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Beacher NJ, Kuo JY, Targum M, Wang M, Washington KA, Barbera G, Lin DT. A modular, cost-effective, versatile, open-source operant box solution for long-term miniscope imaging, 3D tracking, and deep learning behavioral analysis. MethodsX 2024; 12:102721. [PMID: 38660044 PMCID: PMC11041912 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2024.102721] [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: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In this procedure we have included an open-source method for a customized operant chamber optimized for long-term miniature microscope (miniscope) recordings. •The miniscope box is designed to function with custom or typical med-associates style accessories (e.g., houselights, levers, etc.).•The majority of parts can be directly purchased which minimizes the need for skilled and time-consuming labor.•We include designs and estimated pricing for a single box but it is recommended to build these in larger batches to efficiently utilize bulk ordering of certain components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J. Beacher
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Jessica Y. Kuo
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Miranda Targum
- Penn Memory Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michael Wang
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Kayden A. Washington
- The Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Giovanna Barbera
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Da-Ting Lin
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
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Broomer MC, Beacher NJ, Wang MW, Lin DT. Examining a punishment-related brain circuit with miniature fluorescence microscopes and deep learning. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2024; 11:100154. [PMID: 38680653 PMCID: PMC11044849 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2024.100154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
In humans experiencing substance use disorder (SUD), abstinence from drug use is often motivated by a desire to avoid some undesirable consequence of further use: health effects, legal ramifications, etc. This process can be experimentally modeled in rodents by training and subsequently punishing an operant response in a context-induced reinstatement procedure. Understanding the biobehavioral mechanisms underlying punishment learning is critical to understanding both abstinence and relapse in individuals with SUD. To date, most investigations into the neural mechanisms of context-induced reinstatement following punishment have utilized discrete loss-of-function manipulations that do not capture ongoing changes in neural circuitry related to punishment-induced behavior change. Here, we describe a two-pronged approach to analyzing the biobehavioral mechanisms of punishment learning using miniature fluorescence microscopes and deep learning algorithms. We review recent advancements in both techniques and consider a target neural circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C. Broomer
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Nicholas J. Beacher
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Michael W. Wang
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Da-Ting Lin
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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3
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Lee J, Kwak D, Lee GU, Kim CY, Kim J, Park SH, Choi JH, Lee SQ, Choe HK. Social context modulates multibrain broadband dynamics and functional brain-to-brain coupling in the group of mice. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11439. [PMID: 38769416 PMCID: PMC11106301 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62070-7] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Although mice are social, multiple animals' neural activities are rarely explored. To characterise the neural activities during multi-brain interaction, we simultaneously recorded local field potentials (LFP) in the prefrontal cortex of four mice. The social context and locomotive states predominately modulated the entire LFP structure. The power of lower frequency bands-delta to alpha-were correlated with each other and anti-correlated with gamma power. The high-to-low-power ratio (HLR) provided a useful measure to understand LFP changes along the change of behavioural and locomotive states. The HLR during huddled conditions was lower than that during non-huddled conditions, dividing the social context into two. Multi-brain analyses of HLR indicated that the mice in the group displayed high cross-correlation. The mice in the group often showed unilateral precedence of HLR by Granger causality analysis, possibly comprising a hierarchical social structure. Overall, this study shows the importance of the social environment in brain dynamics and emphasises the simultaneous multi-brain recordings in social neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeongyoon Lee
- Brain Science Research Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42996, Republic of Korea
| | - Damhyeon Kwak
- Department of Brain Sciences, DGIST, Daegu, 42996, Republic of Korea
| | - Gwang Ung Lee
- Department of Brain Sciences, DGIST, Daegu, 42996, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Yeong Kim
- Department of Brain Sciences, DGIST, Daegu, 42996, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihoon Kim
- Department of Brain Sciences, DGIST, Daegu, 42996, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hyun Park
- Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, DGIST, Daegu, 42996, Republic of Korea
| | - Jee Hyun Choi
- Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Q Lee
- Electronics Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), Daejeon, 34129, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA.
| | - Han Kyoung Choe
- Department of Brain Sciences, DGIST, Daegu, 42996, Republic of Korea.
- Convergence Research Advanced Centre for Olfaction, DGIST, Daegu, 42996, Republic of Korea.
- Korean Brain Research Institute (KBRI), Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea.
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Beacher NJ, Washington KA, Zhang Y, Li Y, Lin DT. GRIN lens applications for studying neurobiology of substance use disorder. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 4:100049. [PMID: 36531187 PMCID: PMC9757736 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2022.100049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Substance use disorder (SUD) is associated with severe health and social consequences. Continued drug use results in alterations of circuits within the mesolimbic dopamine system. It is critical to observe longitudinal impacts of SUD on neural activity in vivo to identify SUD predispositions, develop pharmaceuticals to prevent overdose, and help people suffering from SUD. However, implicated SUD associated areas are buried in deep brain which makes in vivo observation of neural activity challenging. The gradient index (GRIN) lens can probe these regions in mice and rats. In this short communications review, we will discuss how the GRIN lens can be coupled with other technologies such as miniaturized microscopes, fiberscopes, fMRI, and optogenetics to fully explore in vivo SUD research. Particularly, GRIN lens allows in vivo observation of deep brain regions implicated in SUD, differentiation of genetically distinct neurons, examination of individual cells longitudinally, correlation of neuronal patters with SUD behavior, and manipulation of neural circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas James Beacher
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kayden Alecsandre Washington
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yan Zhang
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United States
| | - Da-Ting Lin
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Kuo JY, Denman AJ, Beacher NJ, Glanzberg JT, Zhang Y, Li Y, Lin DT. Using deep learning to study emotional behavior in rodent models. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:1044492. [PMID: 36483523 PMCID: PMC9722968 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1044492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantifying emotional aspects of animal behavior (e.g., anxiety, social interactions, reward, and stress responses) is a major focus of neuroscience research. Because manual scoring of emotion-related behaviors is time-consuming and subjective, classical methods rely on easily quantified measures such as lever pressing or time spent in different zones of an apparatus (e.g., open vs. closed arms of an elevated plus maze). Recent advancements have made it easier to extract pose information from videos, and multiple approaches for extracting nuanced information about behavioral states from pose estimation data have been proposed. These include supervised, unsupervised, and self-supervised approaches, employing a variety of different model types. Representations of behavioral states derived from these methods can be correlated with recordings of neural activity to increase the scope of connections that can be drawn between the brain and behavior. In this mini review, we will discuss how deep learning techniques can be used in behavioral experiments and how different model architectures and training paradigms influence the type of representation that can be obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Y. Kuo
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Alexander J. Denman
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Nicholas J. Beacher
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Joseph T. Glanzberg
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yan Zhang
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United States
| | - Da-Ting Lin
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Barbera G, Jun R, Zhang Y, Liang B, Li Y, Lin DT. A miniature fluorescence microscope for multi-plane imaging. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16686. [PMID: 36202883 PMCID: PMC9537509 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21022-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Miniature fluorescence microscopes are becoming an increasingly established tool to investigate neural circuits in freely moving animals. In this work we present a lightweight one-photon microscope capable of imaging at different focal depths. The focal plane can be changed dynamically by modulating the pulse width of the control signal to a variable focus liquid lens, which is synchronized to the image sensor to enable changing focal plane between frames. The system was tested by imaging GCaMP7f expressing neurons in the mouse medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in vivo during open field test. Results showed that with the proposed design it is possible to image neurons across an axial scan of ~ 60 μm, resulting in a ~ 40% increase of total neurons imaged compared to single plane imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Barbera
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
| | - Rachel Jun
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Yan Zhang
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Bo Liang
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, 58202, USA
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 82071, USA
| | - Da-Ting Lin
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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Sortman BW, Gobin C, Rakela S, Cerci B, Warren BL. Prelimbic Ensembles Mediate Cocaine Seeking After Behavioral Acquisition and Once Rats Are Well-Trained. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:920667. [PMID: 36225390 PMCID: PMC9549214 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.920667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic relapsing condition characterized by continued use of drugs despite negative consequences. SUD is thought to involve disordered learning and memory wherein drug-paired cues gain increased salience, and ultimately drive craving and relapse. These types of associations are thought to be encoded within sparsely distributed sets of neurons, called neuronal ensembles, that drive encoded behaviors through synchronous activity of the participant neurons. We have previously found that Fos-expressing neuronal ensembles within the prefrontal cortex are required for well-trained cocaine seeking. However, less is known about how quickly cortical neuronal ensembles form during the initiation of cocaine seeking behavior. Here, we seek to further elucidate the role of Fos-expressing neuronal ensembles within the prelimbic cortex (PL) after the initial acquisition of cocaine self-administration (SA), or, after 10 days of additional SA training (well-trained). We trained Fos-LacZ transgenic rats to lever press for cocaine under an FR1 schedule of reinforcement. Once rats met acquisition criteria for cocaine self-administration, we ablated Fos-expressing neuronal ensembles in the PL using the Daun02 inactivation method, either 1 or 10 days after the rats met the acquisition criteria. Targeted ablation of Fos-expressing neuronal ensembles in the PL attenuated active lever pressing both 1 day and 10 days after rats acquired cocaine self-administration. Together, this suggests that Fos-expressing neuronal ensembles rapidly form in the PL and continue to mediate maintained cocaine seeking behavior.
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Liang B, Thapa R, Zhang G, Moffitt C, Zhang Y, Zhang L, Johnston A, Ruby HP, Barbera G, Wong PC, Zhang Z, Chen R, Lin DT, Li Y. Aberrant Neural Activity in Prefrontal Pyramidal Neurons Lacking TDP-43 Precedes Neuron loss. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 215:102297. [PMID: 35667630 PMCID: PMC9258405 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102297] [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: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Mislocalization of TAR DNA binding protein 43 kDa (TARDBP, or TDP-43) is a principal pathological hallmark identified in cases of neurodegenerative disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). As an RNA binding protein, TDP-43 serves in the nuclear compartment to repress non-conserved cryptic exons to ensure the normal transcriptome. Multiple lines of evidence from animal models and human studies support the view that loss of TDP-43 leads to neuron loss, independent of its cytosolic aggregation. However, the underlying pathogenic pathways driven by the loss-of-function mechanism are still poorly defined. We employed a genetic approach to determine the impact of TDP-43 loss in pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Using a custom-built miniscope imaging system, we performed repetitive in vivo calcium imaging from freely behaving mice for up to 7 months. By comparing calcium activity in PFC pyramidal neurons between TDP-43 depleted and TDP-43 intact mice, we demonstrated remarkably increased numbers of pyramidal neurons exhibiting hyperactive calcium activity after short-term TDP-43 depletion, followed by rapid activity declines prior to neuron loss. Our results suggest aberrant neural activity driven by loss of TDP-43 as the pathogenic pathway at early stage in ALS and FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Liang
- School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, College of Engineering & Mines, University of North Dakota, 243 Centennial Drive Stop 7165, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA.
| | - Rashmi Thapa
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
| | - Gracie Zhang
- Laramie High School, 1710 Boulder Drive, Laramie, WY 82070, USA.
| | - Casey Moffitt
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
| | - Yan Zhang
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
| | - Lifeng Zhang
- School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, College of Engineering & Mines, University of North Dakota, 243 Centennial Drive Stop 7165, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA; Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA; Laramie High School, 1710 Boulder Drive, Laramie, WY 82070, USA; Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 100N. Greene St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Amanda Johnston
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
| | - Hyrum P Ruby
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
| | - Giovanni Barbera
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
| | - Philip C Wong
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Zhaojie Zhang
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
| | - Rong Chen
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 100N. Greene St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Da-Ting Lin
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
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Jun R, Zhang W, Beacher NJ, Zhang Y, Li Y, Lin DT. Dysbindin-1, BDNF, and GABAergic Transmission in Schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:876749. [PMID: 35815020 PMCID: PMC9258742 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.876749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder characterized by hallucinations, anhedonia, disordered thinking, and cognitive impairments. Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to schizophrenia. Dysbindin-1 (DTNBP1) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are both genetic factors associated with schizophrenia. Mice lacking Dtnbp1 showed behavioral deficits similar to human patients suffering from schizophrenia. DTNBP1 plays important functions in synapse formation and maintenance, receptor trafficking, and neurotransmitter release. DTNBP1 is co-assembled with 7 other proteins into a large protein complex, known as the biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles complex-1 (BLOC-1). Large dense-core vesicles (LDCVs) are involved in the secretion of hormones and neuropeptides, including BDNF. BDNF plays important roles in neuronal development, survival, and synaptic plasticity. BDNF is also critical in maintaining GABAergic inhibitory transmission in the brain. Two studies independently showed that DTNBP1 mediated activity-dependent BDNF secretion to maintain inhibitory transmission. Imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory neural activities is thought to contribute to schizophrenia. In this mini-review, we will discuss a potential pathogenetic mechanism for schizophrenia involving DTNBP1, BDNF, and inhibitory transmission. We will also discuss how these processes are interrelated and associated with a higher risk of schizophrenia development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Jun
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Wen Zhang
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Nicholas J Beacher
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yan Zhang
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United States
| | - Da-Ting Lin
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
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