1
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Hughes H, Brady LJ, Schoonover KE. GABAergic dysfunction in postmortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex: implications for cognitive deficits in schizophrenia and affective disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1440834. [PMID: 39381500 PMCID: PMC11458443 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1440834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 10/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The microcircuitry within superficial layers of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), composed of excitatory pyramidal neurons and inhibitory GABAergic interneurons, has been suggested as the neural substrate of working memory performance. In schizophrenia, working memory impairments are thought to result from alterations of microcircuitry within the DLPFC. GABAergic interneurons, in particular, are crucially involved in synchronizing neural activity at gamma frequency, the power of which increases with working memory load. Alterations of GABAergic interneurons, particularly parvalbumin (PV) and somatostatin (SST) subtypes, are frequently observed in schizophrenia. Abnormalities of GABAergic neurotransmission, such as deficiencies in the 67 kDA isoform of GABA synthesis enzyme (GAD67), vesicular GABA transporter (vGAT), and GABA reuptake transporter 1 (GAT1) in presynaptic boutons, as well as postsynaptic alterations in GABA A receptor subunits further contribute to impaired inhibition. This review explores GABAergic abnormalities of the postmortem DLPFC in schizophrenia, with a focus on the roles of interneuron subtypes involved in cognition, and GABAergic neurotransmission within presynaptic boutons and postsynaptic alterations. Where available, comparisons between schizophrenia and affective disorders that share cognitive pathology such as bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder will be made. Challenges in directly measuring GABA levels are addressed, emphasizing the need for innovative techniques. Understanding GABAergic abnormalities and their implications for neural circuit dysfunction in schizophrenia is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Hughes
- Graduate Biomedical Sciences Program, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Tuskegee, AL, United States
| | - Lillian J. Brady
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Tuskegee, AL, United States
- Comprehensive Neuroscience Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Tuskegee, AL, United States
| | - Kirsten E. Schoonover
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Tuskegee, AL, United States
- Comprehensive Neuroscience Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Tuskegee, AL, United States
- Department of Psychology and Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL, United States
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2
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The potential role of the cholecystokinin system in declarative memory. Neurochem Int 2023; 162:105440. [PMID: 36375634 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2022.105440] [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: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
As one of the most abundant neuropeptides in the central nervous system, cholecystokinin (CCK) has been suggested to be associated with higher brain functions, including learning and memory. In this review, we examined the potential role of the CCK system in declarative memory. First, we summarized behavioral studies that provide evidence for an important role of CCK in two forms of declarative memory-fear memory and spatial memory. Subsequently, we examined the electrophysiological studies that support the diverse roles of CCK-2 receptor activation in neocortical and hippocampal synaptic plasticity, and discussed the potential mechanisms that may be involved. Last but not least, we discussed whether the reported CCK-mediated synaptic plasticity can explain the strong influence of the CCK signaling system in neocortex and hippocampus dependent declarative memory. The available research supports the role of CCK-mediated synaptic plasticity in neocortex dependent declarative memory acquisition, but further study on the association between CCK-mediated synaptic plasticity and neocortex dependent declarative memory consolidation and retrieval is necessary. Although a direct link between CCK-mediated synaptic plasticity and hippocampus dependent declarative memory is missing, noticeable evidence from morphological, behavioral, and electrophysiological studies encourages further investigation regarding the potential role of CCK-dependent synaptic plasticity in hippocampus dependent declarative memory.
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3
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Syed SA, Schnakenberg Martin AM, Cortes-Briones JA, Skosnik PD. The Relationship Between Cannabinoids and Neural Oscillations: How Cannabis Disrupts Sensation, Perception, and Cognition. Clin EEG Neurosci 2022:15500594221138280. [PMID: 36426543 DOI: 10.1177/15500594221138280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Disruptions in neural oscillations are believed to be one critical mechanism by which cannabinoids, such as delta-9-tetrahyrdrocannabinol (THC; the primary psychoactive constituent of cannabis), perturbs brain function. Here we briefly review the role of synchronized neural activity, particularly in the gamma (30-80 Hz) and theta (4-7 Hz) frequency range, in sensation, perception, and cognition. This is followed by a review of clinical studies utilizing electroencephalography (EEG) which have demonstrated that both chronic and acute cannabinoid exposure disrupts neural oscillations in humans. We also offer a hypothetical framework through which endocannabinoids modulate neural synchrony at the network level. This also includes speculation on how both chronic and acute cannabinoids disrupt functionally relevant neural oscillations by altering the fine tuning of oscillations and the inhibitory/excitatory balance of neural circuits. Finally, we highlight important clinical implications of such oscillatory disruptions, such as the potential relationship between cannabis use, altered neural synchrony, and disruptions in sensation, perception, and cognition, which are perturbed in disorders such as schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shariful A Syed
- Department of Psychiatry, 12228Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ashley M Schnakenberg Martin
- Department of Psychiatry, 12228Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jose A Cortes-Briones
- Department of Psychiatry, 12228Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Patrick D Skosnik
- Department of Psychiatry, 12228Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
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4
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Koukouli F, Montmerle M, Aguirre A, De Brito Van Velze M, Peixoto J, Choudhary V, Varilh M, Julio-Kalajzic F, Allene C, Mendéz P, Zerlaut Y, Marsicano G, Schlüter OM, Rebola N, Bacci A, Lourenço J. Visual-area-specific tonic modulation of GABA release by endocannabinoids sets the activity and coordination of neocortical principal neurons. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111202. [PMID: 36001978 PMCID: PMC9433882 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Perisomatic inhibition of pyramidal neurons (PNs) coordinates cortical network activity during sensory processing, and this role is mainly attributed to parvalbumin-expressing basket cells (BCs). However, cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1)-expressing interneurons are also BCs, but the connectivity and function of these elusive but prominent neocortical inhibitory neurons are unclear. We find that their connectivity pattern is visual area specific. Persistently active CB1 signaling suppresses GABA release from CB1 BCs in the medial secondary visual cortex (V2M), but not in the primary visual cortex (V1). Accordingly, in vivo, tonic CB1 signaling is responsible for higher but less coordinated PN activity in the V2M than in the V1. These differential firing dynamics in the V1 and V2M can be captured by a computational network model that incorporates visual-area-specific properties. Our results indicate a differential CB1-mediated mechanism controlling PN activity, suggesting an alternative connectivity scheme of a specific GABAergic circuit in different cortical areas. CB1+ basket cells exhibit visual-area-specific morphology and connectivity patterns Tonic CB1 signaling underlies high pyramidal neurons (PN) activity in V2M but not V1 Tonic CB1 signaling differentially modulates PN-correlated activity in V1 and V2M Numerical simulations capture specific CB1-dependent firing dynamics of V1 and V2M
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Affiliation(s)
- Fani Koukouli
- ICM - Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Martin Montmerle
- ICM - Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Andrea Aguirre
- ICM - Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | | | - Jérémy Peixoto
- ICM - Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Vikash Choudhary
- ICM - Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Marjorie Varilh
- INSERM, U1215 NeuroCentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, 33077 Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Camille Allene
- ICM - Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | | | - Yann Zerlaut
- ICM - Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Giovanni Marsicano
- INSERM, U1215 NeuroCentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, 33077 Bordeaux, France
| | - Oliver M Schlüter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Nelson Rebola
- ICM - Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Alberto Bacci
- ICM - Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France.
| | - Joana Lourenço
- ICM - Institut du Cerveau, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France.
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5
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Dahlén A, Zarei M, Melgoza A, Wagle M, Guo S. THC-induced behavioral stereotypy in zebrafish as a model of psychosis-like behavior. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15693. [PMID: 34344922 PMCID: PMC8333334 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95016-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
High doses of the Cannabis constituent Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) increase the risk of psychosis in humans. Highly accessible animal models are needed to address underlying mechanisms. Using zebrafish with a conserved endocannabinoid system, this study investigates the acute effects of THC on adult zebrafish behavior and the mechanisms involved. A concentration-dependent THC-induced behavioral stereotypy akin to THC's effect in rats and the psychotropics phencyclidine and ketamine in zebrafish was established. Distinctive circular swimming during THC-exposure was measured using a novel analytical method that we developed, which detected an elevated Repetition Index (RI) compared to vehicle controls. This was reduced upon co-administration of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonist NMDA, suggesting that THC exerts its effects via biochemical or neurobiological mechanisms associated with NMDA receptor antagonism. Co-treatment of γ-aminobutyric acid receptor antagonist pentylenetetrazol also showed signs of reducing the RI. Since THC-induced repetitive behavior remained in co-administrations with cannabinoid receptor 1 inverse agonist AM251, the phenotype may be cannabinoid receptor 1-independent. Conversely, the inverse cannabinoid receptor 2 agonist AM630 significantly reduced THC-induced behavioral stereotypy, indicating cannabinoid receptor 2 as a possible mediator. A significant reduction of the THC-RI was also observed by the antipsychotic sulpiride. Together, these findings highlight this model's potential for elucidating the mechanistic relationship between Cannabis and psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia Dahlén
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, and Programs in Biological Sciences and Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
- Section of Functional Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, 75124, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Mahdi Zarei
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, and Programs in Biological Sciences and Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Adam Melgoza
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, and Programs in Biological Sciences and Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Mahendra Wagle
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, and Programs in Biological Sciences and Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Su Guo
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, and Programs in Biological Sciences and Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
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6
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Caccamise A, Van Newenhizen E, Mantsch JR. Neurochemical mechanisms and neurocircuitry underlying the contribution of stress to cocaine seeking. J Neurochem 2021; 157:1697-1713. [PMID: 33660857 PMCID: PMC8941950 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In individuals with substance use disorders, stress is a critical determinant of relapse susceptibility. In some cases, stressors directly trigger cocaine use. In others, stressors interact with other stimuli to promote drug seeking, thereby setting the stage for relapse. Here, we review the mechanisms and neurocircuitry that mediate stress-triggered and stress-potentiated cocaine seeking. Stressors trigger cocaine seeking by activating noradrenergic projections originating in the lateral tegmentum that innervate the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis to produce beta adrenergic receptor-dependent regulation of neurons that release corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) into the ventral tegmental area (VTA). CRF promotes the activation of VTA dopamine neurons that innervate the prelimbic prefrontal cortex resulting in D1 receptor-dependent excitation of a pathway to the nucleus accumbens core that mediates cocaine seeking. The stage-setting effects of stress require glucocorticoids, which exert rapid non-canonical effects at several sites within the mesocorticolimbic system. In the nucleus accumbens, corticosterone attenuates dopamine clearance via the organic cation transporter 3 to promote dopamine signaling. In the prelimbic cortex, corticosterone mobilizes the endocannabinoid, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), which produces CB1 receptor-dependent reductions in inhibitory transmission, thereby increasing excitability of neurons which comprise output pathways responsible for cocaine seeking. Factors that influence the role of stress in cocaine seeking, including prior history of drug use, biological sex, chronic stress/co-morbid stress-related disorders, adolescence, social variables, and genetics are discussed. Better understanding when and how stress contributes to drug seeking should guide the development of more effective interventions, particularly for those whose drug use is stress related.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Caccamise
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53201
| | - Erik Van Newenhizen
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226
| | - John R. Mantsch
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226
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7
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Song CG, Kang X, Yang F, Du WQ, Zhang JJ, Liu L, Kang JJ, Jia N, Yue H, Fan LY, Wu SX, Jiang W, Gao F. Endocannabinoid system in the neurodevelopment of GABAergic interneurons: implications for neurological and psychiatric disorders. Rev Neurosci 2021; 32:803-831. [PMID: 33781002 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2020-0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In mature mammalian brains, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in the regulation of synaptic plasticity and the functioning of neural networks. Besides, the ECS also contributes to the neurodevelopment of the central nervous system. Due to the increase in the medical and recreational use of cannabis, it is inevitable and essential to elaborate the roles of the ECS on neurodevelopment. GABAergic interneurons represent a group of inhibitory neurons that are vital in controlling neural network activity. However, the role of the ECS in the neurodevelopment of GABAergic interneurons remains to be fully elucidated. In this review, we provide a brief introduction of the ECS and interneuron diversity. We focus on the process of interneuron development and the role of ECS in the modulation of interneuron development, from the expansion of the neural stem/progenitor cells to the migration, specification and maturation of interneurons. We further discuss the potential implications of the ECS and interneurons in the pathogenesis of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including epilepsy, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Geng Song
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China.,Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xin Kang
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fang Yang
- Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wan-Qing Du
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jia-Jia Zhang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Long Liu
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jun-Jun Kang
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ning Jia
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hui Yue
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lu-Yu Fan
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Sheng-Xi Wu
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wen Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fang Gao
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
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8
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Ballaz SJ, Bourin M. Cholecystokinin-Mediated Neuromodulation of Anxiety and Schizophrenia: A "Dimmer-Switch" Hypothesis. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 19:925-938. [PMID: 33185164 PMCID: PMC8686311 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x18666201113145143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholecystokinin (CCK), the most abundant brain neuropeptide, is involved in relevant behavioral functions like memory, cognition, and reward through its interactions with the opioid and dopaminergic systems in the limbic system. CCK excites neurons by binding two receptors, CCK1 and CCK2, expressed at low and high levels in the brain, respectively. Historically, CCK2 receptors have been related to the induction of panic attacks in humans. Disturbances in brain CCK expression also underlie the physiopathology of schizophrenia, which is attributed to the modulation by CCK1 receptors of the dopamine flux in the basal striatum. Despite this evidence, neither CCK2 receptor antagonists ameliorate human anxiety nor CCK agonists have consistently shown neuroleptic effects in clinical trials. A neglected aspect of the function of brain CCK is its neuromodulatory role in mental disorders. Interestingly, CCK is expressed in pivotal inhibitory interneurons that sculpt cortical dynamics and the flux of nerve impulses across corticolimbic areas and the excitatory projections to mesolimbic pathways. At the basal striatum, CCK modulates the excitability of glutamate, the release of inhibitory GABA, and the discharge of dopamine. Here we focus on how CCK may reduce rather than trigger anxiety by regulating its cognitive component. Adequate levels of CCK release in the basal striatum may control the interplay between cognition and reward circuitry, which is critical in schizophrenia. Hence, it is proposed that disturbances in the excitatory/ inhibitory interplay modulated by CCK may contribute to the imbalanced interaction between corticolimbic and mesolimbic neural activity found in anxiety and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago J. Ballaz
- Address correspondence to this author at the School of Biological Sciences & Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Hacienda San José s/n, San Miguel de Urcuquí, Ecuador; Tel: 593 (06) 299 9100, ext. 2626; E-mail:
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9
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Glausier JR, Datta D, Fish KN, Chung DW, Melchitzky DS, Lewis DA. Laminar Differences in the Targeting of Dendritic Spines by Cortical Pyramidal Neurons and Interneurons in Human Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex. Neuroscience 2021; 452:181-191. [PMID: 33212224 PMCID: PMC7770119 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Activation of specific neural circuits in different layers of the primate dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is essential for working memory, a core cognitive function. Recurrent excitation between pyramidal neurons in middle and deep layers of the DLPFC contributes to the laminar-specific activity associated with different working memory subprocesses. Excitation between cortical pyramidal neurons is mediated by glutamatergic synapses on dendritic spines, but whether the relative abundance of spines receiving cortical inputs differs between middle and deep cortical layers in human DLPFC is unknown. Additionally, GABAergic inputs to spines sculpt pyramidal neuron activity. Whether dendritic spines that receive a glutamatergic input from a cortical pyramidal neuron are targeted by GABAergic interneurons in the human DLPFC is unknown. Using triple-label fluorescence confocal microscopy, we found that 1) the density of spines receiving an input from a cortical pyramidal neuron is greater in the middle than in the deep laminar zone, 2) dendritic spines dually innervated by a cortical pyramidal neuron and an interneuron are present in the human DLPFC, and 3) the density of spines dually innervated by a cortical pyramidal neuron and an interneuron is also greater in the middle than in the deep laminar zone. Ultrastructural analyses support the presence of spines that receive a cortical pyramidal neuron synapse and an interneuron synapse in human and monkey DLPFC. These data support the notion that the DLPFC middle laminar zone is particularly endowed with a microcircuit structure that supports the gating, integrating and fine-tuning of synaptic information in recurrent excitatory microcircuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill R Glausier
- Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Biomedical Science Tower W1654, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Dibyadeep Datta
- Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Biomedical Science Tower W1654, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, A210 Langley Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, Sterling Hall of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Kenneth N Fish
- Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Biomedical Science Tower W1654, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, A210 Langley Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Daniel W Chung
- Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Biomedical Science Tower W1654, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, A210 Langley Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Darlene S Melchitzky
- Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Biomedical Science Tower W1654, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - David A Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Biomedical Science Tower W1654, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, A210 Langley Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
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10
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Dienel SJ, Ciesielski AJ, Bazmi HH, Profozich EA, Fish KN, Lewis DA. Distinct Laminar and Cellular Patterns of GABA Neuron Transcript Expression in Monkey Prefrontal and Visual Cortices. Cereb Cortex 2020; 31:2345-2363. [PMID: 33338196 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The functional output of a cortical region is shaped by its complement of GABA neuron subtypes. GABA-related transcript expression differs substantially between the primate dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and primary visual (V1) cortices in gray matter homogenates, but the laminar and cellular bases for these differences are unknown. Quantification of levels of GABA-related transcripts in layers 2 and 4 of monkey DLPFC and V1 revealed three distinct expression patterns: 1) transcripts with higher levels in DLPFC and layer 2 [e.g., somatostatin (SST)]; 2) transcripts with higher levels in V1 and layer 4 [e.g., parvalbumin (PV)], and 3) transcripts with similar levels across layers and regions [e.g., glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67)]. At the cellular level, these patterns reflected transcript- and cell type-specific differences: the SST pattern primarily reflected differences in the relative proportions of SST mRNA-positive neurons, the PV pattern primarily reflected differences in PV mRNA expression per neuron, and the GAD67 pattern reflected opposed patterns in the relative proportions of GAD67 mRNA-positive neurons and in GAD67 mRNA expression per neuron. These findings suggest that differences in the complement of GABA neuron subtypes and in gene expression levels per neuron contribute to the specialization of inhibitory neurotransmission across cortical circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Dienel
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Andrew J Ciesielski
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Holly H Bazmi
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Profozich
- Department of Neuroscience, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Kenneth N Fish
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - David A Lewis
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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11
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Ikawa F, Tanaka S, Harada K, Hide I, Maruyama H, Sakai N. Detailed neuronal distribution of GPR3 and its co-expression with EF-hand calcium-binding proteins in the mouse central nervous system. Brain Res 2020; 1750:147166. [PMID: 33075309 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.147166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The G-protein coupled receptor 3 (GPR3), a member of the class A rhodopsin-type GPR family, constitutively activates Gαs proteins without any ligands. Although there have been several reports concerning the functions of GPR3 in neurons, the physiological roles of GPR3 have not been fully elucidated. To address this issue, we analyzed GPR3 distribution in detail using fluorescence-based X-gal staining in heterozygous GPR3 knockout/LacZ knock-in mice, and further investigated the types of GPR3-expressing neurons using fluorescent double labeling with various EF-hand Ca2+-binding proteins. In addition to the previously reported GPR3-expressing areas, we identified GPR3 expression in the basal ganglia and in many nuclei of the cranial nerves, in regions related to olfactory, auditory, emotional, and motor functions. In addition, GPR3 was not only observed in excitatory neurons in layer V of the cerebral cortex, the CA2 region of the hippocampus, and the lateral nucleus of the thalamus, but also in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic interneurons in the cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, striatum, and cerebellum. GPR3 was frequently co-expressed with neuronal Ca2+-binding protein 2 (NECAB2) in neurons in various regions of the central nervous system, especially in the hippocampal CA2, medial habenular nucleus, lateral thalamic nucleus, dorsolateral striatum, brainstem, and spinal cord anterior horn. Furthermore, GPR3 also co-localized with NECAB2 at the tips of neurites in differentiated PC12 cells. These results suggest that GPR3 and NECAB2 are highly co-expressed in specific neurons, and that GPR3 may modulate Ca2+ signaling by interacting with NECAB2 in specific areas of the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumiaki Ikawa
- Department of Molecular and Pharmacological Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Shigeru Tanaka
- Department of Molecular and Pharmacological Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
| | - Kana Harada
- Department of Molecular and Pharmacological Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Izumi Hide
- Department of Molecular and Pharmacological Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Maruyama
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Norio Sakai
- Department of Molecular and Pharmacological Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
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12
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Zamberletti E, Rubino T. Impact of Endocannabinoid System Manipulation on Neurodevelopmental Processes Relevant to Schizophrenia. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2020; 6:616-626. [PMID: 32855107 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2020.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia has received much support from epidemiological and neuropathological studies and provides a framework to explain how early developmental abnormalities might manifest as psychosis in early adulthood. According to this theory, the onset of schizophrenia is likely the result of a complex interplay between a genetic predisposition and environmental factors whose respective influence might contribute to the etiology and progression of the disorder. The two most sensitive windows for neurodevelopment are the prenatal/perinatal and the adolescent windows, both of which are characterized by specific processes impinging upon brain structure and functionality, whose alterations may contribute to the onset of schizophrenia. An increasing number of articles suggest the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in the modulation of at least some of these processes, especially in the prenatal/perinatal window. Thus, it is not surprising that disturbing the physiological role of endocannabinoid signaling in these sensitive windows might alter the correct formation of neuronal networks, eventually predisposing to neuropsychiatric diseases later in life. We review the most recent preclinical studies that evaluated the impact of endocannabinoid system modulation in the two sensitive developmental windows on neurodevelopmental processes that possess a specific relevance to schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Zamberletti
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences and Neuroscience Center, University of Insubria, Busto Arsizio, Varese, Italy
| | - Tiziana Rubino
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences and Neuroscience Center, University of Insubria, Busto Arsizio, Varese, Italy.
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13
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Ganesh S, Cortes-Briones J, Ranganathan M, Radhakrishnan R, Skosnik PD, D’Souza DC. Psychosis-Relevant Effects of Intravenous Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol: A Mega Analysis of Individual Participant-Data from Human Laboratory Studies. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 23:559-570. [PMID: 32385508 PMCID: PMC7710917 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyaa031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is increasing interest in the relationship between cannabinoids and psychosis. While individual human laboratory studies have been critical in demonstrating that cannabinoids (e.g., delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]) can induce acute transient psychosis-like effects in healthy human volunteers, combining data from multiple studies offers a fine-grained view of these effects. METHODS THC-induced psychosis-relevant effects were examined using a data repository of 10 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover studies with 400 i.v. THC infusions in healthy human volunteers. The Positive and Negative Syndrome scale was used to measure psychotomimetic effects. The profile of symptoms, frequency of a response, its relationship to THC dose and substance use, latent structure in Positive and Negative Syndrome scale response, and the relationships between psychotomimetic and perceptual alteration symptoms were evaluated. RESULTS Clinically meaningful increases in positive symptoms were noted in 44.75% infusions; conceptual disorganization, hallucinations, blunted affect, somatic concern, motor retardation, and poor attention were the items most frequently altered by THC. The increase in Positive and Negative Syndrome scale positive symptoms was positively associated with THC dose (beta = 11.13, SE = 4.94, Wald χ 2 = 19.88, P < .001) and negatively associated with frequent cannabis use (beta = -0.575, SE = 0.14, Wald χ 2 = 18.13, P < .001). Furthermore, positive symptoms were strongly correlated with Clinician Administered Dissociative States Scale perceptual alterations score (rs = 0.514, P < .001). CONCLUSION Intravenous administration of THC consistently induces psychotomimetic effects that include symptoms across Positive and Negative Syndrome scale domains. Moreover, healthy individuals who frequently use cannabis have a blunted psychotomimetic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhas Ganesh
- Schizophrenia Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT,Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Jose Cortes-Briones
- Schizophrenia Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT,Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Mohini Ranganathan
- Schizophrenia Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT,Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Rajiv Radhakrishnan
- Schizophrenia Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT,Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Patrick D Skosnik
- Schizophrenia Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT,Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Deepak Cyril D’Souza
- Schizophrenia Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT,Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT,Correspondence: Prof Deepak Cyril D’Souza, MD, Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516 ()
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14
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Cabeen RP, Allman JM, Toga AW. THC Exposure is Reflected in the Microstructure of the Cerebral Cortex and Amygdala of Young Adults. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:4949-4963. [PMID: 32377689 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system serves a critical role in homeostatic regulation through its influence on processes underlying appetite, pain, reward, and stress, and cannabis has long been used for the related modulatory effects it provides through tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). We investigated how THC exposure relates to tissue microstructure of the cerebral cortex and subcortical nuclei using computational modeling of diffusion magnetic resonance imaging data in a large cohort of young adults from the Human Connectome Project. We report strong associations between biospecimen-defined THC exposure and microstructure parameters in discrete gray matter brain areas, including frontoinsular cortex, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, and the lateral amygdala subfields, with independent effects in behavioral measures of memory performance, negative intrusive thinking, and paternal substance abuse. These results shed new light on the relationship between THC exposure and microstructure variation in brain areas related to salience processing, emotion regulation, and decision making. The absence of effects in some other cannabinoid-receptor-rich brain areas prompts the consideration of cellular and molecular mechanisms that we discuss. Further studies are needed to characterize the nature of these effects across the lifespan and to investigate the mechanistic neurobiological factors connecting THC exposure and microstructural parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan P Cabeen
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - John M Allman
- Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Arthur W Toga
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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15
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Cannabinoid CB1 receptors in the amygdalar cholecystokinin glutamatergic afferents to nucleus accumbens modulate depressive-like behavior. Nat Med 2019; 25:337-349. [DOI: 10.1038/s41591-018-0299-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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16
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Adolescent exposure to Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol alters the transcriptional trajectory and dendritic architecture of prefrontal pyramidal neurons. Mol Psychiatry 2019; 24:588-600. [PMID: 30283037 PMCID: PMC6430678 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0243-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal circuits within the prefrontal cortex (PFC) mediate higher cognitive functions and emotional regulation that are disrupted in psychiatric disorders. The PFC undergoes significant maturation during adolescence, a period when cannabis use in humans has been linked to subsequent vulnerability to psychiatric disorders such as addiction and schizophrenia. Here, we investigated in a rat model the effects of adolescent exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive component of cannabis, on the morphological architecture and transcriptional profile of layer III pyramidal neurons-using cell type- and layer-specific high-resolution microscopy, laser capture microdissection and next-generation RNA-sequencing. The results confirmed known normal expansions in basal dendritic arborization and dendritic spine pruning during the transition from late adolescence to early adulthood that were accompanied by differential expression of gene networks associated with neurodevelopment in control animals. In contrast, THC exposure disrupted the normal developmental process by inducing premature pruning of dendritic spines and allostatic atrophy of dendritic arborization in early adulthood. Surprisingly, there was minimal overlap of the developmental transcriptomes between THC- and vehicle-exposed rats. THC altered functional gene networks related to cell morphogenesis, dendritic development, and cytoskeleton organization. Marked developmental network disturbances were evident for epigenetic regulators with enhanced co-expression of chromatin- and dendrite-related genes in THC-treated animals. Dysregulated PFC co-expression networks common to both the THC-treated animals and patients with schizophrenia were enriched for cytoskeletal and neurite development. Overall, adolescent THC exposure altered the morphological and transcriptional trajectory of PFC pyramidal neurons, which could enhance vulnerability to psychiatric disorders.
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17
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Augustin SM, Lovinger DM. Functional Relevance of Endocannabinoid-Dependent Synaptic Plasticity in the Central Nervous System. ACS Chem Neurosci 2018; 9:2146-2161. [PMID: 29400439 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling system plays a key role in short-term and long-term synaptic plasticity in brain regions involved in various neural functions ranging from action selection to appetite control. This review will explore the role of eCBs in shaping neural circuit function to regulate behaviors. In particular, we will discuss the behavioral consequences of eCB mediated long-term synaptic plasticity in different brain regions. This review brings together evidence from in vitro and ex vivo studies and points out the need for more in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shana M. Augustin
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - David M. Lovinger
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
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18
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Expression and localization of CB1R, NAPE-PLD, and FAAH in the vervet monkey nucleus accumbens. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8689. [PMID: 29875385 PMCID: PMC5989267 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26826-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive rodent literature suggests that the endocannabinoid (eCB) system present in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) modulates dopamine (DA) release in this area. However, expression patterns of the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R), the synthesizing enzyme N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD), and the degradation enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in the NAc have not yet been described in non-human primates. The goal of this study is therefore to characterize the expression and localization of the eCB system within the NAc of vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) using Western blots and immunohistochemistry. Results show that CB1R, NAPE-PLD, and FAAH are expressed across the NAc rostrocaudal axis, both in the core and shell. CB1R, NAPE-PLD, and FAAH are localized in medium spiny neurons (MSNs) and fast-spiking GABAergic interneurons (FSIs). Dopaminergic projections and astrocytes did not express CB1R, NAPE-PLD, or FAAH. These data show that the eCB system is present in the vervet monkey NAc and supports its role in the primate brain reward circuit.
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19
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Skosnik PD, Hajós M, Cortes-Briones JA, Edwards CR, Pittman BP, Hoffmann WE, Sewell AR, D'Souza DC, Ranganathan M. Cannabinoid receptor-mediated disruption of sensory gating and neural oscillations: A translational study in rats and humans. Neuropharmacology 2018; 135:412-423. [PMID: 29604295 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis use has been associated with altered sensory gating and neural oscillations. However, it is unclear which constituent in cannabis is responsible for these effects, or whether these are cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) mediated. Therefore, the present study in humans and rats examined whether cannabinoid administration would disrupt sensory gating and evoked oscillations utilizing electroencephalography (EEG) and local field potentials (LFPs), respectively. Human subjects (n = 15) completed four test days during which they received intravenous delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), cannabidiol (CBD), Δ9-THC + CBD, or placebo. Subjects engaged in a dual-click paradigm, and outcome measures included P50 gating ratio (S2/S1) and evoked power to S1 and S2. In order to examine CB1R specificity, rats (n = 6) were administered the CB1R agonist CP-55940, CP-55940+AM-251 (a CB1R antagonist), or vehicle using the same paradigm. LFPs were recorded from CA3 and entorhinal cortex. Both Δ9-THC (p < 0.007) and Δ9-THC + CBD (p < 0.004) disrupted P50 gating ratio compared to placebo, while CBD alone had no effect. Δ9-THC (p < 0.048) and Δ9-THC + CBD (p < 0.035) decreased S1 evoked theta power, and in the Δ9-THC condition, S1 theta negatively correlated with gating ratios (r = -0.629, p < 0.012 (p < 0.048 adjusted)). In rats, CP-55940 disrupted gating in both brain regions (p < 0.0001), and this was reversed by AM-251. Further, CP-55940 decreased evoked theta (p < 0.0077) and gamma (p < 0.011) power to S1, which was partially blocked by AM-251. These convergent human/animal data suggest that CB1R agonists disrupt sensory gating by altering neural oscillations in the theta-band. Moreover, this suggests that the endocannabinoid system mediates theta oscillations relevant to perception and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick D Skosnik
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
| | - Mihály Hajós
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Jose A Cortes-Briones
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Chad R Edwards
- Developmental Neuropsychological Services, P.C., South Bend, IN 46615, USA
| | - Brian P Pittman
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - William E Hoffmann
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Andrew R Sewell
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Deepak C D'Souza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Mohini Ranganathan
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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20
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Sherif MA, Cortes-Briones JA, Ranganathan M, Skosnik PD. Cannabinoid-glutamate interactions and neural oscillations: implications for psychosis. Eur J Neurosci 2018; 48:2890-2902. [PMID: 29247465 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A. Sherif
- Department of Psychiatry; Yale University School of Medicine; VA Connecticut Healthcare System Building 5, Suite C-214 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven CT 06516 USA
| | - Jose A. Cortes-Briones
- Department of Psychiatry; Yale University School of Medicine; VA Connecticut Healthcare System Building 5, Suite C-214 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven CT 06516 USA
| | - Mohini Ranganathan
- Department of Psychiatry; Yale University School of Medicine; VA Connecticut Healthcare System Building 5, Suite C-214 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven CT 06516 USA
| | - Patrick D. Skosnik
- Department of Psychiatry; Yale University School of Medicine; VA Connecticut Healthcare System Building 5, Suite C-214 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven CT 06516 USA
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21
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Layer 3 Excitatory and Inhibitory Circuitry in the Prefrontal Cortex: Developmental Trajectories and Alterations in Schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2017; 81:862-873. [PMID: 27455897 PMCID: PMC5136518 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Revised: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Convergent evidence suggests that schizophrenia is a disorder of neurodevelopment with alterations in both early and late developmental processes hypothesized to contribute to the disease process. Abnormalities in certain clinical features of schizophrenia, such as working memory impairments, depend on distributed neural circuitry including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and appear to arise during the protracted maturation of this circuitry across childhood and adolescence. In particular, the neural circuitry substrate for working memory in primates involves the coordinated activity of excitatory pyramidal neurons and a specific population of inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acid neurons (i.e., parvalbumin-containing basket cells) in layer 3 of the DLPFC. Understanding the relationships between the normal development of-and the schizophrenia-associated alterations in-the DLPFC circuitry that subserves working memory could provide new insights into the nature of schizophrenia as a neurodevelopmental disorder. Consequently, we review the following in this article: 1) recent findings regarding alterations of DLPFC layer 3 circuitry in schizophrenia, 2) the developmental refinements in this circuitry that occur during the period when the working memory alterations in schizophrenia appear to arise and progress, and 3) how various adverse environmental exposures could contribute to developmental disturbances of this circuitry in individuals with schizophrenia.
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22
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Caballero A, Granberg R, Tseng KY. Mechanisms contributing to prefrontal cortex maturation during adolescence. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 70:4-12. [PMID: 27235076 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 201] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is defined as a transitional period between childhood and adulthood characterized by changes in social interaction and acquisition of mature cognitive abilities. These changes have been associated with the maturation of brain regions involved in the control of motivation, emotion, and cognition. Among these regions, the protracted development of the human prefrontal cortex during adolescence has been proposed to underlie the maturation of cognitive functions and the regulation of affective responses. Studies in animal models allow us to test the causal contribution of specific neural processes in the development of the prefrontal cortex and the acquisition of adult behavior. This review summarizes the cellular and synaptic mechanisms occurring in the rodent prefrontal cortex during adolescence as a model for understanding the changes underlying human prefrontal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Caballero
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Pharmacology, The Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - Rachel Granberg
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Pharmacology, The Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - Kuei Y Tseng
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Pharmacology, The Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA.
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23
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Green IW, Glausier JR. Different Paths to Core Pathology: The Equifinal Model of the Schizophrenia Syndrome. Schizophr Bull 2016; 42:542-9. [PMID: 26392629 PMCID: PMC4838077 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbv136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a clinically heterogeneous disorder that is perhaps more accurately characterized as "the schizophrenia syndrome." This clinical heterogeneity is reflected in the heterogeneous neurobiological presentations associated with the illness. Moreover, even highly specific neural aberrations that are associated with distinct symptoms of schizophrenia are linked to a wide range of risk factors. As such, any individual with schizophrenia likely has a particular set of risk factors that interact and converge to cross the disease threshold, forming a particular etiology that ultimately generates a core pathophysiology. This core pathophysiology may then produce 1 or more symptoms of schizophrenia, leading to common symptoms across individuals in spite of disparate etiologies. As such, the schizophrenia syndrome can be considered as anequifinalentity: a state of dysfunction that can arise from different upstream etiologies. Moreover, schizophrenia etiologies are multifactorial and can involve the interactive effects of a broad range of genetic, environmental, and developmental risk factors. Through a consideration of how disparate etiologies, caused by different sets of risk factors, converge on the same net dysfunction, this paper aims to model the equifinal nature of schizophrenia symptoms. To demonstrate the equifinal model, we discuss how maternal infection and adolescent cannabis use, 2 recognized schizophrenia risk factors, may interact with other genetic, environmental, and/or developmental risk factors to cause the conserved clinical presentation of impaired working memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isobel W. Green
- Department of Psychology, Harvard College, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
| | - Jill R. Glausier
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA,*To whom correspondence should be addressed; Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh, Biomedical Science Tower W1654, 3811 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, US; tel: 412-624-7869, fax: 412-624-9910, e-mail:
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24
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Sherif M, Radhakrishnan R, D'Souza DC, Ranganathan M. Human Laboratory Studies on Cannabinoids and Psychosis. Biol Psychiatry 2016; 79:526-38. [PMID: 26970363 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Some of the most compelling evidence supporting an association between cannabinoid agonists and psychosis comes from controlled laboratory studies in humans. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover laboratory studies demonstrate that cannabinoid agonists, including phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids, produce a wide range of positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms and psychophysiologic deficits in healthy human subjects that resemble the phenomenology of schizophrenia. These effects are time locked to drug administration, are dose related, and are transient and rarely necessitate intervention. The magnitude of effects is similar to the effects of ketamine but qualitatively distinct from other psychotomimetic drugs, including ketamine, amphetamine, and salvinorin A. Cannabinoid agonists have also been shown to transiently exacerbate symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia in laboratory studies. Patients with schizophrenia are more vulnerable than healthy control subjects to the acute behavioral and cognitive effects of cannabinoid agonists and experience transient exacerbation of symptoms despite treatment with antipsychotic medications. Furthermore, laboratory studies have failed to demonstrate any "beneficial" effects of cannabinoid agonists in individuals with schizophrenia-challenging the cannabis self-medication hypothesis. Emerging evidence suggests that polymorphisms of several genes related to dopamine metabolism (e.g., COMT, DAT1, and AKT1) may moderate the effects of cannabinoid agonists in laboratory studies. Cannabinoid agonists induce dopamine release, although the magnitude of release does not appear to be commensurate to the magnitude and spectrum of their acute psychotomimetic effects. Interactions between the endocannabinoid, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and glutamate systems and their individual and interactive effects on neural oscillations provide a plausible mechanism underlying the psychotomimetic effects of cannabinoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Sherif
- Schizophrenia and Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Rajiv Radhakrishnan
- Schizophrenia and Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Deepak Cyril D'Souza
- Schizophrenia and Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Mohini Ranganathan
- Schizophrenia and Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
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25
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Skosnik PD, Cortes-Briones JA, Hajós M. It's All in the Rhythm: The Role of Cannabinoids in Neural Oscillations and Psychosis. Biol Psychiatry 2016; 79:568-77. [PMID: 26850792 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Revised: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Evidence has accumulated over the past several decades suggesting that both exocannabinoids and endocannabinoids play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The current article presents evidence suggesting that one of the mechanisms whereby cannabinoids induce psychosis is through the alteration in synchronized neural oscillations. Neural oscillations, particularly in the gamma (30-80 Hz) and theta (4-7 Hz) ranges, are disrupted in schizophrenia and are involved in various areas of perceptual and cognitive function. Regarding cannabinoids, preclinical evidence from slice and local field potential recordings has shown that central cannabinoid receptor (cannabinoid receptor type 1) agonists decrease the power of neural oscillations, particularly in the gamma and theta bands. Further, the administration of cannabinoids during critical stages of neural development has been shown to disrupt the brain's ability to generate synchronized neural oscillations in adulthood. In humans, studies examining the effects of chronic cannabis use (utilizing electroencephalography) have shown abnormalities in neural oscillations in a pattern similar to those observed in schizophrenia. Finally, recent studies in humans have also shown disruptions in neural oscillations after the acute administration of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive constituent in cannabis. Taken together, these data suggest that both acute and chronic cannabinoids can disrupt the ability of the brain to generate synchronized oscillations at functionally relevant frequencies. Hence, this may represent one of the primary mechanisms whereby cannabinoids induce disruptions in attention, working memory, sensory-motor integration, and many other psychosis-related behavioral effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick D Skosnik
- Department of Psychiatry, Section of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
| | - Jose A Cortes-Briones
- Department of Psychiatry, Section of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Mihály Hajós
- Laboratory of Translational Neuropharmacology, Section of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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26
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Abstract
Cannabis use has been reported to increase the risk of developing schizophrenia and to worsen symptoms of the illness. Both of these outcomes might be attributable to the disruption by cannabis of the endogenous cannabinoid system's spatiotemporal regulation of the inhibitory circuitry in the prefrontal cortex that is essential for core cognitive processes, such as working memory, which are impaired in schizophrenia. In the healthy brain, the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonylglycerol 1) is synthesized by diacylglycerol lipase in pyramidal neurons; 2) travels retrogradely to nearby inhibitory axon terminals that express the primary type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R); 3) binds to CB1R, which inhibits gamma-aminobutyric acid release from the cholecystokinin-containing population of interneurons; and 4) is metabolized by either monoglyceride lipase, which is located in the inhibitory axon terminal, or by α-β-hydrolase domain 6, which is co-localized presynaptically with diacylglycerol lipase. Investigations of the endogenous cannabinoid system in the prefrontal cortex of subjects with schizophrenia have found evidence of higher metabolism of 2-arachidonylglycerol, as well as both greater CB1R receptor binding and lower levels of CB1R messenger RNA and protein. Current views on the potential pathogenesis of these alterations, including disturbances in the development of the endogenous cannabinoid system, are discussed. In addition, how interactions between these alterations in the endocannabinoid system and those in other inhibitory neurons in the prefrontal cortex in subjects with schizophrenia might increase the liability to adverse outcomes with cannabis use is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W. Volk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - David A. Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213,Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
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27
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Pennucci R, Talpo F, Astro V, Montinaro V, Morè L, Cursi M, Castoldi V, Chiaretti S, Bianchi V, Marenna S, Cambiaghi M, Tonoli D, Leocani L, Biella G, D'Adamo P, de Curtis I. Loss of Either Rac1 or Rac3 GTPase Differentially Affects the Behavior of Mutant Mice and the Development of Functional GABAergic Networks. Cereb Cortex 2015; 26:873-890. [PMID: 26582364 PMCID: PMC4712809 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhv274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Rac GTPases regulate the development of cortical/hippocampal GABAergic interneurons by affecting the early development and migration of GABAergic precursors. We have addressed the function of Rac1 and Rac3 proteins during the late maturation of hippocampal interneurons. We observed specific phenotypic differences between conditional Rac1 and full Rac3 knockout mice. Rac1 deletion caused greater generalized hyperactivity and cognitive impairment compared with Rac3 deletion. This phenotype matched with a more evident functional impairment of the inhibitory circuits in Rac1 mutants, showing higher excitability and reduced spontaneous inhibitory currents in the CA hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Morphological analysis confirmed a differential modification of the inhibitory circuits: deletion of either Rac caused a similar reduction of parvalbumin-positive inhibitory terminals in the pyramidal layer. Intriguingly, cannabinoid receptor-1-positive terminals were strongly increased only in the CA1 of Rac1-depleted mice. This increase may underlie the stronger electrophysiological defects in this mutant. Accordingly, incubation with an antagonist for cannabinoid receptors partially rescued the reduction of spontaneous inhibitory currents in the pyramidal cells of Rac1 mutants. Our results show that Rac1 and Rac3 have independent roles in the formation of GABAergic circuits, as highlighted by the differential effects of their deletion on the late maturation of specific populations of interneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesca Talpo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Italy
| | | | | | - Lorenzo Morè
- Molecular Genetics of Mental Retardation Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCSS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Marco Cursi
- Experimental Neurophysiology Unit, INSPE-Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, IRCSS San Raffaele Scientific Institute and San Raffaele University, Milano 20132, Italy
| | - Valerio Castoldi
- Experimental Neurophysiology Unit, INSPE-Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, IRCSS San Raffaele Scientific Institute and San Raffaele University, Milano 20132, Italy
| | | | - Veronica Bianchi
- Molecular Genetics of Mental Retardation Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCSS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Marenna
- Experimental Neurophysiology Unit, INSPE-Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, IRCSS San Raffaele Scientific Institute and San Raffaele University, Milano 20132, Italy
| | - Marco Cambiaghi
- Experimental Neurophysiology Unit, INSPE-Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, IRCSS San Raffaele Scientific Institute and San Raffaele University, Milano 20132, Italy
| | | | - Letizia Leocani
- Experimental Neurophysiology Unit, INSPE-Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, IRCSS San Raffaele Scientific Institute and San Raffaele University, Milano 20132, Italy
| | - Gerardo Biella
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Italy
| | - Patrizia D'Adamo
- Molecular Genetics of Mental Retardation Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCSS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
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28
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Reyes BAS, Heldt NA, Mackie K, Van Bockstaele EJ. Ultrastructural evidence for synaptic contacts between cortical noradrenergic afferents and endocannabinoid-synthesizing post-synaptic neurons. Neuroscience 2015; 303:323-37. [PMID: 26162236 PMCID: PMC4542008 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Revised: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are involved in a myriad of physiological processes that are mediated through the activation of cannabinoid receptors, which are ubiquitously distributed within the nervous system. One neurochemical target at which cannabinoids interact to have global effects on behavior is brain noradrenergic circuitry. We, and others, have previously shown that CB type 1 receptors (CB1r) are positioned to pre-synaptically modulate norepinephrine (NE) release in the rat frontal cortex (FC). Diacylglycerol lipase (DGL) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). While DGL-α is expressed in the FC in the rat brain, it is not known whether noradrenergic afferents target neurons expressing synthesizing enzymes for the endocannabinoid, 2-AG. In the present study, we employed high-resolution neuroanatomical approaches to better define cellular sites for interactions between noradrenergic afferents and FC neurons expressing DGL-α. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed close appositions between processes containing the norepinephrine transporter (NET) or dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DβH) and cortical neurons expressing DGL-α-immunoreactivity. Ultrastructural analysis using immunogold-silver labeling for DGL-α and immunoperoxidase labeling for NET or DβH confirmed that NET-labeled axon terminals were directly apposed to FC somata and dendritic processes that exhibited DGL-α-immunoreactivity. Finally, tissue sections were processed for immunohistochemical detection of DGL-α, CB1r and DβH. Triple label immunofluorescence revealed that CB1r and DβH were co-localized in common cellular profiles and these were in close association with DGL-α. Taken together, these data provide anatomical evidence for direct synaptic associations between noradrenergic afferents and cortical neurons exhibiting endocannabinoid synthesizing machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- B A S Reyes
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19102, United States.
| | - N A Heldt
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19102, United States
| | - K Mackie
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - E J Van Bockstaele
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19102, United States
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29
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Cortes-Briones J, Skosnik PD, Mathalon D, Cahill J, Pittman B, Williams A, Sewell RA, Ranganathan M, Roach B, Ford J, D'Souza DC. Δ9-THC Disrupts Gamma (γ)-Band Neural Oscillations in Humans. Neuropsychopharmacology 2015; 40:2124-34. [PMID: 25709097 PMCID: PMC4613601 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2015.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Revised: 01/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Gamma (γ)-band oscillations play a key role in perception, associative learning, and conscious awareness and have been shown to be disrupted by cannabinoids in animal studies. The goal of this study was to determine whether cannabinoids disrupt γ-oscillations in humans and whether these effects relate to their psychosis-relevant behavioral effects. The acute, dose-related effects of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC) on the auditory steady-state response (ASSR) were studied in humans (n=20) who completed 3 test days during which they received intravenous Δ(9)-THC (placebo, 0.015, and 0.03 mg/kg) in a double-blind, randomized, crossover, and counterbalanced design. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded while subjects listened to auditory click trains presented at 20, 30, and 40 Hz. Psychosis-relevant effects were measured with the Positive and Negative Syndrome scale (PANSS). Δ(9)-THC (0.03 mg/kg) reduced intertrial coherence (ITC) in the 40 Hz condition compared with 0.015 mg/kg and placebo. No significant effects were detected for 30 and 20 Hz stimulation. Furthermore, there was a negative correlation between 40 Hz ITC and PANSS subscales and total scores under the influence of Δ(9)-THC. Δ(9)-THC (0.03 mg/kg) reduced evoked power during 40 Hz stimulation at a trend level. Recent users of cannabis showed blunted Δ(9)-THC effects on ITC and evoked power. We show for the first time in humans that cannabinoids disrupt γ-band neural oscillations. Furthermore, there is a relationship between disruption of γ-band neural oscillations and psychosis-relevant phenomena induced by cannabinoids. These findings add to a growing literature suggesting some overlap between the acute effects of cannabinoids and the behavioral and psychophysiological alterations observed in psychotic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Cortes-Briones
- Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Patrick D Skosnik
- Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Daniel Mathalon
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA,Mental Health Service Line, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John Cahill
- Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Brian Pittman
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ashley Williams
- Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA,Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - R Andrew Sewell
- Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mohini Ranganathan
- Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Brian Roach
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA,Mental Health Service Line, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Judith Ford
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA,Mental Health Service Line, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Deepak Cyril D'Souza
- Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA,Psychiatry Service 116A, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA, Tel: +1 203 932 5711 (2594), Fax: +1 203 937 4860, E-mail:
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30
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GABA Deficits Enhance the Psychotomimetic Effects of Δ9-THC. Neuropsychopharmacology 2015; 40:2047-56. [PMID: 25728472 PMCID: PMC4839528 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2015.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2014] [Revised: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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31
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Soltesz I, Alger BE, Kano M, Lee SH, Lovinger DM, Ohno-Shosaku T, Watanabe M. Weeding out bad waves: towards selective cannabinoid circuit control in epilepsy. Nat Rev Neurosci 2015; 16:264-77. [PMID: 25891509 PMCID: PMC10631555 DOI: 10.1038/nrn3937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Endocannabinoids are lipid-derived messengers, and both their synthesis and breakdown are under tight spatiotemporal regulation. As retrograde signalling molecules, endocannabinoids are synthesized postsynaptically but activate presynaptic cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) receptors to inhibit neurotransmitter release. In turn, CB1-expressing inhibitory and excitatory synapses act as strategically placed control points for activity-dependent regulation of dynamically changing normal and pathological oscillatory network activity. Here, we highlight emerging principles of cannabinoid circuit control and plasticity, and discuss their relevance for epilepsy and related comorbidities. New insights into cannabinoid signalling may facilitate the translation of the recent interest in cannabis-related substances as antiseizure medications to evidence-based treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Soltesz
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, USA
| | - Bradley E Alger
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
| | - Masanobu Kano
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Sang-Hun Lee
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, USA
| | - David M Lovinger
- Section on Synaptic Pharmacology, Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, US National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Takako Ohno-Shosaku
- Department of Impairment Study, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0942, Japan
| | - Masahiko Watanabe
- Department of Anatomy, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
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32
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Rotaru DC, Olezene C, Miyamae T, Povysheva NV, Zaitsev AV, Lewis DA, Gonzalez-Burgos G. Functional properties of GABA synaptic inputs onto GABA neurons in monkey prefrontal cortex. J Neurophysiol 2015; 113:1850-61. [PMID: 25540225 PMCID: PMC4359991 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00799.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In rodent cortex GABAA receptor (GABAAR)-mediated synapses are a significant source of input onto GABA neurons, and the properties of these inputs vary among GABA neuron subtypes that differ in molecular markers and firing patterns. Some features of cortical interneurons are different between rodents and primates, but it is not known whether inhibition of GABA neurons is prominent in the primate cortex and, if so, whether these inputs show heterogeneity across GABA neuron subtypes. We thus studied GABAAR-mediated miniature synaptic events in GABAergic interneurons in layer 3 of monkey dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Interneurons were identified on the basis of their firing pattern as fast spiking (FS), regular spiking (RS), burst spiking (BS), or irregular spiking (IS). Miniature synaptic events were common in all of the recorded interneurons, and the frequency of these events was highest in FS neurons. The amplitude and kinetics of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (mIPSPs) also differed between DLPFC interneuron subtypes in a manner correlated with their input resistance and membrane time constant. FS neurons had the fastest mIPSP decay times and the strongest effects of the GABAAR modulator zolpidem, suggesting that the distinctive properties of inhibitory synaptic inputs onto FS cells are in part conferred by GABAARs containing α1 subunits. Moreover, mIPSCs differed between FS and RS interneurons in a manner consistent with the mIPSP findings. These results show that in the monkey DLPFC GABAAR-mediated synaptic inputs are prominent in layer 3 interneurons and may differentially regulate the activity of different interneuron subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana C Rotaru
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cameron Olezene
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Takeaki Miyamae
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Nadezhda V Povysheva
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and
| | - Aleksey V Zaitsev
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - David A Lewis
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Guillermo Gonzalez-Burgos
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
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33
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Schmidt MJ, Mirnics K. Neurodevelopment, GABA system dysfunction, and schizophrenia. Neuropsychopharmacology 2015; 40:190-206. [PMID: 24759129 PMCID: PMC4262918 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2014.95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2014] [Revised: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/11/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The origins of schizophrenia have eluded clinicians and researchers since Kraepelin and Bleuler began documenting their findings. However, large clinical research efforts in recent decades have identified numerous genetic and environmental risk factors for schizophrenia. The combined data strongly support the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia and underscore the importance of the common converging effects of diverse insults. In this review, we discuss the evidence that genetic and environmental risk factors that predispose to schizophrenia disrupt the development and normal functioning of the GABAergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin J Schmidt
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Karoly Mirnics
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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34
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Skosnik PD, Krishnan GP, D'Souza DC, Hetrick WP, O'Donnell BF. Disrupted gamma-band neural oscillations during coherent motion perception in heavy cannabis users. Neuropsychopharmacology 2014; 39:3087-99. [PMID: 24990428 PMCID: PMC4229582 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2014.166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Revised: 06/09/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Previous work in animals and humans has shown that exogenous cannabinoids disrupt time-locked, evoked gamma oscillations (30-80 Hz). However, no studies to date have examined the effect of cannabis on non-time-locked, induced gamma oscillations during more complex Gestalt perception. The current study therefore utilized electroencephalography (EEG) to examine gamma oscillations during coherent motion perception in heavy cannabis users and controls. Chronic cannabis users (n = 24; 12 h abstinence before study; positive 11-nor-9-carboxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol urine levels) and cannabis-naive controls (n = 23) were evaluated. Stimuli consisted of random dot kinetograms (RDKs) that subjects passively viewed during three different conditions: coherent motion, incoherent motion, and static. Time × frequency analysis on EEG data was performed using Fourier-based mean trial power (MTP). Transient event-related potentials (ERPs) to stimulus onset (visual N100 and P200 components) were also evaluated. The results showed that the coherent motion condition produced a robust increase in neural activity in the gamma range (induced power from 40 to 59 Hz) as compared with the incoherent motion and static conditions. As predicted, the cannabis group showed significant reductions in induced gamma power in the coherent condition relative to healthy controls. No differences were observed between the groups in the N100 or P200 components, indicating intact primary sensory processing. Finally, cannabis users showed a trend toward increased scores on the Chapman Perceptual Aberration Scale (PAS) that was positively correlated with total years of active cannabis use. These data suggest that cannabis use may interfere with the generation of induced gamma-band neural oscillations that could in part mediate the perceptual-altering effects of exogenous cannabinoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick D Skosnik
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA, Tel: +1 812 320 2521, Fax: +1 203 937 4860, E-mail:
| | - Giri P Krishnan
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Deepak C D'Souza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - William P Hetrick
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Brian F O'Donnell
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
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35
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Keshavan MS, Giedd J, Lau JYF, Lewis DA, Paus T. Changes in the adolescent brain and the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders. Lancet Psychiatry 2014; 1:549-58. [PMID: 26361314 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(14)00081-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/23/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is a time of extensive neuroanatomical, functional, and chemical reorganisation of the brain which parallels substantial maturational changes in cognition and affect regulation. This period is characterised by stabilisation of synapses to diminish redundancy and increase efficiency of neural function, fine-tuning of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter systems, beginning of integration between late maturing and early maturing brain structures, and development of effective connections. In effect, these so-called moving parts create a state of dynamic change that might underlie adolescent behaviours. Imbalances or changes in timing of these developmental processes clearly increase the risk for psychiatric disorders. Genetic, environmental, and epigenetic factors that shape brain development and hormonal changes that affect stress reactivity could be reasons why some, but not all, adolescents are at a heightened risk of developing a psychopathological disorder. In this Series paper, we assess the neurobiology of the changing adolescent brain, implications of this knowledge, and future research in major psychiatric disorders, particularly for psychotic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matcheri S Keshavan
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Jay Giedd
- Brain Imaging Section, Child Psychiatry Branch, NIMH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - David A Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Tomáš Paus
- Rotman Research Institute and Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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36
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Why sigma-1 receptor dysfunction might confer vulnerability to cannabis-induced psychosis. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2014; 17:1911-3. [PMID: 25116043 DOI: 10.1017/s1461145714000960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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37
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Cheng H, Skosnik PD, Pruce BJ, Brumbaugh MS, Vollmer JM, Fridberg DJ, O’Donnell BF, Hetrick WP, Newman SD. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging reveals distinct brain activity in heavy cannabis users - a multi-voxel pattern analysis. J Psychopharmacol 2014; 28:1030-40. [PMID: 25237118 PMCID: PMC4427512 DOI: 10.1177/0269881114550354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Chronic cannabis use can cause cognitive, perceptual and personality alterations, which are believed to be associated with regional brain changes and possible changes in connectivity between functional regions. This study aims to identify the changes from resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans. A two-level multi-voxel pattern analysis was proposed to classify male cannabis users from normal controls. The first level analysis works on a voxel basis and identifies clusters for the input of a second level analysis, which works on the functional connectivity between these regions. We found distinct clusters for male cannabis users in the middle frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, posterior cingulate cortex, cerebellum and some other regions. Based on the functional connectivity of these clusters, a high overall accuracy rate of 84-88% in classification accuracy was achieved. High correlations were also found between the overall classification accuracy and Barrett Barrett Impulsiveness Scale factor scores of attention and motor. Our result suggests regional differences in the brains of male cannabis users that span from the cerebellum to the prefrontal cortex, which are associated with differences in functional connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Cheng
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - PD Skosnik
- Department of Psychiatry, The Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - BJ Pruce
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - MS Brumbaugh
- Department of Psychiatry, The Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - JM Vollmer
- Department of Psychiatry, The Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - DJ Fridberg
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - BF O’Donnell
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - WP Hetrick
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - SD Newman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
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Volk DW, Eggan SM, Horti AG, Wong DF, Lewis DA. Reciprocal alterations in cortical cannabinoid receptor 1 binding relative to protein immunoreactivity and transcript levels in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2014; 159:124-9. [PMID: 25107849 PMCID: PMC4177350 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2014.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Revised: 07/08/2014] [Accepted: 07/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The deleterious effects of cannabis use in schizophrenia have been linked, in part, to underlying disturbances in endogenous cannabinoid signaling in the prefrontal cortex. However, while receptor autoradiography studies of the primary cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) have consistently found higher CB1R binding in the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia, deficits in CB1R mRNA levels and protein immunoreactivity have also been reported in the illness. To investigate this apparent discrepancy, we quantified CB1R binding using receptor autoradiography with the selective CB1R ligand [(3)H]-OMAR in the prefrontal cortex of 21 subjects with schizophrenia who were previously found to have lower levels of both CB1R mRNA using in situ hybridization and CB1R protein using radioimmunocytochemistry relative to matched healthy comparison subjects. We observed higher levels of [(3)H]-OMAR binding in the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenia subjects that did not appear to be attributable to psychotropic medications or substance abuse. The combination of lower levels of CB1R mRNA and immunoreactivity with higher CB1R receptor binding may reflect 1) altered trafficking of the receptor resulting in higher levels of membrane-bound CB1R or 2) higher CB1R affinity. In either case, greater CB1R receptor availability may contribute to the increased susceptibility of schizophrenia subjects to the deleterious effects of cannabis use.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Volk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States.
| | - Stephen M Eggan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
| | - Andrew G Horti
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, United States
| | - Dean F Wong
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, United States
| | - David A Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States; Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
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Wilkinson ST, Radhakrishnan R, D'Souza DC. Impact of Cannabis Use on the Development of Psychotic Disorders. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2014; 1:115-128. [PMID: 25767748 DOI: 10.1007/s40429-014-0018-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The link between cannabis use and psychosis comprises three distinct relationships: acute psychosis associated with cannabis intoxication, acute psychosis that lasts beyond the period of acute intoxication, and persistent psychosis not time-locked to exposure. Experimental studies reveal that cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and synthetic cannabinoids reliably produce transient positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms in healthy volunteers. Case-studies indicate that cannabinoids can induce acute psychosis which lasts beyond the period of acute intoxication but resolves within a month. Exposure to cannabis in adolescence is associated with a risk for later psychotic disorder in adulthood; this association is consistent, temporally related, shows a dose-response, and is biologically plausible. However, cannabis is neither necessary nor sufficient to cause a persistent psychotic disorder. More likely it is a component cause that interacts with other factors to result in psychosis. The link between cannabis and psychosis is moderated by age at onset of cannabis use, childhood abuse and genetic vulnerability. While more research is needed to better characterize the relationship between cannabinoid use and the onset and persistence of psychosis, clinicians should be mindful of the potential risk of psychosis especially in vulnerable populations, including adolescents and those with a psychosis diathesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel T Wilkinson
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rajiv Radhakrishnan
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Deepak Cyril D'Souza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA ; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA ; Schizophrenia and Neuropharmacology Research Group, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
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Kubota Y. Untangling GABAergic wiring in the cortical microcircuit. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2013; 26:7-14. [PMID: 24650498 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2013.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Revised: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The cerebral cortical microcircuit is composed of pyramidal and non-pyramidal cells and subcortical and cortico-cortical afferents. These constitute a complex wiring structure that remains poorly understood. At least ten non-pyramidal cell subtypes are known. These innervate different target neuronal domains, and have a key role in regulating cortical neuronal activity. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the cerebral cortex, and most cortical inhibitory synapses originate from non-pyramidal cells. Therefore, investigating the morphological and functional wiring properties of GABAergic non-pyramidal cells is critical to understanding the functional architecture of the cortical microcircuitry. This review focuses on current understanding of the different roles of inhibitory GABAergic non-pyramidal cell subtypes in cortical functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiyuki Kubota
- Division of Cerebral Circuitry, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan; Department of Physiological Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Okazaki, Japan; Japan Science and Technology Agency, Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Tokyo, Japan.
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Brown JA, Horváth S, Garbett KA, Schmidt MJ, Everheart M, Gellért L, Ebert P, Mirnics K. The role of cannabinoid 1 receptor expressing interneurons in behavior. Neurobiol Dis 2013; 63:210-21. [PMID: 24239560 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2013.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2013] [Revised: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 11/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder that affects approximately 1% of the population. Reduced expression of the 67-kDa protein isoform of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67) is a hallmark of the disease and is encoded by the GAD1 gene. In schizophrenia, GAD67 downregulation occurs in multiple interneuronal subpopulations, including the cannabinoid receptor type 1 positive (CNR1+) cells, but the functional consequences of these disturbances are not well understood. To investigate the role of the CNR1-positive GABA-ergic interneurons in behavioral and molecular processes, we employed a novel, miRNA-mediated transgenic mouse approach. We silenced the Gad1 transcript using a miRNA engineered to specifically target Gad1 mRNA under the control of Cnr1 bacterial artificial chromosome. Behavioral characterization of our transgenic mice showed elevated and persistent conditioned fear associated with an auditory cue and a significantly altered response to an amphetamine challenge. These deficits could not be attributed to sensory deficits or changes in baseline learning and memory. Furthermore, HPLC analyses revealed that Cnr1/Gad1 mice have enhanced serotonin levels, but not dopamine levels in response to amphetamine. Our findings demonstrate that dysfunction of a small subset of interneurons can have a profound effect on behavior and that the GABA-ergic, monoamine, and cannabinoid systems are functionally interconnected. The results also suggest that understanding the function of various interneuronal subclasses might be essential to develop knowledge-based treatment strategies for various mental disorders including schizophrenia and substance abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn A Brown
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Szatmár Horváth
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Szeged, 6725 Szeged, Hungary
| | | | - Martin J Schmidt
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Monika Everheart
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Levente Gellért
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Szeged, 6725 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Philip Ebert
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Károly Mirnics
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Szeged, 6725 Szeged, Hungary; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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Endocannabinoid metabolism in the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2013; 147:53-57. [PMID: 23561296 PMCID: PMC3650113 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2013.02.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2012] [Revised: 02/21/2013] [Accepted: 02/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Adolescent cannabis use is associated with greater relative risk, increased symptom severity, and earlier age of onset of schizophrenia. We investigated whether this interaction may be partly attributable to disease-related disturbances in metabolism of the major cortical endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). Transcript levels for the recently discovered 2-AG metabolizing enzyme, α-β-hydrolase domain 6 (ABHD6), were assessed using quantitative PCR in the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenia and healthy subjects (n=84) and antipsychotic- or tetrahydrocannabinol-exposed monkeys. ABHD6 mRNA levels were elevated in schizophrenia subjects who were younger and had a shorter illness duration but not in antipsychotic- or tetrahydrocannabinol-exposed monkeys. Higher ABHD6 mRNA levels may increase 2-AG metabolism which may influence susceptibility to cannabis in the earlier stages of schizophrenia.
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Catts VS, Fung SJ, Long LE, Joshi D, Vercammen A, Allen KM, Fillman SG, Rothmond DA, Sinclair D, Tiwari Y, Tsai SY, Weickert TW, Shannon Weickert C. Rethinking schizophrenia in the context of normal neurodevelopment. Front Cell Neurosci 2013; 7:60. [PMID: 23720610 PMCID: PMC3654207 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2013.00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2013] [Accepted: 04/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The schizophrenia brain is differentiated from the normal brain by subtle changes, with significant overlap in measures between normal and disease states. For the past 25 years, schizophrenia has increasingly been considered a neurodevelopmental disorder. This frame of reference challenges biological researchers to consider how pathological changes identified in adult brain tissue can be accounted for by aberrant developmental processes occurring during fetal, childhood, or adolescent periods. To place schizophrenia neuropathology in a neurodevelopmental context requires solid, scrutinized evidence of changes occurring during normal development of the human brain, particularly in the cortex; however, too often data on normative developmental change are selectively referenced. This paper focuses on the development of the prefrontal cortex and charts major molecular, cellular, and behavioral events on a similar time line. We first consider the time at which human cognitive abilities such as selective attention, working memory, and inhibitory control mature, emphasizing that attainment of full adult potential is a process requiring decades. We review the timing of neurogenesis, neuronal migration, white matter changes (myelination), and synapse development. We consider how molecular changes in neurotransmitter signaling pathways are altered throughout life and how they may be concomitant with cellular and cognitive changes. We end with a consideration of how the response to drugs of abuse changes with age. We conclude that the concepts around the timing of cortical neuronal migration, interneuron maturation, and synaptic regression in humans may need revision and include greater emphasis on the protracted and dynamic changes occurring in adolescence. Updating our current understanding of post-natal neurodevelopment should aid researchers in interpreting gray matter changes and derailed neurodevelopmental processes that could underlie emergence of psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vibeke S. Catts
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Schizophrenia Research InstituteSydney, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaSydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South WalesSydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Samantha J. Fung
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Schizophrenia Research InstituteSydney, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaSydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South WalesSydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Leonora E. Long
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Schizophrenia Research InstituteSydney, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaSydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South WalesSydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Dipesh Joshi
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Schizophrenia Research InstituteSydney, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaSydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South WalesSydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ans Vercammen
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Schizophrenia Research InstituteSydney, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaSydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South WalesSydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychology, Australian Catholic UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Katherine M. Allen
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Schizophrenia Research InstituteSydney, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaSydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South WalesSydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stu G. Fillman
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Schizophrenia Research InstituteSydney, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaSydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South WalesSydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Debora A. Rothmond
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Schizophrenia Research InstituteSydney, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaSydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Duncan Sinclair
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Schizophrenia Research InstituteSydney, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaSydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South WalesSydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yash Tiwari
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Schizophrenia Research InstituteSydney, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaSydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South WalesSydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Shan-Yuan Tsai
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Schizophrenia Research InstituteSydney, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaSydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South WalesSydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Thomas W. Weickert
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Schizophrenia Research InstituteSydney, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaSydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South WalesSydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Cynthia Shannon Weickert
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Schizophrenia Research InstituteSydney, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaSydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South WalesSydney, NSW, Australia
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Sonomura T, Furuta T, Nakatani I, Yamamoto Y, Unzai T, Matsuda W, Iwai H, Yamanaka A, Uemura M, Kaneko T. Correlative analysis of immunoreactivity in confocal laser-scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with focused ion beam milling. Front Neural Circuits 2013; 7:26. [PMID: 23443927 PMCID: PMC3581071 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2013.00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2012] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, three-dimensional reconstruction of ultrastructure of the brain has been realized with minimal effort by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with focused ion beam (FIB) milling (FIB-SEM). Application of immunohistochemical staining in electron microscopy (EM) provides a great advantage in that molecules of interest are specifically localized in ultrastructures. Thus, we applied immunocytochemistry for FIB-SEM and correlated this immunoreactivity with that in confocal laser-scanning microcopy (CF-LSM). Dendrites of medium-sized spiny neurons in the rat neostriatum were visualized using a recombinant viral vector, which labeled the infected neurons with membrane-targeted GFP in a Golgi stain-like fashion. Moreover, the thalamostriatal afferent terminals were immunolabeled with Cy5 fluorescence for vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGluT2). After detection of the sites of terminals apposed to the dendrites by using CF-LSM, GFP and VGluT2 immunoreactivities were further developed for EM by using immunogold/silver enhancement and immunoperoxidase/diaminobenzidine (DAB) methods, respectively. In contrast-inverted FIB-SEM images, silver precipitations and DAB deposits were observed as fine dark grains and diffuse dense profiles, respectively, indicating that these immunoreactivities were as easily recognizable as those in the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. Furthermore, in the sites of interest, some appositions displayed synaptic specializations of an asymmetric type. Thus, the present method was useful in the three-dimensional analysis of immunocytochemically differentiated synaptic connections in the central neural circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Sonomura
- Department of Anatomy for Oral Sciences, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University Kagoshima, Japan
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Laprairie RB, Kelly MEM, Denovan-Wright EM. The dynamic nature of type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB(1) ) gene transcription. Br J Pharmacol 2012; 167:1583-95. [PMID: 22924606 PMCID: PMC3525862 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2012.02175.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2012] [Revised: 07/16/2012] [Accepted: 08/03/2012] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB(1) ) is an integral component of the endocannabinoid system that modulates several functions in the CNS and periphery. The majority of our knowledge of the endocannabinoid system involves ligand-receptor binding, mechanisms of signal transduction, and protein-protein interactions. In contrast, comparatively little is known about regulation of CB(1) gene expression. The levels and anatomical distribution of CB(1) mRNA and protein are developmental stage-specific and are dysregulated in several pathological conditions. Moreover, exposure to a variety of drugs, including cannabinoids themselves, alters CB(1) gene expression and mRNA levels. As such, alterations in CB(1) gene expression are likely to affect the optimal response to cannabinoid-based therapies, which are being developed to treat a growing number of conditions. Here, we will examine the regulation of CB(1) mRNA levels and the therapeutic potential inherent in manipulating expression of this gene. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Cannabinoids. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2012.167.issue-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- R B Laprairie
- Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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Abstract
Clinical studies report associations between cannabis use during adolescence and later onset of schizophrenia. We examined the causal relationship between developmental cannabinoid administration and long-term behavioral and molecular alterations in mice. Mice were administered either WIN 55,212-2 (WIN), a cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) agonist or vehicle (Veh) during adolescence (postnatal day 30-35) or early adulthood (postnatal day 63-70). Behavioral testing was conducted after postnatal day 120 followed by biochemical assays. Adolescent cannabinoid treatment (ACU) leads to deficits in prepulse inhibition and fear conditioning in adulthood. Metabotropic glutamate receptors type 5 (mGluR5), a receptor critically involved in fear conditioning and endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling, is significantly reduced in the ACU mouse hippocampus. Next, we examined expression profiles of genes involved in eCB synthesis (diacylglycerol lipase (DGL)) and uptake (monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH)) in the experimental mice. We find evidence of increased MGL and FAAH in ACU mice, reflecting increases in eCB uptake and degradation. These data suggest that administration of cannabinoids during adolescence leads to a behavioral phenotype associated with a rodent model of schizophrenia, as indexed by alterations in sensorimotor gating and hippocampal-dependent learning and memory deficits. Further, these deficits are associated with a reduction in hippocampal mGluR5 and a sustained change in eCB turnover, suggesting reduced eCB signaling in the ACU hippocampus. These data suggest that significant cannabis use during adolescence may be a contributory causal factor in the development of certain features of schizophrenia and may offer mGluR5 as a potential therapeutic target.
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Abstract
Animal and cellular work has shown that central cannabinoid-1 receptors modulate neural oscillations in the gamma range (40 Hz), which may be important for normal perceptual and cognitive processes. In order to assess the effect of cannabinoids on broadband-frequency neural oscillations in humans, the current study examined the effect of chronic cannabis use on auditory steady-state responses (ASSRs) utilizing electroencephalography (EEG). Passive ASSRs were assessed using varying rates of binaural stimulation (auditory click-trains; 10-50 Hz in increments of 5 Hz; 80 dB SPL) in carefully screened cannabis users and controls. Chronic cannabis users (n=22; 12 h abstinence before study; positive 11-nor-9-carboxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol urine levels) and cannabis naïve controls (n=24) were evaluated. Time X frequency analyses on EEG data were performed using Fourier-based mean trial power (MTP) and phase-locking (inter-trial coherence; ITC). Transient ERPs to stimulus onset (auditory N100 components) were also evaluated. As predicted, a decrease in spectral power (MTP) at 40 Hz was observed in the cannabis group (p<0.018). No effects on phase-locking (ITC) or the N100 were observed. Further, within the cannabis group, lower 40 Hz power correlated with an earlier age of onset of cannabis use (p<0.04). These data suggest that chronic exposure to exogenous cannabinoids can alter the ability to generate neural oscillations, particularly in the gamma range. This is consistent with preclinical animal and cellular data, which may have implications for understanding the short- and long-term psychopharmacological effects of cannabis.
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Long LE, Lind J, Webster M, Weickert CS. Developmental trajectory of the endocannabinoid system in human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. BMC Neurosci 2012; 13:87. [PMID: 22827915 PMCID: PMC3464170 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-13-87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2012] [Accepted: 06/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Endocannabinoids provide control over cortical neurotransmission. We investigated the developmental expression of key genes in the endocannabinoid system across human postnatal life and determined whether they correspond to the development of markers for inhibitory interneurons, which shape cortical development. We used microarray with qPCR validation and in situ hybridisation to quantify mRNA for the central endocannabinoid receptor CB1R, endocannabinoid synthetic enzymes (DAGLα for 2-arachidonylglycerol [2-AG] and NAPE-PLD for anandamide), and inactivating enzymes (MGL and ABHD6 for 2-AG and FAAH for anandamide) in human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (39 days - 49 years). Results CB1R mRNA decreases until adulthood, particularly in layer II, after peaking between neonates and toddlers. DAGLα mRNA expression is lowest in early life and adulthood, peaking between school age and young adulthood. MGL expression declines after peaking in infancy, while ABHD6 increases from neonatal age. NAPE-PLD and FAAH expression increase steadily after infancy, peaking in adulthood. Conclusions Stronger endocannabinoid regulation of presynaptic neurotransmission in both supragranular and infragranular cortical layers as indexed through higher CB1R mRNA may occur within the first few years of human life. After adolescence, higher mRNA levels of the anandamide synthetic and inactivating enzymes NAPE-PLD and FAAH suggest that a late developmental switch may occur where anandamide is more strongly regulated after adolescence than earlier in life. Thus, expression of key genes in the endocannabinoid system changes with maturation of cortical function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonora E Long
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
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New insights on endocannabinoid transmission in psychomotor disorders. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2012; 38:51-8. [PMID: 22521335 PMCID: PMC3389227 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2012.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2012] [Revised: 03/26/2012] [Accepted: 04/01/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoids are lipid signaling molecules that bind to cannabinoid CB(1) and CB(2) receptors and other metabotropic and ionotropic receptors. Anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, the two best-characterized examples, are released on demand in a stimulus-dependent manner by cleavage of membrane phospholipid precursors. Together with their receptors and metabolic enzymes, the endocannabinoids play a key role in modulating neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity in the basal ganglia and other brain areas involved in the control of motor functions and motivational aspects of behavior. This mini-review provides an update on the contribution of the endocannabinoid system to the regulation of psychomotor behaviors and its possible involvement in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia.
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Hsieh LS, Levine ES. Cannabinoid modulation of backpropagating action potential-induced calcium transients in layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons. Cereb Cortex 2012; 23:1731-41. [PMID: 22693342 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhs168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocannabinoids (eCBs) play a prominent role in regulating synaptic signaling throughout the brain. In layer 2/3 of the neocortex, eCB-mediated suppression of GABA release results in an enhanced excitability of pyramidal neurons (PNs). The eCB system is also involved in spike timing-dependent plasticity that is dependent on backpropagating action potentials (bAPs). Dendritic backpropagation plays an important role in many aspects of neuronal function, and can be modulated by intrinsic dendritic conductances as well as by synaptic inputs. The present studies explored a role for the eCB system in modulating backpropagation in PN dendrites. Using dendritic calcium imaging and somatic patch clamp recordings from mouse somatosensory cortical slices, we found that activation of type 1 cannabinoid receptors potentiated bAP-induced calcium transients in apical dendrites of layer 2/3 but not layer 5 PNs. This effect was mediated by suppression of GABAergic transmission, because it was prevented by a GABAA receptor antagonist and was correlated with cannabinoid suppression of inhibitory synaptic activity. Finally, we found that activity-dependent eCB release during depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition enhanced bAP-induced dendritic calcium transients. Taken together, these results point to a potentially important role for the eCB system in regulating dendritic backpropagation in layer 2/3 PNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence S Hsieh
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
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