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Huijgens PT, Heijkoop R, Vanderschuren LJMJ, Lesscher HMB, Snoeren EMS. CaMKIIa+ neurons in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis modulate pace of natural reward seeking depending on internal state. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:1245-1263. [PMID: 38396196 PMCID: PMC11106149 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06561-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the underlying neurobiological mechanisms that regulate natural reward seeking behaviors, specifically in the context of sexual behavior and sucrose self-administration. The role of CaMKIIa+ neurons in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) was explored using chemogenetic silencing and -stimulation. Additionally, the study examined how these effects interacted with the internal state of the animals. Through detailed behavioral analysis, it was demonstrated that CaMKIIa+ neurons in the BNST play a significant role in the regulation of both sexual behavior and sucrose self-administration. Although the behavioral outcome measures differed between the two behaviors, the regulatory role of the CaMKIIa+ neurons in the BNST was found to converge on the modulation of the pacing of engagement in these behaviors in male rats. Moreover, our study confirmed that the internal physiological state of the animal affects how the BNST modulates these behaviors. These findings suggest that different types of natural rewards may recruit a similar brain circuitry to regulate the display of motivated behaviors. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the neural mechanisms underlying natural reward seeking and sheds light on the interconnected nature of reward-related behaviors in male rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patty T Huijgens
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Section Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Roy Heijkoop
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Louk J M J Vanderschuren
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Section Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Heidi M B Lesscher
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Section Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Eelke M S Snoeren
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
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Zheng X, Dingpeng L, Yan X, Yao X, Wang Y. The role and mechanism of 5-HTDRN-BNST neural circuit in anxiety and fear lesions. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1362899. [PMID: 38784088 PMCID: PMC11111893 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1362899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Central 5-hydroxytryptaminergic dorsal raphe nucleus (5-HTDRN)-bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) neural circuit dysfunction is one of the important neurobiological basis of anxiety and fear disorders. Under stress, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) neurons act on BNST receptors to attenuate anxiety and fear responses or enhance anxiety and fear. In BNST, corticotropin releasing factor neurons play a role in regulating emotions by reversely regulating excitatory or inhibitory 5-HT neurons. The composition of 5-HTDRN-BNST neural circuit, the pathological changes of 5-HTDRN-BNST neural circuit function damage under stress, and the effects of 5-HTDRN-BNST neural circuit on anxiety disorder, panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder were analyzed and are summarized in this paper. The characteristics of functional changes of the neural circuit and its effects on brain functional activities provide a basis and ideas for the treatment of anxiety and fear disorders through the regulation of 5-HTDRN-BNST neural circuit, and they also provide a new perspective for understanding the pathological mechanism of such diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianli Zheng
- Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Li Dingpeng
- Gansu Provincial Second People’s Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xingke Yan
- Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Yao
- Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yongrui Wang
- Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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Torres DB, Lopes A, Rodrigues AJ, Ventura-Silva AP, Sousa N, Gontijo JAR, Boer PA, Lopes MG. Early morphological and neurochemical changes of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) in gestational protein-restricted male offspring. Nutr Neurosci 2024:1-19. [PMID: 38576309 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2024.2320498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a structure with a peculiar neurochemical composition involved in modulating anxietylike behavior and fear. AIM The present study investigated the effects on the BNST neurochemical composition and neuronal structure in critical moments of the postnatal period in gestational protein-restricted male rats' offspring. METHODS Dams were maintained during the pregnancy on isocaloric rodent laboratory chow with standard protein content [NP, 17%] or low protein content [LP, 6%]. BNST from male NP and age-matched LP offspring was studied using the isotropic fractionator method, Neuronal 3D reconstruction, dendritic-tree analysis, blotting analysis, and high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS Serum corticosterone levels were higher in male LP offspring than NP rats in 14-day-old offspring, without any difference in 7-day-old progeny. The BNST total cell number and anterodorsal BNST division volume in LP progeny were significantly reduced on the 14th postnatal day compared with NP offspring. The BNST HPLC analysis from 7 days-old LP revealed increased norepinephrine levels compared to NP progeny. The BNST blot analysis from 7-day-old LP revealed reduced levels of GR and BDNF associated with enhanced CRF1 expression compared to NP offspring. 14-day-old LP offspring showed reduced expression of MR and 5HT1A associated with decreased DOPAC and DOPA turnover levels relative to NP rats. In Conclusion, the BNST cellular and neurochemical changes may represent adaptation during development in response to elevated fetal exposure to maternal corticosteroid levels. In this way, gestational malnutrition alters the BNST content and structure and contributes to already-known behavioral changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- D B Torres
- Fetal Programming and Hydroelectrolyte Metabolism Laboratory, Internal Medicine Department, School of Medicine, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - A Lopes
- Fetal Programming and Hydroelectrolyte Metabolism Laboratory, Internal Medicine Department, School of Medicine, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - A J Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - A P Ventura-Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - N Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - J A R Gontijo
- Fetal Programming and Hydroelectrolyte Metabolism Laboratory, Internal Medicine Department, School of Medicine, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - P A Boer
- Fetal Programming and Hydroelectrolyte Metabolism Laboratory, Internal Medicine Department, School of Medicine, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
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Petrucci AN, Jones AR, Kreitlow BL, Buchanan GF. Peri-ictal activation of dorsomedial dorsal raphe serotonin neurons reduces mortality associated with maximal electroshock seizures. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae052. [PMID: 38487550 PMCID: PMC10939444 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Over one-third of patients with epilepsy will develop refractory epilepsy and continue to experience seizures despite medical treatment. These patients are at the greatest risk for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. The precise mechanisms underlying sudden unexpected death in epilepsy are unknown, but cardiorespiratory dysfunction and arousal impairment have been implicated. Substantial circumstantial evidence suggests serotonin is relevant to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy as it modulates sleep/wake regulation, breathing and arousal. The dorsal raphe nucleus is a major serotonergic center and a component of the ascending arousal system. Seizures disrupt the firing of dorsal raphe neurons, which may contribute to reduced responsiveness. However, the relevance of the dorsal raphe nucleus and its subnuclei to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy remains unclear. The dorsomedial dorsal raphe may be a salient target due to its role in stress and its connections with structures implicated in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. We hypothesized that optogenetic activation of dorsomedial dorsal raphe serotonin neurons in TPH2-ChR2-YFP (n = 26) mice and wild-type (n = 27) littermates before induction of a maximal electroshock seizure would reduce mortality. In this study, pre-seizure activation of dorsal raphe nucleus serotonin neurons reduced mortality in TPH2-ChR2-YFP mice with implants aimed at the dorsomedial dorsal raphe. These results implicate the dorsomedial dorsal raphe in this novel circuit influencing seizure-induced mortality. It is our hope that these results and future experiments will define circuit mechanisms that could ultimately reduce sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra N Petrucci
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Allysa R Jones
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Benjamin L Kreitlow
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Gordon F Buchanan
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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Flanigan ME, Gianessi C, Castle M, Dorlean W, Sides T, Kash TL. Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis (BNST) neurons containing the serotonin 5HT 2c receptor modulate operant alcohol self-administration behavior in mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:709-719. [PMID: 37884740 PMCID: PMC10876660 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01753-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
The serotonin 5HT2c receptor has been widely implicated in the pathophysiology of alcohol use disorder (AUD), particularly alcohol seeking and the affective consequences of chronic alcohol consumption. However, little is known about the brain sites in which 5HT2c exerts its effects on specific alcohol-related behaviors, especially in females. Here, we investigated the effects of site-specific manipulation of the 5HT2c receptor system in the BNST on operant alcohol self-administration behaviors in adult mice of both sexes, including the acquisition and maintenance of fixed-ratio responding, motivation for alcohol (progressive ratio), and quinine-adulterated responding for alcohol on a fixed-ratio schedule (punished alcohol seeking). Knockdown of 5HT2c in the BNST did not affect the acquisition or maintenance of operant alcohol self-administration, nor did it affect progressive ratio responding for alcohol. This manipulation had only a subtle effect on responding for quinine alcohol selectively in females. On the other hand, chemogenetic inhibition of BNST 5HT2c-containing neurons (BNST5HT2c) increased operant alcohol self-administration behavior in both sexes on day 2, but not day 9, of testing. It also increased operant responding for 1000 μM quinine-adulterated alcohol selectively in males. Importantly, chemogenetic inhibition of BNST5HT2c did not alter operant sucrose responding or motivation for sucrose in either sex. We then performed cell-type specific anterograde tracing, which revealed that BNST5HT2c project to similar regions in males and females, many of which have been previously implicated in AUD. We next used chemogenetics and quantification of the immediate early gene cFos to characterize the functional influence of BNST5HT2c inhibition on vlPAG activity. We show that chemogenetic inhibition of BNST5HT2c reduces vlPAG cFos in both sexes, but that this reduction is more robust in males. Together these findings suggest that BNST5HT2c neurons, and to a small extent the BNST 5HT2c receptor, serve to promote aversive responses to alcohol consumption, potentially through sex-dependent disinhibition of vlPAG neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan E Flanigan
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Carol Gianessi
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Megan Castle
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Winifred Dorlean
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Tori Sides
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Thomas L Kash
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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6
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Flanigan ME, Gianessi C, Castle M, Dorlean W, Sides T, Kash TL. Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis (BNST) neurons containing the serotonin 5HT 2c receptor modulate operant alcohol self-administration behavior in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.26.559653. [PMID: 37808816 PMCID: PMC10557639 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.26.559653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
The serotonin 5HT2c receptor has been widely implicated in the pathophysiology of alcohol use disorder (AUD), particularly alcohol seeking and the affective consequences of chronic alcohol consumption. However, little is known about the brain sites in which 5HT2c exerts its effects on specific alcohol-related behaviors, especially in females. Here, we investigated the effects of site-specific manipulation of the 5HT2c receptor system in the BNST on operant alcohol self-administration behaviors in adult mice of both sexes, including the acquisition and maintenance of fixed-ratio responding, motivation for alcohol (progressive ratio), and quinine-adulterated responding for alcohol on a fixed-ratio schedule (punished alcohol seeking). Knockdown of 5HT2c in the BNST did not affect the acquisition or maintenance of operant alcohol self-administration, nor did it affect progressive ratio responding for alcohol. This manipulation had only a subtle effect on responding for quinine alcohol selectively in females. On the other hand, chemogenetic inhibition of BNST 5HT2c-containing neurons (BNST5HT2c) increased operant alcohol self-administration behavior in both sexes on day 2, but not day 9, of testing. It also increased operant responding for 1000 μM quinine-adulterated alcohol selectively in males. Importantly, chemogenetic inhibition of BNST5HT2c did not alter operant sucrose responding or motivation for sucrose in either sex. We then performed cell-type specific anterograde tracing, which revealed that BNST5HT2c project to similar regions in males and females, many of which have been previously implicated in AUD. We next used chemogenetics and quantification of the immediate early gene cFos to characterize the functional influence of BNST5HT2c inhibition on vlPAG activity. We show that chemogenetic inhibition of BNST5HT2c reduces vlPAG cFos in both sexes, but that this reduction is more robust in males. Together these findings suggest that BNST5HT2c neurons, and to a small extent the BNST 5HT2c receptor, serve to promote aversive responses to alcohol consumption, potentially through sex-dependent disinhibition of vlPAG neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan E. Flanigan
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Carol Gianessi
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Megan Castle
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Winifred Dorlean
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Tori Sides
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Thomas L. Kash
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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7
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Castagnola E, Robbins EM, Krahe DD, Wu B, Pwint MY, Cao Q, Cui XT. Stable in-vivo electrochemical sensing of tonic serotonin levels using PEDOT/CNT-coated glassy carbon flexible microelectrode arrays. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 230:115242. [PMID: 36989659 PMCID: PMC10101938 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Chronic sampling of tonic serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) concentrations in the brain is critical for tracking neurological disease development and the time course of pharmacological treatments. Despite their value, in vivo chronic multi-site measurements of tonic 5-HT have not been reported. To fill this technological gap, we batch-fabricated implantable glassy carbon (GC) microelectrode arrays (MEAs) onto a flexible SU-8 substrate to provide an electrochemically stable and biocompatible device/tissue interface. To achieve detection of tonic 5-HT concentrations, we applied a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/carbon nanotube (PEDOT/CNT) electrode coating and optimized a square wave voltammetry (SWV) waveform for selective 5-HT measurement. In vitro, the PEDOT/CNT-coated GC microelectrodes achieved high sensitivity to 5-HT, good fouling resistance, and excellent selectivity against the most common neurochemical interferents. In vivo, our PEDOT/CNT-coated GC MEAs successfully detected basal 5-HT concentrations at different locations within the CA2 region of the hippocampus of both anesthetized and awake mice. Furthermore, the PEDOT/CNT-coated MEAs were able to detect tonic 5-HT in the mouse hippocampus for one week after implantation. Histology reveals that the flexible GC MEA implants caused less tissue damage and reduced inflammatory response in the hippocampus compared to commercially available stiff silicon probes. To the best of our knowledge, this PEDOT/CNT-coated GC MEA is the first implantable, flexible sensor capable of chronic in vivo multi-site sensing of tonic 5-HT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Castagnola
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15260, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA, 818 Nelson Ave, 71272, USA
| | - Elaine M Robbins
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15260, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Daniela D Krahe
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15260, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Bingchen Wu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15260, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, 4400 Fifth Ave, PA 15213, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - May Yoon Pwint
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15260, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, 4400 Fifth Ave, PA 15213, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Qun Cao
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15260, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Xinyan Tracy Cui
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15260, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 450 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219-3110, USA; Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, 4400 Fifth Ave, PA 15213, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
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8
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Flanigan ME, Hon OJ, D'Ambrosio S, Boyt KM, Hassanein L, Castle M, Haun HL, Pina MM, Kash TL. Subcortical serotonin 5HT 2c receptor-containing neurons sex-specifically regulate binge-like alcohol consumption, social, and arousal behaviors in mice. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1800. [PMID: 37002196 PMCID: PMC10066391 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36808-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Binge alcohol consumption induces discrete social and arousal disturbances in human populations that promote increased drinking and accelerate the progression of Alcohol Use Disorder. Here, we show in a mouse model that binge alcohol consumption disrupts social recognition in females and potentiates sensorimotor arousal in males. These negative behavioral outcomes were associated with sex-specific adaptations in serotonergic signaling systems within the lateral habenula (LHb) and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), particularly those related to the receptor 5HT2c. While both BNST and LHb neurons expressing this receptor display potentiated activation following binge alcohol consumption, the primary causal mechanism underlying the effects of alcohol on social and arousal behaviors appears to be excessive activation of LHb5HT2c neurons. These findings may have valuable implications for the development of sex-specific treatments for mood and alcohol use disorders targeting the brain's serotonin system.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Flanigan
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - O J Hon
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Curriculum in Neuroscience, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - S D'Ambrosio
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - K M Boyt
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - L Hassanein
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - M Castle
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - H L Haun
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - M M Pina
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - T L Kash
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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Castagnola E, Robbins EM, Krahe D, Wu B, Pwint MY, Cao Q, Cui XT. Implantable flexible multielectrode arrays for multi-site sensing of serotonin tonic levels. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.17.524488. [PMID: 36711655 PMCID: PMC9882191 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.17.524488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Real-time multi-channel measurements of tonic serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) concentrations across different brain regions are of utmost importance to the understanding of 5-HT’s role in anxiety, depression, and impulse control disorders, which will improve the diagnosis and treatment of these neuropsychiatric illnesses. Chronic sampling of 5-HT is critical in tracking disease development as well as the time course of pharmacological treatments. Despite their value, in vivo chronic multi-site measurements of 5-HT have not been reported. To fill this technological gap, we batch fabricated implantable glassy carbon (GC) microelectrode arrays (MEAs) on a flexible SU-8 substrate to provide an electrochemically stable and biocompatible device/tissue interface. Then, to achieve multi-site detection of tonic 5-HT concentrations, we incorporated the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/functionalized carbon nanotube (PEDOT/CNT) coating on the GC microelectrodes in combination with a new square wave voltammetry (SWV) approach, optimized for selective 5-HT measurement. In vitro , the PEDOT/CNT coated GC microelectrodes achieved high sensitivity towards 5-HT, good fouling resistance in the presence of 5-HT, and excellent selectivity towards the most common neurochemical interferents. In vivo , our PEDOT/CNT-coated GC MEAs were able to successfully detect basal 5-HT concentrations at different locations of the CA2 hippocampal region of mice in both anesthetized and awake head-fixed conditions. Furthermore, the implanted PEDOT/CNT-coated MEA achieved stable detection of tonic 5-HT concentrations for one week. Finally, histology data in the hippocampus shows reduced tissue damage and inflammatory responses compared to stiff silicon probes. To the best of our knowledge, this PEDOT/CNT-coated GC MEA is the first implantable flexible multisite sensor capable of chronic in vivo multi-site sensing of tonic 5-HT. This implantable MEA can be custom-designed according to specific brain region of interests and research questions, with the potential to combine electrophysiology recording and multiple analyte sensing to maximize our understanding of neurochemistry. Highlights PEDOT/CNT-coated GC microelectrodes enabled sensitive and selective tonic detection of serotonin (5-HT) using a new square wave voltammetry (SWV) approach PEDOT/CNT-coated GC MEAs achieved multi-site in vivo 5-HT tonic detection for one week. Flexible MEAs lead to reduced tissue damage and inflammation compared to stiff silicon probes.
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Fox JH, Boucher MN, Abedrabbo KS, Hare BD, Grimmig BA, Falls WA, Hammack SE. Exercise reduces the anxiogenic effects of meta-chlorophenylpiperazine: The role of 5-HT2C receptors in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2023; 14:1067420. [PMID: 36713088 PMCID: PMC9880271 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2022.1067420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Two weeks of voluntary exercise in group-housed mice produces a reduction in anxiety-like behaviors across a number of different measures, including a reduction in the anxiety levels typically produced by the anxiogenic serotonergic drug m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP), an agonist at 5-HT2C/2b receptors. We have previously demonstrated that 2-weeks of voluntary exercise blunted the anxiogenic effects of systemic mCPP, and we have also shown that mCPP infused into the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is anxiogenic. Here we follow up on these reports. Methods In Experiment 1 we infused several doses of mCPP into the BNST with or without the 5-HT2C antagonist SB242084. In Experiment 2, we administered mCPP into amygdala subregions and the dorsal hippocampus to investigate site specificity. In Experiment 4 we lesioned the BNST and subsequently infused mCPP systemically, and in Experiment 4 we used RNAscope® to assess BNST 5-HT2C transcripts following wheel running. Results BNST mCPP infusion increased acoustic startle responding, which was by 5-HT2C antagonism, while neither mCPP infused into the amygdala nor hippocampus was anxiogenic. Lesions of the BNST prevented the anxiogenic effect of systemically administered mCPP. Lastly, exercise reduced 5-HT2C transcripts in the BNST. Discussion These results suggest that the BNST is a critical site of action for the effects of exercise on mCPP. Together these data suggest that exercise may reduce 5-HT2C receptor function in the BNST, which may, in part, explain some of the anxiolytic effects associated with wheel running.
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Grieb ZA, Voisin DA, Terranova JI, Norvelle A, Michopoulos V, Huhman KL, Albers HE. Acute administration of fluoxetine increases social avoidance and risk assessment behaviors in a sex- and social stress-dependent manner in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 214:173353. [PMID: 35150728 PMCID: PMC8915384 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Most studies investigating the effects of acute administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) on responses to social stress have been conducted with males. This is despite the fact that SSRIs remain the primary pharmacotherapy for social stress-related disorders for both sexes and that the prevalence of these disorders is twofold higher in women than in men. To determine whether acute treatment with the SSRI, fluoxetine, alters behavioral responses to social defeat stress in a sex- or social stress-dependent manner, male and female Syrian hamsters were subjected to one of three social defeat conditions: no defeat (placed into an empty resident aggressor (RA) cage), a single defeat by one RA for 15 min, or three consecutive defeats using different RAs for 5 min each. The day following social defeat, subjects were infused with either vehicle or fluoxetine (20 mg/kg, I.P.) 2 h prior to a 5 min social avoidance test. Overall, we found that fluoxetine increased social vigilance regardless of sex or defeat condition. We also found that fluoxetine affected social avoidance in a sex by stress intensity interaction, such that fluoxetine increased avoidance in no defeat males and in males defeated once but significantly increased avoidance in females only after three defeats. These data suggest that treatment with an SSRI could initially exacerbate the effects of social stress in both sexes. These data also emphasize the importance of including sex as a biological variable when investigating the efficacy of pharmacotherapy for stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A. Grieb
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA,To whom correspondence should be addressed, , Telephone: 1-404-413-6337
| | - Dené A. Voisin
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Joseph I. Terranova
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA,Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Alisa Norvelle
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Vasiliki Michopoulos
- Yerkes National Primate Center, Atlanta, GA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Kim L. Huhman
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
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12
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FKBP51 in the Oval Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis Regulates Anxiety-Like Behavior. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0425-21.2021. [PMID: 34872938 PMCID: PMC8687485 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0425-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The cochaperone FKBP51, encoded by the Fkbp5 gene, has been identified as central risk factor for anxiety-related disorders and stress system dysregulation. In the brain, the oval bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (ovBNST) has been implicated in stress-induced anxiety. However, the role of Fkbp5 in the ovBNST and its impact on anxiety-like behavior have remained unknown. Here, we show in mice that Fkbp5 in the ovBNST is reactive to acute stress and coexpressed with the stress-regulated neuropeptides Tac2 and Crh Subsequently, results obtained from viral-mediated manipulation indicate that Fkbp5 overexpression (OE) in the ovBNST results in an anxiolytic-like tendency regarding behavior and endocrinology, whereas a Fkbp5 knock-out (KO) exposed a clear anxiogenic phenotype, indicating that native ovBNST expression and regulation is necessary for normal anxiety-related behavior. Notably, our data suggests that a stress-induced increase of Fkbp5 in the ovBNST may in fact have a protective role, leading to a transient decrease in anxiety and suppression of a future stress-induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation. Together, our findings provide a first insight into the previously unknown relationship and effects of Fkbp5 and the ovBNST on anxiety-like behavior and HPA axis functioning.
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13
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Grieb ZA, Ford EG, Yagan M, Lau BYB, Manfredsson FP, Krishnan K, Lonstein JS. Oxytocin receptors in the midbrain dorsal raphe are essential for postpartum maternal social and affective behaviors. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 131:105332. [PMID: 34182251 PMCID: PMC8405581 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin receptors (OTRs) in the midbrain dorsal raphe (DR; the source of most forebrain serotonin) have recently been identified as a potential pharmacological target for treating numerous psychiatric disorders. However, almost all research on this topic has been conducted on males and the role of DR OTRs in female social and affective behaviors is mostly unknown. This may be particularly relevant during early motherhood, which is a time of high endogenous oxytocin signaling, but also a time of elevated risk for psychiatric dysfunction. To investigate whether OTRs in the DR are necessary for postpartum female social and affective behaviors, we constructed and then injected into the DR an adeno-associated virus permanently expressing an shRNA targeting OTR mRNA. We then observed a suite of social and affective behaviors postpartum. OTR knockdown in the maternal DR led to pup loss after parturition, decreased nursing, increased aggression, and increased behavioral despair. These effects of OTR knockdown in the DR may be due to disrupted neuroplasticity in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), which mediates maternal sensitivity to the tactile cues from young, as we found significantly more plasticity-restricting perineuronal nets (PNNs) in the S1 rostral barrel field and fewer PNNs in the caudal barrel field of OTR-knockdown mothers. These results demonstrate that OTRs in the midbrain DR are essential for postpartum maternal social and affective behaviors, are involved in postpartum cortical plasticity, and suggest that pharmacotherapies targeting OTRs in the DR could be effective treatments for some peripartum affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A Grieb
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, 108 Giltner Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
| | - Emma G Ford
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, 108 Giltner Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Mahircan Yagan
- Deparment of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, 1311 Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Billy Y B Lau
- Deparment of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, 1311 Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Fredric P Manfredsson
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, 400 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Keerthi Krishnan
- Deparment of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, 1311 Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Joseph S Lonstein
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, 108 Giltner Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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14
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Vázquez-León P, Miranda-Páez A, Chávez-Reyes J, Allende G, Barragán-Iglesias P, Marichal-Cancino BA. The Periaqueductal Gray and Its Extended Participation in Drug Addiction Phenomena. Neurosci Bull 2021; 37:1493-1509. [PMID: 34302618 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-021-00756-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The periaqueductal gray (PAG) is a complex mesencephalic structure involved in the integration and execution of active and passive self-protective behaviors against imminent threats, such as immobility or flight from a predator. PAG activity is also associated with the integration of responses against physical discomfort (e.g., anxiety, fear, pain, and disgust) which occurs prior an imminent attack, but also during withdrawal from drugs such as morphine and cocaine. The PAG sends and receives projections to and from other well-documented nuclei linked to the phenomenon of drug addiction including: (i) the ventral tegmental area; (ii) extended amygdala; (iii) medial prefrontal cortex; (iv) pontine nucleus; (v) bed nucleus of the stria terminalis; and (vi) hypothalamus. Preclinical models have suggested that the PAG contributes to the modulation of anxiety, fear, and nociception (all of which may produce physical discomfort) linked with chronic exposure to drugs of abuse. Withdrawal produced by the major pharmacological classes of drugs of abuse is mediated through actions that include participation of the PAG. In support of this, there is evidence of functional, pharmacological, molecular. And/or genetic alterations in the PAG during the impulsive/compulsive intake or withdrawal from a drug. Due to its small size, it is difficult to assess the anatomical participation of the PAG when using classical neuroimaging techniques, so its physiopathology in drug addiction has been underestimated and poorly documented. In this theoretical review, we discuss the involvement of the PAG in drug addiction mainly via its role as an integrator of responses to the physical discomfort associated with drug withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Vázquez-León
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Ciudad Universitaria, 20131, Aguascalientes, Ags., Mexico
| | - Abraham Miranda-Páez
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Wilfrido Massieu esq. Manuel Stampa s/n Col. Nueva Industrial Vallejo, 07738, Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jesús Chávez-Reyes
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Ciudad Universitaria, 20131, Aguascalientes, Ags., Mexico
| | - Gonzalo Allende
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Ciudad Universitaria, 20131, Aguascalientes, Ags., Mexico
| | - Paulino Barragán-Iglesias
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Ciudad Universitaria, 20131, Aguascalientes, Ags., Mexico.
| | - Bruno A Marichal-Cancino
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Ciudad Universitaria, 20131, Aguascalientes, Ags., Mexico.
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15
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Hagsäter SM, Pettersson R, Pettersson C, Atanasovski D, Näslund J, Eriksson E. A Complex Impact of Systemically Administered 5-HT2A Receptor Ligands on Conditioned Fear. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2021; 24:749-757. [PMID: 34228806 PMCID: PMC8453278 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyab040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Though drugs binding to serotonergic 5-HT2A receptors have long been claimed to influence human anxiety, it remains unclear if this receptor subtype is best described as anxiety promoting or anxiety dampening. Whereas conditioned fear expressed as freezing in rats is modified by application of 5-HT2A-acting drugs locally into different brain regions, reports on the effect of systemic administration of 5-HT2A receptor agonists and 5-HT2A antagonists or inverse agonists on this behavior remain sparse. METHODS We assessed the possible impact of systemic administration of 5-HT2A receptor agonists, 5-HT2A receptor inverse agonists, and a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)-per se or in combination-on the freezing displayed by male rats when re-exposed to a conditioning chamber in which they received foot shocks 7 days earlier. RESULTS The 5-HT2A receptor agonists psilocybin and 25CN-NBOH induced a reduction in conditioned fear that was countered by pretreatment with 5-HT2A receptor inverse agonist MDL 100907. While both MDL 100907 and another 5-HT2A receptor inverse agonist, pimavanserin, failed to impact freezing per se, both compounds unmasked a robust fear-reducing effect of an SSRI, escitalopram, which by itself exerted no such effect. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that 5-HT2A receptor activation is not a prerequisite for normal conditioned freezing in rats but that this receptor subtype, when selectively over-activated prior to expression, exerts a marked fear-reducing influence. However, in the presence of an SSRI, the 5-HT2A receptor, on the contrary, appears to counter an anti-freezing effect of the enhanced extracellular serotonin levels following reuptake inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Melker Hagsäter
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Robert Pettersson
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Christopher Pettersson
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Daniela Atanasovski
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jakob Näslund
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elias Eriksson
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden,Correspondence: Elias Eriksson, PhD, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, POB 431, SE 405 30 Sweden ()
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16
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Xia G, Han Y, Meng F, He Y, Srisai D, Farias M, Dang M, Palmiter RD, Xu Y, Wu Q. Reciprocal control of obesity and anxiety-depressive disorder via a GABA and serotonin neural circuit. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:2837-2853. [PMID: 33767348 PMCID: PMC8505263 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01053-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The high comorbidity between obesity and mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, often exacerbates metabolic and neurological symptoms significantly. However, neural mechanisms that underlie reciprocal control of feeding and mental states are largely elusive. Here we report that melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) neurons located in the dorsal bed nucleus of the stria terminus (dBNST) engage in the regulation of mentally associated weight gain by receiving GABAergic projections from hypothalamic AgRP neurons onto α5-containing GABAA receptors and serotonergic afferents onto 5-HT3 receptors. Chronic treatment with a high-fat diet (HFD) significantly blunts the hyperexcitability of AgRP neurons in response to not only hunger but also anxiety and depression-like stimuli. Such HFD-mediated desensitization reduces GABAergic outputs from AgRP neurons to downstream MC4RdBNST neurons, resulting in severe mental dysregulation. Genetic enhancement of the GABAAR-α5 or suppression of the 5-HT3R within the MC4RdBNST neurons not only abolishes HFD-induced anxiety and depression but also robustly reduces body weight by suppression of food intake. To gain further translational insights, we revealed that combined treatment of zonisamide (enhancing the GABAAR-α5 signaling) and granisetron (a selective 5-HT3R antagonist) alleviates mental dysfunction and yields a robust reversal of diet-induced obesity by reducing total calorie intake and altering food preference towards a healthy low-fat diet. Our results unveil a neural mechanism for reciprocal control of appetite and mental states, which culminates in a novel zonisamide-granisetron cocktail therapy for potential tackling the psychosis-obesity comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guobin Xia
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yong Han
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Fantao Meng
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yanlin He
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Brain Glycemic and Metabolism Control Department, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Dollada Srisai
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Monica Farias
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Minghao Dang
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Richard D Palmiter
- Departments of Biochemistry and Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Yong Xu
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Qi Wu
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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17
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Young CE, Tong Q. Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Signaling in the Bed Nuclei of the Stria Terminalis as a Link to Maladaptive Behaviors. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:642379. [PMID: 33867924 PMCID: PMC8044981 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.642379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The bed nuclei of the stria terminalis (BST) is a limbic region in the extended amygdala that is heavily implicated in anxiety processing and hypothalamic-adrenal-pituitary (HPA) axis activation. The BST is complex, with many nuclei expressing different neurotransmitters and receptors involved in a variety of signaling pathways. One neurotransmitter that helps link its functions is corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH). BST CRH neuron activation may cause both anxiogenic and anxiolytic effects in rodents, and CRH neurons interact with other neuron types to influence anxiety-like responses as well as alcohol and drug–seeking behavior. This review covers the link between BST CRH neurons and thirteen other neurotransmitters and receptors and analyzes their effect on rodent behavior. Additionally, it covers the translational potential of targeting CRH signaling pathways for the treatment of human mental health disorders. Given the massive impact of anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders on our society, further research into BST CRH signaling is critical to alleviate the social and economic burdens of those disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Emily Young
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Qingchun Tong
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy of McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States.,MD Anderson Cancer Center & UTHealth Graduate School of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
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18
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Hammack SE, Braas KM, May V. Chemoarchitecture of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis: Neurophenotypic diversity and function. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2021; 179:385-402. [PMID: 34225977 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-819975-6.00025-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a compact but neurophenotypically complex structure in the ventral forebrain that is structurally and functionally linked to other limbic structures, including the amygdala nuclear complex, hypothalamic nuclei, hippocampus, and related midbrain structures, to participate in a wide range of functions, especially emotion, emotional learning, stress-related responses, and sexual behaviors. From a variety of sensory inputs, the BNST acts as a node for signal integration and coordination for information relay to downstream central neuroendocrine and autonomic centers for appropriate homeostatic physiological and behavioral responses. In contrast to the role of the amygdala in fear, the BNST has gained wide interest from work suggesting that it has main roles in mediating sustained responses to diffuse, unpredictable and/or long-duration threats that are typically associated with anxiety-related responses. Further, some BNST subregions are highly sexually dimorphic which appear contributory to the differential stress and social interactive behaviors, including reproductive responses, between males and females. Notably, maladaptive BNST neuroplasticity and function have been implicated in chronic pain, depression, anxiety-related abnormalities, and other psychopathologies including posttraumatic stress disorders. The BNST circuits are predominantly GABAergic-the glutaminergic neurons represent a minor population-but the complexity of the system results from an overlay of diverse neuropeptide coexpression in these neurons. More than a dozen neuropeptides may be differentially coexpressed in BNST neurons, and from variable G protein-coupled receptor signaling, may inhibit or activate downstream circuit activities. The mechanisms and roles of these peptides in modulating intrinsic BNST neurocircuit signaling and BNST long-distance target cell projections are still not well understood. Nevertheless, an understanding of some of the principal players may allow assembly of the circuit interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayamwong E Hammack
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Karen M Braas
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Victor May
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, United States.
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19
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Rodriguez-Romaguera J, Ung RL, Nomura H, Otis JM, Basiri ML, Namboodiri VM, Zhu X, Robinson JE, van den Munkhof HE, McHenry JA, Eckman LE, Kosyk O, Jhou TC, Kash TL, Bruchas MR, Stuber GD. Prepronociceptin-Expressing Neurons in the Extended Amygdala Encode and Promote Rapid Arousal Responses to Motivationally Salient Stimuli. Cell Rep 2020; 33:108362. [PMID: 33176134 PMCID: PMC8136285 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Motivational states consist of cognitive, emotional, and physiological components controlled by multiple brain regions. An integral component of this neural circuitry is the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Here, we identify that neurons within BNST that express the gene prepronociceptin (PnocBNST) modulate rapid changes in physiological arousal that occur upon exposure to motivationally salient stimuli. Using in vivo two-photon calcium imaging, we find that PnocBNST neuronal responses directly correspond with rapid increases in pupillary size when mice are exposed to aversive and rewarding odors. Furthermore, optogenetic activation of these neurons increases pupillary size and anxiety-like behaviors but does not induce approach, avoidance, or locomotion. These findings suggest that excitatory responses in PnocBNST neurons encode rapid arousal responses that modulate anxiety states. Further histological, electrophysiological, and single-cell RNA sequencing data reveal that PnocBNST neurons are composed of genetically and anatomically identifiable subpopulations that may differentially tune rapid arousal responses to motivational stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Rodriguez-Romaguera
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Randall L. Ung
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Curriculum, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Hiroshi Nomura
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - James M. Otis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Marcus L. Basiri
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Curriculum, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Vijay M.K. Namboodiri
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Xueqi Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - J. Elliott Robinson
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Curriculum, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Hanna E. van den Munkhof
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Jenna A. McHenry
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Louisa E.H. Eckman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Oksana Kosyk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Thomas C. Jhou
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Thomas L. Kash
- Neuroscience Curriculum, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Michael R. Bruchas
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, Department of Neuroscience, Division of Biology & Biomedical Sciences; and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Garret D. Stuber
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Curriculum, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Correspondence:
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20
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Hessel M, Pape HC, Seidenbecher T. Stimulation of 5-HT receptors in anterodorsal BNST guides fear to predictable and unpredictable threat. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 39:56-69. [PMID: 32873441 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Through pharmacological manipulation of the serotonergic (5-Hydroxytryptamin, 5-HT) system, combined with behavioral analysis, we tested the hypothesis that fear responses to predictable and unpredictable threat are regulated through stimulation of 5-HT receptors (5-HT-R) in the anterodorsal section of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (adBNST). Local adBNST application of 5-HT1A-R antagonist WAY100635 and 5-HT1B-R antagonist NAS-181 before fear retrieval enhanced freezing, 24 h after predictable fear conditioning. In contrast, increased fear responses to unpredictable threat were blocked by 5-HT1A-R agonist Buspirone (given before conditioning or retrieval) and 5-HT1B-R agonist CP-94253 (applied before training). Prolonged fear responses were also blocked by local application of the 5-HT2A-R antagonist R-96544 before fear retrieval, and conversely, local application of the 5-HT2A-R agonist NBOH-2C-CN hydrochloride before fear retrieval enhanced freezing 24 h after predictable conditioning, indicating augmented fear responses. Activation of inhibitory 5-HT1A- or 5-HT1B-Rs and the blockade of the excitatory 5-HT2A-R before unpredictable fear conditioning significantly reduced freezing during retrieval. The results from this study suggest that modulation of inhibitory 5-HT1A/1B-R and/or excitatory 5-HT2A-R activity in the adBNST may represent potential targets for the development of new treatment strategies in anxiety disorders. In addition, this study supports the validity and reliability of the mouse model of modulated fear to predictable and unpredictable threats to study mechanisms of fear and anxiety in combination with pharmacological manipulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Hessel
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Robert-Koch-Str. 27a, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Hans-Christian Pape
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Robert-Koch-Str. 27a, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Thomas Seidenbecher
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Robert-Koch-Str. 27a, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
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21
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Donner NC, Mani S, Fitz SD, Kienzle DM, Shekhar A, Lowry CA. Crh receptor priming in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) induces tph2 gene expression in the dorsomedial dorsal raphe nucleus and chronic anxiety. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2020; 96:109730. [PMID: 31415826 PMCID: PMC6815726 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.109730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a nodal structure in neural circuits controlling anxiety-related defensive behavioral responses. It contains neurons expressing the stress- and anxiety-related neuropeptide corticotropin-releasing hormone (Crh) as well as Crh receptors. Repeated daily subthreshold activation of Crh receptors in the BNST is known to induce a chronic anxiety-like state, but how this affects neurotransmitter-relevant gene expression in target regions of the BNST is still unclear. Since the BNST projects heavily to the dorsal raphe nucleus (DR), the main source of brain serotonin, we here tested the hypothesis that such repeated, anxiety-inducing activation of Crh receptors in the BNST alters the expression of serotonergic genes in the DR, including tph2, the gene encoding the rate-limiting enzyme for brain serotonin synthesis, and slc6a4, the gene encoding the serotonin transporter (SERT). For 5 days, adult male Wistar rats received daily, bilateral, intra-BNST microinjections of vehicle (1% bovine serum albumin in 0.9% saline, n = 11) or behaviorally subthreshold doses of urocortin 1 (Ucn1, n = 11), a potent Crh receptor agonist. Priming with Ucn1 increased tph2 mRNA expression selectively within the anxiety-related dorsal part of the DR (DRD) and decreased social interaction (SI) time, a measure of anxiety-related defensive behavioral responses in rodents. Decreased social interaction was strongly correlated with increased tph2 mRNA expression in the DRD. Together with previous studies, our data are consistent with the hypothesis that Crh-mediated control of the BNST/DRD-serotonergic system plays a key role in the development of chronic anxiety states, possibly also contributing to stress-induced relapses in drug abuse and addiction behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina C. Donner
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Sofia Mani
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Stephanie D. Fitz
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Drake M. Kienzle
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Anantha Shekhar
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
| | - Christopher A. Lowry
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA,Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA,Veterans Health Administration, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center (RMRVAMC), Aurora, CO 80045, USA,Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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22
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Goode TD, Acca GM, Maren S. Threat imminence dictates the role of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in contextual fear. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2020; 167:107116. [PMID: 31740383 PMCID: PMC6980749 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2019.107116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Revised: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Recent work indicates that the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is critically involved in the regulation of conditioned fear responses to unpredictable threats. Here we examined whether the involvement of the BNST in contextual fear conditioning in male rats depends on the imminence of shock after placement in the conditioning chamber. Specifically, we hypothesized that the BNST supports contextual freezing after conditioning with delayed, but not imminent, footshock (relative to placement in the context). Rats were implanted with cannulae targeting the BNST and underwent a contextual fear conditioning procedure in which a single footshock unconditioned stimulus (US) was delivered either 1 min or 9 min after the rat was placed in the context; the rats received a total of four identical conditioning sessions over two days, all with equivalent exposure to the context. Contexts associated with either imminent or delayed US onsets produced distinct patterns of freezing and shock-induced activity but freezing in each case was context-dependent. Reversible inactivation of the BNST reduced the expression of contextual freezing in the context paired with delayed (9 min), but not imminent (1 min), footshock onset. Implications of these data are discussed in the light of recent conceptualizations of BNST function, as well as for anxiety behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis D Goode
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3474, USA
| | - Gillian M Acca
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3474, USA
| | - Stephen Maren
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3474, USA.
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23
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Chronic stress induces cell type-selective transcriptomic and electrophysiological changes in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Neuropharmacology 2019; 150:80-90. [PMID: 30878403 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Distinct regions and cell types in the anterolateral group of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNSTALG) act to modulate anxiety in opposing ways. A history of chronic stress increases anxiety-like behavior with lasting electrophysiological effects on the BNSTALG. However, the opposing circuits within the BNSTALG suggest that stress may have differential effects on the individual cell types that comprise these circuits to shift the balance to favor anxiogenesis. Yet, the effects of stress are generally examined by treating all neurons within a particular region of the BNST as a homogenoeus population. We used patch-clamp electrophysiology and single-cell quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (scRT-PCR) to determine how chronic shock stress (CSS) affects electrophysiological and neurochemical properties of Type I, Type II, and Type III neurons in the BNSTALG. We report that CSS resulted in changes in the input resistance, time constant, action potential waveform, and firing rate of Type III but not Type I or II neurons. Additionally, only the Type III neurons exhibited an increase in Crf mRNA and a decrease in striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase (Ptpn5) mRNA after CSS. In contrast, only non-Type III cells showed a reduction in calcium-permeable AMPA receptor (CP-AMPAR) current and changes in mRNA expression of genes encoding AMPA receptor subunits after CSS. Importantly, none of the effects of CSS observed were seen in all cell types. Our results suggest that Type III neurons play a unique role in the BNSTALG circuit and represent a population of CRF neurons particularly sensitive to chronic stress.
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24
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Steinman MQ, Duque-Wilckens N, Trainor BC. Complementary Neural Circuits for Divergent Effects of Oxytocin: Social Approach Versus Social Anxiety. Biol Psychiatry 2019; 85:792-801. [PMID: 30503164 PMCID: PMC6709863 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is widely known for promoting social interactions, but there is growing appreciation that it can sometimes induce avoidance of social contexts. The social salience hypothesis posed an innovative solution to these apparently opposing actions by proposing that OT enhances the salience of both positive and negative social interactions. The mesolimbic dopamine system was put forth as a likely system to evaluate social salience owing to its well-described role in motivation. Evidence from several sources supports the premise that OT acting within the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area facilitates social reward and approach behavior. However, in aversive social contexts, additional pathways play critical roles in mediating the effects of OT. Recent data indicate that OT acts in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis to induce avoidance of potentially dangerous social contexts. Here, we review evidence for neural circuits mediating the effects of OT in appetitive and aversive social contexts. Specifically, we propose that distinct but potentially overlapping circuits mediate OT-dependent social approach or social avoidance. We conclude that a broader and more inclusive consideration of neural circuits of social approach and avoidance is needed as the field continues to evaluate the potential of OT-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Q Steinman
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Natalia Duque-Wilckens
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences and Department of Physiology/Neuroscience, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Brian C Trainor
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California.
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25
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Goode TD, Ressler RL, Acca GM, Miles OW, Maren S. Bed nucleus of the stria terminalis regulates fear to unpredictable threat signals. eLife 2019; 8:46525. [PMID: 30946011 PMCID: PMC6456295 DOI: 10.7554/elife.46525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) has been implicated in conditioned fear and anxiety, but the specific factors that engage the BNST in defensive behaviors are unclear. Here we examined whether the BNST mediates freezing to conditioned stimuli (CSs) that poorly predict the onset of aversive unconditioned stimuli (USs) in rats. Reversible inactivation of the BNST selectively reduced freezing to CSs that poorly signaled US onset (e.g., a backward CS that followed the US), but did not eliminate freezing to forward CSs even when they predicted USs of variable intensity. Additionally, backward (but not forward) CSs selectively increased Fos in the ventral BNST and in BNST-projecting neurons in the infralimbic region of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), but not in the hippocampus or amygdala. These data reveal that BNST circuits regulate fear to unpredictable threats, which may be critical to the etiology and expression of anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis D Goode
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, United States
| | - Reed L Ressler
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, United States
| | - Gillian M Acca
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, United States
| | - Olivia W Miles
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, United States
| | - Stephen Maren
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, United States
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26
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Phasic amygdala and BNST activation during the anticipation of temporally unpredictable social observation in social anxiety disorder patients. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2019; 22:101735. [PMID: 30878610 PMCID: PMC6423472 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2019.101735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Anticipation of potentially threatening social situations is a key process in social anxiety disorder (SAD). In other anxiety disorders, recent research of neural correlates of anticipation of temporally unpredictable threat suggests a temporally dissociable involvement of amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) with phasic amygdala responses and sustained BNST activation. However, the temporal profile of amygdala and BNST responses during temporal unpredictability of threat has not been investigated in patients suffering from SAD. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate neural activation in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) and the BNST during anticipation of temporally unpredictable aversive (video camera observation) relative to neutral (no camera observation) events in SAD patients compared to healthy controls (HC). For the analysis of fMRI data, we applied two regressors (phasic/sustained) within the same model to detect temporally dissociable brain responses. The aversive condition induced increased anxiety in patients compared to HC. SAD patients compared to HC showed increased phasic activation in the CeA and the BNST for anticipation of aversive relative to neutral events. SAD patients as well as HC showed sustained activity alterations in the BNST for aversive relative to neutral anticipation. No differential activity during sustained threat anticipation in SAD patients compared to HC was found. Taken together, our study reveals both CeA and BNST involvement during threat anticipation in SAD patients. The present results point towards potentially SAD-specific threat processing marked by elevated phasic but not sustained CeA and BNST responses when compared to HC. fMRI in SAD during anticipation of temporally unpredictable aversive events. Anticipation of social observation induces increased anxiety in SAD patients. SAD patients show elevated phasic activity in fundamental anxiety network regions. Evidence of SAD-specific threat processing.
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27
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Garcia-Garcia AL, Canetta S, Stujenske JM, Burghardt NS, Ansorge MS, Dranovsky A, Leonardo ED. Serotonin inputs to the dorsal BNST modulate anxiety in a 5-HT 1A receptor-dependent manner. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:1990-1997. [PMID: 28761080 PMCID: PMC5794659 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Revised: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Serotonin (5-HT) neurons project from the raphe nuclei throughout the brain where they act to maintain homeostasis. Here, we study 5-HT inputs into the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), a major subdivision of the extended amygdala that has been proposed to regulate responses to anxiogenic environments in humans and rodents. While the dorsal part of the BNST (dBNST) receives dense 5-HT innervation, whether and how 5-HT in the dBNST normally modulates anxiety remains unclear. Using optogenetics, we demonstrate that activation of 5-HT terminals in the dBNST reduces anxiety in a highly anxiogenic environment. Further analysis revealed that optogenetic inhibition of 5-HT inputs into the dBNST increases anxiety in a less anxiogenic environment. We found that 5-HT predominantly hyperpolarizes dBNST neurons, reducing their activity in a manner that can be blocked by a 5-HT1A antagonist. Finally, we demonstrate that activation of 5-HT1A receptors in the dBNST is necessary for the anxiolytic effect observed following optogenetic stimulation of 5-HT inputs into the dBNST. These data reveal that 5-HT release in the dBNST modulates anxiety-like behavior via 5-HT1A receptors under naturalistic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro L. Garcia-Garcia
- Dranovsky-Leonardo (ADL) lab, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Integrative Neuroscience, Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Dr. Box 87, New York, NY 10032,Address correspondence to AGG at , to AD at and to EDL at . Telephone: (001) (646) 774-7105. Fax: (001) (646) 774-7117
| | - Sarah Canetta
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032
| | - Joseph M. Stujenske
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Integrative Neuroscience, Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Dr. Box 87, New York, NY 10032
| | - Nesha S. Burghardt
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065
| | - Mark S. Ansorge
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032
| | - Alex Dranovsky
- Dranovsky-Leonardo (ADL) lab, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Integrative Neuroscience, Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Dr. Box 87, New York, NY 10032,Address correspondence to AGG at , to AD at and to EDL at . Telephone: (001) (646) 774-7105. Fax: (001) (646) 774-7117
| | - E. David Leonardo
- Dranovsky-Leonardo (ADL) lab, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Integrative Neuroscience, Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Dr. Box 87, New York, NY 10032,Address correspondence to AGG at , to AD at and to EDL at . Telephone: (001) (646) 774-7105. Fax: (001) (646) 774-7117
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28
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Janeček M, Dabrowska J. Oxytocin facilitates adaptive fear and attenuates anxiety responses in animal models and human studies-potential interaction with the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Cell Tissue Res 2018; 375:143-172. [PMID: 30054732 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2889-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Despite its relatively well-understood role as a reproductive and pro-social peptide, oxytocin (OT) tells a more convoluted story in terms of its modulation of fear and anxiety. This nuanced story has been obscured by a great deal of research into the therapeutic applications of exogenous OT, driving more than 400 ongoing clinical trials. Drawing from animal models and human studies, we review the complex evidence concerning OT's role in fear learning and anxiety, clarifying the existing confusion about modulation of fear versus anxiety. We discuss animal models and human studies demonstrating the prevailing role of OT in strengthening fear memory to a discrete signal or cue, which allows accurate and rapid threat detection that facilitates survival. We also review ostensibly contrasting behavioral studies that nonetheless provide compelling evidence of OT attenuating sustained contextual fear and anxiety-like behavior, arguing that these OT effects on the modulation of fear vs. anxiety are not mutually exclusive. To disambiguate how endogenous OT modulates fear and anxiety, an understudied area compared to exogenous OT, we survey behavioral studies utilizing OT receptor (OTR) antagonists. Based on emerging evidence about the role of OTR in rat dorsolateral bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) and elsewhere, we postulate that OT plays a critical role in facilitating accurate discrimination between stimuli representing threat and safety. Supported by human studies, we demonstrate that OT uniquely facilitates adaptive fear but reduces maladaptive anxiety. Last, we explore the limited literature on endogenous OT and its interaction with corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) with a special emphasis on the dorsolateral BNST, which may hold the key to the neurobiology of phasic fear and sustained anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Janeček
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA
| | - Joanna Dabrowska
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA.
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29
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Brinkmann L, Buff C, Feldker K, Tupak SV, Becker MPI, Herrmann MJ, Straube T. Distinct phasic and sustained brain responses and connectivity of amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis during threat anticipation in panic disorder. Psychol Med 2017; 47:2675-2688. [PMID: 28485259 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291717001192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Panic disorder (PD) patients are constantly concerned about future panic attacks and exhibit general hypersensitivity to unpredictable threat. We aimed to reveal phasic and sustained brain responses and functional connectivity of the amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) during threat anticipation in PD. METHODS Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we investigated 17 PD patients and 19 healthy controls (HC) during anticipation of temporally unpredictable aversive and neutral sounds. We used a phasic and sustained analysis model to disentangle temporally dissociable brain activations. RESULTS PD patients compared with HC showed phasic amygdala and sustained BNST responses during anticipation of aversive v. neutral stimuli. Furthermore, increased phasic activation was observed in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), insula and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Insula and PFC also showed sustained activation. Functional connectivity analyses revealed partly distinct phasic and sustained networks. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate a role for the BNST during unpredictable threat anticipation in PD and provide first evidence for dissociation between phasic amygdala and sustained BNST activation and their functional connectivity. In line with a hypersensitivity to uncertainty in PD, our results suggest time-dependent involvement of brain regions related to fear and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Brinkmann
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster,Von-Esmarch-Str. 52, Muenster,Germany
| | - C Buff
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster,Von-Esmarch-Str. 52, Muenster,Germany
| | - K Feldker
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster,Von-Esmarch-Str. 52, Muenster,Germany
| | - S V Tupak
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster,Von-Esmarch-Str. 52, Muenster,Germany
| | - M P I Becker
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster,Von-Esmarch-Str. 52, Muenster,Germany
| | - M J Herrmann
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy,Center of Mental Health, University Hospital Wuerzburg,Margarete-Hoeppel-Platz 1, Wuerzburg,Germany
| | - T Straube
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster,Von-Esmarch-Str. 52, Muenster,Germany
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30
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Goode TD, Maren S. Role of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in aversive learning and memory. Learn Mem 2017; 24:480-491. [PMID: 28814474 PMCID: PMC5580527 DOI: 10.1101/lm.044206.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Surviving threats in the environment requires brain circuits for detecting (or anticipating) danger and for coordinating appropriate defensive responses (e.g., increased cardiac output, stress hormone release, and freezing behavior). The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a critical interface between the "affective forebrain"-including the amygdala, ventral hippocampus, and medial prefrontal cortex-and the hypothalamic and brainstem areas that have been implicated in neuroendocrine, autonomic, and behavioral responses to actual or anticipated threats. However, the precise contribution of the BNST to defensive behavior is unclear, both in terms of the antecedent stimuli that mobilize BNST activity and the consequent defensive reactions. For example, it is well known that the BNST is essential for contextual fear conditioning, but dispensable for fear conditioning to discrete conditioned stimuli (CSs), at least as indexed by freezing behavior. However, recent evidence suggests that there are circumstances in which contextual freezing may persist independent of the BNST. Furthermore, the BNST is involved in the reinstatement (or relapse) of conditioned freezing to extinguished discrete CSs. As such, there are critical gaps in understanding how the BNST contributes to fundamental processes involved in Pavlovian fear conditioning. Here, we attempt to provide an integrative account of BNST function in fear conditioning. We discuss distinctions between unconditioned stress and conditioned fear and the role of BNST circuits in organizing behaviors associated with these states. We propose that the BNST mediates conditioned defensive responses-not based on the modality or duration of the antecedent threat or the duration of the behavioral response to the threat-but rather as consequence the ability of an antecedent stimulus to predict when an aversive outcome will occur (i.e., its temporal predictability). We argue that the BNST is not uniquely mobilized by sustained threats or uniquely involved in organizing sustained fear responses. In contrast, we argue that the BNST is involved in organizing fear responses to stimuli that poorly predict when danger will occur, no matter the duration, modality, or complexity of those stimuli. The concepts discussed in this review are critical to understanding the contribution of the human BNST to fear and anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis D Goode
- Institute for Neuroscience and the Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3474, USA
| | - Stephen Maren
- Institute for Neuroscience and the Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3474, USA
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31
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Tang X, Li J, Jiang T, Han SH, Yao DY. Experimental occlusal disharmony - A promoting factor for anxiety in rats under chronic psychological stress. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2017; 75:165-175. [PMID: 28185964 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Clinically, patients under chronic psychological stress (PS) appear to be more susceptible to occlusal disharmony (OD) compared with those without PS. OD was proved to introduce anxiety-like stress. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to investigate whether OD would affect psychological stress-induced anxiety and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS Chronic PS was induced by a communication box, and OD was produced by bonding a 0.3mm-thick crown on the right maxillary first molar of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Sixty-seven rats were randomly divided into 8 groups: (A) chronic PS plus OD group (n=6); (B) chronic PS plus sham OD group (n=6); (C) chronic PS only group (n=6); (D) OD group (n=6); (E) sham OD group (n=6); (F) control group (n=6); (G) naive group (n=6); (H) foot-shock group (n=25). Open-field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze test (EPM) were conducted on the 7th, 21th, 35th day to measure the anxiety level of each group except naive and foot-shock group. In addition, corticosterone (CORT) level in serum, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2AR) expressions in prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampal CA1 and dentate gyrus (DG) areas were measured on the 35th day to elucidate the mechanism(s) by which the exacerbation occurred. RESULTS The significant differences in OFT and EPM tests on day 21 or day 35 between groups (p<0.01) indicated the successful establishment of animal model of PS or OD. And there was a significant increase in CORT concentration in serum (p<0.01), 5-HT expressions in PFC, hippocampal DG areas and 5-HT2AR expressions in PFC, hippocampal CA1 areas (p<0.05) in group A, B, C, D compared with group F. Similar results were also found in group A, B, C, D when compared with group G (p<0.05) except 5-HT expression in DG area in group C and D (p>0.05), together with a gradual decrease in values of all the parameters mentioned above from group A to group G. CONCLUSION The significant changes in exploratory behaviors, serum CORT concentration, 5-HT and 5-HT2AR expressions induced by OD in rats with or without chronic PS, and more obvious alterations in rats with chronic PS, may indicate that OD may be a promoting factor for anxiety through both peripheral and central pathways via the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and 5-HT system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Tang
- Department of Prosthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Prosthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ting Jiang
- Department of Prosthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shu-Hui Han
- Department of Prosthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Dong-Yuan Yao
- Jiangxi Mental Hospital and School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
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Attenuation of the anxiogenic effects of cocaine by 5-HT 1B autoreceptor stimulation in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis of rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:485-495. [PMID: 27888284 PMCID: PMC5226880 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4479-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Cocaine produces significant aversive/anxiogenic actions whose underlying neurobiology remains unclear. A possible substrate contributing to these actions is the serotonergic (5-HT) pathway projecting from the dorsal raphé (DRN) to regions of the extended amygdala, including the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) which have been implicated in the production of anxiogenic states. OBJECTIVES The present study examined the contribution of 5-HT signaling within the BNST to the anxiogenic effects of cocaine as measured in a runway model of drug self-administration. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fitted with bilateral infusion cannula aimed at the BNST and then trained to traverse a straight alley once a day for a single 1 mg/kg i.v. cocaine infusion delivered upon goal-box entry on each of 16 consecutive days/trials. Intracranial infusions of CP 94,253 (0, 0.25, 0.5, or 1.0 μg/side) were administered to inhibit local 5-HT release via activation of 5-HT1B autoreceptors. To confirm receptor specificity, the effects of this treatment were then challenged by co-administration of the selective 5-HT1B antagonist NAS-181. RESULTS Intra-BNST infusions of the 5-HT1B autoreceptor agonist attenuated the anxiogenic effects of cocaine as reflected by a decrease in runway approach-avoidance conflict behavior. This effect was reversed by the 5-HT1B antagonist. Neither start latencies (a measure of the subject's motivation to seek cocaine) nor spontaneous locomotor activity (an index of motoric capacity) were altered by either treatment. CONCLUSIONS Inhibition of 5-HT1B signaling within the BNST selectively attenuated the anxiogenic effects of cocaine, while leaving unaffected the positive incentive properties of the drug.
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Linley SB, Olucha-Bordonau F, Vertes RP. Pattern of distribution of serotonergic fibers to the amygdala and extended amygdala in the rat. J Comp Neurol 2016; 525:116-139. [PMID: 27213991 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Revised: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
As is well recognized, serotonergic (5-HT) fibers distribute widely throughout the forebrain, including the amygdala. Although a few reports have examined the 5-HT innervation of select nuclei of the amygdala in the rat, no previous report has described overall 5-HT projections to the amygdala in the rat. Using immunostaining for the serotonin transporter, SERT, we describe the complete pattern of distribution of 5-HT fibers to the amygdala (proper) and to the extended amygdala in the rat. Based on its ontogenetic origins, the amygdala was subdivided into two major parts, pallial and subpallial components, with the pallial component further divided into superficial and deep nuclei (Olucha-Bordonau et al. 2015). SERT+ fibers were shown to distributed moderately to densely to the deep and cortical pallial nuclei, but, by contrast, lightly to the subpallial nuclei. Specifically, 1) of the deep pallial nuclei, the lateral, basolateral, and basomedial nuclei contained a very dense concentration of 5-HT fibers; 2) of the cortical pallial nuclei, the anterior cortical and amygdala-cortical transition zone rostrally and the posteromedial and posterolateral nuclei caudally contained a moderate concentration of 5-HT fibers; and 3) of the subpallial nuclei, the anterior nuclei and the rostral part of the medial (Me) nuclei contained a moderate concentration of 5-HT fibers, whereas caudal regions of Me as well as the central nuclei and the intercalated nuclei contained a sparse/light concentration of 5-HT fibers. With regard to the extended amygdala (primarily the bed nucleus of stria terminalis; BST), on the whole, the BST contained moderate numbers of 5-HT fibers, spread fairly uniformly throughout BST. The findings are discussed with respect to a critical serotonergic influence on the amygdala, particularly on the basal complex, and on the extended amygdala in the control of states of fear and anxiety. J. Comp. Neurol. 525:116-139, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie B Linley
- Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, 33431.,Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, 33431
| | - Francisco Olucha-Bordonau
- Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universitat Jaume I, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | - Robert P Vertes
- Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, 33431
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Mad men, women and steroid cocktails: a review of the impact of sex and other factors on anabolic androgenic steroids effects on affective behaviors. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:549-69. [PMID: 26758282 PMCID: PMC4751878 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-4193-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE For several decades, elite athletes and a growing number of recreational consumers have used anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) as performance enhancing drugs. Despite mounting evidence that illicit use of these synthetic steroids has detrimental effects on affective states, information available on sex-specific actions of these drugs is lacking. OBJECTIVES The focus of this review is to assess information to date on the importance of sex and its interaction with other environmental factors on affective behaviors, with an emphasis on data derived from non-human studies. METHODS The PubMed database was searched for relevant studies in both sexes. RESULTS Studies examining AAS use in females are limited, reflecting the lower prevalence of use in this sex. Data, however, indicate significant sex-specific differences in AAS effects on anxiety-like and aggressive behaviors, interactions with other drugs of abuse, and the interplay of AAS with other environmental factors such as diet and exercise. CONCLUSIONS Current methods for assessing AAS use have limitations that suggest biases of both under- and over-reporting, which may be amplified for females who are poorly represented in self-report studies of human subjects and are rarely used in animal studies. Data from animal literature suggest that there are significant sex-specific differences in the impact of AAS on aggression, anxiety, and concomitant use of other abused substances. These results have relevance for human females who take these drugs as performance-enhancing substances and for transgender XX individuals who may illicitly self-administer AAS as they transition to a male gender identity.
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Lebow MA, Chen A. Overshadowed by the amygdala: the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis emerges as key to psychiatric disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2016; 21:450-63. [PMID: 26878891 PMCID: PMC4804181 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 418] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a center of integration for limbic information and valence monitoring. The BNST, sometimes referred to as the extended amygdala, is located in the basal forebrain and is a sexually dimorphic structure made up of between 12 and 18 sub-nuclei. These sub-nuclei are rich with distinct neuronal subpopulations of receptors, neurotransmitters, transporters and proteins. The BNST is important in a range of behaviors such as: the stress response, extended duration fear states and social behavior, all crucial determinants of dysfunction in human psychiatric diseases. Most research on stress and psychiatric diseases has focused on the amygdala, which regulates immediate responses to fear. However, the BNST, and not the amygdala, is the center of the psychogenic circuit from the hippocampus to the paraventricular nucleus. This circuit is important in the stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Thus, the BNST has been largely overlooked with respect to its possible dysregulation in mood and anxiety disorders, social dysfunction and psychological trauma, all of which have clear gender disparities. In this review, we will look in-depth at the anatomy and projections of the BNST, and provide an overview of the current literature on the relevance of BNST dysregulation in psychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Lebow
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel ,grid.419548.50000 0000 9497 5095Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - A Chen
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel ,grid.419548.50000 0000 9497 5095Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
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Avery SN, Clauss JA, Blackford JU. The Human BNST: Functional Role in Anxiety and Addiction. Neuropsychopharmacology 2016; 41:126-41. [PMID: 26105138 PMCID: PMC4677124 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2015.185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Revised: 05/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The consequences of chronic stress on brain structure and function are far reaching. Whereas stress can produce short-term adaptive changes in the brain, chronic stress leads to long-term maladaptive changes that increase vulnerability to psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and addiction. These two disorders are the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in the United States, and are typically chronic, disabling, and highly comorbid. Emerging evidence implicates a tiny brain region-the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST)-in the body's stress response and in anxiety and addiction. Rodent studies provide compelling evidence that the BNST plays a central role in sustained threat monitoring, a form of adaptive anxiety, and in the withdrawal and relapse stages of addiction; however, little is known about the role of BNST in humans. Here, we review current evidence for BNST function in humans, including evidence for a role in the production of both adaptive and maladaptive anxiety. We also review preliminary evidence of the role of BNST in addiction in humans. Together, these studies provide a foundation of knowledge about the role of BNST in adaptive anxiety and stress-related disorders. Although the field is in its infancy, future investigations of human BNST function have tremendous potential to illuminate mechanisms underlying stress-related disorders and identify novel neural targets for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- S N Avery
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - J A Clauss
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - J U Blackford
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
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Daniel SE, Rainnie DG. Stress Modulation of Opposing Circuits in the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis. Neuropsychopharmacology 2016; 41:103-25. [PMID: 26096838 PMCID: PMC4677121 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2015.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Revised: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The anterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) has been recognized as a critical structure in regulating trait anxiety, contextual fear memory, and appetitive behavior, and is known to be sensitive to stress manipulations. As one of the most complex structures in the central nervous system, the intrinsic circuitry of the BNST is largely unknown; however, recent technological developments have allowed researchers to begin to untangle the internal connections of the nucleus. This research has revealed the possibility of two opposing circuits, one anxiolytic and one anxiogenic, within the BNST, the relative strength of which determines the behavioral outcome. The balance of these pathways is critical in maintaining a normal physiological and behavioral state; however, stress and drugs of abuse can differentially affect the opposing circuitry within the nucleus to shift the balance to a pathological state. In this review, we will examine how stress interacts with the neuromodulators, corticotropin-releasing factor, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin to affect the circuitry of the BNST as well as how synaptic plasticity in the BNST is modulated by stress, resulting in long-lasting changes in the circuit and behavioral state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Daniel
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Donald G Rainnie
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Reversible Inactivation of the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis Prevents Reinstatement But Not Renewal of Extinguished Fear. eNeuro 2015; 2:eN-NWR-0037-15. [PMID: 26464990 PMCID: PMC4586936 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0037-15.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Revised: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The extinction of conditioned fear is labile. For example, fear to an extinguished conditioned stimulus (CS) returns after presentation of an aversive stimulus ("reinstatement") or a change in context ("renewal"). Substantial research implicates the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) in the stress-induced relapse of extinguished behaviors, such as in instrumental drug seeking, but its role in the relapse of extinguished fear responses is not clear. Here, we explored the role of the BNST in both the reinstatement and renewal of fear, two forms of relapse that are differentially triggered by stress. In Experiment 1, rats received pairings of an auditory CS and footshock unconditioned stimulus (US) followed by an extinction procedure. After extinction, rats received an unsignaled US to reinstate fear to the extinguished CS. Twenty-four hours later, they were infused with either muscimol or vehicle into the BNST immediately prior to a CS retrieval test. In Experiment 2, rats were conditioned and extinguished in two distinct contexts. Twenty-four hours after extinction, the rats were infused with muscimol, NBQX, or vehicle immediately prior to a CS retrieval test in either the extinction context or a different (but familiar) context. In both experiments, freezing behavior served as the index of conditioned fear. The results revealed that BNST inactivation prevented reinstatement (Experiment 1), but not renewal (Experiment 2), of conditioned freezing to the extinguished CS. Hence, the BNST is critical for the reinstatement of extinguished fear in an aversive context, but not for the contextual retrieval processes that mediate fear renewal.
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Baas JMP, Heitland I. The impact of cue learning, trait anxiety and genetic variation in the serotonin 1A receptor on contextual fear. Int J Psychophysiol 2014; 98:506-14. [PMID: 25448266 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2014.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2014] [Revised: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
In everyday life, aversive events are usually associated with certain predictive cues. Normally, the acquisition of these contingencies enables organisms to appropriately respond to threat. Presence of a threat cue clearly signals 'danger', whereas absence of such cues signals a period of 'safety'. Failure to identify threat cues may lead to chronic states of anxious apprehension in the context in which the threat has been imminent, which may be instrumental in the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders. In this study, existing data from 150 healthy volunteers in a cue and context virtual reality fear conditioning paradigm were reanalyzed. The aim was to further characterize the impact of cue acquisition and trait anxiety, and of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the serotonin 1A receptor gene (5-HTR1A, rs6295), on cued fear and contextual anxiety before and after fear contingencies were explicitly introduced. Fear conditioned responding was quantified with fear potentiation of the eyeblink startle reflex and subjective fear ratings. First, we replicated previous findings that the inability to identify danger cues during acquisition leads to heightened anxious apprehension in the threat context. Second, in subjects who did not identify the danger cue initially, contextual fear was associated with trait anxiety after the contingencies were explicitly instructed. Third, genetic variability within 5-HTR1A (rs6295) was associated with contextual fear independent of awareness or trait anxiety. These findings confirm that failure to acquire cue contingencies impacts contextual fear responding, in association with trait anxiety. The observed 5-HTR1A effect is in line with models of anxiety, but needs further replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna M P Baas
- Experimental Psychology and Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, The Netherlands; Helmholtz Research Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Ivo Heitland
- Experimental Psychology and Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, The Netherlands; Helmholtz Research Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Paul ED, Johnson PL, Shekhar A, Lowry CA. The Deakin/Graeff hypothesis: focus on serotonergic inhibition of panic. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2014; 46 Pt 3:379-96. [PMID: 24661986 PMCID: PMC4170046 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2013] [Revised: 02/15/2014] [Accepted: 03/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The Deakin/Graeff hypothesis proposes that different subpopulations of serotonergic neurons through topographically organized projections to forebrain and brainstem structures modulate the response to acute and chronic stressors, and that dysfunction of these neurons increases vulnerability to affective and anxiety disorders, including panic disorder. We outline evidence supporting the existence of a serotonergic system originally discussed by Deakin/Graeff that is implicated in the inhibition of panic-like behavioral and physiological responses. Evidence supporting this panic inhibition system comes from the following observations: (1) serotonergic neurons located in the 'ventrolateral dorsal raphe nucleus' (DRVL) as well as the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (VLPAG) inhibit dorsal periaqueductal gray-elicited panic-like responses; (2) chronic, but not acute, antidepressant treatment potentiates serotonin's panicolytic effect; (3) contextual fear activates a central nucleus of the amygdala-DRVL/VLPAG circuit implicated in mediating freezing and inhibiting panic-like escape behaviors; (4) DRVL/VLPAG serotonergic neurons are central chemoreceptors and modulate the behavioral and cardiorespiratory response to panicogenic agents such as sodium lactate and CO2. Implications of the panic inhibition system are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan D Paul
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309-0354, USA.
| | - Philip L Johnson
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309-0354, USA.
| | - Anantha Shekhar
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309-0354, USA.
| | - Christopher A Lowry
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309-0354, USA.
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Rainnie DG, Hazra R, Dabrowska J, Guo JD, Li CC, Dewitt S, Muly EC. Distribution and functional expression of Kv4 family α subunits and associated KChIP β subunits in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. J Comp Neurol 2014; 522:609-25. [PMID: 24037673 DOI: 10.1002/cne.23435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2012] [Revised: 06/28/2013] [Accepted: 07/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Regulation of BNSTALG neuronal firing activity is tightly regulated by the opposing actions of the fast outward potassium current, IA , mediated by α subunits of the Kv4 family of ion channels, and the transient inward calcium current, IT . Together, these channels play a critical role in regulating the latency to action potential onset, duration, and frequency, as well as dendritic back-propagation and synaptic plasticity. Previously we have shown that Type I-III BNSTALG neurons express mRNA transcripts for each of the Kv4 α subunits. However, the biophysical properties of native IA channels are critically dependent on the formation of macromolecular complexes of Kv4 channels with a family of chaperone proteins, the potassium channel-interacting proteins (KChIP1-4). Here we used a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the expression and function of Kv4 channels and KChIPs in neurons of the rat BNSTALG . Using immunofluorescence we demonstrated the pattern of localization of Kv4.2, Kv4.3, and KChIP1-4 proteins in the BNSTALG . Moreover, our single-cell reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (scRT-PCR) studies revealed that mRNA transcripts for Kv4.2, Kv4.3, and all four KChIPs were differentially expressed in Type I-III BNSTALG neurons. Furthermore, immunoelectron microscopy revealed that Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 channels were primarily localized to the dendrites and spines of BNSTALG neurons, and are thus ideally situated to modulate synaptic transmission. Consistent with this observation, in vitro patch clamp recordings showed that reducing postsynaptic IA in these neurons lowered the threshold for long-term potentiation (LTP) induction. These results are discussed in relation to potential modulation of IA channels by chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald G Rainnie
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; Division of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia
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Onakomaiya MM, Porter DM, Oberlander JG, Henderson LP. Sex and exercise interact to alter the expression of anabolic androgenic steroid-induced anxiety-like behaviors in the mouse. Horm Behav 2014; 66:283-97. [PMID: 24768711 PMCID: PMC4127168 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2013] [Revised: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are taken by both sexes to enhance athletic performance and body image, nearly always in conjunction with an exercise regime. Although taken to improve physical attributes, chronic AAS use can promote negative behavior, including anxiety. Few studies have directly compared the impact of AAS use in males versus females or assessed the interaction of exercise and AAS. We show that AAS increase anxiety-like behaviors in female but not male mice and that voluntary exercise accentuates these sex-specific differences. We also show that levels of the anxiogenic peptide corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) are significantly greater in males, but that AAS selectively increase CRF levels in females, thus abrogating this sex-specific difference. Exercise did not ameliorate AAS-induced anxiety or alter CRF levels in females. Exercise was anxiolytic in males, but this behavioral outcome did not correlate with CRF levels. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has also been implicated in the expression of anxiety. As with CRF, levels of hippocampal BDNF mRNA were significantly greater in males than females. AAS and exercise were without effect on BDNF mRNA in females. In males, anxiolytic effects of exercise correlated with increased BDNF mRNA, however AAS-induced changes in BDNF mRNA and anxiety did not. In sum, we find that AAS elicit sex-specific differences in anxiety and that voluntary exercise accentuates these differences. In addition, our data suggest that these behavioral outcomes may reflect convergent actions of AAS and exercise on a sexually differentiated CRF signaling system within the extended amygdala.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie M Onakomaiya
- Department of Physiology & Neurobiology, Hinman Box 7701, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Donna M Porter
- Department of Physiology & Neurobiology, Hinman Box 7701, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Joseph G Oberlander
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, 2205 Tech Drive, Hogan 2-160, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Leslie P Henderson
- Department of Physiology & Neurobiology, Hinman Box 7701, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA.
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Antidepressants share the ability to increase catecholamine output in the bed nucleus of stria terminalis: a possible role in antidepressant therapy? Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:1925-33. [PMID: 24221827 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3335-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 10/12/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Antidepressants include a relatively wide spectrum of drugs that increase the synaptic concentration of monoamines, mostly through neurotransmitter reuptake blockade. The bed nucleus of stria teminalis (BNST) is considered a relay station in mediating the activation of stress response but also in the acquisition and expression of emotions. BNST is richly innervated by monoamines and sends back projections to the nucleus of origin. We previously showed that the administration of selective blockers of norepinephrine transporter (NET) increases the extracellular concentration (output) of dopamine, suggesting that dopamine could be captured by NET in the BNST. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study, carried out by means of in vivo microdialysis, was to ascertain the acute effects that antidepressants with varying mechanisms of action have on dopamine and norepinephrine output in the BNST. RESULTS We observed that all the antidepressants tested (5-20 mg/kg i.p.) increased the output of catecholamines, dose dependently. In particular, the maximum increases (as a percent of basal) for norepinephrine and dopamine respectively, were as follows: desipramine, 239 and 137; reboxetine, 185 and 128; imipramine, 512 and 359; citalopram, 95 and 122; fluoxetine, 122 and 68; bupropion, 255 and 164. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that catecholamine transmission in the BNST may be part of a common downstream pathway that is involved in the action mechanism of antidepressants. Consequently, it is hypothesized that a dysfunction of neuronal transmission in this brain area may have a role in the etiology of affective disorders.
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Bienkowski MS, Wendel ES, Rinaman L. Organization of multisynaptic circuits within and between the medial and the central extended amygdala. J Comp Neurol 2014; 521:3406-31. [PMID: 23640841 DOI: 10.1002/cne.23356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2012] [Revised: 04/16/2013] [Accepted: 04/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The central and medial extended amygdala comprises the central (CEA) and medial nuclei of the amygdala (MEA), respectively, together with anatomically connected regions of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST). To reveal direct and multisynaptic connections within the central and medial extended amygdala, monosynaptic and transneuronal viral tracing experiments were performed in adult male rats. In the first set of experiments, a cocktail of anterograde and retrograde tracers was iontophoretically delivered into the medial CEA (CEAm), anterodorsal MEA (MEAad), or posterodorsal MEA (MEApd), revealing direct, topographically organized projections between distinct amygdalar and BST subnuclei. In the second set of experiments, the retrograde transneuronal tracer pseudorabies virus (PRV) was microinjected into the CEAm or MEAad. After 48 hours of survival, there were no significant differences between monosynaptic and PRV cases in the subnuclear distribution or proportions of retrogradely labeled BST neurons. However, after 60 hours of survival, CEAm-injected cases displayed an increased proportion of labeled neurons within the anteromedial group of BST subnuclei (amgBST) and within the posterior BST, which do not directly innervate the CEA. MEApd-injected 60-hour cases displayed a significantly increased proportion of retrograde labeling in the amgBST compared with monosynaptic and 48-hour cases, whereas MEAad-injected cases displayed no proportional changes over time. Thus, multisynaptic circuits within the medial extended amygdala overlap the direct connections making up this anatomical unit, whereas the multisynaptic boundaries of the central extended amygdala extend into BST subnuclei previously identified as part of the medial extended amygdala.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Bienkowski
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15260
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Greenberg GD, Laman-Maharg A, Campi KL, Voigt H, Orr VN, Schaal L, Trainor BC. Sex differences in stress-induced social withdrawal: role of brain derived neurotrophic factor in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Front Behav Neurosci 2014; 7:223. [PMID: 24409132 PMCID: PMC3885825 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2013.00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 12/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression and anxiety disorders are more common in women than men, and little is known about the neurobiological mechanisms that contribute to this disparity. Recent data suggest that stress-induced changes in neurotrophins have opposing effects on behavior by acting in different brain networks. Social defeat has been an important approach for understanding neurotrophin action, but low female aggression levels in rats and mice have limited the application of these methods primarily to males. We examined the effects of social defeat in monogamous California mice (Peromyscus californicus), a species in which both males and females defend territories. We demonstrate that defeat stress increases mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein but not mRNA in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) in females but not males. Changes in BDNF protein were limited to anterior subregions of the BNST, and there were no changes in the adjacent nucleus accumbens (NAc). The effects of defeat on social withdrawal behavior and BDNF were reversed by chronic, low doses of the antidepressant sertraline. However, higher doses of sertraline restored social withdrawal and elevated BDNF levels. Acute treatment with a low dose of sertraline failed to reverse the effects of defeat. Infusions of the selective tyrosine-related kinase B receptor (TrkB) antagonist ANA-12 into the anterior BNST specifically increased social interaction in stressed females but had no effect on behavior in females naïve to defeat. These results suggest that stress-induced increases in BDNF in the anterior BNST contribute to the exaggerated social withdrawal phenotype observed in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gian D Greenberg
- Neuroscience Graduate Group, University of California Davis, CA, USA ; Department of Psychology, University of California Davis, CA, USA ; Center for Neuroscience, University of California Davis, CA, USA
| | - Abigail Laman-Maharg
- Neuroscience Graduate Group, University of California Davis, CA, USA ; Center for Neuroscience, University of California Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - Heather Voigt
- Department of Psychology, University of California Davis, CA, USA
| | - Veronica N Orr
- Department of Psychology, University of California Davis, CA, USA
| | - Leslie Schaal
- Department of Psychology, University of California Davis, CA, USA
| | - Brian C Trainor
- Neuroscience Graduate Group, University of California Davis, CA, USA ; Department of Psychology, University of California Davis, CA, USA ; Center for Neuroscience, University of California Davis, CA, USA
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Shruster A, Offen D. Targeting neurogenesis ameliorates danger assessment in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Behav Brain Res 2013; 261:193-201. [PMID: 24388979 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Revised: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 12/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects 13% of the population over the age of 65. Behavioral and neuropsychiatric symptoms are frequent and affect 80% of patients. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis, which is impaired in AD, is involved in learning and memory. It remains unclear, however, whether increasing adult neurogenesis improves behavioral symptoms in AD. We report that in the 3xTgAD mouse model of AD, chronic Wnt3a overexpression in the ventral hippocampus dentate gyrus (DG) restored adult neurogenesis to physiological levels. The restoration of adult neurogenesis led to full recovery of danger assessment impairment and the effect was blocked by ablation of neurogenesis with X-irradiation. Finally, using a bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) mRNA expression array, we found that the expression of the 5-HT1A receptor in 3xTgAD mice is selectively decreased and normalized by Wnt3a overexpression in the ventral hippocampus DG, and this normalization is neurogenesis dependent. These findings indicate that reestablishing a functional population of hippocampal newborn neurons in adult AD mice rescues behavioral symptoms, suggesting that adult neurogenesis may be a promising therapeutic target for alleviating behavioral deficits in AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adi Shruster
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Petah Tikva, Israel.
| | - Daniel Offen
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Petah Tikva, Israel
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Dabrowska J, Hazra R, Guo JD, Li C, DeWitt S, Xu J, Lombroso PJ, Rainnie DG. Striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase-STEPs toward understanding chronic stress-induced activation of corticotrophin releasing factor neurons in the rat bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Biol Psychiatry 2013; 74:817-26. [PMID: 24012328 PMCID: PMC3818357 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2012] [Revised: 07/29/2013] [Accepted: 07/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase (STEP) is a brain-specific protein tyrosine phosphatase that opposes the development of synaptic strengthening and the consolidation of fear memories. In contrast, stress facilitates fear memory formation, potentially by activating corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) neurons in the anterolateral cell group of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNSTALG). METHODS Here, using dual-immunofluorescence, single-cell reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, we examined the expression and role of STEP in regulating synaptic plasticity in rat BNSTALG neurons and its modulation by stress. RESULTS Striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase was selectively expressed in CRF neurons in the oval nucleus of the BNSTALG. Following repeated restraint stress (RRS), animals displayed a significant increase in anxiety-like behavior, which was associated with a downregulation of STEP messenger RNA and protein expression in the BNSTALG, as well as selectively enhancing the magnitude of long-term potentiation (LTP) induced in Type III, putative CRF neurons. To determine if the changes in STEP expression following RRS were mechanistically related to LTP facilitation, we examined the effects of intracellular application of STEP on the induction of LTP. STEP completely blocked the RRS-induced facilitation of LTP in BNSTALG neurons. CONCLUSIONS Hence, STEP acts to buffer CRF neurons against excessive activation, while downregulation of STEP after chronic stress may result in pathologic activation of CRF neurons in the BNSTALG and contribute to prolonged states of anxiety. Thus, targeted manipulations of STEP activity might represent a novel treatment strategy for stress-induced anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Dabrowska
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329
| | - Rimi Hazra
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329
| | - Ji-Dong Guo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329
| | - ChenChen Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329
| | - Sarah DeWitt
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329
| | - Jian Xu
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 South Frontage Road, New Haven, CT, 06520
| | - Paul J. Lombroso
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 South Frontage Road, New Haven, CT, 06520
| | - Donald G. Rainnie
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329,Corresponding author: Dr. Donald. G. Rainnie, Associate Professor Emory University, Department of Psychiatry, Yerkes National Primate Research Center 954 Gatewood Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA Telephone: +1404-712-9714, Fax: +1404-727- 9645
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Paul ED, Lowry CA. Functional topography of serotonergic systems supports the Deakin/Graeff hypothesis of anxiety and affective disorders. J Psychopharmacol 2013; 27:1090-106. [PMID: 23704363 DOI: 10.1177/0269881113490328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Over 20 years ago, Deakin and Graeff hypothesized about the role of different serotonergic pathways in controlling the behavioral and physiologic responses to aversive stimuli, and how compromise of these pathways could lead to specific symptoms of anxiety and affective disorders. A growing body of evidence suggests these serotonergic pathways arise from topographically organized subpopulations of serotonergic neurons located in the dorsal and median raphe nuclei. We argue that serotonergic neurons in the dorsal/caudal parts of the dorsal raphe nucleus project to forebrain limbic regions involved in stress/conflict anxiety-related processes, which may be relevant for anxiety and affective disorders. Serotonergic neurons in the "lateral wings" of the dorsal raphe nucleus provide inhibitory control over structures controlling fight-or-flight responses. Dysfunction of this pathway could be relevant for panic disorder. Finally, serotonergic neurons in the median raphe nucleus, and the developmentally and functionally-related interfascicular part of the dorsal raphe nucleus, give rise to forebrain limbic projections that are involved in tolerance and coping with aversive stimuli, which could be important for affective disorders like depression. Elucidating the mechanisms through which stress activates these topographically and functionally distinct serotonergic pathways, and how dysfunction of these pathways leads to symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders, may lead to the development of novel approaches to both the prevention and treatment of anxiety and affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan D Paul
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, USA
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Ricci LA, Morrison TR, Melloni RH. Adolescent anabolic/androgenic steroids: Aggression and anxiety during exposure predict behavioral responding during withdrawal in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Horm Behav 2013; 64:770-80. [PMID: 24126136 PMCID: PMC3957330 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2013.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2013] [Revised: 08/10/2013] [Accepted: 10/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In the U.S. and worldwide anabolic/androgenic steroid use remains high in the adolescent population. This is concerning given that anabolic/androgenic steroid use is associated with a higher incidence of aggressive behavior during exposure and anxiety during withdrawal. This study uses pubertal Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) to investigate the hypothesis that an inverse behavioral relationship exists between anabolic/androgenic steroid-induced aggression and anxiety across adolescent exposure and withdrawal. In the first experiment, we examined aggression and anxiety during adolescent anabolic/androgenic steroid exposure and withdrawal. Adolescent anabolic/androgenic steroid administration produced significant increases in aggression and decreases in anxiety during the exposure period followed by significant decreases in aggression and increases in anxiety during anabolic/androgenic steroid withdrawal. In a second experiment, anabolic/androgenic steroid exposed animals were separated into groups based on their aggressive response during the exposure period and then tested for anxiety during exposure and then for both aggression and anxiety during withdrawal. Data were analyzed using a within-subjects repeated measures predictive analysis. Linear regression analysis revealed that the difference in aggressive responding between the anabolic/androgenic steroid exposure and withdrawal periods was a significant predictor of differences in anxiety for both days of testing. Moreover, the combined data suggest that the decrease in aggressive behavior from exposure to withdrawal predicts an increase in anxiety-like responding within these same animals during this time span. Together these findings indicate that early anabolic/androgenic steroid exposure has potent aggression- and anxiety-eliciting effects and that these behavioral changes occur alongside a predictive relationship that exists between these two behaviors over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley A Ricci
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, 125 Nightingale Hall, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02155, USA
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