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Runyon K, Bui T, Mazanek S, Hartle A, Marschalko K, Howe WM. Distinct cholinergic circuits underlie discrete effects of reward on attention. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1429316. [PMID: 39268248 PMCID: PMC11390659 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1429316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Attention and reward are functions that are critical for the control of behavior, and massive multi-region neural systems have evolved to support the discrete computations associated with each. Previous research has also identified that attention and reward interact, though our understanding of the neural mechanisms that mediate this interplay is incomplete. Here, we review the basic neuroanatomy of attention, reward, and cholinergic systems. We then examine specific contexts in which attention and reward computations interact. Building on this work, we propose two discrete neural circuits whereby acetylcholine, released from cell groups located in different parts of the brain, mediates the impact of stimulus-reward associations as well as motivation on attentional control. We conclude by examining these circuits as a potential shared loci of dysfunction across diseases states associated with deficits in attention and reward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Runyon
- School of Neuroscience at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Tung Bui
- School of Neuroscience at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Sarah Mazanek
- School of Neuroscience at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Alec Hartle
- School of Neuroscience at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Katie Marschalko
- School of Neuroscience at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
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2
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Xu Y, Lin Y, Yu M, Zhou K. The nucleus accumbens in reward and aversion processing: insights and implications. Front Behav Neurosci 2024; 18:1420028. [PMID: 39184934 PMCID: PMC11341389 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1420028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens (NAc), a central component of the brain's reward circuitry, has been implicated in a wide range of behaviors and emotional states. Emerging evidence, primarily drawing from recent rodent studies, suggests that the function of the NAc in reward and aversion processing is multifaceted. Prolonged stress or drug use induces maladaptive neuronal function in the NAc circuitry, which results in pathological conditions. This review aims to provide comprehensive and up-to-date insights on the role of the NAc in motivated behavior regulation and highlights areas that demand further in-depth analysis. It synthesizes the latest findings on how distinct NAc neuronal populations and pathways contribute to the processing of opposite valences. The review examines how a range of neuromodulators, especially monoamines, influence the NAc's control over various motivational states. Furthermore, it delves into the complex underlying mechanisms of psychiatric disorders such as addiction and depression and evaluates prospective interventions to restore NAc functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kuikui Zhou
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, China
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3
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Alonso-Lozares I, Wilbers P, Asperl L, Teijsse S, van der Neut C, Schetters D, van Mourik Y, McDonald AJ, Heistek T, Mansvelder HD, De Vries TJ, Marchant NJ. Lateral hypothalamic GABAergic neurons encode alcohol memories. Curr Biol 2024; 34:1086-1097.e6. [PMID: 38423016 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.01.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
In alcohol use disorder, the alcohol memories persist during abstinence, and exposure to stimuli associated with alcohol use can lead to relapse. This highlights the importance of investigating the neural substrates underlying not only relapse but also encoding and expression of alcohol memories. GABAergic neurons in the lateral hypothalamus (LH-GABA) have been shown to be critical for food-cue memories and motivation; however, the extent to which this role extends to alcohol-cue memories and motivations remains unexplored. In this study, we aimed to describe how alcohol-related memories are encoded and expressed in LH GABAergic neurons. Our first step was to monitor LH-GABA calcium transients during acquisition, extinction, and reinstatement of an alcohol-cue memory using fiber photometry. We trained the rats on a Pavlovian conditioning task, where one conditioned stimulus (CS+) predicted alcohol (20% EtOH) and another conditioned stimulus (CS-) had no outcome. We then extinguished this association through non-reinforced presentations of the CS+ and CS- and finally, in two different groups, we measured relapse under non-primed and alcohol-primed induced reinstatement. Our results show that initially both cues caused increased LH-GABA activity, and after learning only the alcohol cue increased LH-GABA activity. After extinction, this activity decreases, and we found no differences in LH-GABA activity during reinstatement in either group. Next, we inhibited LH-GABA neurons with optogenetics to show that activity of these neurons is necessary for the formation of an alcohol-cue association. These findings suggest that LH-GABA might be involved in attentional processes modulated by learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isis Alonso-Lozares
- Department of Anatomy & Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands; Compulsivity Impulsivity and Attention, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands
| | - Pelle Wilbers
- Department of Anatomy & Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands; Compulsivity Impulsivity and Attention, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands
| | - Lina Asperl
- Department of Anatomy & Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands; Compulsivity Impulsivity and Attention, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands
| | - Sem Teijsse
- Department of Anatomy & Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands; Compulsivity Impulsivity and Attention, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands
| | - Charlotte van der Neut
- Department of Anatomy & Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands; Compulsivity Impulsivity and Attention, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands
| | - Dustin Schetters
- Department of Anatomy & Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands; Compulsivity Impulsivity and Attention, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands
| | - Yvar van Mourik
- Department of Anatomy & Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands; Compulsivity Impulsivity and Attention, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands
| | - Allison J McDonald
- Department of Anatomy & Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands; Compulsivity Impulsivity and Attention, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands
| | - Tim Heistek
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands
| | - Huibert D Mansvelder
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands
| | - Taco J De Vries
- Department of Anatomy & Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands; Compulsivity Impulsivity and Attention, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands
| | - Nathan J Marchant
- Department of Anatomy & Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands; Compulsivity Impulsivity and Attention, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, the Netherlands.
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4
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You C, Krishnan HR, Chen Y, Zhang H, Drnevich J, Pinna G, Guidotti A, Glover EJ, Lasek AW, Grayson DR, Pandey SC, Brodie MS. Transcriptional Dysregulation of Cholesterol Synthesis Underlies Hyposensitivity to GABA in the Ventral Tegmental Area During Acute Alcohol Withdrawal. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 95:275-285. [PMID: 37562519 PMCID: PMC10840816 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is a dopaminergic brain area that is critical in the development and maintenance of addiction. During withdrawal from chronic ethanol exposure, the response of VTA neurons to GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is reduced through an epigenetically regulated mechanism. In the current study, a whole-genome transcriptomic approach was used to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism of GABA hyposensitivity in the VTA during withdrawal after chronic ethanol exposure. METHODS We performed RNA sequencing of the VTA of Sprague Dawley male rats withdrawn for 24 hours from a chronic ethanol diet as well as sequencing of the VTA of control rats fed the Lieber-DeCarli diet. RNA sequencing data were analyzed using weighted gene coexpression network analysis to identify modules that contained coexpressed genes. Validation was performed with quantitative polymerase chain reaction, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and electrophysiological assays. RESULTS Pathway and network analysis of weighted gene coexpression network analysis module 1 revealed a significant downregulation of genes associated with the cholesterol synthesis pathway. Consistent with this association, VTA cholesterol levels were significantly decreased during withdrawal. Chromatin immunoprecipitation indicated a decrease in levels of acetylated H3K27 at the transcriptional control regions of these genes. Electrophysiological studies in VTA slices demonstrated that GABA hyposensitivity during withdrawal was normalized by addition of exogenous cholesterol. In addition, inhibition of cholesterol synthesis produced GABA hyposensitivity, which was reversed by adding exogenous cholesterol to VTA slices. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that decreased expression of cholesterol synthesis genes may regulate GABA hyposensitivity of VTA neurons during alcohol withdrawal. Increasing cholesterol levels in the brain may be a novel avenue for therapeutic intervention to reverse detrimental effects of chronic alcohol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang You
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Harish R Krishnan
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Ying Chen
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Huaibo Zhang
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jenny Drnevich
- Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Graziano Pinna
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Alessandro Guidotti
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Elizabeth J Glover
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Amy W Lasek
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Dennis R Grayson
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Subhash C Pandey
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Mark S Brodie
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
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5
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Black EM, Samels SB, Xu W, Barson JR, Bass CE, Kortagere S, España RA. Hypocretin / Orexin Receptor 1 Knockdown in GABA or Dopamine Neurons in the Ventral Tegmental Area Differentially Impact Mesolimbic Dopamine and Motivation for Cocaine. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2023; 7:100104. [PMID: 37854172 PMCID: PMC10583964 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2023.100104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
The hypocretins/orexins (HCRT) have been demonstrated to influence motivation for cocaine through actions on dopamine (DA) transmission. Pharmacological or genetic disruption of the hypocretin receptor 1 (Hcrtr1) reduces cocaine self-administration, blocks reinstatement of cocaine seeking, and decreases conditioned place preference for cocaine. These effects are likely mediated through actions in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and resulting alterations in DA transmission. For example, HCRT drives VTA DA neuron activity and enhances the effects of cocaine on DA transmission, while disrupting Hcrtr1 attenuates DA responses to cocaine. These findings have led to the perspective that HCRT exerts its effects through Hcrtr1 actions in VTA DA neurons. However, this assumption is complicated by the observation that Hcrtr1 are present on both DA and GABA neurons in the VTA and HCRT drives the activity of both neuronal populations. To address this issue, we selectively knocked down Hcrtr1 on either DA or GABA neurons in the VTA and examined alterations in DA transmission and cocaine self-administration in female and male rats. We found that Hcrtr1 knockdown in DA neurons decreased DA responses to cocaine, increased days to acquire cocaine self-administration, and reduced motivation for cocaine. Although, Hcrtr1 knockdown in GABA neurons enhanced DA responses to cocaine, this manipulation did not affect cocaine self-administration. These observations indicate that while Hcrtr1 on DA versus GABA neurons exert opposing effects on DA transmission, only Hcrtr1 on DA neurons affected acquisition or motivation for cocaine - suggesting a complex interplay between DA transmission and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M. Black
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129
| | - Shanna B. Samels
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129
| | - Jessica R. Barson
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129
| | - Caroline E. Bass
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo NY 14214
| | - Sandhya Kortagere
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129
| | - Rodrigo A. España
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129
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Scott A, Palmer D, Newell B, Lin I, Cayton CA, Paulson A, Remde P, Richard JM. Ventral Pallidal GABAergic Neuron Calcium Activity Encodes Cue-Driven Reward Seeking and Persists in the Absence of Reward Delivery. J Neurosci 2023; 43:5191-5203. [PMID: 37339880 PMCID: PMC10342224 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0013-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Reward-seeking behavior is often initiated by environmental cues that signal reward availability. This is a necessary behavioral response; however, cue reactivity and reward-seeking behavior can become maladaptive. To better understand how cue-elicited reward seeking becomes maladaptive, it is important to understand the neural circuits involved in assigning appetitive value to rewarding cues and actions. Ventral pallidum (VP) neurons are known to contribute to cue-elicited reward-seeking behavior and have heterogeneous responses in a discriminative stimulus (DS) task. The VP neuronal subtypes and output pathways that encode distinct aspects of the DS task remain unknown. Here, we used an intersectional viral approach with fiber photometry to record bulk calcium activity in VP GABAergic (VP GABA) neurons in male and female rats as they learned and performed the DS task. We found that VP GABA neurons are excited by reward-predictive cues but not neutral cues and that this response develops over time. We also found that this cue-evoked response predicts reward-seeking behavior and that inhibiting this VP GABA activity during cue presentation decreases reward-seeking behavior. Additionally, we found increased VP GABA calcium activity at the time of expected reward delivery, which occurred even on trials when reward was omitted. Together, these findings suggest that VP GABA neurons encode reward expectation, and calcium activity in these neurons encodes the vigor of cue-elicited reward seeking.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT VP circuitry is a major driver of cue-evoked behaviors. Previous work has found that VP neurons have heterogenous responses and contributions to reward-seeking behavior. This functional heterogeneity is because of differences of neurochemical subtypes and projections of VP neurons. Understanding the heterogenous responses among and within VP neuronal cell types is a necessary step in further understanding how cue-evoked behavior becomes maladaptive. Our work explores the canonical GABAergic VP neuron and how the calcium activity of these cells encodes components of cue-evoked reward seeking, including the vigor and persistence of reward seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Scott
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Dakota Palmer
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Bailey Newell
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Iris Lin
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Christelle A Cayton
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Anika Paulson
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Paige Remde
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Jocelyn M Richard
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
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7
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Zhou WL, Kim K, Ali F, Pittenger ST, Calarco CA, Mineur YS, Ramakrishnan C, Deisseroth K, Kwan AC, Picciotto MR. Activity of a direct VTA to ventral pallidum GABA pathway encodes unconditioned reward value and sustains motivation for reward. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm5217. [PMID: 36260661 PMCID: PMC9581470 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm5217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine signaling from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) plays critical roles in reward-related behaviors, but less is known about the functions of neighboring VTA GABAergic neurons. We show here that a primary target of VTA GABA projection neurons is the ventral pallidum (VP). Activity of VTA-to-VP-projecting GABA neurons correlates consistently with size and palatability of the reward and does not change following cue learning, providing a direct measure of reward value. Chemogenetic stimulation of this GABA projection increased activity of a subset of VP neurons that were active while mice were seeking reward. Optogenetic stimulation of this pathway improved performance in a cue-reward task and maintained motivation to work for reward over days. This VTA GABA projection provides information about reward value directly to the VP, likely distinct from the prediction error signal carried by VTA dopamine neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Liang Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, 34 Park Street, New Haven, CT 06508, USA
| | - Kristen Kim
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Farhan Ali
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, 34 Park Street, New Haven, CT 06508, USA
| | - Steven T. Pittenger
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, 34 Park Street, New Haven, CT 06508, USA
| | - Cali A. Calarco
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Yann S. Mineur
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, 34 Park Street, New Haven, CT 06508, USA
| | - Charu Ramakrishnan
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Karl Deisseroth
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Alex C. Kwan
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, 34 Park Street, New Haven, CT 06508, USA
| | - Marina R. Picciotto
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, 34 Park Street, New Haven, CT 06508, USA
- Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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8
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Kim MJ, Kaang BK. Distinct cell populations of ventral tegmental area process motivated behavior. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY 2022; 26:307-312. [PMID: 36039731 PMCID: PMC9437368 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2022.26.5.307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Min Jung Kim
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Bong-Kiun Kaang
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
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9
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Kelly EA, Contreras J, Duan A, Vassell R, Fudge JL. Unbiased Stereological Estimates of Dopaminergic and GABAergic Neurons in the A10, A9, and A8 Subregions in the Young Male Macaque. Neuroscience 2022; 496:152-164. [PMID: 35738547 PMCID: PMC9329254 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The ventral midbrain is the primary source of dopamine- (DA) expressing neurons in most species. GABA-ergic and glutamatergic cell populations are intermixed among DA-expressing cells and purported to regulate both local and long-range dopamine neuron activity. Most work has been conducted in rodent models, however due to evolutionary expansion of the ventral midbrain in primates, the increased size and complexity of DA subpopulations warrants further investigation. Here, we quantified the number of DA neurons, and their GABA-ergic complement in classic DA cell groups A10 (midline ventral tegmental area nuclei [VTA] and parabrachial pigmented nucleus [PBP]), A9 (substantia nigra, pars compacta [SNc]) and A8 (retrorubral field [RRF]) in the macaque. Because the PBP is a disproportionately expanded feature of the A10 group, and has unique connectional features in monkeys, we analyzed A10 data by dividing it into 'classic' midline nuclei and the PBP. Unbiased stereology revealed total putative DA neuron counts to be 210,238 ± 17,127 (A10 = 110,319 ± 9649, A9 = 87,399 ± 7751 and A8 = 12,520 ± 827). Putative GABAergic neurons were fewer overall, and evenly dispersed across the DA subpopulations (GAD67 = 71,215 ± 5663; A10 = 16,836 ± 2743; A9 = 24,855 ± 3144 and A8 = 12,633 ± 3557). Calculating the GAD67/TH ratio for each subregion revealed differential balances of these two cell types across the DA subregions. The A8 subregion had the highest complement of GAD67-positive neurons compared to TH-positive neurons (1:1), suggesting a potentially high capacity for GABAergic inhibition of DA output in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A Kelly
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, United States
| | - Jancy Contreras
- Department of Neuroscience, The City University of New York, United States
| | - Annie Duan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, United States
| | - Rochelle Vassell
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, United States
| | - Julie L Fudge
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, United States.
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10
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Fernandez-Leon JA, Engelke DS, Aquino-Miranda G, Goodson A, Rasheed MN, Do Monte FH. Neural correlates and determinants of approach-avoidance conflict in the prelimbic prefrontal cortex. eLife 2021; 10:74950. [PMID: 34913438 PMCID: PMC8853658 DOI: 10.7554/elife.74950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The recollection of environmental cues associated with threat or reward allows animals to select the most appropriate behavioral responses. Neurons in the prelimbic (PL) cortex respond to both threat- and reward-associated cues. However, it remains unknown whether PL regulates threat-avoidance vs. reward-approaching responses when an animals’ decision depends on previously associated memories. Using a conflict model in which male Long–Evans rats retrieve memories of shock- and food-paired cues, we observed two distinct phenotypes during conflict: (1) rats that continued to press a lever for food (Pressers) and (2) rats that exhibited a complete suppression in food seeking (Non-pressers). Single-unit recordings revealed that increased risk-taking behavior in Pressers is associated with persistent food-cue responses in PL, and reduced spontaneous activity in PL glutamatergic (PLGLUT) neurons during conflict. Activating PLGLUT neurons in Pressers attenuated food-seeking responses in a neutral context, whereas inhibiting PLGLUT neurons in Non-pressers reduced defensive responses and increased food approaching during conflict. Our results establish a causal role for PLGLUT neurons in mediating individual variability in memory-based risky decision-making by regulating threat-avoidance vs. reward-approach behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Douglas S Engelke
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, United States
| | - Guillermo Aquino-Miranda
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, United States
| | | | - Maria N Rasheed
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, United States
| | - Fabricio H Do Monte
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, United States
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11
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Ventral tegmental area GABA neurons mediate stress-induced blunted reward-seeking in mice. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3539. [PMID: 34112787 PMCID: PMC8192742 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23906-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Decreased pleasure-seeking (anhedonia) forms a core symptom of depression. Stressful experiences precipitate depression and disrupt reward-seeking, but it remains unclear how stress causes anhedonia. We recorded simultaneous neural activity across limbic brain areas as mice underwent stress and discovered a stress-induced 4 Hz oscillation in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) that predicts the degree of subsequent blunted reward-seeking. Surprisingly, while previous studies on blunted reward-seeking focused on dopamine (DA) transmission from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the NAc, we found that VTA GABA, but not DA, neurons mediate stress-induced blunted reward-seeking. Inhibiting VTA GABA neurons disrupts stress-induced NAc oscillations and rescues reward-seeking. By contrast, mimicking this signature of stress by stimulating NAc-projecting VTA GABA neurons at 4 Hz reproduces both oscillations and blunted reward-seeking. Finally, we find that stress disrupts VTA GABA, but not DA, neural encoding of reward anticipation. Thus, stress elicits VTA-NAc GABAergic activity that induces VTA GABA mediated blunted reward-seeking.
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12
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Farrell MR, Esteban JSD, Faget L, Floresco SB, Hnasko TS, Mahler SV. Ventral Pallidum GABA Neurons Mediate Motivation Underlying Risky Choice. J Neurosci 2021; 41:4500-4513. [PMID: 33837052 PMCID: PMC8152612 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2039-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Pursuing rewards while avoiding danger is an essential function of any nervous system. Here, we examine a new mechanism helping rats negotiate the balance between risk and reward when making high-stakes decisions. Specifically, we focus on GABA neurons within an emerging mesolimbic circuit nexus: the ventral pallidum (VP). These neurons play a distinct role from other VP neurons in simple motivated behaviors in mice, but their role in more complex motivated behaviors is unknown. Here, we interrogate the behavioral functions of VPGABA neurons in male and female transgenic GAD1:Cre rats (and WT littermates), using a reversible chemogenetic inhibition approach. Using a behavioral assay of risky decision-making, and of the food-seeking and shock-avoidance components of this task, we show that engaging inhibitory Gi/o signaling specifically in VPGABA neurons suppresses motivation to pursue highly salient palatable foods, and possibly also motivation to avoid being shocked. In contrast, inhibiting these neurons did not affect seeking of low-value food, free consumption of palatable food, or unconditioned affective responses to shock. Accordingly, when rats considered whether to pursue food despite potential for shock in a risky decision-making task, inhibiting VPGABA neurons caused them to more readily select a small but safe reward over a large but dangerous one, an effect not seen in the absence of shock threat. Together, results indicate that VPGABA neurons are critical for high-stakes adaptive responding that is necessary for survival, but which may also malfunction in psychiatric disorders.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In a dynamic world, it is essential to implement appropriate behaviors under circumstances involving rewards, threats, or both. Here, we demonstrate a crucial role for VPGABA neurons in high-stakes motivated behavior of several types. We show that this VPGABA role in motivation impacts decision-making, as inhibiting these neurons yields a conservative, risk-averse strategy not seen when the task is performed without threat of shock. These new roles for VPGABA neurons in behavior may inform future strategies for treating addiction, and other disorders of maladaptive decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell R Farrell
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, University of California, Irvine, California 92697
| | | | - Lauren Faget
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, California 92093
| | - Stan B Floresco
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Thomas S Hnasko
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, California 92093
- VASDHS Research Service, San Diego, California 92161
| | - Stephen V Mahler
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, University of California, Irvine, California 92697
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13
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Vachez YM, Tooley JR, Abiraman K, Matikainen-Ankney B, Casey E, Earnest T, Ramos LM, Silberberg H, Godynyuk E, Uddin O, Marconi L, Le Pichon CE, Creed MC. Ventral arkypallidal neurons inhibit accumbal firing to promote reward consumption. Nat Neurosci 2021; 24:379-390. [PMID: 33495635 PMCID: PMC7933121 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-020-00772-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) and the ventral pallidum (VP) are critical for reward processing, although the question of how coordinated activity within these nuclei orchestrates reward valuation and consumption remains unclear. Inhibition of NAcSh firing is necessary for reward consumption, but the source of this inhibition remains unknown. Here, we report that a subpopulation of VP neurons, the ventral arkypallidal (vArky) neurons, project back to the NAcSh, where they inhibit NAcSh neurons in vivo in mice. Consistent with this pathway driving reward consumption via inhibition of the NAcSh, calcium activity of vArky neurons scaled with reward palatability (which was dissociable from reward seeking) and predicted the subsequent drinking behavior during a free-access paradigm. Activation of the VP-NAcSh pathway increased ongoing reward consumption while amplifying hedonic reactions to reward. These results establish a pivotal role for vArky neurons in the promotion of reward consumption through modulation of NAcSh firing in a value-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvan M. Vachez
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Jessica R. Tooley
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Kavitha Abiraman
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | | | - Eric Casey
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis Missouri
| | - Tom Earnest
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri,Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis Missouri
| | - Leana M. Ramos
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda Maryland
| | - Hanna Silberberg
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda Maryland
| | - Elizabeth Godynyuk
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri,Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis Missouri
| | - Olivia Uddin
- University of Maryland, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Baltimore Maryland
| | - Lauren Marconi
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia Pennsylvania
| | - Claire E. Le Pichon
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda Maryland
| | - Meaghan C. Creed
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri,Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis Missouri,Departments of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri,Correspondence: Meaghan C. Creed,
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14
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Crouse CM, Nicola SM. The Ventral Tegmental Area to Accumbens GABAergic Projection: Promoting Prediction or Engineering Extinction? Biol Psychiatry 2021; 89:326-327. [PMID: 33478680 PMCID: PMC7976660 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Charles M. Crouse
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert
Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461
| | - Saleem M. Nicola
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert
Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert
Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461
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15
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Wakabayashi KT, Feja M, Leigh MPK, Baindur AN, Suarez M, Meyer PJ, Bass CE. Chemogenetic Activation of Mesoaccumbal Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Projections Selectively Tunes Responses to Predictive Cues When Reward Value Is Abruptly Decreased. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 89:366-375. [PMID: 33168181 PMCID: PMC8570639 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mesolimbic circuits regulate the attribution of motivational significance to incentive cues that predict reward, yet this network also plays a key role in adapting reward-seeking behavior when the contingencies linked to a cue unexpectedly change. Here, we asked whether mesoaccumbal GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) projections enhance adaptive responding to incentive cues of abruptly altered reward value, and whether these effects were distinct from global activation of all ventral tegmental area GABA circuits. METHODS We used a viral targeting system to chemogenetically activate mesoaccumbal GABA projections in male rats during a novel cue-dependent operant value-shifting task, in which the volume of a sucrose reward associated with a predictive cue is suddenly altered, from the beginning and throughout the session. We compared the results with global activation of ventral tegmental area GABA neurons, which will activate local inhibitory circuits and long loop projections. RESULTS We found that activation of mesoaccumbal GABA projections decreases responding to incentive cues associated with smaller-than-expected rewards. This tuning of behavioral responses was specific to cues associated with smaller-than-expected rewards but did not impact measures related to consuming the reward. In marked contrast, activating all ventral tegmental area GABA neurons resulted in a uniform decrease in responding to incentive cues irrespective of changes in the size of the reward. CONCLUSIONS Targeted activation of mesoaccumbal GABA neurons facilitates adaptation in reward-seeking behaviors. This suggests that these projections may play a very specific role in associative learning processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken T Wakabayashi
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska
| | - Malte Feja
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Martin P K Leigh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Ajay N Baindur
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Mauricio Suarez
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York; Clinical Research Institute on Addictions, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Paul J Meyer
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Caroline E Bass
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York; Clinical Research Institute on Addictions, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York.
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16
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Enhancing GABAergic Tone in the Rostral Nucleus of the Solitary Tract Reconfigures Sensorimotor Neural Activity. J Neurosci 2021; 41:489-501. [PMID: 33234608 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0388-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent work has shown that most cells in the rostral, gustatory portion of the nucleus tractus solitarius (rNTS) in awake, freely licking rats show lick-related firing. However, the relationship between taste-related and lick-related activity in rNTS remains unclear. Here, we tested whether GABA-derived inhibitory activity regulates the balance of lick- and taste-driven neuronal activity. Combinatorial viral tools were used to restrict the expression of channelrhodopsin 2-enhanced yellow fluorescent protein to GAD1+ GABAergic neurons. Viral infusions were bilateral in rNTS. A fiber-optic fiber attached to a bundle of drivable microwires was later implanted into the rNTS. After recovery, water-deprived rats were presented with taste stimuli in an experimental chamber. Trials were five consecutive taste licks [NaCl, KCl, NH4Cl, sucrose, monosodium glutamate/inosine-5'-monophosphate, citric acid, quinine, or artificial saliva (AS)] separated by five AS rinse licks on a variable ratio 5 schedule. Each taste lick triggered a 1 s train of laser light (25 Hz; 473 nm; 8-10 mW) in a random half of the trials. In all, 113 cells were recorded in the rNTS, 50 cells responded to one or more taste stimuli without GABA enhancement. Selective changes in response magnitude (spike count) within cells shifted across-unit patterns but preserved interstimulus relationships. Cells where enhanced GABAergic tone increased lick coherence conveyed more information distinguishing basic taste qualities and different salts than other cells. In addition, GABA activation significantly amplified the amount of information that discriminated palatable versus unpalatable tastants. By dynamically regulating lick coherence and remodeling the across-unit response patterns to taste, enhancing GABAergic tone in rNTS reconfigures the neural activity reflecting sensation and movement.
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17
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Wang ZY, Guo LK, Han X, Song R, Dong GM, Ma CM, Wu N, Li J. Naltrexone attenuates methamphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization and conditioned place preference in mice. Behav Brain Res 2020; 399:112971. [PMID: 33075396 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine addiction causes serious public health problems worldwide. However, there is no effective medication licensed for methamphetamine addiction. The endogenous opioid system is considered to be a common substrate in drug addiction due to its regulation of dopamine release. In recent clinical trials, (-)-naltrexone, an opioid receptors and Toll-like receptor 4 antagonist, has exhibited encouraging findings for treating methamphetamine addiction; however, the understanding of its pharmacological mechanisms remains insufficient. By using mice models of behavioral sensitization and conditioned place preference (CPP), the present study was performed to investigate the effects of naltrexone on the methamphetamine-associated properties of incentive salience and reward-related memory, the two crucial factors for the development of addictive process and relapse. We found that naltrexone reduced single methamphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion in mice. In the paradigm of methamphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization paired with contextual cues in mice, naltrexone suppressed the development and expression of locomotor sensitization, suggesting the decrease in incentive salience to methamphetamine and context. In the methamphetamine-induced CPP paradigm in mice, naltrexone attenuated both the expression and methamphetamine-priming reinstatement of CPP response, suggesting the impairment of either contextual cue- or drug-induced retrieval of methamphetamine-associated memory. After the establishment of methamphetamine-induced CPP in mice, naltrexone treatment during the extinction training produced conditioned place adverse response, suggesting that naltrexone facilitated negative affection-associated extinction learning. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that naltrexone could intervene in the properties of incentive salience and reward-related memory in methamphetamine addiction, which may contribute to its therapeutic effects on methamphetamine addicts in clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Yuan Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Liang-Kun Guo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Xiao Han
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Rui Song
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Guo-Ming Dong
- Beijing Hwellso Pharmacuetial Co., Ltd. No.1 Jinguang North Street, Liangxiang Town Industrial Development Are, Fangshan District, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Chun-Ming Ma
- Beijing Hwellso Pharmacuetial Co., Ltd. No.1 Jinguang North Street, Liangxiang Town Industrial Development Are, Fangshan District, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Ning Wu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China.
| | - Jin Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China.
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18
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Gordon-Fennell AG, Will RG, Ramachandra V, Gordon-Fennell L, Dominguez JM, Zahm DS, Marinelli M. The Lateral Preoptic Area: A Novel Regulator of Reward Seeking and Neuronal Activity in the Ventral Tegmental Area. Front Neurosci 2020; 13:1433. [PMID: 32009893 PMCID: PMC6978721 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The lateral preoptic area (LPO) is a hypothalamic region whose function has been largely unexplored. Its direct and indirect projections to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) suggest that the LPO could modulate the activity of the VTA and the reward-related behaviors that the VTA underlies. We examined the role of the LPO on reward taking and seeking using operant self-administration of cocaine or sucrose. Rats were trained to self-administer cocaine or sucrose and then subjected to extinction, whereby responding was no longer reinforced. We tested if stimulating the LPO pharmacologically with bicuculline or chemogenetically with Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) modifies self-administration and/or seeking. In another set of experiments, we tested if manipulating the LPO influences cocaine self-administration during and after punishment. To examine the functional connectivity between the LPO and VTA, we used in vivo electrophysiology recordings in anesthetized rats. We tested if stimulating the LPO modifies the activity of GABA and dopamine neurons of the VTA. We found that stimulating the LPO reinstated cocaine and sucrose seeking behavior but had no effect on reward intake. Furthermore, both stimulating and inhibiting the LPO prevented the sustained reduction in cocaine intake seen after punishment. Finally, stimulating the LPO inhibited the activity of VTA GABA neurons while enhancing that of VTA dopamine neurons. These findings indicate that the LPO has the capacity to drive reward seeking, modulate sustained reductions in self-administration following punishment, and regulate the activity of VTA neurons. Taken together, these findings implicate the LPO as a previously overlooked member of the reward circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam G Gordon-Fennell
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Ryan G Will
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Vorani Ramachandra
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Lydia Gordon-Fennell
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Juan M Dominguez
- Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Daniel S Zahm
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Michela Marinelli
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
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19
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Feja M, Leigh MPK, Baindur AN, McGraw JJ, Wakabayashi KT, Cravatt BF, Bass CE. The novel MAGL inhibitor MJN110 enhances responding to reward-predictive incentive cues by activation of CB1 receptors. Neuropharmacology 2020; 162:107814. [PMID: 31628934 PMCID: PMC6983961 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
CB1 receptor antagonists disrupt operant responding for food and drug reinforcers, and cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine and heroin seeking. Conversely, enhancing endocannabinoid signaling, particularly 2-arachidonyl glycerol (2-AG), by inhibition of monoacyl glycerol lipase (MAGL), may facilitate some aspects of reward seeking. To determine how endocannabinoid signaling affects responding to reward-predictive cues, we employed an operant task that allows us to parse the incentive motivational properties of cues. Rats were required to nosepoke during an intermittent audiovisual incentive cue (IC) to obtain a 10% sucrose reward. The CB1 receptor antagonist, rimonabant, dose-dependently decreased the response ratio (rewarded ICs/total presented) and active nosepokes per IC, while it increased the latency to respond to the cue and obtain the reward, indicating an overall decrease in both the choice and vigor of responding. Yet rats persisted in entering the reward cup. Using a modified version of the task, the novel MAGL inhibitor MJN110 increased the response ratio, decreased the latencies to respond to the IC and enhanced active nosepokes per IC, indicating a facilitation of cue-induced reward seeking. These effects were blocked by a subthreshold dose of rimonabant. Finally, MJN110 did not alter consumption of freely available sucrose within volumes obtained in the operant task. Together these data demonstrate blocking endocannabinoid tone at the CB1 receptor attenuates the ability of cues to induce reward seeking, while some aspects of motivation for the reward are retained. Conversely, enhancing 2-AG signaling at CB1 receptors facilitates IC responding and increases the motivational properties of the IC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malte Feja
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, 955 Main St, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
| | - Martin P K Leigh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, 955 Main St, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
| | - Ajay N Baindur
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, 955 Main St, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
| | - Justin J McGraw
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, 955 Main St, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
| | - Ken T Wakabayashi
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1220 T. Street, Lincoln, NE, 68503, USA.
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
| | - Caroline E Bass
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, 955 Main St, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
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20
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Bouarab C, Thompson B, Polter AM. VTA GABA Neurons at the Interface of Stress and Reward. Front Neural Circuits 2019; 13:78. [PMID: 31866835 PMCID: PMC6906177 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2019.00078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is best known for its robust dopaminergic projections to forebrain regions and their critical role in regulating reward, motivation, cognition, and aversion. However, the VTA is not only made of dopamine (DA) cells, as approximately 30% of cells in the VTA are GABA neurons. These neurons play a dual role, as VTA GABA neurons provide both local inhibition of VTA DA neurons and long-range inhibition of several distal brain regions. VTA GABA neurons have increasingly been recognized as potent mediators of reward and aversion in their own right, as well as potential targets for the treatment of addiction, depression, and other stress-linked disorders. In this review article, we dissect the circuit architecture, physiology, and behavioral roles of VTA GABA neurons and suggest critical gaps to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Bouarab
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Institute for Neuroscience, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Brittney Thompson
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Institute for Neuroscience, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Abigail M Polter
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Institute for Neuroscience, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
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21
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Guo LK, Wang ZY, Lu GY, Wu N, Dong GM, Ma CM, Zhang RL, Song R, Li J. Inhibition of naltrexone on relapse in methamphetamine self-administration and conditioned place preference in rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 865:172671. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.172671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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22
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Kardos J, Dobolyi Á, Szabó Z, Simon Á, Lourmet G, Palkovits M, Héja L. Molecular Plasticity of the Nucleus Accumbens Revisited-Astrocytic Waves Shall Rise. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:7950-7965. [PMID: 31134458 PMCID: PMC6834761 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-1641-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Part of the ventral striatal division, the nucleus accumbens (NAc) drives the circuit activity of an entire macrosystem about reward like a "flagship," signaling and leading diverse conducts. Accordingly, NAc neurons feature complex inhibitory phenotypes that assemble to process circuit inputs and generate outputs by exploiting specific arrays of opposite and/or parallel neurotransmitters, neuromodulatory peptides. The resulting complex combinations enable versatile yet specific forms of accumbal circuit plasticity, including maladaptive behaviors. Although reward signaling and behavior are elaborately linked to neuronal circuit activities, it is plausible to propose whether these neuronal ensembles and synaptic islands can be directly controlled by astrocytes, a powerful modulator of neuronal activity. Pioneering studies showed that astrocytes in the NAc sense citrate cycle metabolites and/or ATP and may induce recurrent activation. We argue that the astrocytic calcium, GABA, and Glu signaling and altered sodium and chloride dynamics fundamentally shape metaplasticity by providing active regulatory roles in the synapse- and network-level flexibility of the NAc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianna Kardos
- Functional Pharmacology Research Group, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Magyar tudósok körútja 2, Budapest, 1117, Hungary.
| | - Árpád Dobolyi
- Laboratory of Neuromorphology, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 26, Budapest, 1086, Hungary
- MTA-ELTE Laboratory of Molecular and Systems Neurobiology, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Eötvös Loránd University and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Pázmány Péter sétány 1C, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Szabó
- Functional Pharmacology Research Group, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Magyar tudósok körútja 2, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Simon
- Functional Pharmacology Research Group, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Magyar tudósok körútja 2, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Guillaume Lourmet
- Laboratory of Neuromorphology, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 26, Budapest, 1086, Hungary
| | - Miklós Palkovits
- Human Brain Tissue Bank, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó utca 58, Budapest, H-1094, Hungary
| | - László Héja
- Functional Pharmacology Research Group, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Magyar tudósok körútja 2, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
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23
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The Claustrum-Prefrontal Cortex Pathway Regulates Impulsive-Like Behavior. J Neurosci 2019; 39:10071-10080. [PMID: 31704786 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1005-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The claustrum connects with a broad range of cortical areas including the prefrontal cortex (PFC). However, the function of the claustrum (CLA) and its neural projections remains largely unknown. Here, we elucidated the role of the neural projections from the CLA to the PFC in regulating impulsivity in male rats. We first identified the CLA-PFC pathway by retrograde tracer and virus expression. By using immunofluorescent staining of the c-Fos-positive neurons, we showed that chemogenetic activation and inhibition of the CLA-PFC pathway reduced and increased overall activity of the PFC, respectively. In the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT), we found that chemogenetic activation and inhibition of the CLA-PFC pathway increased and reduced the impulsive-like behavior (i.e., premature responses), respectively. Furthermore, chemogenetic inhibition of the CLA-PFC pathway prevented methamphetamine-induced impulsivity, without affecting methamphetamine-induced hyperactivity. In contrast to the role of CLA-PFC pathway in selectively regulating impulsivity, activation of the claustrum disrupted attention in the 5-CSRTT. These results indicate that the CLA-PFC pathway is essential for impulsivity. This study may shed light on the understanding of impulsivity-related disorders such as drug addiction.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The claustrum is one of the most mysterious brain regions. Although extensive anatomical studies demonstrated that the claustrum connects with many cortical areas, the function of the neural projections between the claustrum and cortical areas remain largely unknown. Here, we showed that the neural projections from the claustrum to the prefrontal cortex regulates impulsivity by using the designer drugs (DREADDs)-based chemogenetic tools. Interestingly, the claustrum-prefrontal cortex pathway also regulates methamphetamine-induced impulsivity, suggesting a critical role of this neural pathway in regulating impulsivity-related disorders such as drug addiction. Our results provided preclinical evidence that the claustrum-prefrontal cortex regulates impulsivity. The claustrum-prefrontal cortex pathway may be a novel target for the treatment of impulsivity-related brain disorders.
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Paul EJ, Tossell K, Ungless MA. Transcriptional profiling aligned with in situ expression image analysis reveals mosaically expressed molecular markers for GABA neuron sub-groups in the ventral tegmental area. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 50:3732-3749. [PMID: 31374129 PMCID: PMC6972656 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
γ‐Aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) provide local inhibitory control of dopamine neuron activity and send long‐range projections to several target regions including the nucleus accumbens. They play diverse roles in reward and aversion, suggesting that they be comprised of several functionally distinct sub‐groups, but our understanding of this diversity has been limited by a lack of molecular markers that might provide genetic entry points for cell type‐specific investigations. To address this, we conducted transcriptional profiling of GABA neurons and dopamine neurons using immunoprecipitation of tagged polyribosomes (RiboTag) and RNAseq. First, we directly compared these two transcriptomes in order to obtain a list of genes enriched in GABA neurons compared with dopamine neurons. Next, we created a novel bioinformatic approach, that used the PANTHER (Protein ANalysis THrough Evolutionary Relationships) gene ontology database and VTA gene expression data from the Allen Mouse Brain Atlas, from which we obtained 6 candidate genes: Cbln4, Rxfp3, Rora, Gpr101, Trh and Nrp2. As a final step, we verified the selective expression of these candidate genes in sub‐groups of GABA neurons in the VTA (and neighbouring substantia nigra pars compacta) using immunolabelling. Taken together, our study provides a valuable toolbox for the future investigation of GABA neuron sub‐groups in the VTA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor J Paul
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), London, UK.,Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Kyoko Tossell
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), London, UK.,Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Mark A Ungless
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), London, UK.,Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
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The undeveloped properties of GABA neurons in the ventral tegmental area promote energy intake for growth in juvenile rats. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11848. [PMID: 31413349 PMCID: PMC6694191 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48336-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Juvenile animals show higher energy intake (EI) per body weight (BW) to meet the energy requirements for growth. However, the underlying mechanisms that induce high EI/BW in juvenile animals remain unknown. The EI from a control diet (CD) and high fat diet (HFD), as well as BW changes were compared between juvenile (3 weeks old) and adult (8 weeks old) rats. BW gain and EI were increased in the HFD-fed adult rats compared to the CD-fed adult rats. However, in the juvenile rats, there were no differences in BW gain and EI between the CD-fed and HFD-fed groups. The locomotor activity was significantly increased in HFD group compared with the CD group in juvenile, but not in adult rats. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons in the VTA were found to remain undeveloped with less GABAergic input into dopamine neurons in the juvenile rats. The deletion of the VTA GABA neurons in the adult rats significantly increased CD consumption, but showed almost no change in HFD consumption. These data suggest that undeveloped properties of VTA GABA neurons in juvenile rats can promote higher EI regardless of high or less palatable feeding, and contribute to growth promotion.
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