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Lei J, Zhang P, Li T, Cui C, Li M, Yang X, Peng X, Ren K, Yang J, Shi Y, Luo G, Yao Y, Tian B. Alternating bilateral sensory stimulation alleviates alcohol-induced conditioned place preference via a superior colliculus-VTA circuit. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114383. [PMID: 38923461 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Alcohol is the most widely used addictive substance, potentially leading to brain damage and genetic abnormalities. Despite its prevalence and associated risks, current treatments have yet to identify effective methods for reducing cravings and preventing relapse. In this study, we find that 4-Hz alternating bilateral sensory stimulation (ABS) effectively reduces ethanol-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in male mice, while 4-Hz flash light does not exhibit therapeutic effects. Whole-brain c-Fos mapping demonstrates that 4-Hz ABS triggers notable activation in superior colliculus GABAergic neurons (SCGABA). SCGABA forms monosynaptic connections with ventral tegmental area dopaminergic neurons (VTADA), which is implicated in ethanol-induced CPP. Bidirectional chemogenetic manipulation of SC-VTA circuit either replicates or blocks the therapeutic effects of 4-Hz ABS on ethanol-induced CPP. These findings elucidate the role of SC-VTA circuit for alleviating ethanol-related CPP by 4-Hz ABS and point to a non-drug and non-invasive approach that might have potential for treating alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Lei
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Pei Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China; Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China.
| | - Tongxia Li
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Chi Cui
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Xueke Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Xiang Peng
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Kun Ren
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Yulong Shi
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Gangan Luo
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Yibo Yao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Bo Tian
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China; School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China; Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China.
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Jo AY, Xie Y, Rodrigues A, Sandoval Ortega RA, Creasy KT, Beier KT, Blendy JA, Corder G. VTA μ-opioidergic neurons facilitate low sociability in protracted opioid withdrawal. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.08.602522. [PMID: 39026700 PMCID: PMC11257471 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.08.602522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Opioids initiate dynamic maladaptation in brain reward and affect circuits that occur throughout chronic exposure and withdrawal that persist beyond cessation. Protracted withdrawal is characterized by negative affective behaviors such as heightened anxiety, irritability, dysphoria, and anhedonia, which pose a significant risk factor for relapse. While the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and mu-opioid receptors (MORs) are critical for opioid reinforcement, the specific contributions of VTAMOR neurons in mediating protracted withdrawal-induced negative affect is not fully understood. In our study, we elucidate the role of VTAMOR neurons in mediating negative affect and altered brain-wide neuronal activities following opioid exposure and withdrawal in male and female mice. Utilizing a chronic oral morphine administration model, we observe increased social deficit, anxiety-related, and despair-like behaviors during protracted withdrawal. VTAMOR neurons show heightened neuronal FOS activation at the onset of withdrawal and connect to an array of brain regions that mediate reward and affective processes. Viral re-expression of MORs selectively within the VTA of MOR knockout mice demonstrates that the disrupted social interaction observed during protracted withdrawal is facilitated by this neural population, without affecting other protracted withdrawal behaviors. Lastly, VTAMORs contribute to heightened neuronal FOS activation in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in response to an acute morphine challenge, suggesting their unique role in modulating ACC-specific neuronal activity. These findings identify VTAMOR neurons as critical modulators of low sociability during protracted withdrawal and highlight their potential as a mechanistic target to alleviate negative affective behaviors associated with opioid withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne Y. Jo
- Dept. of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yihan Xie
- Dept. of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Amrith Rodrigues
- Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Kate Townsend Creasy
- Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kevin T. Beier
- Dept. of Physiology and Biophysics, Neurobiology and Behavior, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Julie A. Blendy
- Dept. of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Gregory Corder
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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3
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Zhu M, Jun S, Nie X, Chen J, Hao Y, Yu H, Zhang X, Sun L, Liu Y, Yuan X, Yuan F, Wang S. Mapping of afferent and efferent connections of phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase-expressing neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14808. [PMID: 38887205 PMCID: PMC11183208 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT)-expressing neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) contribute to the regulation of autonomic functions. However, the neural circuits linking these neurons to other brain regions remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the connectivity mechanisms of the PNMT-expressing neurons in the NTS (NTSPNMT neurons). METHODS The methodologies employed in this study included a modified rabies virus-based retrograde neural tracing technique, conventional viral anterograde tracing, and immunohistochemical staining procedures. RESULTS A total of 43 upstream nuclei projecting to NTSPNMT neurons were identified, spanning several key brain regions including the medulla oblongata, pons, midbrain, cerebellum, diencephalon, and telencephalon. Notably, dense projections to the NTSPNMT neurons were observed from the central amygdaloid nucleus, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, area postrema, and the gigantocellular reticular nucleus. In contrast, the ventrolateral medulla, lateral parabrachial nucleus, and lateral hypothalamic area were identified as the primary destinations for axon terminals originating from NTSPNMT neurons. Additionally, reciprocal projections were evident among 21 nuclei, primarily situated within the medulla oblongata. CONCLUSION Our research findings demonstrate that NTSPNMT neurons form extensive connections with numerous nuclei, emphasizing their essential role in the homeostatic regulation of vital autonomic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengchu Zhu
- Department of NeurobiologyHebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangHebeiChina
- Department of Laboratory DiagnosticsHebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangHebeiChina
| | - Shirui Jun
- Department of NeurobiologyHebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangHebeiChina
| | - Xiaojun Nie
- Department of NeurobiologyHebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangHebeiChina
| | - Jinting Chen
- Department of NeurobiologyHebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangHebeiChina
| | - Yinchao Hao
- Department of NeurobiologyHebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangHebeiChina
| | - Hongxiao Yu
- Department of NeurobiologyHebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangHebeiChina
| | - Xiang Zhang
- Department of NeurobiologyHebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangHebeiChina
| | - Lu Sun
- Department of NeurobiologyHebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangHebeiChina
| | - Yuelin Liu
- Department of NeurobiologyHebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangHebeiChina
| | - Xiangshan Yuan
- Department of Anatomy and Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- Department of NeurologyJinshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Fang Yuan
- Department of NeurobiologyHebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangHebeiChina
- Hebei Key Laboratory of NeurophysiologyShijiazhuangHebei ProvinceChina
| | - Sheng Wang
- Department of NeurobiologyHebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangHebeiChina
- Hebei Key Laboratory of NeurophysiologyShijiazhuangHebei ProvinceChina
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4
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Chaudun F, Python L, Liu Y, Hiver A, Cand J, Kieffer BL, Valjent E, Lüscher C. Distinct µ-opioid ensembles trigger positive and negative fentanyl reinforcement. Nature 2024; 630:141-148. [PMID: 38778097 PMCID: PMC11153127 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07440-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Fentanyl is a powerful painkiller that elicits euphoria and positive reinforcement1. Fentanyl also leads to dependence, defined by the aversive withdrawal syndrome, which fuels negative reinforcement2,3 (that is, individuals retake the drug to avoid withdrawal). Positive and negative reinforcement maintain opioid consumption, which leads to addiction in one-fourth of users, the largest fraction for all addictive drugs4. Among the opioid receptors, µ-opioid receptors have a key role5, yet the induction loci of circuit adaptations that eventually lead to addiction remain unknown. Here we injected mice with fentanyl to acutely inhibit γ-aminobutyric acid-expressing neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), causing disinhibition of dopamine neurons, which eventually increased dopamine in the nucleus accumbens. Knockdown of µ-opioid receptors in VTA abolished dopamine transients and positive reinforcement, but withdrawal remained unchanged. We identified neurons expressing µ-opioid receptors in the central amygdala (CeA) whose activity was enhanced during withdrawal. Knockdown of µ-opioid receptors in CeA eliminated aversive symptoms, suggesting that they mediate negative reinforcement. Thus, optogenetic stimulation caused place aversion, and mice readily learned to press a lever to pause optogenetic stimulation of CeA neurons that express µ-opioid receptors. Our study parses the neuronal populations that trigger positive and negative reinforcement in VTA and CeA, respectively. We lay out the circuit organization to develop interventions for reducing fentanyl addiction and facilitating rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrice Chaudun
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Laurena Python
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Agnes Hiver
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Cand
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Brigitte L Kieffer
- INSERM U1114, University of Strasbourg Institute for Advanced Study, Strasbourg, France
| | - Emmanuel Valjent
- IGF, Université de Montpellier CNRS, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Christian Lüscher
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Clinic of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
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5
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Zhang N, Zhao S, Ma Y, Xiao Z, Xue B, Dong Y, Wang Q, Xu H, Zhang X, Wang Y. Hyperexcitation of ovBNST CRF neurons during stress contributes to female-biased expression of anxiety-like avoidance behaviors. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk7636. [PMID: 38728397 PMCID: PMC11086623 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk7636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) network in the oval nucleus of bed nuclei of the stria terminalis (ovBNST) is generally indicated in stress, but its role in female-biased susceptibility to anxiety is unknown. Here, we established a female-biased stress paradigm. We found that the CRF release in ovBNST during stress showed female-biased pattern, and ovBNST CRF neurons were more prone to be hyperexcited in female mice during stress in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Moreover, optogenetic modulation to exchange the activation pattern of ovBNST CRF neurons during stress between female and male mice could reverse their susceptibility to anxiety. Last, CRF receptor type 1 (CRFR1) mediated the CRF-induced excitation of ovBNST CRF neurons and showed female-biased expression. Specific knockdown of the CRFR1 level in ovBNST CRF neurons in female or overexpression that in male could reverse their susceptibility to anxiety. Therefore, we identify that CRFR1-mediated hyperexcitation of ovBNST CRF neurons in female mice encode the female-biased susceptibility to anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Zhang
- Institute of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
- Qingdao Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Qingdao Municipal Hospital), Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Sha Zhao
- Institute of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yanqiao Ma
- Institute of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Zhixin Xiao
- Institute of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Bao Xue
- Institute of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yuan Dong
- Institute of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Qingyu Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Huamin Xu
- Institute of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xia Zhang
- Institute of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Institute of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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6
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Xu X, Zheng S, Ren J, Li Z, Li J, Xu Z, Yuan F, Yang Q, Margetts AV, Pollock TA, Vilca SJ, Yang C, Chen G, Shen P, Li S, Xia J, Chen C, Zhou T, Zhu Y, Tuesta LM, Wang L, Kenny PJ, Liu XA, Chen Z. Hypothalamic CRF neurons facilitate brain reward function. Curr Biol 2024; 34:389-402.e5. [PMID: 38215742 PMCID: PMC10842365 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.12.046] [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: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Aversive stimuli activate corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-expressing neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVNCRF neurons) and other brain stress systems to facilitate avoidance behaviors. Appetitive stimuli also engage the brain stress systems, but their contributions to reward-related behaviors are less well understood. Here, we show that mice work vigorously to optically activate PVNCRF neurons in an operant chamber, indicating a reinforcing nature of these neurons. The reinforcing property of these neurons is not mediated by activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. We found that PVNCRF neurons send direct projections to the ventral tegmental area (VTA), and selective activation of these projections induced robust self-stimulation behaviors, without activation of the HPA axis. Similar to the PVNCRF cell bodies, self-stimulation of PVNCRF-VTA projection was dramatically attenuated by systemic pretreatment of CRF receptor 1 or dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) antagonist and augmented by corticosterone synthesis inhibitor metyrapone, but not altered by dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) antagonist. Furthermore, we found that activation of PVNCRF-VTA projections increased c-Fos expression in the VTA dopamine neurons and rapidly triggered dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), and microinfusion of D1R or D2R antagonist into the NAc decreased the self-stimulation of these projections. Together, our findings reveal an unappreciated role of PVNCRF neurons and their VTA projections in driving reward-related behaviors, independent of their core neuroendocrine functions. As activation of PVNCRF neurons is the final common path for many stress systems, our study suggests a novel mechanism underlying the positive reinforcing effect of stressful stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinli Xu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shuidiao Zheng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510130, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiayan Ren
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zixuan Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jinyan Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhibin Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Feng Yuan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qixing Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Alexander V Margetts
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Tate A Pollock
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Samara J Vilca
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Canyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Gaowei Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Peilei Shen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shupeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianxun Xia
- Yunkang School of Medicine and Health, Nanfang College, Guangzhou 510970, Guangdong, China
| | - Chuyun Chen
- The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510130, Guangdong, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yingjie Zhu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Luis M Tuesta
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Liping Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Paul J Kenny
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Xin-An Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Zuxin Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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7
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Jiang C, Huang H, Yang X, Le Q, Liu X, Ma L, Wang F. Targeting mitochondrial dynamics of morphine-responsive dopaminergic neurons ameliorates opiate withdrawal. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e171995. [PMID: 38236644 PMCID: PMC10904060 DOI: 10.1172/jci171995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Converging studies demonstrate the dysfunction of the dopaminergic neurons following chronic opioid administration. However, the therapeutic strategies targeting opioid-responsive dopaminergic ensembles that contribute to the development of opioid withdrawal remain to be elucidated. Here, we used the neuronal activity-dependent Tet-Off system to label dopaminergic ensembles in response to initial morphine exposure (Mor-Ens) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Fiber optic photometry recording and transcriptome analysis revealed downregulated spontaneous activity and dysregulated mitochondrial respiratory, ultrastructure, and oxidoreductase signal pathways after chronic morphine administration in these dopaminergic ensembles. Mitochondrial fragmentation and the decreased mitochondrial fusion gene mitofusin 1 (Mfn1) were found in these ensembles after prolonged opioid withdrawal. Restoration of Mfn1 in the dopaminergic Mor-Ens attenuated excessive oxidative stress and the development of opioid withdrawal. Administration of Mdivi-1, a mitochondrial fission inhibitor, ameliorated the mitochondrial fragmentation and maladaptation of the neuronal plasticity in these Mor-Ens, accompanied by attenuated development of opioid withdrawal after chronic morphine administration, without affecting the analgesic effect of morphine. These findings highlighted the plastic architecture of mitochondria as a potential therapeutic target for opioid analgesic-induced substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changyou Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Departments of Neurosurgery and Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
| | - Han Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Departments of Neurosurgery and Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Departments of Neurosurgery and Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
| | - Qiumin Le
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Departments of Neurosurgery and Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
| | - Xing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Departments of Neurosurgery and Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
| | - Lan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Departments of Neurosurgery and Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Departments of Neurosurgery and Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
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8
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Wang F, Liu CB, Wang Y, Wang XX, Yang YY, Jiang CY, Le QM, Liu X, Ma L, Wang FF. Morphine- and foot shock-responsive neuronal ensembles in the VTA possess different connectivity and biased GPCR signaling pathway. Theranostics 2024; 14:1126-1146. [PMID: 38250036 PMCID: PMC10797299 DOI: 10.7150/thno.90792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are sensitive to stress and their maladaptation have been implicated in the psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and addiction, etc. The cellular properties of the VTA neurons in response to different stressors related to different emotional processing remain to be investigated. Methods: By combining immediate early gene (IEG)-dependent labeling, rabies virus tracing, ensemble-specific transcriptomic analysis and fiber photometry recording in the VTA of male mice, the spatial distribution, brain-wide connectivity and cellular signaling pathways in the VTA neuronal ensembles in response to morphine (Mor-Ens) or foot shock (Shock-Ens) stimuli were investigated. Results: Optogenetic activation of the Mor-Ens drove approach behavior, whereas chemogenetic activation of the Shock-Ens increased the anxiety level in mice. Mor-Ens were clustered and enriched in the ventral VTA, contained a higher proportion of dopaminergic neurons, received more inputs from the dorsal medial striatum and the medial hypothalamic zone, and exhibited greater axonal arborization in the zona incerta and ventral pallidum. Whereas Shock-Ens were more dispersed, contained a higher proportion of GABAergic neurons, and received more inputs from the ventral pallidum and the lateral hypothalamic area. The downstream targets of the G protein and β-arrestin pathways, PLCβ3 and phosphorylated AKT1Thr308, were relatively enriched in the Mor-Ens and Shock-Ens, respectively. Cariprazine, the G-protein-biased agonist for the dopamine D2 receptor, increased the response of Mor-Ens to sucrose water and decreased the anxiety-like behavior during morphine withdrawal, whereas the β-arrestin-biased agonist UNC9994 decreased the response of Shock-Ens to tail suspension. Conclusions: Taken together, these findings reveal the heterogeneous connectivity and signaling pathways of the VTA neurons in response to morphine and foot shock, providing new insights for development of specific interventions for psychiatric disorders caused by various stressors associated with different VTA neuronal functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Pharmacology Research Center, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chao-bao Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Pharmacology Research Center, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yi Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Pharmacology Research Center, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xi-xi Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Pharmacology Research Center, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yuan-yao Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Pharmacology Research Center, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chang-you Jiang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Pharmacology Research Center, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qiu-min Le
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Pharmacology Research Center, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xing Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Pharmacology Research Center, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lan Ma
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Pharmacology Research Center, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Fei-fei Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Pharmacology Research Center, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai 200032, China
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9
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Xue Y, Mo S, Li Y, Cao Y, Xu X, Xie Q. Dissecting neural circuits from rostral ventromedial medulla to spinal trigeminal nucleus bidirectionally modulating craniofacial mechanical sensitivity. Prog Neurobiol 2024; 232:102561. [PMID: 38142769 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2023.102561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Chronic craniofacial pain is intractable and its mechanisms remain unclarified. The rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) plays a crucial role in descending pain facilitation and inhibition. It is unclear how the descending circuits from the RVM to spinal trigeminal nucleus (Sp5) are organized to bidirectionally modulate craniofacial nociception. We used viral tracing, in vivo optogenetics, calcium signaling recording, and chemogenetic manipulations to investigate the structure and function of RVM-Sp5 circuits. We found that most RVM neurons projecting to Sp5 were GABAergic or glutamatergic and facilitated or inhibited craniofacial nociception, respectively. Both GABAergic interneurons and glutamatergic projection neurons in Sp5 received RVM inputs: the former were antinociceptive, whereas the latter were pronociceptive. Furthermore, we demonstrated activation of both GABAergic and glutamatergic Sp5 neurons receiving RVM inputs in inflammation- or dysfunction-induced masseter hyperalgesia. Activating GABAergic Sp5 neurons or inhibiting glutamatergic Sp5 neurons that receive RVM projections reversed masseter hyperalgesia. Our study identifies specific cell types and projections of RVM-Sp5 circuits involved in facilitating or inhibiting craniofacial nociception respectively. Selective manipulation of RVM-Sp5 circuits can be used as potential treatment strategy to relieve chronic craniofacial muscle pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Xue
- Department of Prosthodontics, Center for Oral and Jaw Functional Diagnosis, Treatment and Research, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Siyi Mo
- Department of Prosthodontics, Center for Oral and Jaw Functional Diagnosis, Treatment and Research, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Prosthodontics, Center for Oral and Jaw Functional Diagnosis, Treatment and Research, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Ye Cao
- Department of Prosthodontics, Center for Oral and Jaw Functional Diagnosis, Treatment and Research, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing 100081, PR China.
| | - Xiaoxiang Xu
- Department of Prosthodontics, Center for Oral and Jaw Functional Diagnosis, Treatment and Research, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing 100081, PR China.
| | - Qiufei Xie
- Department of Prosthodontics, Center for Oral and Jaw Functional Diagnosis, Treatment and Research, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing 100081, PR China.
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10
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Liu X, Wang F, Le Q, Ma L. Cellular and molecular basis of drug addiction: The role of neuronal ensembles in addiction. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 83:102813. [PMID: 37972536 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Addiction has been conceptualized as a disease of learning and memory. Learned associations between environmental cues and unconditioned rewards induced by drug administration, which play a critical role in addiction, have been shown to be encoded in sparsely distributed populations of neurons called neuronal ensembles. This review aims to highlight how synaptic remodeling and alterations in signaling pathways that occur specifically in neuronal ensembles contribute to the pathogenesis of addiction. Furthermore, a causal link between transcriptional and epigenetic modifications in neuronal ensembles and the development of the addictive state is proposed. Translational studies of molecular and cellular changes in neuronal ensembles that contribute to drug-seeking behavior, will allow the identification of molecular and circuit targets and interventions for substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China.
| | - Qiumin Le
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
| | - Lan Ma
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
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11
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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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12
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Kaplan GB, Thompson BL. Neuroplasticity of the extended amygdala in opioid withdrawal and prolonged opioid abstinence. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1253736. [PMID: 38044942 PMCID: PMC10690374 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1253736] [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: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioid use disorder is characterized by excessive use of opioids, inability to control its use, a withdrawal syndrome upon discontinuation of opioids, and long-term likelihood of relapse. The behavioral stages of opioid addiction correspond with affective experiences that characterize the opponent process view of motivation. In this framework, active involvement is accompanied by positive affective experiences which gives rise to "reward craving," whereas the opponent process, abstinence, is associated with the negative affective experiences that produce "relief craving." Relief craving develops along with a hypersensitization to the negatively reinforcing aspects of withdrawal during abstinence from opioids. These negative affective experiences are hypothesized to stem from neuroadaptations to a network of affective processing called the "extended amygdala." This negative valence network includes the three core structures of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), and the nucleus accumbens shell (NAc shell), in addition to major inputs from the basolateral amygdala (BLA). To better understand the major components of this system, we have reviewed their functions, inputs and outputs, along with the associated neural plasticity in animal models of opioid withdrawal. These models demonstrate the somatic, motivational, affective, and learning related models of opioid withdrawal and abstinence. Neuroadaptations in these stress and motivational systems are accompanied by negative affective and aversive experiences that commonly give rise to relapse. CeA neuroplasticity accounts for many of the aversive and fear-related effects of opioid withdrawal via glutamatergic plasticity and changes to corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF)-containing neurons. Neuroadaptations in BNST pre-and post-synaptic GABA-containing neurons, as well as their noradrenergic modulation, may be responsible for a variety of aversive affective experiences and maladaptive behaviors. Opioid withdrawal yields a hypodopaminergic and amotivational state and results in neuroadaptive increases in excitability of the NAc shell, both of which are associated with increased vulnerability to relapse. Finally, BLA transmission to hippocampal and cortical regions impacts the perception of conditioned aversive effects of opioid withdrawal by higher executive systems. The prevention or reversal of these varied neuroadaptations in the extended amygdala during opioid withdrawal could lead to promising new interventions for this life-threatening condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary B Kaplan
- Mental Health Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
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13
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Huang ST, Wu K, Guo MM, Shao S, Hua R, Zhang YM. Glutamatergic and GABAergic anteroventral BNST projections to PVN CRH neurons regulate maternal separation-induced visceral pain. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1778-1788. [PMID: 37516802 PMCID: PMC10579407 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01678-1] [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: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Early-life stress (ELS) is thought to cause the development of visceral pain disorders. While some individuals are vulnerable to visceral pain, others are resilient, but the intrinsic circuit and molecular mechanisms involved remain largely unclear. Herein, we demonstrate that inbred mice subjected to maternal separation (MS) could be separated into susceptible and resilient subpopulations by visceral hypersensitivity evaluation. Through a combination of chemogenetics, optogenetics, fiber photometry, molecular and electrophysiological approaches, we discovered that susceptible mice presented activation of glutamatergic projections or inhibition of GABAergic projections from the anteroventral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (avBNST) to paraventricular nucleus (PVN) corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons. However, resilience develops as a behavioral adaptation partially due to restoration of PVN SK2 channel expression and function. Our findings suggest that PVN CRH neurons are dually regulated by functionally opposing avBNST neurons and that this circuit may be the basis for neurobiological vulnerability to visceral pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Ting Huang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ke Wu
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Miao-Miao Guo
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shuai Shao
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rong Hua
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
- Emergency Department, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yong-Mei Zhang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China.
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14
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Wang XY, Jia WB, Xu X, Chen R, Wang LB, Su XJ, Xu PF, Liu XQ, Wen J, Song XY, Liu YY, Zhang Z, Liu XF, Zhang Y. A glutamatergic DRN-VTA pathway modulates neuropathic pain and comorbid anhedonia-like behavior in mice. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5124. [PMID: 37612268 PMCID: PMC10447530 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40860-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain causes both physical suffering and comorbid mental symptoms such as anhedonia. However, the neural circuits and molecular mechanisms underlying these maladaptive behaviors remain elusive. Here using a mouse model, we report a pathway from vesicular glutamate transporter 3 neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus to dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VGluT3DRN→DAVTA) wherein population-level activity in response to innocuous mechanical stimuli and sucrose consumption is inhibited by chronic neuropathic pain. Mechanistically, neuropathic pain dampens VGluT3DRN → DAVTA glutamatergic transmission and DAVTA neural excitability. VGluT3DRN → DAVTA activation alleviates neuropathic pain and comorbid anhedonia-like behavior (CAB) by releasing glutamate, which subsequently promotes DA release in the nucleus accumbens medial shell (NAcMed) and produces analgesic and anti-anhedonia effects via D2 and D1 receptors, respectively. In addition, VGluT3DRN → DAVTA inhibition produces pain-like reflexive hypersensitivity and anhedonia-like behavior in intact mice. These findings reveal a crucial role for VGluT3DRN → DAVTA → D2/D1NAcMed pathway in establishing and modulating chronic pain and CAB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Yue Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China
| | - Wen-Bin Jia
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China
| | - Xiang Xu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China
| | - Rui Chen
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China
| | - Liang-Biao Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Su
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China
| | - Peng-Fei Xu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China
| | - Xiao-Qing Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230027, Hefei, China
| | - Jie Wen
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China
| | - Xiao-Yuan Song
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Liu
- Somatosensation and Pain Unit, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China.
| | - Xin-Feng Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China.
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China.
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15
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Monroe SC, Radke AK. Opioid withdrawal: role in addiction and neural mechanisms. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:1417-1433. [PMID: 37162529 PMCID: PMC11166123 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06370-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Withdrawal from opioids involves a negative affective state that promotes maintenance of drug-seeking behavior and relapse. As such, understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying withdrawal from opioid drugs is critical as scientists and clinicians seek to develop new treatments and therapies. In this review, we focus on the neural systems known to mediate the affective and somatic signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal, including the mesolimbic dopaminergic system, basolateral amygdala, extended amygdala, and brain and hormonal stress systems. Evidence from preclinical studies suggests that these systems are altered following opioid exposure and that these changes mediate behavioral signs of negative affect such as aversion and anxiety during withdrawal. Adaptations in these systems also parallel the behavioral and psychological features of opioid use disorder (OUD), highlighting the important role of withdrawal in the development of addictive behavior. Implications for relapse and treatment are discussed as well as promising avenues for future research, with the hope of promoting continued progress toward characterizing neural contributors to opioid withdrawal and compulsive opioid use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean C Monroe
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, 90 N Patterson Ave, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Anna K Radke
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, 90 N Patterson Ave, Oxford, OH, USA.
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16
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Ozdemir D, Allain F, Kieffer BL, Darcq E. Advances in the characterization of negative affect caused by acute and protracted opioid withdrawal using animal models. Neuropharmacology 2023; 232:109524. [PMID: 37003572 PMCID: PMC10844657 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic brain disease which originates from long-term neuroadaptations that develop after repeated opioid consumption and withdrawal episodes. These neuroadaptations lead among other things to the development of a negative affect, which includes loss of motivation for natural rewards, higher anxiety, social deficits, heightened stress reactivity, an inability to identify and describe emotions, physical and/or emotional pain, malaise, dysphoria, sleep disorders and chronic irritability. The urge for relief from this negative affect is one of major causes of relapse, and thus represents a critical challenge for treatment and relapse prevention. Animal models of negative affect induced by opioid withdrawal have recapitulated the development of a negative emotional state with signs such as anhedonia, increased anxiety responses, increased despair-like behaviour and deficits in social interaction. This research has been critical to determine neurocircuitry adaptations during chronic opioid administration or upon withdrawal. In this review, we summarize the recent literature of rodent models of (i) acute withdrawal, (ii) protracted abstinence from passive administration of opioids, (iii) withdrawal or protracted abstinence from opioid self-administration. Finally, we describe neurocircuitry involved in acute withdrawal and protracted abstinence. This article is part of the Special Issue on "Opioid-induced changes in addiction and pain circuits".
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Affiliation(s)
- Dersu Ozdemir
- INSERM U1114, Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, France
| | - Florence Allain
- INSERM U1114, Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, France
| | - Brigitte L Kieffer
- INSERM U1114, Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, France
| | - Emmanuel Darcq
- INSERM U1114, Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, France.
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17
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Liu HM, Liao ML, Liu GX, Wang LJ, Lian D, Ren J, Chi XT, Lv ZR, Liu M, Wu Y, Xu T, Wei JY, Feng X, Jiang B, Zhang XQ, Xin WJ. IPAC integrates rewarding and environmental memory during the acquisition of morphine CPP. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg5849. [PMID: 37352353 PMCID: PMC10289658 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg5849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
The association between rewarding and drug-related memory is a leading factor for the formation of addiction, yet the neural circuits underlying the association remain unclear. Here, we showed that the interstitial nucleus of the posterior limb of the anterior commissure (IPAC) integrated rewarding and environmental memory information by two different receiving projections from ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens shell region (NAcSh) to mediate the acquisition of morphine conditioned place preference (CPP). A projection from the VTA GABAergic neurons (VTAGABA) to the IPAC lateral region GABAergic neurons (IPACLGABA) mediated the effect of morphine rewarding, whereas the pathway from NAcSh dopamine receptor 1-expressing neurons (NAcShD1) to the IPAC medial region GABAergic neurons (IPACMGABA) was involved in the acquisition of environmental memory. These findings demonstrated that the distinct IPAC circuits VTAGABA→IPACLGABA and NAcShD1R→IPACMGABA were attributable to the rewarding and environmental memory during the acquisition of morphine CPP, respectively, and provided the circuit-based potential targets for preventing and treating opioid addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan-Min Liu
- The Institute of Mental Psychology, School of Health Management, The Affiliated Brain Hospital (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510370, China
| | - Ming-Lu Liao
- The Institute of Mental Psychology, School of Health Management, The Affiliated Brain Hospital (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510370, China
| | - Guan-Xi Liu
- The Institute of Mental Psychology, School of Health Management, The Affiliated Brain Hospital (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510370, China
| | - Lai-Jian Wang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan Medical School, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Dian Lian
- The Institute of Mental Psychology, School of Health Management, The Affiliated Brain Hospital (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510370, China
| | - Jie Ren
- The Institute of Mental Psychology, School of Health Management, The Affiliated Brain Hospital (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510370, China
| | - Xin-Tian Chi
- The Institute of Mental Psychology, School of Health Management, The Affiliated Brain Hospital (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510370, China
| | - Zhuo-Ran Lv
- The Institute of Mental Psychology, School of Health Management, The Affiliated Brain Hospital (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510370, China
| | - Meng Liu
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan Medical School, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jia-You Wei
- Neuroscience Program, Zhongshan School of Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Xia Feng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Bin Jiang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan Medical School, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xue-Qin Zhang
- The Institute of Mental Psychology, School of Health Management, The Affiliated Brain Hospital (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510370, China
| | - Wen-Jun Xin
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan Medical School, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Neuroscience Program, Zhongshan School of Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Department of Physiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
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18
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Rasiah NP, Loewen SP, Bains JS. Windows into stress: a glimpse at emerging roles for CRH PVN neurons. Physiol Rev 2023; 103:1667-1691. [PMID: 36395349 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00056.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The corticotropin-releasing hormone cells in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (CRHPVN) control the slow endocrine response to stress. The synapses on these cells are exquisitely sensitive to acute stress, leveraging local signals to leave a lasting imprint on this system. Additionally, recent work indicates that these cells also play key roles in the control of distinct stress and survival behaviors. Here we review these observations and provide a perspective on the role of CRHPVN neurons as integrative and malleable hubs for behavioral, physiological, and endocrine responses to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neilen P Rasiah
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Spencer P Loewen
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jaideep S Bains
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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19
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Bodnar RJ. Endogenous opiates and behavior: 2021. Peptides 2023; 164:171004. [PMID: 36990387 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171004] [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: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
This paper is the forty-fourth consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2021 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonizts and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (1), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (2) and humans (3), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (4), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (5), stress and social status (6), learning and memory (7), eating and drinking (8), drug abuse and alcohol (9), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (10), mental illness and mood (11), seizures and neurologic disorders (12), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (13), general activity and locomotion (14), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (15), cardiovascular responses (16), respiration and thermoregulation (17), and immunological responses (18).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, CUNY, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367, USA.
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20
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Persistent increase of accumbens cocaine ensemble excitability induced by IRK downregulation after withdrawal mediates the incubation of cocaine craving. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:448-462. [PMID: 36481931 PMCID: PMC9812793 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01884-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The incubation phenomenon, cue-induced drug craving progressively increasing over prolonged withdrawal, accounts for persistent relapse, leading to a dilemma in the treatment of cocaine addiction. The role of neuronal ensembles activated by initial cocaine experience in the incubation phenomenon was unclear. In this study, with cocaine self-administration (SA) models, we found that neuronal ensembles in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) showed increasing activation induced by cue-induced drug-seeking after 30-day withdrawal. Inhibition or activation of NAcSh cocaine-ensembles suppressed or promoted craving for cocaine, demonstrating a critical role of NAcSh cocaine-ensembles in incubation for cocaine craving. NAcSh cocaine-ensembles showed a specific increase of membrane excitability and a decrease of inward rectifying channels Kir2.1 currents after 30-day withdrawal. Overexpression of Kir2.1 in NAcSh cocaine-ensembles restored neuronal membrane excitability and suppressed cue-induced drug-seeking after 30-day withdrawal. Expression of dominant-negative Kir2.1 in NAcSh cocaine-ensembles enhanced neuronal membrane excitability and accelerated incubation of cocaine craving. Our results provide a cellular mechanism that the downregulation of Kir2.1 functions in NAcSh cocaine-ensembles induced by prolonged withdrawal mediates the enhancement of ensemble membrane excitability, leading to incubation of cocaine craving.
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21
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Chang S, Fermani F, Lao CL, Huang L, Jakovcevski M, Di Giaimo R, Gagliardi M, Menegaz D, Hennrich AA, Ziller M, Eder M, Klein R, Cai N, Deussing JM. Tripartite extended amygdala-basal ganglia CRH circuit drives locomotor activation and avoidance behavior. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo1023. [PMID: 36383658 PMCID: PMC9668302 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo1023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
An adaptive stress response involves various mediators and circuits orchestrating a complex interplay of physiological, emotional, and behavioral adjustments. We identified a population of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons in the lateral part of the interstitial nucleus of the anterior commissure (IPACL), a subdivision of the extended amygdala, which exclusively innervate the substantia nigra (SN). Specific stimulation of this circuit elicits hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, locomotor activation, and avoidance behavior contingent on CRH receptor type 1 (CRHR1) located at axon terminals in the SN, which originate from external globus pallidus (GPe) neurons. The neuronal activity prompting the observed behavior is shaped by IPACLCRH and GPeCRHR1 neurons coalescing in the SN. These results delineate a previously unidentified tripartite CRH circuit functionally connecting extended amygdala and basal ganglia nuclei to drive locomotor activation and avoidance behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Chang
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Federica Fermani
- Molecules-Signaling-Development, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (in foundation), Martinsried, Germany
| | - Chu-Lan Lao
- Collaborative Research Centre/Sonderforschungsbereich (SFB) 870, Viral Vector Facility, Munich, Germany
| | - Lianyun Huang
- Translational Genetics, Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Mira Jakovcevski
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Rossella Di Giaimo
- Developmental Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples Italy
| | - Miriam Gagliardi
- Genomics of Complex Diseases, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Danusa Menegaz
- Scientific Core Unit Electrophysiology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexandru Adrian Hennrich
- Max von Pettenkofer-Institute Virology, Medical Faculty, and Gene Center, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Ziller
- Scientific Core Unit Electrophysiology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Eder
- Scientific Core Unit Electrophysiology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Klein
- Molecules-Signaling-Development, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (in foundation), Martinsried, Germany
| | - Na Cai
- Translational Genetics, Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Jan M. Deussing
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
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22
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Social defeat drives hyperexcitation of the piriform cortex to induce learning and memory impairment but not mood-related disorders in mice. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:380. [PMID: 36088395 PMCID: PMC9464232 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02151-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical studies have shown that social defeat is an important cause of mood-related disorders, accompanied by learning and memory impairment in humans. The mechanism of mood-related disorders has been widely studied. However, the specific neural network involved in learning and memory impairment caused by social defeat remains unclear. In this study, behavioral test results showed that the mice induced both learning and memory impairments and mood-related disorders after exposure to chronic social defeat stress (CSDS). c-Fos immunofluorescence and fiber photometry recording confirmed that CaMKIIα expressing neurons of the piriform cortex (PC) were selectively activated by exposure to CSDS. Next, chemogenetics and optogenetics were performed to activate PC CaMKIIα expressing neurons, which showed learning and memory impairment but not mood-related disorders. Furthermore, chemogenetic inhibition of PC CaMKIIα expressing neurons significantly alleviated learning and memory impairment induced by exposure to CSDS but did not relieve mood-related disorders. Therefore, our data suggest that the overactivation of PC CaMKIIα expressing neurons mediates CSDS-induced learning and memory impairment, but not mood-related disorders, and provides a potential therapeutic target for learning and memory impairment induced by social defeat.
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23
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Ray MH, Williams BR, Kuppe MK, Bryant CD, Logan RW. A Glitch in the Matrix: The Role of Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Opioid Use Disorder. Front Integr Neurosci 2022; 16:899637. [PMID: 35757099 PMCID: PMC9218427 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2022.899637] [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: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) and deaths from drug overdoses have reached unprecedented levels. Given the enormous impact of the opioid crisis on public health, a more thorough, in-depth understanding of the consequences of opioids on the brain is required to develop novel interventions and pharmacological therapeutics. In the brain, the effects of opioids are far reaching, from genes to cells, synapses, circuits, and ultimately behavior. Accumulating evidence implicates a primary role for the extracellular matrix (ECM) in opioid-induced plasticity of synapses and circuits, and the development of dependence and addiction to opioids. As a network of proteins and polysaccharides, including cell adhesion molecules, proteases, and perineuronal nets, the ECM is intimately involved in both the formation and structural support of synapses. In the human brain, recent findings support an association between altered ECM signaling and OUD, particularly within the cortical and striatal circuits involved in cognition, reward, and craving. Furthermore, the ECM signaling proteins, including matrix metalloproteinases and proteoglycans, are directly involved in opioid seeking, craving, and relapse behaviors in rodent opioid models. Both the impact of opioids on the ECM and the role of ECM signaling proteins in opioid use disorder, may, in part, depend on biological sex. Here, we highlight the current evidence supporting sex-specific roles for ECM signaling proteins in the brain and their associations with OUD. We emphasize knowledge gaps and future directions to further investigate the potential of the ECM as a therapeutic target for the treatment of OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madelyn H Ray
- Laboratory of Sleep, Rhythms, and Addiction, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Benjamin R Williams
- Laboratory of Sleep, Rhythms, and Addiction, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Madeline K Kuppe
- Laboratory of Sleep, Rhythms, and Addiction, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Camron D Bryant
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States.,Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ryan W Logan
- Laboratory of Sleep, Rhythms, and Addiction, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States.,Genome Science Institute, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
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