1
|
Wang Y, Zhang C, Zhang Y, Gong H, Li J, Jin H, Li D, Liu D, Sun B. Habenula deep brain stimulation for intractable schizophrenia: a pilot study. Neurosurg Focus 2021; 49:E9. [PMID: 32610295 DOI: 10.3171/2020.4.focus20174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Although antipsychotic medications and electroconvulsive therapy can be used to manage the clinical symptoms of schizophrenia, a substantial portion (10%-30%) of patients do not clinically respond to these treatments or cannot tolerate the side effects. Recently, deep brain stimulation (DBS) has emerged as a promising safe and effective therapeutic intervention for various psychiatric disorders. Here, the authors explore the utility of DBS of the habenula (HB) in the clinical management of 2 young adult male patients with severe, chronic, and treatment-resistant schizophrenia. After HB DBS surgery, both patients experienced improvements in clinical symptoms during the first 6 months of treatment. However, only 1 patient retained the clinical benefits and reached a favorable outcome at 12-month follow-up. The symptoms of the other patient subsequently worsened and became so profound that he needed to be hospitalized at 10-month follow-up and withdrawn from further study participation. It is tentatively concluded that HB DBS could ultimately be a relatively safe and effective surgical intervention for certain patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Wang
- 1Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
| | - Chencheng Zhang
- 1Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
| | - Yingying Zhang
- 1Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
| | - Hengfen Gong
- 2Department of Psychiatry, Pudong Mental Health Center, Shanghai
| | - Jun Li
- 1Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
| | - Haiyan Jin
- 3Department of Psychiatry, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; and
| | - Dianyou Li
- 1Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
| | - Dengtang Liu
- 4First-episode Schizophrenia and Early Psychosis Program, Division of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bomin Sun
- 1Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lee YA, Goto Y. The Habenula in the Link Between ADHD and Mood Disorder. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:699691. [PMID: 34248519 PMCID: PMC8264146 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.699691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a childhood-onset, neurodevelopmental disorder, whereas major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mood disorder that typically emerges in adulthood. Accumulating evidence suggests that these seemingly unrelated psychiatric disorders, whose symptoms even appear antithetical [e.g., psychomotor retardation in depression vs. hyperactivity (psychomotor acceleration) in ADHD], are in fact associated with each other. Thus, individuals with ADHD exhibit high comorbidity with MDD later in life. Moreover, genetic studies have shown substantial overlaps of susceptibility genes between ADHD and MDD. Here, we propose a novel and testable hypothesis that the habenula, the epithalamic brain region important for the regulation of monoamine transmission, may be involved in both ADHD and MDD. The hypothesis suggests that an initially hypoactive habenula during childhood in individuals with ADHD may undergo compensatory changes during development, priming the habenula to be hyperactive in response to stress exposure and thereby increasing vulnerability to MDD in adulthood. Moreover, we propose a new perspective on habenular deficits in psychiatric disorders that consider the habenula a neural substrate that could explain multiple psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Young-A Lee
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Daegu Catholic University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Yukiori Goto
- Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chemogenetic inhibition of lateral habenula projections to the dorsal raphe nucleus reduces passive coping and perseverative reward seeking in rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:1115-1124. [PMID: 31958800 PMCID: PMC7235029 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0616-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The lateral habenula (LHb) processes information about aversive experiences that contributes to the symptoms of stress disorders. Previously, we found that chemogenetic inhibition of rat LHb neurons reduced immobility in the forced swim test, but the downstream target of these neurons was not known. Using an intersectional viral vector strategy, we selectively transduced three different output pathways from the LHb by injecting AAV8-DIO-hM4Di into the LHb and CAV2-CRE (a retrograde viral vector) into one of the three target areas as follows: dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), ventral tegmental area (VTA), or rostromedial tegmentum (RMTg). Using the forced swim test, we found that chemogenetic inhibition of DRN-projecting LHb neurons reduced passive coping (immobility), whereas inhibition of the other pathways did not. Chemogenetic activation of DRN-projecting neurons using hM3Dq in another cohort did not further exacerbate immobility. We next examined the impact of inhibiting DRN-projecting LHb neurons on reward sensitivity, perseverative behavior, and anxiety-like behavior using saccharin preference testing, reward-omission testing, and open-field testing, respectively. There was no effect of inhibiting any of these pathways on reward sensitivity, locomotion, or anxiety-like behavior, but inhibiting DRN-projecting LHb neurons reduced perseverative licking during reward-omission testing, whereas activating these neurons increased perseverative licking. These results support the idea that inhibiting LHb projections to the DRN provides animals with resilience during highly stressful or frustrating conditions but not under low-stress circumstances, and that inhibiting these neurons may promote persistence in active coping strategies.
Collapse
|
4
|
Kádár E, Varela EV, Aldavert-Vera L, Huguet G, Morgado-Bernal I, Segura-Torres P. Arc protein expression after unilateral intracranial self-stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle is upregulated in specific nuclei of memory-related areas. BMC Neurosci 2018; 19:48. [PMID: 30089460 PMCID: PMC6083502 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-018-0449-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Intracranial Self-Stimulation (ICSS) of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) is a deep brain stimulation procedure, which has a powerful enhancement effect on explicit and implicit memory. However, the downstream synaptic plasticity events of MFB-ICSS in memory related areas have not been described thoroughly. This study complements previous work studying the effect of MFB-ICSS on the expression of the activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated (Arc) protein, which has been widely established as a synaptic plasticity marker. We provide new integrated measurements from memory related regions and take possible regional hemispheric differences into consideration. Results Arc protein expression levels were analyzed 4.5 h after MFB-ICSS by immunohistochemistry in the hippocampus, habenula, and memory related amygdalar and thalamic nuclei, in both the ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres to the stimulating electrode location. MFB-ICSS was performed using the same paradigm which has previously been shown to facilitate memory. Our findings illustrate that MFB-ICSS upregulates the expression of Arc protein in the oriens and radiatum layers of ipsilateral CA1 and contralateral CA3 hippocampal regions; the hilus bilaterally, the lateral amygdala and dorsolateral thalamic areas as well as the central medial thalamic nucleus. In contrast, the central amygdala, mediodorsal and paraventricular thalamic nuclei, and the habenular complex did not show changes in Arc expression after MFB-ICSS. Conclusions Our results expand our knowledge of which specific memory related areas MFB-ICSS activates and, motivates the definition of three functionally separate groups according to their Arc-related synaptic plasticity response: (1) the hippocampus and dorsolateral thalamic area, (2) the central medial thalamic area and (3) the lateral amygdala. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12868-018-0449-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabet Kádár
- Departament de Biologia, Universitat de Girona, 17071, Girona, Spain. .,Department of Biology, Sciences Faculty, University of Girona, C/Mª Aurèlia Capmany 40, Camous Montilivi, 17003, Girona, Spain.
| | - Eva Vico Varela
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.,Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Laura Aldavert-Vera
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Huguet
- Departament de Biologia, Universitat de Girona, 17071, Girona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Morgado-Bernal
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pilar Segura-Torres
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Maldonado M, Molfese DL, Viswanath H, Curtis K, Jones A, Hayes TG, Marcelli M, Mediwala S, Baldwin P, Garcia JM, Salas R. The habenula as a novel link between the homeostatic and hedonic pathways in cancer-associated weight loss: a pilot study. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2018; 9:497-504. [PMID: 29575771 PMCID: PMC5989751 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.12286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the brain mechanisms underlying cancer-associated weight loss (C-WL) in humans despite this condition negatively affecting their quality of life and survival. We tested the hypothesis that patients with C-WL have abnormal connectivity in homeostatic and hedonic brain pathways together with altered brain activity during food reward. METHODS In 12 patients with cancer and 12 healthy controls, resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC, resting brain activity observed through changes in blood flow in the brain which creates a blood oxygen level-dependent signal that can be measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging) was used to compare three brain regions hypothesized to play a role in C-WL: the hypothalamus (homeostatic), the nucleus accumbens (hedonic), and the habenula (an important regulator of reward). In addition, the brain reward response to juice was studied. Participants included 12 patients with histological diagnosis of incurable cancer (solid tumours), a European Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2, and a ≥5% involuntary body weight loss from pre-illness over the previous 6 months and 12 non-cancer controls matched for age, sex, and race. RSFC between the hypothalamus, nucleus accumbens, and habenula and brain striatum activity as measured by functional MRI during juice reward delivery events were the main outcome measures. RESULTS After adjusting for BMI and compared with matched controls, patients with C-WL were found to have reduced RSFC between the habenula and hypothalamus (P = 0.04) and between the habenula and nucleus accumbens (P = 0.014). Patients with C-WL also had reduced juice reward responses in the striatum compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS In patients with C-WL, reduced connectivity between both homeostatic and hedonic brain regions and the habenula and reduced juice reward were observed. Further research is needed to establish the relevance of the habenula and striatum in C-WL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maldonado
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, MCL, Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dept. of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - David L Molfese
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Humsini Viswanath
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kaylah Curtis
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ashley Jones
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, MCL, Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dept. of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Teresa G Hayes
- Division of Oncology and Hematology, MCL, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dept. of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Marco Marcelli
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, MCL, Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dept. of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Sanjay Mediwala
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, MCL, Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dept. of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Philip Baldwin
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jose M Garcia
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, MCL, Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dept. of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Puget Sound Health Care System, and Dept. of Medicine, Div. of Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, Univ. of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ramiro Salas
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
The habenula in psychiatric disorders: More than three decades of translational investigation. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 83:721-735. [PMID: 28223096 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Revised: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The habenula is an epithalamic structure located at the center of the dorsal diencephalic conduction system, a pathway involved in linking forebrain to midbrain regions. Composed of a medial and lateral subdivisions, the habenula receives inputs from the limbic system and basal ganglia mainly through the stria medullaris (SM), and projects to midbrain regions through the fasciculus retroflexus (FR). An increasing number of studies have implicated this structure in psychiatric disorders associated with dysregulated reward circuitry function, notably mood disorders, schizophrenia, and substance use disorder. However, despite significant progress in research, the mechanisms underlying the relationship between the habenula and the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders are far from being fully understood, and still need further investigation. This review provides a closer look at key findings from animal and human studies illustrating the role of the habenula in mood disorders, schizophrenia, and substance use disorder, and discusses the clinical potential of using this structure as a therapeutic target.
Collapse
|
7
|
Xie G, Zuo W, Wu L, Li W, Wu W, Bekker A, Ye JH. Serotonin modulates glutamatergic transmission to neurons in the lateral habenula. Sci Rep 2016; 6:23798. [PMID: 27033153 PMCID: PMC4817146 DOI: 10.1038/srep23798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The lateral habenula (LHb) is bilaterally connected with serotoninergic raphe nuclei, and expresses high density of serotonin receptors. However, actions of serotonin on the excitatory synaptic transmission to LHb neurons have not been thoroughly investigated. The LHb contains two anatomically and functionally distinct regions: lateral (LHbl) and medial (LHbm) divisions. We compared serotonin’s effects on glutamatergic transmission across the LHb in rat brains. Serotonin bi-directionally and differentially modulated glutamatergic transmission. Serotonin inhibited glutamatergic transmission in higher percentage of LHbl neurons but potentiated in higher percentage of LHbm neurons. Magnitude of potentiation was greater in LHbm than in LHbl. Type 2 and 3 serotonin receptor antagonists attenuated serotonin’s potentiation. The serotonin reuptake blocker, and the type 2 and 3 receptor agonists facilitated glutamatergic transmission in both LHbl and LHbm neurons. Thus, serotonin via activating its type 2, 3 receptors, increased glutamate release at nerve terminals in some LHb neurons. Our data demonstrated that serotonin affects both LHbm and LHbl. Serotonin might play an important role in processing information between the LHb and its downstream-targeted structures during decision-making. It may also contribute to a homeostatic balance underlying the neural circuitry between the LHb and raphe nuclei.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guiqin Xie
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Wanhong Zuo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Liangzhi Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Wenting Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Alex Bekker
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jiang-Hong Ye
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Integration of neural networks activated by amphetamine in females with different estrogen levels: a functional imaging study in awake rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2015; 56:200-12. [PMID: 25827963 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies demonstrate that schizophrenia symptomatology in women is dependent upon estrogen levels. Estrogen has beneficial properties when administered in conjunction with antipsychotics, and estrogen also alters, in rats, dopamine neurotransmission, which is a common target of all antipsychotic medications, suggesting a possible interaction between the two. The aim of the current study was to investigate this possible interaction using functional magnetic resonance imaging in awake, female rats. Amphetamine-sensitized, ovariectomized rats receiving no, chronic low, or phasic high levels of estradiol replacement were used, and changes in blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal were recorded over time in response to an acute amphetamine injection. Increasing levels of estradiol enhanced BOLD activation in pathways previously known to be implicated in schizophrenia symptomatology, such as the mesocorticolimbic, habenular and olfactory pathways, as well as more widespread areas. We propose here the first comprehensive "amphetamine activation map" integrating brain regions where amphetamine-related BOLD activity is influenced by estrogen levels in sensitized female rats.
Collapse
|
9
|
Bai W, Yi H, Liu T, Wei J, Tian X. Incoordination between spikes and LFPs in Aβ1-42-mediated memory deficits in rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2014; 8:411. [PMID: 25505877 PMCID: PMC4245911 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that gradually induces cognitive deficits. Impairments of working memory have been typically observed in AD. It is well known that spikes and local field potentials (LFPs) as well as the coordination between them encode information in normal brain function. However, the abnormal coordination between spikes and LFPs in the cognitive deficits of AD has remained largely unexplored. As amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) is a causative factor for the cognitive impairments of AD, developing a mechanistic understanding of the contribution of Aβ to cognitive impairments may yield important insights into the pathophysiology of AD. In the present study, we simultaneously recorded spikes and LFPs from multiple electrodes implanted in the prefrontal cortex of rats (control and intra-hippocampal Aβ injection group) that performed a Y-maze working memory task. The information changes in spikes and LFPs during the task were assessed by calculation of entropy. Then the coordination between spikes and LFPs was estimated by the correlation of LFP entropy and spike entropy. Compared with the control group, the Aβ group showed significantly weaker coordination between spikes and LFPs. Our results indicate that the incoordination between spikes and LFPs may provide a potential mechanism for the cognitive deficits in working memory of AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Bai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University Tianjin, China
| | - Hu Yi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University Tianjin, China
| | - Tiaotiao Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University Tianjin, China
| | - Jing Wei
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Tian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Poller WC, Madai VI, Bernard R, Laube G, Veh RW. A glutamatergic projection from the lateral hypothalamus targets VTA-projecting neurons in the lateral habenula of the rat. Brain Res 2013; 1507:45-60. [PMID: 23348378 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2013.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2012] [Revised: 01/12/2013] [Accepted: 01/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Homeostasis describes the fundamental biological ability of individuals to maintain stable internal conditions in a changing environment. Homeostatic reactions include internal adjustments as well as behavioral responses. In vertebrates, behavioral responses are induced by the reward system. This system originates in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and leads to increased dopamine levels in the forebrain whenever activated. A major inhibitor of VTA activity is the lateral habenula (LHb). This epithalamic structure is able to almost completely suppress dopamine release, either directly or via the rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg), when rewarding expectations are not met. A major input to the LHb arises from the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), an important regulator of the homeostatic system. Currently, little is known about the effects of the strong hypothalamic projection on the activity of LHb neurons. In the present study, we analyze neurotransmitters and cellular targets of the LHA-LHb projection in the rat. Therefore, anterograde tracing from the LHA was combined with the visualization of neurotransmitters in the LHb. These experiments revealed a mainly glutamatergic projection, probably exerting excitatory effects on the targeted LHb cells. These cellular targets were analyzed in a second step. Anterograde tracing from the LHA in combination with retrograde tracing from the VTA/RMTg region revealed that LHb neurons projecting to the VTA/RMTg region are densely targeted by the LHA projection. Visualization of synaptophysin at these contact sites indicates that the contact sites indeed are synapses. Taken together, the present study describes a strong mainly glutamatergic projection from the LHA that targets VTA/RMTg-projecting neurons in the LHb. These findings emphasize the potential role of the LHb as direct link between homeostatic areas and reward circuitries, which may be important for the control of homeostatic behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wolfram C Poller
- Institut für Integrative Neuroanatomie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Philippstrasse 12, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Gifuni AJ, Jozaghi S, Gauthier-Lamer AC, Boye SM. Lesions of the lateral habenula dissociate the reward-enhancing and locomotor-stimulant effects of amphetamine. Neuropharmacology 2012; 63:945-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2011] [Revised: 07/11/2012] [Accepted: 07/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
12
|
Poller W, Bernard R, Derst C, Weiss T, Madai V, Veh R. Lateral habenular neurons projecting to reward-processing monoaminergic nuclei express hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotid-gated cation channels. Neuroscience 2011; 193:205-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2011] [Revised: 07/02/2011] [Accepted: 07/06/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
13
|
Regional Distribution and Cell Type-Specific Subcellular Localization of Prothymosin Alpha in Brain. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2011; 32:59-66. [DOI: 10.1007/s10571-011-9734-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2011] [Accepted: 06/27/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
14
|
The habenula: from stress evasion to value-based decision-making. Nat Rev Neurosci 2011; 11:503-13. [PMID: 20559337 DOI: 10.1038/nrn2866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 663] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Surviving in a world with hidden rewards and dangers requires choosing the appropriate behaviours. Recent discoveries indicate that the habenula plays a prominent part in such behavioural choice through its effects on neuromodulator systems, in particular the dopamine and serotonin systems. By inhibiting dopamine-releasing neurons, habenula activation leads to the suppression of motor behaviour when an animal fails to obtain a reward or anticipates an aversive outcome. Moreover, the habenula is involved in behavioural responses to pain, stress, anxiety, sleep and reward, and its dysfunction is associated with depression, schizophrenia and drug-induced psychosis. As a highly conserved structure in the brain, the habenula provides a fundamental mechanism for both survival and decision-making.
Collapse
|
15
|
Bianco IH, Wilson SW. The habenular nuclei: a conserved asymmetric relay station in the vertebrate brain. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2009; 364:1005-20. [PMID: 19064356 PMCID: PMC2666075 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2008.0213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 248] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The dorsal diencephalon, or epithalamus, contains the bilaterally paired habenular nuclei and the pineal complex. The habenulae form part of the dorsal diencephalic conduction (DDC) system, a highly conserved pathway found in all vertebrates. In this review, we shall describe the neuroanatomy of the DDC, consider its physiology and behavioural involvement, and discuss examples of neural asymmetries within both habenular circuitry and the pineal complex. We will discuss studies in zebrafish, which have examined the organization and development of this circuit, uncovered how asymmetry is represented at the level of individual neurons and determined how such left–right differences arise during development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isaac H Bianco
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK.
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Abstract
There is a growing awareness that emotion, motivation, and reward values are important determinants of our behavior. The habenula is uniquely positioned both anatomically and functionally to participate in the circuit mediating some forms of emotive decision making. In the last few years there has been a surge of interest in this structure, especially the lateral habenula (LHb). The new studies suggest that the LHb plays a pivotal role in controlling motor and cognitive behaviors by influencing the activity of dopamine and serotonin neurons. Further, dysfunctions of the LHb have also been implicated in psychiatric disorders, such as depression, schizophrenia, and drug-induced psychosis.
Collapse
|
17
|
Rose JE. Multiple brain pathways and receptors underlying tobacco addiction. Biochem Pharmacol 2007; 74:1263-70. [PMID: 17826746 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2007.07.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2007] [Revised: 07/26/2007] [Accepted: 07/26/2007] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Over the last 20 years much progress has been made in understanding the pharmacologic basis of tobacco addiction. In particular, the role of nicotine in reinforcing smoking behavior has been studied from a variety of perspectives. This article discusses two important aspects of this topic: (1) brain pathways underlying tobacco addiction; and (2) the actions of nicotine at nicotinic cholinergic receptors. Recent evidence will be reviewed indicating that nicotine reinforces smoking behavior by acting on more than one subtype of nicotinic receptor. Similarly, the role of several brain pathways in tobacco addiction will be considered. Tobacco addiction may thus be seen as a complex neuropsychopharmacological disorder; further progress in smoking cessation treatment may require that we address the multiple molecular and brain components of this addiction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jed E Rose
- Center for Nicotine and Smoking Cessation Research, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Lecourtier L, Kelly PH. A conductor hidden in the orchestra? Role of the habenular complex in monoamine transmission and cognition. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2007; 31:658-72. [PMID: 17379307 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2007.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 221] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2006] [Revised: 01/09/2007] [Accepted: 01/21/2007] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Influences of the habenular complex on electrophysiological and neurochemical aspects of brain functioning are well known. However, its role in cognition has been sparsely investigated until recently. The habenular complex, composed of medial and lateral subdivisions, is a node linking the forebrain with midbrain and hindbrain structures. The lateral habenula is the principal actor in this direct dialogue, while the medial habenula mostly conveys information to the interpeduncular nucleus before this modulates further regions. Here we describe neuroanatomical and physiological aspects of the habenular complex, and its role in cognitive processes, including new behavioral, electrophysiological and imaging findings. Habenular complex lesions result in deficits in learning, memory and attention, some of which decline during repeated testing, while others become worse, consistent with multiple roles in cognition. The habenular complex is particularly responsive to feedback about errors. Electrophysiological studies indicate a role in metaplasticity, the modulation of neuroplasticity. These studies thus reveal important roles of the habenular complex in learning, memory and attention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Lecourtier
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, 446 Crawford Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|