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Michel L, Molina P, Mameli M. The behavioral relevance of a modular organization in the lateral habenula. Neuron 2024; 112:2669-2685. [PMID: 38772374 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Behavioral strategies for survival rely on the updates the brain continuously makes based on the surrounding environment. External stimuli-neutral, positive, and negative-relay core information to the brain, where a complex anatomical network rapidly organizes actions, including approach or escape, and regulates emotions. Human neuroimaging and physiology in nonhuman primates, rodents, and teleosts suggest a pivotal role of the lateral habenula in translating external information into survival behaviors. Here, we review the literature describing how discrete habenular modules-reflecting the molecular signatures, anatomical connectivity, and functional components-are recruited by environmental stimuli and cooperate to prompt specific behavioral outcomes. We argue that integration of these findings in the context of valence processing for reinforcing or discouraging behaviors is necessary, offering a compelling model to guide future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leo Michel
- The Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, The University of Lausanne, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Patricia Molina
- The Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, The University of Lausanne, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Mameli
- The Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, The University of Lausanne, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland; Inserm, UMR-S 839, 75005 Paris, France.
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2
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Ba W, Nollet M, Yin C, Yu X, Wong S, Miao A, Beckwith EJ, Harding EC, Ma Y, Yustos R, Vyssotski AL, Wisden W, Franks NP. A REM-active basal ganglia circuit that regulates anxiety. Curr Biol 2024; 34:3301-3314.e4. [PMID: 38944034 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep has been hypothesized to promote emotional resilience, but any neuronal circuits mediating this have not been identified. We find that in mice, somatostatin (Som) neurons in the entopeduncular nucleus (EPSom)/internal globus pallidus are predominantly active during REM sleep. This unique REM activity is both necessary and sufficient for maintaining normal REM sleep. Inhibiting or exciting EPSom neurons reduced or increased REM sleep duration, respectively. Activation of the sole downstream target of EPSom neurons, Vglut2 cells in the lateral habenula (LHb), increased sleep via the ventral tegmental area (VTA). A simple chemogenetic scheme to periodically inhibit the LHb over 4 days selectively removed a significant amount of cumulative REM sleep. Chronic, but not acute, REM reduction correlated with mice becoming anxious and more sensitive to aversive stimuli. Therefore, we suggest that cumulative REM sleep, in part generated by the EP → LHb → VTA circuit identified here, could contribute to stabilizing reactions to habitual aversive stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Ba
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Mathieu Nollet
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Chunyu Yin
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK; Department of Neonatal Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Xiao Yu
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Sara Wong
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Andawei Miao
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Esteban J Beckwith
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Edward C Harding
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Ying Ma
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Raquel Yustos
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Alexei L Vyssotski
- Institute of Neuroinformatics, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - William Wisden
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - Nicholas P Franks
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
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3
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Locantore J, Liu Y, White J, Wallace JB, Beron CC, Sabatini BL, Wallace ML. Mixed representations of choice and outcome by GABA/glutamate cotransmitting neurons in the entopeduncular nucleus. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.07.597980. [PMID: 38895480 PMCID: PMC11185773 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.07.597980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The basal ganglia (BG) are an evolutionarily conserved and phylogenetically old set of sub-cortical nuclei that guide action selection, evaluation, and reinforcement. The entopeduncular nucleus (EP) is a major BG output nucleus that contains a population of GABA/glutamate cotransmitting neurons (EP Sst+ ) that specifically target the lateral habenula (LHb) and whose function in behavior remains mysterious. Here we use a probabilistic switching task that requires an animal to maintain flexible relationships between action selection and evaluation to examine when and how GABA/glutamate cotransmitting neurons contribute to behavior. We find that EP Sst+ neurons are strongly engaged during this task and show bidirectional changes in activity during the choice and outcome periods of a trial. We then tested the effects of either permanently blocking cotransmission or modifying the GABA/glutamate ratio on behavior in well-trained animals. Neither manipulation produced detectable changes in behavior despite significant changes in synaptic transmission in the LHb, demonstrating that the outputs of these neurons are not required for on-going action-outcome updating in a probabilistic switching task.
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Chen RS, Liu J, Wang YJ, Ning K, Liu JG, Liu ZQ. Glutamatergic neurons in ventral pallidum modulate heroin addiction via epithalamic innervation in rats. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024; 45:945-958. [PMID: 38326624 PMCID: PMC11053033 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-024-01229-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Glutamatergic neurons in ventral pallidum (VPGlu) were recently reported to mediate motivational and emotional behavior, but its role in opioid addiction still remains to be elucidated. In this study we investigated the function of VPGlu in the context-dependent heroin taking and seeking behavior in male rats under the ABA renewal paradigm. By use of cell-type-specific fiber photometry, we showed that the calcium activity of VPGlu were inhibited during heroin self-administration and context-induced relapse, but activated after extinction in a new context. The drug seeking behavior was accompanied by the decreased calcium signal of VPGlu. Chemogenetic manipulation of VPGlu bidirectionally regulated heroin taking and seeking behavior. Anterograde tracing showed that the lateral habenula, one of the epithalamic structures, was the major output region of VPGlu, and its neuronal activity was consistent with VPGlu in different phases of heroin addiction and contributed to the motivation for heroin. VPGlu axon terminals in LHb exhibited dynamic activity in different phases of heroin addiction. Activation of VPGlu-LHb circuit reduced heroin seeking behavior during context-induced relapse. Furthermore, the balance of excitation/inhibition from VP to LHb was shifted to enhanced glutamate transmission after extinction of heroin seeking motivation. Overall, the present study demonstrated that the activity of VPGlu was involved in the regulation of heroin addiction and identified the VPGlu-LHb pathway as a potential intervention to reduce heroin seeking motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruo-Song Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 201204, China
- Center for Neurological and Psychiatric Research and Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Center for Neurological and Psychiatric Research and Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Biopharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Yu-Jun Wang
- Center for Neurological and Psychiatric Research and Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Kuan Ning
- Center for Neurological and Psychiatric Research and Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jing-Gen Liu
- Center for Neurological and Psychiatric Research and Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
| | - Zhi-Qiang Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 201204, China.
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Huang H, Liu X, Wang L, Wang F. Whole-brain connections of glutamatergic neurons in the mouse lateral habenula in both sexes. Biol Sex Differ 2024; 15:37. [PMID: 38654275 PMCID: PMC11036720 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-024-00611-5] [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: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The lateral habenula (LHb) is an epithalamus nucleus that is evolutionarily conserved and involved in various physiological functions, such as encoding value signals, integrating emotional information, and regulating related behaviors. The cells in the LHb are predominantly glutamatergic and have heterogeneous functions in response to different stimuli. The circuitry connections of the LHb glutamatergic neurons play a crucial role in integrating a wide range of events. However, the circuitry connections of LHb glutamatergic neurons in both sexes have not been thoroughly investigated. METHODS In this study, we injected Cre-dependent retrograde trace virus and anterograde synaptophysin-labeling virus into the LHb of adult male and female Vglut2-ires-Cre mice, respectively. We then quantitatively analyzed the input and output of the LHb glutamatergic connections in both the ipsilateral and contralateral whole brain. RESULTS Our findings showed that the inputs to LHbvGlut2 neurons come from more than 30 brain subregions, including the cortex, striatum, pallidum, thalamus, hypothalamus, midbrain, pons, medulla, and cerebellum with no significant differences between males and females. The outputs of LHbvGlut2 neurons targeted eight large brain regions, primarily focusing on the midbrain and pons nuclei, with distinct features in presynaptic bouton across different brain subregions. While correlation and cluster analysis revealed differences in input and collateral projection features, the input-output connection pattern of LHbvGlut2 neurons in both sexes was highly similar. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a systematic and comprehensive analysis of the input and output connections of LHbvGlut2 neurons in male and female mice, shedding light on the anatomical architecture of these specific cell types in the mouse LHb. This structural understanding can help guide further investigations into the complex functions of the LHb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongren Huang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xue Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liping Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China.
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Huang T, Guo X, Huang X, Yi C, Cui Y, Dong Y. Input-output specific orchestration of aversive valence in lateral habenula during stress dynamics. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38616136 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2300933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Stress has been considered as a major risk factor for depressive disorders, triggering depression onset via inducing persistent dysfunctions in specialized brain regions and neural circuits. Among various regions across the brain, the lateral habenula (LHb) serves as a critical hub for processing aversive information during the dynamic process of stress accumulation, thus having been implicated in the pathogenesis of depression. LHb neurons integrate aversive valence conveyed by distinct upstream inputs, many of which selectively innervate the medial part (LHbM) or lateral part (LHbL) of LHb. LHb subregions also separately assign aversive valence via dissociable projections to the downstream targets in the midbrain which provides feedback loops. Despite these strides, the spatiotemporal dynamics of LHb-centric neural circuits remain elusive during the progression of depression-like state under stress. In this review, we attempt to describe a framework in which LHb orchestrates aversive valence via the input-output specific neuronal architecture. Notably, a physiological form of Hebbian plasticity in LHb under multiple stressors has been unveiled to incubate neuronal hyperactivity in an input-specific manner, which causally encodes chronic stress experience and drives depression onset. Collectively, the recent progress and future efforts in elucidating LHb circuits shed light on early interventions and circuit-specific antidepressant therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taida Huang
- Department of Neurology and International Institutes of Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China
- Department of Neurology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Research Centre, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Xiaonan Guo
- Department of Neurology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiaomin Huang
- Research Centre, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Chenju Yi
- Research Centre, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou 510080, China.
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Active Substance Screening and Translational Research, Shenzhen 518107, China.
| | - Yihui Cui
- Department of Neurology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China. ,
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China. ,
| | - Yiyan Dong
- Department of Neurology and International Institutes of Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China. ,
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Ceballos CC, Ma L, Qin M, Zhong H. Prevalent co-release of glutamate and GABA throughout the mouse brain. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.27.587069. [PMID: 38585864 PMCID: PMC10996720 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.27.587069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Several neuronal populations in the brain transmit both the excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, glutamate, and GABA, to downstream neurons. However, it remains largely unknown whether these opposing neurotransmitters are co-released onto the same postsynaptic neuron simultaneously or are independently transmitted at different time and locations (called co-transmission). Here, using whole-cell patch-clamp recording on acute mouse brain slices, we observed biphasic miniature postsynaptic currents, i.e., minis with time-locked excitatory and inhibitory currents, in striatal spiny projection neurons (SPNs). This observation cannot be explained by accidental coincidence of monophasic miniature excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs and mIPSCs, respectively), arguing for the co-release of glutamate and GABA. Interestingly, these biphasic minis could either be an mEPSC leading an mIPSC or vice versa. Although dopaminergic axons release both glutamate and GABA in the striatum, deletion of dopamine neurons did not eliminate biphasic minis, indicating that the co-release originates from another neuronal type. Importantly, we found that both types of biphasic minis were detected in other neuronal subtypes in the striatum as well as in nine out of ten additionally tested brain regions. Our results suggest that co-release of glutamate and GABA is a prevalent mode of neurotransmission in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar C Ceballos
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Lei Ma
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Maozhen Qin
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Haining Zhong
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
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Warlow SM, Singhal SM, Hollon NG, Faget L, Dowlat DS, Zell V, Hunker AC, Zweifel LS, Hnasko TS. Mesoaccumbal glutamate neurons drive reward via glutamate release but aversion via dopamine co-release. Neuron 2024; 112:488-499.e5. [PMID: 38086374 PMCID: PMC10922836 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Ventral tegmental area (VTA) projections to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) drive reward-related motivation. Although dopamine neurons are predominant, a substantial glutamatergic projection is also present, and a subset of these co-release both dopamine and glutamate. Optogenetic stimulation of VTA glutamate neurons not only supports self-stimulation but can also induce avoidance behavior, even in the same assay. Here, we parsed the selective contribution of glutamate or dopamine co-release from VTA glutamate neurons to reinforcement and avoidance. We expressed channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) in mouse VTA glutamate neurons in combination with CRISPR-Cas9 to disrupt either the gene encoding vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGLUT2) or tyrosine hydroxylase (Th). Selective disruption of VGLUT2 abolished optogenetic self-stimulation but left real-time place avoidance intact, whereas CRISPR-Cas9 deletion of Th preserved self-stimulation but abolished place avoidance. Our results demonstrate that glutamate release from VTA glutamate neurons is positively reinforcing but that dopamine release from VTA glutamate neurons can induce avoidance behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley M Warlow
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sarthak M Singhal
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nick G Hollon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lauren Faget
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Dina S Dowlat
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Vivien Zell
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Avery C Hunker
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Larry S Zweifel
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Thomas S Hnasko
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.
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Li Y, Chitturi J, Yu B, Zhang Y, Wu J, Ti P, Hung W, Zhen M, Gao S. UBR-1 ubiquitin ligase regulates the balance between GABAergic and glutamatergic signaling. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e57014. [PMID: 37811674 PMCID: PMC10626437 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202357014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance is carefully maintained by the nervous system. The neurotransmitter GABA has been reported to be co-released with its sole precursor, the neurotransmitter glutamate. The genetic and circuitry mechanisms to establish the balance between GABAergic and glutamatergic signaling have not been fully elucidated. Caenorhabditis elegans DVB is an excitatory GABAergic motoneuron that drives the expulsion step in the defecation motor program. We show here that in addition to UNC-47, the vesicular GABA transporter, DVB also expresses EAT-4, a vesicular glutamate transporter. UBR-1, a conserved ubiquitin ligase, regulates DVB activity by suppressing a bidirectional inhibitory glutamate signaling. Loss of UBR-1 impairs DVB Ca2+ activity and expulsion frequency. These impairments are fully compensated by the knockdown of EAT-4 in DVB. Further, glutamate-gated chloride channels GLC-3 and GLC-2/4 receive DVB's glutamate signals to inhibit DVB and enteric muscle activity, respectively. These results implicate an intrinsic cellular mechanism that promotes the inherent asymmetric neural activity. We propose that elevated glutamate in ubr-1 mutants, being the cause of the E/I shift, potentially contributes to Johanson Blizzard syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Jyothsna Chitturi
- Lunenfeld‐Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai HospitalUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
| | - Bin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Yongning Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Jing Wu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Panpan Ti
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Wesley Hung
- Lunenfeld‐Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai HospitalUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
| | - Mei Zhen
- Lunenfeld‐Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai HospitalUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
| | - Shangbang Gao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging of the Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
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10
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Wang XY, Xu X, Chen R, Jia WB, Xu PF, Liu XQ, Zhang Y, Liu XF, Zhang Y. The thalamic reticular nucleus-lateral habenula circuit regulates depressive-like behaviors in chronic stress and chronic pain. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113170. [PMID: 37738124 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress and chronic pain are two major predisposing factors to trigger depression. Enhanced excitatory input to the lateral habenula (LHb) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. However, the contribution of inhibitory transmission remains unclear. Here, we dissect an inhibitory projection from the sensory thalamic reticular nucleus (sTRN) to the LHb, which is activated by acute aversive stimuli. However, chronic restraint stress (CRS) weakens sTRN-LHb synaptic strength, and this synaptic attenuation is indispensable for CRS-induced LHb neural hyperactivity and depression onset. Moreover, artificially inhibiting the sTRN-LHb circuit induces depressive-like behaviors in healthy mice, while enhancing this circuit relieves depression induced by both chronic stress and chronic pain. Intriguingly, neither neuropathic pain nor comorbid mechanical hypersensitivity in chronic stress is affected by this pathway. Altogether, our study demonstrates an sTRN-LHb circuit in establishing and modulating depression, thus shedding light on potential therapeutic targets for preventing or managing depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Yue Wang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Xiang Xu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Rui Chen
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Wen-Bin Jia
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Peng-Fei Xu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Xiao-Qing Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission of China, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Xin-Feng Liu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China.
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China.
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11
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Wallace ML, Sabatini BL. Synaptic and circuit functions of multitransmitter neurons in the mammalian brain. Neuron 2023; 111:2969-2983. [PMID: 37463580 PMCID: PMC10592565 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Neurons in the mammalian brain are not limited to releasing a single neurotransmitter but often release multiple neurotransmitters onto postsynaptic cells. Here, we review recent findings of multitransmitter neurons found throughout the mammalian central nervous system. We highlight recent technological innovations that have made the identification of new multitransmitter neurons and the study of their synaptic properties possible. We also focus on mechanisms and molecular constituents required for neurotransmitter corelease at the axon terminal and synaptic vesicle, as well as some possible functions of multitransmitter neurons in diverse brain circuits. We expect that these approaches will lead to new insights into the mechanism and function of multitransmitter neurons, their role in circuits, and their contribution to normal and pathological brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Wallace
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Bernardo L Sabatini
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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12
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Fu Y, Yang Y, Huang L, Huang X, Yang Q, Tao Q, Wu J, So KF, Lin S, Yuan TF, Ren C. A visual circuit related to the habenula mediates the prevention of cocaine relapse by bright light treatment. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2023; 68:2063-2076. [PMID: 37586975 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2023.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Despite significant advancements in our understanding of addiction at the neurobiological level, a highly effective extinction procedure for preventing relapse remains elusive. In this study, we report that bright light treatment (BLT) administered during cocaine withdrawal with extinction training prevents cocaine-driven reinstatement by acting through the thalamic-habenular pathway. We found that during cocaine withdrawal, the lateral habenula (LHb) was recruited, and inhibition of the LHb via BLT prevented cocaine-driven reinstatement. We also demonstrated that the effects of BLT were mediated by activating LHb-projecting neurons in the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus and intergeniculate leaflet (vLGN/IGL) or by inhibiting postsynaptic LHb neurons. Furthermore, BLT was found to improve aversive emotional states induced by drug withdrawal. Our findings suggest that BLT administered during the cocaine withdrawal may be a promising strategy for achieving drug abstinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunwei Fu
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Lu Huang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiaodan Huang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Brain Health Institute, National Center for Mental Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Qian Tao
- Psychology Department, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jijin Wu
- Physiology Department, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
| | - Song Lin
- Physiology Department, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | - Ti-Fei Yuan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Brain Health Institute, National Center for Mental Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China; Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China.
| | - Chaoran Ren
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China.
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13
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Kong D, Sun JX, Yang JQ, Li YS, Bi K, Zhang ZY, Wang KH, Luo HY, Zhu M, Xu Y. Ketogenic diet: a potential adjunctive treatment for substance use disorders. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1191903. [PMID: 37575322 PMCID: PMC10414993 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1191903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUD) can lead to serious health problems, and there is a great interest in developing new treatment methods to alleviate the impact of substance abuse. In recent years, the ketogenic diet (KD) has shown therapeutic benefits as a dietary therapy in a variety of neurological disorders. Recent studies suggest that KD can compensate for the glucose metabolism disorders caused by alcohol use disorder by increasing ketone metabolism, thereby reducing withdrawal symptoms and indicating the therapeutic potential of KD in SUD. Additionally, SUD often accompanies increased sugar intake, involving neural circuits and altered neuroplasticity similar to substance addiction, which may induce cross-sensitization and increased use of other abused substances. Reducing carbohydrate intake through KD may have a positive effect on this. Finally, SUD is often associated with mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress, inflammation, glia dysfunction, and gut microbial disorders, while KD may potentially reverse these abnormalities and serve a therapeutic role. Although there is much indirect evidence that KD has a positive effect on SUD, the small number of relevant studies and the fact that KD leads to side effects such as metabolic abnormalities, increased risk of malnutrition and gastrointestinal symptoms have led to the limitation of KD in the treatment of SUD. Here, we described the organismal disorders caused by SUD and the possible positive effects of KD, aiming to provide potential therapeutic directions for SUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deshenyue Kong
- General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command, Nanjing, China
- Yunnan Technological Innovation Centre of Drug Addiction Medicine, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jia-xue Sun
- Yunnan Technological Innovation Centre of Drug Addiction Medicine, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Ji-qun Yang
- Third People’s Hospital of Kunming City/Drug Rehabilitation Hospital of Kunming City, Kunming, China
| | - Yuan-sen Li
- Yunnan Technological Innovation Centre of Drug Addiction Medicine, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Ke Bi
- Yunnan Technological Innovation Centre of Drug Addiction Medicine, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Zun-yue Zhang
- Yunnan Technological Innovation Centre of Drug Addiction Medicine, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Kun-hua Wang
- Yunnan Technological Innovation Centre of Drug Addiction Medicine, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Hua-you Luo
- First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Mei Zhu
- First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yu Xu
- General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command, Nanjing, China
- Yunnan Technological Innovation Centre of Drug Addiction Medicine, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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14
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Corbett CM, Miller EN, Wannen EE, Rood BD, Chandler DJ, Loweth JA. Cocaine Exposure Increases Excitatory Synaptic Transmission and Intrinsic Excitability in the Basolateral Amygdala in Male and Female Rats and across the Estrous Cycle. Neuroendocrinology 2023; 113:1127-1139. [PMID: 37271140 PMCID: PMC10623393 DOI: 10.1159/000531351] [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: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sex and ovarian hormones influence cocaine seeking and relapse vulnerability, but less is known regarding the cellular and synaptic mechanisms contributing to these behavioral sex differences. One factor thought to influence cue-induced seeking behavior following withdrawal is cocaine-induced changes in the spontaneous activity of pyramidal neurons in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). However, the mechanisms underlying these changes, including potential sex or estrous cycle effects, are unknown. METHODS Ex vivo whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology was conducted to investigate the effects of cocaine exposure, sex, and estrous cycle fluctuations on two properties that can influence spontaneous activity of BLA pyramidal neurons: (1) frequency and amplitude of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) and (2) intrinsic excitability. Recordings of BLA pyramidal neurons were conducted in adult male and female rats and across the estrous cycle following 2-4 weeks of withdrawal from extended-access cocaine self-administration (6 h/day for 10 days) or drug-naïve conditions. RESULTS In both sexes, cocaine exposure increased the frequency, but not amplitude, of sEPSCs and neuronal intrinsic excitability. Across the estrous cycle, sEPSC frequency and intrinsic excitability were significantly elevated only in cocaine-exposed females in the estrus stage of the cycle, a stage when cocaine-seeking behavior is known to be enhanced. CONCLUSIONS Here, we identify potential mechanisms underlying cocaine-induced alterations in the spontaneous activity of BLA pyramidal neurons in both sexes along with changes in these properties across the estrous cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire M. Corbett
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
| | - Emily N.D. Miller
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
| | - Erin E. Wannen
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
| | - Benjamin D Rood
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
| | - Daniel J. Chandler
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jessica A. Loweth
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
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15
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Du Y, Li J, Wang M, Tian Q, Pang Y, Wen Y, Wu D, Wang YT, Dong Z. Genetic inhibition of glutamate allosteric potentiation of GABA ARs in mice results in hyperexcitability, leading to neurobehavioral abnormalities. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e235. [PMID: 37101797 PMCID: PMC10123808 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.235] [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: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The imbalance between neuronal excitation and inhibition (E/I) in neural circuit has been considered to be at the root of numerous brain disorders. We recently reported a novel feedback crosstalk between the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate and inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAAR)-glutamate allosteric potentiation of GABAAR functions through a direct binding of glutamate to the GABAAR itself. Here, we investigated the physiological significance and pathological implications of this cross-talk by generating the β3E182G knock-in (KI) mice. We found that β3E182G KI, while had little effect on basal GABAAR-mediated synaptic transmission, significantly reduced glutamate potentiation of GABAAR-mediated responses. These KI mice displayed lower thresholds for noxious stimuli, higher susceptibility to seizures and enhanced hippocampus-related learning and memory. Additionally, the KI mice exhibited impaired social interactions and decreased anxiety-like behaviors. Importantly, hippocampal overexpression of wild-type β3-containing GABAARs was sufficient to rescue the deficits of glutamate potentiation of GABAAR-mediated responses, hippocampus-related behavioral abnormalities of increased epileptic susceptibility, and impaired social interactions. Our data indicate that the novel crosstalk among excitatory glutamate and inhibitory GABAAR functions as a homeostatic mechanism in fine-tuning neuronal E/I balance, thereby playing an essential role in ensuring normal brain functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehong Du
- Growth, Development, and Mental Health of Children and Adolescence CenterPediatric Research InstituteMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and DisordersNational Clinical Research Center for Child Health and DisordersChina International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical DisordersChongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory DisordersChildren's Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Junjie Li
- Growth, Development, and Mental Health of Children and Adolescence CenterPediatric Research InstituteMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and DisordersNational Clinical Research Center for Child Health and DisordersChina International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical DisordersChongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory DisordersChildren's Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Maoju Wang
- Growth, Development, and Mental Health of Children and Adolescence CenterPediatric Research InstituteMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and DisordersNational Clinical Research Center for Child Health and DisordersChina International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical DisordersChongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory DisordersChildren's Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Qiuyun Tian
- Growth, Development, and Mental Health of Children and Adolescence CenterPediatric Research InstituteMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and DisordersNational Clinical Research Center for Child Health and DisordersChina International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical DisordersChongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory DisordersChildren's Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Yayan Pang
- Growth, Development, and Mental Health of Children and Adolescence CenterPediatric Research InstituteMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and DisordersNational Clinical Research Center for Child Health and DisordersChina International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical DisordersChongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory DisordersChildren's Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Ya Wen
- Brain Research Centre and Department of MedicineVancouver Coastal Health Research InstituteUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Dongchuan Wu
- Translational Medicine Research CenterChina Medical University HospitalGraduate Institutes of Biomedical SciencesTaichungChina
| | - Yu Tian Wang
- Brain Research Centre and Department of MedicineVancouver Coastal Health Research InstituteUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Zhifang Dong
- Growth, Development, and Mental Health of Children and Adolescence CenterPediatric Research InstituteMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and DisordersNational Clinical Research Center for Child Health and DisordersChina International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical DisordersChongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory DisordersChildren's Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- Institute for Brain Science and Disease of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
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16
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Lecourtier L, Durieux L, Mathis V. Alteration of Lateral Habenula Function Prevents the Proper Exploration of a Novel Environment. Neuroscience 2023; 514:56-66. [PMID: 36716915 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The lateral habenula (LHb) is an epithalamic brain region viewed as a converging hub, integrating information from a large connectome and then projecting to few critical midbrain monoaminergic systems. Numerous studies have explored the roles of the LHb, notably in aversion and avoidance. An important recurring finding when manipulating the LHb is the induction of anxiety-related behaviours. However, its exact role in such behaviours remains poorly understood. In the present study, we used two pharmacological approaches altering LHb activity, intra-LHb infusion of either the GABA-A receptor agonist, Muscimol, or the glutamatergic AMPA receptor antagonist, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) and exposed rats to three consecutive open field (OF) sessions. We found that both pharmacological treatments prevented rats to explore the centre of the OF, considered as the most anxiogenic part of the apparatus, across the three OF sessions. In addition, during the first, but not the two consecutive sessions, both treatments prevented a thorough exploration of the OF. Altogether, these results confirm the crucial role played by the LHb in anxiety-related behaviours and further suggest its implication in the exploration of new anxiogenic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Lecourtier
- Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de La Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, UMR 7364 Strasbourg, France
| | - Laura Durieux
- Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de La Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, UMR 7364 Strasbourg, France
| | - Victor Mathis
- Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de La Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, UMR 7364 Strasbourg, France.
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17
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Wang W, Xie X, Zhuang X, Huang Y, Tan T, Gangal H, Huang Z, Purvines W, Wang X, Stefanov A, Chen R, Rodriggs L, Chaiprasert A, Yu E, Vierkant V, Hook M, Huang Y, Darcq E, Wang J. Striatal μ-opioid receptor activation triggers direct-pathway GABAergic plasticity and induces negative affect. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112089. [PMID: 36796365 PMCID: PMC10404641 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112089] [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: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Withdrawal from chronic opioid use often causes hypodopaminergic states and negative affect, which may drive relapse. Direct-pathway medium spiny neurons (dMSNs) in the striatal patch compartment contain μ-opioid receptors (MORs). It remains unclear how chronic opioid exposure and withdrawal impact these MOR-expressing dMSNs and their outputs. Here, we report that MOR activation acutely suppressed GABAergic striatopallidal transmission in habenula-projecting globus pallidus neurons. Notably, withdrawal from repeated morphine or fentanyl administration potentiated this GABAergic transmission. Furthermore, intravenous fentanyl self-administration enhanced GABAergic striatonigral transmission and reduced midbrain dopaminergic activity. Fentanyl-activated striatal neurons mediated contextual memory retrieval required for conditioned place preference tests. Importantly, chemogenetic inhibition of striatal MOR+ neurons rescued fentanyl withdrawal-induced physical symptoms and anxiety-like behaviors. These data suggest that chronic opioid use triggers GABAergic striatopallidal and striatonigral plasticity to induce a hypodopaminergic state, which may promote negative emotions and relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Xueyi Xie
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Xiaowen Zhuang
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Yufei Huang
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Tao Tan
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Himanshu Gangal
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Zhenbo Huang
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - William Purvines
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Xuehua Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Alexander Stefanov
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Ruifeng Chen
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Lucas Rodriggs
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Anita Chaiprasert
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Emily Yu
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Valerie Vierkant
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Michelle Hook
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Yun Huang
- Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Emmanuel Darcq
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Strasbourg, INSERM U1114, 67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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18
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Kim S, Sabatini BL. Analytical approaches to examine gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate vesicular co-packaging. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2023; 14:1076616. [PMID: 36685083 PMCID: PMC9846491 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2022.1076616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Multi-transmitter neurons, i.e., those that release more than one type of neurotransmitter, have been found in many organisms and brain areas. Given the peculiar biology of these cells, as well as the potential for diverse effects of each of the transmitters released, new tools, and approaches are necessary to parse the mechanisms and functions of synaptic co-transmission. Recently, we and others have studied neurons that project to the lateral habenula and release both gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate, in some cases by packaging both transmitters in the same synaptic vesicles. Here, we discuss the main challenges with current electrophysiological approaches to studying the mechanisms of glutamate/GABA co-release, a novel statistical analysis that can identify co-packaging of neurotransmitters versus release from separate vesicle, and the implications of glutamate/GABA co-release for synapse function and plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bernardo L. Sabatini
- Department of Neurobiology and Harvard Medical School, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA, United States
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19
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Granger AJ, Mao K, Saulnier JL, Hines ME, Sabatini BL. Developmental regulation of GABAergic gene expression in forebrain cholinergic neurons. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1125071. [PMID: 37035505 PMCID: PMC10080005 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1125071] [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: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Acetylcholine and GABA are often co-released, including from VIP-expressing neurons of the cortex, cortically-projecting neurons of the globus pallidus externus and basal forebrain, and hippocampal-projecting neurons of the medial septum. The co-release of the functionally antagonistic neurotransmitters GABA and acetylcholine (ACh) greatly expands the possible functional effects of cholinergic neurons and provides an additional exogenous source of inhibition to the cortex. Transgene expression suggests that nearly all forebrain cholinergic neurons in mice at some point in development express Slc32a1, which encodes the vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT). To determine the degree of co-expression of GABA and Ach handling proteins, we measured expression in adult mice of Slc32a1, Gad1 and Gad2 (which encode GAD67 and GAD65, respectively, the GABA synthetic enzymes) in cholinergic neurons using fluorescent in situ hybridization. We found that only a subset of cholinergic neurons express the necessary machinery for GABA release at a single time in adult mice. This suggests that GABA co-release from cholinergic neurons is dynamic and potentially developmentally regulated. By measuring expression of Slc32a1, Gad1, Gad2, and Chat in the basal forebrain and medial septum in mice from post-natal day 0 to 28, we noted abundant yet variable expressions of GABAergic markers across early development, which are subsequently downregulated in adulthood. This is in contrast with the forebrain-projecting pedunculopontine nucleus, which showed no evidence of co-expression of GABAergic genes. These results suggest that expression of GABA signaling machinery in the cortically-projecting cholinergic system peaks during early development before settling at a non-zero level that is maintained through adulthood.
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20
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Liu X, Huang H, Zhang Y, Wang L, Wang F. Sexual Dimorphism of Inputs to the Lateral Habenula in Mice. Neurosci Bull 2022; 38:1439-1456. [PMID: 35644002 PMCID: PMC9723051 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-00885-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The lateral habenula (LHb), which is a critical neuroanatomical hub and a regulator of midbrain monoaminergic centers, is activated by events resulting in negative valence and contributes to the expression of both appetitive and aversive behaviors. However, whole-brain cell-type-specific monosynaptic inputs to the LHb in both sexes remain incompletely elucidated. In this study, we used viral tracing combined with in situ hybridization targeting vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (vGlut2) and glutamic acid decarboxylase 2 (Gad2) to generate a comprehensive whole-brain atlas of inputs to glutamatergic and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons in the LHb. We found >30 ipsilateral and contralateral brain regions that projected to the LHb. Of these, there were significantly more monosynaptic LHb-projecting neurons from the lateral septum, anterior hypothalamus, dorsomedial hypothalamus, and ventromedial hypothalamus in females than in males. More interestingly, we found a stronger GABAergic projection from the medial septum to the LHb in males than in females. Our results reveal a comprehensive connectivity atlas of glutamatergic and GABAergic inputs to the LHb in both sexes, which may facilitate a better understanding of sexual dimorphism in physiological and pathological brain functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Liu
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hongren Huang
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yulin Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Liping Wang
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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21
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King SG, Gaudreault PO, Malaker P, Kim JW, Alia-Klein N, Xu J, Goldstein RZ. Prefrontal-habenular microstructural impairments in human cocaine and heroin addiction. Neuron 2022; 110:3820-3832.e4. [PMID: 36206758 PMCID: PMC9671835 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The habenula (Hb) is central to adaptive reward- and aversion-driven behaviors, comprising a hub for higher-order processing networks involving the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Despite an established role in preclinical models of cocaine addiction, the translational significance of the Hb and its connectivity with the PFC in humans is unclear. Using diffusion tractography, we detailed PFC structural connectivity with the Hb and two control regions, quantifying tract-specific microstructural features in healthy and cocaine-addicted individuals. White matter was uniquely impaired in PFC-Hb projections in both short-term abstainers and current cocaine users. Abnormalities in this tract further generalized to an independent sample of heroin-addicted individuals and were associated, in an exploratory analysis, with earlier onset of drug use across the addiction subgroups, potentially serving as a predisposing marker amenable for early intervention. Importantly, these findings contextualize a plausible PFC-Hb circuit in the human brain, supporting preclinical evidence for its impairment in cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah G King
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Pierre-Olivier Gaudreault
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Pias Malaker
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Joo-Won Kim
- Departments of Radiology and Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nelly Alia-Klein
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Junqian Xu
- Departments of Radiology and Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Rita Z Goldstein
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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22
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Nentwig TB, Vaughan DT, Braunscheidel KM, Browning BD, Woodward JJ, Chandler LJ. The lateral habenula is not required for ethanol dependence-induced escalation of drinking. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:2123-2131. [PMID: 35717465 PMCID: PMC9556754 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01357-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The lateral habenula (LHb) is an epithalamic nuclei that has been shown to signal the aversive properties of ethanol. The present study tested the hypothesis that activity of the LHb is required for the acquisition and/or expression of dependence-induced escalation of ethanol drinking and somatic withdrawal symptoms. Male Sprague-Dawley rats completed 4 weeks of baseline drinking under a standard intermittent access two-bottle choice (2BC) paradigm before undergoing 2 weeks of daily chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) via vapor inhalation. Following this CIE exposure period, rats resumed 2BC drinking to assess dependence-induced changes in voluntary ethanol consumption. CIE exposed rats exhibited a significant increase in ethanol drinking that was associated with high levels of blood alcohol and a reduction in somatic symptoms of ethanol withdrawal. However, despite robust cFos activation in the LHb during ethanol withdrawal, chemogenetic inhibition of the LHb did not alter either ethanol consumption or somatic signs of ethanol withdrawal. Consistent with this observation, ablating LHb outputs via electrolytic lesions of the fasciculus retroflexus (FR) did not alter the acquisition of somatic withdrawal symptoms or escalation of ethanol drinking in CIE-exposed rats. The LHb controls activity of the rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg), a midbrain nucleus activated by aversive experiences including ethanol withdrawal. During ethanol withdrawal, both FR lesioned and sham control rats exhibited similar cFos activation in the RMTg, suggesting that RMTg activation during ethanol withdrawal does not require LHb input. These data suggest that, at least in male rats, the LHb is not necessary for the acquisition or expression of escalation of ethanol consumption or expression of somatic symptoms of ethanol withdrawal. Overall, our findings provide evidence that the LHb is dispensable for some of the negative consequences of ethanol withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd B Nentwig
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Dylan T Vaughan
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kevin M Braunscheidel
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Department of Neuroscience Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brittney D Browning
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - John J Woodward
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - L Judson Chandler
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
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23
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Glutamate and GABA A receptor crosstalk mediates homeostatic regulation of neuronal excitation in the mammalian brain. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:340. [PMID: 36184627 PMCID: PMC9527238 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01148-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Maintaining a proper balance between the glutamate receptor-mediated neuronal excitation and the A type of GABA receptor (GABAAR) mediated inhibition is essential for brain functioning; and its imbalance contributes to the pathogenesis of many brain disorders including neurodegenerative diseases and mental illnesses. Here we identify a novel glutamate-GABAAR interaction mediated by a direct glutamate binding of the GABAAR. In HEK293 cells overexpressing recombinant GABAARs, glutamate and its analog ligands, while producing no current on their own, potentiate GABA-evoked currents. This potentiation is mediated by a direct binding at a novel glutamate binding pocket located at the α+/β− subunit interface of the GABAAR. Moreover, the potentiation does not require the presence of a γ subunit, and in fact, the presence of γ subunit significantly reduces the potency of the glutamate potentiation. In addition, the glutamate-mediated allosteric potentiation occurs on native GABAARs in rat neurons maintained in culture, as evidenced by the potentiation of GABAAR-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents and tonic currents. Most importantly, we found that genetic impairment of this glutamate potentiation in knock-in mice resulted in phenotypes of increased neuronal excitability, including decreased thresholds to noxious stimuli and increased seizure susceptibility. These results demonstrate a novel cross-talk between excitatory transmitter glutamate and inhibitory GABAAR. Such a rapid and short feedback loop between the two principal excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission systems may play a critical homeostatic role in fine-tuning the excitation-inhibition balance (E/I balance), thereby maintaining neuronal excitability in the mammalian brain under both physiological and pathological conditions.
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24
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Circuits regulating pleasure and happiness - focus on potential biomarkers for circuitry including the habenuloid complex. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2022; 34:229-239. [PMID: 35587050 DOI: 10.1017/neu.2022.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The multiplicity and complexity of the neuronal connections in the central nervous system make it difficult to disentangle circuits that play an essential role in the development or treatment of (neuro)psychiatric disorders. By choosing the evolutionary development of the forebrain as a starting point, a certain order in the connections can be created. The dorsal diencephalic connection (DDC) system can be applied for the development of biomarkers that can predict treatment response. MATERIALS AND METHODS After providing a brief introduction to the theory, we examined neuroanatomical publications on the connectivity of the DDC system. We then searched for neurochemical components that are specific for the habenula. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The best strategy to find biomarkers that reflect the function of the habenular connection is to use genetic variants of receptors, transporters or enzymes specific to this complex. By activating these with probes and measuring the response in people with different functional genotypes, the usefulness of biomarkers can be assessed. CONCLUSIONS The most promising biomarkers in this respect are those linked to activation or inhibition of the nicotine receptor, dopamine D4 receptor, μ-opioid receptor and also those of the functioning of habenular glia cells (astrocytes and microglia).
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25
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Linders LE, Supiot LF, Du W, D’Angelo R, Adan RAH, Riga D, Meye FJ. Studying Synaptic Connectivity and Strength with Optogenetics and Patch-Clamp Electrophysiology. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911612. [PMID: 36232917 PMCID: PMC9570045 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last two decades the combination of brain slice patch clamp electrophysiology with optogenetic stimulation has proven to be a powerful approach to analyze the architecture of neural circuits and (experience-dependent) synaptic plasticity in such networks. Using this combination of methods, originally termed channelrhodopsin-assisted circuit mapping (CRACM), a multitude of measures of synaptic functioning can be taken. The current review discusses their rationale, current applications in the field, and their associated caveats. Specifically, the review addresses: (1) How to assess the presence of synaptic connections, both in terms of ionotropic versus metabotropic receptor signaling, and in terms of mono- versus polysynaptic connectivity. (2) How to acquire and interpret measures for synaptic strength and function, like AMPAR/NMDAR, AMPAR rectification, paired-pulse ratio (PPR), coefficient of variance and input-specific quantal sizes. We also address how synaptic modulation by G protein-coupled receptors can be studied with pharmacological approaches and advanced technology. (3) Finally, we elaborate on advances on the use of dual color optogenetics in concurrent investigation of multiple synaptic pathways. Overall, with this review we seek to provide practical insights into the methods used to study neural circuits and synapses, by combining optogenetics and patch-clamp electrophysiology.
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26
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Xu J, Jo A, DeVries RP, Deniz S, Cherian S, Sunmola I, Song X, Marshall JJ, Gruner KA, Daigle TL, Contractor A, Lerner TN, Zeng H, Zhu Y. Intersectional mapping of multi-transmitter neurons and other cell types in the brain. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111036. [PMID: 35793636 PMCID: PMC9290751 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent developments in intersectional strategies have greatly advanced our ability to precisely target brain cell types based on unique co-expression patterns. To accelerate the application of intersectional genetics, we perform a brain-wide characterization of 13 Flp and tTA mouse driver lines and selected seven for further analysis based on expression of vesicular neurotransmitter transporters. Using selective Cre driver lines, we created more than 10 Cre/tTA combinational lines for cell type targeting and circuit analysis. We then used VGLUT-Cre/VGAT-Flp combinational lines to identify and map 30 brain regions containing neurons that co-express vesicular glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporters, followed by tracing their projections with intersectional viral vectors. Focusing on the lateral habenula (LHb) as a target, we identified glutamatergic, GABAergic, or co-glutamatergic/GABAergic innervations from ∼40 brain regions. These data provide an important resource for the future application of intersectional strategies and expand our understanding of the neuronal subtypes in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Xu
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Andrew Jo
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Raina P DeVries
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Sercan Deniz
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Suraj Cherian
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Idris Sunmola
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Xingqi Song
- School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - John J Marshall
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Katherine A Gruner
- Mouse Histology and Phenotyping Laboratory, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Tanya L Daigle
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Anis Contractor
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Talia N Lerner
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Hongkui Zeng
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Yongling Zhu
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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27
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van de Haar LL, Riga D, Boer JE, Garritsen O, Adolfs Y, Sieburgh TE, van Dijk RE, Watanabe K, van Kronenburg NCH, Broekhoven MH, Posthuma D, Meye FJ, Basak O, Pasterkamp RJ. Molecular signatures and cellular diversity during mouse habenula development. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111029. [PMID: 35793630 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The habenula plays a key role in various motivated and pathological behaviors and is composed of molecularly distinct neuron subtypes. Despite progress in identifying mature habenula neuron subtypes, how these subtypes develop and organize into functional brain circuits remains largely unknown. Here, we performed single-cell transcriptional profiling of mouse habenular neurons at critical developmental stages, instructed by detailed three-dimensional anatomical data. Our data reveal cellular and molecular trajectories during embryonic and postnatal development, leading to different habenular subtypes. Further, based on this analysis, our work establishes the distinctive functional properties and projection target of a subtype of Cartpt+ habenula neurons. Finally, we show how comparison of single-cell transcriptional profiles and GWAS data links specific developing habenular subtypes to psychiatric disease. Together, our study begins to dissect the mechanisms underlying habenula neuron subtype-specific development and creates a framework for further interrogation of habenular development in normal and disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lieke L van de Haar
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Danai Riga
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Juliska E Boer
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Oxana Garritsen
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Youri Adolfs
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas E Sieburgh
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Roland E van Dijk
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Kyoko Watanabe
- Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nicky C H van Kronenburg
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Mark H Broekhoven
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Danielle Posthuma
- Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Frank J Meye
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Onur Basak
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - R Jeroen Pasterkamp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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28
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Kim S, Wallace ML, El-Rifai M, Knudsen AR, Sabatini BL. Co-packaging of opposing neurotransmitters in individual synaptic vesicles in the central nervous system. Neuron 2022; 110:1371-1384.e7. [PMID: 35120627 PMCID: PMC9056948 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Many mammalian neurons release multiple neurotransmitters to activate diverse classes of postsynaptic ionotropic receptors. Entopeduncular nucleus somatostatin (EP Sst+) projection neurons to the lateral habenula (LHb) release both glutamate and GABA, but it is unclear whether these are packaged into the same or segregated pools of synaptic vesicles. Here, we describe a method combining electrophysiology, spatially patterned optogenetics, and computational modeling designed to analyze the mechanism of glutamate/GABA co-release in mouse brain. We find that the properties of postsynaptic currents elicited in LHb neurons by optogenetically activating EP Sst+ terminals are only consistent with co-packaging of glutamate/GABA into individual vesicles. Furthermore, presynaptic neuromodulators that weaken EP Sst+ to LHb synapses maintain the co-packaging of glutamate/GABA while reducing vesicular release probability. Our approach is applicable to the study of multi-transmitter neurons throughout the brain, and our results constrain the mechanisms of neuromodulation and synaptic integration in LHb.
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Affiliation(s)
- SeulAh Kim
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michael L Wallace
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mahmoud El-Rifai
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 01225, USA
| | - Alexa R Knudsen
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Bernardo L Sabatini
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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29
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Mondoloni S, Mameli M. Why stay lonely packaged in a synaptic vesicle when you can be in good company? A GABA-glutamate gathering. Neuron 2022; 110:1280-1283. [PMID: 35447097 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Neurons can release multiple neurotransmitters. Are they packaged in segregated pools of vesicles or within the same ones? In this issue of Neuron, Kim et al., 2022, examined features of GABA-glutamate co-release at basal ganglia to habenula synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Mondoloni
- The Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, The University of Lausanne 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Mameli
- The Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, The University of Lausanne 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland; Inserm, UMR-S 839, 75005 Paris, France.
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30
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Dai D, Li W, Chen A, Gao XF, Xiong L. Lateral Habenula and Its Potential Roles in Pain and Related Behaviors. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:1108-1118. [PMID: 35412792 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The lateral habenula (LHb) is a tiny structure that acts as a hub, relaying signals from the limbic forebrain structures and basal ganglia to the brainstem modulatory area. Facilitated by updated knowledge and more precise manipulation of circuits, the progress in figuring out the neural circuits and functions of the LHb has increased dramatically over the past decade. Importantly, LHb is found to play an integrative role and has profound effects on a variety of behaviors associated with pain, including depression-like and anxiety-like behaviors, antireward or aversion, aggression, defensive behavior, and substance use disorder. Thus, LHb is a potential target for improving pain management and related disorders. In this review, we focused on the functions, related circuits, and neurotransmissions of the LHb in pain processing and related behaviors. A comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the LHb and pain will help to find new pain treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danqing Dai
- Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1481, Xinshi North Road, Shanghai 200434, China
- Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1279, Sanmen Road, Shanghai 200434, China
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1279, Sanmen Road, Shanghai 200434, China
| | - Wanrong Li
- Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1481, Xinshi North Road, Shanghai 200434, China
- Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1279, Sanmen Road, Shanghai 200434, China
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1279, Sanmen Road, Shanghai 200434, China
| | - Aiwen Chen
- Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1481, Xinshi North Road, Shanghai 200434, China
- Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1279, Sanmen Road, Shanghai 200434, China
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1279, Sanmen Road, Shanghai 200434, China
| | - Xiao-Fei Gao
- Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1481, Xinshi North Road, Shanghai 200434, China
- Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1279, Sanmen Road, Shanghai 200434, China
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1279, Sanmen Road, Shanghai 200434, China
| | - Lize Xiong
- Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1481, Xinshi North Road, Shanghai 200434, China
- Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1279, Sanmen Road, Shanghai 200434, China
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1279, Sanmen Road, Shanghai 200434, China
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31
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Excitatory selective LTP of supramammillary glutamatergic/GABAergic cotransmission potentiates dentate granule cell firing. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2119636119. [PMID: 35333647 PMCID: PMC9060512 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2119636119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
It is now established that many neurons can release multiple transmitters. Recent studies revealed that fast-acting neurotransmitters, glutamate and GABA, are coreleased from the same presynaptic terminals in some adult brain regions. The dentate gyrus (DG) granule cells (GCs) are innervated by the hypothalamic supramammillary nucleus (SuM) afferents that corelease glutamate and GABA. However, how these functionally opposing neurotransmitters contribute to DG information processing remains unclear. We show that glutamatergic, but not GABAergic, cotransmission exhibits long-term potentiation (LTP) at SuM-GC synapses. By the excitatory selective LTP, the excitation/inhibition balance of SuM inputs increases, and GC firing is enhanced. This study provides evidence that glutamatergic/GABAergic cotransmission balance is rapidly changed in an activity-dependent manner, and such plasticity may modulate DG activity. Emerging evidence indicates that the functionally opposing neurotransmitters, glutamate and GABA, are coreleased from the same presynaptic terminals in some adult brain regions. The supramammillary nucleus (SuM) is one region that coreleases glutamate and GABA in the dentate gyrus (DG) through its afferents. Although the SuM-DG pathway has been implicated in various brain functions, little is known about the functional roles of the peculiar features of glutamate/GABA corelease. Here, we show that depolarization of granule cells (GCs) triggers postsynaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) of glutamatergic, but not GABAergic, cotransmission at SuM-GC synapses. Moreover, the burst activity of perforant-path inputs heterosynaptically induces LTP at excitatory SuM-GC synapses. This non-Hebbian LTP requires postsynaptic Ca2+ influx, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) activity, and exocytosis of AMPA receptors. Glutamatergic transmission-selective expression of LTP increases the excitatory drive such that SuM inputs become sufficient to discharge GCs. Our results highlight a form of LTP, which dynamically and rapidly changes the glutamatergic/GABAergic cotransmission balance and contributes to DG network activity.
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Lalive AL, Congiu M, Lewis C, Groos D, Clerke JA, Tchenio A, Ge Y, Helmchen F, Mameli M. Synaptic inhibition in the lateral habenula shapes reward anticipation. Curr Biol 2022; 32:1829-1836.e4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Szlaga A, Sambak P, Trenk A, Gugula A, Singleton CE, Drwiega G, Blasiak T, Ma S, Gundlach AL, Blasiak A. Functional Neuroanatomy of the Rat Nucleus Incertus–Medial Septum Tract: Implications for the Cell-Specific Control of the Septohippocampal Pathway. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:836116. [PMID: 35281300 PMCID: PMC8913896 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.836116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The medial septum (MS) is critically involved in theta rhythmogenesis and control of the hippocampal network, with which it is reciprocally connected. MS activity is influenced by brainstem structures, including the stress-sensitive, nucleus incertus (NI), the main source of the neuropeptide relaxin-3 (RLN3). In the current study, we conducted a comprehensive neurochemical and electrophysiological characterization of NI neurons innervating the MS in the rat, by employing classical and viral-based neural tract-tracing and electrophysiological approaches, and multiplex fluorescent in situ hybridization. We confirmed earlier reports that the MS is innervated by RLN3 NI neurons and documented putative glutamatergic (vGlut2 mRNA-expressing) neurons as a relevant NI neuronal population within the NI–MS tract. Moreover, we observed that NI neurons innervating MS can display a dual phenotype for GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission, and that 40% of MS-projecting NI neurons express the corticotropin-releasing hormone-1 receptor. We demonstrated that an identified cholecystokinin (CCK)-positive NI neuronal population is part of the NI–MS tract, and that RLN3 and CCK NI neurons belong to a neuronal pool expressing the calcium-binding proteins, calbindin and calretinin. Finally, our electrophysiological studies revealed that MS is innervated by A-type potassium current-expressing, type I NI neurons, and that type I and II NI neurons differ markedly in their neurophysiological properties. Together these findings indicate that the MS is controlled by a discrete NI neuronal network with specific electrophysiological and neurochemical features; and these data are of particular importance for understanding neuronal mechanisms underlying the control of the septohippocampal system and related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Szlaga
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Patryk Sambak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Trenk
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Gugula
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Caitlin E. Singleton
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Gniewosz Drwiega
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Tomasz Blasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Sherie Ma
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew L. Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Anna Blasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
- *Correspondence: Anna Blasiak,
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A diencephalic circuit in rats for opioid analgesia but not positive reinforcement. Nat Commun 2022; 13:764. [PMID: 35140231 PMCID: PMC8828762 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28332-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mu opioid receptor (MOR) agonists are potent analgesics, but also cause sedation, respiratory depression, and addiction risk. The epithalamic lateral habenula (LHb) signals aversive states including pain, and here we found that it is a potent site for MOR-agonist analgesia-like responses in rats. Importantly, LHb MOR activation is not reinforcing in the absence of noxious input. The LHb receives excitatory inputs from multiple sites including the ventral tegmental area, lateral hypothalamus, entopeduncular nucleus, and the lateral preoptic area of the hypothalamus (LPO). Here we report that LHb-projecting glutamatergic LPO neurons are excited by noxious stimulation and are preferentially inhibited by MOR selective agonists. Critically, optogenetic stimulation of LHb-projecting LPO neurons produces an aversive state that is relieved by LHb MOR activation, and optogenetic inhibition of LHb-projecting LPO neurons relieves the aversiveness of ongoing pain. Opioids are potent analgesics but also have addiction risk. Here a lateral preoptic area to lateral habenula connection is identified by which opioids relieve ongoing pain but do not produce reward in animals that do not have ongoing pain.
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Zheng Z, Guo C, Li M, Yang L, Liu P, Zhang X, Liu Y, Guo X, Cao S, Dong Y, Zhang C, Chen M, Xu J, Hu H, Cui Y. Hypothalamus-habenula potentiation encodes chronic stress experience and drives depression onset. Neuron 2022; 110:1400-1415.e6. [PMID: 35114101 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Chronic stress is a major risk factor for depression onset. However, it remains unclear how repeated stress sculpts neural circuits and finally elicits depression. Given the essential role of lateral habenula (LHb) in depression, here, we attempt to clarify how LHb-centric neural circuitry integrates stress-related information. We identify lateral hypothalamus (LH) as the most physiologically relevant input to LHb under stress. LH neurons fire with a unique pattern that efficiently drives postsynaptic potential summation and a closely followed LHb bursting (EPSP-burst pairing) in response to various stressors. We found that LH-LHb synaptic potentiation is determinant in stress-induced depression. Mimicking this repeated EPSP-burst pairings at LH-LHb synapses by photostimulation, we artificially induced an "emotional status" merely by potentiating this pathway in mice. Collectively, these results delineate the spatiotemporal dynamics of chronic stress processing from forebrain onto LHb in a pathway-, cell-type-, and pattern-specific manner, shedding light on early interventions before depression onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Zheng
- Department of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058 Hangzhou, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, 311121 Hangzhou, China; NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Chen Guo
- Department of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058 Hangzhou, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, 311121 Hangzhou, China; NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058 Hangzhou, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, 311121 Hangzhou, China; NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Liang Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058 Hangzhou, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, 311121 Hangzhou, China; NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Pengyang Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuliang Zhang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Yiqin Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaonan Guo
- Department of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuxia Cao
- Department of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Yiyan Dong
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, 311121 Hangzhou, China; NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Chunlei Zhang
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Min Chen
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, 311121 Hangzhou, China; NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiamin Xu
- East China Normal University, Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, 200062 Shanghai, China
| | - Hailan Hu
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, 311121 Hangzhou, China; NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China
| | - Yihui Cui
- Department of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058 Hangzhou, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, 311121 Hangzhou, China; NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China.
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Zhu C, Hong T, Li H, Jiang S, Guo B, Wang L, Ding J, Gao C, Sun Y, Sun T, Wang F, Wang Y, Wan D. Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonist Exendin-4 Facilitates the Extinction of Cocaine-Induced Condition Place Preference. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 15:711750. [PMID: 35024034 PMCID: PMC8744468 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2021.711750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating studies suggest that the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist exendin-4 (Ex4) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) play a pivotal role in the maladaptive behavior of cocaine. However, few studies have assessed whether Ex4 can facilitate the extinction of drug-associated behavior and attenuate the reinstatement of cocaine-induced condition place preference (CPP) in mice. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate Ex4's ability to regulate the extinction and reinstatement of cocaine-induced CPP. C57BL/6 mice were conditioned to either cocaine (20 mg/kg) or an equivalent volume of saline to establish a cocaine-mediated CPP paradigm. To investigate the potential effects of Ex4 on extinction, animals received an intraperitoneal injection of Ex4 either immediately or 6 h after each extinction or only on the test day. The persistence of extinction was measured using the reinstatement paradigm evoked by 10 mg/kg of cocaine. To explore the possible impacts of Ex4 and neuroinflammation on cocaine, the expression levels of TLR4 within the hippocampus was detected using western blotting. As a result, we found that systemic administration of Ex4 immediately after each extinction training, instead of 6 h after each extinction and on the day of extinction test, was capable of facilitating extinction in the confined or non-confined CPP extinction paradigms and blocking the cocaine-primed reinstatement of cocaine-induced CPP. Additionally, we also observed that Ex4 was competent to alleviate TLR4 signaling that has been up-regulated by cocaine. Altogether, our findings indicated that the combination of Ex4 with daily extinction training was sufficient to facilitate extinction of the conditioned behavior, attenuate reinstatement of cocaine-induced CPP and inhibit TLR4 signaling. Thus, Ex4 deserves further investigation as a potential intervention for the treatment of cocaine use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changliang Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Tao Hong
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Hailiang Li
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Shucai Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Baorui Guo
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jiangwei Ding
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Caibin Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Tao Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yangyang Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Din Wan
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
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37
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Zhu C, Wang L, Ding J, Li H, Wan D, Sun Y, Guo B, He Z, Ren X, Jiang S, Gao C, Guo H, Sun T, Wang F. Effects of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Exendin-4 on the Reinstatement of Cocaine-Mediated Conditioned Place Preference in Mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 15:769664. [PMID: 35069139 PMCID: PMC8766416 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.769664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A high percentage of relapse to compulsive cocaine-taking and cocaine-seeking behaviors following abstinence constitutes a major obstacle to the clinical treatment of cocaine addiction. Thus, there is a substantial need to develop effective pharmacotherapies for the prevention of cocaine relapse. The reinstatement paradigm is known as the most commonly used animal model to study relapse in abstinent human addicts. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the potential effects of systemic administration of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) exendin-4 (Ex4) on the cocaine- and stress-triggered reinstatement of cocaine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in male C57BL/6J mice. The biased CPP paradigm was induced by alternating administration of saline and cocaine (20 mg/kg), followed by extinction training and then reinstatement by either a cocaine prime (10 mg/kg) or exposure to swimming on the reinstatement test day. To examine the effects of Ex4 on the reinstatement, Ex4 was systemically administered 1 h after the daily extinction session. Additionally, we also explored the associated molecular basis of the behavioral effects of Ex4. The expression of nuclear factor κβ (NF-κβ) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) was detected using Western blotting. As a result, all animals that were treated with cocaine during the conditioning period successfully acquired CPP, and their CPP response was extinguished after 8 extinction sessions. Furthermore, the animals that were exposed to cocaine or swimming on the reinstatement day showed a significant reinstatement of CPP. Interestingly, systemic pretreatment with Ex4 was sufficient to attenuate cocaine- and stress-primed reinstatement of cocaine-induced CPP. Additionally, the expression of NF-κβ, which was upregulated by cocaine, was normalized by Ex4 in the cocaine-experienced mice. Altogether, our study reveals the novel effect of Ex4 on the reinstatement of cocaine-induced CPP and suggests that GLP-1R agonists appear to be highly promising drugs in the treatment of cocaine use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changliang Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jiangwei Ding
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Hailiang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Din Wan
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yangyang Sun
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Baorui Guo
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Zhenquan He
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Xiaofan Ren
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Shucai Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Caibing Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Hua Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- *Correspondence: Hua Guo,
| | - Tao Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Tao Sun,
| | - Feng Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Feng Wang,
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Zhang GM, Wu HY, Cui WQ, Peng W. Multi-level variations of lateral habenula in depression: A comprehensive review of current evidence. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1043846. [PMID: 36386995 PMCID: PMC9649931 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1043846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite extensive research in recent decades, knowledge of the pathophysiology of depression in neural circuits remains limited. Recently, the lateral habenula (LHb) has been extensively reported to undergo a series of adaptive changes at multiple levels during the depression state. As a crucial relay in brain networks associated with emotion regulation, LHb receives excitatory or inhibitory projections from upstream brain regions related to stress and cognition and interacts with brain regions involved in emotion regulation. A series of pathological alterations induced by aberrant inputs cause abnormal function of the LHb, resulting in dysregulation of mood and motivation, which present with depressive-like phenotypes in rodents. Herein, we systematically combed advances from rodents, summarized changes in the LHb and related neural circuits in depression, and attempted to analyze the intrinsic logical relationship among these pathological alterations. We expect that this summary will greatly enhance our understanding of the pathological processes of depression. This is advantageous for fostering the understanding and screening of potential antidepressant targets against LHb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Ming Zhang
- College of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Hong-Yun Wu
- First College of Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.,Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Wen-Qiang Cui
- First College of Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.,Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Wei Peng
- First College of Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.,Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
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Webster JF, Lecca S, Wozny C. Inhibition Within the Lateral Habenula-Implications for Affective Disorders. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:786011. [PMID: 34899206 PMCID: PMC8661446 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.786011] [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: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The lateral habenula (LHb) is a key brain region implicated in the pathology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Specifically, excitatory LHb neurons are known to be hyperactive in MDD, thus resulting in a greater excitatory output mainly to downstream inhibitory neurons in the rostromedial tegmental nucleus. This likely results in suppression of downstream dopaminergic ventral tegmental area neurons, therefore, resulting in an overall reduction in reward signalling. In line with this, increasing evidence implicates aberrant inhibitory signalling onto LHb neurons as a co-causative factor in MDD, likely as a result of disinhibition of excitatory neurons. Consistently, growing evidence now suggests that normalising inhibitory signalling within the LHb may be a potential therapeutic strategy for MDD. Despite these recent advances, however, the exact pharmacological and neural circuit mechanisms which control inhibitory signalling within the LHb are still incompletely understood. Thus, in this review article, we aim to provide an up-to-date summary of the current state of knowledge of the mechanisms by which inhibitory signalling is processed within the LHb, with a view of exploring how this may be targeted as a future therapy for MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack F Webster
- Strathclyde Institute for Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Strathclyde University, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Salvatore Lecca
- The Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, The University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Christian Wozny
- Strathclyde Institute for Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Strathclyde University, Glasgow, United Kingdom.,MSH Medical School Hamburg, IMM Institute for Molecular Medicine, Medical University, Hamburg, Germany
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40
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Bartoszek EM, Ostenrath AM, Jetti SK, Serneels B, Mutlu AK, Chau KTP, Yaksi E. Ongoing habenular activity is driven by forebrain networks and modulated by olfactory stimuli. Curr Biol 2021; 31:3861-3874.e3. [PMID: 34416179 PMCID: PMC8445323 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Ongoing neural activity, which represents internal brain states, is constantly modulated by the sensory information that is generated by the environment. In this study, we show that the habenular circuits act as a major brain hub integrating the structured ongoing activity of the limbic forebrain circuitry and the olfactory information. We demonstrate that ancestral homologs of amygdala and hippocampus in zebrafish forebrain are the major drivers of ongoing habenular activity. We also reveal that odor stimuli can modulate the activity of specific habenular neurons that are driven by this forebrain circuitry. Our results highlight a major role for the olfactory system in regulating the ongoing activity of the habenula and the forebrain, thereby altering brain's internal states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Magdalena Bartoszek
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience and Centre for Neural Computation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Olav Kyrres gata 9, 7030 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Anna Maria Ostenrath
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience and Centre for Neural Computation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Olav Kyrres gata 9, 7030 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Suresh Kumar Jetti
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bram Serneels
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience and Centre for Neural Computation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Olav Kyrres gata 9, 7030 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Aytac Kadir Mutlu
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience and Centre for Neural Computation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Olav Kyrres gata 9, 7030 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Khac Thanh Phong Chau
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience and Centre for Neural Computation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Olav Kyrres gata 9, 7030 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Emre Yaksi
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience and Centre for Neural Computation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Olav Kyrres gata 9, 7030 Trondheim, Norway; Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
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41
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Gordon-Fennell A, Stuber GD. Illuminating subcortical GABAergic and glutamatergic circuits for reward and aversion. Neuropharmacology 2021; 198:108725. [PMID: 34375625 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Reinforcement, reward, and aversion are fundamental processes for guiding appropriate behaviors. Longstanding theories have pointed to dopaminergic neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the limbic systems' descending pathways as crucial systems for modulating these behaviors. The application of optogenetic techniques in neurotransmitter- and projection-specific circuits has supported and enhanced many preexisting theories but has also revealed many unexpected results. Here, we review the past decade of optogenetic experiments to study the neural circuitry of reinforcement and reward/aversion with a focus on the mesolimbic dopamine system and brain areas along the medial forebrain bundle (MFB). The cumulation of these studies to date has revealed generalizable findings across molecularly defined cell types in areas of the basal forebrain and anterior hypothalamus. Optogenetic stimulation of GABAergic neurons in these brain regions drives reward and can support positive reinforcement and optogenetic stimulation of glutamatergic neurons in these regions drives aversion. We also review studies of the activity dynamics of neurotransmitter defined populations in these areas which have revealed varied response patterns associated with motivated behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Gordon-Fennell
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, 98195, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Garret D Stuber
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, 98195, Seattle, WA, USA.
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42
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Acetaldehyde Excitation of Lateral Habenular Neurons via Multiple Cellular Mechanisms. J Neurosci 2021; 41:7532-7545. [PMID: 34326141 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2913-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Acetaldehyde (ACD), the first metabolite of ethanol, is implicated in several of ethanol's actions, including the reinforcing and aversive effects. The neuronal mechanisms underlying ACD's aversive effect, however, are poorly understood. The lateral habenula (LHb), a regulator of midbrain monoaminergic centers, is activated by negative valence events. Although the LHb has been linked to the aversive responses of several abused drugs, including ethanol, little is known about ACD. We, therefore, assessed ACD's action on LHb neurons in rats. The results showed that intraperitoneal injection of ACD increased cFos protein expression within the LHb and that intra-LHb infusion of ACD induced conditioned place aversion in male rats. Furthermore, electrophysiological recording in brain slices of male and female rats showed that bath application of ACD facilitated spontaneous firing and glutamatergic transmission. This effect of ACD was potentiated by an aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) inhibitor, disulfiram (DS), but attenuated by the antagonists of dopamine (DA) receptor (DAR) subtype 1 (SCH23390) and subtype 2 (raclopride), and partly abolished by the pretreatment of DA or DA reuptake blocker (GBR12935; GBR). Moreover, application of ACD initiated a depolarizing inward current (I ACD) and enhanced the hyperpolarizing-activated currents in LHb neurons. Bath application of Rp-cAMPs, a selective cAMP-PKA inhibitor, attenuated ACD-induced potentiation of EPSCs and I ACD Finally, bath application of ZD7288, a selective blocker of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channels, attenuated ACD-induced potentiation of firing, EPSCs, and I ACD These results show that ACD exerts its aversive property by exciting LHb neurons via multiple cellular mechanisms, and new treatments targeting the LHb may be beneficial for alcoholism.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Acetaldehyde (ACD) has been considered aversive peripherally and rewarding centrally. However, whether ACD has a central aversive property is unclear. Here, we report that ACD excites the lateral habenula (LHb), a brain region associated with aversion and negative valence, through multiple cellular and molecular mechanisms. Intra-LHb ACD produces significant conditioned place aversion. These results suggest that ACD's actions on the LHb neurons might contribute to its central aversive property and new treatments targeting the LHb may be beneficial for alcoholism.
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43
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Zhu C, Tao H, Rong S, Xiao L, Li X, Jiang S, Guo B, Wang L, Ding J, Gao C, Chang H, Sun T, Wang F. Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Analog Exendin-4 Ameliorates Cocaine-Mediated Behavior by Inhibiting Toll-Like Receptor 4 Signaling in Mice. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:694476. [PMID: 34349653 PMCID: PMC8327264 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.694476] [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: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Exendin-4 (Ex4), a long-lasting glucagon-like peptide-1 analog, was reported to exert favourable actions on inhibiting cocaine-associated rewarding and reinforcing effects of drug in animal models of addiction. However, the therapeutic potential of different dose of GLP-1 receptor agonist Ex4 in different behavioral paradigms and the underlying pharmacological mechanisms of action are incompletely understood. Herein, we firstly investigated the effects of Ex4 on cocaine-induced condition place preference (CPP) as well as extinction and reinstatement in male C57BL/6J mice. Additionally, we sought to elucidate the underlying pharmacological mechanism of these actions of Ex4. The paradigm of cocaine-induced CPP was established using 20 mg/kg cocaine or saline alternately during conditioning, while the reinstatement paradigm was modeled using 10 mg/kg cocaine on the reinstatement day. Different dose of Ex4 was administrated intraperitoneally either during conditioning or during extinction state or only on the test day. To elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the potential effects of Ex4 on maladaptive behaviors of cocaine, the TLR4-related inflammation within the hippocampus was observed by immunofluorescence staining, and the expression levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-1β were detected by Western blotting. As a consequence, systemic administration of different dose of Ex4 was sufficient to inhibit the acquisition and expression of cocaine-induced CPP, facilitate the extinction of cocaine-associated reward and attenuate reinstatement of cocaine-induced behavior. Furthermore, Ex4 treatment diminished expression levels of TLR4, TNF-α, and IL-1β, which were up-regulated by cocaine exposure. Altogether, our results indicated that Ex4 effectively ameliorated cocaine-induced behaviors likely through neurobiological mechanisms partly attributable to the inhibition of TLR4, TNF-α and IL-1β in mice. Consequently, our findings improved our understanding of the efficacy of Ex4 for the amelioration of cocaine-induced behavior and suggested that Ex4 may be applied as a drug candidate for cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changliang Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebro Cranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Hong Tao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Shikuo Rong
- Department of General Surgery, Chengdu Second Hospital, Chendu, China
| | - Lifei Xiao
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebro Cranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Xinxiao Li
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebro Cranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Shucai Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Baorui Guo
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebro Cranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebro Cranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jiangwei Ding
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebro Cranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Caibing Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Haigang Chang
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Tao Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebro Cranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebro Cranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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44
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Stone TW. Relationships and Interactions between Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors and Nicotinic Receptors in the CNS. Neuroscience 2021; 468:321-365. [PMID: 34111447 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Although ionotropic glutamate receptors and nicotinic receptors for acetylcholine (ACh) have usually been studied separately, they are often co-localized and functionally inter-dependent. The objective of this review is to survey the evidence for interactions between the two receptor families and the mechanisms underlying them. These include the mutual regulation of subunit expression, which change the NMDA:AMPA response balance, and the existence of multi-functional receptor complexes which make it difficult to distinguish between individual receptor sites, especially in vivo. This is followed by analysis of the functional relationships between the receptors from work on transmitter release, cellular electrophysiology and aspects of behavior where these can contribute to understanding receptor interactions. It is clear that nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) on axonal terminals directly regulate the release of glutamate and other neurotransmitters, α7-nAChRs generally promoting release. Hence, α7-nAChR responses will be prevented not only by a nicotinic antagonist, but also by compounds blocking the indirectly activated glutamate receptors. This accounts for the apparent anticholinergic activity of some glutamate antagonists, including the endogenous antagonist kynurenic acid. The activation of presynaptic nAChRs is by the ambient levels of ACh released from pre-terminal synapses, varicosities and glial cells, acting as a 'volume neurotransmitter' on synaptic and extrasynaptic sites. In addition, ACh and glutamate are released as CNS co-transmitters, including 'cholinergic' synapses onto spinal Renshaw cells. It is concluded that ACh should be viewed primarily as a modulator of glutamatergic neurotransmission by regulating the release of glutamate presynaptically, and the location, subunit composition, subtype balance and sensitivity of glutamate receptors, and not primarily as a classical fast neurotransmitter. These conclusions and caveats should aid clarification of the sites of action of glutamate and nicotinic receptor ligands in the search for new centrally-acting drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor W Stone
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FY, UK; Institute of Neuroscience, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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45
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Parrilla-Carrero J, Eid M, Li H, Chao YS, Jhou TC. Synaptic Adaptations at the Rostromedial Tegmental Nucleus Underlie Individual Differences in Cocaine Avoidance Behavior. J Neurosci 2021; 41:4620-4630. [PMID: 33753546 PMCID: PMC8260244 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1847-20.2021] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although cocaine is powerfully rewarding, not all individuals are equally prone to abusing this drug. We postulate that these differences arise in part because some individuals exhibit stronger aversive responses to cocaine that protect them from cocaine seeking. Indeed, using conditioned place preference (CPP) and a runway operant cocaine self-administration task, we demonstrate that avoidance responses to cocaine vary greatly between individual high cocaine-avoider and low cocaine-avoider rats. These behavioral differences correlated with cocaine-induced activation of the rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg), measured using both in vivo firing and c-fos, whereas slice electrophysiological recordings from ventral tegmental area (VTA)-projecting RMTg neurons showed that relative to low avoiders, high avoiders exhibited greater intrinsic excitability, greater transmission via calcium-permeable AMPA receptors (CP-AMPARs), and higher presynaptic glutamate release. In behaving animals, blocking CP-AMPARs in the RMTg with NASPM reduced cocaine avoidance. Hence, cocaine addiction vulnerability may be linked to multiple coordinated synaptic differences in VTA-projecting RMTg neurons.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Although cocaine is highly addictive, not all individuals exposed to cocaine progress to chronic use for reasons that remain unclear. We find that cocaine's aversive effects, although less widely studied than its rewarding effects, show more individual variability, are predictive of subsequent propensity to seek cocaine, and are driven by variations in RMTg in response to cocaine that arise from distinct alterations in intrinsic excitability and glutamate transmission onto VTA-projecting RMTg neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Parrilla-Carrero
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Maya Eid
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Hao Li
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California 92037
| | - Ying S Chao
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Thomas C Jhou
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
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46
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Clerke JA, Congiu M, Mameli M. Neuronal adaptations in the lateral habenula during drug withdrawal: Preclinical evidence for addiction therapy. Neuropharmacology 2021; 192:108617. [PMID: 34019906 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The epithalamic lateral habenula (LHb) regulates monoaminergic systems and contributes to the expression of both appetitive and aversive behaviours. Over the past years, the LHb has emerged as a vulnerable brain structure in mental illnesses including addiction. Behavioural and functional evidence in humans and rodents provide substantial support for a role of LHb in the negative affective symptoms emerging during withdrawal from addictive substances. Multiple forms of cellular and synaptic adaptations that take hold during drug withdrawal within the LHb are causally linked with the emergence of negative affective symptoms. These results indicate that targeting drug withdrawal-driven adaptations in the LHb may represent a potential strategy to normalize drug-related behavioural adaptations. In the current review we describe the mechanisms leading to functional alterations in the LHb, as well as the existing interventions used to counteract addictive behaviours. Finally, closing this loop we discuss and propose new avenues to potentially target the LHb in humans in light of the mechanistic understanding stemming from pre-clinical studies. Altogether, we provide an overview on how to leverage cellular-level understanding to envision clinically-relevant approaches for the treatment of specific aspects in drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Clerke
- The Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, The University of Lausanne, 1005, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mauro Congiu
- The Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, The University of Lausanne, 1005, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Mameli
- The Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, The University of Lausanne, 1005, Lausanne, Switzerland; Inserm, UMR-S 839, 75005, Paris, France.
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47
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Farrell MR, Esteban JSD, Faget L, Floresco SB, Hnasko TS, Mahler SV. Ventral Pallidum GABA Neurons Mediate Motivation Underlying Risky Choice. J Neurosci 2021; 41:4500-4513. [PMID: 33837052 PMCID: PMC8152612 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2039-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Pursuing rewards while avoiding danger is an essential function of any nervous system. Here, we examine a new mechanism helping rats negotiate the balance between risk and reward when making high-stakes decisions. Specifically, we focus on GABA neurons within an emerging mesolimbic circuit nexus: the ventral pallidum (VP). These neurons play a distinct role from other VP neurons in simple motivated behaviors in mice, but their role in more complex motivated behaviors is unknown. Here, we interrogate the behavioral functions of VPGABA neurons in male and female transgenic GAD1:Cre rats (and WT littermates), using a reversible chemogenetic inhibition approach. Using a behavioral assay of risky decision-making, and of the food-seeking and shock-avoidance components of this task, we show that engaging inhibitory Gi/o signaling specifically in VPGABA neurons suppresses motivation to pursue highly salient palatable foods, and possibly also motivation to avoid being shocked. In contrast, inhibiting these neurons did not affect seeking of low-value food, free consumption of palatable food, or unconditioned affective responses to shock. Accordingly, when rats considered whether to pursue food despite potential for shock in a risky decision-making task, inhibiting VPGABA neurons caused them to more readily select a small but safe reward over a large but dangerous one, an effect not seen in the absence of shock threat. Together, results indicate that VPGABA neurons are critical for high-stakes adaptive responding that is necessary for survival, but which may also malfunction in psychiatric disorders.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In a dynamic world, it is essential to implement appropriate behaviors under circumstances involving rewards, threats, or both. Here, we demonstrate a crucial role for VPGABA neurons in high-stakes motivated behavior of several types. We show that this VPGABA role in motivation impacts decision-making, as inhibiting these neurons yields a conservative, risk-averse strategy not seen when the task is performed without threat of shock. These new roles for VPGABA neurons in behavior may inform future strategies for treating addiction, and other disorders of maladaptive decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell R Farrell
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, University of California, Irvine, California 92697
| | | | - Lauren Faget
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, California 92093
| | - Stan B Floresco
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Thomas S Hnasko
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, California 92093
- VASDHS Research Service, San Diego, California 92161
| | - Stephen V Mahler
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, University of California, Irvine, California 92697
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48
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Miyamoto Y, Fukuda T. The habenula-targeting neurons in the mouse entopeduncular nucleus contain not only somatostatin-positive neurons but also nitric oxide synthase-positive neurons. Brain Struct Funct 2021; 226:1497-1510. [PMID: 33787995 PMCID: PMC8096748 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-021-02264-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The entopeduncular nucleus (EPN) in rodents is one of the two major output nuclei of the basal ganglia and corresponds to the internal segment of the globus pallidus in primates. Previous studies have shown that the EPN contains three types of neurons that project to different targets, namely, parvalbumin (PV)-, somatostatin (SOM)-, and choline acetyltransferase-positive neurons. However, we have recently reported that neurons lacking immunoreactivities for these substances are present in the EPN. Here, we demonstrate that 27.7% of all EPN neurons showed immunoreactivity for nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Among them, NOS-only positive and NOS/SOM double-positive neurons accounted for 20.1% and 6.8%, respectively, whereas NOS/PV double-positive neurons were rarely observed. NOS-containing neurons were distributed in a shell region surrounding the thalamus-targeting, PV-rich core region of the EPN, especially in the ventromedial part of the shell. The retrograde tracer fluoro-gold (FG) was injected into several target regions of EPN neurons. Among FG-labeled EPN neurons after injection into the lateral habenula (LHb), NOS-only positive, NOS/SOM double-positive, and SOM-only positive neurons accounted for 25.7%, 15.2%, and 59.1%, respectively. We conclude that NOS-positive neurons are the second major population of LHb-targeting EPN neurons, suggesting their possible involvement in behaviors in response to aversive stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Miyamoto
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Takaichi Fukuda
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.
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49
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Entopeduncular Nucleus Projections to the Lateral Habenula Contribute to Cocaine Avoidance. J Neurosci 2021; 41:298-306. [PMID: 33214316 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0708-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The aversive properties associated with drugs of abuse influence both the development of addiction and relapse. Cocaine produces strong aversive effects after rewarding effects wear off, accompanied by increased firing in the lateral habenula (LHb) that contributes to downstream activation of the rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg). However, the sources of this LHb activation are unknown, as the LHb receives many excitatory inputs whose contributions to cocaine aversion remain uncharacterized. Using cFos activation and in vivo electrophysiology in male rats, we demonstrated that the rostral entopeduncular nucleus (rEPN) was the most responsive region to cocaine among LHb afferents examined and that single cocaine infusions induced biphasic responses in rEPN neurons, with inhibition during cocaine's initial rewarding phase transitioning to excitation during cocaine's delayed aversive phase. Furthermore, rEPN lesions reduced cocaine-induced cFos activation by 2-fold in the LHb and by a smaller proportion in the RMTg, while inactivation of the rEPN or the rEPN-LHb pathway attenuated cocaine avoidance behaviors measured by an operant runway task and by conditioned place aversion (CPA). These data show an essential but not exclusive role of rEPN and its projections to the LHb in processing the aversive effects of cocaine, which could serve as a novel target for addiction vulnerability.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Cocaine produces well-known rewarding effects but also strong aversive effects that influence addiction propensity, but whose mechanisms are poorly understood. We had previously reported that the lateral habenula (LHb) is activated by cocaine and contributes to cocaine's aversive effects, and the current findings show that the rostral entopeduncular nucleus (rEPN) is a major contributor to this LHb activation and to conditioned avoidance of cocaine. These findings show a critical, though not exclusive, rEPN role in cocaine's aversive effects, and shed light on the development of addiction.
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50
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Nair SG, Smirnov DS, Estabrook MM, Chisholm AD, Silva PR, Neumaier JF. Effect of chemogenetic inhibition of lateral habenula neuronal activity on cocaine- and food-seeking behaviors in the rat. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12865. [PMID: 31994279 PMCID: PMC10441005 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
A major problem in the treatment of cocaine addiction is high rates of relapse. Relapse is often provoked by acute reexposure to cocaine-associated cues or to cocaine itself. The lateral habenula (LHb), an epithalamic nucleus, regulates midbrain dopaminergic systems that are known to be involved in cocaine taking and seeking behaviors. However, the role of this nucleus in cocaine self-administration and reinstatement of cocaine seeking has not been entirely parsed out. We used an operant self-administration and reinstatement procedure to explore the effect of Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drug (DREADD)-induced transient inhibition of LHb neurons on cocaine taking and seeking. Firstly, rats were injected with adeno-associated viral vectors expressing hM4 Di (a Gi/o -coupled DREADD) into the LHb, trained to self-administer cocaine (0.75 mg/kg/infusion), and the effect of clozapine-N-oxide (an inert ligand that activates DREADDs) was assessed on cocaine self-administration. Secondly, rats were injected with hM4 Di into the LHb, trained to self-administer cocaine; the operant response was extinguished, and cue- and cocaine priming-induced reinstatement was assessed. Thirdly, we tested the generality of the effect of inhibiting LHb neurons by assessing the effect of this manipulation on food-taking and seeking. hM4 Di -induced inhibition of LHb neurons increased cocaine but not food self-administration. In contrast, this manipulation decreased reinstatement of cocaine, but not food-seeking. Taken together, our data suggest that hM4 Di - induced LHb inhibition specifically mediates taking and seeking behaviors reinforced by cocaine but not by natural reinforcers. Further, our data indicate a dissociation in the role of LHb neurons on cocaine self-administration versus reinstatement of cocaine seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunila G. Nair
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Harborview Medical Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Denis S. Smirnov
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Harborview Medical Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Melissa M. Estabrook
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Harborview Medical Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Ashlee D. Chisholm
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Harborview Medical Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Phillip R. Silva
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Harborview Medical Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - John F. Neumaier
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Harborview Medical Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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