the development of depression remains poorly understood. To investigate this pathway, we employed the Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS) mouse model, in which we injected retroAAV expressing GFP-Cre into the VP and AAV expressing hM4Di-mCherry into the BLA. We then used CNO to activate the Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) for all behavioral tests. The CUMS procedure resulted in significant depression symptoms such as decreased sucrose preference, limited weight gain, decreased immobile latency, and increased immobile time in the forced swim and tail suspension tests. Inhibition of the BLA-VP glutamatergic projections reversed these depression-like behaviors. We found that suppressing the BLA-VP circuitry had beneficial effects on CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors such as anorexia, anhedonia, and despair. Specifically, upon suppression of glutamatergic projections in the BLA-VP circuitry, these depression-like behaviors were significantly alleviated, which highlights the vital role of this circuitry in the development of depression. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of suppressing this circuitry seem to be associated with the brain's reward system, warranting further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Guo
- School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
| | - Jintao Guo
- School of Automation and information Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an, China
| | - Zihang Gao
- School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Luo
- School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
| | - Enming Zhang
- School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
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29
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Gräff J. Engrams of Fear Memory Attenuation. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 38:149-161. [PMID: 39008015 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-62983-9_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Fear attenuation is an etiologically relevant process for animal survival, since once acquired information needs to be continuously updated in the face of changing environmental contingencies. Thus, when situations are encountered that were originally perceived as fearful but are no longer so, fear must be attenuated, otherwise, it risks becoming maladaptive. But what happens to the original memory trace of fear during fear attenuation? In this chapter, we review the studies that have started to approach this question from an engram perspective. We find evidence pointing to both the original memory trace of fear being suppressed, as well as it being updated towards safety. These seemingly conflicting results reflect a well-established dichotomy in the field of fear memory attenuation, namely whether fear attenuation is mediated by an inhibitory mechanism that suppresses fear expression, called extinction, or by an updating mechanism that allows the fear memory to reconsolidate in a different form, called reconsolidation-updating. Which of these scenarios takes the upper hand is ultimately influenced by the behavioral paradigms used to induce fear attenuation, but is an important area for further study as the precise cell populations underlying fear attenuation and the molecular mechanisms therein can now be understood at unprecedented resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Gräff
- Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Shih CW, Chang CH. Anatomical analyses of collateral prefrontal cortex projections to the basolateral amygdala and the nucleus accumbens core in rats. Brain Struct Funct 2024; 229:97-114. [PMID: 37910300 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02722-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The basolateral amygdala (BLA) and the nucleus accumbens core (NAcc) share some similar behavioral functions, such as associative learning, Pavlovian to instrumental transfer, and choice behavior. However, their prefrontal anatomical inputs have not been well characterized before, especially the collateral projections. In this study, we analyzed the distribution and collateralization of projections to the BLA and the NAcc from the prefrontal cortices (PFC), including the prelimbic (PL) and the infralimbic (IL) divisions of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the subregions of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), such as the medial OFC (MO), the lateral OFC (LO), and the ventral OFC (VO). Double retrograde tracing approach was used, in which Cholera toxin subunit B conjugated with the Alexa Fluor 488 (CTB-AF488) or Alexa Fluor 594 (CTB-AF594) were unilaterally injected into the BLA and the NAcc, respectively, in male Long-Evans rats (n = 6). Among the sampled neurons, prefrontal projection to the BLA or the NAcc is more robust on the ipsilateral side, and more robust from the PL, the IL, and the MO compared to from the LO and the VO. The majority of the projections from the PFC to the BLA and/or the NAcc are confined in deep layer. In addition, for each of the prefrontal areas, about 15-25% BLA-projecting neurons send collateral projections to the NAcc, and vice versa. In conclusion, our data suggested that prefrontal control over the BLA and the NAcc is not entirely independent. The functional importance of the collateral projections awaits further examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Wei Shih
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University, Kuang-fu Rd, Sec 2, No 101, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan
- Brain Research Center, National Tsing Hua University, Kuang-fu Rd, Sec 2, No 101, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hui Chang
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University, Kuang-fu Rd, Sec 2, No 101, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan.
- Brain Research Center, National Tsing Hua University, Kuang-fu Rd, Sec 2, No 101, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan.
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Kitamura T, Ramesh K, Terranova JI. Understanding Others' Distress Through Past Experiences: The Role of Memory Engram Cells in Observational Fear. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 38:215-234. [PMID: 39008018 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-62983-9_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
For individuals to survive and function in society, it is essential that they recognize, interact with, and learn from other conspecifics. Observational fear (OF) is the well-conserved empathic ability of individuals to understand the other's aversive situation. While it is widely known that factors such as prior similar aversive experience and social familiarity with the demonstrator facilitate OF, the neural circuit mechanisms that explicitly regulate experience-dependent OF (Exp OF) were unclear. In this review, we examine the neural circuit mechanisms that regulate OF, with an emphasis on rodent models, and then discuss emerging evidence for the role of fear memory engram cells in the regulation of Exp OF. First, we examine the neural circuit mechanisms that underlie Naive OF, which is when an observer lacks prior experiences relevant to OF. In particular, the anterior cingulate cortex to basolateral amygdala (BLA) neural circuit is essential for Naive OF. Next, we discuss a recent study that developed a behavioral paradigm in mice to examine the neural circuit mechanisms that underlie Exp OF. This study found that fear memory engram cells in the BLA of observers, which form during a prior similar aversive experience with shock, are reactivated by ventral hippocampal neurons in response to shock delivery to the familiar demonstrator to elicit Exp OF. Finally, we discuss the implications of fear memory engram cells in Exp OF and directions of future research that are of both translational and basic interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Kitamura
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Kritika Ramesh
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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Ortega-de San Luis C, Pezzoli M, Urrieta E, Ryan TJ. Engram cell connectivity as a mechanism for information encoding and memory function. Curr Biol 2023; 33:5368-5380.e5. [PMID: 37992719 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.10.074] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Information derived from experiences is incorporated into the brain as changes to ensembles of cells, termed engram cells, which allow memory storage and recall. The mechanism by which those changes hold specific information is unclear. Here, we test the hypothesis that the specific synaptic wiring between engram cells is the substrate of information storage. First, we monitor how learning modifies the connectivity pattern between engram cells at a monosynaptic connection involving the hippocampal ventral CA1 (vCA1) region and the amygdala. Then, we assess the functional significance of these connectivity changes by artificially activating or inhibiting its presynaptic and postsynaptic components, respectively. Finally, we identify a synaptic plasticity mechanism mediated by postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95), which impacts the connectivity pattern among engram cells and contributes to the long-term stability of the memory. These findings impact our theory of learning and memory by helping us explain the translation of specific information into engram cells and how these connections shape brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Ortega-de San Luis
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College of Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland; Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Maurizio Pezzoli
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College of Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland; Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Esteban Urrieta
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College of Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland; Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Tomás J Ryan
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College of Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland; Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; Child & Brain Development Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada.
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Iqbal J, Huang GD, Xue YX, Yang M, Jia XJ. The neural circuits and molecular mechanisms underlying fear dysregulation in posttraumatic stress disorder. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1281401. [PMID: 38116070 PMCID: PMC10728304 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1281401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a stress-associated complex and debilitating psychiatric disorder due to an imbalance of neurotransmitters in response to traumatic events or fear. PTSD is characterized by re-experiencing, avoidance behavior, hyperarousal, negative emotions, insomnia, personality changes, and memory problems following exposure to severe trauma. However, the biological mechanisms and symptomatology underlying this disorder are still largely unknown or poorly understood. Considerable evidence shows that PTSD results from a dysfunction in highly conserved brain systems involved in regulating stress, anxiety, fear, and reward circuitry. This review provides a contemporary update about PTSD, including new data from the clinical and preclinical literature on stress, PTSD, and fear memory consolidation and extinction processes. First, we present an overview of well-established laboratory models of PTSD and discuss their clinical translational value for finding various treatments for PTSD. We then highlight the research progress on the neural circuits of fear and extinction-related behavior, including the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala. We further describe different molecular mechanisms, including GABAergic, glutamatergic, cholinergic, and neurotropic signaling, responsible for the structural and functional changes during fear acquisition and fear extinction processes in PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javed Iqbal
- Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Engineering Research Center for Precision Psychiatric Technology, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital and Shenzhen Mental Health Center; Clinical College of Mental Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center; Affiliated Mental Health Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Geng-Di Huang
- Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Engineering Research Center for Precision Psychiatric Technology, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital and Shenzhen Mental Health Center; Clinical College of Mental Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center; Affiliated Mental Health Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan-Xue Xue
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Mei Yang
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Engineering Research Center for Precision Psychiatric Technology, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital and Shenzhen Mental Health Center; Clinical College of Mental Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center; Affiliated Mental Health Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao-Jian Jia
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Engineering Research Center for Precision Psychiatric Technology, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital and Shenzhen Mental Health Center; Clinical College of Mental Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center; Affiliated Mental Health Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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Lacagnina AF, Dong TN, Iyer RR, Khan S, Mohamed MK, Clem RL. Ventral hippocampal interneurons govern extinction and relapse of contextual associations. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.28.568835. [PMID: 38077077 PMCID: PMC10705382 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.28.568835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Contextual associations are critical for survival but must be extinguished when new conditions render them nonproductive. By most accounts, extinction forms a new memory that competes with the original association for control over behavior, but the mechanisms underlying this competition remain largely enigmatic. Here we find the retrieval of contextual fear conditioning and extinction yield contrasting patterns of activity in prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus. Within ventral CA1, activation of somatostatin-expressing interneurons (SST-INs) occurs preferentially during extinction retrieval and correlates with differences in input synaptic transmission. Optogenetic manipulation of these cells but not parvalbumin interneurons (PV-INs) elicits bidirectional changes in fear expression following extinction, and the ability of SST-INs to gate fear is specific to the context in which extinction was acquired. A similar pattern of results was obtained following reward-based extinction. These data show that ventral hippocampal SST-INs are critical for extinguishing prior associations and thereby gate relapse of both aversive and appetitive responses.
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Li Y, Wang X, Huang S, Huang Q, Yang R, Liao Z, Chen X, Lin S, Shi Y, Wang C, Tang Y, Hao J, Yang J, Shen H. Hyperconnectivity of the lateral amygdala in long-term methamphetamine abstainers negatively correlated with withdrawal duration. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1138704. [PMID: 38026924 PMCID: PMC10668120 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1138704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Several studies have reported structural and functional abnormalities of the amygdala caused by methamphetamine addiction. However, it is unknown whether abnormalities in amygdala function persist in long-term methamphetamine abstainers. Methods: In this study, 38 long-term male methamphetamine abstainers (>12 months) and 40 demographically matched male healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Considering the heterogeneous nature of the amygdala structure and function, we chose 4 amygdala subregions (i.e., left lateral, left medial, right lateral, and right medial) as regions of interest (ROI) and compared the ROI-based resting-state functional connectivity (FC) at the whole-brain voxel-wise between the two groups. We explored the relationship between the detected abnormal connectivity, methamphetamine use factors, and the duration of withdrawal using correlation analyses. We also examined the effect of methamphetamine use factors, months of withdrawal, and sociodemographic data on detected abnormal connectivity through multiple linear regressions. Results: Compared with HCs, long-term methamphetamine abstainers showed significant hyperconnectivity between the left lateral amygdala and a continuous area extending to the left inferior/middle occipital gyrus and left middle/superior temporal gyrus. Abnormal connections negatively correlated with methamphetamine withdrawal time (r = -0.85, p < 0.001). The linear regression model further demonstrated that the months of withdrawal could identify the abnormal connectivity (βadj = -0.86, 95%CI: -1.06 to -0.65, p < 0.001). Discussion: The use of methamphetamine can impair the neural sensory system, including the visual and auditory systems, but this abnormal connectivity can gradually recover after prolonged withdrawal of methamphetamine. From a neuroimaging perspective, our results suggest that withdrawal is an effective treatment for methamphetamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Li
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xuhao Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shucai Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Fourth People’s Hospital of Wuhu, Wuhu, Anhui, China
| | - Qiuping Huang
- Department of Applied Psychology, School of Humanities and Management, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Ru Yang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhenjiang Liao
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xinxin Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shuhong Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yongyan Shi
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chenhan Wang
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ying Tang
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jingyue Hao
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hongxian Shen
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Wei Q, Kumar V, Moore S, Li F, Murphy GG, Watson SJ, Akil H. High emotional reactivity is associated with activation of a molecularly distinct hippocampal-amygdala circuit modulated by the glucocorticoid receptor. Neurobiol Stress 2023; 27:100581. [PMID: 37928820 PMCID: PMC10623371 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Emotions are characterized not only by their valence but also by whether they are stable or labile. Yet, we do not understand the molecular or circuit mechanisms that control the dynamic nature of emotional responses. We have shown that glucocorticoid receptor overexpression in the forebrain (GRov) leads to a highly reactive mouse with increased anxiety behavior coupled with greater swings in emotional responses. This phenotype is established early in development and persists into adulthood. However, the neural circuitry mediating this lifelong emotional lability remains unknown. In the present study, optogenetic stimulation in ventral dentate gyrus (vDG) of GRov mice led to a greater range and a prolonged duration of anxiety behavior. cFos expression analysis showed that the amplified behavioral response to vDG activation in GRov mice is coupled to increased neuronal activity in specific brain regions. Relative to wild type mice, GRov mice displayed glutamatergic/GABAergic activation imbalance in ventral CA1 (vCA1) and selectively increased glutamatergic activation in the basal posterior amygdaloid complex. Moreover, forebrain GR overexpression led to increased activation of molecularly distinct subpopulations of neurons within the hippocampus and the posterior basolateral amygdala (pBLA) as evident from the increased cFos co-labeling in the calbindin1+ glutamatergic neurons in vCA1 and in the DARPP-32/Ppp1r1b+ glutamatergic neurons in pBLA. We propose that a molecularly distinct hippocampal-amygdala circuit is shaped by stress early in life and tunes the dynamics of emotional responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Wei
- Corresponding author. Michigan Neuroscience Institute University of Michigan 205 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Vivek Kumar
- Corresponding author. Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, 205 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Shannon Moore
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Fei Li
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Geoffrey G. Murphy
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
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Moscovitch DA, Moscovitch M, Sheldon S. Neurocognitive Model of Schema-Congruent and -Incongruent Learning in Clinical Disorders: Application to Social Anxiety and Beyond. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2023; 18:1412-1435. [PMID: 36795637 PMCID: PMC10623626 DOI: 10.1177/17456916221141351] [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] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Negative schemas lie at the core of many common and debilitating mental disorders. Thus, intervention scientists and clinicians have long recognized the importance of designing effective interventions that target schema change. Here, we suggest that the optimal development and administration of such interventions can benefit from a framework outlining how schema change occurs in the brain. Guided by basic neuroscientific findings, we provide a memory-based neurocognitive framework for conceptualizing how schemas emerge and change over time and how they can be modified during psychological treatment of clinical disorders. We highlight the critical roles of the hippocampus, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and posterior neocortex in directing schema-congruent and -incongruent learning (SCIL) in the interactive neural network that comprises the autobiographical memory system. We then use this framework, which we call the SCIL model, to derive new insights about the optimal design features of clinical interventions that aim to strengthen or weaken schema-based knowledge through the core processes of episodic mental simulation and prediction error. Finally, we examine clinical applications of the SCIL model to schema-change interventions in psychotherapy and provide cognitive-behavior therapy for social anxiety disorder as an illustrative example.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Moscovitch
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Mental Health Research & Treatment, University of Waterloo
| | - Morris Moscovitch
- Rotman Research Institute and Department of Psychology, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto
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Reddy P, Vasudeva J, Shah D, Prajapati JN, Harikumar N, Barik A. A Deep-Learning Driven Investigation of the Circuit Basis for Reflexive Hypersensitivity to Thermal Pain. Neuroscience 2023; 530:158-172. [PMID: 37640138 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.08.023] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Objectively measuring animal behavior is vital to understanding the neural circuits underlying pain. Recent progress in machine vision has presented unprecedented scope in behavioral analysis. Here, we apply DeepLabCut (DLC) to dissect mouse behavior on the thermal-plate test - a commonly used paradigm to ascertain supraspinal contributions to noxious thermal sensation and pain hypersensitivity. We determine the signature characteristics of the pattern of mouse movement and posture in 3D in response to a range of temperatures from innocuous to noxious on the thermal-plate test. Next, we test how acute chemical and chronic inflammatory injuries sensitize mouse behaviors. Repeated exposure to noxious temperatures on the thermal plate can induce learning. In this study, we design a novel assay and formulate an analytical pipeline to facilitate the dissection of plasticity mechanisms in pain circuits in the brain. Last, we record and test how activating Tacr1 expressing PBN neurons (PBNTacr1) - a population responsive to sustained noxious stimuli- affects mouse behavior on the thermal plate test. Taken together, we demonstrate that by tracking a single body part of a mouse, we can reveal the behavioral signatures of mice exposed to noxious surface temperatures, report the alterations of the same when injured, and determine if a molecularly and anatomically defined pain-responsive circuit plays a role in the reflexive hypersensitivity to thermal pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prannay Reddy
- Center for Neuroscience, Division of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Gulmohar Marg, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560012, India
| | - Jayesh Vasudeva
- Center for Neuroscience, Division of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Gulmohar Marg, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560012, India
| | - Devanshi Shah
- Center for Neuroscience, Division of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Gulmohar Marg, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560012, India
| | - Jagat Narayan Prajapati
- Center for Neuroscience, Division of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Gulmohar Marg, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560012, India
| | - Nikhila Harikumar
- Center for Neuroscience, Division of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Gulmohar Marg, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560012, India
| | - Arnab Barik
- Center for Neuroscience, Division of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Gulmohar Marg, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560012, India.
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Décarie-Spain L, Gu C, Lauer LT, Subramanian KS, Chehimi SN, Kao AE, Deng I, Bashaw AG, Klug ME, Galbokke AH, Donohue KN, Yang M, de Lartigue G, Myers KP, Crist RC, Reiner BC, Hayes MR, Kanoski SE. Ventral hippocampus neurons encode meal-related memory. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.10.561731. [PMID: 37873229 PMCID: PMC10592790 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.10.561731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
The ability to encode and retrieve meal-related information is critical to efficiently guide energy acquisition and consumption, yet the underlying neural processes remain elusive. Here we reveal that ventral hippocampus (HPCv) neuronal activity dynamically elevates during meal consumption and this response is highly predictive of subsequent performance in a foraging-related spatial memory task. Targeted recombination-mediated ablation of HPCv meal-responsive neurons impairs foraging-related spatial memory without influencing food motivation, anxiety-like behavior, or escape-mediated spatial memory. These HPCv meal-responsive neurons project to the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) and single-nucleus RNA sequencing and in situ hybridization analyses indicate they are enriched in serotonin 2a receptors (5HT2aR). Either chemogenetic silencing of HPCv-to-LHA projections or intra-HPCv 5HT2aR antagonist yielded foraging-related spatial memory deficits, as well as alterations in caloric intake and the temporal sequence of spontaneous meal consumption. Collective results identify a population of HPCv neurons that dynamically respond to eating to encode meal-related memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Décarie-Spain
- Human & Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Cindy Gu
- Human & Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Logan Tierno Lauer
- Human & Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Keshav S. Subramanian
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Samar N. Chehimi
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Alicia E. Kao
- Human & Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Iris Deng
- Human & Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Alexander G. Bashaw
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Molly E. Klug
- Human & Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Ashyah Hewage Galbokke
- Human & Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Kristen N. Donohue
- Human & Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Mingxin Yang
- Monell Chemical Sense Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | | | - Kevin P. Myers
- Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Richard C. Crist
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Benjamin C. Reiner
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Matthew R. Hayes
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Scott E. Kanoski
- Human & Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
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40
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Gunduz-Cinar O, Castillo LI, Xia M, Van Leer E, Brockway ET, Pollack GA, Yasmin F, Bukalo O, Limoges A, Oreizi-Esfahani S, Kondev V, Báldi R, Dong A, Harvey-White J, Cinar R, Kunos G, Li Y, Zweifel LS, Patel S, Holmes A. A cortico-amygdala neural substrate for endocannabinoid modulation of fear extinction. Neuron 2023; 111:3053-3067.e10. [PMID: 37480845 PMCID: PMC10592324 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Preclinical and clinical studies implicate endocannabinoids (eCBs) in fear extinction, but the underlying neural circuit basis of these actions is unclear. Here, we employed in vivo optogenetics, eCB biosensor imaging, ex vivo electrophysiology, and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in mice to examine whether basolateral amygdala (BLA)-projecting medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) neurons represent a neural substrate for the effects of eCBs on extinction. We found that photoexcitation of mPFC axons in BLA during extinction mobilizes BLA eCBs. eCB biosensor imaging showed that eCBs exhibit a dynamic stimulus-specific pattern of activity at mPFC→BLA neurons that tracks extinction learning. Furthermore, using CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing, we demonstrated that extinction memory formation involves eCB activity at cannabinoid CB1 receptors expressed at vmPFC→BLA synapses. Our findings reveal the temporal characteristics and a neural circuit basis of eCBs' effects on fear extinction and inform efforts to target the eCB system as a therapeutic approach in extinction-deficient neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Gunduz-Cinar
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Laura I Castillo
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Maya Xia
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Elise Van Leer
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Emma T Brockway
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Gabrielle A Pollack
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Farhana Yasmin
- Northwestern Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Olena Bukalo
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Aaron Limoges
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sarvar Oreizi-Esfahani
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Veronika Kondev
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Rita Báldi
- Northwestern Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Ao Dong
- Peking University School of Life Sciences, PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Judy Harvey-White
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Resat Cinar
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Section on Fibrotic Disorders, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - George Kunos
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yulong Li
- Peking University School of Life Sciences, PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Larry S Zweifel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Sachin Patel
- Northwestern Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Andrew Holmes
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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41
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Luis CODS, Pezzoli M, Urrieta E, Ryan TJ. Engram cell connectivity as a mechanism for information encoding and memory function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.21.558774. [PMID: 37790352 PMCID: PMC10542553 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.21.558774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Information derived from experiences is incorporated into the brain as changes to ensembles of cells, termed engram cells, that allow memory storage and recall. The mechanism by which those changes hold specific information is unclear. Here we test the hypothesis that the specific synaptic wiring between engram cells is the substrate of information storage. First, we monitor how learning modifies the connectivity pattern between engram cells at a monosynaptic connection involving the hippocampal vCA1 region and the amygdala. Then, we assess the functional significance of these connectivity changes by artificially activating or inhibiting its presynaptic and postsynaptic components respectively. Finally, we identify a synaptic plasticity mechanism mediated by PSD-95, which impacts the connectivity pattern among engram cells and contributes to the long-term stability of the memory. These findings impact our theory of learning and memory by helping us explain the translation of specific information into engram cells and how these connections shape brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Ortega-de San Luis
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Maurizio Pezzoli
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Esteban Urrieta
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tomás J Ryan
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Child & Brain Development Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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42
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Yang S, Zhu G. Phytotherapy of abnormality of fear memory: A narrative review of mechanisms. Fitoterapia 2023; 169:105618. [PMID: 37482307 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2023.105618] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
It is generally believed that in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the high expression of fear memory is mainly determined by amygdala hyperactivity and hippocampus hypoactivity. In this review, we firstly updated the mechanisms of fear memory, and then searched the experimental evidence of phytotherapy for fear memory in the past five years. Based on the summary of those experimental studies, we further discussed the future research strategies of plant medicines, including the study of the mechanism of specific brain regions, the optimal time for the prevention and treatment of fear memory-related diseases such as PTSD, and the development of new drugs with active components of plant medicines. Accordingly, plant medicines play a clear role in improving fear memory abnormalities and have the drug development potential in the treatment of fear-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaojie Yang
- The Second Affiliation Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230061, China; Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, The Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230012, China
| | - Guoqi Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, The Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230012, China.
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43
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Wang C, You SW, Wang XD. An Open-Field-Based Unimodal Object Recognition Test (OF-UORT) for Assessment of Chronic Stress Effects on Visual and Tactile Unimodal Cognition in Mice. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e881. [PMID: 37699112 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.881] [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] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
The open field (OF) test is a widely used behavioral assay in animal studies to assess locomotion, emotion, and cognition. In open-field-based object recognition tasks, the open arena is equipped with combinations of objects to allow the examination of various aspects of learning and memory. In this article, we provide a protocol for open-field-based unimodal memory tests that assess tactile or visual unimodal cognitive behavior in mice. These tests do not require mice to be restricted from eating or drinking and do not involve aversive stimuli, such as electric shock, high-decibel sound waves, bright light, or forced swimming. Inside the apparatus, mice can freely and spontaneously explore the objects and the environment. Sniffing of, or direct contact with, objects is considered a cognitive exploration of the objects, and the timing and number of such behaviors can be recorded. During the acquisition phase, two identical objects are provided. After an intertrial interval, the retrieval phase is initiated, during which one object is replaced with a new object that is different from the previous one. Decorative clear domes are used prevent direct tactile contact with the objects, whereas infrared illumination is used to block visual information from the objects. By alternating the access to visual or tactile features of the objects in the acquisition and retrieval phases, the experimenters can assess visual or tactile unimodal cognition. Here, we describe our own instrumentation and application for experiments, and demonstrate that the modified device is capable of testing visual or tactile unimodal cognition in mice. Although easy to perform, this task/test can accurately reflect unimodal cognitive performance in mice, which can provide solid and reproducible data support to related studies. © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Validation of the open-field-based unimodal object recognition test Basic Protocol 2: Evaluation of chronic stress effects on unimodal cognition using the open-field-based unimodal cognitive test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Wang
- Department of Pathology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- System Medicine Research Center, Center for Neuroscience, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shi-Wei You
- Department of Biological Science, Zhejiang University College of Life Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Wang
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Psychiatry, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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44
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Autore L, O'Leary JD, Ortega-de San Luis C, Ryan TJ. Adaptive expression of engrams by retroactive interference. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112999. [PMID: 37590145 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-term memories are stored as configurations of neuronal ensembles, termed engrams. Although investigation of engram cell properties and functionality in memory recall has been extensive, less is known about how engram cells are affected by forgetting. We describe a form of interference-based forgetting using an object memory behavioral paradigm. By using activity-dependent cell labeling, we show that although retroactive interference results in decreased engram cell reactivation during recall trials, optogenetic stimulation of the labeled engram cells is sufficient to induce memory retrieval. Forgotten engrams may be reinstated via the presentation of similar or related environmental information. Furthermore, we demonstrate that engram activity is necessary for interference to occur. Taken together, these findings indicate that retroactive interference modules engram expression in a manner that is both reversible and updatable. Inference may constitute a form of adaptive forgetting where, in everyday life, new perceptual and environmental inputs modulate the natural forgetting process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Autore
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - James D O'Leary
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Clara Ortega-de San Luis
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tomás J Ryan
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Child & Brain Development Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), Toronto, ON, Canada.
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45
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Marazziti D, Carmassi C, Cappellato G, Chiarantini I, Massoni L, Mucci F, Arone A, Violi M, Palermo S, De Iorio G, Dell’Osso L. Novel Pharmacological Targets of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1731. [PMID: 37629588 PMCID: PMC10455314 DOI: 10.3390/life13081731] [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: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychopathological condition with a heterogeneous clinical picture that is complex and challenging to treat. Its multifaceted pathophysiology still remains an unresolved question and certainly contributes to this issue. The pharmacological treatment of PTSD is mainly empirical and centered on the serotonergic system. Since the therapeutic response to prescribed drugs targeting single symptoms is generally inconsistent, there is an urgent need for novel pathogenetic hypotheses, including different mediators and pathways. This paper was conceived as a narrative review with the aim of debating the current pharmacological treatment of PTSD and further highlighting prospective targets for future drugs. The authors accessed some of the main databases of scientific literature available and selected all the papers that fulfilled the purpose of the present work. The results showed that most of the current pharmacological treatments for PTSD are symptom-based and show only partial benefits; this largely reflects the limited knowledge of its neurobiology. Growing, albeit limited, data suggests that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, opioids, glutamate, cannabinoids, oxytocin, neuropeptide Y, and microRNA may play a role in the development of PTSD and could be targeted for novel treatments. Indeed, recent research indicates that examining different pathways might result in the development of novel and more efficient drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Marazziti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy (L.D.)
- Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, 00131 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Carmassi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy (L.D.)
| | - Gabriele Cappellato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy (L.D.)
| | - Ilaria Chiarantini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy (L.D.)
| | - Leonardo Massoni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy (L.D.)
| | - Federico Mucci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy (L.D.)
| | - Alessandro Arone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy (L.D.)
| | - Miriam Violi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy (L.D.)
| | - Stefania Palermo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy (L.D.)
| | - Giovanni De Iorio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy (L.D.)
| | - Liliana Dell’Osso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy (L.D.)
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46
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Li Y, Zhi W, Qi B, Wang L, Hu X. Update on neurobiological mechanisms of fear: illuminating the direction of mechanism exploration and treatment development of trauma and fear-related disorders. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1216524. [PMID: 37600761 PMCID: PMC10433239 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1216524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Fear refers to an adaptive response in the face of danger, and the formed fear memory acts as a warning when the individual faces a dangerous situation again, which is of great significance to the survival of humans and animals. Excessive fear response caused by abnormal fear memory can lead to neuropsychiatric disorders. Fear memory has been studied for a long time, which is of a certain guiding effect on the treatment of fear-related disorders. With continuous technological innovations, the study of fear has gradually shifted from the level of brain regions to deeper neural (micro) circuits between brain regions and even within single brain regions, as well as molecular mechanisms. This article briefly outlines the basic knowledge of fear memory and reviews the neurobiological mechanisms of fear extinction and relapse, which aims to provide new insights for future basic research on fear emotions and new ideas for treating trauma and fear-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- College of Education, Hebei University, Baoding, China
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Weijia Zhi
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Qi
- College of Education, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Lifeng Wang
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangjun Hu
- College of Education, Hebei University, Baoding, China
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
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47
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Lee H, Kaang BK. How engram mediates learning, extinction, and relapse. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 81:102723. [PMID: 37030026 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Fear learning ensures survival through an expression of certain behavior as a conditioned fear response. Fear memory is processed and stored in a fear memory circuit, including the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. A gradual decrease in conditioned fear response can be induced by fear extinction, which is mediated through the weakening of the original fear memory traces and the newly formed inhibition of those traces. Fear memory can also recover after extinction, which shows flexible control of the fear memory state. Here, we demonstrate how fear engram, which is a physical substrate of fear memory, changes during fear extinction and relapse by reviewing recent studies regarding engram.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoonwon Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Bong-Kiun Kaang
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, South Korea.
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48
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Guskjolen A, Cembrowski MS. Engram neurons: Encoding, consolidation, retrieval, and forgetting of memory. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3207-3219. [PMID: 37369721 PMCID: PMC10618102 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02137-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Tremendous strides have been made in our understanding of the neurobiological substrates of memory - the so-called memory "engram". Here, we integrate recent progress in the engram field to illustrate how engram neurons transform across the "lifespan" of a memory - from initial memory encoding, to consolidation and retrieval, and ultimately to forgetting. To do so, we first describe how cell-intrinsic properties shape the initial emergence of the engram at memory encoding. Second, we highlight how these encoding neurons preferentially participate in synaptic- and systems-level consolidation of memory. Third, we describe how these changes during encoding and consolidation guide neural reactivation during retrieval, and facilitate memory recall. Fourth, we describe neurobiological mechanisms of forgetting, and how these mechanisms can counteract engram properties established during memory encoding, consolidation, and retrieval. Motivated by recent experimental results across these four sections, we conclude by proposing some conceptual extensions to the traditional view of the engram, including broadening the view of cell-type participation within engrams and across memory stages. In collection, our review synthesizes general principles of the engram across memory stages, and describes future avenues to further understand the dynamic engram.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Guskjolen
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Mark S Cembrowski
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Department of Mathematics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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49
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Sierra RO, Pedraza LK, Barcsai L, Pejin A, Li Q, Kozák G, Takeuchi Y, Nagy AJ, Lőrincz ML, Devinsky O, Buzsáki G, Berényi A. Closed-loop brain stimulation augments fear extinction in male rats. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3972. [PMID: 37407557 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39546-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated fear reactions can result from maladaptive processing of trauma-related memories. In post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychiatric disorders, dysfunctional extinction learning prevents discretization of trauma-related memory engrams and generalizes fear responses. Although PTSD may be viewed as a memory-based disorder, no approved treatments target pathological fear memory processing. Hippocampal sharp wave-ripples (SWRs) and concurrent neocortical oscillations are scaffolds to consolidate contextual memory, but their role during fear processing remains poorly understood. Here, we show that closed-loop, SWR triggered neuromodulation of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) can enhance fear extinction consolidation in male rats. The modified fear memories became resistant to induced recall (i.e., 'renewal' and 'reinstatement') and did not reemerge spontaneously. These effects were mediated by D2 receptor signaling-induced synaptic remodeling in the basolateral amygdala. Our results demonstrate that SWR-triggered closed-loop stimulation of the MFB reward system enhances extinction of fearful memories and reducing fear expression across different contexts and preventing excessive and persistent fear responses. These findings highlight the potential of neuromodulation to augment extinction learning and provide a new avenue to develop treatments for anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Ordoñez Sierra
- MTA-SZTE 'Momentum' Oscillatory Neuronal Networks Research Group, Department of Physiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
| | - Lizeth Katherine Pedraza
- MTA-SZTE 'Momentum' Oscillatory Neuronal Networks Research Group, Department of Physiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
| | - Lívia Barcsai
- MTA-SZTE 'Momentum' Oscillatory Neuronal Networks Research Group, Department of Physiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
- HCEMM-SZTE Magnetotherapeutics Research Group, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
- Neunos Inc, Boston, MA, 02108, USA
| | - Andrea Pejin
- MTA-SZTE 'Momentum' Oscillatory Neuronal Networks Research Group, Department of Physiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
- HCEMM-SZTE Magnetotherapeutics Research Group, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
- Neunos Inc, Boston, MA, 02108, USA
| | - Qun Li
- MTA-SZTE 'Momentum' Oscillatory Neuronal Networks Research Group, Department of Physiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
| | - Gábor Kozák
- MTA-SZTE 'Momentum' Oscillatory Neuronal Networks Research Group, Department of Physiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
| | - Yuichi Takeuchi
- MTA-SZTE 'Momentum' Oscillatory Neuronal Networks Research Group, Department of Physiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Anett J Nagy
- MTA-SZTE 'Momentum' Oscillatory Neuronal Networks Research Group, Department of Physiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
- HCEMM-SZTE Magnetotherapeutics Research Group, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
- Neunos Inc, Boston, MA, 02108, USA
| | - Magor L Lőrincz
- MTA-SZTE 'Momentum' Oscillatory Neuronal Networks Research Group, Department of Physiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Neuroscience, Faculty of Sciences University of Szeged, Szeged, 6726, Hungary
- Neuroscience Division, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Orrin Devinsky
- Department of Neurology, NYU Langone Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - György Buzsáki
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Antal Berényi
- MTA-SZTE 'Momentum' Oscillatory Neuronal Networks Research Group, Department of Physiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary.
- HCEMM-SZTE Magnetotherapeutics Research Group, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary.
- Neunos Inc, Boston, MA, 02108, USA.
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
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50
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Teng SW, Wang XR, Du BW, Chen XL, Fu GZ, Liu YF, Xu SQ, Shuai JC, Chen ZY. Altered fear engram encoding underlying conditioned versus unconditioned stimulus-initiated memory updating. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadf0284. [PMID: 37285430 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf0284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
It is known that post-retrieval extinction but not extinction alone could erase fear memory. However, whether the coding pattern of original fear engrams is remodeled or inhibited remains largely unclear. We found increased reactivation of engram cells in the prelimbic cortex and basolateral amygdala during memory updating. Moreover, conditioned stimulus- and unconditioned stimulus-initiated memory updating depends on the engram cell reactivation in the prelimbic cortex and basolateral amygdala, respectively. Last, we found that memory updating causes increased overlapping between fear and extinction cells, and the original fear engram encoding was altered during memory updating. Our data provide the first evidence to show the overlapping ensembles between fear and extinction cells and the functional reorganization of original engrams underlying conditioned stimulus- and unconditioned stimulus-initiated memory updating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai-Wen Teng
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Xin-Rong Wang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Bo-Wen Du
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Lin Chen
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Guan-Zhou Fu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Yun-Fei Liu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Shu-Qi Xu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Jia-Chen Shuai
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Zhe-Yu Chen
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
- Institute of Brain Science, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, P.R. China
- Institution of Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation Research, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, P.R. China
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