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Cerqueira-Nunes M, Monteiro C, Galhardo V, Cardoso-Cruz H. Orbitostriatal encoding of reward delayed gratification and impulsivity in chronic pain. Brain Res 2024; 1839:149044. [PMID: 38821332 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2024.149044] [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: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Central robust network functional rearrangement is a characteristic of several neurological conditions, including chronic pain. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown the importance of pain-induced dysfunction in both orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) brain regions for the emergence of cognitive deficits. Outcome information processing recruits the orbitostriatal circuitry, a pivotal pathway regarding context-dependent reward value encoding. The current literature reveals the existence of structural and functional changes in the orbitostriatal crosstalk in chronic pain conditions, which have emerged as a possible underlying cause for reward and time discrimination impairments observed in individuals affected by such disturbances. However, more comprehensive investigations are needed to elucidate the underlying disturbances that underpin disease development. In this review article, we aim to provide a comprehensive view of the orbitostriatal mechanisms underlying time-reward dependent behaviors, and integrate previous findings on local and network malplasticity under the framework of the chronic pain sphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Cerqueira-Nunes
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S) - Pain Neurobiology Group, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Biomedicina - Unidade de Biologia Experimental (FMUP), Universidade do Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal; Programa doutoral em Neurociências (PDN), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Clara Monteiro
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S) - Pain Neurobiology Group, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Biomedicina - Unidade de Biologia Experimental (FMUP), Universidade do Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Vasco Galhardo
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S) - Pain Neurobiology Group, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Biomedicina - Unidade de Biologia Experimental (FMUP), Universidade do Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Helder Cardoso-Cruz
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S) - Pain Neurobiology Group, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Biomedicina - Unidade de Biologia Experimental (FMUP), Universidade do Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal.
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Hughes BW, Huebschman JL, Tsvetkov E, Siemsen BM, Snyder KK, Akiki RM, Wood DJ, Penrod RD, Scofield MD, Berto S, Taniguchi M, Cowan CW. NPAS4 supports cocaine-conditioned cues in rodents by controlling the cell type-specific activation balance in the nucleus accumbens. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5971. [PMID: 39117647 PMCID: PMC11310321 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50099-1] [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: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Powerful associations that link drugs of abuse with cues in the drug-paired environment often serve as prepotent relapse triggers. Drug-associated contexts and cues activate ensembles of nucleus accumbens (NAc) neurons, including D1-class medium spiny neurons (MSNs) that typically promote, and D2-class MSNs that typically oppose, drug seeking. We found that in mice, cocaine conditioning upregulated transiently the activity-regulated transcription factor, Neuronal PAS Domain Protein 4 (NPAS4), in a small subset of NAc neurons. The NPAS4+ NAc ensemble was required for cocaine conditioned place preference. We also observed that NPAS4 functions within NAc D2-, but not D1-, MSNs to support cocaine-context associations and cue-induced cocaine, but not sucrose, seeking. Together, our data show that the NPAS4+ ensemble of NAc neurons is essential for cocaine-context associations in mice, and that NPAS4 itself functions in NAc D2-MSNs to support cocaine-context associations by suppressing drug-induced counteradaptations that oppose relapse-related behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon W Hughes
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Jessica L Huebschman
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Evgeny Tsvetkov
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Benjamin M Siemsen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Kirsten K Snyder
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Rose Marie Akiki
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Daniel J Wood
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Rachel D Penrod
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Michael D Scofield
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Stefano Berto
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Makoto Taniguchi
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
| | - Christopher W Cowan
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
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Reiner BC, Chehimi SN, Merkel R, Toikumo S, Berrettini WH, Kranzler HR, Sanchez-Roige S, Kember RL, Schmidt HD, Crist RC. A single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas of medium spiny neurons in the rat nucleus accumbens. Sci Rep 2024; 14:18258. [PMID: 39107568 PMCID: PMC11303397 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-69255-0] [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: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Neural processing of rewarding stimuli involves several distinct regions, including the nucleus accumbens (NAc). The majority of NAc neurons are GABAergic projection neurons known as medium spiny neurons (MSNs). MSNs are broadly defined by dopamine receptor expression, but evidence suggests that a wider array of subtypes exist. To study MSN heterogeneity, we analyzed single-nucleus RNA sequencing data from the largest available rat NAc dataset. Analysis of 48,040 NAc MSN nuclei identified major populations belonging to the striosome and matrix compartments. Integration with mouse and human data indicated consistency across species and disease-relevance scoring using genome-wide association study results revealed potentially differential roles for MSN populations in substance use disorders. Additional high-resolution clustering identified 34 transcriptomically distinct subtypes of MSNs definable by a limited number of marker genes. Together, these data demonstrate the diversity of MSNs in the NAc and provide a basis for more targeted genetic manipulation of specific populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin C Reiner
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Samar N Chehimi
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Riley Merkel
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sylvanus Toikumo
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Wade H Berrettini
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Henry R Kranzler
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sandra Sanchez-Roige
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Rachel L Kember
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Heath D Schmidt
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Richard C Crist
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 125 South 31st Street, Room 2207, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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Lee D, Lau N, Liu L, Root CM. Transformation of valence signaling in a striatopallidal circuit. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.08.01.551547. [PMID: 37577586 PMCID: PMC10418236 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.01.551547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
The ways in which sensory stimuli acquire motivational valence through association with other stimuli is one of the simplest forms of learning. Though we have identified many brain nuclei that play various roles in reward processing, a significant gap remains in understanding how valence encoding transforms through the layers of sensory processing. To address this gap, we carried out a comparative investigation of the anteromedial olfactory tubercle (OT), and the ventral pallidum (VP) - 2 connected nuclei of the basal ganglia which have both been implicated in reward processing. First, using anterograde and retrograde tracing, we show that both D1 and D2 neurons of the anteromedial OT project primarily to the VP and minimally elsewhere. Using 2-photon calcium imaging, we then investigated how the identity of the odor and reward contingency of the odor are differently encoded by neurons in either structure during a classical conditioning paradigm. We find that VP neurons robustly encode reward contingency, but not identity, in low-dimensional space. In contrast, the OT neurons primarily encode odor identity in high-dimensional space. Although D1 OT neurons showed larger responses to rewarded odors than other odors, consistent with prior findings, we interpret this as identity encoding with enhanced contrast. Finally, using a novel conditioning paradigm that decouples reward contingency and licking vigor, we show that both features are encoded by non-overlapping VP neurons. These results provide a novel framework for the striatopallidal circuit in which a high-dimensional encoding of stimulus identity is collapsed onto a low-dimensional encoding of motivational valence.
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Mitra S, Werner CT, Shwani T, Lopez AG, Federico D, Higdon K, Li X, Gobira PH, Thomas SA, Martin JA, An C, Chandra R, Maze I, Neve R, Lobo MK, Gancarz AM, Dietz DM. A Novel Role for the Histone Demethylase JMJD3 in Mediating Heroin-induced Relapse-Like Behaviors. Biol Psychiatry 2024:S0006-3223(24)01452-5. [PMID: 39019389 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.06.028] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic changes, leading to long-term neuroadaptations following opioid exposure are not well understood. We examined how histone demethylase JMJD3 in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) influences heroin seeking after abstinence from self-administration. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to self-administer heroin. Western blotting and qPCR were performed to quantify JMJD3 and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway expression in the NAc (n = 7-11/group). Pharmacological inhibitors or viral expression vectors were microinfused into the NAc to manipulate JMJD3 or the BMP pathway member SMAD1 (n = 9-11/group). The RiboTag capture method (n = 3-5/group) and viral vectors (n = 7-8/group) were used in male transgenic rats to identify the contributions of D1- and D2-type medium spiny neurons (MSN) in the NAc. Drug-seeking was tested by cue-induced response previously paired with drug infusion. RESULTS Levels of JMJD3 and phosphorylated SMAD1/5 in the NAc were increased after 14 days of abstinence from heroin self-administration. Pharmacological and virus-mediated inhibition of JMJD3 or the BMP pathway attenuated cue-induced seeking. Pharmacological inhibition of BMP signaling reduced JMJD3 expression and histone 3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) levels. JMJD3 bidirectionally affected seeking: expression of the wild type increased whereas expression of a catalytic dead mutant decreased cue-induced seeking. JMJD3 expression was increased in D2+ but not D1+ MSNs. Expression of the mutant JMJD3 in D2+ neurons was sufficient to decrease cue-induced heroin seeking. CONCLUSIONS JMJD3 mediates persistent cellular and behavioral adaptations underlying heroin relapse and this activity is regulated by the BMP pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarup Mitra
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Program in Neuroscience, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York
| | - Craig T Werner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Program in Neuroscience, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York
| | - Treefa Shwani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Program in Neuroscience, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York
| | - Ana Garcia Lopez
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Program in Neuroscience, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York
| | - Dale Federico
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Program in Neuroscience, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York
| | - Kate Higdon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Program in Neuroscience, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York
| | - Xiaofang Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Program in Neuroscience, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York
| | - Pedro H Gobira
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Program in Neuroscience, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York
| | - Shruthi A Thomas
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Program in Neuroscience, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York
| | - Jennifer A Martin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Program in Neuroscience, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York
| | - Chunna An
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Program in Neuroscience, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York
| | - Ramesh Chandra
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ian Maze
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Rachel Neve
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Amy M Gancarz
- Department of Psychology, California State University, Bakersfield, Bakersfield, California
| | - David M Dietz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Program in Neuroscience, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York.
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6
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Borland JM. The effects of different types of social interactions on the electrophysiology of neurons in the nucleus accumbens in rodents. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 164:105809. [PMID: 39004323 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
BORLAND, J.M., The effects of different types of social interactions on the electrophysiology of neurons in the nucleus accumbens in rodents, NEUROSCI BIOBEH REV 21(1) XXX-XXX, 2024.-Sociality shapes an organisms' life. The nucleus accumbens is a critical brain region for mental health. In the following review, the effects of different types of social interactions on the physiology of neurons in the nucleus accumbens is synthesized. More specifically, the effects of sex behavior, aggression, social defeat, pair-bonding, play behavior, affiliative interactions, parental behaviors, the isolation from social interactions and maternal separation on measures of excitatory synaptic transmission, intracellular signaling and factors of transcription and translation in neurons in the nucleus accumbens in rodent models are reviewed. Similarities and differences in effects depending on the type of social interaction is then discussed. This review improves the understanding of the molecular and synaptic mechanisms of sociality.
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Szabadi E. Three paradoxes related to the mode of action of pramipexole: The path from D2/D3 dopamine receptor stimulation to modification of dopamine-modulated functions. J Psychopharmacol 2024; 38:581-596. [PMID: 39041250 DOI: 10.1177/02698811241261022] [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: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Pramipexole, a D2/D3 dopamine receptor agonist, is used to treat the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, caused by degeneration of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway. There are three paradoxes associated with its mode of action. Firstly, stimulation of D2/D3 receptors leads to neuronal inhibition, although pramipexole does not inhibit but promotes some dopamine-modulated functions, such as locomotion and reinforcement. Secondly, another dopamine-modulated function, arousal, is not promoted but inhibited by pramipexole, leading to sedation. Thirdly, pramipexole-evoked sedation is associated with an increase in pupil diameter, although sedation is expected to cause pupil constriction. To resolve these paradoxes, the path from stimulation of D2/D3 receptors to the modification of dopamine-modulated functions has been tracked. The functions considered are modulated by midbrain dopaminergic nuclei: locomotion - substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), reinforcement/motivation - ventral tegmental area (VTA), sympathetic activity (as reflected in pupil function) - VTA; arousal - ventral periaqueductal grey (vPAG), with contributions from VTA and SNc. The application of genetics-based molecular techniques (optogenetics and chemogenetics) has enabled tracing the chains of neurones from the dopaminergic nuclei to their final targets executing the functions. The functional neuronal circuits linked to the D2/D3 receptors in the dorsal and ventral striata, stimulated by inputs from SNc and VTA, respectively, may explain how neuronal inhibition induced by pramipexole is translated into the promotion of locomotion, reinforcement/motivation and sympathetic activity. As the vPAG may increase arousal mainly by stimulating cortical D1 dopamine receptors, pramipexole would stimulate only presynaptic D2/D3 receptors on vPAG neurones, curtailing their activity and leading to sedation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elemer Szabadi
- Developmental Psychiatry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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Adams MJ. Genome-wide study of half a million individuals with major depression identifies 697 independent associations, infers causal neuronal subtypes and biological targets for novel pharmacotherapies. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.04.29.24306535. [PMID: 38746223 PMCID: PMC11092713 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.29.24306535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
In a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 685,808 individuals with major depression (MD) and 4,364,225 controls from 29 countries and across diverse and admixed ancestries, we identify 697 independent associations at 636 genetic loci, 293 of which are novel. Using fine-mapping and functional genomic datasets, we find 308 high-confidence gene associations and enrichment of postsynaptic density and receptor clustering. Leveraging new single-cell gene expression data, we conducted a causal neural cell type enrichment analysis that implicated excitatory and inhibitory midbrain and forebrain neurons, peptidergic neurons, and medium spiny neurons in MD. Critically, our findings are enriched for the targets of antidepressants and provide potential antidepressant repurposing opportunities (e.g., pregabalin and modafinil). Polygenic scores (PGS) from European ancestries explained up to 5.7% of the variance in liability to MD in European samples and PGS trained using either European or multi-ancestry data significantly predicted case control status across all four diverse ancestries. These findings represent a major advance in our understanding of MD across global populations. We provide evidence that MD GWAS reveals known and novel biological targets that may be used to target and develop pharmacotherapies addressing the considerable unmet need for effective treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Adams
- Psychiatric Genomics Consortium Major Depressive Disorder Working Group
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9
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Teague CD, Markovic T, Zhou X, Martinez-Rivera FJ, Minier-Toribio A, Zinsmaier A, Pulido NV, Schmidt KH, Lucerne KE, Godino A, van der Zee YY, Ramakrishnan A, Futamura R, Browne CJ, Holt LM, Yim YY, Azizian CH, Walker DM, Shen L, Dong Y, Zhang B, Nestler EJ. Circuit-Wide Gene Network Analysis Reveals Sex-Specific Roles for Phosphodiesterase 1b in Cocaine Addiction. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1327232024. [PMID: 38637154 PMCID: PMC11154853 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1327-23.2024] [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: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Cocaine use disorder is a significant public health issue without an effective pharmacological treatment. Successful treatments are hindered in part by an incomplete understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie long-lasting maladaptive plasticity and addiction-like behaviors. Here, we leverage a large RNA sequencing dataset to generate gene coexpression networks across six interconnected regions of the brain's reward circuitry from mice that underwent saline or cocaine self-administration. We identify phosphodiesterase 1b (Pde1b), a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent enzyme that increases cAMP and cGMP hydrolysis, as a central hub gene within a nucleus accumbens (NAc) gene module that was bioinformatically associated with addiction-like behavior. Chronic cocaine exposure increases Pde1b expression in NAc D2 medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in male but not female mice. Viral-mediated Pde1b overexpression in NAc reduces cocaine self-administration in female rats but increases seeking in both sexes. In female mice, overexpressing Pde1b in D1 MSNs attenuates the locomotor response to cocaine, with the opposite effect in D2 MSNs. Overexpressing Pde1b in D1/D2 MSNs had no effect on the locomotor response to cocaine in male mice. At the electrophysiological level, Pde1b overexpression reduces sEPSC frequency in D1 MSNs and regulates the excitability of NAc MSNs. Lastly, Pde1b overexpression significantly reduced the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in NAc following chronic cocaine, with discordant effects on gene transcription between sexes. Together, we identify novel gene modules across the brain's reward circuitry associated with addiction-like behavior and explore the role of Pde1b in regulating the molecular, cellular, and behavioral responses to cocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collin D Teague
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Tamara Markovic
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Xianxiao Zhou
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Freddyson J Martinez-Rivera
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Angelica Minier-Toribio
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Alexander Zinsmaier
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
| | - Nathalia V Pulido
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Kyra H Schmidt
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Kelsey E Lucerne
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Arthur Godino
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Yentl Y van der Zee
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Aarthi Ramakrishnan
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Rita Futamura
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Caleb J Browne
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Leanne M Holt
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Yun Young Yim
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Corrine H Azizian
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Deena M Walker
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
| | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Yan Dong
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
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Kim YJ, Choi SJ, Hong SI, Park JC, Lee Y, Ma SX, Hur KH, Lee Y, Kim KM, Kim HK, Kim HY, Lee SY, Choi SY, Jang CG. The ion channel TRPA1 is a modulator of the cocaine reward circuit in the nucleus accumbens. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02623-4. [PMID: 38822069 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02623-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Drug addiction therapies commonly fail because continued drug use promotes the release of excessive and pleasurable dopamine levels. Because the connection between pleasure and drug use becomes hard-wired in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), which interfaces motivation, effective therapies need to modulate this mesolimbic reward system. Here, we report that mice with knockdown of the cation channel TRPA1 (transient receptor potential ankyrin 1) were resistant to the drug-seeking behavior and reward effects of cocaine compared to their wildtype litter mates. In our study, we demonstrate that TRPA1 inhibition in the NAc reduces cocaine activity and dopamine release, and conversely, that TRPA1 is critical for cocaine-induced synaptic strength in dopamine receptor 1-expressing medium spiny neurons. Taken together, our data support that cocaine-induced reward-related behavior and synaptic release of dopamine in the NAc are controlled by TRPA1 and suggest that TRPA1 has therapeutic potential as a target for drug misuse therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Jung Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Jeong Choi
- Department of Physiology, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Sa-Ik Hong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Cheol Park
- Department of Physiology, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Youyoung Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Shi-Xun Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang-Hyun Hur
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Lee
- Department of Physiology, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong-Man Kim
- Pharmacology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Kyu Kim
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Young Kim
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok-Yong Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Young Choi
- Department of Physiology, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Choon-Gon Jang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
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11
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Jeong Y, Noh J. Neurophysiological analysis of disadvantageous social inequity: Exploring emotional behavior changes and c-Fos expression in a male rat model. Behav Brain Res 2024; 466:114983. [PMID: 38580200 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.114983] [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: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Humans and other animals exhibit aversive behavioral and emotional responses to unequal reward distributions compared with their conspecifics. Despite the significance of this phenomenon, experimental animal models designed to investigate social inequity aversion and delve into the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms are limited. In this study, we developed a rat model to determine the effects of socially equal or unequal reward and stress on emotional changes in male rats. During the training session, the rats were trained to escape when a sound cue was presented, and they were assigned to one of the following groups: all escaping rats [advantageous equity (AE)], freely moving rats alongside a restrained rat [advantageous inequity (AI)], all restrained rats [disadvantageous equity (DE)], and a rat restrained in the presence of freely moving companions [disadvantageous inequity (DI)]. During the test session, rats in the advantageous group (AE and AI) escaped after the cue sound (expected reward acquisition), whereas rats in the disadvantageous group (DE and DI) could not escape despite the cue being presented (expected reward deprivation). Emotional alteration induced by exposure to restraint stress under various social interaction circumstances was examined using an open field test. Notably, the DI group displayed reduced exploration of the center zone during the open field tests compared with the other groups, indicating heightened anxiety-like behaviors in response to reward inequity. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased c-Fos expression in the medial prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortices, coupled with reduced c-Fos expression in the striatum and nucleus accumbens under DI conditions, in contrast to the other experimental conditions. These findings provide compelling evidence that rats are particularly sensitive to reward inequity, shedding light on the neurophysiological basis for distinct cognitive processes that manifest when individuals are exposed to social equity and inequity situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujeong Jeong
- Department of Science Education, Dankook University, 152 Jukjeon-ro, Suji-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 16890, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyun Noh
- Department of Science Education, Dankook University, 152 Jukjeon-ro, Suji-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 16890, Republic of Korea.
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12
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Reiner BC, Chehimi SN, Merkel R, Toikumo S, Berrettini WH, Kranzler HR, Sanchez-Roige S, Kember RL, Schmidt HD, Crist RC. A single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas of medium spiny neurons in the rat nucleus accumbens. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.26.595949. [PMID: 38826289 PMCID: PMC11142250 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.26.595949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Neural processing of rewarding stimuli involves several distinct regions, including the nucleus accumbens (NAc). The majority of NAc neurons are GABAergic projection neurons known as medium spiny neurons (MSNs). MSNs are broadly defined by dopamine receptor expression, but evidence suggests that a wider array of subtypes exist. To study MSN heterogeneity, we analyzed single-nucleus RNA sequencing data from the largest available rat NAc dataset. Analysis of 48,040 NAc MSN nuclei identified major populations belonging to the striosome and matrix compartments. Integration with mouse and human data indicated consistency across species and disease-relevance scoring using genome-wide association study results revealed potentially differential roles for MSN populations in substance use disorders. Additional high-resolution clustering identified 34 transcriptomically distinct subtypes of MSNs definable by a limited number of marker genes. Together, these data demonstrate the diversity of MSNs in the NAc and provide a basis for more targeted genetic manipulation of specific populations.
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13
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Montalban E, Giralt A, Taing L, Nakamura Y, Pelosi A, Brown M, de Pins B, Valjent E, Martin M, Nairn AC, Greengard P, Flajolet M, Hervé D, Gambardella N, Roussarie JP, Girault JA. Operant Training for Highly Palatable Food Alters Translating Messenger RNA in Nucleus Accumbens D 2 Neurons and Reveals a Modulatory Role of Ncdn. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 95:926-937. [PMID: 37579933 PMCID: PMC11059129 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.08.006] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Highly palatable food triggers behavioral responses including strong motivation. These effects involve the reward system and dopamine neurons, which modulate neurons in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). The molecular mechanisms underlying the long-lasting effects of highly palatable food on feeding behavior are poorly understood. METHODS We studied the effects of 2-week operant conditioning of mice with standard or isocaloric highly palatable food. We investigated the behavioral responses and dendritic spine modifications in the NAc. We compared the translating messenger RNA in NAc neurons identified by the type of dopamine receptors they express, depending on the kind of food and training. We tested the consequences of invalidation of an abundant downregulated gene, Ncdn. RESULTS Operant conditioning for highly palatable food increased motivation for food even in well-fed mice. In wild-type mice, free choice between regular and highly palatable food increased weight compared with access to regular food only. Highly palatable food increased spine density in the NAc. In animals trained for highly palatable food, translating messenger RNAs were modified in NAc neurons expressing dopamine D2 receptors, mostly corresponding to striatal projection neurons, but not in neurons expressing D1 receptors. Knockout of Ncdn, an abundant downregulated gene, opposed the conditioning-induced changes in satiety-sensitive feeding behavior and apparent motivation for highly palatable food, suggesting that downregulation may be a compensatory mechanism. CONCLUSIONS Our results emphasize the importance of messenger RNA alterations in D2 striatal projection neurons in the NAc in the behavioral consequences of highly palatable food conditioning and suggest a modulatory contribution of Ncdn downregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Montalban
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unite Mixte de Recherche-S 1270, Paris, France; Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France.
| | - Albert Giralt
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unite Mixte de Recherche-S 1270, Paris, France; Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
| | - Lieng Taing
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unite Mixte de Recherche-S 1270, Paris, France; Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
| | - Yuki Nakamura
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unite Mixte de Recherche-S 1270, Paris, France; Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
| | - Assunta Pelosi
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unite Mixte de Recherche-S 1270, Paris, France; Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
| | - Mallory Brown
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Benoit de Pins
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unite Mixte de Recherche-S 1270, Paris, France; Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Valjent
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, University of Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montpellier, France
| | - Miquel Martin
- Eurecat, Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya, Unitat de Nutrició i Salut, Reus, Spain; Instituto de investigaciones médicas Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Angus C Nairn
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Paul Greengard
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Marc Flajolet
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Denis Hervé
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unite Mixte de Recherche-S 1270, Paris, France; Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
| | | | - Jean-Pierre Roussarie
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Jean-Antoine Girault
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unite Mixte de Recherche-S 1270, Paris, France; Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France.
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14
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Huang Y, Liu M, Zheng Z, Lu R, Li C, Su M, Li Y, Xia B. Inhibition of SIRT1 in the nucleus accumbens attenuates heroin addiction-related behavior by decreasing D1 neuronal autophagy. Neuroreport 2024; 35:486-498. [PMID: 38526939 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000002033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of SIRT1 modulation on heroin addiction-like behavior and its possible biological mechanisms. Wild-type C57BL/6J and Sirt1loxp/loxp D1-Cre mice were used in this experiment, and Sirt1 loxp/loxp D1-Cre(-) mice were used as a control for conditional knockout mice. Mice were divided into saline control and heroin-dependent groups. Behavioral methods were used to record the withdrawal response, conditioned place preference (CPP) changes, and open field test results. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the structure of autophagosomes in nucleus accumbens (NAc) neurons. The expression of SIRT1 and autophagy-related proteins and genes, such as LC3Ⅱ, ATG5 , and ATG7 , was detected in the NAc of each mouse group via western blot, real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) analyzes, and immunofluorescence. The results of this experiment showed that compared with the saline group, mice in the wild-type heroin-dependent group showed marked withdrawal symptoms, with more autophagosomes observed in NAc via TEM. Compared with wild-type and Sirt1loxp/loxp D1-Cre(-) heroin-dependent groups, CPP formation was found to be reduced in the conditional knockout mouse group, with a significant decrease in spontaneous activity. Western blot, qPCR, and immunofluorescence results indicated that the expression of LC3Ⅱ, ATG-5, and ATG-7 was significantly reduced in the NAc of the Sirt1loxp/loxp D1-Cre(+) group. It was still, however, higher than that in the saline control group. These results suggest that inhibition of Sirt1 expression may prevent heroin-induced addiction-related behaviors via reducing D1 neuronal autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Huang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Gui'an New District, Guizhou, China
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15
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Dong YG, Gan Y, Fu Y, Shi H, Dai S, Yu R, Li X, Zhang K, Wang F, Yuan TF, Dong Y. Treadmill exercise training inhibits morphine CPP by reversing morphine effects on GABA neurotransmission in D2-MSNs of the accumbens-pallidal pathway in male mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024:10.1038/s41386-024-01869-4. [PMID: 38714787 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01869-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/10/2024]
Abstract
Relapse is a major challenge in the treatment of drug addiction, and exercise has been shown to decrease relapse to drug seeking in animal models. However, the neural circuitry mechanisms by which exercise inhibits morphine relapse remain unclear. In this study, we report that 4-week treadmill training prevented morphine conditioned place preference (CPP) expression during abstinence by acting through the nucleus accumbens (NAc)-ventral pallidum (VP) pathway. We found that neuronal excitability was reduced in D2-dopamine receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) following repeated exposure to morphine and forced abstinence. Enhancing the excitability of NAc D2-MSNs via treadmill training decreased the expression of morphine CPP. We also found that the effects of treadmill training were mediated by decreasing enkephalin levels and that restoring opioid modulation of GABA neurotransmission in the VP, which increased neurotransmitter release from NAc D2-MSNs to VP, decreased morphine CPP. Our findings suggest the inhibitory effect of exercise on morphine CPP is mediated by reversing morphine-induced neuroadaptations in the NAc-to-VP pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Gang Dong
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yixia Gan
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yingmei Fu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Brain Health Institute, National Center for Mental Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Haifeng Shi
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Shanghua Dai
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Ruibo Yu
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Xinyi Li
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Brain Health Institute, National Center for Mental Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Fanglin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Ti-Fei Yuan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Brain Health Institute, National Center for Mental Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Yi Dong
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
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16
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Chapp AD, Nwakama CA, Jagtap PP, Phan CMH, Thomas MJ, Mermelstein PG. Fundamental Sex Differences in Cocaine-Induced Plasticity of Dopamine D1 Receptor- and D2 Receptor-Expressing Medium Spiny Neurons in the Mouse Nucleus Accumbens Shell. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 4:100295. [PMID: 38533248 PMCID: PMC10963205 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2024.100295] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Cocaine-induced plasticity in the nucleus accumbens shell of males occurs primarily in dopamine D1 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1R-MSNs), with little if any impact on dopamine D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2R-MSNs). In females, the effect of cocaine on accumbens shell D1R- and D2R-MSN neurophysiology has yet to be reported, nor have estrous cycle effects been accounted for. Methods We used a 5-day locomotor sensitization paradigm followed by a 10- to 14-day drug-free abstinence period. We then obtained ex vivo whole-cell recordings from fluorescently labeled D1R-MSNs and D2R-MSNs in the nucleus accumbens shell of male and female mice during estrus and diestrus. We examined accumbens shell neuronal excitability as well as miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs). Results In females, we observed alterations in D1R-MSN excitability across the estrous cycle similar in magnitude to the effects of cocaine in males. Furthermore, cocaine shifted estrous cycle-dependent plasticity from intrinsic excitability changes in D1R-MSNs to D2R-MSNs. In males, cocaine treatment produced the anticipated drop in D1R-MSN excitability with no effect on D2R-MSN excitability. Cocaine increased mEPSC frequencies and amplitudes in D2R-MSNs from females in estrus and mEPSC amplitudes of D2R-MSNs from females in diestrus. In males, cocaine increased both D1R- and D2R-MSN mEPSC amplitudes with no effect on mEPSC frequencies. Conclusions Overall, while there are similar cocaine-induced disparities regarding the relative excitability of D1R-MSNs versus D2R-MSNs between the sexes, this is mediated through reduced D1R-MSN excitability in males, whereas it is due to heightened D2R-MSN excitability in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D. Chapp
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Chinonso A. Nwakama
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Pramit P. Jagtap
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Chau-Mi H. Phan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Mark J. Thomas
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Center for Neural Circuits in Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Paul G. Mermelstein
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Center for Neural Circuits in Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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17
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Kim HD, Wei J, Call T, Ma X, Quintus NT, Summers AJ, Carotenuto S, Johnson R, Nguyen A, Cui Y, Park JG, Qiu S, Ferguson D. SIRT1 Coordinates Transcriptional Regulation of Neural Activity and Modulates Depression-Like Behaviors in the Nucleus Accumbens. Biol Psychiatry 2024:S0006-3223(24)01176-4. [PMID: 38575105 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.03.017] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major depression and anxiety disorders are significant causes of disability and socioeconomic burden. Despite the prevalence and considerable impact of these affective disorders, their pathophysiology remains elusive. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop novel therapeutics for these conditions. We evaluated the role of SIRT1 in regulating dysfunctional processes of reward by using chronic social defeat stress to induce depression- and anxiety-like behaviors. Chronic social defeat stress induces physiological and behavioral changes that recapitulate depression-like symptomatology and alters gene expression programs in the nucleus accumbens, but cell type-specific changes in this critical structure remain largely unknown. METHODS We examined transcriptional profiles of D1-expressing medium spiny neurons (MSNs) lacking deacetylase activity of SIRT1 by RNA sequencing in a cell type-specific manner using the RiboTag line of mice. We analyzed differentially expressed genes using gene ontology tools including SynGO and EnrichR and further demonstrated functional changes in D1-MSN-specific SIRT1 knockout (KO) mice using electrophysiological and behavioral measurements. RESULTS RNA sequencing revealed altered transcriptional profiles of D1-MSNs lacking functional SIRT1 and showed specific changes in synaptic genes including glutamatergic and GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acidergic) receptors in D1-MSNs. These molecular changes may be associated with decreased excitatory and increased inhibitory neural activity in Sirt1 KO D1-MSNs, accompanied by morphological changes. Moreover, the D1-MSN-specific Sirt1 KO mice exhibited proresilient changes in anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. CONCLUSIONS SIRT1 coordinates excitatory and inhibitory synaptic genes to regulate the GABAergic output tone of D1-MSNs. These findings reveal a novel signaling pathway that has potential for the development of innovative treatments for affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee-Dae Kim
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Jing Wei
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Tanessa Call
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Xiaokuang Ma
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Nicole Teru Quintus
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Alexander J Summers
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Samantha Carotenuto
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Ross Johnson
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Angel Nguyen
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Yuehua Cui
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Jin G Park
- Virginia G. Piper Biodesign Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
| | - Shenfeng Qiu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Deveroux Ferguson
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona.
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18
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Kim YJ, Kook WA, Ma SX, Lee BR, Ko YH, Kim SK, Lee Y, Lee JG, Lee S, Kim KM, Lee SY, Jang CG. The novel psychoactive substance 25E-NBOMe induces reward-related behaviors via dopamine D1 receptor signaling in male rodents. Arch Pharm Res 2024; 47:360-376. [PMID: 38551761 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-024-01491-4] [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: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) are new psychotropic drugs designed to evade substance regulatory policies. 25E-NBOMe (2-(4-ethyl-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine) has recently been identified as an NPS, and its recreational misuse has been reported to be rapidly increasing. However, the psychopharmacological effects and mechanisms of 25E-NBOMe have not been studied. We examined the abuse potential of 25E-NBOMe using the conditioned place preference in male mice and self-administration paradigms in male rats. Additionally, immunoblot assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and microdialysis were used to determine the molecular effects of 25E-NBOMe in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Our data demonstrated that 25E-NBOMe induces conditioned place preference, and the dopaminergic signaling in the NAc mediates these. Following 25E-NBOMe administration, expression of dopamine transporter and dopamine D1 receptor (D1DR) were enhanced in the NAc of male mice, and NAc dopamine levels were reduced in both male mice and rats. Induction of intracellular dopaminergic pathways, DARPP32, and phosphorylation of CREB in the NAc of male mice was also observed. Significantly, pharmacological blockade of D1DR or chemogenetic inhibition of D1DR-expressing medium spiny neurons in the NAc attenuated 25E-NBOMe-induced conditioned place preference in male mice. We also examined the hallucinogenic properties of 25E-NBOMe using the head twitch response test in male mice and found that this behavior was mediated by serotonin 2A receptor activity. Our findings demonstrate that D1DR signaling may govern the addictive potential of 25E-NBOMe. Moreover, our study provides new insights into the potential mechanisms of substance use disorder and the improvement of controlled substance management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Jung Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Wun-A Kook
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Shi-Xun Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo-Ram Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Hyun Ko
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon-Kyung Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Youyoung Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Gyeong Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Sooyeun Lee
- Analytical Toxicology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu, 42601, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong-Man Kim
- Pharmacology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 81186, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok-Yong Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Choon-Gon Jang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
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19
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Walle R, Petitbon A, Fois GR, Varin C, Montalban E, Hardt L, Contini A, Angelo MF, Potier M, Ortole R, Oummadi A, De Smedt-Peyrusse V, Adan RA, Giros B, Chaouloff F, Ferreira G, de Kerchove d'Exaerde A, Ducrocq F, Georges F, Trifilieff P. Nucleus accumbens D1- and D2-expressing neurons control the balance between feeding and activity-mediated energy expenditure. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2543. [PMID: 38514654 PMCID: PMC10958053 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46874-9] [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: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence points to dysregulations of the Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) in eating disorders (ED), however its precise contribution to ED symptomatic dimensions remains unclear. Using chemogenetic manipulations in male mice, we found that activity of dopamine D1 receptor-expressing neurons of the NAc core subregion facilitated effort for a food reward as well as voluntary exercise, but decreased food intake, while D2-expressing neurons have opposite effects. These effects are congruent with D2-neurons being more active than D1-neurons during feeding while it is the opposite during running. Chronic manipulations of each subpopulations had limited effects on energy balance. However, repeated activation of D1-neurons combined with inhibition of D2-neurons biased behavior toward activity-related energy expenditure, whilst the opposite manipulations favored energy intake. Strikingly, concomitant activation of D1-neurons and inhibition of D2-neurons precipitated weight loss in anorexia models. These results suggest that dysregulations of NAc dopaminoceptive neurons might be at the core of EDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Walle
- Université de Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France.
| | - Anna Petitbon
- Université de Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Giulia R Fois
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, UMR5293 F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Christophe Varin
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, ULB Neuroscience Institute, WELBIO, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Enrica Montalban
- Université de Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Lola Hardt
- Université de Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Andrea Contini
- Université de Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Mylène Potier
- Université de Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France
- Bordeaux Sciences Agro, F-, 33175, Gradignan, France
| | - Rodrigue Ortole
- Université de Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Asma Oummadi
- Université de Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Roger A Adan
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584CG, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Altrecht Eating Disorders Rintveld, Zeist, the Netherlands
| | - Bruno Giros
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Université de Paris Cité, INCC UMR 8002, CNRS; F-75006, Paris, France
| | - Francis Chaouloff
- Endocannabinoids and NeuroAdaptation, NeuroCentre INSERM U1215, 33077, Bordeaux, France
- Université de Bordeaux, 33077, Bordeaux, France
| | - Guillaume Ferreira
- Université de Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Alban de Kerchove d'Exaerde
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, ULB Neuroscience Institute, WELBIO, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Fabien Ducrocq
- Université de Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Pierre Trifilieff
- Université de Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France.
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20
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Zhao J, Zhang G, Xu D. The effect of reward on motor learning: different stage, different effect. Front Hum Neurosci 2024; 18:1381935. [PMID: 38532789 PMCID: PMC10963647 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1381935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Motor learning is a prominent and extensively studied subject in rehabilitation following various types of neurological disorders. Motor repair and rehabilitation often extend over months and years post-injury with a slow pace of recovery, particularly affecting the fine movements of the distal extremities. This extended period can diminish the motivation and persistence of patients, a facet that has historically been overlooked in motor learning until recent years. Reward, including monetary compensation, social praise, video gaming, music, and virtual reality, is currently garnering heightened attention for its potential to enhance motor motivation and improve function. Numerous studies have examined the effects and attempted to explore potential mechanisms in various motor paradigms, yet they have yielded inconsistent or even contradictory results and conclusions. A comprehensive review is necessary to summarize studies on the effects of rewards on motor learning and to deduce a central pattern from these existing studies. Therefore, in this review, we initially outline a framework of motor learning considering two major types, two major components, and three stages. Subsequently, we summarize the effects of rewards on different stages of motor learning within the mentioned framework and analyze the underlying mechanisms at the level of behavior or neural circuit. Reward accelerates learning speed and enhances the extent of learning during the acquisition and consolidation stages, possibly by regulating the balance between the direct and indirect pathways (activating more D1-MSN than D2-MSN) of the ventral striatum and by increasing motor dynamics and kinematics. However, the effect varies depending on several experimental conditions. During the retention stage, there is a consensus that reward enhances both short-term and long-term memory retention in both types of motor learning, attributed to the LTP learning mechanism mediated by the VTA-M1 dopaminergic projection. Reward is a promising enhancer to bolster waning confidence and motivation, thereby increasing the efficiency of motor learning and rehabilitation. Further exploration of the circuit and functional connections between reward and the motor loop may provide a novel target for neural modulation to promote motor behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwang Zhao
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guanghu Zhang
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongsheng Xu
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent Rehabilitation, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai, China
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21
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Khayat A, Yaka R. Activation of nucleus accumbens projections to the ventral tegmental area alters molecular signaling and neurotransmission in the reward system. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1271654. [PMID: 38528956 PMCID: PMC10962329 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1271654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are integral brain regions involved in reward processing and motivation, including responses to drugs of abuse. Previously, we have demonstrated that activation of NAc-VTA afferents during the acquisition of cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) reduces the rewarding properties of cocaine and diminished the activity of VTA dopamine neurons. In the current study, we examined the impact of enhancing these inhibitory inputs on molecular changes and neurotransmission associated with cocaine exposure. Our results unveiled significant reductions in extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) levels in the VTA and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of both cocaine-treated groups compared with the saline control group. Furthermore, optic stimulation of NAc-VTA inputs during cocaine exposure decreased the expression of GluA1 subunit of AMPA receptor in the VTA and mPFC. Notably, in the NAc, cocaine exposure paired with optic stimulation increased ERK levels and reduced GluA1 phosphorylation at Ser845 as compared with all other groups. Additionally, both cocaine-treated groups exhibited decreased levels of GluA1 phosphorylation at Ser831 in the NAc compared with the saline control group. Moreover, cocaine exposure led to reduced ERK, GluA1, and GluA1 phosphorylation at Ser845 and Ser831 in the mPFC. Augmentation of GABAergic tone from the NAc during cocaine conditioning mitigated changes in GluA1 phosphorylation at Ser845 in the mPFC but reduced ERK, GluA1, and GluA1 phosphorylation at Ser831 compared with the saline control group. Interestingly, enhancing GABAergic tone during saline conditioning decreased GluA1 phosphorylation at Ser831 compared with the saline control group in the mPFC. Our findings highlight the influence of modulating inhibitory inputs from the NAc to the VTA on molecular signaling and glutamatergic neurotransmission in cocaine-exposed animals. Activation of these inhibitory inputs during cocaine conditioning induced alterations in key signaling molecules and AMPA receptor, providing valuable insights into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying cocaine reward and cocaine use disorder. Further exploration of these pathways may offer potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of substance use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rami Yaka
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Institute for Drug Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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22
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Lin S, Fan CY, Wang HR, Li XF, Zeng JL, Lan PX, Li HX, Zhang B, Hu C, Xu J, Luo JH. Frontostriatal circuit dysfunction leads to cognitive inflexibility in neuroligin-3 R451C knockin mice. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02505-9. [PMID: 38459194 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02505-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Cognitive and behavioral rigidity are observed in various psychiatric diseases, including in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. In this study, we found that neuroligin-3 (NL3) R451C knockin mouse model of autism (KI mice) exhibited deficits in behavioral flexibility in choice selection tasks. Single-unit recording of medium spiny neuron (MSN) activity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) revealed altered encoding of decision-related cue and impaired updating of choice anticipation in KI mice. Additionally, fiber photometry demonstrated significant disruption in dynamic mesolimbic dopamine (DA) signaling for reward prediction errors (RPEs), along with reduced activity in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) neurons projecting to the NAc in KI mice. Interestingly, NL3 re-expression in the mPFC, but not in the NAc, rescued the deficit of flexible behaviors and simultaneously restored NAc-MSN encoding, DA dynamics, and mPFC-NAc output in KI mice. Taken together, this study reveals the frontostriatal circuit dysfunction underlying cognitive inflexibility and establishes a critical role of the mPFC NL3 deficiency in this deficit in KI mice. Therefore, these findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of cognitive and behavioral inflexibility and potential intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Lin
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Fujian Provincial Institutes of Brain Disorders and Brain Sciences, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Cui-Ying Fan
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hao-Ran Wang
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Nanhu Brain-Computer Interface Institute, Hangzhou, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Fan Li
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Li Zeng
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Pei-Xuan Lan
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui-Xian Li
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chun Hu
- Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, Key Laboratory of Brain Cognition and Education Sciences of Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junyu Xu
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Jian-Hong Luo
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Nanhu Brain-Computer Interface Institute, Hangzhou, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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23
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Zachry JE, Kutlu MG, Yoon HJ, Leonard MZ, Chevée M, Patel DD, Gaidici A, Kondev V, Thibeault KC, Bethi R, Tat J, Melugin PR, Isiktas AU, Joffe ME, Cai DJ, Conn PJ, Grueter BA, Calipari ES. D1 and D2 medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens core have distinct and valence-independent roles in learning. Neuron 2024; 112:835-849.e7. [PMID: 38134921 PMCID: PMC10939818 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
At the core of value-based learning is the nucleus accumbens (NAc). D1- and D2-receptor-containing medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the NAc core are hypothesized to have opposing valence-based roles in behavior. Using optical imaging and manipulation approaches in mice, we show that neither D1 nor D2 MSNs signal valence. D1 MSN responses were evoked by stimuli regardless of valence or contingency. D2 MSNs were evoked by both cues and outcomes, were dynamically changed with learning, and tracked valence-free prediction error at the population and individual neuron level. Finally, D2 MSN responses to cues were necessary for associative learning. Thus, D1 and D2 MSNs work in tandem, rather than in opposition, by signaling specific properties of stimuli to control learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Zachry
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Munir Gunes Kutlu
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Hye Jean Yoon
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Michael Z Leonard
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Maxime Chevée
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Dev D Patel
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Anthony Gaidici
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Veronika Kondev
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Kimberly C Thibeault
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Rishik Bethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jennifer Tat
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Patrick R Melugin
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Atagun U Isiktas
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Max E Joffe
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Denise J Cai
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - P Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Brad A Grueter
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Erin S Calipari
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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24
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Medina-Saldivar C, Pardo GVE, Pacheco-Otalora LF. Effect of MCH1, a fatty-acid amide hydrolase inhibitor, on the depressive-like behavior and gene expression of endocannabinoid and dopaminergic-signaling system in the mouse nucleus accumbens. Braz J Med Biol Res 2024; 57:e12857. [PMID: 38381881 PMCID: PMC10880885 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x2024e12857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
MCH1 is a synthetic macamide that has shown in vitro inhibitory activity on fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), an enzyme responsible for endocannabinoid metabolism. This inhibition can modulate endocannabinoid and dopamine signaling in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), potentially having an antidepressant-like effect. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the in vivo administration of MCH1 (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg, ip) in 2-month-old BALB/c male mice (n=97) on forced swimming test (FST), light-dark box (LDB), and open field test (OFT) and on early gene expression changes 2 h after drug injection related to the endocannabinoid system (Cnr1 and Faah) and dopaminergic signaling (Drd1 and Drd2) in the NAc core. We found that the 10 mg/kg MCH1 dose reduced the immobility time compared to the vehicle group in the FST with no effect on anxiety-like behaviors measured in the LDB or OFT. However, a 10 mg/kg MCH1 dose increased locomotor activity in the OFT compared to the vehicle. Moreover, RT-qPCR results showed that the 30 mg/kg MCH1 dose increased Faah gene expression by 2.8-fold, and 10 mg/kg MCH1 increased the Cnr1 gene expression by 4.3-fold compared to the vehicle. No changes were observed in the expression of the Drd1 and Drd2 genes in the NAc at either MCH1 dose. These results indicated that MCH1 might have an antidepressant-like effect without an anxiogenic effect and induces significant changes in endocannabinoid-related genes but not in genes of the dopaminergic signaling system in the NAc of mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Medina-Saldivar
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Neurociencia, Instituto Científico, Universidad Andina del Cusco, Cuzco, Perú
| | - G V E Pardo
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Neurociencia, Instituto Científico, Universidad Andina del Cusco, Cuzco, Perú
| | - L F Pacheco-Otalora
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Neurociencia, Instituto Científico, Universidad Andina del Cusco, Cuzco, Perú
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25
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Alsina-Llanes M, Olazábal DE. NMDA- and 6-OHDA-induced Lesions in the Nucleus Accumbens Differently Affect Maternal and Infanticidal Behavior in Pup-naïve Female and Male Mice. Neuroscience 2024; 539:35-50. [PMID: 38176609 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Virgin and pups-naïve female and male adult mice display two opposite responses when they are exposed to pups for the first time. While females generally take care of the pups, males attack them. Since the nucleus accumbens (NA), and its dopaminergic modulation, is critical in integrating information and processing reward and aversion, we investigated if NMDA- and 6-OHDA-induced lesions, damaging mostly NA output and dopaminergic inputs respectively, affected female maternal behavior (MB) or male infanticidal behavior (IB) in mice. Our results revealed minor or no effects of both smaller and larger NMDA-induced lesions in MB and IB. On the other hand, while 6-OHDA-induced lesions in females reduced the incidence of full MB (12.5% 6-OHDA vs. 85.7% SHAM) increasing the latency to retrieve the pups, those lesions did not affect IB in males. There were no differences in locomotor and exploratory activity between the lesioned- and SHAM- females. Despite those lesions did not induce any major effect on IB, NMDA-lesioned males spent less time in the central area of an open field, while dopaminergic-lesioned males showed reduced number of rearing and peripheral crosses. The current study shows that an intact NA is not necessary for the expression of MB and IB. However, dopaminergic inputs to NA play different role in MB and IB. While damaging dopaminergic terminals into the NA did not affect IB, it clearly delayed the more flexible and rewarding expression of parental behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Alsina-Llanes
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, UdelaR. Av. Gral. Flores 2125, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay.
| | - D E Olazábal
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, UdelaR. Av. Gral. Flores 2125, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay.
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26
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Zhang Y, Gao J, Li N, Xu P, Qu S, Cheng J, Wang M, Li X, Song Y, Xiao F, Yang X, Liu J, Hong H, Mu R, Li X, Wang Y, Xu H, Xie Y, Gao T, Wang G, Aa J. Targeting cAMP in D1-MSNs in the nucleus accumbens, a new rapid antidepressant strategy. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:667-681. [PMID: 38322327 PMCID: PMC10840425 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.12.005] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Studies have suggested that the nucleus accumbens (NAc) is implicated in the pathophysiology of major depression; however, the regulatory strategy that targets the NAc to achieve an exclusive and outstanding anti-depression benefit has not been elucidated. Here, we identified a specific reduction of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the subset of dopamine D1 receptor medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) in the NAc that promoted stress susceptibility, while the stimulation of cAMP production in NAc D1-MSNs efficiently rescued depression-like behaviors. Ketamine treatment enhanced cAMP both in D1-MSNs and dopamine D2 receptor medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) of depressed mice, however, the rapid antidepressant effect of ketamine solely depended on elevating cAMP in NAc D1-MSNs. We discovered that a higher dose of crocin markedly increased cAMP in the NAc and consistently relieved depression 24 h after oral administration, but not a lower dose. The fast onset property of crocin was verified through multicenter studies. Moreover, crocin specifically targeted at D1-MSN cAMP signaling in the NAc to relieve depression and had no effect on D2-MSN. These findings characterize a new strategy to achieve an exclusive and outstanding anti-depression benefit by elevating cAMP in D1-MSNs in the NAc, and provide a potential rapid antidepressant drug candidate, crocin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Research Unit of PK–PD Based Bioactive Components and Pharmacodynamic Target Discovery of Natural Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jingwen Gao
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Research Unit of PK–PD Based Bioactive Components and Pharmacodynamic Target Discovery of Natural Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Na Li
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Research Unit of PK–PD Based Bioactive Components and Pharmacodynamic Target Discovery of Natural Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shimeng Qu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Research Unit of PK–PD Based Bioactive Components and Pharmacodynamic Target Discovery of Natural Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jinqian Cheng
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Research Unit of PK–PD Based Bioactive Components and Pharmacodynamic Target Discovery of Natural Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Mingrui Wang
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Xueru Li
- School of Foreign Languages, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yaheng Song
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Research Unit of PK–PD Based Bioactive Components and Pharmacodynamic Target Discovery of Natural Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Fan Xiao
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Research Unit of PK–PD Based Bioactive Components and Pharmacodynamic Target Discovery of Natural Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xinyu Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jihong Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Hao Hong
- Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Ronghao Mu
- Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Xiaotian Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Youmei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Research Unit of PK–PD Based Bioactive Components and Pharmacodynamic Target Discovery of Natural Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yuan Xie
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Research Unit of PK–PD Based Bioactive Components and Pharmacodynamic Target Discovery of Natural Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Tianming Gao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Guangji Wang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Research Unit of PK–PD Based Bioactive Components and Pharmacodynamic Target Discovery of Natural Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jiye Aa
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Research Unit of PK–PD Based Bioactive Components and Pharmacodynamic Target Discovery of Natural Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
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Sharp BM, Jiang Q, Kim P, Chen H. Inactivation of phosphodiesterase-4B gene in rat nucleus accumbens shell by CRISPR/Cas9 or positive allosteric modulation of the protein affects the motivation to chronically self-administer nicotine. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2562. [PMID: 38297069 PMCID: PMC10831042 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53037-9] [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: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Large scale human genome wide association studies (GWAS) have identified a growing pool of genes associated with cigarette smoking. One of the most prominent, phosphodiesterase-4B (PDE4B), has been associated with multiple smoking phenotypes. Although PDE4B modulates the half-life of neuronal cAMP, its precise role in smoking behaviors is unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we used a reverse translational approach. We inactivated PDE4B in bilateral medial nucleus accumbens shell (NAcs) neurons by injecting AAV containing a specific gRNA in female transgenic Cas9+ Long Evans rats. These rats then were given 23-h chronic access to nicotine intravenous self-administration (IVSA) under a schedule of increasing fixed ratios (FR). With the increased effort required at FR7, nicotine SA (i.e. active presses and drug infusions) declined significantly in controls, whereas it was maintained in the mutagenized group. A progressive ratio (PR) study also showed significantly greater cumulative nicotine infusions in the PDE4B-edited group. Hence, we hypothesized that enhanced PDE4B protein activity would reduce nicotine IVSA. A positive allosteric modulator, 2-(3-(4-chloro-3-fluorophenyl)-5-ethyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-N-(3,5-dichlorobenzyl)acetamide (MR-L2), was microinfused into NAcs bilaterally at FR3 or FR5; in both cohorts, MR-L2 acutely reduced nicotine IVSA. In summary, these studies show that the activity of PDE4B regulates the capacity of NAcs to maintain nicotine IVSA in face of the cost of increasing work. This finding and the results of the PR study indicate that PDE4B affects the motivation to obtain nicotine. These reverse translational studies in rats provide insight into the motivational effects of NAcs PDE4B that advance our understanding of the smoking behaviors mapped in human GWAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burt M Sharp
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
| | - Qin Jiang
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Panjun Kim
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Addiction Science and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
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Copenhaver AE, LeGates TA. Sex-specific mechanisms underlie long-term potentiation at hippocampus-nucleus accumbens synapses. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.15.575709. [PMID: 38293132 PMCID: PMC10827060 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.15.575709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Sex differences have complicated our understanding of the neurobiological basis of many behaviors that are key for survival. As such, continued elucidation of the similarities and differences between sexes is necessary in order to gain insight into brain function and vulnerability. The connection between the hippocampus (Hipp) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a crucial site where modulation of neuronal activity mediates reward-related behavior. Our previous work demonstrated that long-term potentiation (LTP) of Hipp-NAc synapses is rewarding, and that mice can make learned associations between LTP of these synapses and the contextual environment in which LTP occurred. Here, we investigate sex differences in the mechanisms underlying Hipp-NAc LTP using whole-cell electrophysiology and pharmacology. We found that males and females display similar magnitudes of Hipp-NAc LTP which occurs postsynaptically. However, LTP in females requires L-type voltage-gated Ca 2+ channels (VGCC) for postsynaptic Ca 2+ influx, while males rely on NMDA receptors (NMDAR). Additionally, females require estrogen receptor α (ERα) activity for LTP while males do not. These differential mechanisms converge as LTP in both sexes depends on CAMKII activity and occurs independently of dopamine-1 receptor (D1R) activation. Our results have elucidated sex-specific molecular mechanisms for LTP in an integral excitatory pathway that mediates reward-related behaviors, emphasizing the importance of considering sex as a variable in mechanistic studies. Continued characterization of sex-specific mechanisms underlying plasticity will offer novel insight into the neurophysiological basis of behavior, with significant implications for understanding how diverse processes mediate behavior and contribute to vulnerability to developing psychiatric disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Strengthening of Hipp-NAc synapses drives reward-related behaviors. Male and female mice have similar magnitudes of long-term potentiation (LTP) and both sexes have a predicted postsynaptic locus of plasticity. Despite these similarities, we illustrate here that sex-specific molecular mechanisms are used to elicit LTP. Given the bidirectional relationship between Hipp-NAc synaptic strength in mediating reward-related behaviors, the use of distinct molecular mechanisms may explain sex differences observed in stress susceptibility or response to rewarding stimuli. Discovery and characterization of convergent sex differences provides mechanistic insight into the sex-specific function of Hipp-NAc circuitry and has widespread implications for circuits mediating learning and reward-related behavior.
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Le Merrer J, Detraux B, Gandía J, De Groote A, Fonteneau M, de Kerchove d'Exaerde A, Becker JAJ. Balance Between Projecting Neuronal Populations of the Nucleus Accumbens Controls Social Behavior in Mice. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 95:123-135. [PMID: 37207936 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deficient social interactions are a hallmark of major neuropsychiatric disorders, and accumulating evidence points to altered social reward and motivation as key underlying mechanisms of these pathologies. In the present study, we further explored the role of the balance of activity between D1 and D2 receptor-expressing striatal projection neurons (D1R- and D2R-SPNs) in the control of social behavior, challenging the hypothesis that excessive D2R-SPN activity, rather than deficient D1R-SPN activity, compromises social behavior. METHODS We selectively ablated D1R- and D2R-SPNs using an inducible diphtheria toxin receptor-mediated cell targeting strategy and assessed social behavior as well as repetitive/perseverative behavior, motor function, and anxiety levels. We tested the effects of optogenetic stimulation of D2R-SPNs in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and pharmacological compounds repressing D2R-SPN. RESULTS Targeted deletion of D1R-SPNs in the NAc blunted social behavior in mice, facilitated motor skill learning, and increased anxiety levels. These behaviors were normalized by pharmacological inhibition of D2R-SPN, which also repressed transcription in the efferent nucleus, the ventral pallidum. Ablation of D1R-SPNs in the dorsal striatum had no impact on social behavior but impaired motor skill learning and decreased anxiety levels. Deletion of D2R-SPNs in the NAc produced motor stereotypies but facilitated social behavior and impaired motor skill learning. We mimicked excessive D2R-SPN activity by optically stimulating D2R-SPNs in the NAc and observed a severe deficit in social interaction that was prevented by D2R-SPN pharmacological inhibition. CONCLUSIONS Repressing D2R-SPN activity may represent a promising therapeutic strategy to relieve social deficits in neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Le Merrer
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Unité Mixte de Recherche Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 7247, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement 0085, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France; iBrain, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1253 Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Tours, Tours, France.
| | - Bérangère Detraux
- Neurophy Lab, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jorge Gandía
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Unité Mixte de Recherche Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 7247, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement 0085, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | - Aurélie De Groote
- Neurophy Lab, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mathieu Fonteneau
- iBrain, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1253 Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Alban de Kerchove d'Exaerde
- Neurophy Lab, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium; WELBIO, Wavre, Belgium.
| | - Jérôme A J Becker
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Unité Mixte de Recherche Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 7247, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement 0085, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France; iBrain, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1253 Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Tours, Tours, France
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30
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Fang LZ, Creed MC. Updating the striatal-pallidal wiring diagram. Nat Neurosci 2024; 27:15-27. [PMID: 38057614 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01518-x] [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: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The striatal and pallidal complexes are basal ganglia structures that orchestrate learning and execution of flexible behavior. Models of how the basal ganglia subserve these functions have evolved considerably, and the advent of optogenetic and molecular tools has shed light on the heterogeneity of subcircuits within these pathways. However, a synthesis of how molecularly diverse neurons integrate into existing models of basal ganglia function is lacking. Here, we provide an overview of the neurochemical and molecular diversity of striatal and pallidal neurons and synthesize recent circuit connectivity studies in rodents that takes this diversity into account. We also highlight anatomical organizational principles that distinguish the dorsal and ventral basal ganglia pathways in rodents. Future work integrating the molecular and anatomical properties of striatal and pallidal subpopulations may resolve controversies regarding basal ganglia network function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Z Fang
- Washington University Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Meaghan C Creed
- Washington University Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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31
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Belilos A, Gray C, Sanders C, Black D, Mays E, Richie C, Sengupta A, Hake H, Francis TC. Nucleus accumbens local circuit for cue-dependent aversive learning. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113488. [PMID: 37995189 PMCID: PMC10795009 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113488] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Response to threatening environmental stimuli requires detection and encoding of important environmental features that dictate threat. Aversive events are highly salient, which promotes associative learning about stimuli that signal this threat. The nucleus accumbens is uniquely positioned to process this salient, aversive information and promote motivated output, through plasticity on the major projection neurons in the brain area. We describe a nucleus accumbens core local circuit whereby excitatory plasticity facilitates learning and recall of discrete aversive cues. We demonstrate that putative nucleus accumbens substance P release and long-term excitatory plasticity on dopamine 2 receptor-expressing projection neurons are required for cue-dependent fear learning. Additionally, we find that fear learning and recall is dependent on distinct projection neuron subtypes. Our work demonstrates a critical role for nucleus accumbens substance P in cue-dependent aversive learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Belilos
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Cortez Gray
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Christie Sanders
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Destiny Black
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Elizabeth Mays
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Christopher Richie
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Ayesha Sengupta
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Holly Hake
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - T Chase Francis
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
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32
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Swinford-Jackson SE, Rich MT, Huffman PJ, Knouse MC, Thomas AS, Mankame S, Worobey SJ, Pierce RC. Low frequency deep brain stimulation of nucleus accumbens shell neuronal subpopulations attenuates cocaine seeking selectively in male rats. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2023; 9:100133. [PMID: 38312329 PMCID: PMC10836638 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2023.100133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
The present study examined the effect of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the nucleus accumbens shell on cocaine seeking and neuronal plasticity in rats. Electrical DBS of the accumbens shell attenuated cocaine primed reinstatement across a range of frequencies as low as 12 Hz in male rats. Nucleus accumbens medium spiny neurons (MSNs) can be differentiated by expression of dopamine D1 receptors (D1DRs) or D2DRs. Low-frequency optogenetic-DBS in D1DR- or D2DR-containing neurons attenuated cocaine seeking in male but not female rats. In slice electrophysiology experiments, 12 Hz electrical stimulation evoked long term potentiation (LTP) in D1DR-MSNs and D2DR-MSNs from cocaine naive male and female rats. However, in cocaine-experienced rats, electrical and optical DBS only elicited LTP in D2DR-MSNs from male rats. These results suggest that low frequency DBS in the nucleus accumbens shell effectively, but sex-specifically, suppresses cocaine seeking, which may be associated with the reversal of synaptic plasticity deficits in D2DR-MSNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Swinford-Jackson
- Brain Health Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
- Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Matthew T. Rich
- Brain Health Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
- Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Phillip J. Huffman
- Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Melissa C. Knouse
- Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Arthur S. Thomas
- Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Sharvari Mankame
- Brain Health Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
| | - Samantha J. Worobey
- Brain Health Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
| | - R. Christopher Pierce
- Brain Health Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
- Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
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33
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Zhang Y, Ben Nathan J, Moreno A, Merkel R, Kahng MW, Hayes MR, Reiner BC, Crist RC, Schmidt HD. Calcitonin receptor signaling in nucleus accumbens D1R- and D2R-expressing medium spiny neurons bidirectionally alters opioid taking in male rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1878-1888. [PMID: 37355732 PMCID: PMC10584857 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01634-z] [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: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
The high rates of relapse associated with current medications used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) necessitate research that expands our understanding of the neural mechanisms regulating opioid taking to identify molecular substrates that could be targeted by novel pharmacotherapies to treat OUD. Recent studies show that activation of calcitonin receptors (CTRs) is sufficient to reduce the rewarding effects of addictive drugs in rodents. However, the role of central CTR signaling in opioid-mediated behaviors has not been studied. Here, we used single nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to characterize cell type-specific patterns of CTR expression in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a brain region that plays a critical role in voluntary drug taking. Using these approaches, we identified CTRs expressed on D1R- and D2R-expressing medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the medial shell subregion of the NAc. Interestingly, Calcr transcripts were expressed at higher levels in D2R- versus D1R-expressing MSNs. Cre-dependent viral-mediated miRNA knockdown of CTRs in transgenic male rats was then used to determine the functional significance of endogenous CTR signaling in opioid taking. We discovered that reduced CTR expression specifically in D1R-expressing MSNs potentiated/augmented opioid self-administration. In contrast, reduced CTR expression specifically in D2R-expressing MSNs attenuated opioid self-administration. These findings highlight a novel cell type-specific mechanism by which CTR signaling in the ventral striatum bidirectionally modulates voluntary opioid taking and support future studies aimed at targeting central CTR-expressing circuits to treat OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafang Zhang
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Jennifer Ben Nathan
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Amanda Moreno
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Riley Merkel
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Michelle W Kahng
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Matthew R Hayes
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Benjamin C Reiner
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Richard C Crist
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Heath D Schmidt
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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Hernández-Ortiz E, Luis-Islas J, Tecuapetla F, Gutierrez R, Bermúdez-Rattoni F. Top-down circuitry from the anterior insular cortex to VTA dopamine neurons modulates reward-related memory. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113365. [PMID: 37924513 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113365] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The insular cortex (IC) has been linked to the processing of interoceptive and exteroceptive signals associated with addictive behavior. However, whether the IC modulates the acquisition of drug-related affective states by direct top-down connectivity with ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons is unknown. We found that photostimulation of VTA terminals of the anterior insular cortex (aIC) induces rewarding contextual memory, modulates VTA activity, and triggers dopamine release within the VTA. Employing neuronal recordings and neurochemical and transsynaptic tagging techniques, we disclose the functional top-down organization tagging the aIC pre-synaptic neuronal bodies and identifying VTA recipient neurons. Furthermore, systemic administration of amphetamine altered the VTA excitability of neurons modulated by the aIC projection, where photoactivation enhances, whereas photoinhibition impairs, a contextual rewarding behavior. Our study reveals a key circuit involved in developing and retaining drug reward-related contextual memory, providing insight into the neurobiological basis of addictive behavior and helping develop therapeutic addiction strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Hernández-Ortiz
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, División de Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City 04510, México
| | - Jorge Luis-Islas
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Appetitive, Department of Pharmacology, Center of Aging Research (CIE), Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (CINVESTAV), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Fatuel Tecuapetla
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, División de Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City 04510, México
| | - Ranier Gutierrez
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Appetitive, Department of Pharmacology, Center of Aging Research (CIE), Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (CINVESTAV), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Federico Bermúdez-Rattoni
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, División de Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City 04510, México.
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35
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Bai X, Zhang K, Ou C, Mu Y, Chi D, Zhang J, Huang J, Li X, Zhang Y, Huang W, Ouyang H. AKAP150 from nucleus accumbens dopamine D1 and D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons regulates morphine withdrawal. iScience 2023; 26:108227. [PMID: 37953959 PMCID: PMC10637943 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Dopamine D1 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1R-MSNs) and dopamine D2 receptor-expressing MSNs (D2R-MSNs) in nucleus accumbens (NAc) have been demonstrated to show different effects on reward and memory of abstinence. A-kinase anchoring protein 150 (AKAP150) expression in NAc is significantly upregulated and contributes to the morphine withdrawal behavior. However, the underlying mechanism of AKAP150 under opioid withdrawal remains unclear. In this study, AKAP150 expression in NAc is upregulated in naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal model, and knockdown of AKAP150 alleviates morphine withdrawal somatic signs and improves the performance of conditioned place aversion (CPA) test. AKAP150 in NAc D1R-MSNs is related to modulation of the performance of morphine withdrawal CPA test, while AKAP150 in NAc D2R-MSNs is relevant to the severity of somatic responses. Our results suggest that AKAP150 from D1R-MSNs or D2R-MSNs in NAc contributes to the developmental process of morphine withdrawal but plays different roles in aspects of behavior or psychology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Bai
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Chaopeng Ou
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yanyu Mu
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Dongmei Chi
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jianxing Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jingxiu Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xile Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yingjun Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Wan Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Handong Ouyang
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
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Domingues AV, Rodrigues AJ, Soares-Cunha C. A novel perspective on the role of nucleus accumbens neurons in encoding associative learning. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:2601-2610. [PMID: 37643893 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14727] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens (NAc) has been considered a key brain region for encoding reward/aversion and cue-outcome associations. These processes are encoded by medium spiny neurons that express either dopamine receptor D1 (D1-MSNs) or D2 (D2-MSNs). Despite the well-established role of NAc neurons in encoding reward/aversion, the underlying processing by D1-/D2-MSNs remains largely unknown. Recent electrophysiological, optogenetic and calcium imaging studies provided insight on the complex role of D1- and D2-MSNs in these behaviours and helped to clarify their involvement in associative learning. Here, we critically discuss findings supporting an intricate and complementary role of NAc D1- and D2-MSNs in associative learning, emphasizing the need for additional studies in order to fully understand the role of these neurons in behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Verónica Domingues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana João Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Carina Soares-Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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Labouesse MA, Torres-Herraez A, Chohan MO, Villarin JM, Greenwald J, Sun X, Zahran M, Tang A, Lam S, Veenstra-VanderWeele J, Lacefield CO, Bonaventura J, Michaelides M, Chan CS, Yizhar O, Kellendonk C. A non-canonical striatopallidal Go pathway that supports motor control. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6712. [PMID: 37872145 PMCID: PMC10593790 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42288-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In the classical model of the basal ganglia, direct pathway striatal projection neurons (dSPNs) send projections to the substantia nigra (SNr) and entopeduncular nucleus to regulate motor function. Recent studies have re-established that dSPNs also possess axon collaterals within the globus pallidus (GPe) (bridging collaterals), yet the significance of these collaterals for behavior is unknown. Here we use in vivo optical and chemogenetic tools combined with deep learning approaches in mice to dissect the roles of dSPN GPe collaterals in motor function. We find that dSPNs projecting to the SNr send synchronous motor-related information to the GPe via axon collaterals. Inhibition of native activity in dSPN GPe terminals impairs motor activity and function via regulation of Npas1 neurons. We propose a model by which dSPN GPe axon collaterals (striatopallidal Go pathway) act in concert with the canonical terminals in the SNr to support motor control by inhibiting Npas1 neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie A Labouesse
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
- Department of Health, Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Arturo Torres-Herraez
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Muhammad O Chohan
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Joseph M Villarin
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Julia Greenwald
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Xiaoxiao Sun
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Mysarah Zahran
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Alice Tang
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Columbia College, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Sherry Lam
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Clay O Lacefield
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Jordi Bonaventura
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
- Departament de Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Institut de Neurociències, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michael Michaelides
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - C Savio Chan
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Ofer Yizhar
- Departments of Brain Sciences and Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Christoph Kellendonk
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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Passeri A, Municchi D, Cavalieri G, Babicola L, Ventura R, Di Segni M. Linking drug and food addiction: an overview of the shared neural circuits and behavioral phenotype. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1240748. [PMID: 37767338 PMCID: PMC10520727 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1240748] [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] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite a lack of agreement on its definition and inclusion as a specific diagnosable disturbance, the food addiction construct is supported by several neurobiological and behavioral clinical and preclinical findings. Recognizing food addiction is critical to understanding how and why it manifests. In this overview, we focused on those as follows: 1. the hyperpalatable food effects in food addiction development; 2. specific brain regions involved in both food and drug addiction; and 3. animal models highlighting commonalities between substance use disorders and food addiction. Although results collected through animal studies emerged from protocols differing in several ways, they clearly highlight commonalities in behavioral manifestations and neurobiological alterations between substance use disorders and food addiction characteristics. To develop improved food addiction models, this heterogeneity should be acknowledged and embraced so that research can systematically investigate the role of specific variables in the development of the different behavioral features of addiction-like behavior in preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Passeri
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology and Center “Daniel Bovet”, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Diana Municchi
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology and Center “Daniel Bovet”, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Cavalieri
- Department of Psychology and Center “Daniel Bovet”, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Rossella Ventura
- Department of Psychology and Center “Daniel Bovet”, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Di Segni
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology and Center “Daniel Bovet”, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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Zhu Y, Xie SZ, Peng AB, Yu XD, Li CY, Fu JY, Shen CJ, Cao SX, Zhang Y, Chen J, Li XM. Distinct Circuits From the Central Lateral Amygdala to the Ventral Part of the Bed Nucleus of Stria Terminalis Regulate Different Fear Memory. Biol Psychiatry 2023:S0006-3223(23)01553-6. [PMID: 37678543 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability to differentiate stimuli that predict fear is critical for survival; however, the underlying molecular and circuit mechanisms remain poorly understood. METHODS We combined transgenic mice, in vivo transsynaptic circuit-dissecting anatomical approaches, optogenetics, pharmacological methods, and electrophysiological recording to investigate the involvement of specific extended amygdala circuits in different fear memory. RESULTS We identified the projections from central lateral amygdala (CeL) protein kinase C δ (PKCδ)-positive neurons and somatostatin (SST)-positive neurons to GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acidergic) and glutamatergic neurons in the ventral part of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (vBNST). Prolonged optogenetic activation or inhibition of the PKCδCeL-vBNST pathway specifically reduced context fear memory, whereas the SSTCeL-vBNST pathway mainly reduced tone fear memory. Intriguingly, optogenetic manipulation of vBNST neurons that received the projection from PKCδCeL neurons exerted bidirectional regulation of context fear, whereas manipulation of vBNST neurons that received the projection from SSTCeL neurons could bidirectionally regulate both context and tone fear memory. We subsequently demonstrated the presence of δ and κ opioid receptor protein expression within the CeL-vBNST circuits, potentially accounting for the discrepancy between prolonged activation of GABAergic circuits and inhibition of downstream vBNST neurons. Finally, administration of an opioid receptor antagonist cocktail on the PKCδCeL-vBNST or SSTCeL-vBNST pathway successfully restored context or tone fear memory reduction induced by prolonged activation of the circuits. CONCLUSIONS Together, these findings establish a functional role for distinct CeL-vBNST circuits in the differential regulation and appropriate maintenance of fear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Center of Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shi-Ze Xie
- National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Center of Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ai-Bing Peng
- National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Center of Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Dan Yu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Center of Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chun-Yue Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Center of Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Yu Fu
- National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Center of Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chen-Jie Shen
- National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Center of Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shu-Xia Cao
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Center of Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiadong Chen
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Center of Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Center of Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Research Units for Emotion and Emotion Disorders, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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40
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Fitzgerald E, Arcego DM, Shen MJ, O'Toole N, Wen X, Nagy C, Mostafavi S, Craig K, Silveira PP, Rayan NA, Diorio J, Meaney MJ, Zhang TY. Sex and cell-specific gene expression in corticolimbic brain regions associated with psychiatric disorders revealed by bulk and single-nuclei RNA sequencing. EBioMedicine 2023; 95:104749. [PMID: 37549631 PMCID: PMC10432187 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are sex-specific differences in the prevalence, symptomology and course of psychiatric disorders. However, preclinical models have primarily used males, such that the molecular mechanisms underlying sex-specific differences in psychiatric disorders are not well established. METHODS In this study, we compared transcriptome-wide gene expression profiles in male and female rats within the corticolimbic system, including the cingulate cortex, nucleus accumbens medial shell (NAcS), ventral dentate gyrus and the basolateral amygdala (n = 22-24 per group/region). FINDINGS We found over 3000 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the NAcS between males and females. Of these DEGs in the NAcS, 303 showed sex-dependent conservation DEGs in humans and were significantly enriched for gene ontology terms related to blood vessel morphogenesis and regulation of cell migration. Single nuclei RNA sequencing in the NAcS of male and female rats identified widespread sex-dependent expression, with genes upregulated in females showing a notable enrichment for synaptic function. Female upregulated genes in astrocytes, Drd3+MSNs and oligodendrocyte were also enriched in several psychiatric genome-wide association studies (GWAS). INTERPRETATION Our data provide comprehensive evidence of sex- and cell-specific molecular profiles in the NAcS. Importantly these differences associate with anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and cross-disorder, suggesting an intrinsic molecular basis for sex-based differences in psychiatric disorders that strongly implicates the NAcS. FUNDING This work was supported by funding from the Hope for Depression Research Foundation (MJM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eamon Fitzgerald
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada; Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Danusa Mar Arcego
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada; Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Mo Jun Shen
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nicholas O'Toole
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada; Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Xianglan Wen
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada; Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Corina Nagy
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Sara Mostafavi
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, 185 E Stevens Way NE, Seattle, WA 9819, USA
| | - Kelly Craig
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Patricia Pelufo Silveira
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada; Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada; Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nirmala Arul Rayan
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences and Brain - Body Initiative, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore
| | - Josie Diorio
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Michael J Meaney
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada; Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada; Translational Neuroscience Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences and Brain - Body Initiative, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore; Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tie-Yuan Zhang
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada; Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montréal, H4H 1R3, Canada.
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Balouek JA, Mclain CA, Minerva AR, Rashford RL, Bennett SN, Rogers FD, Peña CJ. Reactivation of Early-Life Stress-Sensitive Neuronal Ensembles Contributes to Lifelong Stress Hypersensitivity. J Neurosci 2023; 43:5996-6009. [PMID: 37429717 PMCID: PMC10451005 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0016-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life stress (ELS) is one of the strongest lifetime risk factors for depression, anxiety, suicide, and other psychiatric disorders, particularly after facing additional stressful events later in life. Human and animal studies demonstrate that ELS sensitizes individuals to subsequent stress. However, the neurobiological basis of such stress sensitization remains largely unexplored. We hypothesized that ELS-induced stress sensitization would be detectable at the level of neuronal ensembles, such that cells activated by ELS would be more reactive to adult stress. To test this, we leveraged transgenic mice to genetically tag, track, and manipulate experience-activated neurons. We found that in both male and female mice, ELS-activated neurons within the nucleus accumbens (NAc), and to a lesser extent the medial prefrontal cortex, were preferentially reactivated by adult stress. To test whether reactivation of ELS-activated ensembles in the NAc contributes to stress hypersensitivity, we expressed hM4Dis receptor in control or ELS-activated neurons of pups and chemogenetically inhibited their activity during experience of adult stress. Inhibition of ELS-activated NAc neurons, but not control-tagged neurons, ameliorated social avoidance behavior following chronic social defeat stress in males. These data provide evidence that ELS-induced stress hypersensitivity is encoded at the level of corticolimbic neuronal ensembles.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Early-life stress enhances sensitivity to stress later in life, yet the mechanisms of such stress sensitization are largely unknown. Here, we show that neuronal ensembles in corticolimbic brain regions remain hypersensitive to stress across the life span, and quieting these ensembles during experience of adult stress rescues stress hypersensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie-Anne Balouek
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
| | - Christabel A Mclain
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
| | - Adelaide R Minerva
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
| | - Rebekah L Rashford
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
| | - Shannon N Bennett
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
| | - Forrest D Rogers
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
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Kondev V, Najeed M, Loomba N, Brown J, Winder DG, Grueter BA, Patel S. Synaptic and cellular endocannabinoid signaling mechanisms regulate stress-induced plasticity of nucleus accumbens somatostatin neurons. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2300585120. [PMID: 37590414 PMCID: PMC10450650 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2300585120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Interneuron populations within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) orchestrate excitatory-inhibitory balance, undergo experience-dependent plasticity, and gate-motivated behavior, all biobehavioral processes heavily modulated by endogenous cannabinoid (eCB) signaling. While eCBs are well known to regulate synaptic plasticity onto NAc medium spiny neurons and modulate NAc function at the behavioral level, how eCBs regulate NAc interneuron function is less well understood. Here, we show that eCB signaling differentially regulates glutamatergic and feedforward GABAergic transmission onto NAc somatostatin-expressing interneurons (NAcSOM+) in an input-specific manner, while simultaneously increasing postsynaptic excitability of NAcSOM+ neurons, ultimately biasing toward vHPC (ventral hippocampal), and away from BLA (basolateral amygdalalar), activation of NAcSOM+ neurons. We further demonstrate that NAcSOM+ are activated by stress in vivo and undergo stress-dependent plasticity, evident as a global increase in intrinsic excitability and an increase in excitation-inhibition balance specifically at vHPC, but not BLA, inputs onto NAcSOM+ neurons. Importantly, both forms of stress-induced plasticity are dependent on eCB signaling at cannabinoid type 1 receptors. These findings reveal eCB-dependent mechanisms that sculpt afferent input and excitability of NAcSOM+ neurons and demonstrate a key role for eCB signaling in stress-induced plasticity of NAcSOM+-associated circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Kondev
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN37232
| | | | - Niharika Loomba
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN37232
| | - Jordan Brown
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN37232
| | - Danny G. Winder
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN37232
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN27323
| | - Brad A. Grueter
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN27323
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN37232
| | - Sachin Patel
- Northwestern Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
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Yu H, Wen B, Lu Y, Xie B, Yu F, Zhang M, Ma C, Cong B, Wen D, Bi H. The Role of circTmeff-1 in Morphine Addiction Memory of Mice. Cells 2023; 12:1985. [PMID: 37566064 PMCID: PMC10417613 DOI: 10.3390/cells12151985] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to the essential pharmacological effects of opioids, situational cues associated with drug addiction memory are key triggers for drug seeking. CircRNAs, an emerging hotspot regulator in crown genetics, play an important role in central nervous system-related diseases. However, the internal mediating mechanism of circRNAs in the field of drug reward and addiction memory remains unknown. Here, we trained mice on a conditional place preference (CPP) model and collected nucleus accumbens (NAc) tissues from day 1 (T0) and day 8 (T1) for high-throughput RNA sequencing. QRT-PCR analysis revealed that circTmeff-1 was highly expressed in the NAc core but not in the NAc shell, suggesting that it plays a role in addiction memory formation. Meanwhile, the down-regulation of circTmeff-1 by adeno-associated viruses in the NAc core or shell could inhibit the morphine CPP scores. Subsequently, the GO and KEGG analyses indicated that circTmeff-1 might regulate the addiction memory via the MAPK and AMPK pathways. These findings suggest that circTmeff-1 in NAc plays a crucial role in morphine-dependent memory formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailei Yu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China; (H.Y.); (B.W.); (Y.L.); (B.X.); (F.Y.); (C.M.); (B.C.)
| | - Boyang Wen
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China; (H.Y.); (B.W.); (Y.L.); (B.X.); (F.Y.); (C.M.); (B.C.)
| | - Yun Lu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China; (H.Y.); (B.W.); (Y.L.); (B.X.); (F.Y.); (C.M.); (B.C.)
| | - Bing Xie
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China; (H.Y.); (B.W.); (Y.L.); (B.X.); (F.Y.); (C.M.); (B.C.)
| | - Feng Yu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China; (H.Y.); (B.W.); (Y.L.); (B.X.); (F.Y.); (C.M.); (B.C.)
| | - Minglong Zhang
- Department of Biogenetics, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar 161000, China;
| | - Chunling Ma
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China; (H.Y.); (B.W.); (Y.L.); (B.X.); (F.Y.); (C.M.); (B.C.)
| | - Bin Cong
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China; (H.Y.); (B.W.); (Y.L.); (B.X.); (F.Y.); (C.M.); (B.C.)
| | - Di Wen
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China; (H.Y.); (B.W.); (Y.L.); (B.X.); (F.Y.); (C.M.); (B.C.)
| | - Haitao Bi
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China; (H.Y.); (B.W.); (Y.L.); (B.X.); (F.Y.); (C.M.); (B.C.)
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44
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Cavallaro J, Yeisley J, Akdoǧan B, Salazar RE, Floeder JR, Balsam PD, Gallo EF. Dopamine D2 receptors in nucleus accumbens cholinergic interneurons increase impulsive choice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1309-1317. [PMID: 37221325 PMCID: PMC10354036 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01608-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Impulsive choice, often characterized by excessive preference for small, short-term rewards over larger, long-term rewards, is a prominent feature of substance use and other neuropsychiatric disorders. The neural mechanisms underlying impulsive choice are not well understood, but growing evidence implicates nucleus accumbens (NAc) dopamine and its actions on dopamine D2 receptors (D2Rs). Because several NAc cell types and afferents express D2Rs, it has been difficult to determine the specific neural mechanisms linking NAc D2Rs to impulsive choice. Of these cell types, cholinergic interneurons (CINs) of the NAc, which express D2Rs, have emerged as key regulators of striatal output and local dopamine release. Despite these relevant functions, whether D2Rs expressed specifically in these neurons contribute to impulsive choice behavior is unknown. Here, we show that D2R upregulation in CINs of the mouse NAc increases impulsive choice as measured in a delay discounting task without affecting reward magnitude sensitivity or interval timing. Conversely, mice lacking D2Rs in CINs showed decreased delay discounting. Furthermore, CIN D2R manipulations did not affect probabilistic discounting, which measures a different form of impulsive choice. Together, these findings suggest that CIN D2Rs regulate impulsive decision-making involving delay costs, providing new insight into the mechanisms by which NAc dopamine influences impulsive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jenna Yeisley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Başak Akdoǧan
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronald E Salazar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Joseph R Floeder
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Peter D Balsam
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Barnard College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eduardo F Gallo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY, USA.
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45
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Araya A, Gallegos S, Maldonado A, Rivera-Meza M, Chandra R, Lobo MK, Aguayo LG. Overexpression of wild type glycine alpha 1 subunit rescues ethanol sensitivity in accumbal receptors and reduces binge drinking in mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1367-1376. [PMID: 36175550 PMCID: PMC10353986 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01459-2] [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: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens (nAc) is a critical region in the brain reward system since it integrates abundant synaptic inputs contributing to the control of neuronal excitability in the circuit. The presence of inhibitory α1 glycine receptor (GlyRs) subunits, sensitive to ethanol, has been recently reported in accumbal neurons suggesting that they are protective against excessive binge consumption. In the present study, we used viral vectors (AAV) to overexpress mutant and WT α1 subunits in accumbal neurons in D1 Cre and α1 KI mice. Injection of a Cre-inducible AAV carrying an ethanol insensitive α1 subunit in D1 Cre neurons was unable to affect sensitivity to ethanol in GlyRs or affect ethanol drinking. On the other hand, using an AAV that transduced WT α1 GlyRs in GABAergic neurons in the nAc of high-ethanol consuming mice caused a reduction in ethanol intake as reflected by lowered drinking in the dark and reduced blood ethanol concentration. As expected, the AAV increased the glycine current density by 5-fold without changing the expression of GABAA receptors. Examination of the ethanol sensitivity in isolated accumbal neurons indicated that the GlyRs phenotype changed from an ethanol resistant to an ethanol sensitive type. These results support the conclusion that increased inhibition in the nAc can control excessive ethanol consumption and that selective targeting of GlyRs by pharmacotherapy might provide a mechanistic procedure to reduce ethanol binge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anibal Araya
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Concepción, Concepcion, Chile
| | - Scarlet Gallegos
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Concepción, Concepcion, Chile
| | - Adolfo Maldonado
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacological and Toxicological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mario Rivera-Meza
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacological and Toxicological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ramesh Chandra
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Luis G Aguayo
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Concepción, Concepcion, Chile.
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46
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Guillaumin MCC, Viskaitis P, Bracey E, Burdakov D, Peleg-Raibstein D. Disentangling the role of NAc D1 and D2 cells in hedonic eating. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3531-3547. [PMID: 37402855 PMCID: PMC10618099 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02131-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Overeating is driven by both the hedonic component ('liking') of food, and the motivation ('wanting') to eat it. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a key brain center implicated in these processes, but how distinct NAc cell populations encode 'liking' and 'wanting' to shape overconsumption remains unclear. Here, we probed the roles of NAc D1 and D2 cells in these processes using cell-specific recording and optogenetic manipulation in diverse behavioral paradigms that disentangle reward traits of 'liking' and 'wanting' related to food choice and overeating in healthy mice. Medial NAc shell D2 cells encoded experience-dependent development of 'liking', while D1 cells encoded innate 'liking' during the first food taste. Optogenetic control confirmed causal links of D1 and D2 cells to these aspects of 'liking'. In relation to 'wanting', D1 and D2 cells encoded and promoted distinct aspects of food approach: D1 cells interpreted food cues while D2 cells also sustained food-visit-length that facilitates consumption. Finally, at the level of food choice, D1, but not D2, cell activity was sufficient to switch food preference, programming subsequent long-lasting overconsumption. By revealing complementary roles of D1 and D2 cells in consumption, these findings assign neural bases to 'liking' and 'wanting' in a unifying framework of D1 and D2 cell activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde C C Guillaumin
- Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, 8603, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Paulius Viskaitis
- Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, 8603, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Eva Bracey
- Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, 8603, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Denis Burdakov
- Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, 8603, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Daria Peleg-Raibstein
- Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, 8603, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland.
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47
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Ghosal S, Gebara E, Ramos-Fernández E, Chioino A, Grosse J, Guillot de Suduiraut I, Zanoletti O, Schneider B, Zorzano A, Astori S, Sandi C. Mitofusin-2 in nucleus accumbens D2-MSNs regulates social dominance and neuronal function. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112776. [PMID: 37440411 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112776] [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: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a brain hub regulating motivated behaviors, including social competitiveness. Mitochondrial function in the NAc links anxiety with social competitiveness, and the mitochondrial fusion protein mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) in NAc neurons regulates anxiety-related behaviors. However, it remains unexplored whether accumbal Mfn2 levels also affect social behavior and whether Mfn2 actions in the emotional and social domain are driven by distinct cell types. Here, we found that subordinate-prone highly anxious rats show decreased accumbal Mfn2 levels and that Mfn2 overexpression promotes dominant behavior. In mice, selective Mfn2 downregulation in NAc dopamine D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) induced social subordination, accompanied by decreased accumbal mitochondrial functions and decreased excitability in D2-MSNs. Instead, D1-MSN-targeted Mfn2 downregulation affected competitive ability only transiently and likely because of an increase in anxiety-like behaviors. Our results assign dissociable cell-type specific roles to Mfn2 in the NAc in modulating social dominance and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sriparna Ghosal
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elias Gebara
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eva Ramos-Fernández
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Chioino
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jocelyn Grosse
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Guillot de Suduiraut
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivia Zanoletti
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bernard Schneider
- Bertarelli Platform for Gene Therapy, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Antonio Zorzano
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Bioquímica i Biomedicina Molecular, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Simone Astori
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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48
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Sharp BM, Jiang Q, Kim P, Chen H. Inactivation of phosphodiesterase-4B gene in rat nucleus accumbens shell by CRISPR/Cas9 modulates the motivation to chronically self-administer nicotine. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.07.531588. [PMID: 37461457 PMCID: PMC10349965 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.07.531588] [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: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Large scale human genome wide association studies (GWAS) have identified a growing pool of genes associated with cigarette smoking. One of the most prominent, phosphodiesterase-4B (PDE4B), has been associated with multiple smoking phenotypes. Although PDE4B modulates the half-life of neuronal cAMP, its precise role in smoking behaviors is unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we used a reverse translational approach. We inactivated PDE4B in bilateral medial nucleus accumbens shell (NAcs) neurons by injecting AAV containing a specific gRNA in female transgenic Cas9+ Long Evans rats. These rats then were given 23-hour chronic access to nicotine intravenous self-administration (IVSA) under a schedule of increasing fixed ratios (FR). With the increased effort required at FR7, nicotine SA (i.e. active presses and drug infusions) declined significantly in controls, whereas it was maintained in the mutagenized group. A progressive ratio (PR) study also showed significantly greater cumulative nicotine infusions in the mutant group. Hence, we hypothesized that enhanced PDE4B protein activity would reduce nicotine IVSA. A positive allosteric modulator,2-(3-(4-chloro-3-fluorophenyl)-5-ethyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-N-(3,5-dichlorobenzyl)acetamide (MR-L2), was microinfused into NAcs bilaterally at FR3 or FR5; in both cohorts, MR-L2 acutely reduced nicotine IVSA. In summary, these studies show that the activity of PDE4B regulates the capacity of NAcs to maintain nicotine IVSA in face of the cost of increasing work. This finding and the results of the PR study indicate that PDE4B affects the motivation to obtain nicotine. These reverse translational studies in rats provide insight into the motivational effects of NAcs PDE4B that advance our understanding of the smoking behaviors mapped in human GWAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burt M Sharp
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Qin Jiang
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Panjun Kim
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Addiction Science and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
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49
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Neuhofer D, Kalivas P. Differential Modulation of GABAergic and Glutamatergic Neurons in the Ventral Pallidum by GABA and Neuropeptides. eNeuro 2023; 10:ENEURO.0404-22.2023. [PMID: 37414552 PMCID: PMC10348443 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0404-22.2023] [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: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The ventral pallidum (VP) is an integral locus in the reward circuitry and a major target of GABAergic innervation of both D1-medium spiny neurons (MSNs) and D2-MSNs from the nucleus accumbens. The VP contains populations of GABAergic [VPGABA, GAD2(+), or VGluT(-)] and glutamatergic [VPGlutamate, GAD2(-), or VGluT(+)] cells that facilitate positive reinforcement and behavioral avoidance, respectively. MSN efferents to the VP exert opponent control over behavioral reinforcement with activation of D1-MSN afferents promoting and D2-MSN afferents inhibiting reward seeking. How this afferent-specific and cell type-specific control of reward seeking is integrated remains largely unknown. In addition to GABA, D1-MSNs corelease substance P to stimulate neurokinin 1 receptors (NK1Rs) and D2-MSNs corelease enkephalin to activate μ-opioid receptors (MORs) and δ-opioid receptors. These neuropeptides act in the VP to alter appetitive behavior and reward seeking. Using a combination of optogenetics and patch-clamp electrophysiology in mice, we found that GAD2(-) cells receive weaker GABA input from D1-MSN, but GAD2(+) cells receive comparable GABAergic input from both afferent types. Pharmacological activation of MORs induced an equally strong presynaptic inhibition of GABA and glutamate transmission on both cell types. Interestingly, MOR activation hyperpolarized VPGABA but not VGluT(+). NK1R activation inhibited glutamatergic transmission only on VGluT(+) cells. Our results indicate that the afferent-specific release of GABA and neuropeptides from D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs can differentially influence VP neuronal subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Neuhofer
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Peter Kalivas
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
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50
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Glickman B, LaLumiere RT. Theoretical Considerations for Optimizing the Use of Optogenetics with Complex Behavior. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e836. [PMID: 37439512 PMCID: PMC10406170 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.836] [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: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetic approaches have allowed researchers to address complex questions about behavior that were previously unanswerable. However, as optogenetic procedures involve a large parameter space across multiple dimensions, it is crucial to consider such parameters in conjunction with the behaviors under study. Here, we discuss strategies to optimize optogenetic approaches with complex behavior by identifying critical experimental design considerations, including frequency specificity, temporal precision, activity-controlled optogenetics, stimulation pattern, and cell-type specificity. We highlight potential limitations or theoretical considerations to be made when manipulating each of these factors of optogenetic experiments. This overview emphasizes the importance of optimizing optogenetic study design to enhance the conclusions that can be drawn about the neuroscience of behavior. © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bess Glickman
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Ryan T. LaLumiere
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
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