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Bernat N, Campbell RR, Nam H, Basu M, Odesser T, Elyasaf G, Engeln M, Chandra R, Golden S, Ament S, Lobo MK, Kupchik YM. Multimodal Interrogation of Ventral Pallidum Projections Reveals Projection-Specific Signatures and Effects on Cocaine Reward. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1469232024. [PMID: 38485256 PMCID: PMC11063828 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1469-23.2024] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The ventral pallidum (VP) is a central hub in the reward circuitry with diverse projections that have different behavioral roles attributed mostly to the connectivity with the downstream target. However, different VP projections may represent, as in the striatum, separate neuronal populations that differ in more than just connectivity. In this study, we performed in mice of both sexes a multimodal dissection of four major projections of the VP-to the lateral hypothalamus (VP→LH), ventral tegmental area (VP→VTA), lateral habenula (VP→LHb), and mediodorsal thalamus (VP→MDT)-with physiological, anatomical, genetic, and behavioral tools. We also tested for physiological differences between VP neurons receiving input from nucleus accumbens medium spiny neurons (MSNs) that express either the D1 (D1-MSNs) or the D2 (D2-MSNs) dopamine receptor. We show that each VP projection (1) when inhibited during a cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) test affects performance differently, (2) receives a different pattern of inputs using rabies retrograde labeling, (3) shows differentially expressed genes using RNA sequencing, and (4) has projection-specific characteristics in excitability and synaptic input characteristics using whole-cell patch clamp. VP→LH and VP→VTA projections have different effects on CPP and show low overlap in circuit tracing experiments, as VP→VTA neurons receive more striatal input, while VP→LH neurons receive more olfactory input. Additionally, VP→VTA neurons are less excitable, while VP→LH neurons are more excitable than the average VP neuron, a difference driven mainly by D2-MSN-responding neurons. Thus, VP→VTA and VP→LH neurons may represent largely distinct populations of VP neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimrod Bernat
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- IMRIC Center for Addiction Research (ICARe), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Rianne R Campbell
- Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Hyungwoo Nam
- Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Mahashweta Basu
- Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Tal Odesser
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Gal Elyasaf
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Michel Engeln
- Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
- CNRS, INCIA, UMR 5287, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux F-33000, France
| | - Ramesh Chandra
- Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Shana Golden
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Seth Ament
- Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Yonatan M Kupchik
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- IMRIC Center for Addiction Research (ICARe), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
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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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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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Olusakin J, Kumar G, Basu M, Calarco CA, Fox ME, Alipio JB, Haga C, Turner MD, Keller A, Ament SA, Lobo MK. Transcriptomic profiling of reward and sensory brain areas in perinatal fentanyl exposed juvenile mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1724-1734. [PMID: 37400565 PMCID: PMC10579237 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01639-8] [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: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Use of the synthetic opioid fentanyl increased ~300% in the last decade, including among women of reproductive ages. Adverse neonatal outcomes and long-term behavioral disruptions are associated with perinatal opioid exposure. Our previous work demonstrated that perinatal fentanyl exposed mice displayed enhanced negative affect and somatosensory circuit and behavioral disruptions during adolescence. However, little is known about molecular adaptations across brain regions that underlie these outcomes. We performed RNA sequencing across three reward and two sensory brain areas to study transcriptional programs in perinatal fentanyl exposed juvenile mice. Pregnant dams received 10 μg/ml fentanyl in the drinking water from embryonic day 0 (E0) through gestational periods until weaning at postnatal day 21 (P21). RNA was extracted from nucleus accumbens (NAc), prelimbic cortex (PrL), ventral tegmental area (VTA), somatosensory cortex (S1) and ventrobasal thalamus (VBT) from perinatal fentanyl exposed mice of both sexes at P35. RNA sequencing was performed, followed by analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and gene co-expression networks. Transcriptome analysis revealed DEGs and gene modules significantly associated with exposure to perinatal fentanyl in a sex-wise manner. The VTA had the most DEGs, while robust gene enrichment occurred in NAc. Genes enriched in mitochondrial respiration were pronounced in NAc and VTA of perinatal fentanyl exposed males, extracellular matrix (ECM) and neuronal migration enrichment were pronounced in NAc and VTA of perinatal fentanyl exposed males, while genes associated with vesicular cycling and synaptic signaling were markedly altered in NAc of perinatal fentanyl exposed female mice. In sensory areas from perinatal fentanyl exposed females, we found alterations in mitochondrial respiration, synaptic and ciliary organization processes. Our findings demonstrate distinct transcriptomes across reward and sensory brain regions, with some showing discordance between sexes. These transcriptome adaptations may underlie structural, functional, and behavioral changes observed in perinatal fentanyl exposed mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimmy Olusakin
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gautam Kumar
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mahashweta Basu
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Cali A Calarco
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Megan E Fox
- Department of Anesthesiology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Jason B Alipio
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Catherine Haga
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Makeda D Turner
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Asaf Keller
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Seth A Ament
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Dorsey SG, Mocci E, Lane MV, Krueger BK. Rapid effects of valproic acid on the fetal brain transcriptome: Implications for brain development and autism. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.01.538959. [PMID: 37205520 PMCID: PMC10187231 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.01.538959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
There is an increased incidence of autism among the children of women who take the anti-epileptic, mood stabilizing drug, valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy; moreover, exposure to VPA in utero causes autistic-like symptoms in rodents and non-human primates. Analysis of RNAseq data obtained from fetal mouse brains 3 hr after VPA administration revealed that VPA significantly [p(FDR) ≤ 0.025] increased or decreased the expression of approximately 7,300 genes. No significant sex differences in VPA-induced gene expression were observed. Expression of genes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism as well as neurogenesis, axon growth and synaptogenesis, GABAergic, glutaminergic and dopaminergic synaptic transmission, perineuronal nets, and circadian rhythms was dysregulated by VPA. Moreover, expression of 400 autism risk genes was significantly altered by VPA as was expression of 247 genes that have been reported to play fundamental roles in the development of the nervous system, but are not linked to autism by GWAS. The goal of this study was to identify mouse genes that are: (a) significantly up- or down-regulated by VPA in the fetal brain and (b) known to be associated with autism and/or to play a role in embryonic neurodevelopmental processes, perturbation of which has the potential to alter brain connectivity in the postnatal and adult brain. The set of genes meeting these criteria provides potential targets for future hypothesis-driven approaches to elucidating the proximal underlying causes of defective brain connectivity in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.
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Haile MT, Khoja S, de Carvalho G, Hunt RF, Chen LY. Conditional deletion of Neurexin-2 alters neuronal network activity in hippocampal circuitries and leads to spontaneous seizures. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:97. [PMID: 36941261 PMCID: PMC10027846 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02394-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurexins (Nrxns) have been extensively studied for their role in synapse organization and have been linked to many neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and epilepsy. However, no studies have provided direct evidence that Nrxns may be the key regulator in the shared pathogenesis of these conditions largely due to complexities among Nrxns and their non-canonical functions in different synapses. Recent studies identified NRXN2 mutations in ASD and epilepsy, but little is known about Nrxn2's role in a circuit-specific manner. Here, we report that conditional deletion of Nrxn2 from the hippocampus and cortex (Nrxn2 cKO) results in behavioral abnormalities, including reduced social preference and increased nestlet shredding behavior. Electrophysiological recordings identified an overall increase in hippocampal CA3→CA1 network activity in Nrxn2 cKO mice. Using intracranial electroencephalogram recordings, we observed unprovoked spontaneous reoccurring electrographic and behavioral seizures in Nrxn2 cKO mice. This study provides the first evidence that conditional deletion of Nrxn2 induces increased network activity that manifests into spontaneous recurrent seizures and behavioral impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mulatwa T Haile
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Sheraz Khoja
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Gregory de Carvalho
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Robert F Hunt
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Lulu Y Chen
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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Morais-Silva G, Campbell RR, Nam H, Basu M, Pagliusi M, Fox ME, Chan CS, Iñiguez SD, Ament S, Cramer N, Marin MT, Lobo MK. Molecular, Circuit, and Stress Response Characterization of Ventral Pallidum Npas1-Neurons. J Neurosci 2023; 43:405-418. [PMID: 36443000 PMCID: PMC9864552 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0971-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Altered activity of the ventral pallidum (VP) underlies disrupted motivation in stress and drug exposure. The VP is a very heterogeneous structure composed of many neuron types with distinct physiological properties and projections. Neuronal PAS 1-positive (Npas1+) VP neurons are thought to send projections to brain regions critical for motivational behavior. While Npas1+ neurons have been characterized in the globus pallidus external, there is limited information on these neurons in the VP. To address this limitation, we evaluated the projection targets of the VP Npas1+ neurons and performed RNA-sequencing on ribosome-associated mRNA from VP Npas1+ neurons to determine their molecular identity. Finally, we used a chemogenetic approach to manipulate VP Npas1+ neurons during social defeat stress (SDS) and behavioral tasks related to anxiety and motivation in Npas1-Cre mice. We used a similar approach in females using the chronic witness defeat stress (CWDS). We identified VP Npas1+ projections to the nucleus accumbens, ventral tegmental area, medial and lateral habenula, lateral hypothalamus, thalamus, medial and lateral septum, and periaqueductal gray area. VP Npas1+ neurons displayed distinct translatome representing distinct biological processes. Chemogenetic activation of hM3D(Gq) receptors in VP Npas1+ neurons increased susceptibility to a subthreshold SDS and anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze and open field while the activation of hM4D(Gi) receptors in VP Npas1+ neurons enhanced resilience to chronic SDS and CWDS. Thus, the activity of VP Npas1+ neurons modulates susceptibility to social stressors and anxiety-like behavior. Our studies provide new information on VP Npas1+ neuron circuitry, molecular identity, and their role in stress response.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The ventral pallidum (VP) is a structure connected to both reward-related and aversive brain centers. It is a key brain area that signals the hedonic value of natural rewards. Disruption in the VP underlies altered motivation in stress and substance use disorder. However, VP is a very heterogeneous area with multiple neuron subtypes. This study characterized the projection pattern and molecular signatures of VP Neuronal PAS 1-positive (Npas1+) neurons. We further used tools to alter receptor signaling in VP Npas1+ neurons in stress to demonstrate a role for these neurons in stress behavioral outcomes. Our studies have implications for understanding brain cell type identities and their role in brain disorders, such as depression, a serious disorder that is precipitated by stressful events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gessynger Morais-Silva
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
- Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmacology, Araraquara, Sao Paulo 14800903, Brazil
- Joint Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos/Sao Paulo State University, CEP 13565-905, São Carlos/Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Rianne R Campbell
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Hyungwoo Nam
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Mahashweta Basu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Marco Pagliusi
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, State University of Campinas, SP-13083-872, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Megan E Fox
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - C Savio Chan
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Sergio D Iñiguez
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas 79902
| | - Seth Ament
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Nathan Cramer
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Marcelo Tadeu Marin
- Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmacology, Araraquara, Sao Paulo 14800903, Brazil
- Joint Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos/Sao Paulo State University, CEP 13565-905, São Carlos/Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
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8
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Engeln M, Fox ME, Chandra R, Choi EY, Nam H, Qadir H, Thomas SS, Rhodes VM, Turner MD, Herman RJ, Calarco CA, Lobo MK. Transcriptome profiling of the ventral pallidum reveals a role for pallido-thalamic neurons in cocaine reward. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:3980-3991. [PMID: 35764708 PMCID: PMC9722585 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01668-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Psychostimulant exposure alters the activity of ventral pallidum (VP) projection neurons. However, the molecular underpinnings of these circuit dysfunctions are unclear. We used RNA-sequencing to reveal alterations in the transcriptional landscape of the VP that are induced by cocaine self-administration in mice. We then probed gene expression in select VP neuronal subpopulations to isolate a circuit associated with cocaine intake. Finally, we used both overexpression and CRISPR-mediated knockdown to test the role of a gene target on cocaine-mediated behaviors as well as dendritic spine density. Our results showed that a large proportion (55%) of genes associated with structural plasticity were changed 24 h following cocaine intake. Among them, the transcription factor Nr4a1 (Nuclear receptor subfamily 4, group A, member 1, or Nur77) showed high expression levels. We found that the VP to mediodorsal thalamus (VP → MDT) projection neurons specifically were recapitulating this increase in Nr4a1 expression. Overexpressing Nr4a1 in VP → MDT neurons enhanced drug-seeking and drug-induced reinstatement, while Nr4a1 knockdown prevented self-administration acquisition and subsequent cocaine-mediated behaviors. Moreover, we showed that Nr4a1 negatively regulated spine dynamics in this specific cell subpopulation. Together, our study identifies for the first time the transcriptional mechanisms occurring in VP in drug exposure. Our study provides further understanding on the role of Nr4a1 in cocaine-related behaviors and identifies the crucial role of the VP → MDT circuit in drug intake and relapse-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Engeln
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INCIA, UMR 5287, F-33000, Bordeaux, France.
| | - Megan E Fox
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Ramesh Chandra
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eric Y Choi
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hyungwoo Nam
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Houman Qadir
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shavin S Thomas
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Victoria M Rhodes
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Makeda D Turner
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rae J Herman
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Cali A Calarco
- 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.
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Tian J, Gao X, Yang L. Repetitive Restricted Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorder: From Mechanism to Development of Therapeutics. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:780407. [PMID: 35310097 PMCID: PMC8924045 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.780407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication, social interaction, and repetitive restricted behaviors (RRBs). It is usually detected in early childhood. RRBs are behavioral patterns characterized by repetition, inflexibility, invariance, inappropriateness, and frequent lack of obvious function or specific purpose. To date, the classification of RRBs is contentious. Understanding the potential mechanisms of RRBs in children with ASD, such as neural connectivity disorders and abnormal immune functions, will contribute to finding new therapeutic targets. Although behavioral intervention remains the most effective and safe strategy for RRBs treatment, some promising drugs and new treatment options (e.g., supplementary and cell therapy) have shown positive effects on RRBs in recent studies. In this review, we summarize the latest advances of RRBs from mechanistic to therapeutic approaches and propose potential future directions in research on RRBs.
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10
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Vicente AM, Martins GJ, Costa RM. Cortico-basal ganglia circuits underlying dysfunctional control of motor behaviors in neuropsychiatric disorders. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2020; 65:151-159. [PMID: 32688249 PMCID: PMC7749078 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2020.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric disorders often manifest with abnormal control of motor behavior. Common symptoms include restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior (RRBs). Cortico-basal ganglia circuits have been implicated in the etiology of RBBs. However, there is a vast range of behaviors encompassed in RRBs, from simple explosive motor tics to rather complex ritualized compulsions. In this review, we highlight how recent findings about the function of specific basal ganglia circuits can begin to shed light into defined motor symptoms associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. We discuss recent studies using genetic animal models that advocate that different aspects of motor repetition in neurodevelopmental disorders, like obsessive-compulsive disorder and autism spectrum disorder, emerge from particular dysregulations in distinct cortico-basal ganglia circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Mafalda Vicente
- Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, Zuckerman Mind Brain Institute, Columbia University 3227 Broadway, New York, NY, 10027, United States
| | - Gabriela J Martins
- Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, Zuckerman Mind Brain Institute, Columbia University 3227 Broadway, New York, NY, 10027, United States
| | - Rui M Costa
- Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, Zuckerman Mind Brain Institute, Columbia University 3227 Broadway, New York, NY, 10027, United States.
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11
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Kalyanasundar B, Perez CI, Arroyo B, Moreno MG, Gutierrez R. The Appetite Suppressant D-norpseudoephedrine (Cathine) Acts via D1/D2-Like Dopamine Receptors in the Nucleus Accumbens Shell. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:572328. [PMID: 33177980 PMCID: PMC7596745 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.572328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
D-norpseudoephedrine (NPE), also known as cathine, is found naturally in the shrub Catha edulis “Khat.” NPE has been widely used as an appetite suppressant for the treatment of obesity. Although it is known that NPE acts on α1-adrenergic receptors, there is little information about the role of dopamine receptors on NPE’s induced anorectic and weight loss effects. Equally untouched is the question of how NPE modulates neuronal activity in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh), a brain reward center, and a pharmacological target for many appetite suppressants. To do this, in rats, we characterized the pharmacological effects induced by NPE on weight loss, food intake, and locomotion. We also determined the involvement of dopamine D1- and D2-like receptors using systemic and intra-NAcSh antagonists, and finally, we recorded single-unit activity in the NAcSh in freely moving rats. We found that NPE decreased 24-h food intake, induced weight loss, and as side effects increased locomotor activity and wakefulness. Also, intraperitoneal and intra-NAcSh administration of D1 and D2 dopamine antagonists partially reversed NPE’s induced weight loss and food intake suppression. Furthermore, the D1 antagonist, SCH-23390, eliminated NPE-induced locomotion, whereas the D2 antagonist, raclopride, only delayed its onset. We also found that NPE evoked a net activation imbalance in NAcSh that propelled the population activity trajectories into a dynamic pharmacological brain state, which correlated with the onset of NPE-induced wakefulness. Together, our data demonstrate that NPE modulates NAcSh spiking activity and that both dopamine D1 and D2 receptors are necessary for NPE’s induced food intake suppression and weight loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Kalyanasundar
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Appetite, Department of Pharmacology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Claudia I Perez
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Appetite, Department of Pharmacology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Benjamin Arroyo
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Appetite, Department of Pharmacology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mario Gil Moreno
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Appetite, Department of Pharmacology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ranier Gutierrez
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Appetite, Department of Pharmacology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV), Mexico City, Mexico
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12
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Fox ME, Figueiredo A, Menken MS, Lobo MK. Dendritic spine density is increased on nucleus accumbens D2 neurons after chronic social defeat. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12393. [PMID: 32709968 PMCID: PMC7381630 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69339-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress alters the structure and function of brain reward circuitry and is an important risk factor for developing depression. In the nucleus accumbens (NAc), structural and physiological plasticity of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) have been linked to increased stress-related and depression-like behaviors. NAc MSNs have opposing roles in driving stress-related behaviors that is dependent on their dopamine receptor expression. After chronic social defeat stress, NAc MSNs exhibit increased dendritic spine density. However, it remains unclear if the dendritic spine plasticity is MSN subtype specific. Here we use viral labeling to characterize dendritic spine morphology specifically in dopamine D2 receptor expressing MSNs (D2-MSNs). After chronic social defeat, D2-MSNs exhibit increased spine density that is correlated with enhanced social avoidance behavior. Together, our data indicate dendritic spine plasticity is MSN subtype specific, improving our understanding of structural plasticity after chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Fox
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 20 Penn St, HSFII Building, Rm 265, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Antonio Figueiredo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 20 Penn St, HSFII Building, Rm 265, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Miriam S Menken
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 20 Penn St, HSFII Building, Rm 265, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 20 Penn St, HSFII Building, Rm 265, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
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