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Granata LE, Chang A, Shaheed H, Shinde A, Kulkarni P, Satpute A, Brenhouse HC, Honeycutt JA. Examining Brain Activity Responses during Rat Ultrasonic Vocalization Playback: Insights from a Novel fMRI Translational Paradigm. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0179-23.2024. [PMID: 39299806 PMCID: PMC11451431 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0179-23.2024] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of preclinical investigation, there remains limited understanding of the etiology and biological underpinnings of anxiety disorders. Sensitivity to potential threat is characteristic of anxiety-like behavior in humans and rodents, but traditional rodent behavioral tasks aimed to assess threat responsiveness lack translational value, especially with regard to emotionally valenced stimuli. Therefore, development of novel preclinical approaches to serve as analogues to patient assessments is needed. In humans, the fearful face task is widely used to test responsiveness to socially communicated threat signals. In rats, ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) are analogous social cues associated with positive or negative affective states that can elicit behavioral changes in the receiver. It is therefore likely that when rats hear aversive alarm call USVs (22 kHz), they evoke translatable changes in brain activity comparable with the fearful face task. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging in male and female rats to assess changes in BOLD activity induced by exposure to aversive 22 kHz alarm calls emitted in response to threatening stimuli, prosocial (55 kHz) USVs emitted in response to appetitive stimuli, or a computer-generated 22 kHz tone. Results show patterns of regional activation that are specific to each USV stimulus. Notably, limbic regions clinically relevant to psychiatric disorders (e.g., amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis) are preferentially activated by either aversive 22 kHz or appetitive 55 kHz USVs. These results support the use of USV playback as a promising translational tool to investigate affective processing under conditions of distal threat in preclinical rat models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Granata
- Developmental Neuropsychobiology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Arnold Chang
- Center for Translational Neuroimaging, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Habiba Shaheed
- Developmental Neuropsychobiology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Anjali Shinde
- Center for Translational Neuroimaging, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Praveen Kulkarni
- Center for Translational Neuroimaging, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Ajay Satpute
- Affective and Brain Sciences Lab, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Heather C Brenhouse
- Developmental Neuropsychobiology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Jennifer A Honeycutt
- Developmental Neuropsychobiology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
- Research in Affective and Translational Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine 04011
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Yang M, Zhu H, Peng L, Yin T, Sun S, Du Y, Li J, Liu J, Wang S. Neuronal HIPK2-HDAC3 axis regulates mitochondrial fragmentation to participate in stroke injury and post-stroke anxiety like behavior. Exp Neurol 2024; 380:114906. [PMID: 39079624 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Post-stroke anxiety (PSA) seriously affects the prognosis of patients, which is an urgent clinical problem to be addressed. However, the pathological mechanism of PSA is largely unclear. Here, we found that neuronal HIPK2 expression was upregulated in the ischemic lesion after stroke. The upregulation of HIPK2 promotes Drp1 oligomerization through the HDAC3-dependent pathway, leading to excessive mitochondrial damage. This subsequently triggers the release of cellular cytokines such as IL-18 from neurons under ischemic stress. Microglia are capable of responding to IL-18, which promotes their activation and enhances their phagocytosis, ultimately resulting in the loss of synapses and neurons, thereby exacerbating the pathological progression of PSA. HIPK2 knockdown or inhibition suppresses excessive pruning of neuronal synapses by activated microglia in the contralateral vCA1 region to compromise inactivated anxiolytic pBLA-vCA1Calb1+ circuit, relieving anxiety-like behavior after stroke. Furthermore, we discovered that early remimazolam administration can remodel HIPK2-HDAC3 axis, ameliorating the progression of PSA. In conclusion, our study revealed that the neuronal HIPK2-HDAC3 axis in the ischemic focus regulates mitochondrial fragmentation to balance inflammation stress reservoir to participate in anxiety susceptibility after stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China; Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241002, China
| | - Hongrui Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China.
| | - Li Peng
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China; Core Facility Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC (Anhui Provincial Hospital), Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Tianyue Yin
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China; Core Facility Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC (Anhui Provincial Hospital), Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Shuaijie Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China; Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241002, China
| | - Yuhao Du
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China; Core Facility Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC (Anhui Provincial Hospital), Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Jinya Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China.
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Kuan HY, Chang CH. The Role of the Orbitofrontal Cortex in the Regulation of Fear Coping Strategies. JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION 2024:02275668-990000000-00014. [PMID: 39347695 DOI: 10.4103/ejpi.ejpi-d-24-00072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Under threats, individuals exhibit freezing behavior and prepare for active coping. The ability to flexibly shift between freezing and active coping increases survival chances in animals and decreases susceptibility to mental disorders among human beings. For example, patients with psychiatric disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, often show maladaptive coping behaviors. The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is a critical hub to process higher cognitive functions, sensory inputs, reward learning, and decision-making. It also regulates negative emotions and its aberrant activation level often correlates with numerous mental disorders. The rodent OFC comprises different subdivisions with varying connections to cortical and subcortical regions. Among these subdivisions, the medial orbital area (MO) and the lateral orbital area (LO) have distinct functions in the regulation of fear. Here, we updated the existing rodent literature studying the function of the OFC, with a particular focus on the MO and the LO in different coping strategies of animals. By examining the role of the OFC in the mediation of defensive coping strategies, we aim to deepen the understanding of its functional importance on mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsun-Yi Kuan
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hui Chang
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Brain Research Center, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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Robertson KV, Rodriguez AS, Cartailler JP, Shrestha S, Schleh MW, Schroeder KR, Valenti AM, Kramer AT, Harrison FE, Hasty AH. Knockdown of microglial iron import gene, Slc11a2, worsens cognitive function and alters microglial transcriptional landscape in a sex-specific manner in the APP/PS1 model of Alzheimer's disease. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:238. [PMID: 39334471 PMCID: PMC11438269 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03238-w] [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: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microglial cell iron load and inflammatory activation are significant hallmarks of late-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD). In vitro, microglia preferentially upregulate the iron importer, divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1, gene name Slc11a2) in response to inflammatory stimuli, and excess iron can augment cellular inflammation, suggesting a feed-forward loop between iron import mechanisms and inflammatory signaling. However, it is not understood whether microglial iron import mechanisms directly contribute to inflammatory signaling and chronic disease in vivo. These studies determined the effects of microglial-specific knockdown of Slc11a2 on AD-related cognitive decline and microglial transcriptional phenotype. METHODS In vitro experiments and RT-qPCR were used to assess a role for DMT1 in amyloid-β-associated inflammation. To determine the effects of microglial Slc11a2 knockdown on AD-related phenotypes in vivo, triple-transgenic Cx3cr1Cre-ERT2;Slc11a2flfl;APP/PS1+or - mice were generated and administered corn oil or tamoxifen to induce knockdown at 5-6 months of age. Both sexes underwent behavioral analyses to assess cognition and memory (12-15 months of age). Hippocampal CD11b+ microglia were magnetically isolated from female mice (15-17 months) and bulk RNA-sequencing analysis was conducted. RESULTS DMT1 inhibition in vitro robustly decreased Aβ-induced inflammatory gene expression and cellular iron levels in conditions of excess iron. In vivo, Slc11a2KD APP/PS1 female, but not male, mice displayed a significant worsening of memory function in Morris water maze and a fear conditioning assay, along with significant hyperactivity compared to control WT and APP/PS1 mice. Hippocampal microglia from Slc11a2KD APP/PS1 females displayed significant increases in Enpp2, Ttr, and the iron-export gene, Slc40a1, compared to control APP/PS1 cells. Slc11a2KD cells from APP/PS1 females also exhibited decreased expression of markers associated with subsets of disease-associated microglia (DAMs), such as Apoe, Ctsb, Ly9, Csf1, and Hif1α. CONCLUSIONS This work suggests a sex-specific role for microglial iron import gene Slc11a2 in propagating behavioral and cognitive phenotypes in the APP/PS1 model of AD. These data also highlight an association between loss of a DAM-like phenotype in microglia and cognitive deficits in Slc11a2KD APP/PS1 female mice. Overall, this work illuminates an iron-related pathway in microglia that may serve a protective role during disease and offers insight into mechanisms behind disease-related sex differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Volk Robertson
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, 702 Light Hall, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Alec S Rodriguez
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, 702 Light Hall, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Shristi Shrestha
- Creative Data Solutions, Vanderbilt Center for Stem Cell Biology, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Michael W Schleh
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, 702 Light Hall, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kyle R Schroeder
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, 702 Light Hall, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Arianna M Valenti
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, 702 Light Hall, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Alec T Kramer
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Fiona E Harrison
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 7465 Medical Research Building IV, 2213 Garland Avenue, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
| | - Alyssa H Hasty
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, 702 Light Hall, Nashville, TN, USA.
- VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Rashidi M, Simon JJ, Bertsch K, Wegen GV, Ditzen B, Flor H, Grinevich V, Wolf RC, Herpertz SC. Effects of intranasal oxytocin on fear extinction learning. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024:10.1038/s41386-024-01996-y. [PMID: 39313675 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01996-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 09/16/2024] [Accepted: 09/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Once a threat no longer exists, extinction of conditioned fear becomes adaptive in order to reduce allotted resources towards cues that no longer predict the threat. In anxiety and stress disorders, fear extinction learning may be affected. Animal findings suggest that the administration of oxytocin (OT) modulates extinction learning in a timepoint-dependent manner, facilitating extinction when administered prior to fear conditioning, but impairing it when administered prior to extinction learning. The aim of the present study was to examine if these findings translate into human research. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-day fear conditioning and extinction learning design, behavioral (self-reported anxiety), physiological (skin conductance response), neuronal (task-based and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging), and hormonal (cortisol) data were collected from 124 naturally cycling (taking no hormonal contraceptives) healthy females. When administered prior to conditioning (Day 1), OT, similar to rodent findings, did not affect fear conditioning, but modulated the intrinsic functional connectivity of the anterior insula immediately after fear conditioning. In contrast to animal findings, OT impaired, not facilitated, extinction learning on the next day and increased anterior insula activity. When administered prior to extinction learning (day 2), OT increased the activity in the bilateral middle temporal gyrus, and similar to animal findings, reduced extinction learning. The current findings suggest that intranasal OT impedes fear extinction learning in humans regardless of the timepoint of administration, providing new insights and directions for future translational research and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Rashidi
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Joe J Simon
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katja Bertsch
- Department of Psychology, Julius Maximilians University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Vincent Wegen
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Beate Ditzen
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Herta Flor
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Robert Christian Wolf
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabine C Herpertz
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- DZPG, German Center for Mental Health, Berlin, Germany
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Qiao J, Tao S, Sun Y, Shi J, Chen Y, Tian S, Yao Z, Lu Q. The Effects of Variation in the GABA A Receptor Gene on Anxious Depression are Mediated by the Functional Connectivity Between the Amygdala and Middle Frontal Gyrus. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2024; 20:1781-1796. [PMID: 39346029 PMCID: PMC11438461 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s468290] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 09/18/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and its main receptor, the GABAA receptor, are implicated in major depressive disorder (MDD). Anxious depression (AD) is deemed to be a primary subtype of MDD. The amygdala and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) are key brain regions involved in emotional regulation. These regions contain the most GABAA receptors. Although the GABAergic deficit hypothesis of MDD is generally accepted, few studies have demonstrated how GABAA receptor gene polymorphisms affect the functions of specific brain regions, in particular, the amygdala and the DLPFC. Methods The sample comprised 83 patients with AD, 70 patients with non-anxious depression (NAD), and 62 healthy controls (HC). All participants underwent genotyping for polymorphisms of GABAA receptor subunit genes, followed by a resting-state fMRI scan. The HAMD-17 was used to evaluate the severity of MDD. ANOVA was performed to obtain the difference in the imaging data, GABAA receptor multi-locus genetic profile scores (MGPS), and HAMD-17 scores among three groups, then the significant differences between AD and NAD groups were identified. Mediating effect analysis was used to explore the role of functional connectivity (FC) between the amygdala and DLPFC in the association between the GABAA receptor gene MGPS and AD clinical features. Results Compared with the NAD group, the AD group had a higher GABAA receptor MGPS. AD patients exhibited a negative correlation between the MGPS and FC of the right centromedial (CM) subregion, and the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG). A negative correlation was also observed between the MGPS and anxiety/somatic symptoms. More importantly, the right CM and right MFG connectivity mediated the association between the GABAA receptor MGPS and anxiety/somatic symptoms in patients with AD. Conclusion The decreased FC between the right MFG and right CM subregion mediates the association between GABAA receptor MGPS and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Qiao
- Department of Psychology, Xuzhou East Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shiwan Tao
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yurong Sun
- School of Biological Sciences and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science, Ministry of Education, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiabo Shi
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shui Tian
- School of Biological Sciences and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science, Ministry of Education, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhijian Yao
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qing Lu
- School of Biological Sciences and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science, Ministry of Education, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
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Merritt AE, St John ME, Leri F, Stein LR. Sensory cues of predation risk generate sex-specific changes in neural activity and behavior, but not hormones, in Trinidadian guppies. Horm Behav 2024; 166:105635. [PMID: 39303528 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105635] [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: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
How an organism responds to risk depends on how that individual perceives such risk. Integrating cues from multiple sensory modalities allows individuals to extract information from their environment, and whether and how the brain and body respond differently to different sensory cues can help reveal mechanistic decision-making processes. Here, we assessed neural, hormonal, and behavioral responses to different sensory cues of predation risk in Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata). Adult guppies were assigned to one of four treatment groups: control, visual, olfactory, and both sensory cues combined from a natural predator, the pike cichlid (Crenicichla alta), for 2 h. We found no difference in glucocorticoid response to any cue. However, we found behavioral and neural activation responses to olfactory-only cues. In addition, we found a sex by treatment effect, where males showed greater changes in neural activation in brain regions associated with avoidance behavior, while females showed greater changes in neural activation in regions associated with social behavior and memory, mirroring sex by treatment differences in behavioral antipredator responses. Altogether, our results demonstrate that single and combinatory cues may influence risk-taking behavior differently based on sex, suggesting that perception and integration of cues can cascade into sex differences in behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Merritt
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States of America
| | - M E St John
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States of America
| | - F Leri
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States of America
| | - L R Stein
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States of America.
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Li K, Koukoutselos K, Sakaguchi M, Ciocchi S. Distinct ventral hippocampal inhibitory microcircuits regulating anxiety and fear behaviors. Nat Commun 2024; 15:8228. [PMID: 39300067 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52466-4] [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: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024] Open
Abstract
In emotion research, anxiety and fear have always been interconnected, sharing overlapping brain structures and neural circuitry. Recent investigations, however, have unveiled parallel long-range projection pathways originating from the ventral hippocampus, shedding light on their distinct roles in anxiety and fear. Yet, the mechanisms governing the emergence of projection-specific activity patterns to mediate different negative emotions remain elusive. Here, we show a division of labor in local GABAergic inhibitory microcircuits of the ventral hippocampus, orchestrating the activity of subpopulations of pyramidal neurons to shape anxiety and fear behaviors in mice. These findings offer a comprehensive insight into how distinct inhibitory microcircuits are dynamically engaged to encode different emotional states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaizhen Li
- Laboratory of Systems Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | | | - Masanori Sakaguchi
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Stéphane Ciocchi
- Laboratory of Systems Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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Tiwari P, Davoudian PA, Kapri D, Vuruputuri RM, Karaba LA, Sharma M, Zanni G, Balakrishnan A, Chaudhari PR, Pradhan A, Suryavanshi S, Bath KG, Ansorge MS, Fernandez-Ruiz A, Kwan AC, Vaidya VA. Ventral hippocampal parvalbumin interneurons gate the acute anxiolytic action of the serotonergic psychedelic DOI. Neuron 2024:S0896-6273(24)00640-8. [PMID: 39321791 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.08.016] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
There has been a recent renewal of interest in the therapeutic potential of serotonergic psychedelics. Here, we uncover the essential role of ventral hippocampus (vHpc) GABAergic interneurons in the anxiolytic effect evoked by the serotonergic psychedelic 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI). Integrating anatomical, pharmacological, and genetic approaches, we show that 5-HT2A receptors in the CA1/subiculum (CA1/sub) region of the vHpc are required for the anxiolytic action of DOI. In vivo electrophysiology and opto-tagging experiments indicate that DOI enhances the firing rate of hippocampal fast-spiking parvalbumin (PV)-positive interneurons, most of which express the 5-HT2A receptors. Restoration of 5-HT2A receptors in PV-positive interneurons in a loss-of-function background reinstated the anxiolytic responses evoked by DOI in the vHpc CA1/sub region. Collectively, our results localize the acute anxiolytic action of a serotonergic psychedelic to 5-HT2A receptors in the ventral hippocampus and specifically identify PV-positive fast-spiking cells as a cellular trigger for the psychedelic-induced relief of anxiety-like behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praachi Tiwari
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai 400005, India.
| | - Pasha A Davoudian
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Darshana Kapri
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai 400005, India
| | | | - Lindsay A Karaba
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Mukund Sharma
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai 400005, India
| | - Giulia Zanni
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Angarika Balakrishnan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai 400005, India
| | - Pratik R Chaudhari
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai 400005, India
| | - Amartya Pradhan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai 400005, India
| | - Shital Suryavanshi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai 400005, India
| | - Kevin G Bath
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Mark S Ansorge
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | | | - Alex C Kwan
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Vidita A Vaidya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai 400005, India.
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10
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Liu Q, Xiong J, Kim DW, Lee SS, Bell BJ, Alexandre C, Blackshaw S, Latremoliere A, Wu MN. An amygdalar oscillator coordinates cellular and behavioral rhythms. Neuron 2024:S0896-6273(24)00609-3. [PMID: 39303704 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
Circadian rhythms are generated by the master pacemaker suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in concert with local clocks throughout the body. Although many brain regions exhibit cycling clock gene expression, the identity of a discrete extra-SCN brain oscillator that produces rhythmic behavior has remained elusive. Here, we show that an extra-SCN oscillator in the lateral amygdala (LA) is defined by expression of the clock-output molecule mWAKE/ANKFN1. mWAKE is enriched in the anterior/dorsal LA (adLA), and, strikingly, selective disruption of clock function or excitatory signaling in adLAmWAKE neurons abolishes Period2 (PER2) rhythms throughout the LA. mWAKE levels rise at night and promote rhythmic excitability of adLAmWAKE neurons by upregulating Ca2+-activated K+ channel activity specifically at night. adLAmWAKE neurons coordinate rhythmic sensory perception and anxiety in a clock-dependent and WAKE-dependent manner. Together, these data reveal the cellular identity of an extra-SCN brain oscillator and suggest a multi-level hierarchical system organizing molecular and behavioral rhythms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Liu
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jiali Xiong
- Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Dong Won Kim
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sang Soo Lee
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Benjamin J Bell
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Chloe Alexandre
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Seth Blackshaw
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Alban Latremoliere
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Mark N Wu
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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11
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Vicheva P, Osborne C, Krieg SM, Shotbolt P, Ahmadi R. Transcranial magnetic stimulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder: A comprehensive systematic review and analysis of therapeutic benefits, cortical targets, and psychopathophysiological mechanisms. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024:111147. [PMID: 39293504 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111147] [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: 06/29/2024] [Revised: 09/05/2024] [Accepted: 09/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/20/2024]
Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a safe non-invasive treatment technique. We systematically reviewed randomised controlled trials (RCTs) applying TMS in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to analyse its therapeutic benefits and explore the relationship between cortical target and psychopathophysiology. We included 47 randomised controlled trials (35 for OCD) and found a 22.7 % symptom improvement for OCD and 29.4 % for PTSD. Eight cortical targets were investigated for OCD and four for PTSD, yielding similar results. Bilateral dlPFC-TMS exhibited the greatest symptom change (32.3 % for OCD, N = 4 studies; 35.7 % for PTSD, N = 1 studies), followed by right dlPFC-TMS (24.4 % for OCD, N = 8; 26.7 % for PTSD, N = 10), and left dlPFC-TMS (22.9 % for OCD, N = 6; 23.1 % for PTSD, N = 1). mPFC-TMS showed promising results, although evidence is limited (N = 2 studies each for OCD and PTSD) and findings for PTSD were conflicting. Despite clinical improvement, reviewed reports lacked a consistent and solid rationale for cortical target selection, revealing a gap in TMS research that complicates the interpretation of findings and hinders TMS development and optimisation. Future research should adopt a hypothesis-driven approach rather than relying solely on correlations from imaging studies, integrating neurobiological processes with affective, behavioural, and cognitive states, thereby doing justice to the complexity of human experience and mental illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petya Vicheva
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Department of Neurosurgery, University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Curtis Osborne
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sandro M Krieg
- Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Department of Neurosurgery, University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Paul Shotbolt
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rezvan Ahmadi
- Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Department of Neurosurgery, University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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12
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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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13
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Vazquez K, Parsons RG. Sex differences in contextual fear expression are associated with altered medial prefrontal cortex activity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.07.611834. [PMID: 39314297 PMCID: PMC11419059 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.07.611834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the neural basis of fear expression in rodents has implications for understanding pathological fear responses that characterize posttraumatic stress disorder. Even though posttraumatic stress disorder is more common in females, little is known about the neural circuit interactions supporting fear expression in female rodents. In this study, we were interested in determining whether neural activity associated with the expression of contextual fear differed between males and females within the projections from the medial prefrontal cortex to the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray, and in the medial prefrontal cortex in neurons that do not project to the periaqueductal gray. We infused a viral retrograde tracer into the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray in male and female rats and trained them in a contextual fear conditioning task. The following day rats were re-exposed to the conditioning context and were sacrificed shortly thereafter. Neural activity was measured using EGR1 immunofluorescence. The behavioral results showed that males exhibited higher levels of freezing during the context test than females. Male rats that underwent training and testing showed an increase in the proportion of viral infected cells that express EGR1 in the PL compared to rats that had only received context exposure. Trained female rats were not different than controls, however a direct comparison between sexes was not different. In cells not labeled by the tracer, males showed higher levels of fear-induced EGR1 expression in the prelimbic cortex than females. Conversely, females showed higher levels of EGR1 expression in the infralimbic cortex following testing as compared to males. These results suggest that sex differences in the expression of contextual fear may involve differences in the relative activity levels of the prelimbic and infralimbic cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Vazquez
- Stony Brook University, Department of Psychology, 100 Nicolls Rd., Stony Brook, NY, 11794
| | - Ryan G Parsons
- Stony Brook University, Department of Psychology, 100 Nicolls Rd., Stony Brook, NY, 11794
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14
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Arora I, Mal P, Arora P, Paul A, Kumar M. GABAergic implications in anxiety and related disorders. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 724:150218. [PMID: 38865810 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Evidence indicates that anxiety disorders arise from an imbalance in the functioning of brain circuits that govern the modulation of emotional responses to possibly threatening stimuli. The circuits under consideration in this context include the amygdala's bottom-up activity, which signifies the existence of stimuli that may be seen as dangerous. Moreover, these circuits encompass top-down regulatory processes that originate in the prefrontal cortex, facilitating the communication of the emotional significance associated with the inputs. Diverse databases (e.g., Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Google Scholar) were searched for literature using a combination of different terms e.g., "anxiety", "stress", "neuroanatomy", and "neural circuits", etc. A decrease in GABAergic activity is present in both anxiety disorders and severe depression. Research on cerebral functional imaging in depressive individuals has shown reduced levels of GABA within the cortical regions. Additionally, animal studies demonstrated that a reduction in the expression of GABAA/B receptors results in a behavioral pattern resembling anxiety. The amygdala consists of inhibitory networks composed of GABAergic interneurons, responsible for modulating anxiety responses in both normal and pathological conditions. The GABAA receptor has allosteric sites (e.g., α/γ, γ/β, and α/β) which enable regulation of neuronal inhibition in the amygdala. These sites serve as molecular targets for anxiolytic medications such as benzodiazepine and barbiturates. Alterations in the levels of naturally occurring regulators of these allosteric sites, along with alterations to the composition of the GABAA receptor subunits, could potentially act as mechanisms via which the extent of neuronal inhibition is diminished in pathological anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indu Arora
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Pankaj Mal
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Poonam Arora
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Anushka Paul
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India.
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15
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Kong MS, Jo YS, Sethi E, Pyeon GH, Zweifel LS. A dopamine-dependent mechanism for Reward-induced modification of Fear memories. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.05.611495. [PMID: 39282301 PMCID: PMC11398482 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.05.611495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/20/2024]
Abstract
A positive mental state has been shown to modulate fear-related emotions associated with the recall of fear memories. These, and other observations suggest the presence of central brain mechanisms for affective states to interact. The neurotransmitter dopamine is important for both Reward- and fear-related processes, but it is unclear whether dopamine contributes to such affective interactions. Here, we show that precisely timed Reward-induced activation of dopamine neurons in mice potently modifies fear memories and enhances their extinction. This Reward-based switch in fear states is associated with changes in dopamine release and dopamine-dependent regulation of fear encoding in the central amygdala (CeA). These data provide a central mechanism for Reward-induced modification of fear states that have broad implications for treating generalized fear disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Seon Kong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle WA USA
| | - Yong S Jo
- School of Psychology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ekayana Sethi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle WA USA
| | - Gyeong Hee Pyeon
- School of Psychology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Larry S Zweifel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle WA USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle WA USA
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16
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Liang J, Zhou Y, Feng Q, Zhou Y, Jiang T, Ren M, Jia X, Gong H, Di R, Jiao P, Luo M. A brainstem circuit amplifies aversion. Neuron 2024:S0896-6273(24)00582-8. [PMID: 39270652 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.08.010] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
Dynamic gain control of aversive signals enables adaptive behavioral responses. Although the role of amygdalar circuits in aversive processing is well established, the neural pathway for amplifying aversion remains elusive. Here, we show that the brainstem circuit linking the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) with the nucleus incertus (NI) amplifies aversion and promotes avoidant behaviors. IPN GABA neurons are activated by aversive stimuli and their predicting cues, with their response intensity closely tracking aversive values. Activating these neurons does not trigger aversive behavior on its own but rather amplifies responses to aversive stimuli, whereas their ablation or inhibition suppresses such responses. Detailed circuit dissection revealed anatomically distinct subgroups within the IPN GABA neuron population, highlighting the NI-projecting subgroup as the modulator of aversiveness related to fear and opioid withdrawal. These findings unveil the IPN-NI circuit as an aversion amplifier and suggest potential targets for interventions against affective disorders and opioid relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Liang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS), Beijing 102206, China; Division of Neurobiology, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | - Yu Zhou
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research (CIBR), Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Qiru Feng
- National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS), Beijing 102206, China
| | - Youtong Zhou
- National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS), Beijing 102206, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, JITRI, Suzhou 215125, China
| | - Miao Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Hainan Province, School of Biomedical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Xueyan Jia
- HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, JITRI, Suzhou 215125, China
| | - Hui Gong
- HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, JITRI, Suzhou 215125, China
| | - Run Di
- Department of Neurology & Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Beijing 100053, China; Neurodegenerative Laboratory of Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Peijie Jiao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Minmin Luo
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research (CIBR), Beijing 102206, China; New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shenzhen 518054, China; Research Unit of Medical Neurobiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China; Beijing Institute for Brain Research, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 102206, China.
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17
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Schkoda S, Horman B, Witchey S, St Armour G, Nelson M, Gaeta E, Scott M, Patisaul HB. Sex-specific effects on elements of the social brain neural network in Wistar rats from perinatal exposure to FireMaster 550 or its components. Neurotoxicology 2024; 105:111-120. [PMID: 39241866 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.09.001] [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: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
Developmental exposure to chemical flame retardants (FRs) has been linked to a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders and abnormal socioemotional behaviors in human and laboratory animal studies. We have previously shown in Wistar rats that gestational and lactational exposure to the FR mixture Firemaster 550 (FM 550) or its brominated or organophosphate ester (OPFR) components (at 2000 µg, 1000 µg, and 1000 µg oral to the dam respectively (absolute and not by bodyweight)) results in increased anxiety-like behaviors in females and decreased sociality in both sexes. Using their siblings, this study characterized sex and chemical specific targets of disruption in brain regions underlying each behavioral phenotype. Offspring were exposed across gestation and lactation then prepared for either immunohistochemistry or autoradiography at postnatal day 90 to quantify expression of serotonin, estrogen receptor α (ERα), and oxytocin receptor (OTR) in multiple brain regions. No effect of exposure was found in males for any biological target. In females, serotonin innervation was increased in the medial amygdala of FM 550 exposed animals while ERα expression in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) was reduced by FM 550 and OPFR. Evidence of disrupted OTR was observed in males, particularly the BNST but considered an exploratory finding given the small sample size. These results begin to shed light on the mechanisms by which developmental FR exposure alters socioemotional behaviors of relevance to neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacy Schkoda
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States
| | - Brian Horman
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States
| | - Shannah Witchey
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States
| | - Genevieve St Armour
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States; Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States
| | - Mason Nelson
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States
| | - Emily Gaeta
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States
| | - Madeline Scott
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States
| | - Heather B Patisaul
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States; Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States.
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18
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Gong Z, Deng W, Li Z, Tang J, Zhang M. Association between apathy and caregiver burden in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e080803. [PMID: 39231554 PMCID: PMC11407208 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080803] [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] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the relationship among patients' apathy, cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, and caregiver burden in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). DESIGN A cross-sectional study design was used. SETTING The study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Wuhan, Hubei, China. PARTICIPANTS A total of 109 patients with ALS and their caregivers were included. OUTCOME MEASURES Patients with ALS were screened using the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural Screen, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 and Apathy Scale to assess their cognition, depression, anxiety and apathy, respectively. The primary caregivers completed the Zarit Burden Interview. The association between apathy, cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety and caregiver burden was analysed using logistic regression. Mediation models were employed to investigate the mediating effect of patients' apathy on the relationship between depression/anxiety and caregiver burden. RESULTS Patients in the high caregiver burden group exhibited significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety and apathy compared with those in the low caregiver burden group (p<0.05). There was a positive association observed between caregiver burden and disease course (rs=0.198, p<0.05), depression (rs=0.189, p<0.05), anxiety (rs=0.257, p<0.05) and apathy (rs=0.388, p<0.05). There was a negative association between caregiver burden and the Revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (rs=-0.275, p<0.05). Apathy was an independent risk factor for higher caregiver burden (OR 1.121, 95% CI 1.041 to 1.206, p<0.05). Apathy fully mediated the relationship between depression and caregiver burden (β=0.35, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.54, p<0.05) while partially mediating the relationship between anxiety and caregiver burden (β=0.34, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.52, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Apathy, depression and anxiety exerted a detrimental impact on caregiver burden in individuals with ALS. Apathy played a mediating role in the relationship between depression and caregiver burden and between anxiety and caregiver burden. These findings underscore the importance of identifying apathy and developing interventions for its management within the context of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenxiang Gong
- Department of Neurology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wenhua Deng
- Department of Neurology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zehui Li
- Department of Neurology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jiahui Tang
- Department of Neurology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Taiyuan, China
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19
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Zhang Y, Shen J, Xie F, Liu Z, Yin F, Cheng M, Wang L, Cai M, Herzog H, Wu P, Zhang Z, Zhan C, Liu T. Feedforward inhibition of stress by brainstem neuropeptide Y neurons. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7603. [PMID: 39217143 PMCID: PMC11365948 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51956-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Resistance to stress is a key determinant for mammalian functioning. While many studies have revealed neural circuits and substrates responsible for initiating and mediating stress responses, little is known about how the brain resists to stress and prevents overreactions. Here, we identified a previously uncharacterized neuropeptide Y (NPY) neuronal population in the dorsal raphe nucleus and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray region (DRN/vlPAG) with anxiolytic effects in male mice. NPYDRN/vlPAG neurons are rapidly activated by various stressful stimuli. Inhibiting these neurons exacerbated hypophagic and anxiety responses during stress, while activation significantly ameliorates acute stress-induced hypophagia and anxiety levels and transmits positive valence. Furthermore, NPYDRN/vlPAG neurons exert differential but synergic anxiolytic effects via inhibitory projections to the paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT) and the lateral hypothalamic area (LH). Together, our findings reveal a feedforward inhibition neural mechanism underlying stress resistance and suggest NPYDRN/vlPAG neurons as a potential therapeutic target for stress-related disorders.
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Grants
- the National Key R&D Program of China (2019YFA0801900, 2018YFA0800300), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (9235730017, 92249302, 32150610475, 31971074), Innovation Team and Talents Cultivation Program of National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ZYYCXTD-D-202001), Faculty Resources Project of College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University (2022-102)
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32171144) and Shanghai Pujiang Program (22PJD007).
- the STI2030-Major Projects (2021ZD0203900),the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32271063, 31822026, 31500860), Research Funds of Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM (QYPY20220018)
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Hefei National Research center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jiayi Shen
- Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Famin Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiwei Liu
- Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Fangfang Yin
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, China
| | - Mingxiu Cheng
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Wang
- Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Meiting Cai
- Hefei National Research center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Herbert Herzog
- St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ping Wu
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, China
| | - Zhi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Cheng Zhan
- Hefei National Research center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
- Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
| | - Tiemin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism & Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai, China.
- School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China.
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20
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Ikeda H, Yamagishi A, Yonemochi N, Yamamoto S, Shimizu T, Muto A, Waddington JL, Kamei J. Keratinocyte-Derived Cytokine in the Hippocampus Disrupts Extinction of Conditioned Fear Memory in Tumor-Bearing Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:6454-6468. [PMID: 38308664 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-03992-1] [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: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
While patients with cancer show a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders than the general population, the mechanism underlying this interaction remains unclear. The present study examined whether tumor-bearing (TB) mice show psychological changes using the conditioned fear paradigm and the role of cytokines in these changes. TB mice were established by transplantation with mouse osteosarcoma AXT cells. These TB mice were then found to exhibit disruption in extinction of conditioned fear memory. Eighteen cytokines in serum were increased in TB mice, among which i.c.v. injection of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 strengthened fear memory in normal mice. Contents of IL-17 and keratinocyte-derived cytokine (KC) in the amygdala and KC in the hippocampus were increased in TB mice. KC mRNA in both the amygdala and hippocampus was also increased in TB mice, and i.c.v. injection of KC dose-dependently strengthened fear memory in normal mice. In addition, injection of IL-1β, but not IL-6, increased KC mRNA in the amygdala and hippocampus. In TB mice KC mRNA was increased in both astrocytes and microglia of the amygdala and hippocampus. The microglia inhibitor minocycline, but not the astrocyte inhibitor fluorocitrate, alleviated disruption in extinction of conditioned fear memory in TB mice. Microinjection of KC into the hippocampus, but not into the amygdala, increased fear memory in normal mice. These findings indicate that TB mice show an increase in serum cytokines, including IL-1β, that increases KC production in microglia of the hippocampus, which then disrupts extinction of fear memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Ikeda
- Department of Pathophysiology and Therapeutics, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan.
| | - Aimi Yamagishi
- Department of Pathophysiology and Therapeutics, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan
| | - Naomi Yonemochi
- Department of Pathophysiology and Therapeutics, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan
| | - Shogo Yamamoto
- Department of Pathophysiology and Therapeutics, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan
| | - Takatsune Shimizu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan
| | - Akihiro Muto
- Department of Pathophysiology, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan
| | - John L Waddington
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, 111 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Junzo Kamei
- Department of Pathophysiology and Therapeutics, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan
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21
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Baumbach JL, Mui CYY, Tuz Zahra F, Martin LJ. A single exposure to the predator odor 2,4,5-trimethylthiazoline causes long-lasting affective behavioral changes in female mice: Modulation by kappa opioid receptor signaling. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2024; 242:173822. [PMID: 38996927 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2024.173822] [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: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
The volatile compound 2,4,5-trimethylthiazoline (TMT, a synthetic predator scent) triggers fear, anxiety, and defensive responses in rodents that can outlast the encounter. The receptor systems underlying the development and persistence of TMT-induced behavioral changes remain poorly characterized, especially in females. Kappa opioid receptors regulate threat generalization and fear conditioning and alter basal anxiety, but their role in unconditioned fear responses in females has not been examined. Here, we investigated the effects of the long-lasting kappa opioid receptor antagonist, nor-binalthorphinmine dihydrochloride (nor-BNI; 10 mg/kg), on TMT-induced freezing and conditioned place aversion in female mice. We also measured anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze three days after TMT and freezing behavior when returned to the TMT-paired context ten days after the single exposure. We found that 35μl of 10 % TMT elicited a robust freezing response during a five-minute exposure in female mice. TMT evoked persistent fear as measured by conditioned place aversion, reduced entries into the open arm of the elevated plus maze, and increased general freezing behavior long after TMT exposure. In line with the known role of kappa-opioid receptors in threat generalization, we found that kappa-opioid receptor antagonism increased basal freezing but reduced freezing during TMT presentation. Together, these findings indicate that a single exposure to TMT causes long-lasting changes in fear-related behavioral responses in female mice and highlights the modulatory role of kappa-opioid receptor signaling on fear-related behavioral patterns in females.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Loren J Martin
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Canada; Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Canada.
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22
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Barton SA, Kent M, Hecht EE. Covariation of Skull and Brain Morphology in Domestic Dogs. J Comp Neurol 2024; 532:e25668. [PMID: 39268838 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
Despite their distinct embryonic origins, the skull and brain are highly integrated. Understanding the covariation between the skull and brain can shed light on anatomical, cognitive, and behavioral traits in extant and extinct species. Domestic dogs offer a unique opportunity to investigate skull-brain covariation due to their diverse skull morphologies and neural anatomy. To assess this question, we examined T2-weighted MRI studies of 62 dogs from 33 breeds, plus an additional 17 dogs of mixed or unknown breeds. Scans were opportunistically collected from a veterinary teaching hospital of dogs that were referred for neurological examination but did not have grossly observable structural brain abnormalities. As the neurocrania of dogs become broader and shorter, there is a significant decrease in the gray matter volume of the right olfactory bulb, frontal cortex, marginal gyrus, and cerebellum. On the other hand, as the neurocrania of dogs become narrower and longer, there is a significant decrease in the gray matter volume of the olfactory bulb, frontal cortex, temporal cortex, amygdala, hypothalamus, hippocampus, periaqueductal gray, cerebellum, and brainstem. Selective breeding for specific skull shapes may impact canine brain anatomy and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie A Barton
- Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marc Kent
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Erin E Hecht
- Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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23
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Shansky RM. Behavioral neuroscience's inevitable SABV growing pains. Trends Neurosci 2024; 47:669-676. [PMID: 39034262 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2024.06.007] [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: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
The field of rodent behavioral neuroscience is undergoing two major sea changes: an ever-growing technological revolution, and worldwide calls to consider sex as a biological variable (SABV) in experimental design. Both have enormous potential to improve the precision and rigor with which the brain can be studied, but the convergence of these shifts in scientific practice has exposed critical limitations in classic and widely used behavioral paradigms. While our tools have advanced, our behavioral metrics - mostly developed in males and often allowing for only binary outcomes - have not. This opinion article explores how this disconnect has presented challenges for the accurate depiction and interpretation of sex differences in brain function, arguing for the expansion of current behavioral constructs to better account for behavioral diversity.
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24
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Ramos-Prats A, Matulewicz P, Edenhofer ML, Wang KY, Yeh CW, Fajardo-Serrano A, Kress M, Kummer K, Lien CC, Ferraguti F. Loss of mGlu 5 receptors in somatostatin-expressing neurons alters negative emotional states. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:2774-2786. [PMID: 38575807 PMCID: PMC11420089 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02541-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Subtype 5 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu5) are known to play an important role in regulating cognitive, social and valence systems. However, it remains largely unknown at which circuits and neuronal types mGlu5 act to influence these behavioral domains. Altered tissue- or cell-specific expression or function of mGlu5 has been proposed to contribute to the exacerbation of neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we examined how these receptors regulate the activity of somatostatin-expressing (SST+) neurons, as well as their influence on behavior and brain rhythmic activity. Loss of mGlu5 in SST+ neurons elicited excitatory synaptic dysfunction in a region and sex-specific manner together with a range of emotional imbalances including diminished social novelty preference, reduced anxiety-like behavior and decreased freezing during retrieval of fear memories. In addition, the absence of mGlu5 in SST+ neurons during fear processing impaired theta frequency oscillatory activity in the medial prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus. These findings reveal a critical role of mGlu5 in controlling SST+ neurons excitability necessary for regulating negative emotional states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnau Ramos-Prats
- Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pawel Matulewicz
- Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Kai-Yi Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wei Yeh
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ana Fajardo-Serrano
- Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michaela Kress
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Kai Kummer
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Cheng-Chang Lien
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Francesco Ferraguti
- Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
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25
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Feng J, Wang X, Pan M, Li CX, Zhang Z, Sun M, Liao T, Wang Z, Luo J, Shi L, Chen YJ, Li HF, Xu J. The Medial Prefrontal Cortex-Basolateral Amygdala Circuit Mediates Anxiety in Shank3 InsG3680 Knock-in Mice. Neurosci Bull 2024:10.1007/s12264-024-01280-5. [PMID: 39207622 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-024-01280-5] [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: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorder is a major symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with a comorbidity rate of ~40%. However, the neural mechanisms of the emergence of anxiety in ASD remain unclear. In our study, we found that hyperactivity of basolateral amygdala (BLA) pyramidal neurons (PNs) in Shank3 InsG3680 knock-in (InsG3680+/+) mice is involved in the development of anxiety. Electrophysiological results also showed increased excitatory input and decreased inhibitory input in BLA PNs. Chemogenetic inhibition of the excitability of PNs in the BLA rescued the anxiety phenotype of InsG3680+/+ mice. Further study found that the diminished control of the BLA by medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and optogenetic activation of the mPFC-BLA pathway also had a rescue effect, which increased the feedforward inhibition of the BLA. Taken together, our results suggest that hyperactivity of the BLA and alteration of the mPFC-BLA circuitry are involved in anxiety in InsG3680+/+ mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiabin Feng
- Department of Rehabilitation of Children's Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310003, 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
| | - Xiaojun Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation of Children's Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310003, 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
| | - Meidie Pan
- 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
| | - Chen-Xi Li
- Department of Rehabilitation of Children's Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation of Children's Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310003, 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
| | - Meng Sun
- Department of Rehabilitation of Children's Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310003, 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
| | - Tailin Liao
- 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
| | - Ziyi Wang
- Innovative Institute of Basic Medical Sciences of Zhejiang University (Yuhang), Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jianhong Luo
- Department of Rehabilitation of Children's Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310003, 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
| | - Lei Shi
- JNU-HKUST Joint Laboratory for Neuroscience and Innovative Drug Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yu-Jing Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China.
| | - Hai-Feng Li
- Department of Rehabilitation of Children's Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
| | - Junyu Xu
- Department of Rehabilitation of Children's Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310003, 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.
- Pillar of STEM Education, College of Education Sciences, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511453, China.
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26
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Taschereau-Dumouchel V, Côté M, Manuel S, Valevicius D, Cushing CA, Cortese A, Kawato M, Lau H. Interaction between the prefrontal and visual cortices supports subjective fear. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230245. [PMID: 39005034 PMCID: PMC11444220 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
It has been reported that threatening and non-threatening visual stimuli can be distinguished based on the multi-voxel patterns of haemodynamic activity in the human ventral visual stream. Do these findings mean that there may be evolutionarily hardwired mechanisms within early perception, for the fast and automatic detection of threat, and maybe even for the generation of the subjective experience of fear? In this human neuroimaging study, we presented participants ('fear' group: N = 30; 'no fear' group: N = 30) with 2700 images of animals that could trigger subjective fear or not as a function of the individual's idiosyncratic 'fear profiles' (i.e. fear ratings of animals reported by a given participant). We provide evidence that the ventral visual stream may represent affectively neutral visual features that are statistically associated with fear ratings of participants, without representing the subjective experience of fear itself. More specifically, we show that patterns of haemodynamic activity predictive of a specific 'fear profile' can be observed in the ventral visual stream whether a participant reports being afraid of the stimuli or not. Further, we found that the multivariate information synchronization between ventral visual areas and prefrontal regions distinguished participants who reported being subjectively afraid of the stimuli from those who did not. Together, these findings support the view that the subjective experience of fear may depend on the relevant visual information triggering implicit metacognitive mechanisms in the prefrontal cortex. This article is part of the theme issue 'Sensing and feeling: an integrative approach to sensory processing and emotional experience'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Taschereau-Dumouchel
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3C 3J7
- Québec, Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Québec, Montréal, Québec, Québec, Canada H1N 3M5
| | - Marjorie Côté
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3C 3J7
- Québec, Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Québec, Montréal, Québec, Québec, Canada H1N 3M5
| | - Shawn Manuel
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3C 3J7
- Québec, Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Québec, Montréal, Québec, Québec, Canada H1N 3M5
| | - Darius Valevicius
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3C 3J7
- Québec, Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Québec, Montréal, Québec, Québec, Canada H1N 3M5
| | - Cody A Cushing
- Department of Psychology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Aurelio Cortese
- ATR Computational Neuroscience Laboratories, Kyoto 619-0288, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Kawato
- ATR Brain Information Communication Research Laboratory, Kyoto 619-0288, Japan
- XNef, Inc., Kyoto 619-0288, Japan
| | - Hakwan Lau
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
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27
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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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28
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Cornwell BR, Didier PR, Grogans SE, Anderson AS, Islam S, Kim HC, Kuhn M, Tillman RM, Hur J, Scott ZS, Fox AS, DeYoung KA, Smith JF, Shackman AJ. A shared threat-anticipation circuit is dynamically engaged at different moments by certain and uncertain threat. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.10.602972. [PMID: 39026814 PMCID: PMC11257510 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.10.602972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Temporal dynamics play a central role in models of emotion: "fear" is widely conceptualized as a phasic response to certain-and-imminent danger, whereas "anxiety" is a sustained response to uncertain-or-distal harm. Yet the underlying human neurobiology remains contentious. Leveraging an ethnoracially diverse sample, translationally relevant paradigm, and theory-driven modeling approach, we demonstrate that certain and uncertain threat recruit a shared threat-anticipation circuit. This cortico-subcortical circuit exhibits persistently elevated activation when anticipating uncertain-threat encounters and a transient burst of activation in the moments before certain encounters. For many scientists and clinicians, feelings are the defining feature of human fear and anxiety. Here we used an independently validated brain signature to covertly decode the momentary dynamics of anticipatory distress for the first time. Results mirrored the dynamics of neural activation. These observations provide fresh insights into the neurobiology of threat-elicited emotions and set the stage for more ambitious clinical and mechanistic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian R. Cornwell
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20006 USA
| | - Paige R. Didier
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
| | - Shannon E. Grogans
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
| | - Allegra S. Anderson
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912 USA
| | - Samiha Islam
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Hyung Cho Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
| | - Manuel Kuhn
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478 USA
| | | | - Juyoen Hur
- Department of Psychology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Zachary S. Scott
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 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
| | - Kathryn A. DeYoung
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
| | - Jason F. Smith
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
| | - Alexander J. Shackman
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
- Department of Maryland Neuroimaging Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
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29
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Tang F, Yan F, Zhong Y, Li J, Gong H, Li X. Optogenetic Brain-Computer Interfaces. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:821. [PMID: 39199779 PMCID: PMC11351350 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11080821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The brain-computer interface (BCI) is one of the most powerful tools in neuroscience and generally includes a recording system, a processor system, and a stimulation system. Optogenetics has the advantages of bidirectional regulation, high spatiotemporal resolution, and cell-specific regulation, which expands the application scenarios of BCIs. In recent years, optogenetic BCIs have become widely used in the lab with the development of materials and software. The systems were designed to be more integrated, lightweight, biocompatible, and power efficient, as were the wireless transmission and chip-level embedded BCIs. The software is also constantly improving, with better real-time performance and accuracy and lower power consumption. On the other hand, as a cutting-edge technology spanning multidisciplinary fields including molecular biology, neuroscience, material engineering, and information processing, optogenetic BCIs have great application potential in neural decoding, enhancing brain function, and treating neural diseases. Here, we review the development and application of optogenetic BCIs. In the future, combined with other functional imaging techniques such as near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), optogenetic BCIs can modulate the function of specific circuits, facilitate neurological rehabilitation, assist perception, establish a brain-to-brain interface, and be applied in wider application scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifang Tang
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China; (F.T.); (F.Y.); (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (H.G.)
| | - Feiyang Yan
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China; (F.T.); (F.Y.); (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (H.G.)
| | - Yushan Zhong
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China; (F.T.); (F.Y.); (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (H.G.)
| | - Jinqian Li
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China; (F.T.); (F.Y.); (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (H.G.)
| | - Hui Gong
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China; (F.T.); (F.Y.); (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (H.G.)
| | - Xiangning Li
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Hainan Province, School of Biomedical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
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Dong X, Wang Y, Liu Y, Li Y. Fear generalization modulated by shock intensity and protein synthesis inhibitor. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024:10.1007/s00213-024-06662-1. [PMID: 39105767 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06662-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Maladaptive fear responses, including sensitized threat reactions and overgeneralization, contribute to anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Although stress intensity influences the generation and extent of these maladaptive fears, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVES The present study examined whether varying footshock stress intensity and inhibition of protein synthesis have differential effect on fear sensitization and generalization in mice. METHODS Mice were subjected to a classic fear conditioning protocol involving five different levels of footshock intensities. Prior to fear acquisition, the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX) was administered intraperitoneally. Fear sensitization to white noise and fear generalization to tones with frequencies differing from the conditioned tone were assessed at either 2 or 4 days after fear acquisition. RESULTS The results showed that, although varying shock intensities (except the lowest) led to a similar pattern of increased freezing during auditory cues in fear acquisition, the extent of both fear sensitization and generalization increased with the intensity of the footshock in the following days. As shock intensities increased, there was a proportional rise in sensitized fear to white noise and generalized freezing to tones with frequencies progressively closer to the conditioned stimulus. Mildest shocks did not induce discriminative conditioned fear memory, whereas the most intense shocks led to pronounced fear generalization. Administration of CHX before fear acquisition did not affect sensitized fear but reduced generalization of freezing to tones dissimilar from the conditioned stimulus in the group exposed to the most intense shock. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that maladaptive fear responses elicited by varying stress intensities exhibit distinct characteristics. The effect of CHX to prevent overgeneralization without affecting discriminative fear memory points to potential therapeutic approaches for fear-related disorders, suggesting the possibility of mitigating overgeneralization while preserving necessary fear discrimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinwen Dong
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Yunyun Wang
- Department of Neuroendocrine Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yudan Liu
- Department of Neuroendocrine Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yonghui Li
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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31
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Yan C, Liu Z. The role of periaqueductal gray astrocytes in anxiety-like behavior induced by acute stress. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 720:150073. [PMID: 38754161 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150073] [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: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Astrocytes in the central nervous system play a vital role in modulating synaptic transmission and neuronal activation by releasing gliotransmitters. The 5-HTergic neurons in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) are important in anxiety processing. However, it remains uncertain whether the regulation of astrocytic activity on vlPAG 5-HTergic neurons is involved in anxiety processing. Here, through chemogenetic manipulation, we explored the impact of astrocytic activity in the PAG on the regulation of anxiety. To determine the role of astrocytes in the control of anxiety, we induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice through foot shock and investigated their effects on synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability in vlPAG 5-HTergic neurons. Foot shock caused anxiety-like behaviors, which were accompanied with the increase of the amplitude and frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs), the area of slow inward currents (SICs), and the spike frequency of action potentials (AP) in vlPAG 5-HTergic neurons. The chemogenetic inhibition of vlPAG astrocytes was found to attenuate stress-induced anxiety-like behaviors and decrease the heightened synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability of vlPAG 5-HTergic neurons. Conversely, chemogenetic activation of vlPAG astrocytes triggered anxiety-like behaviors, enhanced synaptic transmission, and increased the excitability of vlPAG 5-HTergic neurons in unstressed mice. In summary, this study has provided initial insights into the pathway by which astrocytes influence behavior through the rapid regulation of associated neurons. This offers a new perspective for the investigation of the biological mechanisms underlying anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanting Yan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, 199 Chang'an South Road, Xi'an, 710062, China; Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, 555 Qiangye Road, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Zhiqiang Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, 199 Chang'an South Road, Xi'an, 710062, China.
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32
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Tan W, Ikoma Y, Takahashi Y, Konno A, Hirai H, Hirase H, Matsui K. Anxiety control by astrocytes in the lateral habenula. Neurosci Res 2024; 205:1-15. [PMID: 38311032 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2024.01.006] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
The potential role of astrocytes in lateral habenula (LHb) in modulating anxiety was explored in this study. The habenula are a pair of small nuclei located above the thalamus, known for their involvement in punishment avoidance and anxiety. Herein, we observed an increase in theta-band oscillations of local field potentials (LFPs) in the LHb when mice were exposed to anxiety-inducing environments. Electrical stimulation of LHb at theta-band frequency promoted anxiety-like behavior. Calcium (Ca2+) levels and pH in the cytosol of astrocytes and local brain blood volume changes were studied in mice expressing either a Ca2+ or a pH sensor protein specifically in astrocytes and mScarlet fluorescent protein in the blood plasma using fiber photometry. An acidification response to anxiety was observed. Photoactivation of archaerhopsin-T (ArchT), an optogenetic tool that acts as an outward proton pump, results in intracellular alkalinization. Photostimulation of LHb in astrocyte-specific ArchT-expressing mice resulted in dissipation of theta-band LFP oscillation in an anxiogenic environment and suppression of anxiety-like behavior. These findings provide evidence that LHb astrocytes modulate anxiety and may offer a new target for treatment of anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanqin Tan
- Super-network Brain Physiology, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577 Japan
| | - Yoko Ikoma
- Super-network Brain Physiology, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577 Japan
| | - Yusuke Takahashi
- Super-network Brain Physiology, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577 Japan; Systems Bioinformatics, Graduate School of Information Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8579 Japan
| | - Ayumu Konno
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neural Repair, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Gunma, Japan; Viral Vector Core, Gunma University Initiative for Advanced Research, Maebashi 371-8511, Gunma, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Hirai
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neural Repair, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Gunma, Japan; Viral Vector Core, Gunma University Initiative for Advanced Research, Maebashi 371-8511, Gunma, Japan
| | - Hajime Hirase
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark; Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Ko Matsui
- Super-network Brain Physiology, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577 Japan.
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33
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Zheng J, Tian Z. Neurotransmitter Switching: A Novel Mechanism for Fear Generalization. Neurosci Bull 2024:10.1007/s12264-024-01264-5. [PMID: 39078593 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-024-01264-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jiayuan Zheng
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Institute of Acupuncture Research, Academy of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhanzhuang Tian
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Institute of Acupuncture Research, Academy of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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34
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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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35
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Moraes ACN, Wijaya C, Freire R, Quagliato LA, Nardi AE, Kyriakoulis P. Neurochemical and genetic factors in panic disorder: a systematic review. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:294. [PMID: 39025836 PMCID: PMC11258274 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02966-0] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
This systematic review addresses the complex nature of Panic Disorder (PD), characterized by recurrent episodes of acute fear, with a focus on updating and consolidating knowledge regarding neurochemical, genetic, and epigenetic factors associated with PD. Utilizing the PRISMA methodology, 33 original peer-reviewed studies were identified, comprising 6 studies related to human neurochemicals, 10 related to human genetic or epigenetic alterations, and 17 animal studies. The review reveals patterns of altered expression in various biological systems, including neurotransmission, the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, neuroplasticity, and genetic and epigenetic factors leading to neuroanatomical modifications. Noteworthy findings include lower receptor binding of GABAA and serotonin neurotransmitters in the amygdala. The involvement of orexin (ORX) neurons in the dorsomedial/perifornical region in triggering panic reactions is highlighted, with systemic ORX-1 receptor antagonists blocking panic responses. Elevated Interleukin 6 and leptin levels in PD patients suggest potential connections between stress-induced inflammatory changes and PD. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) signaling are implicated in panic-like responses, particularly in the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG), where BDNF's panicolytic-like effects operate through GABAA-dependent mechanisms. GABAergic neurons' inhibitory influence on dorsomedial and posterior hypothalamus nuclei is identified, potentially reducing the excitability of neurons involved in panic-like responses. The dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) is highlighted as a specific hypothalamic nucleus relevant to the genesis and maintenance of panic disorder. Altered brain lactate and glutamate concentrations, along with identified genetic polymorphisms linked to PD, further contribute to the intricate neurochemical landscape associated with the disorder. The review underscores the potential impact of neurochemical, genetic, and epigenetic factors on the development and expression of PD. The comprehensive insights provided by this systematic review contribute to advancing our understanding of the multifaceted nature of Panic Disorder and pave the way for targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Clarissa Wijaya
- School of Psychology, Swinburne University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rafael Freire
- Department of Psychiatry and Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Peter Kyriakoulis
- School of Psychology, Swinburne University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Faress I, Khalil V, Hou WH, Moreno A, Andersen N, Fonseca R, Piriz J, Capogna M, Nabavi S. Non-Hebbian plasticity transforms transient experiences into lasting memories. eLife 2024; 12:RP91421. [PMID: 39023519 PMCID: PMC11257676 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91421] [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: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The dominant models of learning and memory, such as Hebbian plasticity, propose that experiences are transformed into memories through input-specific synaptic plasticity at the time of learning. However, synaptic plasticity is neither strictly input-specific nor restricted to the time of its induction. The impact of such forms of non-Hebbian plasticity on memory has been difficult to test, and hence poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that synaptic manipulations can deviate from the Hebbian model of learning, yet produce a lasting memory. First, we established a weak associative conditioning protocol in mice, where optogenetic stimulation of sensory thalamic input to the amygdala was paired with a footshock, but no detectable memory was formed. However, when the same input was potentiated minutes before or after, or even 24 hr later, the associative experience was converted into a lasting memory. Importantly, potentiating an independent input to the amygdala minutes but not 24 hr after the pairing produced a lasting memory. Thus, our findings suggest that the process of transformation of a transient experience into a memory is neither restricted to the time of the experience nor to the synapses triggered by it; instead, it can be influenced by past and future events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Islam Faress
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus UniversityAahrusDenmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- DANDRITE, The Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Aarhus UniversityAahrusDenmark
- Center for Proteins in Memory – PROMEMO, Danish National Research Foundation, Aarhus UniversityAahrusDenmark
| | - Valentina Khalil
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus UniversityAahrusDenmark
- DANDRITE, The Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Aarhus UniversityAahrusDenmark
- Center for Proteins in Memory – PROMEMO, Danish National Research Foundation, Aarhus UniversityAahrusDenmark
| | - Wen-Hsien Hou
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Andrea Moreno
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus UniversityAahrusDenmark
- DANDRITE, The Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Aarhus UniversityAahrusDenmark
- Center for Proteins in Memory – PROMEMO, Danish National Research Foundation, Aarhus UniversityAahrusDenmark
| | - Niels Andersen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus UniversityAahrusDenmark
- DANDRITE, The Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Aarhus UniversityAahrusDenmark
- Center for Proteins in Memory – PROMEMO, Danish National Research Foundation, Aarhus UniversityAahrusDenmark
| | - Rosalina Fonseca
- Cellular and Systems Neurobiology, Universidade Nova de LisboaLisbonPortugal
| | - Joaquin Piriz
- Instituto de Fisiología Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Universidad de Buenos AiresBuenos AiresArgentina
| | - Marco Capogna
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- Center for Proteins in Memory – PROMEMO, Danish National Research Foundation, Aarhus UniversityAahrusDenmark
| | - Sadegh Nabavi
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus UniversityAahrusDenmark
- DANDRITE, The Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Aarhus UniversityAahrusDenmark
- Center for Proteins in Memory – PROMEMO, Danish National Research Foundation, Aarhus UniversityAahrusDenmark
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37
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Xue R, Tang X, Tang J, Zhang S, Liao X, Chen X, Li L, Li X. Climbing Fiber Activation Induced by Footshock in the Cerebellar Vermis Lobule IV/V of Freely Moving Mice. Physiol Res 2024; 73:449-459. [PMID: 39027961 PMCID: PMC11299787 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.935203] [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: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Parallel fibers (PFs) in the cerebellar cortex are involved in a series of coordinated responses in the fear conditioning paradigm induced by footshock. However, whether footshock can activate cerebellar climbing fibers (CFs) remains unclear. In this study, we recorded calcium (Ca2+) activity in CFs by optical fiber photometry in the cerebellar vermis lobule IV/V of freely moving mice with footshock stimulation. We found that the activation of CFs in the lobule IV/V was highly correlated with footshock stimulation but not with the sound stimulation used as a control. This result suggests that afferent information from CFs might be associated with the motor initiation of fear-related behaviors or fear emotion itself. Thus, our results suggest that a characteristic CF signal in the cerebellar cortex might be related to fear processing or footshock-related behaviors (such as startle responses or pain sensation).
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Affiliation(s)
- R Xue
- Center for Neurointelligence, School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China. or
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38
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Barabás B, Reéb Z, Papp OI, Hájos N. Functionally linked amygdala and prefrontal cortical regions are innervated by both single and double projecting cholinergic neurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1426153. [PMID: 39049824 PMCID: PMC11266109 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1426153] [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: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Cholinergic cells have been proposed to innervate simultaneously those cortical areas that are mutually interconnected with each other. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the cholinergic innervation of functionally linked amygdala and prefrontal cortical regions. First, using tracing experiments, we determined that cholinergic cells located in distinct basal forebrain (BF) areas projected to the different nuclei of the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Specifically, cholinergic cells in the ventral pallidum/substantia innominata (VP/SI) innervated the basal nucleus (BA), while the horizontal limb of the diagonal band of Broca (HDB) projected to its basomedial nucleus (BMA). In addition, cholinergic neurons in these two BF areas gave rise to overlapping innervation in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), yet their axons segregated in the dorsal and ventral regions of the PFC. Using retrograde-anterograde viral tracing, we demonstrated that a portion of mPFC-projecting cholinergic neurons also innervated the BLA, especially the BA. By injecting retrograde tracers into the mPFC and BA, we found that 28% of retrogradely labeled cholinergic cells were double labeled, which typically located in the VP/SI. In addition, we found that vesicular glutamate transporter type 3 (VGLUT3)-expressing neurons within the VP/SI were also cholinergic and projected to the mPFC and BA, implicating that a part of the cholinergic afferents may release glutamate. In contrast, we uncovered that GABA is unlikely to be a co-transmitter molecule in HDB and VP/SI cholinergic neurons in adult mice. The dual innervation strategy, i.e., the existence of cholinergic cell populations with single as well as simultaneous projections to the BLA and mPFC, provides the possibility for both synchronous and independent control of the operation in these cortical areas, a structural arrangement that may maximize computational support for functionally linked regions. The presence of VGLUT3 in a portion of cholinergic afferents suggests more complex functional effects of cholinergic system in cortical structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bence Barabás
- HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- János Szentágothai School of Neurosciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- The Linda and Jack Gill Center for Molecular Bioscience, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Zsófia Reéb
- HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Biology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Orsolya I. Papp
- HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Norbert Hájos
- HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- The Linda and Jack Gill Center for Molecular Bioscience, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States
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39
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Parvin Z, Jaafari Suha A, Afarinesh MR, Hosseinmardi N, Janahmadi M, Behzadi G. Social hierarchy differentially influences the anxiety-like behaviors and dendritic spine density in prefrontal cortex and limbic areas in male rats. Behav Brain Res 2024; 469:115043. [PMID: 38729219 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115043] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Social hierarchy is a fundamental feature of social organization that can influence brain and emotional processing regarding social ranks. Several areas, including the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), the hippocampus, and the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA), are recognized to be involved in the regulation of emotional processing. However, its delicate structural correlates in brain regions are poorly understood. To address this issue, social hierarchy in home-caged sibling Wistar rats (three male rats/cage) was determined by employing a social confrontation tube test (postnatal weeks 9-12). Then, locomotor activity and anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated using an open-field test (OFT) and elevated plus-maze (EPM) at 13 weeks of age. The rapid Golgi impregnation method was conducted to quantify the spine density of the first secondary branch of the primary dendrite in 20 µm length. The results indicated that dominant rats had significantly higher anxiety-like behaviors compared to subordinates, as was evident by lower open-arm entries and time spent in the EPM and lower entries and time spent in the center of OFT. The spine density analysis revealed a significantly higher number of spines in subordinates compared to the dominant rats in dmPFC pyramidal neurons and the apical and basal dendrites of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. However, the spine density of pyramidal-like neurons in the BLA was higher in dominant rats. Our findings suggest that dominant social rank is associated with higher anxiety and differential density of the dendritic spine in the prefrontal cortex and limbic regions of the brain in male rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Parvin
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Jaafari Suha
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Narges Hosseinmardi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahyar Janahmadi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gila Behzadi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Zhou X, Xiao Q, Liu Y, Chen S, Xu X, Zhang Z, Hong Y, Shao J, Chen Y, Chen Y, Wang L, Yang F, Tu J. Astrocyte-mediated regulation of BLA WFS1 neurons alleviates risk-assessment deficits in DISC1-N mice. Neuron 2024; 112:2197-2217.e7. [PMID: 38642554 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.03.028] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Assessing and responding to threats is vital in everyday life. Unfortunately, many mental illnesses involve impaired risk assessment, affecting patients, families, and society. The brain processes behind these behaviors are not well understood. We developed a transgenic mouse model (disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 [DISC1]-N) with a disrupted avoidance response in risky settings. Our study utilized single-nucleus RNA sequencing and path-clamp coupling with real-time RT-PCR to uncover a previously undescribed group of glutamatergic neurons in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) marked by Wolfram syndrome 1 (WFS1) expression, whose activity is modulated by adjacent astrocytes. These neurons in DISC1-N mice exhibited diminished firing ability and impaired communication with the astrocytes. Remarkably, optogenetic activation of these astrocytes reinstated neuronal excitability via D-serine acting on BLAWFS1 neurons' NMDA receptors, leading to improved risk-assessment behavior in the DISC1-N mice. Our findings point to BLA astrocytes as a promising target for treating risk-assessment dysfunctions in mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Zhou
- 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; Department of Neurology, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518020, China; The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Qian Xiao
- 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; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunomodulation for Neurological Diseases, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yaohui 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; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, No. 88 East Wenhua Road, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Shuai Chen
- University of Chinese of Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xirong Xu
- 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 of Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhigang Zhang
- 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; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunomodulation for Neurological Diseases, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuchuan Hong
- 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 of Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jie Shao
- 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; Department of Neurology, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518020, China; The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yuewen Chen
- 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 of Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yu Chen
- 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 of Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, 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, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese of Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Fan 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, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese of Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Jie Tu
- 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; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunomodulation for Neurological Diseases, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese of Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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Zhang J, Wang J, Wang Y, Zhang D, Li H, Lei Y. Sleep deprivation increases the generalization of perceptual and concept-based fear: An fNIRS study. J Anxiety Disord 2024; 105:102892. [PMID: 38889495 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2024.102892] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Insufficient sleep can initiate or exacerbate anxiety by triggering excessive fear generalization. In this study, a de novo paradigm was developed and used to examine the neural mechanisms governing the effects of sleep deprivation on processing perceptual and concept-based fear generalizations. A between-subject design was adopted, wherein a control group (who had a typical night's sleep) and a one-night sleep deprivation group completed a fear acquisition task at 9:00 PM on the first day and underwent a generalization test the following morning at 7:00 AM. In the fear acquisition task, navy blue and olive green were used as perceptual cues (P+ and P-, respectively), while animals and furniture items were used as conceptual cues (C+ and C-, respectively). Generalization was tested for four novel generalized categories (C+P+, C+P-, C-P+, and C-P-). Shock expectancy ratings, skin conductance responses, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy were recorded during the fear acquisition and generalization processes. Compared with the group who had a typical night's sleep, the sleep deprived group showed higher shock expectancy ratings (especially for P+ and C-), increased oxygenated hemoglobin in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and increased activation in the triangular inferior frontal gyrus during the generalization test. These findings suggest that sleep deprivation increases the generalization of threat memories, thus providing insights into the overgeneralization characteristics of anxiety and fear-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Institute of Brain and Psychological Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610066, China; School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Jinxia Wang
- Institute of Brain and Psychological Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610066, China; Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Jyvaskyla, Finland
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Dandan Zhang
- Institute of Brain and Psychological Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610066, China
| | - Hong Li
- Institute of Brain and Psychological Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610066, China; School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Yi Lei
- Institute of Brain and Psychological Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610066, China.
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Yasuno F, Kimura Y, Ogata A, Ikenuma H, Abe J, Minami H, Nihashi T, Yokoi K, Hattori S, Shimoda N, Watanabe A, Kasuga K, Ikeuchi T, Takeda A, Sakurai T, Ito K, Kato T. Trait-anxiety and glial-related neuroinflammation of the amygdala and its associated regions in Alzheimer's disease: A significant correlation. Brain Behav Immun Health 2024; 38:100795. [PMID: 38799793 PMCID: PMC11126804 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100795] [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: 02/24/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Positron emission tomography, which assesses the binding of translocator protein radiotracers, 11C-DPA-713, may be a sensitive method for determining glial-mediated neuroinflammation levels. This study investigated the relationship between regional 11C-DPA713 binding potential (BPND) and anxiety in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) continuum. Methods Nineteen patients with AD continuum determined to be amyloid-/p-tau 181-positive via cerebrospinal fluid analysis were included in this cross-sectional study (mild cognitive impairment [MCI, n = 5] and AD [n = 14]). Anxiety was evaluated using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). A whole-brain voxel-based analysis was performed to examine the relationship between 11C-DPA-713-BPND values at each voxel and the STAI score. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of STAI scores using independent variables, including 11C-DPA-713-BPND values within significant clusters. 11C-DPA-713-BPND values were compared between patients with AD continuum with low-to-moderate and high STAI scores. Results Voxel-based analysis revealed a positive correlation between trait anxiety severity and 11C-DPA713-BPND values in the centromedial amygdala and the left inferior occipital area [P < 0.001 (uncorrected) at the voxel-level]. 11C-DPA713-BPND values in these regions were a strong predictor of the STAI trait anxiety score. Specifically, patients with AD continuum and high trait anxiety had increased 11C-DPA713-BPND values in these regions. Conclusions The amygdala-occipital lobe circuit influences the control of emotional generation, and disruption of this network by AD pathology-induced inflammation may contribute to the expression of anxiety. Our findings suggest that suppression of inflammation can help effectively treat anxiety by attenuating damage to the amygdala and its associated areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumihiko Yasuno
- National Hospital for Geriatric Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Neuroimaging, Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Kimura
- National Hospital for Geriatric Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Neuroimaging, Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Aya Ogata
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Neuroimaging, Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gifu University of Medical Science, Kani, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ikenuma
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Neuroimaging, Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Junichiro Abe
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Neuroimaging, Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Minami
- National Hospital for Geriatric Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Takashi Nihashi
- National Hospital for Geriatric Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Kastunori Yokoi
- National Hospital for Geriatric Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Saori Hattori
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Neuroimaging, Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Nobuyoshi Shimoda
- Functional Genomics Unit, Medical Genome Center, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Atsushi Watanabe
- Equipment Management Division, Center for Core Facility Administration, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Kensaku Kasuga
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Takeshi Ikeuchi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Akinori Takeda
- National Hospital for Geriatric Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Takashi Sakurai
- National Hospital for Geriatric Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Kengo Ito
- National Hospital for Geriatric Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Neuroimaging, Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | - Takashi Kato
- National Hospital for Geriatric Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Neuroimaging, Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
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Lannon AS, Brocka M, Collins JM, Fitzgerald P, O'Mahony SM, Cryan JF, Moloney RD. A novel animal model for understanding secondary traumatic stress and visceral pain in male rats. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 60:3544-3556. [PMID: 38695253 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16353] [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: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Empathetic relationships and the social transference of behaviours have been shown to occur in humans, and more recently through the development of rodent models, where both fear and pain phenotypes develop in observer animals. Clinically, observing traumatic events can induce 'trauma and stressor-related disorders' as defined in the DSM 5. These disorders are often comorbid with pain and gastrointestinal disturbances; however, our understanding of how gastrointestinal - or visceral - pain can be vicariously transmitted is lacking. Visceral pain originates from the internal organs, and despite its widespread prevalence, remains poorly understood. We established an observation paradigm to assess the impact of witnessing visceral pain. We utilised colorectal distension (CRD) to induce visceral pain behaviours in a stimulus rodent while the observer rodent observed. Twenty four hours post-observation, the observer rodent's visceral sensitivity was assessed using CRD. The observer rodents were found to have significant hyperalgesia as determined by lower visceral pain threshold and higher number of total pain behaviours compared with controls. The behaviours of the observer animals during the observation were found to be correlated with the behaviours of the stimulus animal employed. We found that observer animals had hypoactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, highlighted by reduced corticosterone at 90 minutes post-CRD. Using c-Fos immunohistochemistry we showed that observer animals also had increased activation of the anterior cingulate cortex, and decreased activation of the paraventricular nucleus, compared with controls. These results suggest that witnessing another animal in pain produces a behavioural phenotype and impacts the brain-gut axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam S Lannon
- School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Ireland
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University College Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Marta Brocka
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - James M Collins
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Siobhain M O'Mahony
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - John F Cryan
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Rachel D Moloney
- School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Ireland
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University College Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland
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Liu Q, Wang X, Cao Y, Gao F, Xia J, Du H, Liao H, Tan C, Fan J, Zhu X. Structural and resting-state connection abnormalities of habenula in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychol Med 2024; 54:2283-2290. [PMID: 38515276 DOI: 10.1017/s003329172400045x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have suggested that the habenula (Hb) may be involved in the mechanism of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, the specific role of Hb in OCD remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the structural and functional abnormalities of Hb in OCD and their relationship with the clinical symptoms. METHODS Eighty patients with OCD and 85 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited as the primary dataset. The grey matter volume, resting-state functional connectivity (FC), and effective connectivity (EC) of the Hb were calculated and compared between OCD group and HCs. An independent replication dataset was used to verify the stability and robustness of the results. RESULTS Patients with OCD exhibited smaller Hb volume and increased FC of right Hb-left hippocampus than HCs. Dynamic causal model revealed an increased EC from left hippocampus to right Hb and a less inhibitory causal influence from the right Hb to left hippocampus in the OCD group compared to HCs. Similar results were found in the replication dataset. CONCLUSIONS This study suggested that abnormal structure of Hb and hippocampus-Hb connectivity may contribute to the pathological basis of OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yanyuan Cao
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jie Xia
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hongyu Du
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Haiyan Liao
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Changlian Tan
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jie Fan
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiongzhao Zhu
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan, China
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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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Geron E. Want to learn? think again! Sci Prog 2024; 107:368504241266577. [PMID: 39043383 PMCID: PMC11271117 DOI: 10.1177/00368504241266577] [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: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
One of the best ways to improve new learning and increase memory strength is by reprocessing the recently acquired information, for example, by thinking of it again. Synaptic plasticity, the process by which neurons change the strength of their connections with each other, is fundamental for learning and memory formation. Yet, at present, it is unclear how reprocessing information drives synaptic plasticity to support memory improvement. A new study suggests that reprocessing enhances memory formation by recruiting more synapses to represent the new memory, thus increasing its strength.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erez Geron
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University, New York, NY, USA
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Grajales-Reyes JG, Chen B, Meseguer D, Schneeberger M. Burning Question: How Does Our Brain Process Positive and Negative Cues Associated with Thermosensation? Physiology (Bethesda) 2024; 39:0. [PMID: 38536114 PMCID: PMC11368520 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00034.2023] [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: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Whether it is the dramatic suffocating sensation from a heat wave in the summer or the positive reinforcement arising from a hot drink on a cold day; we can certainly agree that our thermal environment underlies our daily rhythms of sensation. Extensive research has focused on deciphering the central circuits responsible for conveying the impact of thermogenesis on mammalian behavior. Here, we revise the recent literature responsible for defining the behavioral correlates that arise from thermogenic fluctuations in mammals. We transition from the physiological significance of thermosensation to the circuitry responsible for the autonomic or behavioral responses associated with it. Subsequently, we delve into the positive and negative valence encoded by thermoregulatory processes. Importantly, we emphasize the crucial junctures where reward, pain, and thermoregulation intersect, unveiling a complex interplay within these neural circuits. Finally, we briefly outline fundamental questions that are pending to be addressed in the field. Fully deciphering the thermoregulatory circuitry in mammals will have far-reaching medical implications. For instance, it may lead to the identification of novel targets to overcome thermal pain or allow the maintenance of our core temperature in prolonged surgeries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose G Grajales-Reyes
- Department of Anesthesiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Bandy Chen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Laboratory of Neurovascular Control of Homeostasis, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
- Wu Tsai Institute for Mind and Brain, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - David Meseguer
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Laboratory of Neurovascular Control of Homeostasis, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
- Wu Tsai Institute for Mind and Brain, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Marc Schneeberger
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Laboratory of Neurovascular Control of Homeostasis, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
- Wu Tsai Institute for Mind and Brain, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
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Robertson KV, Rodriguez AS, Cartailler JP, Shrestha S, Schroeder KR, Valenti AM, Harrison FE, Hasty AH. Knockdown of microglial iron import gene, DMT1, worsens cognitive function and alters microglial transcriptional landscape in a sex-specific manner in the APP/PS1 model of Alzheimer's disease. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4559940. [PMID: 38978579 PMCID: PMC11230470 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4559940/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Background Microglial cell iron load and inflammatory activation are significant hallmarks of late-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD). In vitro, microglia preferentially upregulate the iron importer, divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1, gene name Slc11a2) in response to inflammatory stimuli, and excess iron can augment cellular inflammation, suggesting a feed-forward loop between iron import mechanisms and inflammatory signaling. However, it is not understood whether microglial iron import mechanisms directly contribute to inflammatory signaling and chronic disease in vivo. These studies determined the effects of microglial-specific knockdown of Slc11a2 on AD-related cognitive decline and microglial transcriptional phenotype. Methods In vitro experiments and RT-qPCR were used to assess a role for DMT1 in amyloid-β-associated inflammation. To determine the effects of microglial Slc11a2 knockdown on AD-related phenotypes in vivo, triple-transgenic Cx3cr1 Cre - ERT2 ;Slc11a2 flfl;APP/PS1 + or - mice were generated and administered corn oil or tamoxifen to induce knockdown at 5-6 months of age. Both sexes underwent behavioral analyses to assess cognition and memory (12-15 months of age). Hippocampal CD11b + microglia were magnetically isolated from female mice (15-17 months) and bulk RNA-sequencing analysis was conducted. Results DMT1 inhibition in vitro robustly decreased Aβ-induced inflammatory gene expression and cellular iron levels in conditions of excess iron. In vivo, Slc11a2 KD APP/PS1 female, but not male, mice displayed a significant worsening of memory function in Morris water maze and a fear conditioning assay, along with significant hyperactivity compared to control WT and APP/PS1 mice. Hippocampal microglia from Slc11a2 KD APP/PS1 females displayed significant increases in Enpp2, Ttr, and the iron-export gene, Slc40a1, compared to control APP/PS1 cells. Slc11a2 KD cells from APP/PS1 females also exhibited decreased expression of markers associated with disease-associated microglia (DAMs), such as Apoe, Ctsb, Csf1, and Hif1α. Conclusions This work suggests a sex-specific role for microglial iron import gene Slc11a2 in propagating behavioral and cognitive phenotypes in the APP/PS1 model of AD. These data also highlight an association between loss of a DAM-like phenotype in microglia and cognitive deficits in Slc11a2 KD APP/PS1 female mice. Overall, this work illuminates an iron-related pathway in microglia that may serve a protective role during disease and offers insight into mechanisms behind disease-related sex differences.
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Fu X, Tasker JG. Neuromodulation of inhibitory synaptic transmission in the basolateral amygdala during fear and anxiety. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1421617. [PMID: 38994327 PMCID: PMC11236696 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1421617] [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: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The basolateral amygdala plays pivotal roles in the regulation of fear and anxiety and these processes are profoundly modulated by different neuromodulatory systems that are recruited during emotional arousal. Recent studies suggest activities of BLA interneurons and inhibitory synaptic transmission in BLA principal cells are regulated by neuromodulators to influence the output and oscillatory network states of the BLA, and ultimately the behavioral expression of fear and anxiety. In this review, we first summarize a cellular mechanism of stress-induced anxiogenesis mediated by the interaction of glucocorticoid and endocannabinoid signaling at inhibitory synapses in the BLA. Then we discuss cell type-specific activity patterns induced by neuromodulators converging on the Gq signaling pathway in BLA perisomatic parvalbumin-expressing (PV) and cholecystokinin-expressing (CCK) basket cells and their effects on BLA network oscillations and fear learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Fu
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Jeffrey G. Tasker
- Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
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Dodt S, Widdershooven NV, Dreisow ML, Weiher L, Steuernagel L, Wunderlich FT, Brüning JC, Fenselau H. NPY-mediated synaptic plasticity in the extended amygdala prioritizes feeding during starvation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5439. [PMID: 38937485 PMCID: PMC11211344 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49766-0] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Efficient control of feeding behavior requires the coordinated adjustment of complex motivational and affective neurocircuits. Neuropeptides from energy-sensing hypothalamic neurons are potent feeding modulators, but how these endogenous signals shape relevant circuits remains unclear. Here, we examine how the orexigenic neuropeptide Y (NPY) adapts GABAergic inputs to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). We find that fasting increases synaptic connectivity between agouti-related peptide (AgRP)-expressing 'hunger' and BNST neurons, a circuit that promotes feeding. In contrast, GABAergic input from the central amygdala (CeA), an extended amygdala circuit that decreases feeding, is reduced. Activating NPY-expressing AgRP neurons evokes these synaptic adaptations, which are absent in NPY-deficient mice. Moreover, fasting diminishes the ability of CeA projections in the BNST to suppress food intake, and NPY-deficient mice fail to decrease anxiety in order to promote feeding. Thus, AgRP neurons drive input-specific synaptic plasticity, enabling a selective shift in hunger and anxiety signaling during starvation through NPY.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Dodt
- Synaptic Transmission in Energy Homeostasis Group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931, Cologne, Germany
- Department of Neuronal Control of Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Noah V Widdershooven
- Department of Neuronal Control of Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Marie-Luise Dreisow
- Synaptic Transmission in Energy Homeostasis Group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 26, 50924, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lisa Weiher
- Synaptic Transmission in Energy Homeostasis Group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lukas Steuernagel
- Department of Neuronal Control of Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - F Thomas Wunderlich
- Department of Neuronal Control of Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 26, 50924, Cologne, Germany
- Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Straße 26, Cologne, 50931, Germany
- Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Robert-Koch-Straße 21, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jens C Brüning
- Department of Neuronal Control of Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
- Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 26, 50924, Cologne, Germany.
- Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Straße 26, Cologne, 50931, Germany.
- Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Robert-Koch-Straße 21, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Henning Fenselau
- Synaptic Transmission in Energy Homeostasis Group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
- Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 26, 50924, Cologne, Germany.
- Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Straße 26, Cologne, 50931, Germany.
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