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Yeh LF, Zuo S, Liu PW. Molecular diversity and functional dynamics in the central amygdala. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1364268. [PMID: 38419794 PMCID: PMC10899328 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1364268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The central amygdala (CeA) is crucial in integrating sensory and associative information to mediate adaptive responses to emotional stimuli. Recent advances in genetic techniques like optogenetics and chemogenetics have deepened our understanding of distinct neuronal populations within the CeA, particularly those involved in fear learning and memory consolidation. However, challenges remain due to overlapping genetic markers complicating neuron identification. Furthermore, a comprehensive understanding of molecularly defined cell types and their projection patterns, which are essential for elucidating functional roles, is still developing. Recent advancements in transcriptomics are starting to bridge these gaps, offering new insights into the functional dynamics of CeA neurons. In this review, we provide an overview of the expanding genetic markers for amygdala research, encompassing recent developments and current trends. We also discuss how novel transcriptomic approaches are redefining cell types in the CeA and setting the stage for comprehensive functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Feng Yeh
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
| | - Shuzhen Zuo
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Pin-Wu Liu
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
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2
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Chelini G, Trombetta EM, Fortunato-Asquini T, Ollari O, Pecchia T, Bozzi Y. Automated Segmentation of the Mouse Body Language to Study Stimulus-Evoked Emotional Behaviors. eNeuro 2023; 10:ENEURO.0514-22.2023. [PMID: 37648448 PMCID: PMC10496135 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0514-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the neural basis of emotions is a critical step to uncover the biological substrates of neuropsychiatric disorders. To study this aspect in freely behaving mice, neuroscientists have relied on the observation of ethologically relevant bodily cues to infer the affective content of the subject, both in neutral conditions or in response to a stimulus. The best example of that is the widespread assessment of freezing in experiments testing both conditioned and unconditioned fear responses. While robust and powerful, these approaches come at a cost: they are usually confined within selected time windows, accounting for only a limited portion of the complexity of emotional fluctuation. Moreover, they often rely on visual inspection and subjective judgment, resulting in inconsistency across experiments and questionable result interpretations. To overcome these limitations, novel tools are arising, fostering a new avenue in the study of the mouse naturalistic behavior. In this work we developed a computational tool [stimulus-evoked behavioral tracking in 3D for rodents (SEB3R)] to automate and standardize an ethologically driven observation of freely moving mice. Using a combination of machine learning-based behavioral tracking and unsupervised cluster analysis, we identified statistically meaningful postures that could be used for empirical inference on a subsecond scale. We validated the efficacy of this tool in a stimulus-driven test, the whisker nuisance (WN) task, where mice are challenged with a prolonged and invasive whisker stimulation, showing that identified postures can be reliably used as a proxy for stimulus-driven fearful and explorative behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Chelini
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), University of Trento, Rovereto 38068, Italy
| | | | - Tommaso Fortunato-Asquini
- Department of Cellular, Computational, and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Ottavia Ollari
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), University of Trento, Rovereto 38068, Italy
| | - Tommaso Pecchia
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), University of Trento, Rovereto 38068, Italy
| | - Yuri Bozzi
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), University of Trento, Rovereto 38068, Italy
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (National Council of Research) Neuroscience Institute, Pisa 56124, Italy
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3
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McClellan France J, Jovanovic T. Human fear neurobiology reimagined: Can brain-derived biotypes predict fear-based disorders after trauma? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 144:104988. [PMID: 36470327 PMCID: PMC10960960 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
Human studies of fear neurobiology have established neural circuits that are activated to threatening stimuli, whether it be during Pavlovian fear conditioning or in response to naturally occurring threats. This circuitry involves the central and basolateral amygdala, as well as the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, insula, hippocampus, and regulatory regions such as the anterior cingulate cortex and ventromedial prefrontal cortex. While research has found that fear-based disorders, such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, as associated with dysfunction in these circuits, there is substantial individual heterogeneity in the clinical presentation of symptoms. Recent work has used data-driven methods to derive brain biotypes that capitalize on the activity of the fear circuit and its interaction with other regions of the brain. These biotypes have great utility in both describing individual variation in psychopathology and in identifying individuals at greater risk for fear-based disorders after an environmental stressor, such as a traumatic event. The review discusses recent examples of how fear neurobiology studies can be leveraged to derive biotypes that may ultimately lead to improved treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- John McClellan France
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, United States
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, United States.
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4
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Smirnova MP, Medvedeva TM, Pavlova IV, Vinogradova LV. Region-Specific Vulnerability of the Amygdala to Injury-Induced Spreading Depolarization. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092183. [PMID: 36140284 PMCID: PMC9496012 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Spreading depolarization (SD), a self-propagated wave of transient depolarization, regularly occurs in the cortex after acute brain insults and is now referred as an important diagnostic and therapeutic target in patients with acute brain injury. Here, we show that the amygdala, the limbic structure responsible for post-injury neuropsychological symptoms, exhibits strong regional heterogeneity in vulnerability to SD with high susceptibility of its basolateral (BLA) region and resilience of its centromedial (CMA) region to triggering SD by acute focal damage. The BLA micro-injury elicited SD twice as often compared with identical injury of the CMA region (71% vs. 33%). Spatiotemporal features of SDs triggered in the amygdala indicated diverse patterns of the SD propagation to the cortex. Our results suggest that even relatively small cerebral structures can exhibit regional gradients in their susceptibility to SD and the heterogeneity may contribute to the generation of complex SD patterns in the injured brain.
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5
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Yakhnitsa V, Ji G, Hein M, Presto P, Griffin Z, Ponomareva O, Navratilova E, Porreca F, Neugebauer V. Kappa Opioid Receptor Blockade in the Amygdala Mitigates Pain Like-Behaviors by Inhibiting Corticotropin Releasing Factor Neurons in a Rat Model of Functional Pain. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:903978. [PMID: 35694266 PMCID: PMC9177060 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.903978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional pain syndromes (FPS) occur in the absence of identifiable tissue injury or noxious events and include conditions such as migraine, fibromyalgia, and others. Stressors are very common triggers of pain attacks in various FPS conditions. It has been recently demonstrated that kappa opioid receptors (KOR) in the central nucleus of amygdala (CeA) contribute to FPS conditions, but underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The CeA is rich in KOR and encompasses major output pathways involving extra-amygdalar projections of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) expressing neurons. Here we tested the hypothesis that KOR blockade in the CeA in a rat model of FPS reduces pain-like and nocifensive behaviors by restoring inhibition of CeA-CRF neurons. Intra-CeA administration of a KOR antagonist (nor-BNI) decreased mechanical hypersensitivity and affective and anxiety-like behaviors in a stress-induced FPS model. In systems electrophysiology experiments in anesthetized rats, intra-CeA application of nor-BNI reduced spontaneous firing and responsiveness of CeA neurons to peripheral stimulation. In brain slice whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, nor-BNI increased feedforward inhibitory transmission evoked by optogenetic and electrical stimulation of parabrachial afferents, but had no effect on monosynaptic excitatory transmission. Nor-BNI decreased frequency, but not amplitude, of spontaneous inhibitory synaptic currents, suggesting a presynaptic action. Blocking KOR receptors in stress-induced FPS conditions may therefore represent a novel therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vadim Yakhnitsa
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Guangchen Ji
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
- Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Matthew Hein
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Peyton Presto
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Zack Griffin
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Olga Ponomareva
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Edita Navratilova
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Frank Porreca
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Volker Neugebauer
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
- Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
- Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
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6
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Ding L, Balsamo G, Chen H, Blanco-Hernandez E, Zouridis IS, Naumann R, Preston-Ferrer P, Burgalossi A. Juxtacellular opto-tagging of hippocampal CA1 neurons in freely moving mice. eLife 2022; 11:71720. [PMID: 35080491 PMCID: PMC8791633 DOI: 10.7554/elife.71720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural circuits are made of a vast diversity of neuronal cell types. While immense progress has been made in classifying neurons based on morphological, molecular, and functional properties, understanding how this heterogeneity contributes to brain function during natural behavior has remained largely unresolved. In the present study, we combined the juxtacellular recording and labeling technique with optogenetics in freely moving mice. This allowed us to selectively target molecularly defined cell classes for in vivo single-cell recordings and morphological analysis. We validated this strategy in the CA1 region of the mouse hippocampus by restricting Channelrhodopsin expression to Calbindin-positive neurons. Directly versus indirectly light-activated neurons could be readily distinguished based on the latencies of light-evoked spikes, with juxtacellular labeling and post hoc histological analysis providing ‘ground-truth’ validation. Using these opto-juxtacellular procedures in freely moving mice, we found that Calbindin-positive CA1 pyramidal cells were weakly spatially modulated and conveyed less spatial information than Calbindin-negative neurons – pointing to pyramidal cell identity as a key determinant for neuronal recruitment into the hippocampal spatial map. Thus, our method complements current in vivo techniques by enabling optogenetic-assisted structure–function analysis of single neurons recorded during natural, unrestrained behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingjun Ding
- Institute of Neurobiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Werner-Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany.,Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience - International Max-Planck Research School (IMPRS), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Giuseppe Balsamo
- Institute of Neurobiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Werner-Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany.,Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience - International Max-Planck Research School (IMPRS), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hongbiao Chen
- Institute of Neurobiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Werner-Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany.,Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience - International Max-Planck Research School (IMPRS), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Eduardo Blanco-Hernandez
- Institute of Neurobiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Werner-Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ioannis S Zouridis
- Institute of Neurobiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Werner-Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany.,Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience - International Max-Planck Research School (IMPRS), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Robert Naumann
- Chinese Academy of Sciences, Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanshan, China.,Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Patricia Preston-Ferrer
- Institute of Neurobiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Werner-Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andrea Burgalossi
- Institute of Neurobiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Werner-Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany
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7
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Ueda S, Hosokawa M, Arikawa K, Takahashi K, Fujiwara M, Kakita M, Fukada T, Koyama H, Horigane SI, Itoi K, Kakeyama M, Matsunaga H, Takeyama H, Bito H, Takemoto-Kimura S. Distinctive Regulation of Emotional Behaviors and Fear-Related Gene Expression Responses in Two Extended Amygdala Subnuclei With Similar Molecular Profiles. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:741895. [PMID: 34539345 PMCID: PMC8446640 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.741895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) and the lateral division of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) are the two major nuclei of the central extended amygdala that plays essential roles in threat processing, responsible for emotional states such as fear and anxiety. While some studies suggested functional differences between these nuclei, others showed anatomical and neurochemical similarities. Despite their complex subnuclear organization, subnuclei-specific functional impact on behavior and their underlying molecular profiles remain obscure. We here constitutively inhibited neurotransmission of protein kinase C-δ-positive (PKCδ+) neurons-a major cell type of the lateral subdivision of the CeA (CeL) and the oval nucleus of the BNST (BNSTov)-and found striking subnuclei-specific effects on fear- and anxiety-related behaviors, respectively. To obtain molecular clues for this dissociation, we conducted RNA sequencing in subnuclei-targeted micropunch samples. The CeL and the BNSTov displayed similar gene expression profiles at the basal level; however, both displayed differential gene expression when animals were exposed to fear-related stimuli, with a more robust expression change in the CeL. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular makeup and differential engagement of distinct subnuclei of the extended amygdala, critical for regulation of threat processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhei Ueda
- Department of Neuroscience I, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Molecular/Cellular Neuroscience, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masahito Hosokawa
- Research Organization for Nano and Life Innovation, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
- Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Arikawa
- Research Organization for Nano and Life Innovation, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyofumi Takahashi
- Research Organization for Nano and Life Innovation, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mao Fujiwara
- Department of Neuroscience I, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Manami Kakita
- Department of Neuroscience I, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Laboratory for Systems Neurosciences and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Human Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, Japan
- Research Institute for Environmental Medical Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Taro Fukada
- Department of Neuroscience I, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Molecular/Cellular Neuroscience, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Koyama
- Department of Neurochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shin-ichiro Horigane
- Department of Neuroscience I, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Molecular/Cellular Neuroscience, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Keiichi Itoi
- Department of Nursing, Tohoku Fukushi University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masaki Kakeyama
- Laboratory for Systems Neurosciences and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Human Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, Japan
- Research Institute for Environmental Medical Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Hiroko Matsunaga
- Research Organization for Nano and Life Innovation, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Haruko Takeyama
- Research Organization for Nano and Life Innovation, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
- Computational Bio Big-Data Open Innovation Laboratory, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute for Advanced Research of Biosystem Dynamics, Waseda Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Bito
- Department of Neurochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sayaka Takemoto-Kimura
- Department of Neuroscience I, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Molecular/Cellular Neuroscience, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Tokyo, Japan
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8
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Steuber ER, Seligowski AV, Roeckner AR, Reda M, Lebois LAM, van Rooij SJH, Murty VP, Ely TD, Bruce SE, House SL, Beaudoin FL, An X, Zeng D, Neylan TC, Clifford GD, Linnstaedt SD, Germine LT, Rauch SL, Lewandowski C, Sheikh S, Jones CW, Punches BE, Swor RA, McGrath ME, Hudak LA, Pascual JL, Chang AM, Pearson C, Peak DA, Domeier RM, O'Neil BJ, Rathlev NK, Sanchez LD, Pietrzak RH, Joormann J, Barch DM, Pizzagalli DA, Elliott JM, Kessler RC, Koenen KC, McLean SA, Ressler KJ, Jovanovic T, Harnett NG, Stevens JS. Thalamic volume and fear extinction interact to predict acute posttraumatic stress severity. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 141:325-332. [PMID: 34304036 PMCID: PMC8513112 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with lower gray matter volume (GMV) in brain regions critical for extinction of learned threat. However, relationships among volume, extinction learning, and PTSD symptom development remain unclear. We investigated subcortical brain volumes in regions supporting extinction learning and fear-potentiated startle (FPS) to understand brain-behavior interactions that may impact PTSD symptom development in recently traumatized individuals. Participants (N = 99) completed magnetic resonance imaging and threat conditioning two weeks following trauma exposure as part of a multisite observational study to understand the neuropsychiatric effects of trauma (AURORA Study). Participants completed self-assessments of PTSD (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5; PCL-5), dissociation, and depression symptoms two- and eight-weeks post-trauma. We completed multiple regressions to investigate relationships between FPS during late extinction, GMV, and PTSD symptom development. The interaction between thalamic GMV and FPS during late extinction at two weeks post-trauma predicted PCL-5 scores eight weeks (t (75) = 2.49, β = 0.28, p = 0.015) post-trauma. Higher FPS predicted higher PCL-5 scores in the setting of increased thalamic GMV. Meanwhile, lower FPS also predicted higher PCL-5 scores in the setting of decreased thalamic GMV. Thalamic GMV and FPS interactions also predicted posttraumatic dissociative and depressive symptoms. Amygdala and hippocampus GMV by FPS interactions were not associated with posttraumatic symptom development. Taken together, thalamic GMV and FPS during late extinction interact to contribute to adverse posttraumatic neuropsychiatric outcomes. Multimodal assessments soon after trauma have the potential to distinguish key phenotypes vulnerable to posttraumatic neuropsychiatric outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonia V Seligowski
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Alyssa R Roeckner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mariam Reda
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Lauren A M Lebois
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Sanne J H van Rooij
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Vishnu P Murty
- Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Timothy D Ely
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Steven E Bruce
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri - St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Stacey L House
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Francesca L Beaudoin
- Department of Emergency Medicine & Health Services, Policy, and Practice, The Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Xinming An
- Department of Anesthesiology, Institute of Trauma Recovery, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Donglin Zeng
- Department of Biostatistics, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Thomas C Neylan
- San Francisco VA Healthcare System and Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gari D Clifford
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Emory University School of Medicine and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sarah D Linnstaedt
- Department of Anesthesiology, Institute of Trauma Recovery, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Laura T Germine
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Institute for Technology in Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA; The Many Brains Project, Acton, MA, USA
| | - Scott L Rauch
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | | | - Sophia Sheikh
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine -Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Christopher W Jones
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Brittany E Punches
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine & University of Cincinnati College of Nursing, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Robert A Swor
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester Hills, MI, USA
| | - Meghan E McGrath
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lauren A Hudak
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jose L Pascual
- Department of Surgery and Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anna M Chang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Claire Pearson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University, Ascension St. John Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - David A Peak
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert M Domeier
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Brian J O'Neil
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit Receiving Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Niels K Rathlev
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate, Springfield, MA, USA
| | - Leon D Sanchez
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert H Pietrzak
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA & Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jutta Joormann
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Deanna M Barch
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, College of Arts & Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - James M Elliott
- The Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia; Physical Therapy & Human Movement Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ronald C Kessler
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Karestan C Koenen
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samuel A McLean
- Department of Anesthesiology, Institute of Trauma Recovery, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Nathaniel G Harnett
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA.
| | - Jennifer S Stevens
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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9
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Secretagogin marks amygdaloid PKCδ interneurons and modulates NMDA receptor availability. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:1921123118. [PMID: 33558223 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1921123118] [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] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The perception of and response to danger is critical for an individual's survival and is encoded by subcortical neurocircuits. The amygdaloid complex is the primary neuronal site that initiates bodily reactions upon external threat with local-circuit interneurons scaling output to effector pathways. Here, we categorize central amygdala neurons that express secretagogin (Scgn), a Ca2+-sensor protein, as a subset of protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ)+ interneurons, likely "off cells." Chemogenetic inactivation of Scgn+/PKCδ+ cells augmented conditioned response to perceived danger in vivo. While Ca2+-sensor proteins are typically implicated in shaping neurotransmitter release presynaptically, Scgn instead localized to postsynaptic compartments. Characterizing its role in the postsynapse, we found that Scgn regulates the cell-surface availability of NMDA receptor 2B subunits (GluN2B) with its genetic deletion leading to reduced cell membrane delivery of GluN2B, at least in vitro. Conclusively, we describe a select cell population, which gates danger avoidance behavior with secretagogin being both a selective marker and regulatory protein in their excitatory postsynaptic machinery.
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10
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Memories are not written in stone: Re-writing fear memories by means of non-invasive brain stimulation and optogenetic manipulations. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 127:334-352. [PMID: 33964307 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The acquisition of fear associative memory requires brain processes of coordinated neural activity within the amygdala, prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus, thalamus and brainstem. After fear consolidation, a suppression of fear memory in the absence of danger is crucial to permit adaptive coping behavior. Acquisition and maintenance of fear extinction critically depend on amygdala-PFC projections. The robust correspondence between the brain networks encompassed cortical and subcortical hubs involved into fear processing in humans and in other species underscores the potential utility of comparing the modulation of brain circuitry in humans and animals, as a crucial step to inform the comprehension of fear mechanisms and the development of treatments for fear-related disorders. The present review is aimed at providing a comprehensive description of the literature on recent clinical and experimental researches regarding the noninvasive brain stimulation and optogenetics. These innovative manipulations applied over specific hubs of fear matrix during fear acquisition, consolidation, reconsolidation and extinction allow an accurate characterization of specific brain circuits and their peculiar interaction within the specific fear processing.
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11
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Morrow JK, Cohen MX, Gothard KM. Mesoscopic-scale functional networks in the primate amygdala. eLife 2020; 9:57341. [PMID: 32876047 PMCID: PMC7490012 DOI: 10.7554/elife.57341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The primate amygdala performs multiple functions that may be related to the anatomical heterogeneity of its nuclei. Individual neurons with stimulus- and task-specific responses are not clustered in any of the nuclei, suggesting that single-units may be too-fine grained to shed light on the mesoscale organization of the amygdala. We have extracted from local field potentials recorded simultaneously from multiple locations within the primate (Macaca mulatta) amygdala spatially defined and statistically separable responses to visual, tactile, and auditory stimuli. A generalized eigendecomposition-based method of source separation isolated coactivity patterns, or components, that in neurophysiological terms correspond to putative subnetworks. Some component spatial patterns mapped onto the anatomical organization of the amygdala, while other components reflected integration across nuclei. These components differentiated between visual, tactile, and auditory stimuli suggesting the presence of functionally distinct parallel subnetworks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremiah K Morrow
- Department of Physiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States.,Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, United States
| | - Michael X Cohen
- Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Donders Center for Neuroscience, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Katalin M Gothard
- Department of Physiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
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12
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Rho GTPases in the Amygdala-A Switch for Fears? Cells 2020; 9:cells9091972. [PMID: 32858950 PMCID: PMC7563696 DOI: 10.3390/cells9091972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Fear is a fundamental evolutionary process for survival. However, excess or irrational fear hampers normal activity and leads to phobia. The amygdala is the primary brain region associated with fear learning and conditioning. There, Rho GTPases are molecular switches that act as signaling molecules for further downstream processes that modulate, among others, dendritic spine morphogenesis and thereby play a role in fear conditioning. The three main Rho GTPases—RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42, together with their modulators, are known to be involved in many psychiatric disorders that affect the amygdala′s fear conditioning mechanism. Rich2, a RhoGAP mainly for Rac1 and Cdc42, has been studied extensively in such regard. Here, we will discuss these effectors, along with Rich2, as a molecular switch for fears, especially in the amygdala. Understanding the role of Rho GTPases in fear controlling could be beneficial for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting conditions with abnormal fear/anxiety-like behaviors.
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13
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Abstract
Brain-wide circuits that coordinate affective and social behaviours intersect in the amygdala. Consequently, amygdala lesions cause a heterogeneous array of social and non-social deficits. Social behaviours are not localized to subdivisions of the amygdala even though the inputs and outputs that carry social signals are anatomically restricted to distinct subnuclear regions. This observation may be explained by the multidimensional response properties of the component neurons. Indeed, the multitudes of circuits that converge in the amygdala enlist the same subset of neurons into different ensembles that combine social and non-social elements into high-dimensional representations. These representations may enable flexible, context-dependent social decisions. As such, multidimensional processing may operate in parallel with subcircuits of genetically identical neurons that serve specialized and functionally dissociable functions. When combined, the activity of specialized circuits may grant specificity to social behaviours, whereas multidimensional processing facilitates the flexibility and nuance needed for complex social behaviour.
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14
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López-Escobar B, Fernández-Torres R, Vargas-López V, Villar-Navarro M, Rybkina T, Rivas-Infante E, Hernández-Viñas A, Álvarez Del Vayo C, Caro-Vega J, Sánchez-Alcázar JA, González-Meneses A, Carrión MÁ, Ybot-González P. Lacosamide intake during pregnancy increases the incidence of foetal malformations and symptoms associated with schizophrenia in the offspring of mice. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7615. [PMID: 32376856 PMCID: PMC7203245 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64626-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of first and second generation antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy doubles the risk of major congenital malformations and other teratogenic defects. Lacosamide (LCM) is a third-generation antiepileptic drug that interacts with collapsing response mediator protein 2, a protein that has been associated with neurodevelopmental diseases like schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to test the potential teratogenic effects of LCM on developing embryos and its effects on behavioural/histological alterations in adult mice. We administered LCM to pregnant mice, assessing its presence, and that of related compounds, in the mothers’ serum and in embryonic tissues using liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole/time of flight mass spectrometry detection. Embryo morphology was evaluated, and immunohistochemistry was performed on adult offspring. Behavioural studies were carried out during the first two postnatal weeks and on adult mice. We found a high incidence of embryonic lethality and malformations in mice exposed to LCM during embryonic development. Neonatal mice born to dams treated with LCM during gestation displayed clear psychomotor delay and behavioural and morphological alterations in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala that were associated with behaviours associated with schizophrenia spectrum disorders in adulthood. We conclude that LCM and its metabolites may have teratogenic effects on the developing embryos, reflected in embryonic lethality and malformations, as well as behavioural and histological alterations in adult mice that resemble those presented by patients with schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz López-Escobar
- Grupo de Neurodesarrollo, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS)/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, 41013, Spain
| | - Rut Fernández-Torres
- Departamento de Química Analítica, Facultad Química, Universidad Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain.,Centro de Investigación en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CYSMA), Universidad de Huelva, Huelva, Spain
| | - Viviana Vargas-López
- Departamento de Fisiología, Anatomía y Biología Celular, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013, Sevilla, Spain.,Behavioral Neurophysiology Laboratory, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Tatyana Rybkina
- Departamento de Fisiología, Anatomía y Biología Celular, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Eloy Rivas-Infante
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Anatomía Patología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Ayleen Hernández-Viñas
- Grupo de Neurodesarrollo, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS)/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, 41013, Spain
| | - Concepción Álvarez Del Vayo
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Farmacia, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío and Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - José Caro-Vega
- Grupo de Neurodesarrollo, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS)/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, 41013, Spain
| | - José A Sánchez-Alcázar
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red: Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, CSIC, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Antonio González-Meneses
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío and Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - M Ángel Carrión
- Departamento de Fisiología, Anatomía y Biología Celular, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013, Sevilla, Spain.
| | - Patricia Ybot-González
- Grupo de Neurodesarrollo, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS)/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, 41013, Spain. .,Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Neurología y Neurofisiología, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, 41009, Spain.
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15
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Chemogenetics a robust approach to pharmacology and gene therapy. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 175:113889. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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16
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Affiliation(s)
- Ned H Kalin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison
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17
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Goldman A, Smalley JL, Mistry M, Krenzlin H, Zhang H, Dhawan A, Caldarone B, Moss SJ, Silbersweig DA, Lawler SE, Braun IM. A computationally inspired in-vivo approach identifies a link between amygdalar transcriptional heterogeneity, socialization and anxiety. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:336. [PMID: 31819040 PMCID: PMC6901550 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0677-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Pharmaceutical breakthroughs for anxiety have been lackluster in the last half-century. Converging behavior and limbic molecular heterogeneity has the potential to revolutionize biomarker-driven interventions. However, current in vivo models too often deploy artificial systems including directed evolution, mutations and fear induction, which poorly mirror clinical manifestations. Here, we explore transcriptional heterogeneity of the amygdala in isogenic mice using an unbiased multi-dimensional computational approach that segregates intra-cohort reactions to moderate situational adversity and intersects it with high content molecular profiling. We show that while the computational approach stratifies known features of clinical anxiety including nitric oxide, opioid and corticotropin signaling, previously unrecognized druggable biomarkers emerge, such as calpain11 and scand1. Through ingenuity pathway analyses, we further describe a role for neurosteroid estradiol signaling, heat shock proteins, ubiquitin ligases and lipid metabolism. In addition, we report a remarkable behavioral pattern that maps to molecular features of anxiety in mice through counterphobic social attitudes, which manifest as increased, yet spatially distant socialization. These findings provide an unbiased approach for interrogating anxiolytics, and hint toward biomarkers underpinning behavioral and social patterns that merit further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Goldman
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA. .,Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, USA.
| | - Joshua L. Smalley
- 0000 0000 8934 4045grid.67033.31Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Meeta Mistry
- 000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cHarvard Medical School, Boston, USA ,000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cDepartment of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Harald Krenzlin
- 0000 0004 0378 8294grid.62560.37Harvey Cushing Neurooncology Laboratories, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Hong Zhang
- 0000 0004 0378 8294grid.62560.37Harvey Cushing Neurooncology Laboratories, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Andrew Dhawan
- 0000 0001 0675 4725grid.239578.2Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH USA
| | - Barbara Caldarone
- 000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cDepartment of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Stephen J. Moss
- 0000 0000 8934 4045grid.67033.31Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, USA ,0000000121901201grid.83440.3bDepartment of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College, London, UK
| | - David A. Silbersweig
- 000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cHarvard Medical School, Boston, USA ,0000 0004 0378 8294grid.62560.37Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Sean E. Lawler
- 000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cHarvard Medical School, Boston, USA ,0000 0004 0378 8294grid.62560.37Harvey Cushing Neurooncology Laboratories, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Ilana M. Braun
- 000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cHarvard Medical School, Boston, USA ,0000 0004 0378 8294grid.62560.37Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, USA ,0000 0001 2106 9910grid.65499.37Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA
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18
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Cheng W, Han F, Shi Y. Neonatal isolation modulates glucocorticoid-receptor function and synaptic plasticity of hippocampal and amygdala neurons in a rat model of single prolonged stress. J Affect Disord 2019; 246:682-694. [PMID: 30611912 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.12.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early life and stressful experiences affect hippocampal and amygdala structure and function. They also increase the incidence of mental and nervous system disorders in adults. However, prospective studies have yet to show if early-life experiences affect the risk/severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHODS We applied neonatal isolation (NI) alone, single prolonged stress (SPS) alone and NI + SPS to rats. We evaluated anxiety-like behavior and spatial memory of behavior using open field, elevated plus maze, and Morris water maze tests. Then, we measured expression of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) and synaptic-related proteins by immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and western blotting in the hippocampus and amygdala. RESULTS NI + SPS exacerbated the increased anxiety levels and impaired spatial memory induced by NI alone or SPS alone. NI alone or SPS alone induced varying degrees of change in expression of GRs and synaptic proteins (synapsin I and postsynaptic density protein-95) in the hippocampus and amygdala. There were opposite changes in GR expression in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and basolateral amygdala. The degree of such change was exacerbated considerably by NI + SPS. In addition, neuroligin (NLG)-1 and NLG-2 were distributed in postsynaptic sites of excitatory and inhibitory synapses, respectively. NI, SPS, and NI + SPS altered the patterns of NLG-1 and NLG-2 colocalization as well as their intensity. NI + SPS strengthened the increased ratio of NLG-1/NLG-2 in the hippocampus, but decreased this ratio in the amygdala. CONCLUSIONS NI and SPS together induced greater degrees of change in anxiety and spatial memory, as well as GR and synaptic protein levels, in the hippocampus and amygdala than the changes induced by NI alone or SPS alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Cheng
- PTSD Laboratory, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical Sciences College, China Medical University, 77, Puhe Road, Shenbei New District, 110001 Shenyang, China; Neonatal Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Fan Han
- PTSD Laboratory, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical Sciences College, China Medical University, 77, Puhe Road, Shenbei New District, 110001 Shenyang, China
| | - Yuxiu Shi
- PTSD Laboratory, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical Sciences College, China Medical University, 77, Puhe Road, Shenbei New District, 110001 Shenyang, China.
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19
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Gouveia FV, Gidyk DC, Giacobbe P, Ng E, Meng Y, Davidson B, Abrahao A, Lipsman N, Hamani C. Neuromodulation Strategies in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: From Preclinical Models to Clinical Applications. Brain Sci 2019; 9:brainsci9020045. [PMID: 30791469 PMCID: PMC6406551 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9020045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an often debilitating disease with a lifetime prevalence rate between 5⁻8%. In war veterans, these numbers are even higher, reaching approximately 10% to 25%. Although most patients benefit from the use of medications and psychotherapy, approximately 20% to 30% do not have an adequate response to conventional treatments. Neuromodulation strategies have been investigated for various psychiatric disorders with promising results, and may represent an important treatment option for individuals with difficult-to-treat forms of PTSD. We review the relevant neurocircuitry and preclinical stimulation studies in models of fear and anxiety, as well as clinical data on the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and deep brain stimulation (DBS) for the treatment of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Darryl C Gidyk
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON M4N3M5, Canada.
| | - Peter Giacobbe
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON M4N3M5, Canada.
- Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada.
| | - Enoch Ng
- Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada.
| | - Ying Meng
- Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada.
- Division of Neurosurgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada.
| | - Benjamin Davidson
- Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada.
- Division of Neurosurgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada.
| | - Agessandro Abrahao
- Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada.
| | - Nir Lipsman
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON M4N3M5, Canada.
- Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada.
- Division of Neurosurgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada.
| | - Clement Hamani
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON M4N3M5, Canada.
- Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada.
- Division of Neurosurgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada.
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20
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Goode TD, Maren S. Common neurocircuitry mediating drug and fear relapse in preclinical models. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:415-437. [PMID: 30255379 PMCID: PMC6373193 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-5024-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Comorbidity of anxiety disorders, stressor- and trauma-related disorders, and substance use disorders is extremely common. Moreover, therapies that reduce pathological fear and anxiety on the one hand, and drug-seeking on the other, often prove short-lived and are susceptible to relapse. Considerable advances have been made in the study of the neurobiology of both aversive and appetitive extinction, and this work reveals shared neural circuits that contribute to both the suppression and relapse of conditioned responses associated with trauma or drug use. OBJECTIVES The goal of this review is to identify common neural circuits and mechanisms underlying relapse across domains of addiction biology and aversive learning in preclinical animal models. We focus primarily on neural circuits engaged during the expression of relapse. KEY FINDINGS After extinction, brain circuits involving the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus come to regulate the expression of conditioned responses by the amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and nucleus accumbens. During relapse, hippocampal projections to the prefrontal cortex inhibit the retrieval of extinction memories resulting in a loss of inhibitory control over fear- and drug-associated conditional responding. CONCLUSIONS The overlapping brain systems for both fear and drug memories may explain the co-occurrence of fear and drug-seeking behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis D Goode
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Dr., College Station, TX, 77843-3474, USA
| | - Stephen Maren
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Dr., College Station, TX, 77843-3474, USA.
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21
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Flores Á, Fullana MÀ, Soriano-Mas C, Andero R. Lost in translation: how to upgrade fear memory research. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:2122-2132. [PMID: 29298989 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-017-0006-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Revised: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
We address some of the current limitations of translational research in fear memory and suggest alternatives that might help to overcome them. Appropriate fear responses are adaptive, but disruption of healthy fear memory circuits can lead to anxiety and fear-based disorders. Stress is one of the main environmental factors that can disrupt memory circuits and constitutes as a key factor in the etiopathology of these psychiatric conditions. Current therapies for anxiety and fear-based disorders have limited success rate, revealing a clear need for an improved understanding of their neurobiological basis. Although animal models are excellent for dissecting fear memory circuits and have driven tremendous advances in the field, translation of these findings into the clinic has been limited so far. Animal models of stress-induced pathological fear combined with powerful cutting-edge techniques would help to improve the translational value of preclinical studies. We also encourage combining animal and human research, including psychiatric patients in order to find new pharmacological targets with real therapeutic potential that will improve the extrapolation of the findings. Finally, we highlight novel neuroimaging approaches that improve our understanding of anxiety and fear-based disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- África Flores
- Institut de Neurociènces, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Miquel À Fullana
- FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries-CIBERSAM, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Carles Soriano-Mas
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.,CIBERSAM-G17, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Psychobiology and Methodology in Health Sciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Raül Andero
- Institut de Neurociènces, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. .,CIBERSAM, Corporació Sanitaria Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Spain. .,Department of Psychobiology and Methodology in Health Sciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.
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22
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Babaev O, Piletti Chatain C, Krueger-Burg D. Inhibition in the amygdala anxiety circuitry. Exp Mol Med 2018; 50:1-16. [PMID: 29628509 PMCID: PMC5938054 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-018-0063-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibitory neurotransmission plays a key role in anxiety disorders, as evidenced by the anxiolytic effect of the benzodiazepine class of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor agonists and the recent discovery of anxiety-associated variants in the molecular components of inhibitory synapses. Accordingly, substantial interest has focused on understanding how inhibitory neurons and synapses contribute to the circuitry underlying adaptive and pathological anxiety behaviors. A key element of the anxiety circuitry is the amygdala, which integrates information from cortical and thalamic sensory inputs to generate fear and anxiety-related behavioral outputs. Information processing within the amygdala is heavily dependent on inhibitory control, although the specific mechanisms by which amygdala GABAergic neurons and synapses regulate anxiety-related behaviors are only beginning to be uncovered. Here, we summarize the current state of knowledge and highlight open questions regarding the role of inhibition in the amygdala anxiety circuitry. We discuss the inhibitory neuron subtypes that contribute to the processing of anxiety information in the basolateral and central amygdala, as well as the molecular determinants, such as GABA receptors and synapse organizer proteins, that shape inhibitory synaptic transmission within the anxiety circuitry. Finally, we conclude with an overview of current and future approaches for converting this knowledge into successful treatment strategies for anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Babaev
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Str. 3, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Carolina Piletti Chatain
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Str. 3, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dilja Krueger-Burg
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Str. 3, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
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Optogenetic silencing of a corticotropin-releasing factor pathway from the central amygdala to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis disrupts sustained fear. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:914-922. [PMID: 28439099 PMCID: PMC5656568 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The lateral central nucleus of the amygdala (CeAL) and the dorsolateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNSTDL) coordinate the expression of shorter- and longer-lasting fears, respectively. Less is known about how these structures communicate with each other during fear acquisition. One pathway, from the CeAL to the BNSTDL, is thought to communicate via corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), but studies have yet to examine its function in fear learning and memory. Thus, we developed an adeno-associated viral-based strategy to selectively target CRF neurons with the optogenetic silencer archaerhodopsin tp009 (CRF-ArchT) to examine the role of CeAL CRF neurons and projections to the BNSTDL during the acquisition of contextual fear. Expression of our CRF-ArchT vector injected into the amygdala was restricted to CeAL CRF neurons. Furthermore, CRF axonal projections from the CeAL clustered around BNSTDL CRF cells. Optogenetic silencing of CeAL CRF neurons during contextual fear acquisition disrupted retention test freezing 24 h later, but only at later time points (>6 min) during testing. Silencing CeAL CRF projections in the BNSTDL during contextual fear acquisition produced a similar effect. Baseline contextual freezing, the rate of fear acquisition, freezing in an alternate context after conditioning and responsivity to foot shock were unaffected by optogenetic silencing. Our results highlight how CeAL CRF neurons and projections to the BNSTDL consolidate longer-lasting components of a fear memory. Our findings have implications for understanding how discrete amygdalar CRF pathways modulate longer-lasting fear in anxiety- and trauma-related disorders.
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Johnson AC, Latorre R, Ligon CO, Greenwood-Van Meerveld B. Visceral hypersensitivity induced by optogenetic activation of the amygdala in conscious rats. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2018; 314:G448-G457. [PMID: 29351398 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00370.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In vivo optogenetics identifies brain circuits controlling behaviors in conscious animals by using light to alter neuronal function and offers a novel tool to study the brain-gut axis. Using adenoviral-mediated expression, we aimed to investigate whether photoactivation with channelrhodopsin (ChR2) or photoinhibition with halorhodopsin (HR3.0) of fibers originating from the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) at the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) had any effect on colonic sensitivity. We also investigated whether there was any deleterious effect of the adenovirus on the neuronal population or the neuronal phenotype within the CeA-BNST circuitry activated during the optogenetic stimulation. In male rats, the CeA was infected with vectors expressing ChR2 or HR3.0 and fiber optic cannulae were implanted on the BNST. After 8-10 wk, the response to graded, isobaric colonic distension was measured with and without laser stimulation of CeA fibers at the BNST. Immunohistochemistry and histology were used to evaluate vector expression, neuronal integrity, and neurochemical phenotype. Photoactivation of CeA fibers at the BNST with ChR2 induced colonic hypersensitivity, whereas photoinhibition of CeA fibers at the BNST with HR3.0 had no effect on colonic sensitivity. Control groups treated with virus expressing reporter proteins showed no abnormalities in neuronal morphology, neuronal number, or neurochemical phenotype following laser stimulation. Our experimental findings reveal that optogenetic activation of discrete brain nuclei can be used to advance our understanding of complex visceral nociceptive circuitry in a freely moving rat model. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our findings reveal that optogenetic technology can be employed as a tool to advance understanding of the brain-gut axis. Using adenoviral-mediated expression of opsins, which were activated by laser light and targeted by fiber optic cannulae, we examined central nociceptive circuits mediating visceral pain in a freely moving rat. Photoactivation of amygdala fibers in the stria terminalis with channelrhodopsin induced colonic hypersensitivity, whereas inhibition of the same fibers with halorhodopsin did not alter colonic sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rocco Latorre
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience , Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Casey O Ligon
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience , Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Beverley Greenwood-Van Meerveld
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.,Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience , Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.,Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center , Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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Serine Racemase and D-serine in the Amygdala Are Dynamically Involved in Fear Learning. Biol Psychiatry 2018; 83:273-283. [PMID: 29025687 PMCID: PMC5806199 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The amygdala is a central component of the neural circuitry that underlies fear learning. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-dependent plasticity in the amygdala is required for pavlovian fear conditioning and extinction. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation requires the binding of a coagonist, D-serine, which is synthesized from L-serine by the neuronal enzyme serine racemase (SR). However, little is known about SR and D-serine function in the amygdala. METHODS We used immunohistochemical methods to characterize the cellular localization of SR and D-serine in the mouse and human amygdala. Using biochemical and molecular techniques, we determined whether trace fear conditioning and extinction engages the SR/D-serine system in the brain. D-serine was administered systemically to mice to evaluate its effect on fear extinction. Finally, we investigated whether the functional single nucleotide polymorphism rs4523957, which is an expression quantitative trait locus of the human serine racemase (SRR) gene, was associated with fear-related phenotypes in a highly traumatized human cohort. RESULTS We demonstrate that approximately half of the neurons in the amygdala express SR, including both excitatory and inhibitory neurons. We find that the acquisition and extinction of fear memory engages the SR/D-serine system in the mouse amygdala and that D-serine administration facilitates fear extinction. We also demonstrate that the SRR single nucleotide polymorphism, rs4523957, is associated with posttraumatic stress disorder in humans, consistent with the facilitatory effect of D-serine on fear extinction. CONCLUSIONS These new findings have important implications for understanding D-serine-mediated N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor plasticity in the amygdala and how this system could contribute to disorders with maladaptive fear circuitry.
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Loss of Intercalated Cells (ITCs) in the Mouse Amygdala of Tshz1 Mutants Correlates with Fear, Depression, and Social Interaction Phenotypes. J Neurosci 2017; 38:1160-1177. [PMID: 29255003 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1412-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The intercalated cells (ITCs) of the amygdala have been shown to be critical regulatory components of amygdalar circuits, which control appropriate fear responses. Despite this, the molecular processes guiding ITC development remain poorly understood. Here we establish the zinc finger transcription factor Tshz1 as a marker of ITCs during their migration from the dorsal lateral ganglionic eminence through maturity. Using germline and conditional knock-out (cKO) mouse models, we show that Tshz1 is required for the proper migration and differentiation of ITCs. In the absence of Tshz1, migrating ITC precursors fail to settle in their stereotypical locations encapsulating the lateral amygdala and BLA. Furthermore, they display reductions in the ITC marker Foxp2 and ectopic persistence of the dorsal lateral ganglionic eminence marker Sp8. Tshz1 mutant ITCs show increased cell death at postnatal time points, leading to a dramatic reduction by 3 weeks of age. In line with this, Foxp2-null mutants also show a loss of ITCs at postnatal time points, suggesting that Foxp2 may function downstream of Tshz1 in the maintenance of ITCs. Behavioral analysis of male Tshz1 cKOs revealed defects in fear extinction as well as an increase in floating during the forced swim test, indicative of a depression-like phenotype. Moreover, Tshz1 cKOs display significantly impaired social interaction (i.e., increased passivity) regardless of partner genetics. Together, these results suggest that Tshz1 plays a critical role in the development of ITCs and that fear, depression-like and social behavioral deficits arise in their absence.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We show here that the zinc finger transcription factor Tshz1 is expressed during development of the intercalated cells (ITCs) within the mouse amygdala. These neurons have previously been shown to play a crucial role in fear extinction. Tshz1 mouse mutants exhibit severely reduced numbers of ITCs as a result of abnormal migration, differentiation, and survival of these neurons. Furthermore, the loss of ITCs in mouse Tshz1 mutants correlates well with defects in fear extinction as well as the appearance of depression-like and abnormal social interaction behaviors reminiscent of depressive disorders observed in human patients with distal 18q deletions, including the Tshz1 locus.
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Bobeck EN, Gomes I, Pena D, Cummings KA, Clem RL, Mezei M, Devi LA. The BigLEN-GPR171 Peptide Receptor System Within the Basolateral Amygdala Regulates Anxiety-Like Behavior and Contextual Fear Conditioning. Neuropsychopharmacology 2017; 42:2527-2536. [PMID: 28425495 PMCID: PMC5686498 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 04/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Studies show that neuropeptide-receptor systems in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) play an important role in the pathology of anxiety and other mood disorders. Since GPR171, a recently deorphanized receptor for the abundant neuropeptide BigLEN, is expressed in the BLA, we investigated its role in fear and anxiety-like behaviors. To carry out these studies we identified small molecule ligands using a homology model of GPR171 to virtually screen a library of compounds. One of the hits, MS0021570_1, was identified as a GPR171 antagonist based on its ability to block (i) BigLEN-mediated activation of GPR171 in heterologous cells, (ii) BigLEN-mediated hyperpolarization of BLA pyramidal neurons, and (iii) feeding induced by DREADD-mediated activation of BigLEN containing AgRP neurons in the arcuate nucleus. The role of GPR171 in anxiety-like behavior or fear conditioning was evaluated following systemic or intra-BLA administration of MS0021570_1, as well as following lentiviral-mediated knockdown of GPR171 in the BLA. We find that systemic administration of MS0021570_1 attenuates anxiety-like behavior while intra-BLA administration or knockdown of GPR171 in the BLA reduces anxiety-like behavior and fear conditioning. These results indicate that the BigLEN-GPR171 system plays an important role in these behaviors and could be a novel target to develop therapeutics to treat psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin N Bobeck
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L Levy Place, Annenberg 19-84, New York, NY 10029, USA. Tel: +1 212 2418345, Fax: +1 212 9967214, E-mail: or
| | - Ivone Gomes
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Darlene Pena
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kirstie A Cummings
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Roger L Clem
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mihaly Mezei
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lakshmi A Devi
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L Levy Place, Annenberg 19-84, New York, NY 10029, USA. Tel: +1 212 2418345, Fax: +1 212 9967214, E-mail: or
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Involvement of CRFR 1 in the Basolateral Amygdala in the Immediate Fear Extinction Deficit. eNeuro 2016; 3:eN-NWR-0084-16. [PMID: 27844053 PMCID: PMC5093152 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0084-16.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Several animal and clinical studies have highlighted the ineffectiveness of fear extinction sessions delivered shortly after trauma exposure. This phenomenon, termed the immediate extinction deficit, refers to situations in which extinction programs applied shortly after fear conditioning may result in the reduction of fear behaviors (in rodents, frequently measured as freezing responses to the conditioned cue) during extinction training, but failure to consolidate this reduction in the long term. The molecular mechanisms driving this immediate extinction resistance remain unclear. Here we present evidence for the involvement of the corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) system in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) in male Wistar rats. Intra-BLA microinfusion of the CRFR1 antagonist NBI30775 enhances extinction recall, whereas administration of the CRF agonist CRF6–33 before delayed extinction disrupts recall of extinction. We link the immediate fear extinction deficit with dephosphorylation of GluA1 glutamate receptors at Ser845 and enhanced activity of the protein phosphatase calcineurin in the BLA. Their reversal after treatment with the CRFR1 antagonist indicates their dependence on CRFR1 actions. These findings can have important implications for the improvement of therapeutic approaches to trauma, as well as furthering our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying fear-related disorders.
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Yilmazer-Hanke D, Eliava M, Hanke J, Schwegler H, Asan E. Density of acetylcholine esterase (AchE) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) containing fibers in the amygdala of roman high- and low-avoidance rats. Neurosci Lett 2016; 632:114-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.08.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Panic Anxiety in Humans with Bilateral Amygdala Lesions: Pharmacological Induction via Cardiorespiratory Interoceptive Pathways. J Neurosci 2016; 36:3559-66. [PMID: 27013684 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4109-15.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED We previously demonstrated that carbon dioxide inhalation could induce panic anxiety in a group of rare lesion patients with focal bilateral amygdala damage. To further elucidate the amygdala-independent mechanisms leading to aversive emotional experiences, we retested two of these patients (B.G. and A.M.) to examine whether triggering palpitations and dyspnea via stimulation of non-chemosensory interoceptive channels would be sufficient to elicit panic anxiety. Participants rated their affective and sensory experiences following bolus infusions of either isoproterenol, a rapidly acting peripheral β-adrenergic agonist akin to adrenaline, or saline. Infusions were administered during two separate conditions: a panic induction and an assessment of cardiorespiratory interoception. Isoproterenol infusions induced anxiety in both patients, and full-blown panic in one (patient B.G.). Although both patients demonstrated signs of diminished awareness for cardiac sensation, patient A.M., who did not panic, reported a complete lack of awareness for dyspnea, suggestive of impaired respiratory interoception. These findings indicate that the amygdala may play a role in dynamically detecting changes in cardiorespiratory sensation. The induction of panic anxiety provides further evidence that the amygdala is not required for the conscious experience of fear induced via interoceptive sensory channels. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We found that monozygotic twins with focal bilateral amygdala lesions report panic anxiety in response to intravenous infusions of isoproterenol, a β-adrenergic agonist similar to adrenaline. Heightened anxiety was evident in both twins, with one twin experiencing a panic attack. The twin who did not panic displayed signs of impaired cardiorespiratory interoception, including a complete absence of dyspnea sensation. These findings highlight that the amygdala is not strictly required for the experience of panic anxiety, and suggest that neural systems beyond the amygdala are also involved. Determining these additional systems could provide key neural modulation targets for future anxiolytic treatments.
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New translational perspectives for blood-based biomarkers of PTSD: From glucocorticoid to immune mediators of stress susceptibility. Exp Neurol 2016; 284:133-140. [PMID: 27481726 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Although biological systems have evolved to promote stress-resilience, there is variation in stress-responses. Understanding the biological basis of such individual differences has implications for understanding Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) etiology, which is a maladaptive response to trauma occurring only in a subset of vulnerable individuals. PTSD involves failure to reinstate physiological homeostasis after traumatic events and is due to either intrinsic or trauma-related alterations in physiological systems across the body. Master homeostatic regulators that circulate and operate throughout the organism, such as stress hormones (e.g., glucocorticoids) and immune mediators (e.g., cytokines), are at the crossroads of peripheral and central susceptibility pathways and represent promising functional biomarkers of stress-response and target for novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A Gordon
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, United States.
| | - Kafui Dzirasa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, United States; Department of Neurobiology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, United States
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Campese VD, Sears RM, Moscarello JM, Diaz-Mataix L, Cain CK, LeDoux JE. The Neural Foundations of Reaction and Action in Aversive Motivation. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2016; 27:171-195. [PMID: 26643998 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2015_401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Much of the early research in aversive learning concerned motivation and reinforcement in avoidance conditioning and related paradigms. When the field transitioned toward the focus on Pavlovian threat conditioning in isolation, this paved the way for the clear understanding of the psychological principles and neural and molecular mechanisms responsible for this type of learning and memory that has unfolded over recent decades. Currently, avoidance conditioning is being revisited, and with what has been learned about associative aversive learning, rapid progress is being made. We review, below, the literature on the neural substrates critical for learning in instrumental active avoidance tasks and conditioned aversive motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert M Sears
- Emotional Brain Institute at NYU and Nathan Kline Institute, New York, USA
| | | | | | - Christopher K Cain
- Emotional Brain Institute at NYU and Nathan Kline Institute, New York, USA
| | - Joseph E LeDoux
- Center for Neural Science, NYU, New York, USA
- Emotional Brain Institute at NYU and Nathan Kline Institute, New York, USA
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