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Cheng KH, Hung YC, Ling P, Hsu KS. Oxytocin treatment rescues irritability-like behavior in Cc2d1a conditional knockout mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:1792-1802. [PMID: 39014123 PMCID: PMC11399130 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01920-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Irritability, a state of excessive reactivity to negative emotional stimuli, is common in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although it has a significant negative impact of patients' disease severity and quality of life, the neural mechanisms underlying irritability in ASD remain largely unclear. We have previously demonstrated that male mice lacking the Coiled-coil and C2 domain containing 1a (Cc2d1a) in forebrain excitatory neurons recapitulate numerous ASD-like behavioral phenotypes, including impaired social behaviors and pronounced repetitive behaviors. Here, using the bottle-brush test (BBT) to trigger and evaluate aggressive and defensive responses, we show that Cc2d1a deletion increases irritability-like behavior in male but not female mice, which is correlated with reduced number of oxytocin (OXT)-expressing neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus. Intranasal OXT administration or chemogenetic activation of OXT neurons in the PVN rescues irritability-like behavior in Cc2d1a conditional knockout (cKO) mice. Administration of a selective melanocortin receptor 4 agonist, RO27-3225, which potentiates endogenous OXT release, also alleviates irritability-like behavior in Cc2d1a cKO mice, an effect blocked by a specific OXT receptor antagonist, L-368,899. We additionally identify a projection connecting the posterior ventral segment of the medial amygdala (MeApv) and ventromedial nucleus of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHvl) for governing irritability-like behavior during the BBT. Chemogenetic suppression of the MeApv-VMHvl pathway alleviates irritability-like behavior in Cc2d1a cKO mice. Together, our study uncovers dysregulation of OXT system in irritability-like behavior in Cc2d1a cKO mice during the BBT and provide translatable insights into the development of OXT-based therapeutics for clinical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Hsiang Cheng
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chieh Hung
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Pin Ling
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Kuei-Sen Hsu
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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2
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Heinemans M, Moita MA. Looming stimuli reliably drive innate defensive responses in male rats, but not learned defensive responses. Sci Rep 2024; 14:21578. [PMID: 39285228 PMCID: PMC11405667 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-70256-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Survival relies on an organism's intrinsic ability to instinctively react to stimuli such as food, water, and threats, ensuring the fundamental ability to feed, drink, and avoid danger even in the absence of prior experience. These natural, unconditioned stimuli can also facilitate associative learning, where pairing them consistently with neutral cues will elicit responses to these cues. Threat conditioning, a well-explored form of associative learning, commonly employs painful electric shocks, mimicking injury, as unconditioned stimuli. It remains elusive whether actual injury or pain is necessary for effective learning, or whether the threat of harm is sufficient. Approaching predators create looming shadows and sounds, triggering strong innate defensive responses like escape and freezing. This study investigates whether visual looming stimuli can induce learned freezing or learned escape responses to a conditioned stimulus in male rats. Surprisingly, pairing a neutral tone with a looming stimulus only weakly evokes learned defensive responses, in contrast to the strong responses observed when the looming stimulus is replaced by a shock. This dissociation sheds light on the boundaries for learned defensive responses thereby impacting our comprehension of learning processes and defensive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjam Heinemans
- Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Foundation, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Avenida de Brasília, 1400-038, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta A Moita
- Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Foundation, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Avenida de Brasília, 1400-038, Lisbon, Portugal.
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3
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Das R, Howey C, McFetridge A, Lapointe V, Luczak A. Associating sensory cues with incoming seizures: developing an animal model of auras. Sci Rep 2024; 14:20881. [PMID: 39242696 PMCID: PMC11379853 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-71885-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024] Open
Abstract
For patients with epilepsy, one of the biggest problems is the unpredictability of the time when the next seizure will occur. Interestingly, some epileptic patients experience a sensory sensation preceding seizures, called aura, which helps them move to safety before a seizure. Here, we describe the development of the first animal model of auras, which could allow for a more detailed study of this phenomenon. Specifically, in mice, we presented sensory stimuli (sound and light cues) a few seconds before kindling an animal to induce seizures. Animals were kindled by electrical stimulation in the basolateral amygdalar nucleus. Over the course of stimulation sessions, animals started showing progressively stronger freezing behavior to sensory cues preceding kindling. Interestingly, seizures are known to cause retrograde amnesia, thus it was surprising that the association between seizures and preceding sensory cues developed in all experimental animals. In summary, our experiments show that similarly to auras, a sensory sensation can be associated with incoming generalized seizures and is not erased by retrograde amnesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritwik Das
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada.
| | - Carlos Howey
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Autumn McFetridge
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Valérie Lapointe
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Artur Luczak
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada.
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4
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Alves CDO, Waku I, Chiossi JN, de Oliveira AR. Dopamine D2-like receptors on conditioned and unconditioned fear: A systematic review of rodent pharmacological studies. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 134:111080. [PMID: 38950840 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Growing evidence supports dopamine's role in aversive states, yet systematic reviews focusing on dopamine receptors in defensive behaviors are lacking. This study presents a systematic review of the literature examining the influence of drugs acting on dopamine D2-like receptors on unconditioned and conditioned fear in rodents. The review reveals a predominant use of adult male rats in the studies, with limited inclusion of female rodents. Commonly employed tests include the elevated plus maze and auditory-cued fear conditioning. The findings indicate that systemic administration of D2-like drugs has a notable impact on both innate and learned aversive states. Generally, antagonists tend to increase unconditioned fear, while agonists decrease it. Moreover, both agonists and antagonists typically reduce conditioned fear. These effects are attributed to the involvement of distinct neural circuits in these states. The observed increase in unconditioned fear induced by D2-like antagonists aligns with dopamine's role in suppressing midbrain-mediated responses. Conversely, the reduction in conditioned fear is likely a result of blocking dopamine activity in the mesolimbic pathway. The study highlights the need for future research to delve into sex differences, explore alternative testing paradigms, and identify specific neural substrates. Such investigations have the potential to advance our understanding of the neurobiology of aversive states and enhance the therapeutic application of dopaminergic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila de Oliveira Alves
- Department of Psychology, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil; Institute of Neuroscience and Behavior (INeC), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Isabelle Waku
- Department of Psychology, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Joyce Nonato Chiossi
- Department of Psychology, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Amanda Ribeiro de Oliveira
- Department of Psychology, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil; Institute of Neuroscience and Behavior (INeC), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
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5
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Nguyen QAT, Rocha A, Chhor R, Yamashita Y, Stadler C, Pontrello C, Yang H, Haga-Yamanaka S. Hypothalamic representation of the imminence of predator threat detected by the vomeronasal organ in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.09.27.559655. [PMID: 37808690 PMCID: PMC10557655 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.27.559655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Animals have the innate ability to select optimal defensive behaviors with appropriate intensity in response to predator threats within specific contexts. Such innate behavioral decisions are thought to be computed in the medial hypothalamic nuclei, which contain neural populations that directly control defensive behavioral outputs. The vomeronasal organ (VNO) serves as a primary sensory channel for detecting predator cues by relaying signals to the medial hypothalamic nuclei, particularly the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), via the medial amygdala (MeA) and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Here, we demonstrate that cat saliva contains predator cues that signal the imminence of predator threat and modulate the intensity of freezing behavior through the VNO in mice. Cat saliva activates neurons expressing the V2R-A4 subfamily of sensory receptors, suggesting that specific receptor groups are responsible for inducing the freezing behavior. The number of VNO neurons activated in response to saliva correlates with both the freshness of saliva and the intensity of freezing behavior. In contrast, the downstream neurons in the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) and the defensive behavioral circuit are activated to a similar extent by fresh and old saliva. Strikingly, however, the number of VMH neurons activated by fresh, but not old, saliva positively correlates with the intensity of freezing behavior. Detailed analysis of the spatial distribution of neurons responding to fresh and old saliva, as well as the overlap of those activated within the same individual mice, revealed that fresh and old saliva predominantly activate distinct neuronal populations within the VMH. Collectively, this study suggests that there is an accessory olfactory circuit in mice that is specifically tuned to time-sensitive components of cat saliva, which optimizes their defensive behavior to maximize their chance of survival according to the imminence of threat.
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Biggs EE, Timmers I, Heathcote LC, Tremblay-McGaw AG, Noel M, Borsook D, Simons LE. Emotional memory bias in adolescents with chronic pain: examining the relationship with neural, stress, and psychological factors. Pain 2024:00006396-990000000-00688. [PMID: 39172857 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Memory biases for pain-related information may contribute to the development and maintenance of chronic pain; however, evidence for when (and for whom) these biases occur is mixed. Therefore, we examined neural, stress, and psychological factors that could influence memory bias, focusing on memories that motivate disabling behaviors: pain perception, conditioned responses to threat-and-safety cues, and responses to aversive nonnoxious stimuli. Two studies were conducted with adolescents with and without chronic pain. Data from 58 participants were included in study 1 (chronic pain n = 34, pain free n = 24, mean age = 16 years), and 39 participants were included in study 2 (chronic pain n = 26, pain free n = 13, mean age = 16 years). Both studies used a threat-safety learning paradigm with memory recall (≈1 month later). Participants completed structural and functional (resting-state) magnetic resonance imaging, salivary cortisol measurements, and self-report measures. Adolescents with pain and pain-free peers consistently recalled being more afraid of safety cues (CS-) and, during heightened stress at encoding (higher cortisol levels), also reported being more afraid of threat cues (CS+). However, no memory bias was present for the emotional response to an aversive stimulus (US; loud scream) or for the recall of pain intensity. Functional connectivity of the amygdala and hippocampus with memory circuits related to the degree of memory bias, but the specific connections varied between the studies, and we observed no relationship between memory bias and brain morphology. Our findings highlight the value of considering the interaction between implicit and explicit memory systems, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of emotional memory biases in the context of chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma E Biggs
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - Inge Timmers
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - Lauren C Heathcote
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
- Health Psychology Section, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alexandra G Tremblay-McGaw
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Melanie Noel
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - David Borsook
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Laura E Simons
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
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7
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Pacholek M. The influence of real-time quantitative feedback and verbal encouragement on adults' performance in maximal and explosive strength and power in bench press exercise. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1329432. [PMID: 39229621 PMCID: PMC11368873 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1329432] [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: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In sports practice, a wide array of verbal and non-verbal stimuli can elicit diverse motivations and performance changes. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to compare the impact of various stimuli on maximal strength and power in bench press exercises. Methods This study involved 48 university students (average age 20.5 ± 2.8 years; body mass 80.1 ± 20 kg; height 174.6 ± 6.7 cm; BMI 26.2 ± 6 kg/m2) who engaged in an 8-week resistance training program. The students were randomly divided into three experimental groups and one control group. The first group received real-time quantitative feedback (RF) on their power output during the bench press exercise, the second group received verbal encouragement (VE) from an instructor, and the third group exercised without any external stimulus (WS). The control group (CG) underwent only pre- and post-measurements. To compare differences in strength parameters among groups a Two-Way Repeated Measures ANOVA was applied. Results The results revealed significant improvements in the mean weight for one repetition maximum in the real-time quantitative feedback group (5 kg, 9.76%, p = 0.001, d = 0.529) and the verbal encouragement group (5.42 kg, 11.51%, p = 0.001, d = 1.201). Positive changes were also observed in the mean power at 20 and 30 kg for the RF, VE, and WS groups, but at 40 kg, significant improvement was only seen in the real-time quantitative feedback group (247 W, 31.30%, p = 0.001, d = 1.199). Conclusion These findings underscore the effectiveness of selected stimuli in enhancing maximum strength and power during bench press exercises, with real-time quantitative feedback proving to be the most effective stimulus for improving both maximal strength and power.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Pacholek
- Department of General Studies, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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8
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Peng B, Huang JJ, Li Z, Zhang LI, Tao HW. Cross-modal enhancement of defensive behavior via parabigemino-collicular projections. Curr Biol 2024; 34:3616-3631.e5. [PMID: 39019036 PMCID: PMC11373540 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.06.052] [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: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Effective detection and avoidance from environmental threats are crucial for animals' survival. Integration of sensory cues associated with threats across different modalities can significantly enhance animals' detection and behavioral responses. However, the neural circuit-level mechanisms underlying the modulation of defensive behavior or fear response under simultaneous multimodal sensory inputs remain poorly understood. Here, we report in mice that bimodal looming stimuli combining coherent visual and auditory signals elicit more robust defensive/fear reactions than unimodal stimuli. These include intensified escape and prolonged hiding, suggesting a heightened defensive/fear state. These various responses depend on the activity of the superior colliculus (SC), while its downstream nucleus, the parabigeminal nucleus (PBG), predominantly influences the duration of hiding behavior. PBG temporally integrates visual and auditory signals and enhances the salience of threat signals by amplifying SC sensory responses through its feedback projection to the visual layer of the SC. Our results suggest an evolutionarily conserved pathway in defense circuits for multisensory integration and cross-modality enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Peng
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Center for Neural Circuits and Sensory Processing Disorders, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Junxiang J Huang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Center for Neural Circuits and Sensory Processing Disorders, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Graduate Program in Biomedical and Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Zhong Li
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Center for Neural Circuits and Sensory Processing Disorders, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Li I Zhang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Center for Neural Circuits and Sensory Processing Disorders, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
| | - Huizhong Whit Tao
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Center for Neural Circuits and Sensory Processing Disorders, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
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9
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Cheung KYM, Nair A, Li LY, Shapiro MG, Anderson DJ. Population coding of predator imminence in the hypothalamus. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.12.607651. [PMID: 39211163 PMCID: PMC11360964 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.12.607651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Hypothalamic VMHdm SF1 neurons are activated by predator cues and are necessary and sufficient for instinctive defensive responses. However, such data do not distinguish which features of a predator encounter are encoded by VMHdm SF1 neural activity. To address this issue, we imaged VMHdm SF1 neurons at single-cell resolution in freely behaving mice exposed to a natural predator in varying contexts. Our results reveal that VMHdm SF1 neurons do not represent different defensive behaviors, but rather encode predator identity and multiple predator-evoked internal states, including threat-evoked fear/anxiety; neophobia or arousal; predator imminence; and safety. Notably, threat and safety are encoded bi-directionally by anti-correlated subpopulations. Finally, individual differences in predator defensiveness are correlated with differences in VMHdm SF1 response dynamics. Thus, different threat-related internal state variables are encoded by distinct neuronal subpopulations within a genetically defined, anatomically restricted hypothalamic cell class. Highlights Distinct subsets of VMHdm SF1 neurons encode multiple predator-evoked internal states. Anti-correlated subsets encode safety vs. threat in a bi-directional mannerA population code for predator imminence is identified using a novel assay VMHdm SF1 dynamics correlate with individual variation in predator defensiveness.
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Kim EJ, Kong MS, Park S, Cho J, Kim JJ. Periaqueductal gray activates antipredatory neural responses in the amygdala of foraging rats. eLife 2024; 12:RP88733. [PMID: 39133827 PMCID: PMC11318971 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Pavlovian fear conditioning research suggests that the interaction between the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG) and basolateral amygdala (BLA) acts as a prediction error mechanism in the formation of associative fear memories. However, their roles in responding to naturalistic predatory threats, characterized by less explicit cues and the absence of reiterative trial-and-error learning events, remain unexplored. In this study, we conducted single-unit recordings in rats during an 'approach food-avoid predator' task, focusing on the responsiveness of dPAG and BLA neurons to a rapidly approaching robot predator. Optogenetic stimulation of the dPAG triggered fleeing behaviors and increased BLA activity in naive rats. Notably, BLA neurons activated by dPAG stimulation displayed immediate responses to the robot, demonstrating heightened synchronous activity compared to BLA neurons that did not respond to dPAG stimulation. Additionally, the use of anterograde and retrograde tracer injections into the dPAG and BLA, respectively, coupled with c-Fos activation in response to predatory threats, indicates that the midline thalamus may play an intermediary role in innate antipredatory-defensive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Joo Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Mi-Seon Kong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Sanggeon Park
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Scranton College, Ewha Womans UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
- Brain Disease Research Institute, Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha Womans UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Jeiwon Cho
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Scranton College, Ewha Womans UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
- Brain Disease Research Institute, Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha Womans UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Jeansok John Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
- Program in Neuroscience, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
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Hagihara KM, Lüthi A. Bidirectional valence coding in amygdala intercalated clusters: A neural substrate for the opponent-process theory of motivation. Neurosci Res 2024:S0168-0102(24)00088-9. [PMID: 39033998 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2024.07.003] [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: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Processing emotionally meaningful stimuli and eliciting appropriate valence-specific behavior in response is a critical brain function for survival. Thus, how positive and negative valence are represented in neural circuits and how corresponding neural substrates interact to cooperatively select appropriate behavioral output are fundamental questions. In previous work, we identified that two amygdala intercalated clusters show opposite response selectivity to fear- and anxiety-inducing stimuli - negative valence (Hagihara et al., 2021). Here, we further show that the two clusters also exhibit distinctly different representations of stimuli with positive valence, demonstrating a broader role of the amygdala intercalated system beyond fear and anxiety. Together with the mutually inhibitory connectivity between the two clusters, our findings suggest that they serve as an ideal neural substrate for the integrated processing of valence for the selection of behavioral output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenta M Hagihara
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Andreas Lüthi
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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12
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Joo B, Xu S, Park H, Kim K, Rah JC, Koo JW. Parietal-Frontal Pathway Controls Relapse of Fear Memory in a Novel Context. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 4:100315. [PMID: 38726036 PMCID: PMC11078648 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2024.100315] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Fear responses significantly affect daily life and shape our approach to uncertainty. However, the potential resurgence of fear in unfamiliar situations poses a significant challenge to exposure-based therapies for maladaptive fear responses. Nonetheless, how novel contextual stimuli are associated with the relapse of extinguished fear remains unknown. Methods Using a context-dependent fear renewal model, the functional circuits and underlying mechanisms of the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) were investigated using optogenetic, histological, in vivo, and ex vivo electrophysiological and pharmacological techniques. Results We demonstrated that the PPC-to-ACC pathway governs fear relapse in a novel context. We observed enhanced populational calcium activity in the ACC neurons that received projections from the PPC and increased synaptic activity in the basolateral amygdala-projecting PPC-to-ACC neurons upon renewal in a novel context, where excitatory postsynaptic currents amplitudes increased but inhibitory postsynaptic current amplitudes decreased. In addition, we found that parvalbumin-expressing interneurons controlled novel context-dependent fear renewal, which was blocked by the chronic administration of fluoxetine. Conclusions Our findings highlight the PPC-to-ACC pathway in mediating the relapse of extinguished fear in novel contexts, thereby contributing significant insights into the intricate neural mechanisms that govern fear renewal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bitna Joo
- Emotion, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Shijie Xu
- Medical Research Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Hyungju Park
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Neurovascular Unit Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Kipom Kim
- Research Strategy Office, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Cheol Rah
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Sensory & Motor Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Ja Wook Koo
- Emotion, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, Republic of Korea
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Kim EJ, Kong MS, Park S, Cho J, Kim JJ. Periaqueductal gray activates antipredatory neural responses in the amygdala of foraging rats. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.05.19.541463. [PMID: 38559038 PMCID: PMC10979854 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.19.541463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Pavlovian fear conditioning research suggests that the interaction between the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG) and basolateral amygdala (BLA) acts as a prediction error mechanism in the formation of associative fear memories. However, their roles in responding to naturalistic predatory threats, characterized by less explicit cues and the absence of reiterative trial-and-error learning events, remain unexplored. In this study, we conducted single-unit recordings in rats during an 'approach food-avoid predator' task, focusing on the responsiveness of dPAG and BLA neurons to a rapidly approaching robot predator. Optogenetic stimulation of the dPAG triggered fleeing behaviors and increased BLA activity in naive rats. Notably, BLA neurons activated by dPAG stimulation displayed immediate responses to the robot, demonstrating heightened synchronous activity compared to BLA neurons that did not respond to dPAG stimulation. Additionally, the use of anterograde and retrograde tracer injections into the dPAG and BLA, respectively, coupled with c-Fos activation in response to predatory threats, indicates that the midline thalamus may play an intermediary role in innate antipredatory defensive functioning.
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14
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Fischbach AK, Satpute AB, Quigley K, Kragel PA, Chen D, Bianciardi M, Wald L, Wager TD, Choi JK, Zhang J, Barrett LF, Theriault JE. Seven Tesla Evidence for Columnar and Rostral-Caudal Organization of the Human Periaqueductal Gray Response in the Absence of Threat: A Working Memory Study. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1757232024. [PMID: 38664013 PMCID: PMC11211719 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1757-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The periaqueductal gray (PAG) is a small midbrain structure that surrounds the cerebral aqueduct, regulates brain-body communication, and is often studied for its role in "fight-or-flight" and "freezing" responses to threat. We used ultra-high-field 7 T fMRI to resolve the PAG in humans and distinguish it from the cerebral aqueduct, examining its in vivo function during a working memory task (N = 87). Both mild and moderate cognitive demands elicited spatially similar patterns of whole-brain blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) response, and moderate cognitive demand elicited widespread BOLD increases above baseline in the brainstem. Notably, these brainstem increases were not significantly greater than those in the mild demand condition, suggesting that a subthreshold brainstem BOLD increase occurred for mild cognitive demand as well. Subject-specific masks were group aligned to examine PAG response. In PAG, both mild and moderate demands elicited a well-defined response in ventrolateral PAG, a region thought to be functionally related to anticipated painful threat in humans and nonhuman animals-yet, the present task posed only the most minimal (if any) "threat," with the cognitive tasks used being approximately as challenging as remembering a phone number. These findings suggest that the PAG may play a more general role in visceromotor regulation, even in the absence of threat.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ajay B Satpute
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Karen Quigley
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Philip A Kragel
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | - Danlei Chen
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Marta Bianciardi
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Larry Wald
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Tor D Wager
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755
| | - Ji-Kyung Choi
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Jiahe Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | | | - Jordan E Theriault
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
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15
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Hilmerich C, Hofmann MJ, Briesemeister BB. Anxiety and curiosity in hierarchical models of neural emotion processing-A mini review. Front Hum Neurosci 2024; 18:1384020. [PMID: 38962147 PMCID: PMC11220156 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1384020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Traditionally, two fundamentally different theoretical approaches have been used in emotion research to model (human) emotions: discrete emotion theories and dimensional approaches. More recent neurophysiological models like the hierarchical emotion theory suggest that both should be integrated. The aim of this review is to provide neurocognitive evidence for this perspective with a particular focus on experimental studies manipulating anxiety and/or curiosity. We searched for evidence that the neuronal correlates of discrete and dimensional emotional systems are tightly connected. Our review suggests that the ACC (anterior cingulate cortex) responds to both, anxiety, and curiosity. While amygdala activation has been primarily observed for anxiety, at least the NAcc (nucleus accumbens) responds to both, anxiety and curiosity. When these two areas closely collaborate, as indicated by strong connectivity, this may indicate emotion regulation, particularly when the situation is not predictable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christin Hilmerich
- Department of Psychology, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
- Department of Psychology, IU International University, Erfurt, Germany
| | - Markus J. Hofmann
- Department of Psychology, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Benny B. Briesemeister
- Department of Psychology, IU International University, Erfurt, Germany
- Deloitte Neuroscience Institute, Deloitte Consulting GmbH, Berlin, Germany
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16
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Viellard JMA, Melleu FF, Tamais AM, de Almeida AP, Zerbini C, Ikebara JM, Domingues K, de Lima MAX, Oliveira FA, Motta SC, Canteras NS. A subiculum-hypothalamic pathway functions in dynamic threat detection and memory updating. Curr Biol 2024; 34:2657-2671.e7. [PMID: 38810639 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.05.006] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Animals need to detect threats, initiate defensive responses, and, in parallel, remember where the threat occurred to avoid the possibility of re-encountering it. By probing animals capable of detecting and avoiding a shock-related threatening location, we were able to reveal a septo-hippocampal-hypothalamic circuit that is also engaged in ethological threats, including predatory and social threats. Photometry analysis focusing on the dorsal premammillary nucleus (PMd), a critical interface of this circuit, showed that in freely tested animals, the nucleus appears ideal to work as a threat detector to sense dynamic changes under threatening conditions as the animal approaches and avoids the threatening source. We also found that PMd chemogenetic silencing impaired defensive responses by causing a failure of threat detection rather than a direct influence on any behavioral responses and, at the same time, updated fear memory to a low-threat condition. Optogenetic silencing of the main PMd targets, namely the periaqueductal gray and anterior medial thalamus, showed that the projection to the periaqueductal gray influences both defensive responses and, to a lesser degree, contextual memory, whereas the projection to the anterior medial thalamus has a stronger influence on memory processes. Our results are important for understanding how animals deal with the threat imminence continuum, revealing a circuit that is engaged in threat detection and that, at the same time, serves to update the memory process to accommodate changes under threatening conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette M A Viellard
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil; Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Université de Bordeaux, CNRS UMR 5293, Bordeaux, France
| | - Fernando F Melleu
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Alicia M Tamais
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Alisson P de Almeida
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Carolina Zerbini
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Juliane M Ikebara
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Karolina Domingues
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Miguel A X de Lima
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Fernando A Oliveira
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory (LaNeC)-Center for Mathematics, Computing and Cognition (CMCC), Federal University of ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, SP 09606-045, Brazil
| | - Simone C Motta
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Newton S Canteras
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil.
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17
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Li Y, Deng Y, Zhang Y, Xu D, Zhang X, Li Y, Li Y, Chen M, Wang Y, Zhang J, Wang L, Cang Y, Cao P, Bi L, Xu H. Distinct glutamatergic projections of the posteroventral medial amygdala play different roles in arousal and anxiety. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e176329. [PMID: 38842948 PMCID: PMC11383360 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.176329] [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: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Sleep disturbance usually accompanies anxiety disorders and exacerbates their incidence rates. The precise circuit mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we found that glutamatergic neurons in the posteroventral medial amygdala (MePVGlu neurons) are involved in arousal and anxiety-like behaviors. Excitation of MePVGlu neurons not only promoted wakefulness but also increased anxiety-like behaviors. Different projections of MePVGlu neurons played various roles in regulating anxiety-like behaviors and sleep-wakefulness. MePVGlu neurons promoted wakefulness through the MePVGlu/posteromedial cortical amygdaloid area (PMCo) pathway and the MePVGlu/bed nucleus of the stria terminals (BNST) pathway. In contrast, MePVGlu neurons increased anxiety-like behaviors through the MePVGlu/ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) pathway. Chronic sleep disturbance increased anxiety levels and reduced reparative sleep, accompanied by the enhanced excitability of MePVGlu/PMCo and MePVGlu/VMH circuits but suppressed responses of glutamatergic neurons in the BNST. Inhibition of the MePVGlu neurons could rescue chronic sleep deprivation-induced phenotypes. Our findings provide important circuit mechanisms for chronic sleep disturbance-induced hyperarousal response and obsessive anxiety-like behavior and are expected to provide a promising strategy for treating sleep-related psychiatric disorders and insomnia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuchen Deng
- Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yifei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Taikang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics
| | - Dan Xu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, and
| | - Xuefen Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yidan Li
- Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ming Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuxin Wang
- Department of Pathology, Taikang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics
| | - Jiyan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Taikang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics
| | - Like Wang
- Department of Pathology, Taikang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics
| | - Yufeng Cang
- Department of Pathology, Taikang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics
| | - Peng Cao
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Linlin Bi
- Department of Pathology, Taikang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haibo Xu
- Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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18
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Escobedo A, Holloway SA, Votoupal M, Cone AL, Skelton H, Legaria AA, Ndiokho I, Floyd T, Kravitz AV, Bruchas MR, Norris AJ. Glutamatergic supramammillary nucleus neurons respond to threatening stressors and promote active coping. eLife 2024; 12:RP90972. [PMID: 38829200 PMCID: PMC11147510 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Threat-response neural circuits are conserved across species and play roles in normal behavior and psychiatric diseases. Maladaptive changes in these neural circuits contribute to stress, mood, and anxiety disorders. Active coping in response to stressors is a psychosocial factor associated with resilience against stress-induced mood and anxiety disorders. The neural circuitry underlying active coping is poorly understood, but the functioning of these circuits could be key for overcoming anxiety and related disorders. The supramammillary nucleus (SuM) has been suggested to be engaged by threat. SuM has many projections and a poorly understood diversity of neural populations. In studies using mice, we identified a unique population of glutamatergic SuM neurons (SuMVGLUT2+::POA) based on projection to the preoptic area of the hypothalamus (POA) and found SuMVGLUT2+::POA neurons have extensive arborizations. SuMVGLUT2+::POA neurons project to brain areas that mediate features of the stress and threat responses including the paraventricular nucleus thalamus (PVT), periaqueductal gray (PAG), and habenula (Hb). Thus, SuMVGLUT2+::POA neurons are positioned as a hub, connecting to areas implicated in regulating stress responses. Here we report SuMVGLUT2+::POA neurons are recruited by diverse threatening stressors, and recruitment correlated with active coping behaviors. We found that selective photoactivation of the SuMVGLUT2+::POA population drove aversion but not anxiety like behaviors. Activation of SuMVGLUT2+::POA neurons in the absence of acute stressors evoked active coping like behaviors and drove instrumental behavior. Also, activation of SuMVGLUT2+::POA neurons was sufficient to convert passive coping strategies to active behaviors during acute stress. In contrast, we found activation of GABAergic (VGAT+) SuM neurons (SuMVGAT+) neurons did not alter drive aversion or active coping, but termination of photostimulation was followed by increased mobility in the forced swim test. These findings establish a new node in stress response circuitry that has projections to many brain areas and evokes flexible active coping behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Escobedo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. LouisSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Salli-Ann Holloway
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. LouisSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Megan Votoupal
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoUnited States
| | - Aaron L Cone
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. LouisSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Hannah Skelton
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. LouisSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Alex A Legaria
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. LouisSt. LouisUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. LouisSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Imeh Ndiokho
- Medical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeUnited States
| | - Tasheia Floyd
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. LouisSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Alexxai V Kravitz
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. LouisSt. LouisUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. LouisSt. LouisUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. LouisSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Center for Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
- Department of Pharmacology University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
- Department of Bioengineering University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Aaron J Norris
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. LouisSt. LouisUnited States
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19
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Ahmadlou M, Giannouli M, van Vierbergen JFM, van Leeuwen T, Bloem W, Houba JHW, Shirazi MY, Cazemier JL, Haak R, Dubey M, de Winter F, Heimel JA. Cell-type-specific hypothalamic pathways to brainstem drive context-dependent strategies in response to stressors. Curr Biol 2024; 34:2448-2459.e4. [PMID: 38754425 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.053] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Adaptive behavioral responses to stressors are critical for survival. However, which brain areas orchestrate switching the appropriate stress responses to distinct contexts is an open question. This study aimed to identify the cell-type-specific brain circuitry governing the selection of distinct behavioral strategies in response to stressors. Through novel mouse behavior paradigms, we observed distinct stressor-evoked behaviors in two psycho-spatially distinct contexts characterized by stressors inside or outside the safe zone. The identification of brain regions activated in both conditions revealed the involvement of the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH). Further investigation using optogenetics, chemogenetics, and photometry revealed that glutamatergic projections from the DMH to periaqueductal gray (PAG) mediated responses to inside stressors, while GABAergic projections, particularly from tachykinin1-expressing neurons, played a crucial role in coping with outside stressors. These findings elucidate the role of cell-type-specific circuitry from the DMH to the PAG in shaping behavioral strategies in response to stressors. These findings have the potential to advance our understanding of fundamental neurobiological processes and inform the development of novel approaches for managing context-dependent and anxiety-associated pathological conditions such as agoraphobia and claustrophobia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehran Ahmadlou
- Circuits, Structure and Function Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University College London, W1T4AJ London, UK.
| | - Maria Giannouli
- Circuits, Structure and Function Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline F M van Vierbergen
- Circuits, Structure and Function Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tom van Leeuwen
- Circuits, Structure and Function Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wouter Bloem
- Circuits, Structure and Function Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Janou H W Houba
- Circuits, Structure and Function Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maryam Yasamin Shirazi
- Circuits, Structure and Function Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - J Leonie Cazemier
- Circuits, Structure and Function Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Robin Haak
- Circuits, Structure and Function Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mohit Dubey
- Department of Axonal Signaling, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Fred de Winter
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - J Alexander Heimel
- Circuits, Structure and Function Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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20
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Kim J, Tashjian SM, Mobbs D. The human hypothalamus coordinates switching between different survival actions. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002624. [PMID: 38941452 PMCID: PMC11213486 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Comparative research suggests that the hypothalamus is critical in switching between survival behaviors, yet it is unclear if this is the case in humans. Here, we investigate the role of the human hypothalamus in survival switching by introducing a paradigm where volunteers switch between hunting and escape in response to encounters with a virtual predator or prey. Given the small size and low tissue contrast of the hypothalamus, we used deep learning-based segmentation to identify the individual-specific hypothalamus and its subnuclei as well as an imaging sequence optimized for hypothalamic signal acquisition. Across 2 experiments, we employed computational models with identical structures to explain internal movement generation processes associated with hunting and escaping. Despite the shared structure, the models exhibited significantly different parameter values where escaping or hunting were accurately decodable just by computing the parameters of internal movement generation processes. In experiment 2, multi-voxel pattern analyses (MVPA) showed that the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and periaqueductal gray encode switching of survival behaviors while not encoding simple motor switching outside of the survival context. Furthermore, multi-voxel connectivity analyses revealed a network including the hypothalamus as encoding survival switching and how the hypothalamus is connected to other regions in this network. Finally, model-based fMRI analyses showed that a strong hypothalamic multi-voxel pattern of switching is predictive of optimal behavioral coordination after switching, especially when this signal was synchronized with the multi-voxel pattern of switching in the amygdala. Our study is the first to identify the role of the human hypothalamus in switching between survival behaviors and action organization after switching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaejoong Kim
- Department of Humanities and Social Sciences and Computation, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Sarah M. Tashjian
- Department of Humanities and Social Sciences and Computation, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Dean Mobbs
- Department of Humanities and Social Sciences and Computation, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
- Neural Systems Program at the California, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
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21
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Wang J, Yang Q, Liu X, Li J, Wen YL, Hu Y, Xu TL, Duan S, Xu H. The basal forebrain to lateral habenula circuitry mediates social behavioral maladaptation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4013. [PMID: 38740778 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48378-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Elucidating the neural basis of fear allows for more effective treatments for maladaptive fear often observed in psychiatric disorders. Although the basal forebrain (BF) has an essential role in fear learning, its function in fear expression and the underlying neuronal and circuit substrates are much less understood. Here we report that BF glutamatergic neurons are robustly activated by social stimulus following social fear conditioning in male mice. And cell-type-specific inhibition of those excitatory neurons largely reduces social fear expression. At the circuit level, BF glutamatergic neurons make functional contacts with the lateral habenula (LHb) neurons and these connections are potentiated in conditioned mice. Moreover, optogenetic inhibition of BF-LHb glutamatergic pathway significantly reduces social fear responses. These data unravel an important function of the BF in fear expression via its glutamatergic projection onto the LHb, and suggest that selective targeting BF-LHb excitatory circuitry could alleviate maladaptive fear in relevant disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Psychiatry of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Nanhu Brain-computer Interface Institute, Hangzhou, 311100, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, 311121, China.
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Psychiatry of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xue Liu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Psychiatry of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Psychiatry of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Ya-Lan Wen
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Psychiatry of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yuzheng Hu
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Tian-Le Xu
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Shumin Duan
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Psychiatry of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Han Xu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Psychiatry of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Nanhu Brain-computer Interface Institute, Hangzhou, 311100, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, 311121, China.
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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22
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Ahlbrand R, Wilson A, Woller P, Sachdeva Y, Lai J, Davis N, Wiggins J, Sah R. Sex-specific threat responding and neuronal engagement in carbon dioxide associated fear and extinction: Noradrenergic involvement in female mice. Neurobiol Stress 2024; 30:100617. [PMID: 38433995 PMCID: PMC10907837 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Difficulty in appropriately responding to threats is a key feature of psychiatric disorders, especially fear-related conditions such as panic disorder (PD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Most prior work on threat and fear regulation involves exposure to external threatful cues. However, fear can also be triggered by aversive, within-the-body, sensations. This interoceptive signaling of fear is highly relevant to PD and PTSD but is not well understood, especially in the context of sex. Using female and male mice, the current study investigated fear-associated spontaneous and conditioned behaviors to carbon dioxide (CO2) inhalation, a potent interoceptive threat that induces fear and panic. We also investigated whether behavioral sensitivity to CO2 is associated with delayed PTSD-relevant behaviors. CO2 evoked heterogenous freezing behaviors in both male and female animals. However, active, rearing behavior was significantly reduced in CO2-exposed male but not female mice. Interestingly, behavioral sensitivity to CO2 was associated with compromised fear extinction, independent of sex. However, in comparison to CO2-exposed males, females elicited less freezing and higher rearing during extinction suggesting an engagement of active versus passive defensive coping. Persistent neuronal activation marker ΔFosB immuno-mapping revealed attenuated engagement of infralimbic-prefrontal areas in both sexes but higher activation of brain stem locus coeruleus (LC) area in females. Inter-regional co-activation mapping revealed sex-independent disruptions in the infralimbic-amygdala associations but altered LC associations only in CO2-exposed female mice. Lastly, dopamine β hydroxylase positive (DβH + ve) noradrenergic neuronal cell counts in the LC correlated with freezing and rearing behaviors during CO2 inhalation and extinction only in female but not male mice. Collectively, these data provide evidence for higher active defensive responding to interoceptive threat CO2-associated fear in females that may stem from increased recruitment of the brainstem noradrenergic system. Our findings reveal distinct contributory mechanisms that may promote sex differences in fear and panic associated pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Ahlbrand
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, USA
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Allison Wilson
- Neuroscience Undergraduate Program, University of Cincinnati, USA
| | - Patrick Woller
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, USA
| | - Yuv Sachdeva
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, USA
| | - Jayden Lai
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, USA
| | - Nikki Davis
- Neuroscience Undergraduate Program, University of Cincinnati, USA
| | - James Wiggins
- Neuroscience Undergraduate Program, University of Cincinnati, USA
| | - Renu Sah
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, USA
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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23
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Zhang Y, Wang J, Pang R, Zhang Y, Deng Q, Liu X, Zhou Y. A method for studying escape behavior to terrestrial threats in rodents. J Neurosci Methods 2024; 405:110099. [PMID: 38417713 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2024.110099] [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: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Escape is one of the most essential behaviors for an animal's survival because it could be a matter of life and death. Much of our current understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying escape is derived from the looming paradigm, which mimics a diving aerial predator. Yet, the idea of the looming paradigm does not account for all types of threats like lions hunting antelopes or cats stalking mice. Escape responses to such terrestrial threats may require different strategies and neural mechanisms. NEW METHODS Here, we developed a real-time interactive platform to study escape behavior to terrestrial threats in mice. A closed-loop controlled robot was magnetically pulled to mimic a terrestrial threat that chases a mouse. By using strong magnets and high-precision servo motors, the robot is capable of moving precisely with a high spatial-temporal resolution. Different algorithms can be used to achieve single approach or persistent approach. RESULTS Animal experiments showed that mice exhibited consistent escape behavior when exposed to an approaching robotic predator. When presented with a persistently approaching predator, the mice were able to rapidly adapt their behavior, as evidenced by a decrease in startle responses and changes in movement patterns. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS In comparison to existing methods for studying escape behavior, such as the looming paradigm, this approach is more suitable for investigating animal behavior in response to sustained threats. CONCLUSION In conclusion, we have developed a flexible platform to study escape behavior to terrestrial threats in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueting Zhang
- Advanced Institute for Brain and Intelligence, School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Jincheng Wang
- Advanced Institute for Brain and Intelligence, School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Ruiqi Pang
- Advanced Institute for Brain and Intelligence, School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yanjie Zhang
- Department of Military Common and Force Management, Guard Training Base, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China; Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Qiyue Deng
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
| | - Xue Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
| | - Yi Zhou
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
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24
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Zhao H, Liu J, Shao Y, Feng X, Zhao B, Sun L, Liu Y, Zeng L, Li XM, Yang H, Duan S, Yu YQ. Control of defensive behavior by the nucleus of Darkschewitsch GABAergic neurons. Natl Sci Rev 2024; 11:nwae082. [PMID: 38686177 PMCID: PMC11057443 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwae082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The nucleus of Darkschewitsch (ND), mainly composed of GABAergic neurons, is widely recognized as a component of the eye-movement controlling system. However, the functional contribution of ND GABAergic neurons (NDGABA) in animal behavior is largely unknown. Here, we show that NDGABA neurons were selectively activated by different types of fear stimuli, such as predator odor and foot shock. Optogenetic and chemogenetic manipulations revealed that NDGABA neurons mediate freezing behavior. Moreover, using circuit-based optogenetic and neuroanatomical tracing methods, we identified an excitatory pathway from the lateral periaqueductal gray (lPAG) to the ND that induces freezing by exciting ND inhibitory outputs to the motor-related gigantocellular reticular nucleus, ventral part (GiV). Together, these findings indicate the NDGABA population as a novel hub for controlling defensive response by relaying fearful information from the lPAG to GiV, a mechanism critical for understanding how the freezing behavior is encoded in the mammalian brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiying Zhao
- Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Nanhu Brain-Computer Interface Institute, Hangzhou 311100, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Jinrong Liu
- Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Yujin Shao
- Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Xiang Feng
- Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Binhan Zhao
- Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Li Sun
- Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yijun Liu
- Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Linghui Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou 310015, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Li
- Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Nanhu Brain-Computer Interface Institute, Hangzhou 311100, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Hongbin Yang
- Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shumin Duan
- Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou 310015, China
| | - Yan-Qin Yu
- Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Nanhu Brain-Computer Interface Institute, Hangzhou 311100, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou 310015, China
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25
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Skovbjerg G, Fritzen AM, Svendsen CSA, Perens J, Skytte JL, Lund C, Lund J, Madsen MR, Roostalu U, Hecksher-Sørensen J, Clemmensen C. Atlas of exercise-induced brain activation in mice. Mol Metab 2024; 82:101907. [PMID: 38428817 PMCID: PMC10943479 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.101907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There is significant interest in uncovering the mechanisms through which exercise enhances cognition, memory, and mood, and lowers the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we utilize forced treadmill running and distance-matched voluntary wheel running, coupled with light sheet 3D brain imaging and c-Fos immunohistochemistry, to generate a comprehensive atlas of exercise-induced brain activation in mice. METHODS To investigate the effects of exercise on brain activity, we compared whole-brain activation profiles of mice subjected to treadmill running with mice subjected to distance-matched wheel running. Male mice were assigned to one of four groups: a) an acute bout of voluntary wheel running, b) confinement to a cage with a locked running wheel, c) forced treadmill running, or d) placement on an inactive treadmill. Immediately following each exercise or control intervention, blood samples were collected for plasma analysis, and brains were collected for whole-brain c-Fos quantification. RESULTS Our dataset reveals 255 brain regions activated by acute exercise in mice, the majority of which have not previously been linked to exercise. We find a broad response of 140 regulated brain regions that are shared between voluntary wheel running and treadmill running, while 32 brain regions are uniquely regulated by wheel running and 83 brain regions uniquely regulated by treadmill running. In contrast to voluntary wheel running, forced treadmill running triggers activity in brain regions associated with stress, fear, and pain. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate a significant overlap in neuronal activation signatures between voluntary wheel running and distance-matched forced treadmill running. However, our analysis also reveals notable differences and subtle nuances between these two widely used paradigms. The comprehensive dataset is accessible online at www.neuropedia.dk, with the aim of enabling future research directed towards unraveling the neurobiological response to exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grethe Skovbjerg
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Gubra, Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Andreas Mæchel Fritzen
- August Krogh Section for Molecular Physiology, Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Sashi Aier Svendsen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Camilla Lund
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Lund
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | | | - Christoffer Clemmensen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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26
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Wang H, Wang Q, Cui L, Feng X, Dong P, Tan L, Lin L, Lian H, Cao S, Huang H, Cao P, Li XM. A molecularly defined amygdala-independent tetra-synaptic forebrain-to-hindbrain pathway for odor-driven innate fear and anxiety. Nat Neurosci 2024; 27:514-526. [PMID: 38347199 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01562-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Fear-related disorders (for example, phobias and anxiety) cause a substantial public health problem. To date, studies of the neural basis of fear have mostly focused on the amygdala. Here we identify a molecularly defined amygdala-independent tetra-synaptic pathway for olfaction-evoked innate fear and anxiety in male mice. This pathway starts with inputs from the olfactory bulb mitral and tufted cells to pyramidal neurons in the dorsal peduncular cortex that in turn connect to cholecystokinin-expressing (Cck+) neurons in the superior part of lateral parabrachial nucleus, which project to tachykinin 1-expressing (Tac1+) neurons in the parasubthalamic nucleus. Notably, the identified pathway is specifically involved in odor-driven innate fear. Selective activation of this pathway induces innate fear, while its inhibition suppresses odor-driven innate fear. In addition, the pathway is both necessary and sufficient for stress-induced anxiety-like behaviors. These findings reveal a forebrain-to-hindbrain neural substrate for sensory-triggered fear and anxiety that bypasses the amygdala.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Affiliated Mental Health Center and Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine / Nanhu Brain-computer Interface Institute, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qin Wang
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liuzhe Cui
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyang Feng
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ping Dong
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liheng Tan
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lin Lin
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hong Lian
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuxia Cao
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huiqian Huang
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peng Cao
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Center of Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Research Units for Emotion and Emotion Disorders, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences / Nanhu Brain-Computer Interface Institute, Hangzhou, China.
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27
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Bao L, Rao J, Yu D, Zheng B, Yin B. Decoding the language of fear: Unveiling objective and subjective indicators in rodent models through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 157:105537. [PMID: 38215801 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105537] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
While rodent models are vital for studying mental disorders, the underestimation of construct validity of fear indicators has led to limitations in translating to effective clinical treatments. Addressing this gap, we systematically reviewed 5054 articles from the 1960 s, understanding underlying theoretical advancement, and selected 68 articles with at least two fear indicators for a three-level meta-analysis. We hypothesized correlations between different indicators would elucidate similar functions, while magnitude differences could reveal distinct neural or behavioral mechanisms. Our findings reveal a shift towards using freezing behavior as the primary fear indicator in rodent models, and strong, moderate, and weak correlations between freezing and conditioned suppression ratios, 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations, and autonomic nervous system responses, respectively. Using freezing as a reference, moderator analysis shows treatment types and fear stages significantly influenced differences in magnitudes between two indicators. Our analysis supports a two-system model of fear in rodents, where objective and subjective fears could operate on a threshold-based mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Bao
- School of Psychology, Fujian Normal University, China; Key Laboratory for Learning and Behavioral Sciences, Fujian Normal University, China
| | - Jiaojiao Rao
- School of Psychology, Fujian Normal University, China; Key Laboratory for Learning and Behavioral Sciences, Fujian Normal University, China
| | - Delin Yu
- School of Psychology, Fujian Normal University, China; Key Laboratory for Learning and Behavioral Sciences, Fujian Normal University, China
| | - Benhuiyuan Zheng
- School of Psychology, Fujian Normal University, China; Key Laboratory for Learning and Behavioral Sciences, Fujian Normal University, China
| | - Bin Yin
- School of Psychology, Fujian Normal University, China; Key Laboratory for Learning and Behavioral Sciences, Fujian Normal University, China.
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28
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Clein RS, Warren MR, Neunuebel JP. Automated behavioral analysis reveals that mice employ a bait-and-switch escape mechanism to de-escalate social conflict. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.12.575321. [PMID: 38260649 PMCID: PMC10802557 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.12.575321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Intraspecies aggression has profound ecological and evolutionary consequences, as recipients can suffer injuries, decreases in fitness, and become outcasts from social groups. Although animals implement diverse strategies to avoid hostile confrontations, the extent to which social influences affect escape tactics is unclear. Here, we used computational and machine-learning approaches to analyze complex behavioral interactions as mixed-sex groups of mice, Mus musculus, freely interacted. Mice displayed a rich repertoire of behaviors marked by changes in behavioral state, aggressive encounters, and mixed-sex interactions. A prominent behavioral sequence consistently occurred after aggressive encounters, where males in submissive states quickly approached and transiently interacted with females immediately before the aggressor engaged with the same female. The behavioral sequences were also associated with substantially fewer physical altercations. Furthermore, the male's behavioral state and the interacting partners could be predicted by distinct features of the behavioral sequence, such as kinematics and the latency to and duration of male-female interactions. More broadly, our work revealed an ethologically relevant escape strategy influenced by the presence of females that may serve as a mechanism for de-escalating social conflict and preventing consequential reductions in fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel S. Clein
- University of Delaware, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Newark, DE 19713
| | - Megan R. Warren
- University of Delaware, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Newark, DE 19713
- Emory University, Department of Biology, Atlanta, GA 30322
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Emory National Primate Center, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Joshua P. Neunuebel
- University of Delaware, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Newark, DE 19713
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29
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Dorst KE, Senne RA, Diep AH, de Boer AR, Suthard RL, Leblanc H, Ruesch EA, Pyo AY, Skelton S, Carstensen LC, Malmberg S, McKissick OP, Bladon JH, Ramirez S. Hippocampal Engrams Generate Variable Behavioral Responses and Brain-Wide Network States. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e0340232023. [PMID: 38050098 PMCID: PMC10860633 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0340-23.2023] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Freezing is a defensive behavior commonly examined during hippocampal-mediated fear engram reactivation. How these cellular populations engage the brain and modulate freezing across varying environmental demands is unclear. To address this, we optogenetically reactivated a fear engram in the dentate gyrus subregion of the hippocampus across three distinct contexts in male mice. We found that there were differential amounts of light-induced freezing depending on the size of the context in which reactivation occurred: mice demonstrated robust light-induced freezing in the most spatially restricted of the three contexts but not in the largest. We then utilized graph theoretical analyses to identify brain-wide alterations in cFos expression during engram reactivation across the smallest and largest contexts. Our manipulations induced positive interregional cFos correlations that were not observed in control conditions. Additionally, regions spanning putative "fear" and "defense" systems were recruited as hub regions in engram reactivation networks. Lastly, we compared the network generated from engram reactivation in the small context with a natural fear memory retrieval network. Here, we found shared characteristics such as modular composition and hub regions. By identifying and manipulating the circuits supporting memory function, as well as their corresponding brain-wide activity patterns, it is thereby possible to resolve systems-level biological mechanisms mediating memory's capacity to modulate behavioral states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn E Dorst
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston 02215, Massachusetts
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston 02215, Massachusetts
| | - Ryan A Senne
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston 02215, Massachusetts
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston 02215, Massachusetts
| | - Anh H Diep
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston 02215, Massachusetts
| | - Antje R de Boer
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston 02215, Massachusetts
| | - Rebecca L Suthard
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston 02215, Massachusetts
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston 02215, Massachusetts
| | - Heloise Leblanc
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston 02215, Massachusetts
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston 02215, Massachusetts
| | - Evan A Ruesch
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston 02215, Massachusetts
| | - Angela Y Pyo
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston 02215, Massachusetts
| | - Sara Skelton
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston 02215, Massachusetts
| | - Lucas C Carstensen
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston 02215, Massachusetts
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston 02215, Massachusetts
| | - Samantha Malmberg
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston 02215, Massachusetts
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston 02215, Massachusetts
| | - Olivia P McKissick
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston 02215, Massachusetts
| | - John H Bladon
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston 02215, Massachusetts
| | - Steve Ramirez
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston 02215, Massachusetts
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30
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Blanchard DC, Canteras NS. In Search of the Behavioral and Neural Basis for Differentiating Fear and Anxiety. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 4:394-395. [PMID: 38298787 PMCID: PMC10829656 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2023.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- D. Caroline Blanchard
- Pacific Bioscience Research Institute, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Manoa, Hawaii
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Newton S. Canteras
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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31
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Dost A, Sezgin D, Esin MN. The association between the work environment and the fear of COVID-19 experienced by nurses. Work 2024; 79:3-13. [PMID: 38427519 DOI: 10.3233/wor-230121] [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] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The conditions in the workplace have a critical influence on the mental health of nurses and their attitudes toward their job, which may impact patient care. OBJECTIVE This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between perceptions of the work environment and fear of COVID-19 experienced by nurses. METHODS The data were collected using a demographic data form, the Work Environment Scale (WES), and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale. The study was completed with 183 nurses who provide care to COVID-19 patients. RESULTS The mean scores for the WES and Fear of COVID-19 Scale were 63.59±12.35 and 21.98±8.36, respectively. There was a positive correlation between the points acquired from the "employee fears" section of the WES and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale mean ranks (r = 0.22). There was a weak negative correlation between the Fear of COVID-19 score and the WES "job satisfaction" score (r = -0.214). There was a weak negative correlation between the scores of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale and perceived support at work (r = -0.33) and between the WES scores and weekly working hours (r = -0.27). However, there was a weak to moderate positive correlation between the WES scores and number of days off per week (r = 0.45). CONCLUSIONS Nurses experience a high fear of COVID-19, and a decrease in their attitudes of the work environment was associated with an increased fear of COVID-19. The fear of COVID-19 may be reduced by various interventions to provide support at work and increase nurses' job satisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Dost
- Department of Nursing, Health Sciences Faculty, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Duygu Sezgin
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland - Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Melek Nihal Esin
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
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Dorst KE, Ramirez S. Engrams: From Behavior to Brain-Wide Networks. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 38:13-28. [PMID: 39008008 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-62983-9_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Animals utilize a repertoire of behavioral responses during everyday experiences. During a potentially dangerous encounter, defensive actions such as "fight, flight, or freeze" are selected for survival. The successful use of behavior is determined by a series of real-time computations combining an animal's internal (i.e., body) and external (i.e., environment) state. Brain-wide neural pathways are engaged throughout this process to detect stimuli, integrate information, and command behavioral output. The hippocampus, in particular, plays a role in the encoding and storing of the episodic information surrounding these encounters as putative "engram" or experience-modified cellular ensembles. Recalling a negative experience then reactivates a dedicated engram ensemble and elicits a behavioral response. How hippocampus-based engrams modulate brain-wide states and an animal's internal/external milieu to influence behavior is an exciting area of investigation for contemporary neuroscience. In this chapter, we provide an overview of recent technological advancements that allow researchers to tag, manipulate, and visualize putative engram ensembles, with an overarching goal of casually connecting their brain-wide underpinnings to behavior. We then discuss how hippocampal fear engrams alter behavior in a manner that is contingent on an environment's physical features as well as how they influence brain-wide patterns of cellular activity. Overall, we propose here that studies on memory engrams offer an exciting avenue for contemporary neuroscience to casually link the activity of cells to cognition and behavior while also offering testable theoretical and experimental frameworks for how the brain organizes experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn E Dorst
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steve Ramirez
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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Melleu FF, Canteras NS. Pathways from the Superior Colliculus to the Basal Ganglia. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:1431-1453. [PMID: 37702174 PMCID: PMC11097988 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230911102118] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The present work aims to review the structural organization of the mammalian superior colliculus (SC), the putative pathways connecting the SC and the basal ganglia, and their role in organizing complex behavioral output. First, we review how the complex intrinsic connections between the SC's laminae projections allow for the construction of spatially aligned, visual-multisensory maps of the surrounding environment. Moreover, we present a summary of the sensory-motor inputs of the SC, including a description of the integration of multi-sensory inputs relevant to behavioral control. We further examine the major descending outputs toward the brainstem and spinal cord. As the central piece of this review, we provide a thorough analysis covering the putative interactions between the SC and the basal ganglia. To this end, we explore the diverse thalamic routes by which information from the SC may reach the striatum, including the pathways through the lateral posterior, parafascicular, and rostral intralaminar thalamic nuclei. We also examine the interactions between the SC and subthalamic nucleus, representing an additional pathway for the tectal modulation of the basal ganglia. Moreover, we discuss how information from the SC might also be relayed to the basal ganglia through midbrain tectonigral and tectotegmental projections directed at the substantia nigra compacta and ventrotegmental area, respectively, influencing the dopaminergic outflow to the dorsal and ventral striatum. We highlight the vast interplay between the SC and the basal ganglia and raise several missing points that warrant being addressed in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Newton Sabino Canteras
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
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34
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Chen APF, Chen L, Shi KW, Cheng E, Ge S, Xiong Q. Nigrostriatal dopamine modulates the striatal-amygdala pathway in auditory fear conditioning. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7231. [PMID: 37945595 PMCID: PMC10636191 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43066-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The auditory striatum, a sensory portion of the dorsal striatum, plays an essential role in learning and memory. In contrast to its roles and underlying mechanisms in operant conditioning, however, little is known about its contribution to classical auditory fear conditioning. Here, we reveal the function of the auditory striatum in auditory-conditioned fear memory. We find that optogenetically inhibiting auditory striatal neurons impairs fear memory formation, which is mediated through the striatal-amygdala pathway. Using calcium imaging in behaving mice, we find that auditory striatal neuronal responses to conditioned tones potentiate across memory acquisition and expression. Furthermore, nigrostriatal dopaminergic projections plays an important role in modulating conditioning-induced striatal potentiation. Together, these findings demonstrate the existence of a nigro-striatal-amygdala circuit for conditioned fear memory formation and expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allen P F Chen
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, SUNY Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Renaissance School of Medicine at SUNY Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Lu Chen
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, SUNY Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Kaiyo W Shi
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, SUNY Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Eileen Cheng
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, SUNY Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, SUNY Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Shaoyu Ge
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, SUNY Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Qiaojie Xiong
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, SUNY Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA.
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Tseng YT, Schaefke B, Wei P, Wang L. Defensive responses: behaviour, the brain and the body. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:655-671. [PMID: 37730910 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00736-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Most animals live under constant threat from predators, and predation has been a major selective force in shaping animal behaviour. Nevertheless, defence responses against predatory threats need to be balanced against other adaptive behaviours such as foraging, mating and recovering from infection. This behavioural balance in ethologically relevant contexts requires adequate integration of internal and external signals in a complex interplay between the brain and the body. Despite this complexity, research has often considered defensive behaviour as entirely mediated by the brain processing threat-related information obtained via perception of the external environment. However, accumulating evidence suggests that the endocrine, immune, gastrointestinal and reproductive systems have important roles in modulating behavioural responses to threat. In this Review, we focus on how predatory threat defence responses are shaped by threat imminence and review the circuitry between subcortical brain regions involved in mediating defensive behaviours. Then, we discuss the intersection of peripheral systems involved in internal states related to infection, hunger and mating with the neurocircuits that underlie defence responses against predatory threat. Through this process, we aim to elucidate the interconnections between the brain and body as an integrated network that facilitates appropriate defensive responses to threat and to discuss the implications for future behavioural research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ting Tseng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behaviour, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bernhard Schaefke
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Pengfei Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liping Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behaviour, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
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Lee H, Weinberg-Wolf H, Lee HL, Lee T, Conte J, Godoy-Parejo C, Demb JB, Rudenko A, Kim IJ. Brn3b regulates the formation of fear-related midbrain circuits and defensive responses to visual threat. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002386. [PMID: 37983249 PMCID: PMC10695396 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Defensive responses to visually threatening stimuli represent an essential fear-related survival instinct, widely detected across species. The neural circuitry mediating visually triggered defensive responses has been delineated in the midbrain. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating the development and function of these circuits remain unresolved. Here, we show that midbrain-specific deletion of the transcription factor Brn3b causes a loss of neurons projecting to the lateral posterior nucleus of the thalamus. Brn3b deletion also down-regulates the expression of the neuropeptide tachykinin 2 (Tac2). Furthermore, Brn3b mutant mice display impaired defensive freezing responses to visual threat precipitated by social isolation. This behavioral phenotype could be ameliorated by overexpressing Tac2, suggesting that Tac2 acts downstream of Brn3b in regulating defensive responses to threat. Together, our experiments identify specific genetic components critical for the functional organization of midbrain fear-related visual circuits. Similar mechanisms may contribute to the development and function of additional long-range brain circuits underlying fear-associated behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyoseo Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Hannah Weinberg-Wolf
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Hae-Lim Lee
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Tracy Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Joseph Conte
- Department of Biology, City College of New York, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Carlos Godoy-Parejo
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Jonathan B. Demb
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Andrii Rudenko
- Department of Biology, City College of New York, New York, New York, United States of America
- Graduate Programs in Biology and Biochemistry, City University of New York, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - In-Jung Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
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37
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de Araujo Salgado I, Li C, Burnett CJ, Rodriguez Gonzalez S, Becker JJ, Horvath A, Earnest T, Kravitz AV, Krashes MJ. Toggling between food-seeking and self-preservation behaviors via hypothalamic response networks. Neuron 2023; 111:2899-2917.e6. [PMID: 37442130 PMCID: PMC10528369 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Motivated behaviors are often studied in isolation to assess labeled lines of neural connections underlying innate actions. However, in nature, multiple systems compete for expression of goal-directed behaviors via complex neural networks. Here, we examined flexible survival decisions in animals tasked with food seeking under predation threat. We found that predator exposure rapidly induced physiological, neuronal, and behavioral adaptations in mice highlighted by reduced food seeking and consumption contingent on current threat level. Diminishing conflict via internal state or external environment perturbations shifted feeding strategies. Predator introduction and/or selective manipulation of danger-responsive cholecystokinin (Cck) cells of the dorsal premammilary nucleus (PMd) suppressed hunger-sensitive Agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons, providing a mechanism for threat-evoked hypophagia. Increased caloric need enhanced food seeking under duress through AgRP pathways to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and/or lateral hypothalamus (LH). Our results suggest oscillating interactions between systems underlying self-preservation and food seeking to promote optimal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel de Araujo Salgado
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Chia Li
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - C Joseph Burnett
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Shakira Rodriguez Gonzalez
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jordan J Becker
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Allison Horvath
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Thomas Earnest
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Alexxai V Kravitz
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michael J Krashes
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
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38
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Zhu Y, Xie SZ, Peng AB, Yu XD, Li CY, Fu JY, Shen CJ, Cao SX, Zhang Y, Chen J, Li XM. Distinct Circuits From the Central Lateral Amygdala to the Ventral Part of the Bed Nucleus of Stria Terminalis Regulate Different Fear Memory. Biol Psychiatry 2023:S0006-3223(23)01553-6. [PMID: 37678543 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.08.022] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability to differentiate stimuli that predict fear is critical for survival; however, the underlying molecular and circuit mechanisms remain poorly understood. METHODS We combined transgenic mice, in vivo transsynaptic circuit-dissecting anatomical approaches, optogenetics, pharmacological methods, and electrophysiological recording to investigate the involvement of specific extended amygdala circuits in different fear memory. RESULTS We identified the projections from central lateral amygdala (CeL) protein kinase C δ (PKCδ)-positive neurons and somatostatin (SST)-positive neurons to GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acidergic) and glutamatergic neurons in the ventral part of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (vBNST). Prolonged optogenetic activation or inhibition of the PKCδCeL-vBNST pathway specifically reduced context fear memory, whereas the SSTCeL-vBNST pathway mainly reduced tone fear memory. Intriguingly, optogenetic manipulation of vBNST neurons that received the projection from PKCδCeL neurons exerted bidirectional regulation of context fear, whereas manipulation of vBNST neurons that received the projection from SSTCeL neurons could bidirectionally regulate both context and tone fear memory. We subsequently demonstrated the presence of δ and κ opioid receptor protein expression within the CeL-vBNST circuits, potentially accounting for the discrepancy between prolonged activation of GABAergic circuits and inhibition of downstream vBNST neurons. Finally, administration of an opioid receptor antagonist cocktail on the PKCδCeL-vBNST or SSTCeL-vBNST pathway successfully restored context or tone fear memory reduction induced by prolonged activation of the circuits. CONCLUSIONS Together, these findings establish a functional role for distinct CeL-vBNST circuits in the differential regulation and appropriate maintenance of fear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Center of Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shi-Ze Xie
- National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Center of Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ai-Bing Peng
- National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Center of Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Dan Yu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Center of Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chun-Yue Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Center of Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Yu Fu
- National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Center of Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chen-Jie Shen
- National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Center of Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shu-Xia Cao
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Center of Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiadong Chen
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Center of Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Center of Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Research Units for Emotion and Emotion Disorders, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Li C, Kühn NK, Alkislar I, Sans-Dublanc A, Zemmouri F, Paesmans S, Calzoni A, Ooms F, Reinhard K, Farrow K. Pathway-specific inputs to the superior colliculus support flexible responses to visual threat. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade3874. [PMID: 37647395 PMCID: PMC10468139 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade3874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral flexibility requires directing feedforward sensory information to appropriate targets. In the superior colliculus, divergent outputs orchestrate different responses to visual threats, but the circuit organization enabling the flexible routing of sensory information remains unknown. To determine this structure, we focused on inhibitory projection (Gad2) neurons. Trans-synaptic tracing and neuronal recordings revealed that Gad2 neurons projecting to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and the parabigeminal nucleus (PBG) form two separate populations, each receiving a different set of non-retinal inputs. Inhibiting the LGN- or PBG-projecting Gad2 neurons resulted in opposing effects on behavior; increasing freezing or escape probability to visual looming, respectively. Optogenetic activation of selected inputs to the LGN- and PBG-projecting Gad2 cells predictably regulated responses to visual threat. These data suggest that projection-specific sampling of brain-wide inputs provides a circuit design principle that enables visual inputs to be selectively routed to produce context-specific behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Li
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Norma K. Kühn
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ilayda Alkislar
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Arnau Sans-Dublanc
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Firdaouss Zemmouri
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical, and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Soraya Paesmans
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alex Calzoni
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frédérique Ooms
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Imec, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katja Reinhard
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karl Farrow
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Imec, Leuven, Belgium
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40
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Abend R. Understanding anxiety symptoms as aberrant defensive responding along the threat imminence continuum. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 152:105305. [PMID: 37414377 PMCID: PMC10528507 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105305] [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: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Threat-anticipatory defensive responses have evolved to promote survival in a dynamic world. While inherently adaptive, aberrant expression of defensive responses to potential threat could manifest as pathological anxiety, which is prevalent, impairing, and associated with adverse outcomes. Extensive translational neuroscience research indicates that normative defensive responses are organized by threat imminence, such that distinct response patterns are observed in each phase of threat encounter and orchestrated by partially conserved neural circuitry. Anxiety symptoms, such as excessive and pervasive worry, physiological arousal, and avoidance behavior, may reflect aberrant expression of otherwise normative defensive responses, and therefore follow the same imminence-based organization. Here, empirical evidence linking aberrant expression of specific, imminence-dependent defensive responding to distinct anxiety symptoms is reviewed, and plausible contributing neural circuitry is highlighted. Drawing from translational and clinical research, the proposed framework informs our understanding of pathological anxiety by grounding anxiety symptoms in conserved psychobiological mechanisms. Potential implications for research and treatment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rany Abend
- School of Psychology, Reichman University, P.O. Box 167, Herzliya 4610101, Israel; Section on Development and Affective Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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41
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Priest MF, Freda SN, Rieth IJ, Badong D, Dumrongprechachan V, Kozorovitskiy Y. Peptidergic and functional delineation of the Edinger-Westphal nucleus. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112992. [PMID: 37594894 PMCID: PMC10512657 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112992] [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: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Many neuronal populations that release fast-acting excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain also contain slower-acting neuropeptides. These facultative peptidergic cell types are common, but it remains uncertain whether neurons that solely release peptides exist. Our fluorescence in situ hybridization, genetically targeted electron microscopy, and electrophysiological characterization suggest that most neurons of the non-cholinergic, centrally projecting Edinger-Westphal nucleus in mice are obligately peptidergic. We further show, using anterograde projection mapping, monosynaptic retrograde tracing, angled-tip fiber photometry, and chemogenetic modulation and genetically targeted ablation in conjunction with canonical assays for anxiety, that this peptidergic population activates in response to loss of motor control and promotes anxiety responses. Together, these findings elucidate an integrative, ethologically relevant role for the Edinger-Westphal nucleus and functionally align the nucleus with the periaqueductal gray, where it resides. This work advances our understanding of peptidergic modulation of anxiety and provides a framework for future investigations of peptidergic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Priest
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Sara N Freda
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Isabelle J Rieth
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Deanna Badong
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Vasin Dumrongprechachan
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Yevgenia Kozorovitskiy
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
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42
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Li Y, Zhi W, Qi B, Wang L, Hu X. Update on neurobiological mechanisms of fear: illuminating the direction of mechanism exploration and treatment development of trauma and fear-related disorders. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1216524. [PMID: 37600761 PMCID: PMC10433239 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1216524] [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: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Fear refers to an adaptive response in the face of danger, and the formed fear memory acts as a warning when the individual faces a dangerous situation again, which is of great significance to the survival of humans and animals. Excessive fear response caused by abnormal fear memory can lead to neuropsychiatric disorders. Fear memory has been studied for a long time, which is of a certain guiding effect on the treatment of fear-related disorders. With continuous technological innovations, the study of fear has gradually shifted from the level of brain regions to deeper neural (micro) circuits between brain regions and even within single brain regions, as well as molecular mechanisms. This article briefly outlines the basic knowledge of fear memory and reviews the neurobiological mechanisms of fear extinction and relapse, which aims to provide new insights for future basic research on fear emotions and new ideas for treating trauma and fear-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- College of Education, Hebei University, Baoding, China
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Weijia Zhi
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Qi
- College of Education, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Lifeng Wang
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangjun Hu
- College of Education, Hebei University, Baoding, China
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
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43
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Khalil V, Faress I, Mermet-Joret N, Kerwin P, Yonehara K, Nabavi S. Subcortico-amygdala pathway processes innate and learned threats. eLife 2023; 12:e85459. [PMID: 37526552 PMCID: PMC10449383 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85459] [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: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Behavioral flexibility and timely reactions to salient stimuli are essential for survival. The subcortical thalamic-basolateral amygdala (BLA) pathway serves as a shortcut for salient stimuli ensuring rapid processing. Here, we show that BLA neuronal and thalamic axonal activity in mice mirror the defensive behavior evoked by an innate visual threat as well as an auditory learned threat. Importantly, perturbing this pathway compromises defensive responses to both forms of threats, in that animals fail to switch from exploratory to defensive behavior. Despite the shared pathway between the two forms of threat processing, we observed noticeable differences. Blocking β-adrenergic receptors impairs the defensive response to the innate but not the learned threats. This reduced defensive response, surprisingly, is reflected in the suppression of the activity exclusively in the BLA as the thalamic input response remains intact. Our side-by-side examination highlights the similarities and differences between innate and learned threat-processing, thus providing new fundamental insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Khalil
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- DANDRITE, The Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- Center for Proteins in Memory – PROMEMO, Danish National Research Foundation, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Islam Faress
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- DANDRITE, The Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- Center for Proteins in Memory – PROMEMO, Danish National Research Foundation, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Noëmie Mermet-Joret
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- DANDRITE, The Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- Center for Proteins in Memory – PROMEMO, Danish National Research Foundation, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Peter Kerwin
- DANDRITE, The Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Keisuke Yonehara
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- Multiscale Sensory Structure Laboratory, National Institute of GeneticsMishimaJapan
- Department of Genetics, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI)MishimaJapan
| | - Sadegh Nabavi
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- DANDRITE, The Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- Center for Proteins in Memory – PROMEMO, Danish National Research Foundation, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
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44
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Grogans SE, Bliss-Moreau E, Buss KA, Clark LA, Fox AS, Keltner D, Cowen AS, Kim JJ, Kragel PA, MacLeod C, Mobbs D, Naragon-Gainey K, Fullana MA, Shackman AJ. The nature and neurobiology of fear and anxiety: State of the science and opportunities for accelerating discovery. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 151:105237. [PMID: 37209932 PMCID: PMC10330657 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Fear and anxiety play a central role in mammalian life, and there is considerable interest in clarifying their nature, identifying their biological underpinnings, and determining their consequences for health and disease. Here we provide a roundtable discussion on the nature and biological bases of fear- and anxiety-related states, traits, and disorders. The discussants include scientists familiar with a wide variety of populations and a broad spectrum of techniques. The goal of the roundtable was to take stock of the state of the science and provide a roadmap to the next generation of fear and anxiety research. Much of the discussion centered on the key challenges facing the field, the most fruitful avenues for future research, and emerging opportunities for accelerating discovery, with implications for scientists, funders, and other stakeholders. Understanding fear and anxiety is a matter of practical importance. Anxiety disorders are a leading burden on public health and existing treatments are far from curative, underscoring the urgency of developing a deeper understanding of the factors governing threat-related emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon E Grogans
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Eliza Bliss-Moreau
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Kristin A Buss
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 USA
| | - Lee Anna Clark
- Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Andrew S Fox
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Dacher Keltner
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | | | - Jeansok J Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Philip A Kragel
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Colin MacLeod
- Centre for the Advancement of Research on Emotion, School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Dean Mobbs
- Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA; Computation and Neural Systems Program, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Kristin Naragon-Gainey
- School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Miquel A Fullana
- Adult Psychiatry and Psychology Department, Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain; Imaging of Mood, and Anxiety-Related Disorders Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, CIBERSAM, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alexander J Shackman
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; Maryland Neuroimaging Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
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45
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Fossati G, Kiss-Bodolay D, Prados J, Chéreau R, Husi E, Cadilhac C, Gomez L, Silva BA, Dayer A, Holtmaat A. Bimodal modulation of L1 interneuron activity in anterior cingulate cortex during fear conditioning. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1138358. [PMID: 37334059 PMCID: PMC10272719 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1138358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) plays a crucial role in encoding, consolidating and retrieving memories related to emotionally salient experiences, such as aversive and rewarding events. Various studies have highlighted its importance for fear memory processing, but its circuit mechanisms are still poorly understood. Cortical layer 1 (L1) of the ACC might be a particularly important site of signal integration, since it is a major entry point for long-range inputs, which is tightly controlled by local inhibition. Many L1 interneurons express the ionotropic serotonin receptor 3a (5HT3aR), which has been implicated in post-traumatic stress disorder and in models of anxiety. Hence, unraveling the response dynamics of L1 interneurons and subtypes thereof during fear memory processing may provide important insights into the microcircuit organization regulating this process. Here, using 2-photon laser scanning microscopy of genetically encoded calcium indicators through microprisms in awake mice, we longitudinally monitored over days the activity of L1 interneurons in the ACC in a tone-cued fear conditioning paradigm. We observed that tones elicited responses in a substantial fraction of the imaged neurons, which were significantly modulated in a bidirectional manner after the tone was associated to an aversive stimulus. A subpopulation of these neurons, the neurogliaform cells (NGCs), displayed a net increase in tone-evoked responses following fear conditioning. Together, these results suggest that different subpopulations of L1 interneurons may exert distinct functions in the ACC circuitry regulating fear learning and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliana Fossati
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, and Neurocenter, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Neuro Center, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniel Kiss-Bodolay
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, and Neurocenter, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Lemanic Neuroscience Doctoral School, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Julien Prados
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, and Neurocenter, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ronan Chéreau
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, and Neurocenter, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Elodie Husi
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, and Neurocenter, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Christelle Cadilhac
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, and Neurocenter, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Lucia Gomez
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, and Neurocenter, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bianca A. Silva
- Neuro Center, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Neuroscience, Milan, Italy
| | - Alexandre Dayer
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, and Neurocenter, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Anthony Holtmaat
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, and Neurocenter, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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46
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Wu Q, Zhang Y. Neural Circuit Mechanisms Involved in Animals' Detection of and Response to Visual Threats. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:994-1008. [PMID: 36694085 PMCID: PMC10264346 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01021-0] [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: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Evading or escaping from predators is one of the most crucial issues for survival across the animal kingdom. The timely detection of predators and the initiation of appropriate fight-or-flight responses are innate capabilities of the nervous system. Here we review recent progress in our understanding of innate visually-triggered defensive behaviors and the underlying neural circuit mechanisms, and a comparison among vinegar flies, zebrafish, and mice is included. This overview covers the anatomical and functional aspects of the neural circuits involved in this process, including visual threat processing and identification, the selection of appropriate behavioral responses, and the initiation of these innate defensive behaviors. The emphasis of this review is on the early stages of this pathway, namely, threat identification from complex visual inputs and how behavioral choices are influenced by differences in visual threats. We also briefly cover how the innate defensive response is processed centrally. Based on these summaries, we discuss coding strategies for visual threats and propose a common prototypical pathway for rapid innate defensive responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiwen Wu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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47
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Lu B, Fan P, Li M, Wang Y, Liang W, Yang G, Mo F, Xu Z, Shan J, Song Y, Liu J, Wu Y, Cai X. Detection of neuronal defensive discharge information transmission and characteristics in periaqueductal gray double-subregions using PtNP/PEDOT:PSS modified microelectrode arrays. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2023; 9:70. [PMID: 37275263 PMCID: PMC10232427 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-023-00546-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Threatened animals respond with appropriate defensive behaviors to survive. It has been accepted that midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) plays an essential role in the circuitry system and organizes defensive behavioral responses. However, the role and correlation of different PAG subregions in the expression of different defensive behaviors remain largely unexplored. Here, we designed and manufactured a microelectrode array (MEA) to simultaneously detect the activities of dPAG and vPAG neurons in freely behaving rats. To improve the detection performance of the MEAs, PtNP/PEDOT:PSS nanocomposites were modified onto the MEAs. Subsequently, the predator odor was used to induce the rat's innate fear, and the changes and information transmission in neuronal activities were detected in the dPAG and vPAG. Our results showed that the dPAG and vPAG participated in innate fear, but the activation degree was distinct in different defense behaviors. During flight, neuronal responses were stronger and earlier in the dPAG than the vPAG, while vPAG neurons responded more strongly during freezing. By applying high-performance MEA, it was revealed that neural information spread from the activated dPAG to the weakly activated vPAG. Our research also revealed that dPAG and vPAG neurons exhibited different defensive discharge characteristics, and dPAG neurons participated in the regulation of defense responses with burst-firing patterns. The slow activation and continuous firing of vPAG neurons cooresponded with the regulation of long-term freezing responses. The results demonstrated the important role of PAG neuronal activities in controlling different aspects of defensive behaviors and provided novel insights for investigating defense from the electrophysiological perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Botao Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Penghui Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Ming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Yiding Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Wei Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China
| | - Gucheng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Fan Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Zhaojie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Jin Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Yilin Song
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Juntao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Yirong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Xinxia Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
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48
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Reis FMCV, Mobbs D, Canteras NS, Adhikari A. Orchestration of innate and conditioned defensive actions by the periaqueductal gray. Neuropharmacology 2023; 228:109458. [PMID: 36773777 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109458] [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: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
The midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) has been recognized for decades as having a central role in the control of a wide variety of defensive responses. Initial discoveries relied primarily on lesions, electrical stimulation and pharmacology. Recent developments in neural activity imaging and in methods to control activity with anatomical and genetic specificity have revealed additional streams of data informing our understanding of PAG function. Here, we discuss both classic and modern studies reporting on how PAG-centered circuits influence innate as well as learned defensive actions in rodents and humans. Though early discoveries emphasized the PAG's role in rapid induction of innate defensive actions, emerging new data indicate a prominent role for the PAG in more complex processes, including representing behavioral states and influencing fear learning and memory. This article is part of the Special Issue on "Fear, Anxiety and PTSD".
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando M C V Reis
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
| | - Dean Mobbs
- Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States; Computation and Neural Systems Program, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Newton S Canteras
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Avishek Adhikari
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
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49
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Zhong J, Liu Q, Yang X, Su J, Li X, Luo M, Wang L. Mice learn from the predator-attack experience to accelerate flight behavior via optimizing the strategy of environment exploration. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 665:26-34. [PMID: 37148743 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.04.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Efficiently avoiding predators is critical for animal survival. However, little is known about how the experience of predator attack affects behaviors in predator defense. Here, we caught mice by tail to simulate a predator attack. We found that the experienced mice accelerated the flight in response to the visual threaten cue. Single predator attack didn't induce anxiety but increased the activity of innate fear or learning related nucleus. The predator attack induced acceleration of flight was partly rescued when we used drug to block protein synthesis which is critical in the learning process. The experienced mice significantly reduced the focused exploration on the floor during the environment exploration, which might facilitate the discovery of predator. These results suggest that mice could learn from the experience of predator attack to optimize their behavioral pattern to detect the predator cue immediately and response intensely, and therefore increase the probability of survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinling Zhong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, 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, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Qingqing Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, 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, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xing Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, 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, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Junying Su
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, 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, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xiaofen Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, 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, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Moxuan Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, 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, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong, China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Liping Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, 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, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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50
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Perisse E, Miranda M, Trouche S. Modulation of aversive value coding in the vertebrate and invertebrate brain. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 79:102696. [PMID: 36871400 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Avoiding potentially dangerous situations is key for the survival of any organism. Throughout life, animals learn to avoid environments, stimuli or actions that can lead to bodily harm. While the neural bases for appetitive learning, evaluation and value-based decision-making have received much attention, recent studies have revealed more complex computations for aversive signals during learning and decision-making than previously thought. Furthermore, previous experience, internal state and systems level appetitive-aversive interactions seem crucial for learning specific aversive value signals and making appropriate choices. The emergence of novel methodologies (computation analysis coupled with large-scale neuronal recordings, neuronal manipulations at unprecedented resolution offered by genetics, viral strategies and connectomics) has helped to provide novel circuit-based models for aversive (and appetitive) valuation. In this review, we focus on recent vertebrate and invertebrate studies yielding strong evidence that aversive value information can be computed by a multitude of interacting brain regions, and that past experience can modulate future aversive learning and therefore influence value-based decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Perisse
- Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, 141 rue de la Cardonille, 34094 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
| | - Magdalena Miranda
- Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, 141 rue de la Cardonille, 34094 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Stéphanie Trouche
- Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, 141 rue de la Cardonille, 34094 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
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