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Quave CB, Vasquez AM, Aquino-Miranda G, Bora EP, Chidomere CL, Zhang XO, Engelke DS, Do-Monte FH. Neural signatures of opioid-induced risk-taking behavior in the prelimbic prefrontal cortex. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.05.578828. [PMID: 38370807 PMCID: PMC10871263 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.05.578828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Opioid use disorder occurs alongside impaired risk-related decision-making, but the underlying neural correlates are unclear. We developed a novel approach-avoidance conflict model using a modified conditioned place preference paradigm to study neural signals of risky opioid seeking in the prefrontal cortex, a region implicated in executive decision making. Upon establishment of morphine conditioned place preference, rats underwent a subsequent conflict test in which fear-inducing cat odor was introduced in the previously drug-paired side of the apparatus. While the saline control group avoided the cat odor side, the morphine group maintained preference for the paired side despite the presence of cat odor. K-means clustering identified two subsets of morphine-treated rats that exhibited either persistent drug seeking (Risk-Takers) or increased avoidance (Risk-Avoiders) during conflict. Single-unit recordings from the prelimbic cortex (PL) revealed decreased neuronal firing rates upon acute morphine exposure in both Risk-Takers and Risk-Avoiders, but this firing rate suppression was absent after repeated administration. Risk-Avoiders also displayed distinct post-morphine excitation in PL which persisted across conditioning. During the preference test, subpopulations of PL neurons in all groups were either excited or inhibited when rats entered the paired side. Interestingly, while this inhibitory signal was lost during the subsequent conflict test in both saline and Risk-Avoider groups, these inhibitory responses persisted in Risk-Takers. Our results suggest that loss of PL inhibition after opioid conditioning is associated with the formation of contextual reward memory. Furthermore, persistent PL inhibitory signaling in the drug-associated context during conflict may underlie increased risk taking following opioid exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cana B. Quave
- Dept. of Neurobiology & Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Andres M. Vasquez
- Dept. of Neurobiology & Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Dept. of Neuroscience, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Guillermo Aquino-Miranda
- Dept. of Neurobiology & Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Esha P. Bora
- Dept. of Neurobiology & Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Chinenye L. Chidomere
- Dept. of Neurobiology & Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Xu O. Zhang
- Dept. of Neurobiology & Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Douglas S. Engelke
- Dept. of Neurobiology & Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Fabricio H. Do-Monte
- Dept. of Neurobiology & Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Engelke DS, Zhang XO, O'Malley JJ, Fernandez-Leon JA, Li S, Kirouac GJ, Beierlein M, Do-Monte FH. A hypothalamic-thalamostriatal circuit that controls approach-avoidance conflict in rats. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2517. [PMID: 33947849 PMCID: PMC8097010 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22730-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Survival depends on a balance between seeking rewards and avoiding potential threats, but the neural circuits that regulate this motivational conflict remain largely unknown. Using an approach-food vs. avoid-predator threat conflict test in rats, we identified a subpopulation of neurons in the anterior portion of the paraventricular thalamic nucleus (aPVT) which express corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) and are preferentially recruited during conflict. Inactivation of aPVTCRF neurons during conflict biases animal's response toward food, whereas activation of these cells recapitulates the food-seeking suppression observed during conflict. aPVTCRF neurons project densely to the nucleus accumbens (NAc), and activity in this pathway reduces food seeking and increases avoidance. In addition, we identified the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) as a critical input to aPVTCRF neurons, and demonstrated that VMH-aPVT neurons mediate defensive behaviors exclusively during conflict. Together, our findings describe a hypothalamic-thalamostriatal circuit that suppresses reward-seeking behavior under the competing demands of avoiding threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- D S Engelke
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - X O Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - J J O'Malley
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - J A Fernandez-Leon
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - S Li
- Department of Oral Biol., University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - G J Kirouac
- Department of Oral Biol., University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - M Beierlein
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - F H Do-Monte
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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3
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Adduci LB, León VA, Schlötelburg A, Busch M, Fraschina J. Avoidance behaviour in laboratory house mice (Musmusculus) and Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) towards predator odours. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245441. [PMID: 33471855 PMCID: PMC7817039 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mus musculus and Rattus sp. are considered pest species because they reach high densities in urban areas, crop fields and food storage and productive systems such as breeding farms and orchards. Their control relies mainly on rodenticide application, but the effectiveness of this application is reduced due to behavioural responses and resistance. Novel methods are based on the use of chemical signals as odours that may be attractants, repellents or may reduce the reproductive success of pest species. The aim of this paper is to study the aversive effect of TMT, cat urine and cat body odour on predator-inexperienced Mus musculus and Rattus norvegicus under laboratory conditions. The experimental apparatus comprised three boxes connected by PVC pipes in a linear arrangement. In lateral boxes, odour sources or distilled water were introduced, while animals were placed in the central box at the beginning of the experiment. Rats showed freezing behaviour, reduced visits in the presence of TMT and cat fur. Mice reduced their visits with cat body and cat urine. This study provides evidence of the usefulness of using fear responses as a way to control rodent pests, which must be adapted to the environment and species to be applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana B. Adduci
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Universidad de Buenos Aires and Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160—Ciudad Universitaria—C1428EGA, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Vanina A. León
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Universidad de Buenos Aires and Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160—Ciudad Universitaria—C1428EGA, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Annika Schlötelburg
- Division of Land Use Systems, Humboldt-University of Berlin, Faculty of Life Science, Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg, Berlin, Germany
| | - María Busch
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Universidad de Buenos Aires and Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160—Ciudad Universitaria—C1428EGA, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jimena Fraschina
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Universidad de Buenos Aires and Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160—Ciudad Universitaria—C1428EGA, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail:
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Úbeda-Contreras J, Marín-Blasco I, Nadal R, Armario A. Brain c-fos expression patterns induced by emotional stressors differing in nature and intensity. Brain Struct Funct 2018; 223:2213-2227. [PMID: 29450645 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-018-1624-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Regardless of its particular nature, emotional stressors appear to elicit a widespread and roughly similar brain activation pattern as evaluated by c-fos expression. However, their behavioral and physiological consequences may strongly differ. Here we addressed in adult male rats the contribution of the intensity and the particular nature of stressors by comparing, in a set of brain areas, the number of c-fos expressing neurons in response to open-field, cat odor or immobilization on boards (IMO). These are qualitatively different stressors that are known to differ in terms of intensity, as evaluated by biological markers. In the present study, plasma levels of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) demonstrated that intensity increases in the following order: open-field, cat odor and IMO. Four different c-fos activation patterns emerged among all areas studied: (i) positive relationship with intensity (posterior-dorsal medial amygdala, dorsomedial hypothalamus, lateral septum ventral and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus), (ii) negative relationship with intensity (cingulate cortex 1, posterior insular cortex, dorsal striatum, nucleus accumbens and some subdivisions of the hippocampal formation); (iii) activation not dependent on the intensity of the stressor (prelimbic and infralimbic cortex and lateral and basolateral amygdala); and (iv) activation specifically associated with cat odor (ventromedial amygdala and ventromedial hypothalamus). Histone 3 phosphorylation at serine 10, another neuronal activation marker, corroborated c-fos results. Summarizing, deepest analysis of the brain activation pattern elicit by emotional stressor indicated that, in spite of activating similar areas, each stressor possess their own brain activation signature, mediated mainly by qualitative aspects but also by intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Úbeda-Contreras
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERSAM, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Animal Physiology Unit, School of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Marín-Blasco
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.,Animal Physiology Unit, School of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roser Nadal
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERSAM, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Psychobiology Unit, School of Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Armario
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain. .,CIBERSAM, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. .,Animal Physiology Unit, School of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.
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5
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Spiacci A, Vilela-Costa HH, Sant'Ana AB, Fernandes GG, Frias AT, da Silva GSF, Antunes-Rodrigues J, Zangrossi H. Panic-like escape response elicited in mice by exposure to CO 2, but not hypoxia. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 81:178-186. [PMID: 29111406 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to elevated concentrations of CO2 or hypoxia has been widely used in psychiatric research as a panic provoking stimulus. However, the use of these respiratory challenges to model panic-like responses in experimental animals has been less straightforward. Little data is available, from behavioral and endocrine perspectives, to support the conclusion that a marked aversive situation, such as that experienced during panic attacks, was evoked in these animals. We here compared the behavioral responses of male CB57BL/6 mice during exposure to 20% CO2 or 7% O2 and its consequence on plasma levels of corticosterone. We also evaluated whether clinically-effective panicolytic drugs affect the behavioral responses expressed during CO2 exposure. The results showed that whereas hypoxia caused a marked reduction in locomotion, inhalation of CO2-enriched air evoked an active escape response, characterized by bouts of upward leaps directed to the border of the experimental cage, interpreted as escape attempts. Corticosterone levels were increased 30min after either of the respiratory challenges used, but it was higher in the hypoxia group. Chronic (21days), but not acute, treatment with fluoxetine or imipramine (5, 10 or 15mg/kg) or a single injection of alprazolam (0.025, 0.05 or 0.1mg/kg), but not of the anxiolytic diazepam (0.025, 0.05 or 0.1 and 1mg/kg) reduced the number of escape attempts, indicating a panicolytic-like effect. Altogether, the results suggest that whereas hypoxia increased anxiety, exposure to 20% CO2 evoked a panic-like state. The latter condition/test protocol seems to be a simple and validated model for studying in mice pathophysiological mechanisms and the screening of novel drugs for panic disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailton Spiacci
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto CEP:14049-900, Brazil.
| | - Heloisa H Vilela-Costa
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto CEP:14049-900, Brazil
| | - Ana Beatriz Sant'Ana
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto CEP:14049-900, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Gripp Fernandes
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto CEP:14049-900, Brazil
| | - Alana Tercino Frias
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto CEP:14049-900, Brazil
| | | | - José Antunes-Rodrigues
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Hélio Zangrossi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto CEP:14049-900, Brazil.
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6
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Brachetta V, Schleich CE, Zenuto RR. Source Odor, Intensity, and Exposure Pattern Affect Antipredatory Responses in the Subterranean RodentCtenomys talarum. Ethology 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Brachetta
- Laboratorio de Ecofisiología; Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC); Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Mar del Plata Argentina
| | - Cristian E. Schleich
- Laboratorio de Ecofisiología; Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC); Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Mar del Plata Argentina
| | - Roxana R. Zenuto
- Laboratorio de Ecofisiología; Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC); Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Mar del Plata Argentina
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Stress, trauma and PTSD: translational insights into the core synaptic circuitry and its modulation. Brain Struct Funct 2015; 221:2401-26. [PMID: 25985955 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-015-1056-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Evidence is considered as to whether behavioral criteria for diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are applicable to that of traumatized animals and whether the phenomena of acquisition, extinction and reactivation of fear behavior in animals are also successfully applicable to humans. This evidence suggests an affirmative answer in both cases. Furthermore, the deficits in gray matter found in PTSD, determined with magnetic resonance imaging, are also observed in traumatized animals, lending neuropsychological support to the use of animals to probe what has gone awry in PTSD. Such animal experiments indicate that the core synaptic circuitry mediating behavior following trauma consists of the amygdala, ventral-medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, all of which are modulated by the basal ganglia. It is not clear if this is the case in PTSD as the observations using fMRI are equivocal and open to technical objections. Nevertheless, the effects of the basal ganglia in controlling glutamatergic synaptic transmission through dopaminergic and serotonergic synaptic mechanisms in the core synaptic circuitry provides a ready explanation for why modifying these mechanisms delays extinction in animal models and predisposes towards PTSD. In addition, changes of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the core synaptic circuitry have significant effects on acquisition and extinction in animal experiments with single nucleotide polymorphisms in the BDNF gene predisposing to PTSD.
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8
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Mejia-Carmona GE, Gosselink KL, Pérez-Ishiwara G, Martínez-Martínez A. Oxidant/antioxidant effects of chronic exposure to predator odor in prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hypothalamus. Mol Cell Biochem 2015; 406:121-9. [PMID: 25981530 PMCID: PMC4502319 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-015-2430-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The incidence of anxiety-related diseases is increasing these days, hence there is a need to understand the mechanisms that underlie its nature and consequences. It is known that limbic structures, mainly the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, are involved in the processing of anxiety, and that projections from prefrontal cortex and amygdala can induce activity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis with consequent cardiovascular changes, increase in oxygen consumption, and ROS production. The compensatory reaction can include increased antioxidant enzymes activities, overexpression of antioxidant enzymes, and genetic shifts that could include the activation of antioxidant genes. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the oxidant/antioxidant effect that chronic anxiogenic stress exposure can have in prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hypothalamus by exposition to predator odor. Results showed (a) sensitization of the HPA axis response, (b) an enzymatic phase 1 and 2 antioxidant response to oxidative stress in amygdala, (c) an antioxidant stability without elevation of oxidative markers in prefrontal cortex, (d) an elevation in phase 1 antioxidant response in hypothalamus. Chronic exposure to predator odor has an impact in the metabolic REDOX state in amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hypothalamus, with oxidative stress being prevalent in amygdala as this is the principal structure responsible for the management of anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- G E Mejia-Carmona
- Departamento de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Anillo envolvente del Pronaf y Estocolmo S/N, Zona Pronaf, C.P. 32315, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico
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9
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Wernecke KEA, Vincenz D, Storsberg S, D'Hanis W, Goldschmidt J, Fendt M. Fox urine exposure induces avoidance behavior in rats and activates the amygdalar olfactory cortex. Behav Brain Res 2014; 279:76-81. [PMID: 25449843 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Revised: 11/06/2014] [Accepted: 11/08/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Predator odors represent a group of biologically-relevant chemosignals called kairomones. Kairomones enable prey animals to recognize potential predatory threats in their environment and to initiate appropriate defensive responses. Although the behavioral repertoire of anti-predatory responses (e.g. avoidance, freezing, risk assessment) has been investigated extensively, our knowledge about the neural network mediating these innate fear responses is rather limited. In the present study, the GABAA agonist muscimol was bilaterally injected (2.6 nmol/0.3 μl) into the amygdalar olfactory cortex (AOC), a brain area that receives massive olfactory input from both olfactory systems and is strongly interconnected with the medial hypothalamic defense circuit. Temporary inactivation of the AOC substantially disrupted avoidance behavior of rats to fox urine that is strongly avoided under control conditions (saline injections). Taken together, these results demonstrate that the AOC is critically involved in fox urine-induced fear behavior. This suggests that the AOC is part of a brain fear circuit that mediates innate fear responses toward predatory odors.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E A Wernecke
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - D Vincenz
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - S Storsberg
- Institute for Anatomy, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - W D'Hanis
- Institute for Anatomy, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - J Goldschmidt
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - M Fendt
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
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Genovese RF, Johnson CC, Tobin CA, Gauchan S. Multiple presentations reduce the behavioral impact of protected predator exposure in rats. Behav Processes 2014; 108:105-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2014.09.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Revised: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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11
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Berardi A, Trezza V, Palmery M, Trabace L, Cuomo V, Campolongo P. An updated animal model capturing both the cognitive and emotional features of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Front Behav Neurosci 2014; 8:142. [PMID: 24808840 PMCID: PMC4010768 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The new-released Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) defines post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a "trauma and stressor-related disorder". PTSD pathogenesis relies on paradoxical changes of emotional memory processing induced by the trauma exposure and associated with emotional dysfunction. Several animal models of PTSD have been validated and are currently used. Each one mimics a particular subset of the disorder with particular emphasis, mainly driven by the past classification of PTSD in the DSM-4, on the emotional features. In view of the recent update in the DSM-5, our aim was to develop, by using well-validated paradigms, a modified model of PTSD able to mimic at the same time both the cognitive and emotional features of the disease. We exposed male rats to either a piece of worn cat collar or to a series of inescapable footshocks paired with a PTSD risk factor, i.e., social isolation. Animals were subsequently re-exposed to the conditioned contexts at different time intervals in order to test memory retention for the stressors. In addition, footshock-exposed rats were tested in the elevated-plus-maze and social interaction tests. We found that rats exposed to a cat collar exhibited an acute fear response that did not lead to enduring memory retention. Conversely, footshock-exposed rats expressed a successful retention of the stressful experience at 1, 7, 14, 21 and 56 post-exposure days. Footshock-exposed rats displayed an anxious behavioral profile in the social interaction test and a significantly reduced locomotor activity in the elevated-plus-maze test. These dysfunctions were not observed when animals were socially housed, thus highlighting a social buffering effect in the development of the pathology. Our results underline the good validity of a footshock-based paradigm paired with social isolation as a PTSD animal model, able to mimic at the same time both some of the enduring cognitive and emotional facets of the pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Berardi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Department of Science, University of Roma Tre Rome, Italy
| | - Maura Palmery
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy
| | - Luigia Trabace
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia Foggia, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cuomo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Campolongo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy ; Sapienza School of Advanced Studies, Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy
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Comparison between low doses of TMT and cat odor exposure in anxiety- and fear-related behaviors in mice. Behav Brain Res 2012; 238:227-31. [PMID: 23089645 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2012] [Revised: 09/17/2012] [Accepted: 10/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Few comparisons were made between cat odor and synthetic fox odor (TMT) to study fear and anxiety in rodents. TMT is frequently used are at high concentration while the stimulus should be as possible closer to natural conditions. The aim of this work was to compare behavioral responses of mice exposed to cat odor and low doses of TMT (i.e. 10 μl of a solution containing 1%, 0.1% or 0.01% TMT). Behavioral parameters were recorded in elevated plus-maze and in open field. Results showed that 1% TMT and 0.1% TMT induced similar responses to cat odor, contrary to water and 0.01% TMT which failed to elicit fear or anxiety-related behaviors. Additionally, behavioral changes were more marked in EPM - e.g. time spent in open arms - than in open field - e.g. freezing. These findings are discussed in terms of a possible continuum of mild anxiety-like behaviors to strong fear-like behaviors linked to predator odor intensity.
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Muñoz-Abellán C, Rabasa C, Daviu N, Nadal R, Armario A. Behavioral and endocrine consequences of simultaneous exposure to two different stressors in rats: interaction or independence? PLoS One 2011; 6:e21426. [PMID: 21731743 PMCID: PMC3123340 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2011] [Accepted: 05/31/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although behavioral and endocrine consequences of acute exposure to stressors have been extensively studied, little is known about how simultaneous exposure to two different stressors interacts to induce short- and long-term effects. In the present experiment we studied this interaction in adult male rats exposed to cat fur odor (impregnated cloth) or immobilization on boards either separately or simultaneously. We reasoned that exposure to the odor of a potential predator while immobilized, may potentiate its negative consequences as compared to exposure to only one of the stressors. Exposure to cat odor elicited the expected reduction of activity and avoidance of the area where the impregnated cloth was located. The endocrine response (plasma levels of ACTH and corticosterone, as a measure of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, HPA) was markedly greater after immobilization than after cat fur odor and no additive effects were found by simultaneous exposure to both stressors. Cat odor, but not immobilization, increased anxiety-like behavior as evaluated in the elevated plus-maze 7 days after the stressors, with no evidence of enhanced HPA activation. In addition, cat odor exposure resulted in long-lasting (8 days later) fear conditioning to the box containing a clean cloth, which was reflected by hypoactivity, avoidance of the cloth area and enhanced HPA activation. All these effects were similarly observed in rats exposed simultaneously to cat odor and immobilization. In rats only exposed to immobilization, only some weak behavioral signs of fear conditioning were found, but HPA activation in response to the context paired to immobilization was enhanced to the same extent as in cat odor-exposed animals, supporting a certain degree of endocrine conditioning. The present results did not reveal important behavioral interactions between the two stressors when animals experienced both simultaneously, whereas some interactions were found regarding HPA activation. Theoretical implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Muñoz-Abellán
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Unitat de Fisiologia Animal, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Rabasa
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Unitat de Fisiologia Animal, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuria Daviu
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Unitat de Fisiologia Animal, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roser Nadal
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Unitat de Psicobiologia, Facultat de Psicologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Armario
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Unitat de Fisiologia Animal, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Flores-Gracia C, Nuche-Bricaire A, Crespo-Ramírez M, Miledi R, Fuxe K, Pérez de la Mora M. GABA(A) ρ receptor mechanisms in the rat amygdala and its role in the modulation of fear and anxiety. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2010; 212:475-84. [PMID: 20689940 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-010-1973-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2010] [Accepted: 07/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Accumulating evidence for the presence of GABA(A) ρ receptors within the amygdala which differ from other members of the GABA(A) receptor family in both subunit composition and functional properties has been recently obtained. OBJECTIVES This work was conducted to study whether GABA(A) ρ receptors may have a putative role in the amygdaloid modulation of fear and anxiety. RESULTS It was found that the bilateral intra-amygdaloid administration (6-240 pmol/side) of (1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine-4-yl)methylphosphinic acid, a selective GABA(A) ρ receptor antagonist, reduced dose-dependently the exploration of the open arms of the elevated plus-maze without affecting locomotion and increased the plasma levels of corticosterone. In contrast, bicuculline in the dose range used (1.8-60 pmol/side) induced seizures, but had no effects on the exploration of the maze. CONCLUSIONS It is suggested that GABA(A) ρ receptors may have a role in the amygdaloid modulation of fear and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candy Flores-Gracia
- Division of Neurosciences, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-253, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
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Predator odor avoidance as a rodent model of anxiety: Learning-mediated consequences beyond the initial exposure. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2010; 94:435-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2010.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2010] [Revised: 08/28/2010] [Accepted: 09/18/2010] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Daviu N, Fuentes S, Nadal R, Armario A. A single footshock causes long-lasting hypoactivity in unknown environments that is dependent on the development of contextual fear conditioning. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2010; 94:183-90. [PMID: 20472088 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2010.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2010] [Revised: 05/04/2010] [Accepted: 05/10/2010] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to a single session of footshocks induces long-lasting inhibition of activity in unknown environments that markedly differ from the shock context. Interestingly, these effects are not necessarily associated to an enhanced anxiety and interpretation of this hypoactivity remains unclear. In the present experiment we further studied this phenomenon in male Sprague-Dawley rats. In a first experiment, a session of three shocks resulted in hypoactivity during exposure, 6-12days later, to three different unknown environments. This altered behaviour was not accompanied by a greater hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activation, although greater HPA activation paralleling higher levels of freezing was observed in the shock context. In a second experiment we used a single shock and two procedures, one with pre-exposure to the context before the shock and another with immediate shock that did not induce contextual fear conditioning. Hypoactivity and a certain level of generalization of fear (freezing) to the unknown environments only appeared in the group that developed fear conditioning, but no evidence for enhanced anxiety in the elevated plus-maze was found in any group. The results suggest that if animals are able to associate an aversive experience with a distinct unknown environment, they would display more cautious behaviour in any unknown environment and such strategy persists despite repeated experience with different environments. This long-lasting cautious behaviour was not associated to greater HPA response to the unknown environment that was however observed in the shock context. The present findings raised some concerns about interpretation of long-lasting behavioural changes caused by brief stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Núria Daviu
- Institute of Neurosciences, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
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