1
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Su S, Wei Z, Huang H, Yoshizawa T, Inui T, Funahashi M. Conditioned nausea induced by cisplatin and emetine identified by a taste reactivity test in rats. Physiol Behav 2023:114278. [PMID: 37352906 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114278] [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: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
No prior studies have shown that gaping reactions are produced with the avoidance of conditioned taste caused by cisplatin and emetine. Therefore, we tried to demonstrate it using a taste reactivity test in rats and found the gaping reactions induced when saccharin is readministered after gustatory conditioning that paired saccharin with cisplatin or emetine. Since conditioned gaping reactions indicate the aversion to saccharin taste and conditioned nausea, the present study suggest that the taste aversion is induced by cisplatin and emetine. It was also found that with intraperitoneal injections of emetine alone, gaping almost never occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoyi Su
- Oral Physiology, Department of Oral Functional Science, Division of Oral Medical Science, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Graduate school of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University
| | - Zimo Wei
- Oral Physiology, Department of Oral Functional Science, Division of Oral Medical Science, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Graduate school of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University
| | - Helai Huang
- Oral Physiology, Department of Oral Functional Science, Division of Oral Medical Science, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Graduate school of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University
| | - Tomohiko Yoshizawa
- Oral Physiology, Department of Oral Functional Science, Division of Oral Medical Science, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Graduate school of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University
| | - Tadashi Inui
- Oral Physiology, Department of Oral Functional Science, Division of Oral Medical Science, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Graduate school of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University
| | - Makoto Funahashi
- Oral Physiology, Department of Oral Functional Science, Division of Oral Medical Science, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Graduate school of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University.
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2
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Gao ZY, Huang CM, Cheng CN, Huang ACW. D2 Receptors and Sodium Ion Channel Blockades of the Basolateral Amygdala Attenuate Lithium Chloride-Induced Conditioned Taste Aversion Applying to Cancer Chemotherapy Nausea and Vomiting. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13040697. [PMID: 37190662 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13040697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer patients regularly suffer from the behavioral symptoms of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Particularly, it is involved in Pavlovian conditioning. Lithium chloride (LiCl) was used as the unconditioned stimulus (US) and contingent with the tastant, for example, a saccharin solution (i.e., the conditioned stimulus; CS), resulted in conditioned taste aversion (CTA) to the CS intake. The present study employed an animal model of LiCl-induced CTA to imitate chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting symptoms. Recently, the basolateral amygdala (BLA) was shown to mediate LiCl-induced CTA learning; however, which brain mechanisms of the BLA regulate CTA by LiCl remain unknown. The present study was designed to test this issue, and 4% lidocaine or D2 blocker haloperidol were microinjected into BLA between the 0.1% saccharin solution intake and 0.15M LiCl. The results showed lidocaine microinjections into the BLA could attenuate the LiCl-induced CTA. Microinjections of haloperidol blunted the CTA learning by LiCl. Altogether, BLA via the sodium chloride ion channel and D2 receptors control LiCl-induced conditioned saccharin solution intake suppression. The findings can provide some implications and contributions to cancer chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting side effects, and will help to develop novel strategies to prevent the side effects of cancer chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Yue Gao
- Yuanshan Branch, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Yi-Lan County 26247, Taiwan
| | - Chung Ming Huang
- Department of Psychology, Fo Guang University, Yi-Lan 26247, Taiwan
| | - Cai-N Cheng
- Department of Psychology, Fo Guang University, Yi-Lan 26247, Taiwan
- Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Jhong-Li District, Taoyuan City 32001, Taiwan
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3
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Kikuchi E, Inui T, Su S, Sato Y, Funahashi M. Chemogenetic inhibition of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis suppresses the intake of a preferable and learned aversive sweet taste solution in male mice. Behav Brain Res 2023; 439:114253. [PMID: 36509179 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Conditioned taste aversion (CTA) is established by pairing a taste solution as a conditioned stimulus (CS) with visceral malaise as an unconditioned stimulus (US). CTA decreases the taste palatability of a CS. The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) receives taste inputs from the brainstem. However, the involvement of the BNST in CTA remains unclear. Thus, this study examined the effects of chemogenetic inhibition of the BNST neurons on CS intake after CTA acquisition. An adeno-associated virus was microinjected into the BNST of male C57/BL6 mice to induce the inhibitory designer receptor hM4Di. The mice received a pairing of 0.2% saccharin solution (CS) with 0.3 M lithium chloride (2% BW, intraperitoneal). After conditioning, the administration of clozapine-N-oxide (CNO, 1 mg/kg) significantly enhanced the suppression of CS intake on the retrieval of CTA compared with its intake following saline administration (p < 0.01). We further assessed the effect of BNST neuron inhibition on the intake of water and taste solutions (saccharin, sucralose, sodium chloride, monosodium glutamate, quinine hydrochloride, and citric acid) using naïve (not learned CTA) mice. CNO administration significantly decreased the intake of saccharin and sucralose (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that BNST neurons mediate sweet taste and regulate sweet intake, regardless of whether sweets should be ingested or rejected. BNST neurons may be inhibited in the retrieval of CTA, thereby suppressing CS intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emi Kikuchi
- Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan; Department of Orthodontics, Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Tadashi Inui
- Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
| | - Shaoyi Su
- Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Sato
- Department of Orthodontics, Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Makoto Funahashi
- Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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4
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Enhanced Retrieval of Taste Associative Memory by Chemogenetic Activation of Locus Coeruleus Norepinephrine Neurons. J Neurosci 2020; 40:8367-8385. [PMID: 32994339 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1720-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of animals to retrieve memories stored in response to the environment is essential for behavioral adaptation. Norepinephrine (NE)-containing neurons in the brain play a key role in the modulation of synaptic plasticity underlying various processes of memory formation. However, the role of the central NE system in memory retrieval remains unclear. Here, we developed a novel chemogenetic activation strategy exploiting insect olfactory ionotropic receptors (IRs), termed "IR-mediated neuronal activation," and used it for selective stimulation of NE neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC). Drosophila melanogaster IR84a and IR8a subunits were expressed in LC NE neurons in transgenic mice. Application of phenylacetic acid (a specific ligand for the IR84a/IR8a complex) at appropriate doses induced excitatory responses of NE neurons expressing the receptors in both slice preparations and in vivo electrophysiological conditions, resulting in a marked increase of NE release in the LC nerve terminal regions (male and female). Ligand-induced activation of LC NE neurons enhanced the retrieval process of conditioned taste aversion without affecting taste sensitivity, general arousal state, and locomotor activity. This enhancing effect on taste memory retrieval was mediated, in part, through α1- and β-adrenergic receptors in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA; male). Pharmacological inhibition of LC NE neurons confirmed the facilitative role of these neurons in memory retrieval via adrenergic receptors in the BLA (male). Our findings indicate that the LC NE system, through projections to the BLA, controls the retrieval process of taste associative memory.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Norepinephrine (NE)-containing neurons in the brain play a key role in the modulation of synaptic plasticity underlying various processes of memory formation, but the role of the NE system in memory retrieval remains unclear. We developed a chemogenetic activation system based on insect olfactory ionotropic receptors and used it for selective stimulation of NE neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) in transgenic mice. Ligand-induced activation of LC NE neurons enhanced the retrieval of conditioned taste aversion, which was mediated, in part, through adrenoceptors in the basolateral amygdala. Pharmacological blockade of LC activity confirmed the facilitative role of these neurons in memory retrieval. Our findings indicate that the LC-amygdala pathway plays an important role in the recall of taste associative memory.
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5
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Grijalva LE, Miranda MI, Paredes RG. Differential changes in GAP-43 or synaptophysin during appetitive and aversive taste memory formation. Behav Brain Res 2020; 397:112937. [PMID: 32991926 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Association between events in time and space is a major mechanism for all animals, including humans, which allows them to learn about the world and potentially change their behavior in the future to adapt to different environments. Conditioning taste aversion (CTA) is a single-trial learning paradigm where animals are trained to avoid a novel flavor which is associated with malaise. Many variables can be analyzed with this model and the circuits involved are well described. Thus, the amygdala and the gustatory cortex (GC) are some of the most relevant structures involved in CTA. In the present study we focused in plastic changes that occur during appetitive and/or aversive taste memory formation. Previous studies have demonstrated that memory consolidation, in hippocampal dependent paradigms, induces plastic changes like increase in the concentration of proteins considered as markers of neuronal plasticity, such as the growth associated protein 43 (GAP-43) and synaptophysin (SYN). In the present experiment in male rats we evaluated changes in GAP-43 and SYN expression, using immunofluorescence, induce by the formation of aversive and appetitive taste memory. We found that taste aversive memory formation can induce an increase in GAP-43 in the granular layer of the GC. Furthermore, we also found an increase in SYN expression in both layers of the GC, the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and the central amygdala (CeA). These results suggest that aversive memory representation induces a new circuitry (inferred from an increase in GAP 43). On the other hand, an appetitive taste learning increased SYN expression in the GC (both layers), the BLA and the CeA without any changes in GAP 43. Together these results indicate that aversive memory formation induces structural and synaptic changes, while appetitive memory formation induces synaptic changes; suggesting that aversive and appetitive memories require a different set of cortical and amygdala plastic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia E Grijalva
- Instituto de Neurobiología, UNAM, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro, 76230, Mexico
| | - María I Miranda
- Instituto de Neurobiología, UNAM, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro, 76230, Mexico
| | - Raúl G Paredes
- Instituto de Neurobiología, UNAM, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro, 76230, Mexico; Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Juriquilla, UNAM, Querétaro, 76230 Mexico.
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6
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Activity of Insula to Basolateral Amygdala Projecting Neurons is Necessary and Sufficient for Taste Valence Representation. J Neurosci 2019; 39:9369-9382. [PMID: 31597726 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0752-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Conditioned taste aversion (CTA) is an associative learning paradigm, wherein consumption of an appetitive tastant (e.g., saccharin) is paired to the administration of a malaise-inducing agent, such as intraperitoneal injection of LiCl. Aversive taste learning and retrieval require neuronal activity within the anterior insula (aIC) and the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Here, we labeled neurons of the aIC projecting to the BLA in adult male mice using a retro-AAV construct and assessed their necessity in aversive and appetitive taste learning. By restricting the expression of chemogenetic receptors in aIC-to-BLA neurons, we demonstrate that activity within the aIC-to-BLA projection is necessary for both aversive taste memory acquisition and retrieval, but not for its maintenance, nor its extinction. Moreover, inhibition of the projection did not affect incidental taste learning per se, but effectively suppressed aversive taste memory retrieval when applied either during or before the encoding of the unconditioned stimulus for CTA (i.e., malaise). Remarkably, activation of the projection after novel taste consumption, without experiencing any internal discomfort, was sufficient to form an artificial aversive taste memory, resulting in strong aversive behavior upon retrieval. Our results indicate that aIC-to-BLA projecting neurons are an essential component in the ability of the brain to associate taste sensory stimuli with body states of negative valence and guide the expression of valence-specific behavior upon taste memory retrieval.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In the present study we subjected mice to the conditioned taste aversion paradigm, where animals learn to associate novel taste with malaise (i.e., assign it negative valence). We show that activation of neurons in the anterior insular cortex (aIC) that project into the basolateral amygdala (BLA) in response to conditioned taste aversion is necessary to form a memory for a taste of negative valence. Moreover, artificial activation of this pathway (without any feeling of pain) after the sampling of a taste can also lead to such associative memory. Thus, activation of aIC-to-BLA projecting neurons is necessary and sufficient to form and retrieve aversive taste memory.
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7
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The Basolateral Nucleus of the Amygdala Executes the Parallel Processes of Avoidance and Palatability in the Retrieval of Conditioned Taste Aversion in Male Rats. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0004-19.2019. [PMID: 31235467 PMCID: PMC6620391 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0004-19.2019] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Conditioned taste aversion (CTA) is an essential behavior for animal survival. Conditioned animals show avoidance and decreased palatability to a conditioned stimulus (CS) on CTA retrieval. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA) is involved in CTA retrieval and whether avoidance and palatability in CTA retrieval are processed in the BLA. We developed an experimental chamber for time-course analysis of the behavior to approach a spout and lick a CS. In this experimental chamber, we analyzed the behavior of male rats following microinjections of GABAA receptor agonist muscimol or saline into the BLA. The rats showed two types of approach behavior: they either (1) approached and licked the spout or (2) approached but did not lick the spout. Muscimol injection into the BLA decreased the frequency of the latter type of approach behavior, indicating that BLA inactivation reduced avoidance to the CS. The muscimol injection into the BLA also significantly increased the consumption of the CS. Lick microstructure analysis demonstrated that intra-BLA muscimol significantly increased licking burst number and size, indicating that BLA inactivation attenuated aversion to the CS as large burst licking is an indicator of high palatability. These results suggest that the increase in CS consumption with intra-BLA muscimol injection was due to alterations in approach and aversive responses to the CS. Therefore, we conclude that the BLA plays an essential role in CTA retrieval by parallel processing of avoidance and palatability.
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8
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Schier LA, Spector AC. The Functional and Neurobiological Properties of Bad Taste. Physiol Rev 2019; 99:605-663. [PMID: 30475657 PMCID: PMC6442928 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00044.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The gustatory system serves as a critical line of defense against ingesting harmful substances. Technological advances have fostered the characterization of peripheral receptors and have created opportunities for more selective manipulations of the nervous system, yet the neurobiological mechanisms underlying taste-based avoidance and aversion remain poorly understood. One conceptual obstacle stems from a lack of recognition that taste signals subserve several behavioral and physiological functions which likely engage partially segregated neural circuits. Moreover, although the gustatory system evolved to respond expediently to broad classes of biologically relevant chemicals, innate repertoires are often not in register with the actual consequences of a food. The mammalian brain exhibits tremendous flexibility; responses to taste can be modified in a specific manner according to bodily needs and the learned consequences of ingestion. Therefore, experimental strategies that distinguish between the functional properties of various taste-guided behaviors and link them to specific neural circuits need to be applied. Given the close relationship between the gustatory and visceroceptive systems, a full reckoning of the neural architecture of bad taste requires an understanding of how these respective sensory signals are integrated in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey A Schier
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California , Los Angeles, California ; and Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University , Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Alan C Spector
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California , Los Angeles, California ; and Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University , Tallahassee, Florida
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9
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Yokose J, Okubo-Suzuki R, Nomoto M, Ohkawa N, Nishizono H, Suzuki A, Matsuo M, Tsujimura S, Takahashi Y, Nagase M, Watabe AM, Sasahara M, Kato F, Inokuchi K. Overlapping memory trace indispensable for linking, but not recalling, individual memories. Science 2017; 355:398-403. [PMID: 28126819 DOI: 10.1126/science.aal2690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Memories are not stored in isolation from other memories but are integrated into associative networks. However, the mechanisms underlying memory association remain elusive. Using two amygdala-dependent behavioral paradigms-conditioned taste aversion (CTA) and auditory-cued fear conditioning (AFC)-in mice, we found that presenting the conditioned stimulus used for the CTA task triggered the conditioned response of the AFC task after natural coreactivation of the memories. This was accompanied through an increase in the overlapping neuronal ensemble in the basolateral amygdala. Silencing of the overlapping ensemble suppressed CTA retrieval-induced freezing. However, retrieval of the original CTA or AFC memory was not affected. A small population of coshared neurons thus mediates the link between memories. They are not necessary for recalling individual memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yokose
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.,Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Reiko Okubo-Suzuki
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.,Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Masanori Nomoto
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.,Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Noriaki Ohkawa
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.,Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Nishizono
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.,Division of Animal Experimental Laboratory, Life Science Research Centre, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Akinobu Suzuki
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.,Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Mina Matsuo
- Division of Animal Experimental Laboratory, Life Science Research Centre, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Shuhei Tsujimura
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.,Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Yukari Takahashi
- Department of Neuroscience, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
| | - Masashi Nagase
- Department of Neuroscience, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
| | - Ayako M Watabe
- Department of Neuroscience, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
| | - Masakiyo Sasahara
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Fusao Kato
- Department of Neuroscience, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
| | - Kaoru Inokuchi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan. .,Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
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10
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Molero-Chamizo A, Rivera-Urbina GN. Effects of lesions in different nuclei of the amygdala on conditioned taste aversion. Exp Brain Res 2017; 235:3517-3526. [PMID: 28861596 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-017-5078-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Conditioned taste aversion (CTA) is an adaptive learning that depends on brain mechanisms not completely identified. The amygdala is one of the structures that make up these mechanisms, but the involvement of its nuclei in the acquisition of CTA is unclear. Lesion studies suggest that the basolateral complex of the amygdala, including the basolateral and lateral amygdala, could be involved in CTA. The central amygdala has also been considered as an important nucleus for the acquisition of CTA in some studies. However, to the best of our knowledge, the effect of lesions of the basolateral complex of the amygdala on the acquisition of CTA has not been directly compared with the effect of lesions of the central and medial nuclei of the amygdala. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of lesions of different nuclei of the amygdala (the central and medial amygdala and the basolateral complex) on the acquisition of taste aversion in male Wistar rats. The results indicate that lesions of the basolateral complex of the amygdala reduce the magnitude of the CTA when compared with lesions of the other nuclei and with animals without lesions. These findings suggest that the involvement of the amygdala in the acquisition of CTA seems to depend particularly on the integrity of the basolateral complex of the amygdala.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Molero-Chamizo
- Department of Psychobiology, University of Granada, Campus Cartuja 18071, Granada, Spain. .,Department of Psychology. Psychobiology Area, University of Huelva, Campus El Carmen, 21071, Huelva, Spain.
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11
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Molero-Chamizo A. Modulation of the magnitude of conditioned taste aversion in rats with excitotoxic lesions of the basolateral amygdala. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2016; 137:56-64. [PMID: 27847246 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2016.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The amygdala is one of the structures involved in the acquisition of conditioned taste aversion (CTA). Nevertheless, the specific roles that the nuclei of this structure play in CTA learning are controversial. Electrolytic lesions applied to the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala can eliminate or reduce the acquisition of this learning. This effect has been attributed to the involvement of fibers that pass through this nucleus and connect with other structures that are critical for CTA. Excitotoxic lesions may allow a clearer insight as to the potential involvement of this nucleus in the acquisition of CTA. The few studies to date that have used this paradigm have shown effects on taste aversion learning after applying extensive lesions to the amygdala. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the effect of selective excitotoxic lesions of the basolateral amygdala on the acquisition of CTA. The effects of these lesions on learning were compared with the effects observed in animals with sham lesions and animals with lesions of the hippocampus, which is a structure apparently not involved in CTA. The results revealed a decreased aversion in animals with basolateral lesions compared with both the sham and hippocampus-lesioned groups. Based on these findings, the role of this specific nucleus of the amygdala in the acquisition of taste aversion is briefly discussed.
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12
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Marotta R, Fenu S, Scheggi S, Vinci S, Rosas M, Falqui A, Gambarana C, De Montis MG, Acquas E. Acquisition and expression of conditioned taste aversion differentially affects extracellular signal regulated kinase and glutamate receptor phosphorylation in rat prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens. Front Behav Neurosci 2014; 8:153. [PMID: 24847227 PMCID: PMC4019857 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2013] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Conditioned taste aversion (CTA) can be applied to study associative learning and its relevant underpinning molecular mechanisms in discrete brain regions. The present study examined, by immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry, the effects of acquisition and expression of lithium-induced CTA on activated Extracellular signal Regulated Kinase (p-ERK) in the prefrontal cortex (PFCx) and nucleus accumbens (Acb) of male Sprague-Dawley rats. The study also examined, by immunoblotting, whether acquisition and expression of lithium-induced CTA resulted in modified levels of phosphorylation of glutamate receptor subunits (NR1 and GluR1) and Thr34- and Thr75-Dopamine-and-cAMP-Regulated PhosphoProtein (DARPP-32). CTA acquisition was associated with an increase of p-ERK-positive neurons and phosphorylated NR1 receptor subunit (p-NR1) in the PFCx, whereas p-GluR1, p-Thr34- and p-Thr75-DARPP-32 levels were not changed in this brain region. CTA expression increased the number of p-ERK-positive neurons in the shell (AcbSh) and core (AcbC) but left unmodified p-NR1, p-GluR1, p-Thr34- and p-Thr75-DARPP-32 levels. Furthermore, post-embedding immunogold quantitative analysis in AcbSh revealed that CTA expression significantly increased nuclear p-ERK immunostaining as well as p-ERK-labeled axo-spinous contacts. Overall, these results indicate that ERK and NR1, but not GluR1 and DARPP-32, are differentially phosphorylated as a consequence of acquisition and expression of aversive associative learning. Moreover, these results confirm that CTA represents an useful approach to study the molecular basis of associative learning in rats and suggest the involvement of ERK cascade in learning-associated synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Marotta
- EM Laboratory, Department of Nanochemistry, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT Genova, Italy
| | - Sandro Fenu
- Department of Toxicology, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy ; Centre of Excellence on Neurobiology of Addiction, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy ; National Institute of Neuroscience - INN, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy
| | - Simona Scheggi
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Siena Siena, Italy
| | - Stefania Vinci
- Department of Toxicology, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy
| | - Michela Rosas
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy
| | - Andrea Falqui
- EM Laboratory, Department of Nanochemistry, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT Genova, Italy
| | - Carla Gambarana
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Siena Siena, Italy
| | | | - Elio Acquas
- Department of Toxicology, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy ; Centre of Excellence on Neurobiology of Addiction, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy ; National Institute of Neuroscience - INN, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy
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