1
|
Copenhaver AE, LeGates TA. Sex-Specific Mechanisms Underlie Long-Term Potentiation at Hippocampus→Medium Spiny Neuron Synapses in the Medial Shell of the Nucleus Accumbens. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e0100242024. [PMID: 38806250 PMCID: PMC11223474 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0100-24.2024] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Sex differences have complicated our understanding of the neurobiological basis of many behaviors that are key for survival. As such, continued elucidation of the similarities and differences between sexes is necessary to gain insight into brain function and vulnerability. The connection between the hippocampus (Hipp) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a crucial site where modulation of neuronal activity mediates reward-related behavior. Our previous work demonstrated that long-term potentiation (LTP) of Hipp→NAc synapses is rewarding, and mice can establish learned associations between LTP of these synapses and the contextual environment in which LTP occurred. Here, we investigated sex differences in the mechanisms underlying Hipp→NAc LTP using whole-cell electrophysiology and pharmacology. We observed similarities in basal synaptic strength between males and females and found that LTP occurs postsynaptically with similar magnitudes in both sexes. However, key sex differences emerged as LTP in males required NMDA receptors (NMDAR), whereas LTP in females utilized an NMDAR-independent mechanism involving L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs) and estrogen receptor α (ERα). We also uncovered sex-similar features as LTP in both sexes depended on CaMKII activity and occurred independently of dopamine-1 receptor (D1R) activation. Our results have elucidated sex-specific molecular mechanisms for LTP in an integral pathway that mediates reward-related behaviors, emphasizing the importance of considering sex as a variable in mechanistic studies. Continued characterization of sex-specific mechanisms underlying plasticity will offer novel insight into the neurophysiological basis of behavior, with significant implications for understanding how diverse processes mediate behavior and contribute to vulnerability to developing psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley E Copenhaver
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Baltimore, Maryland 21250
| | - Tara A LeGates
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Baltimore, Maryland 21250
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wu CT, Magaña DG, Roshgadol J, Tian L, Ryan KK. Dietary protein restriction diminishes sucrose reward and reduces sucrose-evoked mesolimbic dopamine signaling. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.21.600074. [PMID: 38979357 PMCID: PMC11230173 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.21.600074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Objective A growing literature suggests manipulating dietary protein status decreases sweet consumption in rodents and in humans. Underlying neurocircuit mechanisms have not yet been determined, but previous work points towards hedonic rather than homeostatic pathways. Here we hypothesized that a history of protein restriction reduces sucrose seeking by altering mesolimbic dopamine signaling. Methods We tested this hypothesis using established behavioral tests of palatability and motivation, including the 'palatability contrast' and conditioned place preference (CPP) tests. We used modern optical sensors for measuring real-time nucleus accumbens (NAc) dopamine dynamics during sucrose consumption, via fiber photometry, in male C57/Bl6J mice maintained on low-protein high-carbohydrate (LPHC) or control (CON) diet for ∼5 weeks. Results A history of protein restriction decreased the consumption of a sucrose 'dessert' in sated mice by ∼50% compared to controls [T-test, p< 0.05]. The dopamine release in NAc during sucrose consumption was reduced, also by ∼50%, in LPHC-fed mice compared to CON [T-test, p< 0.01]. Furthermore, LPHC-feeding blocked the sucrose-conditioned place preference we observed in CON-fed mice [paired T-test, p< 0.05], indicating reduced motivation. This was accompanied by a 33% decrease in neuronal activation of the NAc core, as measured by c-Fos immunolabeling from brains collected directly after the CPP test. Conclusions Despite ongoing efforts to promote healthier dietary habits, adherence to recommendations aimed at reducing the intake of added sugars and processed sweets remains challenging. This study highlights chronic dietary protein restriction as a nutritional intervention that suppresses the motivation for sucrose intake, via blunted sucrose-evoke dopamine release in NAc.
Collapse
|
3
|
Wunsch AM, Hwang EK, Funke JR, Baker R, Moutier A, Milovanovic M, Green TA, Wolf ME. Retinoic acid-mediated homeostatic plasticity in the nucleus accumbens core contributes to incubation of cocaine craving. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024:10.1007/s00213-024-06612-x. [PMID: 38935096 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06612-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Incubation of cocaine craving refers to the progressive intensification of cue-induced craving during abstinence from cocaine self-administration. We showed previously that homomeric GluA1 Ca2+-permeable AMPARs (CP-AMPAR) accumulate in excitatory synapses of nucleus accumbens core (NAcc) medium spiny neurons (MSN) after ∼1 month of abstinence and thereafter their activation is required for expression of incubation. Therefore, it is important to understand mechanisms underlying CP-AMPAR plasticity. OBJECTIVES We hypothesize that CP-AMPAR upregulation represents a retinoic acid (RA)-dependent form of homeostatic plasticity, previously described in other brain regions, in which a reduction in neuronal activity disinhibits RA synthesis, leading to GluA1 translation and CP-AMPAR synaptic insertion. We tested this using viral vectors to bidirectionally manipulate RA signaling in NAcc during abstinence following extended-access cocaine self-administration. RESULTS We used shRNA targeted to the RA degradative enzyme Cyp26b1 to increase RA signaling. This treatment accelerated incubation; rats expressed incubation on abstinence day (AD) 15, when it is not yet detected in control rats. It also accelerated CP-AMPAR synaptic insertion measured with slice physiology. CP-AMPARs were detected in Cyp26b1 shRNA-expressing MSN, but not control MSN, on AD15-18. Next, we used shRNA targeted to the major RA synthetic enzyme Aldh1a1 to reduce RA signaling. In MSN expressing Aldh1a1 shRNA, synaptic CP-AMPARs were reduced in late withdrawal (AD42-60) compared to controls. However, we did not detect an effect of this manipulation on incubated cocaine seeking (AD40). CONCLUSIONS These findings support the hypothesis that increased RA signaling during abstinence contributes to CP-AMPAR accumulation and incubation of cocaine craving.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M Wunsch
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97212, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA
| | - Eun-Kyung Hwang
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97212, USA
| | - Jonathan R Funke
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97212, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Raines Baker
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97212, USA
- College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Alana Moutier
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97212, USA
- Yecuris Corporation, Tualatin, OR, 97062, USA
| | - Mike Milovanovic
- Department of Neuroscience, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA
| | - Thomas A Green
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Marina E Wolf
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97212, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Weiner SP, Vasquez C, Song S, Zhao K, Ali O, Rosenkilde D, Froemke RC, Carr KD. Sex difference in the effect of environmental enrichment on food restriction-induced persistence of cocaine conditioned place preference and mechanistic underpinnings. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2024; 10:100142. [PMID: 38323217 PMCID: PMC10843874 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2024.100142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Psychosocial and environmental factors, including loss of natural reward, contribute to the risk of drug abuse. Reward loss has been modeled in animals by removal from social or sexual contact, transfer from enriched to impoverished housing, or restriction of food. We previously showed that food restriction increases the unconditioned rewarding effects of abused drugs and the conditioned incentive effects of drug-paired environments. Mechanistic studies provided evidence of decreased basal dopamine (DA) transmission, adaptive upregulation of signaling downstream of D1 DA receptor stimulation, synaptic upscaling and incorporation of calcium-permeable AMPA receptors (CP-AMPARs) in medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of nucleus accumbens (NAc). These findings align with the still evolving 'reward deficiency' hypothesis of drug abuse. The present study tested whether a compound natural reward that is known to increase DA utilization, environmental enrichment, would prevent the persistent expression of cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) otherwise observed in food restricted rats, along with the mechanistic underpinnings. Because nearly all prior investigations of both food restriction and environmental enrichment effects on cocaine CPP were conducted in male rodents, both sexes were included in the present study. Results indicate that environmental enrichment curtailed the persistence of CPP expression, decreased signaling downstream of the D1R, and decreased the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in NAc MSNs of food restricted male, but not female, rats. The failure of environmental enrichment to significantly decrease food restriction-induced synaptic insertion of CP-AMPARs, and how this may accord with previous pharmacological findings that blockade of CP-AMPARs reverses behavioral effects of food restriction is discussed. In addition, it is speculated that estrous cycle-dependent fluctuations in DA release, receptor density and MSN excitability may obscure the effect of increased DA signaling during environmental enrichment, thereby interfering with development of the cellular and behavioral effects that enrichment produced in males.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sydney P. Weiner
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Carolina Vasquez
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
- Diabetes Research Program, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Soomin Song
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Kaiyang Zhao
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Omar Ali
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Danielle Rosenkilde
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Robert C. Froemke
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
- Department of Otolaryngology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Kenneth D. Carr
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Copenhaver AE, LeGates TA. Sex-specific mechanisms underlie long-term potentiation at hippocampus-nucleus accumbens synapses. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.15.575709. [PMID: 38293132 PMCID: PMC10827060 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.15.575709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Sex differences have complicated our understanding of the neurobiological basis of many behaviors that are key for survival. As such, continued elucidation of the similarities and differences between sexes is necessary in order to gain insight into brain function and vulnerability. The connection between the hippocampus (Hipp) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a crucial site where modulation of neuronal activity mediates reward-related behavior. Our previous work demonstrated that long-term potentiation (LTP) of Hipp-NAc synapses is rewarding, and that mice can make learned associations between LTP of these synapses and the contextual environment in which LTP occurred. Here, we investigate sex differences in the mechanisms underlying Hipp-NAc LTP using whole-cell electrophysiology and pharmacology. We found that males and females display similar magnitudes of Hipp-NAc LTP which occurs postsynaptically. However, LTP in females requires L-type voltage-gated Ca 2+ channels (VGCC) for postsynaptic Ca 2+ influx, while males rely on NMDA receptors (NMDAR). Additionally, females require estrogen receptor α (ERα) activity for LTP while males do not. These differential mechanisms converge as LTP in both sexes depends on CAMKII activity and occurs independently of dopamine-1 receptor (D1R) activation. Our results have elucidated sex-specific molecular mechanisms for LTP in an integral excitatory pathway that mediates reward-related behaviors, emphasizing the importance of considering sex as a variable in mechanistic studies. Continued characterization of sex-specific mechanisms underlying plasticity will offer novel insight into the neurophysiological basis of behavior, with significant implications for understanding how diverse processes mediate behavior and contribute to vulnerability to developing psychiatric disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Strengthening of Hipp-NAc synapses drives reward-related behaviors. Male and female mice have similar magnitudes of long-term potentiation (LTP) and both sexes have a predicted postsynaptic locus of plasticity. Despite these similarities, we illustrate here that sex-specific molecular mechanisms are used to elicit LTP. Given the bidirectional relationship between Hipp-NAc synaptic strength in mediating reward-related behaviors, the use of distinct molecular mechanisms may explain sex differences observed in stress susceptibility or response to rewarding stimuli. Discovery and characterization of convergent sex differences provides mechanistic insight into the sex-specific function of Hipp-NAc circuitry and has widespread implications for circuits mediating learning and reward-related behavior.
Collapse
|
6
|
Knouse MC, Deutschmann AU, Nenov MN, Wimmer ME, Briand LA. Sex differences in pre- and post-synaptic glutamate signaling in the nucleus accumbens core. Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:52. [PMID: 37596655 PMCID: PMC10439632 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00537-4] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glutamate signaling within the nucleus accumbens underlies motivated behavior and is involved in psychiatric disease. Although behavioral sex differences in these processes are well-established, the neural mechanisms driving these differences are largely unexplored. In these studies, we examine potential sex differences in synaptic plasticity and excitatory transmission within the nucleus accumbens core. Further understanding of baseline sex differences in reward circuitry will shed light on potential mechanisms driving behavioral differences in motivated behavior and psychiatric disease. METHODS Behaviorally naïve adult male and female Long-Evans rats, C57Bl/6J mice, and constitutive PKMζ knockout mice were killed and tissue containing the nucleus accumbens core was collected for ex vivo slice electrophysiology experiments. Electrophysiology recordings examined baseline sex differences in synaptic plasticity and transmission within this region and the potential role of PKMζ in long-term depression. RESULTS Within the nucleus accumbens core, both female mice and rats exhibit higher AMPA/NMDA ratios compared to male animals. Further, female mice have a larger readily releasable pool of glutamate and lower release probability compared to male mice. No significant sex differences were detected in spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current amplitude or frequency. Finally, the threshold for induction of long-term depression was lower for male animals than females, an effect that appears to be mediated, in part, by PKMζ. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that there are baseline sex differences in synaptic plasticity and excitatory transmission in the nucleus accumbens core. Our data suggest there are sex differences at multiple levels in this region that should be considered in the development of pharmacotherapies to treat psychiatric illnesses such as depression and substance use disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa C Knouse
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Weiss Hall, 1701 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Andre U Deutschmann
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Weiss Hall, 1701 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Miroslav N Nenov
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Weiss Hall, 1701 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Mathieu E Wimmer
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Weiss Hall, 1701 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Lisa A Briand
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Weiss Hall, 1701 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA.
- Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Weiss Hall, 1701 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Beeler JA, Burghardt NS. The Rise and Fall of Dopamine: A Two-Stage Model of the Development and Entrenchment of Anorexia Nervosa. Front Psychiatry 2022; 12:799548. [PMID: 35087433 PMCID: PMC8787068 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.799548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine has long been implicated as a critical neural substrate mediating anorexia nervosa (AN). Despite nearly 50 years of research, the putative direction of change in dopamine function remains unclear and no consensus on the mechanistic role of dopamine in AN has been achieved. We hypothesize two stages in AN- corresponding to initial development and entrenchment- characterized by opposite changes in dopamine. First, caloric restriction, particularly when combined with exercise, triggers an escalating spiral of increasing dopamine that facilitates the behavioral plasticity necessary to establish and reinforce weight-loss behaviors. Second, chronic self-starvation reverses this escalation to reduce or impair dopamine which, in turn, confers behavioral inflexibility and entrenchment of now established AN behaviors. This pattern of enhanced, followed by impaired dopamine might be a common path to many behavioral disorders characterized by reinforcement learning and subsequent behavioral inflexibility. If correct, our hypothesis has significant clinical and research implications for AN and other disorders, such as addiction and obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeff A. Beeler
- Department of Psychology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY, United States
- Psychology Program, The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, NY, United States
- Biology Program, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nesha S. Burghardt
- Psychology Program, The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, CUNY, New York, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ventura R, Cabib S, Babicola L, Andolina D, Di Segni M, Orsini C. Interactions Between Experience, Genotype and Sex in the Development of Individual Coping Strategies. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 15:785739. [PMID: 34987364 PMCID: PMC8721137 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.785739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Coping strategies, the first line of defense against adversities, develop through experience. There is consistent evidence that both genotype and sex contribute to the development of dysfunctional coping, leading to maladaptive outcomes of adverse experiences or to adaptive coping that fosters rapid recovery even from severe stress. However, how these factors interact to influence the development of individual coping strategies is just starting to be investigated. In the following review, we will consider evidence that experience, sex, and genotype influence the brain circuits and neurobiological processes involved in coping with adversities and discuss recent results pointing to the specific effects of the interaction between early experiences, genotype, and stress in the development of functional and dysfunctional coping styles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Ventura
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Research in Neurobiology D. Bovet, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Cabib
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Research in Neurobiology D. Bovet, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucy Babicola
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Research in Neurobiology D. Bovet, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Diego Andolina
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Research in Neurobiology D. Bovet, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Di Segni
- Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Orsini
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Research in Neurobiology D. Bovet, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gnazzo FG, Mourra D, Guevara C, Beeler JA. Chronic food restriction enhances dopamine-mediated intracranial self-stimulation. Neuroreport 2021; 32:1128-1133. [PMID: 34284450 PMCID: PMC8373704 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001700] [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] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Dopamine-mediated reinforcement and behavioral adaptation is essential to survival. Here, we test the effects of food restriction on dopamine-mediated learning and reinforcement using optical intracranial self-stimulation (oICSS), an optogenetic version of conventional electrical ICSS (also known as brain stimulation reward, BSR). Using mouse genetic lines to express channelrhodopsin selectively in midbrain dopamine neurons, we demonstrate that genetically expressed channelrhodopsin can mediate optically evoked dopamine release and support self-stimulation in a lever-pressing paradigm. Using this midbrain dopamine oICSS preparation, we compare acquisition and rate of pressing in ad libitum versus food restricted mice. Food restriction facilitated both more rapid acquisition of self-stimulation behavior and higher rates of responding; reversing food status after acquisition modulated response vigor in already established behavior. These data suggest that food restriction enhances both the acquisition and expression of dopamine-reinforced self-stimulation responding. These data demonstrate the utility of oICSS for examining changes in reinforcement learning concomitant to neuroadaptations induced in dopamine signaling by experimental manipulations such as food restriction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federico G. Gnazzo
- Department of Psychology, Queens College, City University New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Devry Mourra
- Department of Psychology, Queens College, City University New York, New York, NY, USA
- CUNY Neuroscience Collaborative, The Graduate Center, City University New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christopher Guevara
- Department of Psychology, Queens College, City University New York, New York, NY, USA
- (current ) Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeff A. Beeler
- Department of Psychology, Queens College, City University New York, New York, NY, USA
- CUNY Neuroscience Collaborative, The Graduate Center, City University New York, New York, NY, USA
- Biology Program, The Graduate Center, City University New York, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Murray CH, Gaulden AD, Kawa AB, Milovanovic M, Caccamise AJ, Funke JR, Patel S, Wolf ME. CaMKII Modulates Diacylglycerol Lipase-α Activity in the Rat Nucleus Accumbens after Incubation of Cocaine Craving. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0220-21.2021. [PMID: 34544759 PMCID: PMC8503962 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0220-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Relapse is a major challenge to the treatment of substance use disorders. A progressive increase in cue-induced drug craving, termed incubation of craving, is observed after withdrawal from multiple drugs of abuse in humans and rodents. Incubation of cocaine craving involves the strengthening of excitatory synapses onto nucleus accumbens (NAc) medium spiny neurons via postsynaptic accumulation of high-conductance Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors. This enhances reactivity to drug-associated cues and is required for the expression of incubation. Additionally, incubation of cocaine craving is associated with loss of the synaptic depression normally triggered by stimulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5), leading to endocannabinoid production, and expressed presynaptically via cannabinoid receptor 1 activation. Previous studies have found alterations in mGlu5 and Homer proteins associated with the loss of this synaptic depression. Here we conducted coimmunoprecipitation studies to investigate associations of diacylglycerol lipase-α (DGL), which catalyzes formation of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG), with mGlu5 and Homer proteins. Although these interactions were unchanged in the NAc core at incubation-relevant withdrawal times, the association of DGL with total and phosphorylated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIα (CaMKIIα) and CaMKIIβ was increased. This would be predicted, based on other studies, to inhibit DGL activity and therefore 2-AG production. This was confirmed by measuring DGL enzymatic activity. However, the magnitude of DGL inhibition did not correlate with the magnitude of incubation of craving for individual rats. These results suggest that CaMKII contributes to the loss of mGlu5-dependent synaptic depression after incubation, but the functional significance of this loss remains unclear.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Conor H Murray
- Department of Neuroscience, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois 60064-3095
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239-3098
| | - Andrew D Gaulden
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240
| | - Alex B Kawa
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239-3098
| | - Mike Milovanovic
- Department of Neuroscience, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois 60064-3095
| | - Aaron J Caccamise
- Department of Neuroscience, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois 60064-3095
| | - Jonathan R Funke
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239-3098
| | - Sachin Patel
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240
| | - Marina E Wolf
- Department of Neuroscience, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois 60064-3095
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239-3098
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Topiramate-chitosan nanoparticles prevent morphine reinstatement with no memory impairment: Dopaminergic and glutamatergic molecular aspects in rats. Neurochem Int 2021; 150:105157. [PMID: 34390773 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2021.105157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Besides their clinical application, chronic misuse of opioids has often been associated to drug addiction due to their addictive properties, underlying neuroadaptations of AMPA glutamate-receptor-dependent synaptic plasticity. Topiramate (TPM), an AMPAR antagonist, has been used to treat psychostimulants addiction, despite its harmful effects on memory. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a novel topiramate nanosystem on molecular changes related to morphine reinstatement. Rats were previously exposed to morphine in conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm and treated with topiramate-chitosan nanoparticles (TPM-CS-NP) or non-encapsulated topiramate in solution (S-TPM) during CPP extinction; following memory performance evaluation, they were re-exposed to morphine reinstatement. While morphine-CPP extinction was comparable among all experimental groups, TPM-CS-NP treatment prevented morphine reinstatement, preserving memory performance, which was impaired by both morphine-conditioning and S-TPM treatment. In the NAc, morphine increased D1R, D2R, D3R, DAT, GluA1 and MOR immunoreactivity. It also increased D1R, DAT, GluA1 and MOR in the dorsal hippocampus. TPM-CS-NP treatment decreased D1R, D3R and GluA1 and increased DAT in the NAc, decreasing GluA1 and increasing D2 and DAT in the dorsal hippocampus. Taken together, we may infer that TPM-CS-NP treatment was able to prevent the morphine reinstatement without memory impairment. Therefore, TPM-CS-NP may be considered an innovative therapeutic tool due to its property to prevent opioid reinstatement because it acts modifying both dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission, which are commonly related to morphine addiction.
Collapse
|
12
|
Liu PP, Chao CC, Liao RM. Task-Dependent Effects of SKF83959 on Operant Behaviors Associated With Distinct Changes of CaMKII Signaling in Striatal Subareas. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2021; 24:721-733. [PMID: 34049400 PMCID: PMC8453300 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyab032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND SKF83959, an atypical dopamine (DA) D1 receptor agonist, has been used to test the functions of DA-related receptor complexes in vitro, but little is known about its impact on conditioned behavior. The present study examined the effects of SKF83959 on operant behaviors and assayed the neurochemical mechanisms involved. METHODS Male rats were trained and maintained on either a fixed-interval 30-second (FI30) schedule or a differential reinforcement of low-rate response 10-second (DRL10) schedule of reinforcement. After drug treatment tests, western blotting assayed the protein expressions of the calcium-/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and the transcription factor cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) in tissues collected from 4 selected DA-related areas. RESULTS SKF83959 disrupted the performance of FI30 and DRL10 behaviors in a dose-dependent manner by reducing the total number of responses in varying magnitudes. Moreover, the distinct profiles of the behavior altered by the drug were manifested by analyzing qualitative and quantitative measures on both tasks. Western-blot results showed that phospho-CaMKII levels decreased in the nucleus accumbens and the dorsal striatum of the drug-treated FI30 and DRL10 subjects, respectively, compared with their vehicle controls. The phospho-CREB levels decreased in the nucleus accumbens and the hippocampus of drug-treated FI30 subjects but increased in the nucleus accumbens of drug-treated DRL10 subjects. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide important insight into the neuropsychopharmacology of SKF83959, indicating that the drug-altered operant behavior is task dependent and related to regional-dependent changes of CaMKII-CREB signaling in the mesocorticolimbic DA systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Pei Liu
- Department of Psychology, National Cheng-Chi University, Taipei, Taiwan,National Cheng-Chi University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chang Chao
- Institute of Neuroscience and Research Center for Mind, Brain and Learning, National Cheng-Chi University, Taipei, Taiwan,National Cheng-Chi University, Taipei, Taiwan,Correspondence: Chih-Chang Chao, PhD, Institute of Neuroscience ()
| | - Ruey-Ming Liao
- Department of Psychology, National Cheng-Chi University, Taipei, Taiwan,Institute of Neuroscience and Research Center for Mind, Brain and Learning, National Cheng-Chi University, Taipei, Taiwan,National Cheng-Chi University, Taipei, Taiwan,Correspondence: Ruey-Ming Liao, PhD, Department of Psychology, National Cheng-Chi University, 64, Sec. 2, Zhinan Road, Taipei City 116011, Taiwan ()
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Joshi A, Faivre F, la Fleur SE, Barrot M. Midbrain and Lateral Nucleus Accumbens Dopamine Depletion Affects Free-choice High-fat high-sugar Diet Preference in Male Rats. Neuroscience 2021; 467:171-184. [PMID: 34048800 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Dopamine influences food intake behavior. Reciprocally, food intake, especially of palatable dietary items, can modulate dopamine-related brain circuitries. Among these reciprocal impacts, it has been observed that an increased intake of dietary fat results in blunted dopamine signaling and, to compensate this lowered dopamine function, caloric intake may subsequently increase. To determine how dopamine regulates food preference we performed 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions, depleting dopamine in specific brain regions in male Sprague Dawley rats. Food preference was assessed by providing the rats with free choice access to control diet, fat, 20% sucrose and tap water. Rats with midbrain lesions targeting the substantia nigra (which is also a model of Parkinson's disease) consumed fewer calories, as reflected by a decrease in control diet intake, but they surprisingly displayed an increase in fat intake, without change in the sucrose solution intake compared to sham animals. To determine which of the midbrain dopamine projections may contribute to this effect, we next compared the impact of 6-OHDA lesions of terminal fields, targeting the dorsal striatum, the lateral nucleus accumbens and the medial nucleus accumbens. We found that 6-OHDA lesion of the lateral nucleus accumbens, but not of the dorsal striatum or the medial nucleus accumbens, led to increased fat intake. These findings indicate a role for lateral nucleus accumbens dopamine in regulating food preference, in particular the intake of fat.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anil Joshi
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Strasbourg, France; Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Laboratory of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Metabolism and Reward Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Fanny Faivre
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Strasbourg, France
| | - Susanne Eva la Fleur
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Laboratory of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Metabolism and Reward Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michel Barrot
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Strasbourg, France.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
|
15
|
Carvajal-Flores FN, Díaz A, Flores-Gómez GD, de la Cruz F, Flores G. Phenylbutyrate ameliorates prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and nucleus accumbens neural atrophy as well as synaptophysin and GFAP stress in aging mice. Synapse 2020; 74:e22177. [PMID: 32531811 DOI: 10.1002/syn.22177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Recent reports on brain aging suggest that oxidative stress and inflammatory processes contribute to aging. Interestingly, sodium phenylbutyrate (PBA) is an inhibitor of histone deacetylase, which has anti-inflammatory properties. Several reports have suggested the effect of PBA on learning and memory processes, however there are no studies of the effect of this inhibitor of histone deacetylase on aging. Consequently, in the present study, the effect of PBA was studied in 18-month-old mice. The animals were administered PBA for 2 months after locomotor activity treatment and Morris water maze tests were performed. The Golgi-Cox staining technique and immunohistochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and synaptophysin were performed for the morphological procedures. The administration of PBA improves learning and memory according to the Morris water maze test compared to vehicle-treated animals, which had unchanged locomotor activity. Using Golgi-Cox staining, dendritic length and the number of dendritic spines were measured in limbic regions, such as the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), prefrontal cortex (PFC) layer 3, and the CA1 of the dorsal hippocampus. In addition, PBA increased the number of dendritic spines in the PFC, NAcc, and CA1 subregions of the hippocampus with an increase in dendritic length only in the CA1 region. Moreover, PBA reduced the levels of the GFAP and increased the levels of synaptophysin in the studied regions. Thus, PBA can be a useful pharmacological tool to prevent or delay synaptic plasticity damage and cognitive impairment caused by age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alfonso Díaz
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), Puebla, Mexico
| | - Gabriel D Flores-Gómez
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Licenciatura en Medicina, Universidad de las Américas Puebla, Cholula, Mexico
| | - Fidel de la Cruz
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Gonzalo Flores
- Laboratorio de Neuropsiquiatría, Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), Puebla, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|