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Gomes-de-Souza L, Busnardo C, Santos A, Paz HS, Resstel LB, Planeta CS, Nunes-de-Souza RL, Crestani CC. Functional lateralization in the medial prefrontal cortex control of contextual conditioned emotional responses in rats. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 133:111015. [PMID: 38653363 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111015] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
A functional lateralization has been reported in control of emotional responses by the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). However, a hemisphere asymmetry in involvement of the mPFC in expression of fear conditioning responses has never been reported. Therefore, we investigated whether control by mPFC of freezing and cardiovascular responses during re-exposure to an aversively conditioned context is lateralized. For this, rats had guide cannulas directed to the mPFC implanted bilaterally or unilaterally in the right or left hemispheres. Vehicle or the non-selective synaptic inhibitor CoCl2 was microinjected into the mPFC 10 min before re-exposure to a chamber where the animals had previously received footshocks. A catheter was implanted into the femoral artery before the fear retrieval test for cardiovascular recordings. We observed that bilateral microinjection of CoCl2 into the mPFC reduced both the freezing behavior (enhancing locomotion and rearing) and arterial pressure and heart rate increases during re-exposure to the aversively conditioned context. Unilateral microinjection of CoCl2 into the right hemisphere of the mPFC also decreased the freezing behavior (enhancing locomotion and rearing), but without affecting the cardiovascular changes. Conversely, unilateral synaptic inhibition in the left mPFC did not affect either behavioral or cardiovascular responses during fear retrieval test. Taken together, these results suggest that the right hemisphere of the mPFC is necessary and sufficient for expression of freezing behavior to contextual fear conditioning. However, the control of cardiovascular responses and freezing behavior during fear retrieval test is somehow dissociated in the mPFC, being the former bilaterally processed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Gomes-de-Souza
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Busnardo
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Adrielly Santos
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Higor S Paz
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Leonardo B Resstel
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Cleopatra S Planeta
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Ricardo L Nunes-de-Souza
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos C Crestani
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, SP, Brazil.
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Schaeuble D, Wallace T, Pace SA, Hentges ST, Myers B. Sex-specific prefrontal-hypothalamic control of behavior and stress responding. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 159:106413. [PMID: 37890240 PMCID: PMC10842088 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Depression and cardiovascular disease are both augmented by daily life stress. Yet, the biological mechanisms that translate psychological stress into affective and physiological outcomes are unknown. Previously, we demonstrated that stimulation of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) has sexually divergent outcomes on behavior and physiology. Importantly, the vmPFC does not innervate the brain regions that initiate autonomic or neuroendocrine stress responses; thus, we hypothesized that intermediate synapses integrate cortical information to regulate stress responding. The posterior hypothalamus (PH) directly innervates stress-effector regions and receives substantial innervation from the vmPFC. In the current studies, circuit-specific approaches examined whether vmPFC synapses in the PH coordinate stress responding. Here we tested the effects of optogenetic vmPFC-PH circuit stimulation in male and female rats on social and motivational behaviors as well as physiological stress responses. Additionally, an intersectional genetic approach was used to knock down synaptobrevin in PH-projecting vmPFC neurons. Our collective results indicate that male vmPFC-PH circuitry promotes positive motivational valence and is both sufficient and necessary to reduce sympathetic-mediated stress responses. In females, the vmPFC-PH circuit does not affect social or preference behaviors but is sufficient and necessary to elevate neuroendocrine stress responses. Altogether, these data suggest cortical regulation of stress reactivity and behavior is mediated, in part, by projections to the hypothalamus that function in a sex-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek Schaeuble
- Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Tyler Wallace
- Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Sebastian A Pace
- Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Shane T Hentges
- Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Brent Myers
- Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
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Pan Y, Mou Q, Huang Z, Chen S, Shi Y, Ye M, Shao M, Wang Z. Chronic social defeat alters behaviors and neuronal activation in the brain of female Mongolian gerbils. Behav Brain Res 2023; 448:114456. [PMID: 37116662 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114456] [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: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Chronic social defeat has been found to be stressful and to affect many aspects of the brain and behaviors in males. However, relatively little is known about its effects on females. In the present study, we examined the effects of repeated social defeat on social approach and anxiety-like behaviors as well as the neuronal activation in the brain of sexually naïve female Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Our data indicate that repeated social defeats for 20 days reduced social approach and social investigation, but increased risk assessment or vigilance to an unfamiliar conspecific. Such social defeat experience also increased anxiety-like behavior and reduced locomotor activity. Using ΔFosB-immunoreactive (ΔFosB-ir) staining as a marker of neuronal activation in the brain, we found significant elevations by social defeat experience in the density of ΔFosB-ir stained neurons in several brain regions, including the prelimbic (PL) and infralimbic (IL) subnuclei of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), CA1 subfields (CA1) of the hippocampus, central subnuclei of the amygdala (CeA), the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), dorsomedial nucleus (DMH), and ventrolateral subdivision of the ventromedial nucleus (VMHvl) of the hypothalamus. As these brain regions have been implicated in social behaviors and stress responses, our data suggest that the specific patterns of neuronal activation in the brain may relate to the altered social and anxiety-like behaviors following chronic social defeat in female Mongolian gerbils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongliang Pan
- Key Laboratory of Vector Biology and Pathogen Control of Zhejiang Province, Huzhou Central Hospital, Huzhou University, Huzhou 313000, China.
| | - Qiuyue Mou
- Key Laboratory of Vector Biology and Pathogen Control of Zhejiang Province, Huzhou Central Hospital, Huzhou University, Huzhou 313000, China
| | - Zhexue Huang
- Key Laboratory of Vector Biology and Pathogen Control of Zhejiang Province, Huzhou Central Hospital, Huzhou University, Huzhou 313000, China
| | - Senyao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Vector Biology and Pathogen Control of Zhejiang Province, Huzhou Central Hospital, Huzhou University, Huzhou 313000, China
| | - Yilei Shi
- Key Laboratory of Vector Biology and Pathogen Control of Zhejiang Province, Huzhou Central Hospital, Huzhou University, Huzhou 313000, China
| | - Mengfan Ye
- Key Laboratory of Vector Biology and Pathogen Control of Zhejiang Province, Huzhou Central Hospital, Huzhou University, Huzhou 313000, China
| | - Mingqin Shao
- College of Life Science, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330022, China
| | - Zuoxin Wang
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
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Uliana DL, Diniz CRAF, da Silva LA, Borges-Assis AB, Lisboa SF, Resstel LBM. Contextual fear expression engages a complex set of interactions between ventromedial prefrontal cortex cholinergic, glutamatergic, nitrergic and cannabinergic signaling. Neuropharmacology 2023; 232:109538. [PMID: 37024011 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Rats re-exposed to an environment previously associated with the onset of shocks evoke a set of conditioned defensive responses in preparation to an eventual flight or fight reaction. Ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) is mutually important for controlling the behavioral/physiological consequences of stress exposure and the one's ability to satisfactorily undergo spatial navigation. While cholinergic, cannabinergic and glutamatergic/nitrergic neurotransmissions within the vmPFC are shown as important for modulating both behavioral and autonomic defensive responses, there is a gap on how these systems would interact to ultimately coordinate such conditioned reactions. Then, males Wistar rats had guide cannulas bilaterally implanted to allow drugs to be administered in vmPFC 10 min before their re-exposure to the conditioning chamber where three shocks were delivered at the intensity of 0.85 mA for 2 s two days ago. A femoral catheter was implanted for cardiovascular recordings the day before fear retrieval test. It was found that the increment of freezing behavior and autonomic responses induced by vmPFC infusion of neostigmine (acetylcholinesterase inhibitor) were prevented by prior infusion of a transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) antagonist, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist, neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, nitric oxide scavenger and soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor. A type 3 muscarinic receptor antagonist was unable to prevent the boosting in conditioned responses triggered by a TRPV1 agonist and a cannabinoid receptors type 1 antagonist. Altogether, our results suggest that expression of contextual conditioned responses involves a complex set of signaling steps comprising different but complementary neurotransmitter pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Lescano Uliana
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Campus USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | | | - Leandro Antero da Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Campus USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | | | - Sabrina Francesca Lisboa
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Campus USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil; Department of Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Campus USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-9034, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology for Translational Medicine, Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, Brasília, Brazil.
| | - Leonardo Barbosa Moraes Resstel
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Campus USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology for Translational Medicine, Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, Brasília, Brazil.
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5
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Lagatta DC, Fassini A, Terzian AL, Corrêa FMA, Resstel LBM. The medial prefrontal cortex and the cardiac baroreflex activity: physiological and pathological implications. Pflugers Arch 2023; 475:291-307. [PMID: 36695881 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-022-02786-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The cardiac baroreflex is an autonomic neural mechanism involved in the modulation of the cardiovascular system. It influences the heart rate and peripheral vascular resistance to preserve arterial blood pressure within a narrow variation range. This mechanism is mainly controlled by medullary nuclei located in the brain stem. However, supramedullary areas, such as the ventral portion of medial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC), are also involved. Particularly, the glutamatergic NMDA/NO pathway in the vMPFC can facilitate baroreflex bradycardic and tachycardic responses. In addition, cannabinoid receptors in this same area can reduce or increase those cardiac responses, possibly through alteration in glutamate release. This vMPFC network has been associated to cardiovascular responses during stressful situations. Recent results showed an involvement of glutamatergic, nitrergic, and endocannabinoid systems in the blood pressure and heart rate increases in animals after aversive conditioning. Consequently, baroreflex could be modified by the vMPFC neurotransmission during stressful situations, allowing necessary cardiovascular adjustments. Remarkably, some mental, neurological and neurodegenerative disorders can involve damage in the vMPFC, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and neuropathic pain. These pathologies are also associated with alterations in glutamate/NO release and endocannabinoid functions along with baroreflex impairment. Thus, the vMPFC seems to play a crucial role on the baroreflex control, either during pathological or physiological stress-related responses. The study of baroreflex mechanism under such pathological view may be helpful to establish causality mechanisms for the autonomic and cardiovascular imbalance found in those conditions. It can explain in the future the reasons of the high cardiovascular risk some neurological and neurodegenerative disease patients undergo. Additionally, the present work offers insights on the possible contributions of vMPFC dysfunction on baroreflex alterations, which, in turn, may raise questions in what extent other brain areas may play a role in autonomic deregulation under such pathological situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davi C Lagatta
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, MS, 79070-900, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Aline Fassini
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14090-900, Brazil
| | - Ana L Terzian
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14090-900, Brazil
| | - Fernando M A Corrêa
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14090-900, Brazil
| | - Leonardo B M Resstel
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14090-900, Brazil.
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research On Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
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Chen X, Xu L, Li Z. Autonomic Neural Circuit and Intervention for Comorbidity Anxiety and Cardiovascular Disease. Front Physiol 2022; 13:852891. [PMID: 35574459 PMCID: PMC9092179 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.852891] [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: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorder is a prevalent psychiatric disease and imposes a significant influence on cardiovascular disease (CVD). Numerous evidence support that anxiety contributes to the onset and progression of various CVDs through different physiological and behavioral mechanisms. However, the exact role of nuclei and the association between the neural circuit and anxiety disorder in CVD remains unknown. Several anxiety-related nuclei, including that of the amygdala, hippocampus, bed nucleus of stria terminalis, and medial prefrontal cortex, along with the relevant neural circuit are crucial in CVD. A strong connection between these nuclei and the autonomic nervous system has been proven. Therefore, anxiety may influence CVD through these autonomic neural circuits consisting of anxiety-related nuclei and the autonomic nervous system. Neuromodulation, which can offer targeted intervention on these nuclei, may promote the development of treatment for comorbidities of CVD and anxiety disorders. The present review focuses on the association between anxiety-relevant nuclei and CVD, as well as discusses several non-invasive neuromodulations which may treat anxiety and CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanzhao Chen
- The Center of Pathological Diagnosis and Research, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, General Hospital of Central Theater Command, Wuhan, China
| | - Zeyan Li
- The Center of Pathological Diagnosis and Research, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
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Schaeuble D, Myers B. Cortical–Hypothalamic Integration of Autonomic and Endocrine Stress Responses. Front Physiol 2022; 13:820398. [PMID: 35222086 PMCID: PMC8874315 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.820398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence and severity of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are exacerbated by chronic stress exposure. While stress-induced sympathetic activity and elevated glucocorticoid secretion impair cardiovascular health, the mechanisms by which stress-responsive brain regions integrate autonomic and endocrine stress responses remain unclear. This review covers emerging literature on how specific cortical and hypothalamic nuclei regulate cardiovascular and neuroendocrine stress responses. We will also discuss the current understanding of the cellular and circuit mechanisms mediating physiological stress responses. Altogether, the reviewed literature highlights the current state of stress integration research, as well unanswered questions about the brain basis of CVD risk.
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Forstenpointner J, Elman I, Freeman R, Borsook D. The Omnipresence of Autonomic Modulation in Health and Disease. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 210:102218. [PMID: 35033599 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is a critical part of the homeostatic machinery with both central and peripheral components. However, little is known about the integration of these components and their joint role in the maintenance of health and in allostatic derailments leading to somatic and/or neuropsychiatric (co)morbidity. Based on a comprehensive literature search on the ANS neuroanatomy we dissect the complex integration of the ANS: (1) First we summarize Stress and Homeostatic Equilibrium - elucidating the responsivity of the ANS to stressors; (2) Second we describe the overall process of how the ANS is involved in Adaptation and Maladaptation to Stress; (3) In the third section the ANS is hierarchically partitioned into the peripheral/spinal, brainstem, subcortical and cortical components of the nervous system. We utilize this anatomical basis to define a model of autonomic integration. (4) Finally, we deploy the model to describe human ANS involvement in (a) Hypofunctional and (b) Hyperfunctional states providing examples in the healthy state and in clinical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Forstenpointner
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, SH, Germany.
| | - Igor Elman
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Roy Freeman
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David Borsook
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Departments of Psychiatry and Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation (DNAm) have been associated with stress responses and increased vulnerability to depression. Abnormal DNAm is observed in stressed animals and depressed individuals. Antidepressant treatment modulates DNAm levels and regulates gene expression in diverse tissues, including the brain and the blood. Therefore, DNAm could be a potential therapeutic target in depression. Here, we reviewed the current knowledge about the involvement of DNAm in the behavioural and molecular changes associated with stress exposure and depression. We also evaluated the possible use of DNAm changes as biomarkers of depression. Finally, we discussed current knowledge limitations and future perspectives.
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Yang SS, Mack NR, Shu Y, Gao WJ. Prefrontal GABAergic Interneurons Gate Long-Range Afferents to Regulate Prefrontal Cortex-Associated Complex Behaviors. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:716408. [PMID: 34322002 PMCID: PMC8313241 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.716408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Prefrontal cortical GABAergic interneurons (INs) and their innervations are essential for the execution of complex behaviors such as working memory, social behavior, and fear expression. These behavior regulations are highly dependent on primary long-range afferents originating from the subcortical structures such as mediodorsal thalamus (MD), ventral hippocampus (vHPC), and basolateral amygdala (BLA). In turn, the regulatory effects of these inputs are mediated by activation of parvalbumin-expressing (PV) and/or somatostatin expressing (SST) INs within the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Here we review how each of these long-range afferents from the MD, vHPC, or BLA recruits a subset of the prefrontal interneuron population to exert precise control of specific PFC-dependent behaviors. Specifically, we first summarize the anatomical connections of different long-range inputs formed on prefrontal GABAergic INs, focusing on PV versus SST cells. Next, we elaborate on the role of prefrontal PV- and SST- INs in regulating MD afferents-mediated cognitive behaviors. We also examine how prefrontal PV- and SST- INs gate vHPC afferents in spatial working memory and fear expression. Finally, we discuss the possibility that prefrontal PV-INs mediate fear conditioning, predominantly driven by the BLA-mPFC pathway. This review will provide a broad view of how multiple long-range inputs converge on prefrontal interneurons to regulate complex behaviors and novel future directions to understand how PFC controls different behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha-Sha Yang
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States,Institute for Translational Brain Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nancy R. Mack
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Yousheng Shu
- Institute for Translational Brain Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Jun Gao
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States,*Correspondence: Wen-Jun Gao,
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Uliana DL, Antero LS, Borges-Assis AB, Rosa J, Vila-Verde C, Lisboa SF, Resstel LB. Differential modulation of the contextual conditioned emotional response by CB1 and TRPV1 receptors in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex: Possible involvement of NMDA/nitric oxide-related mechanisms. J Psychopharmacol 2020; 34:1043-1055. [PMID: 32638638 DOI: 10.1177/0269881120928201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blockade of cannabinoid CB1 or vanilloid TRPV1 receptors in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex of rats respectively increases or decreases the conditioned emotional response during re-exposure to a context previously paired with footshocks. Although these mechanisms are unknown, they may involve local modulation of glutamatergic and nitrergic signaling. AIM We investigated whether these mechanisms are involved in the reported effects of CB1 and TRPV1 modulation in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. METHODS Freezing behavior and autonomic parameters were recorded during the conditioned response expression. RESULTS The CB1 receptors antagonist NIDA, or the TRPV1 agonist capsaicin (CPS) in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex increased the conditioned emotional response expression, and these effects were prevented by TRPV1 and CB1 antagonism, respectively. The increased conditioned emotional response evoked by NIDA and CPS were prevented by an NMDA antagonist or a neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. A nitric oxide scavenger or a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor prevented only the NIDA effects and the CPS effect was prevented by a non-selective antioxidant drug, as nitric oxide can also induce reactive oxygen species production. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that CB1 and TRPV1 receptors in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex differently modulate the expression of conditioned emotional response through glutamatergic and nitrergic mechanisms, although different pathways may be involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela L Uliana
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leandro S Antero
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anna B Borges-Assis
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jessica Rosa
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carla Vila-Verde
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sabrina F Lisboa
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology for Translational Medicine, Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Bm Resstel
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology for Translational Medicine, Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, Brasília, Brazil
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12
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Fortaleza EAT, Busnardo C, Fassini A, Belém-Filho IJA, Almeida-Pereira G, Antunes-Rodrigues J, Morgan Aguiar Corrêa F. Mechanisms involved in the cardiovascular effects caused by acute osmotic stimulation in conscious rats. Stress 2020; 23:221-232. [PMID: 31451018 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2019.1660771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Both the autonomic nervous system and the neuroendocrine system are activated by osmotic stimulation (OS) evoking cardiovascular effects. The current study investigated the mechanisms involved in the cardiovascular responses evoked by an acute osmotic stimulus with intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of either isotonic (0.15 M NaCl) or hypertonic saline (0.6 M NaCl) in conscious rats. Hypertonic saline increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) for 30 min, as well as plasma osmolality and sodium content. Urinary sodium and urinary volume were also increased. Pretreatment with the ganglion blocker pentolinium (i.v.) did not affect the pressor response, but significantly decreased the tachycardic response caused by OS. Pretreatment with the V1-vasopressin receptor antagonist dTyr(CH2)5(Me)AVP (i.v.) reduced the pressor response, without affecting the tachycardic response evoked by the hypertonic OS. Neither the pressor nor the tachycardic response to OS was affected by pretreatment with either the oxytocin receptor antagonist atosiban or the α1-antagonist prazosin. Pretreatment with the β1-antagonist atenolol had no effect on the pressor response, but markedly decreased the tachycardic response evoked by OS. Results indicate that i.p. hypertonic OS-evoked pressor response is mediated by the release of vasopressin, with a minor influence of the vascular sympathetic input.LAY SUMMARYIncreased plasma osmolality, such as that observed during dehydration or salt intake, is a potent stimulus yielding to marked cardiovascular and neuroendocrine responses. The intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of hypertonic saline solution is a commonly used animal model to cause a sustained increase in plasma osmolality, leading to a cardiovascular response characterized by sustained blood pressure and heart increases, whose systemic mechanisms were presently studied. Our findings indicate that the pressor response to the i.p. osmotic stimulus (OS) is mediated mainly by the release of vasopressin into the blood circulation with a minor or even the noninvolvement of the vascular sympathetic nervous system, whereas activation of the sympathetic-cardiac system mediates the tachycardic response to OS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cristiane Busnardo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aline Fassini
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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13
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Zhang X, Ye X, Cheng R, Li Q, Xiao Z. An Emergent Discriminative Learning Is Elicited During Multifrequency Testing. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:1244. [PMID: 31824246 PMCID: PMC6881306 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In auditory-conditioned fear learning, the freezing response is independent of the sound frequencies used, but the frequency of the conditioned sound is considered distinct from those of unrelated sounds based on electrophysiological responses in the auditory system. Whether an emergent discriminative learning underlies auditory fear conditioning and which nuclei and pathways are involved in it remain unclear. Using behavioral and electrophysiological assays, we found that the response of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) neurons to a conditioned auditory stimulus (CS) was enhanced relative to the response to unrelated frequencies (UFs) after auditory fear conditioning, and mice could distinguish the CS during multifrequency testing, a phenomenon called emergent discriminative learning. After silencing the mPFC with muscimol, emergent discriminative learning was blocked. In addition, the pure tone responses of mPFC neurons were inhibited after injection of lidocaine in the ipsilateral primary auditory cortex (A1), and the emergent discriminative learning was blocked by silencing both sides of A1 with muscimol. This study, therefore, provides evidence for an emergent discriminative learning mediated by mPFC and A1 neurons after auditory fear conditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingui Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianhua Ye
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Cheng
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhongju Xiao
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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14
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Firmino EMS, Kuntze LB, Lagatta DC, Dias DPM, Resstel LBM. Effect of chronic stress on cardiovascular and ventilatory responses activated by both chemoreflex and baroreflex in rats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:jeb.204883. [PMID: 31558591 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.204883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Chronic stress results in physiological and somatic changes. It has been recognized as a risk factor for several types of cardiovascular dysfunction and changes in autonomic mechanisms, such as baroreflex and chemoreflex activity. However, the effects of different types of chronic stress on these mechanisms are still poorly understood. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated, in adult male rats, the effect of repeated restraint stress (RRS) or chronic variable stress (CVS) on baroreflex, chemoreflex and heart rate variability in a protocol of 14 days of stress sessions. Exposure to RRS and CVS indicated no changes in the basal level of either arterial pressure or heart rate. However, RRS and CVS were able to attenuate sympathovagal modulation and spontaneous baroreflex gain. Additionally, only RRS was able to increase the power of the low-frequency band of the systolic blood pressure spectrum, as well as the slope of linear regression of baroreflex bradycardic and tachycardic responses induced by vasoactive compounds. Additionally, our study is one of the first to show that exposure to RRS and CVS decreases the magnitude of the pressor response and potentiates respiratory responses to chemoreflex activation, which can trigger cardiovascular and respiratory pathologies. Furthermore, the basal respiratory parameters, such as minute ventilation and tidal volume, were significantly decreased by both protocols of chronic stress. However, only CVS increased the basal respiratory frequency. In this way, the findings of the present study demonstrate the impact of chronic stress in terms of not only depressive-like behavior but also alterations of the autonomic baroreflex responses and cardiocirculatory variability (systolic blood pressure and pulse interval).Our results provide evidence that chronic stress promotes autonomic dysregulation, and impairment of baroreflex, chemoreflex and heart rate variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egidi Mayara Silva Firmino
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14090-090, Brazil
| | - Luciana Bärg Kuntze
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14090-090, Brazil
| | - Davi Campos Lagatta
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14090-090, Brazil
| | | | - Leonardo Barbosa Moraes Resstel
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14090-090, Brazil
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15
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Ginty AT, Kraynak TE, Kuan DC, Gianaros PJ. Ventromedial prefrontal cortex connectivity during and after psychological stress in women. Psychophysiology 2019; 56:e13445. [PMID: 31376163 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) integrates sensory, affective, memory-related, and social information from diverse brain systems to coordinate behavioral and peripheral physiological responses according to contextual demands that are appraised as stressful. However, the functionality of the vmPFC during stressful experiences is not fully understood. Among 40 female participants, the present study evaluated (a) functional connectivity of the vmPFC during exposure to and recovery following an acute psychological stressor, (b) associations among vmPFC functional connectivity, heart rate, and subjective reports of stress across individuals, and (c) whether patterns of vmPFC functional connectivity were associated with distributed brain networks. Results showed that psychological stress increased vmPFC functional connectivity with individual brain areas implicated in stressor processing (e.g., insula, amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex) and decreased connectivity with the posterior cingulate cortex and thalamus. There were no statistical differences in vmPFC connectivity to individual brain areas during recovery, as compared with baseline. Spatial similarity analyses revealed stressor-evoked increased connectivity of the vmPFC with the so-called dorsal attention, ventral attention, and frontoparietal networks, as well as decreased connectivity with the default mode network. During recovery, vmPFC connectivity increased with the frontoparietal network. Finally, individual differences in heart rate and perceived stress were associated with vmPFC connectivity to the ventral attention, frontoparietal, and default mode networks. Psychological stress appears to alter network-level functional connectivity of the vmPFC in a manner that further relates to individual differences in stressor-evoked cardiovascular and affective reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie T Ginty
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas
| | - Thomas E Kraynak
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Dora C Kuan
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Peter J Gianaros
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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16
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Lisboa SF, Vila-Verde C, Rosa J, Uliana DL, Stern CAJ, Bertoglio LJ, Resstel LB, Guimaraes FS. Tempering aversive/traumatic memories with cannabinoids: a review of evidence from animal and human studies. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:201-226. [PMID: 30604182 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-5127-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Aversive learning and memory are essential to cope with dangerous and stressful stimuli present in an ever-changing environment. When this process is dysfunctional, however, it is associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The endocannabinoid (eCB) system has been implicated in synaptic plasticity associated with physiological and pathological aversive learning and memory. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS The objective of this study was to review and discuss evidence on how and where in the brain genetic or pharmacological interventions targeting the eCB system would attenuate aversive/traumatic memories through extinction facilitation in laboratory animals and humans. The effect size of the experimental intervention under investigation was also calculated. RESULTS Currently available data indicate that direct or indirect activation of cannabinoid type-1 (CB1) receptor facilitates the extinction of aversive/traumatic memories. Activating CB1 receptors around the formation of aversive/traumatic memories or their reminders can potentiate their subsequent extinction. In most cases, the effect size has been large (Cohen's d ≥ 1.0). The brain areas responsible for the abovementioned effects include the medial prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and/or hippocampus. The potential role of cannabinoid type-2 (CB2) receptors in extinction learning is now under investigation. CONCLUSION Drugs augmenting the brain eCB activity can temper the impact of aversive/traumatic experiences by diverse mechanisms depending on the moment of their administration. Considering the pivotal role the extinction process plays in PTSD, the therapeutic potential of these drugs is evident. The sparse number of clinical trials testing these compounds in stress-related disorders is a gap in the literature that needs to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina F Lisboa
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FMRP/USP), Av Bandeirantes 3900, Monte Alegre, 14049900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. .,Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
| | - C Vila-Verde
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FMRP/USP), Av Bandeirantes 3900, Monte Alegre, 14049900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - J Rosa
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FMRP/USP), Av Bandeirantes 3900, Monte Alegre, 14049900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - D L Uliana
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FMRP/USP), Av Bandeirantes 3900, Monte Alegre, 14049900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - C A J Stern
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - L J Bertoglio
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil
| | - L B Resstel
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FMRP/USP), Av Bandeirantes 3900, Monte Alegre, 14049900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - F S Guimaraes
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FMRP/USP), Av Bandeirantes 3900, Monte Alegre, 14049900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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17
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Deactivation of the prefrontal cortex during exposure to pleasantly-charged emotional challenge. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14540. [PMID: 30266925 PMCID: PMC6162331 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32752-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Our laboratory reported that facial skin blood flow may serve as a sensitive tool to assess an emotional status and that both prefrontal oxygenation (as index of regional cerebral blood flow) and facial skin blood flow decrease during positively-charged emotional stimulation, without changing hand skin blood flow and arterial pressure. However, the focal location of the prefrontal responses in concentration of oxygenated haemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) that correlate with peripheral autonomic reaction remained unknown. This study was undertaken using 22-channel near-infrared spectroscopy to reveal spatial distribution of the responses in Oxy-Hb within the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during emotionally-charged audiovisual stimulation. Pleasantly-charged (comedy) stimulation caused a substantial decrease of Oxy-Hb in all regions of the PFC in 18 subjects, especially in the rostroventral frontopolar PFC, whereas negatively-charged (horror) or neutral stimulation (landscape) exhibited a weaker decrease or insignificant change in the prefrontal Oxy-Hb. In the rostral parts of the dorsolateral and ventral frontopolar PFC, the oxygenation response during comedy stimulation exhibited the most significant positive correlation with the decrease in facial skin blood flow. Thus the rostral regions of the PFC play a role in recognition and regulation of positive emotion and may be linked with neurally-mediated vasoconstriction of facial skin blood vessels.
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18
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Rea K, McGowan F, Corcoran L, Roche M, Finn DP. The prefrontal cortical endocannabinoid system modulates fear-pain interactions in a subregion-specific manner. Br J Pharmacol 2018; 176:1492-1505. [PMID: 29847859 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The emotional processing and coordination of top-down responses to noxious and conditioned aversive stimuli involves the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Evidence suggests that subregions of the mPFC [infralimbic (IfL), prelimbic (PrL) and anterior cingulate (ACC) cortices] differentially alter the expression of contextually induced fear and nociceptive behaviour. We investigated the role of the endocannabinoid system in the IfL, PrL and ACC in formalin-evoked nociceptive behaviour, fear-conditioned analgesia (FCA) and conditioned fear in the presence of nociceptive tone. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH FCA was modelled in male Lister-hooded rats by assessing formalin-evoked nociceptive behaviour in an arena previously paired with footshock. The effects of intra-mPFC administration of AM251 [cannabinoid type 1 (CB1 ) receptor antagonist/inverse agonist], URB597 [fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor] or URB597 + AM251 on FCA and freezing behaviour were assessed. KEY RESULTS AM251 attenuated FCA when injected into the IfL or PrL and reduced contextually induced freezing behaviour when injected intra-IfL but not intra-PrL or intra-ACC. Intra-ACC administration of AM251 alone or in combination with URB597 had no effect on FCA or freezing. URB597 attenuated FCA and freezing behaviour when injected intra-IfL, prolonged the expression of FCA when injected intra-PrL and had no effect on these behaviours when injected intra-ACC. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These results suggest important and differing roles for FAAH substrates or CB1 receptors in the PrL, IfL and ACC in the expression of FCA and conditioned fear in the presence of nociceptive tone. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on 8th European Workshop on Cannabinoid Research. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.10/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran Rea
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.,Galway Neuroscience Centre and Centre for Pain Research, NCBES, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Fiona McGowan
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.,Galway Neuroscience Centre and Centre for Pain Research, NCBES, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Louise Corcoran
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.,Galway Neuroscience Centre and Centre for Pain Research, NCBES, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Michelle Roche
- Physiology, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.,Galway Neuroscience Centre and Centre for Pain Research, NCBES, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - David P Finn
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.,Galway Neuroscience Centre and Centre for Pain Research, NCBES, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
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19
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Matsukawa K, Endo K, Asahara R, Yoshikawa M, Kusunoki S, Ishida T. Prefrontal oxygenation correlates to the responses in facial skin blood flows during exposure to pleasantly charged movie. Physiol Rep 2018; 5:5/21/e13488. [PMID: 29122959 PMCID: PMC5688780 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.13488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Our laboratory reported that facial skin blood flow may serve as a sensitive tool to assess an emotional status. Cerebral neural correlates during emotional interventions should be sought in relation to the changes in facial skin blood flow. To test the hypothesis that prefrontal activity has positive relation to the changes in facial skin blood flow during emotionally charged stimulation, we examined the dynamic changes in prefrontal oxygenation (with near‐infrared spectroscopy) and facial skin blood flows (with two‐dimensional laser speckle and Doppler flowmetry) during emotionally charged audiovisual challenges for 2 min (by viewing comedy, landscape, and horror movie) in 14 subjects. Hand skin blood flow and systemic hemodynamics were simultaneously measured. The extents of pleasantness and consciousness for each emotional stimulus were estimated by subjective rating from −5 (the most unpleasant; the most unconscious) to +5 (the most pleasant; the most conscious). Positively charged emotional stimulation (comedy) simultaneously decreased (P < 0.05) prefrontal oxygenation and facial skin blood flow, whereas negatively charged (horror) or neutral (landscape) emotional stimulation did not alter or slightly decreased them. Any of hand skin blood flow and systemic cardiovascular variables did not change significantly during positively charged emotional stimulation. The changes in prefrontal oxygenation had a highly positive correlation with the changes in facial skin blood flow without altering perfusion pressure, and they were inversely correlated with the subjective rating of pleasantness. The reduction in prefrontal oxygenation during positively charged emotional stimulation suggests a decrease in prefrontal neural activity, which may in turn elicit neurally mediated vasoconstriction of facial skin blood vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanji Matsukawa
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kana Endo
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Ryota Asahara
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Miho Yoshikawa
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Shinya Kusunoki
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Tomoko Ishida
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
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20
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Levin N, Kritman M, Maroun M, Akirav I. Differential roles of the infralimbic and prelimbic areas of the prefrontal cortex in reconsolidation of a traumatic memory. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2017. [PMID: 28647452 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Studies about reconsolidation of conditioned fear memories have shown that pharmacological manipulation at memory reactivation can attenuate or enhance the subsequent expression of the conditioned fear response. Here we examined the effects of a single injection of the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin (Rap) into the infralimbic (IL) and prelimbic (PL) areas [which compose the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (PFC)] on reconsolidation and extinction of a traumatic fear memory. We found opposite effects of Rap infused into the PL and IL on reconsolidation and extinction: intra-PL Rap and systemic Rap impaired reconsolidation and facilitated extinction whereas intra-IL Rap enhanced reconsolidation and impaired extinction. These effects persisted at least 10 days after reactivation. Shock exposure induced anxiety-like behavior and impaired working memory and intra-IL and -PL Rap normalized these effects. Finally, when measured after fear retrieval, shocked rats exhibited reduced and increased phosphorylated p70s6K levels in the IL and basolateral amygdala, respectively. No effect on phosphorylated p70s6K levels was observed in the PL. The study points to the differential roles of the IL and PL in memory reconsolidation and extinction. Moreover, inhibiting mTOR via rapamycin following reactivation of a fear memory may be a novel approach in attenuating enhanced fear memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natali Levin
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Milly Kritman
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Mouna Maroun
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Irit Akirav
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel.
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21
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Almeida-Santos AF, Moreira FA, Guimaraes FS, Aguiar DC. 2-Arachidonoylglycerol endocannabinoid signaling coupled to metabotropic glutamate receptor type-5 modulates anxiety-like behavior in the rat ventromedial prefrontal cortex. J Psychopharmacol 2017; 31:740-749. [PMID: 28440729 DOI: 10.1177/0269881117704986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
2-Arachidonoylglycerol and anandamide are the main endocannabinoids, which act through cannabinoid type-1 and type-2 receptors. Among its many functions, anandamide modulates anxiety-like behaviors in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. The role of 2-arachidonoylglycerol in this region, however, has remained unclear. Here, we verified whether intra- ventromedial prefrontal cortex injection of 2-arachidonoylglycerol or URB602, a monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor (responsible for 2-arachidonoylglycerol hydrolysis), induce anxiolytic-like effects in Wistar rats. Since activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor type 5 promotes diacylglycerol lipase-α-mediated 2-arachidonoylglycerol synthesis, we also verified if the blockade of this receptor impairs the anxiolytic-like effect induced by URB 602. 2-Arachidonoylglycerol reduced anxiety-like response in rats exposed to the Elevated Plus Maze test, an effect mimicked by URB602. Cannabinoid type-1 and type-2 receptor antagonists prevented these effects. The pre-treatment with an ineffective dose of MPEP, a metabotropic glutamate receptor type 5 antagonist, also attenuated the anxiolytic-like effect of URB602. Moreover, immunofluorescence microscopy revealed co-expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor type 5 and diacylglycerol lipase-α in several neurons in slices from the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Altogether, our results implicate 2-arachidonoylglycerol and both cannabinoid receptors on anxiety-related behaviors mediated by ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Further, these data support a role for the coupling between metabotropic glutamate receptor type 5 activation and 2-arachidonoylglycerol signalling as a mechanism modulating aversive responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana F Almeida-Santos
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Fabricio A Moreira
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Francisco S Guimaraes
- 2 Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,3 Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Daniele C Aguiar
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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22
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Fassini A, Resstel LBM, Corrêa FMA. Prelimbic cortex GABA A receptors are involved in the mediation of restraint stress-evoked cardiovascular responses. Stress 2016; 19:576-584. [PMID: 27582393 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2016.1231177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress is a response of the organism to homeostasis-threatening stimuli and is coordinated by two main neural systems: the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and the autonomic nervous system. Acute restraint stress (RS) is a model of unavoidable stress, which is characterized by autonomic responses including an increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), as well as a drop in tail temperature. The prelimbic cortex (PL) has been implicated in the modulation of functional responses caused by RS. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of PL GABAergic neurotransmission in the modulation of autonomic changes induced by RS. Bilateral microinjection of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline methiodide into the PL reduced pressor and tachycardic responses evoked by RS, in a dose-dependent manner, without affecting the tail temperature drop evoked by RS. In order to investigate which peripheral autonomic effector modulated the reduction in RS-cardiovascular responses caused by the blockade of PL GABAA receptors, rats were intravenously pretreated with either atenolol or homatropine methylbromide. The blockade of the cardiac sympathetic nervous system with atenolol blunted the reducing effect of PL treatment with bicuculline methiodide on RS-evoked pressor and tachycardic responses. The blockade of the parasympathetic nervous system with homatropine methylbromide, regardless of affecting the beginning of the tachycardic response, did not impact on the reduction of RS-evoked tachycardic and pressor responses caused by the PL treatment with bicuculline methiodide. The present results indicate that both cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic activities are involved in the reduction of RS-evoked cardiovascular responses evidenced after the blockade of PL GABAA receptors by bicuculline methiodide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Fassini
- a Department of Pharmacology of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Leonardo B M Resstel
- a Department of Pharmacology of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Fernando M A Corrêa
- a Department of Pharmacology of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , São Paulo , Brazil
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23
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Corticolimbic regulation of cardiovascular responses to stress. Physiol Behav 2016; 172:49-59. [PMID: 27793557 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Revised: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of death worldwide, is frequently initiated or exacerbated by stress. In fact, chronic stress exposure and heightened reactions to acute psychological stress are both associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity. This brief review focuses on the mechanisms by which corticolimbic nuclei, critical for stress appraisal and emotional reactivity, regulate heart rate and blood pressure responses to psychological stress. Both human and rodent data are examined with a major emphasis on basic studies investigating prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus. A detailed literature review reveals substantial limitations in our understanding of this circuitry, as well as significant opportunities for future investigation that may ultimately reduce the burden of cardiovascular illness.
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Dorsal hippocampus cannabinoid type 1 receptors modulate the expression of contextual fear conditioning in rats: Involvement of local glutamatergic/nitrergic and GABAergic neurotransmissions. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2016; 26:1579-89. [PMID: 27591981 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2016.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) is highly expressed in the dorsal portion of hippocampus - a brain region that has been involved in the control of conditioned emotional response (CER) in the contextual fear conditioning (CFC) model. These responses are characterized by increased freezing behavior and autonomic parameters. Moreover, CB1 receptors activation negatively modulate the release of several neurotransmitters, including glutamate and GABA, which also have been related to modulation of CER. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the involvement of CB1 receptors in the dorsal hippocampus on CER expression. Independent groups of male Wistar rats submitted to the contextual fear conditioning received bilateral intra-hippocampal injections (500 nL/side) of the following drugs or vehicle before re-exposure to the aversive context: AM251 (CB1 antagonist; 0.1, 0.3 and 1nmol); AP7 (NMDA antagonist; 1nmol)+AM251 (0.3nmol); NPLA (0.01nmol; nNOS inhibitor)+AM251 (0.3nmol); Bicuculline (1.3pmol; GABAA antagonist)+AM251 (0.1 and 1nmol). In the present paper, AM251 (0.3nmol) increased CER, while this response was prevented by both AP7 and NPLA pretreatment. After pretreatment with Bicuculline, the lower and higher ineffective doses of AM251 were able to increase the CER, supporting the balance between GABAergic and glutamatergic mechanisms controlling this response. Our results suggest that increased CER evoked by CB1 blockade in the dorsal hippocampus depends on NMDA receptor activation and NO formation. Moreover, a fine-tune control promoted by GABAergic and glutamatergic mechanisms in this brain area modulate the CER after CB1 blockade.
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Kutlu MG, Tumolo JM, Holliday E, Garrett B, Gould TJ. Acute nicotine enhances spontaneous recovery of contextual fear and changes c-fos early gene expression in infralimbic cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 23:405-14. [PMID: 27421892 PMCID: PMC4947235 DOI: 10.1101/lm.042655.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Exposure therapy, which focuses on extinguishing fear-triggering cues and contexts, is widely used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Yet, PTSD patients who received successful exposure therapy are vulnerable to relapse of fear response after a period of time, a phenomenon known as spontaneous recovery (SR). Increasing evidence suggests ventral hippocampus, basolateral amygdala, and infralimbic cortex may be involved in SR. PTSD patients also show high rates of comorbidity with nicotine dependence. While the comorbidity between smoking and PTSD might suggest nicotine may alter SR, the effects of nicotine on SR of contextual fear are unknown. In the present study, we tested the effects of acute nicotine administration on SR of extinguished contextual fear memories and c-fos immediate early gene immunohistochemistry in mice. Our results demonstrated that acute nicotine enhanced SR of extinguished fear whereas acute nicotine did not affect retrieval of unextinguished contextual memories. This suggests that the effect of acute nicotine on SR is specific for memories that have undergone extinction treatment. C-fos immunoreactive (IR) cells in the ventral hippocampus and basolateral amygdala were increased in the nicotine-treated mice following testing for SR, whereas the number of IR cells in the infralimbic cortex was decreased in the same group. Overall, this study suggests that nicotine may adversely affect context-specific relapse of fear memories and this effect is potentially mediated by the suppression of cortical regions and increased activity in the ventral hippocampus and amygdala.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munir G Kutlu
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience Program, Weiss Hall, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, USA
| | - Jessica M Tumolo
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience Program, Weiss Hall, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, USA
| | - Erica Holliday
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience Program, Weiss Hall, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, USA
| | - Brendan Garrett
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience Program, Weiss Hall, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, USA
| | - Thomas J Gould
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience Program, Weiss Hall, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, USA
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Diniz CR, Casarotto PC, Joca SR. NMDA-NO signaling in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus time-dependently modulates the behavioral responses to forced swimming stress. Behav Brain Res 2016; 307:126-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.03.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Antidepressant-like effect of cannabidiol injection into the ventral medial prefrontal cortex—Possible involvement of 5-HT1A and CB1 receptors. Behav Brain Res 2016; 303:218-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Vila-Verde C, Marinho ALZ, Lisboa SF, Guimarães FS. Nitric oxide in the prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex is involved in the anxiogenic-like effect induced by acute restraint stress in rats. Neuroscience 2016; 320:30-42. [PMID: 26812037 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.01.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 01/02/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neurons containing the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) enzyme are located in brain areas related to defensive behavior, such as the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC). Rats exposed to a live predator (a cat) present anxiety-like behavior and an increased number of nNOS-positive neurons in this brain area one-week later. Moreover, stress-related behavioral changes in rodents can be prevented by systemic or local vMPFC nNOS inhibition. In the present study we investigated if acute restraint stress (RS)-induced delayed (one-week) anxiogenic-like effect was associated with increased nNOS expression or activity in the vMPFC. Furthermore, we also tested if local pharmacological nNOS inhibition would prevent stress-induced behavioral changes. Male Wistar rats were submitted to RS for 3h and tested in the elevated plus maze (EPM) 24h or 7 days later. Two hours after the EPM test, their brains were removed, processed and nNOS expression in the vMPFC was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Another group of animals was used for measuring NO metabolites (NOx; an indirect measure of NOS activity) immediately after the EPM test, 24h after RS. Independent groups had guide cannula implanted bilaterally into the prelimbic (PL) portion of vMPFC. Five to six days after surgery, the animals were submitted to RS and 24h later received local administration of the nNOS inhibitor, N-propyl-l-arginine (NPLA; 0.04 nmol). They were tested in the EPM 10 min later. RS-induced anxiogenic-like effect was accompanied by increased nNOS expression in the PL (p<0.05), but not in the infralimbic (IL) vMPFC, both 24h and 7 days after RS. Moreover, open-arm exploration of the EPM was negatively correlated with nNOS expression (p<0.05) and NOx levels (p<0.05) in the PL. The anxiogenic-like effect observed 24h after RS was prevented by NPLA (p<0.05). Our results suggest that RS-induced anxiogenic-like effect might depend on increased nNOS-mediated signaling in the PL MPFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Vila-Verde
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - A L Z Marinho
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - S F Lisboa
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - F S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, Brazil
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Fedoce AG, Ferreira-Junior NC, Reis DG, Corrêa FMA, Resstel LBM. M3 muscarinic receptor in the ventral medial prefrontal cortex modulating the expression of contextual fear conditioning in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:267-80. [PMID: 26518024 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-4109-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Basal forebrain cholinergic neurons modulate the activation of cortical neurons by several stimuli such as fear and anxiety. However, the role of the muscarinic receptor in the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) in the modulation of the conditioned emotional response (CER) evoked in the model contextual conditioned fear remains unclear. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that inhibition of the muscarinic receptor in ventral MPFC modulates CER observed during animal's re-exposure to the aversive context. METHODS Rats implanted with cannulae aimed at the prelimbic (PL) or the infralimbic (IL) were submitted to a high-intensity contextual fear conditioning protocol. Before the test session, they received microinjections of the hemicholinium (choline reuptake blocker), atropine (muscarinic antagonist), J104129 fumarate (M1-M3 muscarinic antagonists), pirenzepine (M1 muscarinic antagonist), neostigmine (inhibitor acetylcholinesterase enzyme), or the systemic administration of the FG7142 (inverse benzodiazepine agonist). Additional independent groups received the neostigmine or FG7142 before the ineffective doses of J104129 fumarate in the low-intensity protocol of contextual fear conditioning. RESULTS In the high-intensity protocol, the administration of hemicholinium (1 nmol), atropine (0.06-6 nmol), J104129 fumarate (6 nmol), or pirenzepine (6 nmol) attenuated the expression of CER in rats. However, in the low-intensity protocol, only J10129 fumarate (0.06 nmol) reduced the expression of the CER. Finally, neostigmine (0.1-1 nmol) or FG7142 (8 mg/Kg) increased CER expression, an effect inhibited by the low dose of the J10129 fumarate. CONCLUSIONS These results indicated that the blockade of M3 muscarinic receptor in the vMPFC attenuates the CER expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Fedoce
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, CEP: 14049-900, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil.,Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - N C Ferreira-Junior
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, CEP: 14049-900, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil.,Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - D G Reis
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, CEP: 14049-900, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil.,Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - F M A Corrêa
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, CEP: 14049-900, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - L B M Resstel
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, CEP: 14049-900, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil. .,Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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Lagatta DC, Ferreira-Junior NC, Resstel LBM. Medial prefrontal cortex TRPV1 channels modulate the baroreflex cardiac activity in rats. Br J Pharmacol 2015; 172:5377-89. [PMID: 26360139 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2015] [Revised: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The ventral portion of the medial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC) comprises the infralimbic (IL), prelimbic (PL) and dorsopenducular (DP) cortices. The IL and PL regions facilitate the baroreceptor reflex arc. This facilitatory effect on the baroreflex is thought to be mediated by vMPFC glutamatergic transmission, through NMDA receptors. The glutamatergic transmission can be modulated by other neurotransmitters, such as the endocannabinoids, which are agonists of the TRPV1 receptor. TRPV1 channels facilitate glutamatergic transmission in the brain. Thus, we hypothesized that TRPV1 receptors in the vMPFC enhance the cardiac baroreflex response. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Stainless steel guide cannulae were bilaterally implanted into the vMPFC of male Wistar rats. Afterwards, a catheter was inserted into the femoral artery, for recording MAP and HR, and into the femoral vein for assessing baroreflex activation. KEY RESULTS Microinjections of the TRPV1 receptor antagonists capsazepine and 6-iodo-nordihydrocapsaicin (6-IODO) into the vMPFC reduced the cardiac baroreflex activity in unanaesthetized rats. Capsaicin microinjected into the vMPFC increased the cardiac baroreflex activity in unanaesthetized rats. When an ineffective dose of the TRPV1 receptor antagonist 6-IODO was used, the capsaicin-induced increase in the cardiac baroreflex response was abolished. The higher doses of capsaicin administered into the vMPFC after the ineffective dose of 6-IODO displaced the dose-response curve of the baroreflex parameters to the right, with no alteration in the maximum effect of capsaicin. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The results of the present study show that stimulation of the TRPV1 receptors in the vMPFC increases the cardiac baroreceptor reflex response.
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Affiliation(s)
- D C Lagatta
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - N C Ferreira-Junior
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - L B M Resstel
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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31
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Antidepressant-like effects induced by NMDA receptor blockade and NO synthesis inhibition in the ventral medial prefrontal cortex of rats exposed to the forced swim test. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015; 232:2263-73. [PMID: 25589143 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3853-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 12/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Systemic treatment with NMDA receptor (NMDAR) antagonists, inhibitors of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) or of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), induce antidepressant-like effects in rats. Increased levels of glutamate and nitric oxide (NO) in the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) of stressed animals have been described in the literature. However, the role of the NMDAR-nNOS-sGC pathway of the MPFC in the mediation of forced swim-induced behaviors remains unclear. OBJECTIVE The aim of this work was to test the hypothesis that the inhibition of the NMDAR-nNOS-sGC pathway in the ventral MPFC (infralimbic (IL) or prelimbic (PL)) would elicit antidepressant-like effects in the forced swim test (FST). METHODS Rats implanted with cannulae aimed at the PL or the IL were exposed to the FST and injected with LY235959 (NMDAR antagonist), NPA (nNOS inhibitor), ODQ (sGC inhibitor), or carboxy-PTIO (NO scavenger). Additional groups received the AMPA antagonist, NBQX, before the effective doses of LY235959 or NPA. RESULTS LY235959 administration into PL or IL before the FS pretest produced no effects. Administration of LY235959 (3 and 10 nmol/0.2 μL) after pretest was effective only when administered into the PL. However, the administration of NPA (0.01 nmol/0.2 μL), c-PTIO (1.0 nmol/0.2 μL), and ODQ (1.0 nmol/0.2 μL) into the PL or IL before the FST produced antidepressant-like effects. NBQX blocked the antidepressant-like effect of LY235959 but not of NPA. CONCLUSION Blocking NMDAR or NO signaling in the vMPFC, either in the IL or the PL, induces antidepressant-like effects in the rat FST. These effects seemingly occur through independent mechanisms, since NBQX blocked the former effect but not the latter.
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Fassini A, Scopinho AA, Resstel LBM, Corrêa FMA. κ-Opioid receptors in the infralimbic cortex modulate the cardiovascular responses to acute stress. Exp Physiol 2015; 100:377-87. [DOI: 10.1113/expphysiol.2014.084020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aline Fassini
- Department of Pharmacology of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto; University of São Paulo; Ribeirão Preto São Paulo Brazil
| | - América A. Scopinho
- Department of Pharmacology of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto; University of São Paulo; Ribeirão Preto São Paulo Brazil
| | - Leonardo B. M. Resstel
- Department of Pharmacology of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto; University of São Paulo; Ribeirão Preto São Paulo Brazil
| | - Fernando M. A. Corrêa
- Department of Pharmacology of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto; University of São Paulo; Ribeirão Preto São Paulo Brazil
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Oxytocin microinjected into the central amygdaloid nuclei exerts anti-aggressive effects in male rats. Neuropharmacology 2015; 90:74-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2014] [Revised: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Fassini A, Antero LS, Corrêa FMA, Joca SR, Resstel LBM. The prelimbic cortex muscarinic M₃ receptor-nitric oxide-guanylyl cyclase pathway modulates cardiovascular responses in rats. J Neurosci Res 2015; 93:830-8. [PMID: 25594849 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Revised: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The prelimbic cortex (PL), a limbic structure, sends projections to areas involved in the control of cardiovascular responses. Stimulation of the PL with acetylcholine (ACh) evokes depressor and tachycardiac responses mediated by local PL muscarinic receptors. Early studies demonstrated that stimulation of muscarinic receptors induced nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and cyclic guanosine cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) formation. Hence, this study investigates which PL muscarinic receptor subtype is involved in the cardiovascular response induced by ACh and tests the hypothesis that cardiovascular responses caused by muscarinic receptor stimulation in the PL are mediated by local NO and cGMP formation. PL pretreatment with J104129 (an M3 receptor antagonist) blocked the depressor and tachycardiac response evoked by injection of ACh into the PL. Pretreatment with either pirenzepine (an M1 receptor antagonist) or AF-DX 116 (an M2 and M4 receptor antagonist) did not affect cardiovascular responses evoked by ACh. Moreover, similarly to the antagonism of PL M3 receptors, pretreatment with N(ω)-propyl-L-arginine (an inhibitor of neuronal NO synthase), carboxy-PTIO(S)-3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenylglicine (an NO scavenger), or 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolol-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (a guanylate cyclase inhibitor) blocked both the depressor and the tachycardiac response evoked by ACh. The current results demonstrate that cardiovascular responses evoked by microinjection of ACh into the PL are mediated by local activation of the M3 receptor-NO-guanylate cyclase pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Fassini
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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Medial prefrontal cortex serotonergic and GABAergic mechanisms modulate the expression of contextual fear: Intratelencephalic pathways and differential involvement of cortical subregions. Neuroscience 2015; 284:988-997. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2014] [Revised: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 11/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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36
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Hui YP, Wang T, Han LN, Li LB, Sun YN, Liu J, Qiao HF, Zhang QJ. Anxiolytic effects of prelimbic 5-HT1A receptor activation in the hemiparkinsonian rat. Behav Brain Res 2015; 277:211-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.04.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2014] [Revised: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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37
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The expression of contextual fear conditioning involves activation of a NMDA receptor-nitric oxide-cGMP pathway in the dorsal hippocampus of rats. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2014; 24:1676-86. [PMID: 25174523 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2014.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2014] [Revised: 07/30/2014] [Accepted: 08/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The dorsal portion of the hippocampus is a limbic structure that is involved in fear conditioning modulation in rats. Moreover, evidence shows that the local dorsal hippocampus glutamatergic system, nitric oxide (NO) and cGMP modulate behavioral responses during aversive situations. Therefore, the present study investigated the involvement of dorsal hippocampus NMDA receptors and the NO/cGMP pathway in contextual fear conditioning expression. Male Wistar rats were submitted to an aversive contextual conditioning session and 48 h later they were re-exposed to the aversive context in which freezing, cardiovascular responses (increase of both arterial pressure and heart rate) and decrease of tail temperature were recorded. The intra-dorsal hippocampus administration of the NMDA receptor antagonist AP7, prior to the re-exposure to the aversive context, attenuated fear-conditioned responses. The re-exposure to the context evoked an increase in NO concentration in the dorsal hippocampus of conditioned animals. Similar to AP7 administration, we observed a reduction of contextual fear conditioning after dorsal hippocampus administration of either the neuronal NO synthase inhibitor N-propyl-L-arginine, the NO scavenger c-PTIO or the guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ. Therefore, the present findings suggest the possible existence of a dorsal hippocampus NMDA/NO/cGMP pathway modulating the expression of contextual fear conditioning in rats.
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VanElzakker MB, Dahlgren MK, Davis FC, Dubois S, Shin LM. From Pavlov to PTSD: the extinction of conditioned fear in rodents, humans, and anxiety disorders. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2014; 113:3-18. [PMID: 24321650 PMCID: PMC4156287 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2013.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 305] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2013] [Revised: 10/31/2013] [Accepted: 11/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Nearly 100 years ago, Ivan Pavlov demonstrated that dogs could learn to use a neutral cue to predict a biologically relevant event: after repeated predictive pairings, Pavlov's dogs were conditioned to anticipate food at the sound of a bell, which caused them to salivate. Like sustenance, danger is biologically relevant, and neutral cues can take on great salience when they predict a threat to survival. In anxiety disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), this type of conditioned fear fails to extinguish, and reminders of traumatic events can cause pathological conditioned fear responses for decades after danger has passed. In this review, we use fear conditioning and extinction studies to draw a direct line from Pavlov to PTSD and other anxiety disorders. We explain how rodent studies have informed neuroimaging studies of healthy humans and humans with PTSD. We describe several genes that have been linked to both PTSD and fear conditioning and extinction and explain how abnormalities in fear conditioning or extinction may reflect a general biomarker of anxiety disorders. Finally, we explore drug and neuromodulation treatments that may enhance therapeutic extinction in anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B VanElzakker
- Tufts University Psychology, 490 Boston Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry, 149 Thirteenth Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
| | - M Kathryn Dahlgren
- Tufts University Psychology, 490 Boston Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry, 149 Thirteenth Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - F Caroline Davis
- Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry, 149 Thirteenth Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Stacey Dubois
- Tufts University Psychology, 490 Boston Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Lisa M Shin
- Tufts University Psychology, 490 Boston Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry, 149 Thirteenth Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
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Fajemiroye JO, Amaral NO, da Silva EF, Galdino PM, de Oliveira TS, Ghedini PC, Zjawiony JK, Costa EA, Pedrino GR, Menegatti R. Hypotensive and antihypertensive potential of 4-[(1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl) methyl]1-piperazine carboxylic acid ethyl ester: a piperazine derivative. Life Sci 2014; 112:90-6. [PMID: 25072354 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2014.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2014] [Revised: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 07/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Clinical complaints on the first-line of cardiovascular medications make continuous search for new drugs a necessity. This study evaluated the cardiovascular effects and mechanism of 4-[(1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]1-piperazine carboxylic acid ethyl ester (LQFM008). MAIN METHODS Normotensive male Wistar or spontaneously hypertensive rats (anesthetized or conscious) were used to evaluate the effect of LQFM008 on the mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), arterial blood flow (ABF), arterial vascular conductance (AVC), baroreflex effectiveness index (BI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and vascular function. KEY FINDINGS In anesthetized normotensive rats, LQFM008 (7.3, 14.3 or 28.6 μmol/kg, i.v.) reduced MAP (-21.1±2.7; -23.9±4.7 or -32.4±8.3 mmHg, respectively) and AVC (22%, 32% or 38%) in a dose-dependent manner. LQFM008 elicited a temporal reduction in the SBP and DBP without changes to the BI of conscious normotensive rats. In hypertensive rats, LQFM008 (7.3, 14.3 or 28.6 μmol/kg, i.v.) reduced MAP (-2.3±2.6; -29.3±2.7 or -38.4±2.8 mmHg, respectively) and increased HR (1.6±3.7; 15.4±4.9 or 25.5±6.2 bmp, respectively) in a dose-dependent manner. A week of oral administration of LQFM008 47.7 μmol/kg elicited a temporal reduction in SBP of hypertensive rats. Pretreatments with atropine, WAY-100635 or L-NAME blocked the effect of LQFM008. In addition, LQFM008-induced endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation was inhibited by L-NAME. SIGNIFICANCE Our findings showed hypotensive, antihypertensive and vasorelaxant effects of LQFM008 and suggest the participation of nitric oxide, 5-HT1A and muscarinic receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nathalia Oda Amaral
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Campus Samambaia, 74001-970 Goiâania, GO, Brazil
| | - Elaine Fernanda da Silva
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Campus Samambaia, 74001-970 Goiâania, GO, Brazil
| | - Pablinny Morreira Galdino
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Campus Samambaia, 74001-970 Goiâania, GO, Brazil
| | - Thiago Sardinha de Oliveira
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Campus Samambaia, 74001-970 Goiâania, GO, Brazil
| | - Paulo César Ghedini
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Campus Samambaia, 74001-970 Goiâania, GO, Brazil
| | - Jordan K Zjawiony
- Department of Pharmacognosy and National Center for Natural Product Research, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - Elson Alves Costa
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Campus Samambaia, 74001-970 Goiâania, GO, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Rodrigues Pedrino
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Campus Samambaia, 74001-970 Goiâania, GO, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Menegatti
- Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Goiás, Setor Universitário, 74000-000, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
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40
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Dos Reis DG, Fortaleza EAT, Tavares RF, Corrêa FMA. Role of the autonomic nervous system and baroreflex in stress-evoked cardiovascular responses in rats. Stress 2014; 17:362-72. [PMID: 24903268 DOI: 10.3109/10253890.2014.930429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Restraint stress (RS) is an experimental model to study stress-related cardiovascular responses, characterized by sustained pressor and tachycardiac responses. We used pharmacologic and surgical procedures to investigate the role played by sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) in the mediation of stress-evoked cardiovascular responses. Ganglionic blockade with pentolinium significantly reduced RS-evoked pressor and tachycardiac responses. Intravenous treatment with homatropine methyl bromide did not affect the pressor response but increased tachycardia. Pretreatment with prazosin reduced the pressor and increased the tachycardiac response. Pretreatment with atenolol did not affect the pressor response but reduced tachycardia. The combined treatment with atenolol and prazosin reduced both pressor and tachycardiac responses. Adrenal demedullation reduced the pressor response without affecting tachycardia. Sinoaortic denervation increased pressor and tachycardiac responses. The results indicate that: (1) the RS-evoked cardiovascular response is mediated by the autonomic nervous system without an important involvement of humoral factors; (2) hypertension results primarily from sympathovascular and sympathoadrenal activation, without a significant involvement of the cardiac sympathetic component (CSNS); (3) the abrupt initial peak in the hypertensive response to restraint is sympathovascular-mediated, whereas the less intense but sustained hypertensive response observed throughout the remaining restraint session is mainly mediated by sympathoadrenal activation and epinephrine release; (4) tachycardia results from CSNS activation, and not from PSNS inhibition; (5) RS evokes simultaneous CSNS and PSNS activation, and heart rate changes are a vector of both influences; (6) the baroreflex is functional during restraint, and modulates both the vascular and cardiac responses to restraint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gustavo Dos Reis
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo , Brazil
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41
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Aguiar DC, Hott SC, Deolindo MV, Guimarães FS, Resstel LB. The dorsolateral periaqueductal grey N-methyl-D-aspartate/nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway modulates the expression of contextual fear conditioning in rats. J Psychopharmacol 2014; 28:479-85. [PMID: 24008812 DOI: 10.1177/0269881113504012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The dorsolateral periaqueductal grey (dlPAG) plays an essential role in unconditioned fear responses and could also be involved in the expression of contextual fear responses. Activation of glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and the nitric oxide (NO) pathway in this region facilitates anxiety-like responses. In the present study we investigated if antagonism of NMDA receptors or inhibition of the NO pathway in the dlPAG would attenuate behavioral and cardiovascular responses of rats submitted to a contextual fear-conditioning paradigm. Male Wistar rats with unilateral cannulae aimed at the dlPAG were re-exposed to a chamber where they had received footshocks 48 h before. Ten min before the test the animals received an intra-dlPAG injection of vehicle, AP7 (NMDA receptor antagonist), N-propyl-L-arginine (neuronal NO synthase inhibitor), carboxy-PTIO (NO scavenger) or 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolol [4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) (guanylate cyclase inhibitor). Freezing and cardiovascular responses were recorded continuously for 10 min. Intra-dlPAG administration of AP7 before re-exposure to the aversively conditioned context attenuated these responses. Similar effects were observed after the NO synthase inhibitor, NO scavenger or guanylate cyclase inhibitor. Our findings suggest that activity of dlPAG NMDA/NO/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway facilitates the expression of contextual fear responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele C Aguiar
- 1Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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42
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Moraes-Neto TB, Scopinho AA, Biojone C, Corrêa FMA, Resstel LBM. Involvement of dorsal hippocampus glutamatergic and nitrergic neurotransmission in autonomic responses evoked by acute restraint stress in rats. Neuroscience 2013; 258:364-73. [PMID: 24269610 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Revised: 10/16/2013] [Accepted: 11/10/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The dorsal hippocampus (DH) is a structure of the limbic system that is involved in emotional, learning and memory processes. There is evidence indicating that the DH modulates cardiovascular correlates of behavioral responses to stressful stimuli. Acute restraint stress (RS) is an unavoidable stress situation that evokes marked and sustained autonomic changes, which are characterized by elevated blood pressure (BP), intense heart rate (HR) increase and a decrease in cutaneous temperature. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor/nitric oxide (NO) pathway of the DH in the modulation of autonomic (arterial BP, HR and tail skin temperature) responses evoked by RS in rats. Bilateral microinjection of the NMDA receptor antagonist AP-7 (10 nmol/500 nL) into the DH attenuated RS-evoked autonomic responses. Moreover, RS evoked an increase in the content of NO₂/NO₃ in the DH, which are products of the spontaneous oxidation of NO under physiological conditions that can provide an indirect measurement of NO production. Bilateral microinjection of N-propyl-L-arginine (0.1 nmol/500 nL; N-propyl, a neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) inhibitor) or carboxy-PTIO (2 nmol/500 nL; c-PTIO, an NO scavenger) into the DH also attenuated autonomic responses evoked by RS. Therefore, our findings suggest that a glutamatergic system present in the DH is involved in the autonomic modulation during RS, acting via NMDA receptors and nNOS activation. Furthermore, the present results suggest that NMDA receptor/nNO activation has a facilitatory influence on RS-evoked autonomic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- T B Moraes-Neto
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A A Scopinho
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - C Biojone
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - F M A Corrêa
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L B M Resstel
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, Brazil.
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43
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The ventral hippocampus NMDA receptor/nitric oxide/guanylate cyclase pathway modulates cardiovascular responses in rats. Auton Neurosci 2013; 177:244-52. [PMID: 23735844 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2013.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2012] [Revised: 05/08/2013] [Accepted: 05/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The hippocampus is a limbic structure that is involved in the expression of defensive reactions and autonomic changes in rats. The injection of L-glutamate (L-glu) into the ventral hippocampus (VH) decreases blood pressure and heart rate in anesthetized rats. Activation of NMDA receptors in the VH increases the production of nitric oxide (NO), leading to guanylate cyclase activation. The hypothesis of the present study was that a local NMDA receptor-NO-guanylate cyclase interaction mediates the cardiovascular effects of microinjection of L-glu into the VH. Microinjection of increasing doses of L-glu (30, 60 and 200 nmol/200 nL) into the VH of conscious rats caused dose-related pressor and tachycardiac responses. The cardiovascular effects of L-glu were abolished by local pretreatment with: the glutamate receptor antagonist AP-7 (0.4 nmol); the selective neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) inhibitor N(ω)-Propyl-L-arginine (0.04 nmol); the NO scavenger C-PTIO (2 nmol) or the guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolol [4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (2 nmol). Moreover, these cardiovascular responses were blocked by intravenous pretreatment with: the ganglionic blocker mecamylamine (2mg/Kg); the nonselective β-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol (2mg/Kg); the β1-adrenergic receptor selective antagonist atenolol (1mg/kg). However, pretreatment with the selective α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin (0,5mg/kg) caused only a small reduction in the pressor response, without affecting the L-glu evoked tachycardia. In conclusion, our results suggest that cardiovascular responses caused by L-glu microinjection into the VH are mediated by NMDA glutamate receptors and involve local nNOS and guanylate cyclase activation. Moreover, these cardiovascular responses are mainly mediated by cardiac sympathetic nervous system activation, with a small involvement of the vascular sympathetic nervous system.
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44
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Courtin J, Bienvenu T, Einarsson E, Herry C. Medial prefrontal cortex neuronal circuits in fear behavior. Neuroscience 2013; 240:219-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2012] [Revised: 02/28/2013] [Accepted: 03/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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45
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Borelli KG, Albrechet-Souza L, Fedoce AG, Fabri DS, Resstel LB, Brandão ML. Conditioned fear is modulated by CRF mechanisms in the periaqueductal gray columns. Horm Behav 2013; 63:791-9. [PMID: 23603480 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2013.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2012] [Revised: 04/05/2013] [Accepted: 04/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The periaqueductal gray (PAG) columns have been implicated in controlling stress responses through corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), which is a neuropeptide with a prominent role in the etiology of fear- and anxiety-related psychopathologies. Several studies have investigated the involvement of dorsal PAG (dPAG) CRF mechanisms in models of unconditioned fear. However, less is known about the role of this neurotransmission in the expression of conditioned fear memories in the dPAG and ventrolateral PAG (vlPAG) columns. We assessed the effects of ovine CRF (oCRF 0.25 and 1.0 μg/0.2 μL) locally administered into the dPAG and vlPAG on behavioral (fear-potentiated startle and freezing) and autonomic (arterial pressure and heart rate) responses in rats subjected to contextual fear conditioning. The lower dose injected into the columns promoted proaversive effects, enhanced contextual freezing, increased the blood pressure and heart rate and decreased tail temperature. The lower dose of oCRF into the vlPAG, but not into the dPAG, produced a pronounced enhancement of the fear-potentiated startle response. The results imply that the PAG is a heterogeneous structure that is involved in the coordination of distinct behaviors and autonomic control, suggest PAG involvement in the expression of contextual fear memory as well as implicate the CRF as an important modulator of the neural substrates of fear in the PAG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina G Borelli
- Instituto de Neurociências e Comportamento, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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46
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Alves FHF, Gomes FV, Reis DG, Crestani CC, Corrêa FMA, Guimarães FS, Resstel LBM. Involvement of the insular cortex in the consolidation and expression of contextual fear conditioning. Eur J Neurosci 2013; 38:2300-7. [PMID: 23574437 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.12210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2012] [Revised: 02/26/2013] [Accepted: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The insular cortex (IC) has been reported to be involved in the modulation of memory and autonomic and defensive responses. However, there is conflicting evidence about the role of the IC in fear conditioning. To explore the IC involvement in both behavioral and autonomic responses induced by contextual fear conditioning, we evaluated the effects of the reversible inhibition of the IC neurotransmission through bilateral microinjections of the non-selective synapse blocker CoCl2 (1 mm) 10 min before or immediately after the conditioning session or 10 min before re-exposure to the aversive context. In the conditioning session, rats were exposed to a footshock chamber (context) and footshocks were used as the unconditioned stimulus. Forty-eight hours later, the animals were re-exposed to the aversive context for 10 min, but no shock was given. Behavioral (freezing) as well as cardiovascular (arterial pressure and heart rate increases) responses induced by re-exposure to the aversive context were analysed. It was observed that the local IC neurotransmission inhibition attenuated freezing and the mean arterial pressure and heart rate increase of the groups that received the CoCl2 either immediately after conditioning or 10 min before re-exposure to the aversive context, but not when the CoCl2 was injected before the conditioning session. These findings suggest the involvement of the IC in the consolidation and expression of contextual aversive memory. However, the IC does not seem to be essential for the acquisition of memory associated with aversive context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando H F Alves
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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47
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Fortaleza E, Scopinho A, Corrêa F. β-Adrenoceptors in the medial amygdaloid nucleus modulate the tachycardiac response to restraint stress in rats. Neuroscience 2012; 227:170-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.09.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2012] [Revised: 09/20/2012] [Accepted: 09/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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48
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Cruz FC, Engi SA, Leão RM, Planeta CS, Crestani CC. Influence of the single or combined administration of cocaine and testosterone in autonomic and neuroendocrine responses to acute restraint stress. J Psychopharmacol 2012; 26:1366-74. [PMID: 22767371 DOI: 10.1177/0269881112453210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Abuse of cocaine and androgenic-anabolic steroids (AASs) has become a serious public health problem. Despite reports of an increase in the incidence of simultaneous abuse of these substances, potential toxic interactions between cocaine and AASs are poorly known. In the present study, we investigated the effects of either single or combined administration of testosterone and cocaine for one or 10 consecutive days on autonomic (arterial pressure, heart rate and tail cutaneous temperature) and neuroendocrine (plasma corticosterone) responses induced by acute restraint stress in rats. Combined administration of testosterone and cocaine for 10 days reduced the increase in heart rate and plasma corticosterone level, as well as the fall in tail skin temperature induced by restraint stress. Furthermore, repeated administration of cocaine inhibited the increase in arterial pressure observed during restraint, and this effect was not affected by coadministration of testosterone. Ten-day combined administration of testosterone and cocaine increased basal values of arterial pressure. Moreover, chronic administration of testosterone induced rest bradycardia and elevated basal level of plasma corticosterone. One-day single or combined administration of the drugs did not affect any parameter investigated. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that combined administration of testosterone and cocaine changed the autonomic and neuroendocrine responses to acute restraint stress. These findings suggest that interaction between AASs and cocaine may affect the ability to cope with stressful events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio C Cruz
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Natural Active Principles and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Araraquara, Brazil
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49
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Flak JN, Solomon MB, Jankord R, Krause EG, Herman JP. Identification of chronic stress-activated regions reveals a potential recruited circuit in rat brain. Eur J Neurosci 2012; 36:2547-55. [PMID: 22789020 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2012.08161.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Chronic stress induces presynaptic and postsynaptic modifications in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus that are consistent with enhanced excitatory hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis drive. The brain regions mediating these molecular modifications are not known. We hypothesized that chronic variable stress (CVS) tonically activates stress-excitatory regions that interact with the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, culminating in stress facilitation. In order to identify chronically activated brain regions, ΔFosB, a documented marker of tonic neuronal activation, was assessed in known stress regulatory limbic and brainstem sites. Four experimental groups were included: CVS, repeated restraint (RR) (control for HPA habituation), animals weight-matched (WM) to CVS animals (control for changes in circulating metabolic factors due to reduced weight gain), and non-handled controls. CVS, (but not RR or WM) induced adrenal hypertrophy, indicating that sustained HPA axis drive only occurred in the CVS group. CVS (but not RR or WM) selectively increased the number of FosB/ΔFosB nuclei in the nucleus of the solitary tract, posterior hypothalamic nucleus, and both the infralimbic and prelimbic divisions of the medial prefrontal cortex, indicating an involvement of these regions in chronic drive of the HPA axis. Increases in FosB/ΔFosB-immunoreactive cells were observed following both RR and CVS in the other regions (e.g. the dorsomedial hypothalamus), suggesting activation by both habituating and non-habituating stress conditions. The data suggest that unpredictable stress uniquely activates interconnected cortical, hypothalamic, and brainstem nuclei, potentially revealing the existence of a recruited circuitry mediating chronic drive of brain stress effector systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan N Flak
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, Psychiatry North, Building E, 2nd Floor, 2170 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45237-0506, USA
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50
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Fortaleza EAT, Scopinho AA, de Aguiar Corrêa FM. α1 and α2-adrenoceptors in the medial amygdaloid nucleus modulate differently the cardiovascular responses to restraint stress in rats. Pharmacol Res 2012; 66:154-62. [PMID: 22538252 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2012.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2012] [Revised: 03/28/2012] [Accepted: 04/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Medial amygdaloid nucleus (MeA) neurotransmission has an inhibitory influence on cardiovascular responses in rats submitted to restraint, which are characterized by both elevated blood pressure (BP) and intense heart rate (HR) increase. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of MeA adrenoceptors in the modulation of cardiovascular responses that are observed during an acute restraint. Male Wistar rats received bilateral microinjections of the selective α1-adrenoceptor antagonist WB4101 (10, 15, and 20 nmol/100 nL) or the selective α2-adrenoceptor antagonist RX821002 (10, 15, and 20 nmol/nL) into the MeA, before the exposure to acute restraint. The injection of WB4101 reduced the restraint-evoked tachycardia. In contrast, the injection of RX821002 increased the tachycardia. Both drugs had no influence on BP increases observed during the acute restraint. Our findings indicate that α1 and α2-adrenoceptors in the MeA play different roles in the modulation of the HR increase evoked by restraint stress in rats. Results suggest that α1-adrenoceptors and α2-adrenoceptors mediate the MeA-related facilitatory and inhibitory influences on restraint-related HR responses, respectively.
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