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Shao YX, Wang LL, Zhou HY, Yi ZH, Liu S, Yan C. Dampened motivation in schizophrenia: evidence from a novel effort-based decision-making task in social scenarios. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024; 274:1447-1459. [PMID: 38413455 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-024-01761-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Apathy represents a significant manifestation of negative symptoms within individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia (SCZ) and exerts a profound impact on their social relationships. However, the specific implications of this motivational deficit in social scenarios have yet to be fully elucidated. The present study aimed to examine effort-based decision-making in social scenarios and its relation to apathy symptoms in SCZ patients. We initially recruited a group of 50 healthy participants (16 males) to assess the validity of the paradigm. Subsequently, we recruited 45 individuals diagnosed with SCZ (24 males) and 49 demographically-matched healthy controls (HC, 25 males) for the main study. The Mock Job Interview Task was developed to measure effort-based decision-making in social scenarios. The proportion of hard-task choice and a range of subjective ratings were obtained to examine potential between-group differences. SCZ patients were less likely than HC to choose the hard task with strict interviewers, and this group difference was significant when the hard-task reward value was medium and high. More severe apathy symptoms were significantly correlated with an overall reduced likelihood of making a hard-task choice. When dividing the jobs into two categories based on the levels of social engagement needed, SCZ patients were less willing to expend effort to pursue a potential offer for jobs requiring higher social engagement. Our findings indicated impaired effort-based decision-making in SCZ can be generalized from the monetary/nonsocial to a more ecologically social dimension. Our findings affirm the critical role of aberrant effort allocation on negative symptoms, and may facilitate the development of targeted clinical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Xin Shao
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (MOE and STCSM), Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Room 413, Building Junxiu, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
- Shanghai Changning Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
- Leshan Hi-Tech Zone Jiaxiang Foreign Languages School, Sichuan, China
| | - Ling-Ling Wang
- School of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Han-Yu Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng-Hui Yi
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuai Liu
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (MOE and STCSM), Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Room 413, Building Junxiu, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
- Shanghai Changning Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Yan
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (MOE and STCSM), Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Room 413, Building Junxiu, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China.
- Shanghai Changning Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China.
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2
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Beacher NJ, Kuo JY, Targum M, Wang M, Washington KA, Barbera G, Lin DT. A modular, cost-effective, versatile, open-source operant box solution for long-term miniscope imaging, 3D tracking, and deep learning behavioral analysis. MethodsX 2024; 12:102721. [PMID: 38660044 PMCID: PMC11041912 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2024.102721] [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: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In this procedure we have included an open-source method for a customized operant chamber optimized for long-term miniature microscope (miniscope) recordings. •The miniscope box is designed to function with custom or typical med-associates style accessories (e.g., houselights, levers, etc.).•The majority of parts can be directly purchased which minimizes the need for skilled and time-consuming labor.•We include designs and estimated pricing for a single box but it is recommended to build these in larger batches to efficiently utilize bulk ordering of certain components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J. Beacher
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Jessica Y. Kuo
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Miranda Targum
- Penn Memory Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michael Wang
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Kayden A. Washington
- The Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Giovanna Barbera
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Da-Ting Lin
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
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3
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Lopez-Cruz L, Phillips BU, Hailwood JM, Saksida LM, Heath CJ, Bussey TJ. Refining the study of decision-making in animals: differential effects of d-amphetamine and haloperidol in a novel touchscreen-automated Rearing-Effort Discounting (RED) task and the Fixed-Ratio Effort Discounting (FRED) task. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:422-432. [PMID: 37644210 PMCID: PMC10724152 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01707-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Effort-based decision-making is impaired in multiple psychopathologies leading to significant impacts on the daily life of patients. Preclinical studies of this important transdiagnostic symptom in rodents are hampered, however, by limitations present in currently available decision-making tests, including the presence of delayed reinforcement and off-target cognitive demands. Such possible confounding factors can complicate the interpretation of results in terms of decision-making per se. In this study we addressed this problem using a novel touchscreen Rearing-Effort Discounting (RED) task in which mice choose between two single-touch responses: rearing up to touch an increasingly higher positioned stimulus to obtain a High Reward (HR) or touching a lower stimulus to obtain a Low Reward (LR). To explore the putative advantages of this new approach, RED was compared with a touchscreen version of the well-studied Fixed Ratio-based Effort Discounting (FRED) task, in which multiple touches are required to obtain an HR, and a single response is required to obtain an LR. Results from dopaminergic (haloperidol and d-amphetamine), behavioral (changes in the order of effort demand; fixed-ratio schedule in FRED or response height in RED), and dietary manipulations (reward devaluation by pre-feeding) were consistent with the presence of variables that may complicate interpretation of conventional decision-making tasks, and demonstrate how RED appears to minimize such variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lopez-Cruz
- Department of Psychology and MRC/Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK.
- School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK.
| | - Benjamin U Phillips
- Department of Psychology and MRC/Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
| | - Jonathan M Hailwood
- Department of Psychology and MRC/Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
| | - Lisa M Saksida
- Robarts Research Institute and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Christopher J Heath
- School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Timothy J Bussey
- Robarts Research Institute and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
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4
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Roberts BZ, O'Connor MA, Kenton JA, Barnes SA, Young JW. Short-active gestational photoperiod reduces effortful choice behavior in mice, partial normalization by d-amphetamine. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:2303-2315. [PMID: 36806900 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06337-3] [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: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Seasonal birth patterns consistently implicate winter gestation as a risk factor for several psychiatric conditions. We recently demonstrated that short-active (SA; 19:5 light:dark)-i.e., "winter-like"-photoperiod exposure across gestation and early life (E0-P28) induces psychiatrically relevant behavioral abnormalities in adult mice, including reduced immobility in the forced swim test (FST) and effortful amotivation. It is unknown, however, whether these effects were driven primarily by prenatal or postnatal mechanisms, and whether perinatal SA photoperiod would similarly reduce effort expenditure in a task relevant to everyday decision-making. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS We first tested male and female mice exposed to either gestational (E0-P0) or postnatal (E0-P28) SA photoperiod in the FST to determine whether the previously observed alteration was driven primarily by prenatal versus postnatal photoperiod. We then assessed whether SA gestational photoperiod reduces effortful choice behavior in the cross-species effort-based decision-making task (EBDMT) and whether any such deficit could be remediated by d-amphetamine (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg, i.p.). RESULTS Mice exposed to prenatal, but not postnatal, SA photoperiod exhibited reduced FST immobility relative to controls and also demonstrated condition-dependently reduced preference for high-effort/high-reward versus low-effort/low-reward contingencies in the EBDMT. This effortful choice deficit was normalized by 0.1 mg/kg amphetamine. CONCLUSIONS These data: (1) suggest a greater contribution of gestational versus postnatal light conditions to the behavioral effects of perinatal SA photoperiod; and (2) implicate altered dopamine signaling in the behavioral phenotype of the SA-born mouse and possibly in the etiology of winter gestation-associated cases of psychiatric disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Z Roberts
- Department of Psychiatry, UC San Diego School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, USA
| | - Molly A O'Connor
- Department of Psychiatry, UC San Diego School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, USA
| | - Johnny A Kenton
- Department of Psychiatry, UC San Diego School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, USA
| | - Samuel A Barnes
- Department of Psychiatry, UC San Diego School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, USA
| | - Jared W Young
- Department of Psychiatry, UC San Diego School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, USA.
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, USA.
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5
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Critical review of RDoC approaches to the study of motivation with animal models: effort valuation/willingness to work. Emerg Top Life Sci 2022; 6:515-528. [PMID: 36218385 DOI: 10.1042/etls20220008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The NIMH research domain criteria (RDoC) approach was instigated to refocus mental health research on the neural circuits that mediate psychological functions, with the idea that this would foster an understanding of the neural basis of specific psychiatric dysfunctions (i.e. 'symptoms and circuits') and ultimately facilitate treatment. As a general idea, this attempt to go beyond traditional diagnostic categories and focus on neural circuit dysfunctions related to specific symptoms spanning multiple disorders has many advantages. For example, motivational dysfunctions are present in multiple disorders, including depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and other conditions. A critical aspect of motivation is effort valuation/willingness to work, and several clinical studies have identified alterations in effort-based decision making in various patient groups. In parallel, formal animal models focusing on the exertion of effort and effort-based decision making have been developed. This paper reviews the literature on models of effort-based motivational function in the context of a discussion of the RDoC approach, with an emphasis on the dissociable nature of distinct aspects of motivation. For example, conditions associated with depression and schizophrenia blunt the selection of high-effort activities as measured by several tasks in animal models (e.g. lever pressing, barrier climbing, wheel running). Nevertheless, these manipulations also leave fundamental aspects of hedonic reactivity, food motivation, and reinforcement intact. This pattern of effects demonstrates that the general emphasis of the RDoC on the specificity of the neural circuits mediating behavioral pathologies, and the dissociative nature of these dysfunctions, is a valid concept. Nevertheless, the specific placement of effort-related processes as simply a 'sub-construct' of 'reward processing' is empirically and conceptually problematic. Thus, while the RDoC is an excellent general framework for new ways to approach research and therapeutics, it still needs further refinement.
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6
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Zalachoras I, Ramos-Fernández E, Hollis F, Trovo L, Rodrigues J, Strasser A, Zanoletti O, Steiner P, Preitner N, Xin L, Astori S, Sandi C. Glutathione in the nucleus accumbens regulates motivation to exert reward-incentivized effort. eLife 2022; 11:77791. [DOI: 10.7554/elife.77791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence is implicating mitochondrial function and metabolism in the nucleus accumbens in motivated performance. However, the brain is vulnerable to excessive oxidative insults resulting from neurometabolic processes, and whether antioxidant levels in the nucleus accumbens contribute to motivated performance is not known. Here, we identify a critical role for glutathione (GSH), the most important endogenous antioxidant in the brain, in motivation. Using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy at ultra-high field in both male humans and rodent populations, we establish that higher accumbal GSH levels are highly predictive of better, and particularly, steady performance over time in effort-related tasks. Causality was established in in vivo experiments in rats that, first, showed that downregulating GSH levels through micro-injections of the GSH synthesis inhibitor buthionine sulfoximine in the nucleus accumbens impaired effort-based reward-incentivized performance. In addition, systemic treatment with the GSH precursor N-acetyl-cysteine increased accumbal GSH levels in rats and led to improved performance, potentially mediated by a cell-type-specific shift in glutamatergic inputs to accumbal medium spiny neurons. Our data indicate a close association between accumbal GSH levels and an individual’s capacity to exert reward-incentivized effort over time. They also suggest that improvement of accumbal antioxidant function may be a feasible approach to boost motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Zalachoras
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics (LGC), Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
| | - Eva Ramos-Fernández
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics (LGC), Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
| | - Fiona Hollis
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics (LGC), Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine
| | - Laura Trovo
- Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, Nestlé Research, Société des Produits Nestlé SA, Vers-chez-les-Blanc
| | - João Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics (LGC), Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
| | - Alina Strasser
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics (LGC), Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
| | - Olivia Zanoletti
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics (LGC), Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
| | - Pascal Steiner
- Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, Nestlé Research, Société des Produits Nestlé SA, Vers-chez-les-Blanc
| | - Nicolas Preitner
- Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, Nestlé Research, Société des Produits Nestlé SA, Vers-chez-les-Blanc
| | - Lijing Xin
- Animal Imaging and Technology Core (AIT), Center for Biomedical Imaging (CIBM), EPFL
| | - Simone Astori
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics (LGC), Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics (LGC), Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
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7
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Treadway MT, Salamone JD. Vigor, Effort-Related Aspects of Motivation and Anhedonia. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2022; 58:325-353. [PMID: 35505057 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In this chapter we provide an overview of the pharmacological and circuit mechanisms that determine the willingness to expend effort in pursuit of rewards. A particular focus will be on the role of the mesolimbic dopamine system, as well the contributing roles of limbic and cortical brains areas involved in the evaluation, selection, and invigoration of goal-directed actions. We begin with a review of preclinical studies, which have provided key insights into the brain systems that are necessary and sufficient for effort-based decision-making and have characterized novel compounds that enhance selection of high-effort activities. Next, we summarize translational studies identifying and expanding this circuitry in humans. Finally, we discuss the relevance of this work for understanding common motivational impairments as part of the broader anhedonia symptom domain associated with mental illness, and the identification of new treatment targets within this circuitry to improve motivation and effort-expenditure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John D Salamone
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
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8
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Kalmbach A, Winiger V, Jeong N, Asok A, Gallistel CR, Balsam PD, Simpson EH. Dopamine encodes real-time reward availability and transitions between reward availability states on different timescales. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3805. [PMID: 35778414 PMCID: PMC9249893 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31377-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Optimal behavior requires interpreting environmental cues that indicate when to perform actions. Dopamine is important for learning about reward-predicting events, but its role in adapting to inhibitory cues is unclear. Here we show that when mice can earn rewards in the absence but not presence of an auditory cue, dopamine level in the ventral striatum accurately reflects reward availability in real-time over a sustained period (80 s). In addition, unpredictable transitions between different states of reward availability are accompanied by rapid (~1-2 s) dopamine transients that deflect negatively at the onset and positively at the offset of the cue. This Dopamine encoding of reward availability and transitions between reward availability states is not dependent on reward or activity evoked dopamine release, appears before mice learn the task and is sensitive to motivational state. Our findings are consistent across different techniques including electrochemical recordings and fiber photometry with genetically encoded optical sensors for calcium and dopamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Kalmbach
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Nuri Jeong
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.,Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Arun Asok
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charles R Gallistel
- Rutgers Center for Cognitive Science, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Peter D Balsam
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. .,Department of Psychology, Barnard College, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Eleanor H Simpson
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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9
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Salamone J, Ecevitoglu A, Carratala-Ros C, Presby R, Edelstein G, Fleeher R, Rotolo R, Meka N, Srinath S, Masthay JC, Correa M. Complexities and Paradoxes in Understanding the Role of Dopamine in Incentive Motivation and Instrumental Action: Exertion of Effort vs. Anhedonia. Brain Res Bull 2022; 182:57-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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10
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Simpson EH, Gallo EF, Balsam PD, Javitch JA, Kellendonk C. How changes in dopamine D2 receptor levels alter striatal circuit function and motivation. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:436-444. [PMID: 34385603 PMCID: PMC8837728 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01253-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
It was first posited, more than five decades ago, that the etiology of schizophrenia involves overstimulation of dopamine receptors. Since then, advanced clinical research methods, including brain imaging, have refined our understanding of the relationship between striatal dopamine and clinical phenotypes as well as disease trajectory. These studies point to striatal dopamine D2 receptors, the main target for all current antipsychotic medications, as being involved in both positive and negative symptoms. Simultaneously, animal models have been central to investigating causal relationships between striatal dopamine D2 receptors and behavioral phenotypes relevant to schizophrenia. We begin this article by reviewing the circuit, cell-type and subcellular locations of dopamine D2 receptors and their downstream signaling pathways. We then summarize results from several mouse models in which D2 receptor levels were altered in various brain regions, cell-types and developmental periods. Behavioral, electrophysiological and anatomical consequences of these D2 receptor perturbations are reviewed with a selective focus on striatal circuit function and alterations in motivated behavior, a core negative symptom of schizophrenia. These studies show that D2 receptors serve distinct physiological roles in different cell types and at different developmental time points, regulating motivated behaviors in sometimes opposing ways. We conclude by considering the clinical implications of this complex regulation of striatal circuit function by D2 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor H. Simpson
- Division of Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, United States,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, United States
| | - Eduardo F. Gallo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, 441 East Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10458
| | - Peter D. Balsam
- Division of Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, United States,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, United States,Department of Psychology, Barnard College, 3009 Broadway, New York, NY 10027,Department of Psychology, Columbia University, 1190 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027
| | - Jonathan A. Javitch
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, United States,Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032,Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032
| | - Christoph Kellendonk
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. .,Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA. .,Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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11
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Chronic social defeat stress impairs goal-directed behavior through dysregulation of ventral hippocampal activity in male mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:1606-1616. [PMID: 33692477 PMCID: PMC8280175 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-00990-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chronic stress is a risk factor for a variety of psychiatric disorders, including depression. Although impairments to motivated behavior are a major symptom of clinical depression, little is known about the circuit mechanisms through which stress impairs motivation. Furthermore, research in animal models for depression has focused on impairments to hedonic aspects of motivation, whereas patient studies suggest that impairments to appetitive, goal-directed motivation contribute significantly to motivational impairments in depression. Here, we characterized goal-directed motivation in repeated social defeat stress (R-SDS), a well-established mouse model for depression in male mice. R-SDS impaired the ability to sustain and complete goal-directed behavior in a food-seeking operant lever-press task. Furthermore, stress-exposed mice segregated into susceptible and resilient subpopulations. Interestingly, susceptibility to stress-induced motivational impairments was unrelated to stress-induced social withdrawal, another prominent effect of R-SDS in mouse models. Based on evidence that ventral hippocampus (vHP) modulates sustainment of goal-directed behavior, we monitored vHP activity during the task using fiber photometry. Successful task completion was associated with suppression of ventral hippocampal neural activity. This suppression was diminished after R-SDS in stress-susceptible but not stress-resilient mice. The serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) escitalopram and ketamine both normalized vHP activity during the task and restored motivated behavior. Furthermore, optogenetic vHP inhibition was sufficient to restore motivated behavior after stress. These results identify vHP hyperactivity as a circuit mechanism of stress-induced impairments to goal-directed behavior and a putative biomarker that is sensitive to antidepressant treatments and that differentiates susceptible and resilient individuals.
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12
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Martyniuk KM, Dandeneau M, Balsam PD, Kellendonk C. Dopamine D2R upregulation in ventral striatopallidal neurons does not affect Pavlovian or go/no-go learning. Behav Neurosci 2021; 135:369-379. [PMID: 34264690 DOI: 10.1037/bne0000403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Ventral striatal dopamine is thought to be important for associative learning. Dopamine exerts its role via activation of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the ventral striatum. Upregulation of dopamine D2R in ventral striatopallidal neurons impairs incentive motivation via inhibiting synaptic transmission to the ventral pallidum. Here, we determined whether upregulation of D2Rs and the resulting impairment in ventral striatopallidal pathway function modulates associative learning in an auditory Pavlovian reward learning task as well as Go/No-Go learning in an operant based reward driven Go/No-Go task. We found that upregulation of D2Rs did not affect Pavlovian learning or the extinction of Pavlovian responses, and neither did it alter No-Go learning. We however observed a delay in the Go component of the task which may indicate a deficit in learning though it could also be attributed to the established locomotor hyperactivity of the mice. In combination with previously published findings, our data suggest that D2Rs in ventral striatopallidal neurons play a specific role in regulating motivation by balancing cost/benefit computations but do not necessarily affect associative learning. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly M Martyniuk
- Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Columbia University
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13
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Fry BR, Pence NT, McLocklin A, Johnson AW. Disruptions in effort-based decision-making following acute optogenetic stimulation of ventral tegmental area dopamine cells. Learn Mem 2021; 28:104-108. [PMID: 33723029 PMCID: PMC7970740 DOI: 10.1101/lm.053082.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The dopamine system has been implicated in decision-making particularly when associated with effortful behavior. We examined acute optogenetic stimulation of dopamine cells in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) as mice engaged in an effort-based decision-making task. Tyrosine hydroxylase-Cre mice were injected with Cre-dependent ChR2 or eYFP control virus in the VTA. While eYFP control mice showed effortful discounting, stimulation of dopamine cells in ChR2 mice disrupted effort-based decision-making by reducing choice toward the lever associated with a preferred outcome and greater effort. Surprisingly, disruptions in effortful discounting were observed in subsequent test sessions conducted in the absence of optogenetic stimulation, however during these sessions ChR2 mice displayed enhanced high choice responding across trial blocks. These findings suggest increases in VTA dopamine cell activity can disrupt effort-based decision-making in distinct ways dependent on the timing of optogenetic stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin R Fry
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
| | - Nathan T Pence
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
| | - Andrew McLocklin
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
| | - Alexander W Johnson
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
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14
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Kirschner M, Schmidt A, Hodzic-Santor B, Burrer A, Manoliu A, Zeighami Y, Yau Y, Abbasi N, Maatz A, Habermeyer B, Abivardi A, Avram M, Brandl F, Sorg C, Homan P, Riecher-Rössler A, Borgwardt S, Seifritz E, Dagher A, Kaiser S. Orbitofrontal-Striatal Structural Alterations Linked to Negative Symptoms at Different Stages of the Schizophrenia Spectrum. Schizophr Bull 2020; 47:849-863. [PMID: 33257954 PMCID: PMC8084448 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbaa169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Negative symptoms such as anhedonia and apathy are among the most debilitating manifestations of schizophrenia (SZ). Imaging studies have linked these symptoms to morphometric abnormalities in 2 brain regions implicated in reward and motivation: the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and striatum. Higher negative symptoms are generally associated with reduced OFC thickness, while higher apathy specifically maps to reduced striatal volume. However, it remains unclear whether these tissue losses are a consequence of chronic illness and its treatment or an underlying phenotypic trait. Here, we use multicentre magnetic resonance imaging data to investigate orbitofrontal-striatal abnormalities across the SZ spectrum from healthy populations with high schizotypy to unmedicated and medicated first-episode psychosis (FEP), and patients with chronic SZ. Putamen, caudate, accumbens volume, and OFC thickness were estimated from T1-weighted images acquired in all 3 diagnostic groups and controls from 4 sites (n = 337). Results were first established in 1 discovery dataset and replicated in 3 independent samples. There was a negative correlation between apathy and putamen/accumbens volume only in healthy individuals with schizotypy; however, medicated patients exhibited larger putamen volume, which appears to be a consequence of antipsychotic medications. The negative association between reduced OFC thickness and total negative symptoms also appeared to vary along the SZ spectrum, being significant only in FEP patients. In schizotypy, there was increased OFC thickness relative to controls. Our findings suggest that negative symptoms are associated with a temporal continuum of orbitofrontal-striatal abnormalities that may predate the occurrence of SZ. Thicker OFC in schizotypy may represent either compensatory or pathological mechanisms prior to the disease onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Kirschner
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland,To whom correspondence should be addressed; 3801 Rue University, Montréal QC, H3A 2B4 Canada; tel: +1 514-398-1726, fax: +1 514–398–8948, e-mail:
| | - André Schmidt
- Department of Psychiatry (UPK), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Achim Burrer
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrei Manoliu
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland,Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, UK,Max Planck University College London Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, London, UK
| | - Yashar Zeighami
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Yvonne Yau
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nooshin Abbasi
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Anke Maatz
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Aslan Abivardi
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mihai Avram
- Department of Neuroradiology and TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany,Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Schleswig Holstein University Hospital, University Lübeck, Lübeck Germany
| | - Felix Brandl
- Department of Psychiatry and TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Sorg
- Department of Neuroradiology and TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany,Department of Psychiatry and TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Philipp Homan
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland,Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY,Division of Psychiatry Research, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Northwell Health, New York, NY,Department of Psychiatry, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Northwell/Hofstra, Hempstead, NY
| | | | - Stefan Borgwardt
- Department of Psychiatry (UPK), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Erich Seifritz
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alain Dagher
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Stefan Kaiser
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Adult Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
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15
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Augustin SM, Loewinger GC, O'Neal TJ, Kravitz AV, Lovinger DM. Dopamine D2 receptor signaling on iMSNs is required for initiation and vigor of learned actions. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:2087-2097. [PMID: 32811899 PMCID: PMC7547091 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-00799-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Striatal dopamine D2 receptors (D2Rs) are important for motor output. Selective deletion of D2Rs from indirect pathway-projecting medium spiny neurons (iMSNs) impairs locomotor activities in a task-specific manner. However, the role of D2Rs in the initiation of motor actions in reward seeking and taking is not fully understood, and there is little information about how receptors contribute under different task demands and with different outcome types. The iMSN-D2Rs modulate neuronal activity and synaptic transmission, exerting control on circuit functions that may play distinct roles in action learning and performance. Selective deletion of D2Rs on iMSNs resulted in slower action initiation and response rate in an instrumental conditioning task, but only when performance demand was increased. The iMSN-Drd2KO mice were also slower to initiate swimming in a T-maze procedural learning task but were unimpaired in cognitive function and behavioral flexibility. In contrast, in a Pavlovian discrimination learning task, iMSN-Drd2KO mice exhibited normal acquisition and extinction of rewarded responding. The iMSN-Drd2KO mice showed performance deficits at all phases of rotarod skill learning. These findings reveal that dopamine modulation through iMSN-D2Rs influences the ability to self-initiate actions, as well as the willingness and/or vigor with which these responses are performed. However, these receptors seem to have little influence on simple associative learning or on stimulus-driven responding. The loss of normal D2R roles may contribute to disorders in which impaired dopamine signaling leads to hypokinesia or impaired initiation of specific voluntary actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shana M Augustin
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Gabriel C Loewinger
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Timothy J O'Neal
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Center for Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA
| | - Alexxai V Kravitz
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Departments of Psychiatry, Anesthesiology, and Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, 63110, USA
| | - David M Lovinger
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA.
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16
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Whitton AE, Merchant JT, Lewandowski KE. Dissociable mechanisms underpinning effort-cost decision-making across the psychosis spectrum. Schizophr Res 2020; 224:133-140. [PMID: 33046339 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2020.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Recent theoretical models propose that abnormal effort-cost decision-making (ECDM) likely has divergent underpinnings across mood and psychotic disorders. However, whether this same model applies to individuals across the psychosis spectrum, including individuals with affective psychosis, remains unclear. This study aimed to empirically test whether two component processes - working memory and reward learning - contribute to ECDM impairment across the psychosis spectrum. ECDM was assessed using the Effort Expenditure for Rewards Task in individuals with psychotic disorders (n = 190) and healthy controls (n = 52). Working memory was assessed using a Digit Sequencing Task and reward learning was assessed using a Probabilistic Reward Task. Relative to the control group, the psychosis group showed reduced willingness to expend effort for higher probability, higher value rewards. This effect was most pronounced in individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder relative to individuals with psychotic bipolar disorder. Across the whole sample, better working memory but not reward learning predicted greater willingness to expend effort for higher probability rewards. However, the link between working memory and ECDM differed as a function of patient symptom profile. Specifically, working memory was only predictive of ECDM for individuals with less severe negative symptoms and minimal depressive symptoms. For individuals with more severe negative symptoms, poorer ECDM was instead predicted by deficits in reward learning. Although these findings reiterate the important link between working memory and ECDM in individuals with psychotic disorders, they also show that this link varies in accordance with the presence of prominent negative and depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis E Whitton
- Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Jaisal T Merchant
- Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA.
| | - Kathryn E Lewandowski
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA.
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17
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Yang JH, Presby RE, Rotolo RA, Quiles T, Okifo K, Zorda E, Fitch RH, Correa M, Salamone JD. The dopamine depleting agent tetrabenazine alters effort-related decision making as assessed by mouse touchscreen procedures. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:2845-2854. [PMID: 32561947 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05578-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Effort-based decision-making tasks allow animals to choose between preferred reinforcers that require high effort to obtain vs. low-effort/low reward options. Mesolimbic dopamine (DA) and related neural systems regulate effort-based choice. Tetrabenazine (TBZ) is a vesicular monoamine transport type-2 inhibitor that blocks DA storage and depletes DA. In humans, TBZ induces motivational dysfunction and depression. TBZ has been shown reliably to induce a low-effort bias in rats, but there are fewer mouse studies. OBJECTIVES The present studies used touchscreen operant procedures (Bussey-Saksida chambers) to assess the effects of TBZ on effort-based choice in mice. METHODS C57BL6 mice were trained to press an elevated lit panel on the touchscreen on a fixed ratio 1 schedule reinforced by strawberry milkshake, vs. approaching and consuming a concurrently available but less preferred food pellets (Bio-serv). RESULTS TBZ (2.0-8.0 mg/kg IP) shifted choice, producing a dose-related decrease in panel pressing but an increase in pellet intake. In contrast, reinforcer devaluation by pre-feeding substantially decreased both panel pressing and pellet intake. In free-feeding choice tests, mice strongly preferred the milkshake vs. the pellets, and TBZ had no effect on milkshake intake or preference, indicating that the TBZ-induced low-effort bias was not due to changes in primary food motivation or preference. TBZ significantly decreased tissue levels of nucleus accumbens DA. CONCLUSION The DA depleting agent TBZ induced an effort-related motivational dysfunction in mice, which may have clinical relevance for assessing novel drug targets for their potential use as therapeutic agents in patients with motivation impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen-Hau Yang
- Behavioral Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Rose E Presby
- Behavioral Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Renee A Rotolo
- Behavioral Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Taina Quiles
- Behavioral Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Kevin Okifo
- Behavioral Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Emma Zorda
- Behavioral Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Roslyn Holly Fitch
- Behavioral Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Mercè Correa
- Behavioral Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.,Area de Psicobiologia, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló, Spain
| | - John D Salamone
- Behavioral Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
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18
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Yang JH, Presby RE, Cayer S, Rotolo RA, Perrino PA, Fitch RH, Correa M, Chesler EJ, Salamone JD. Effort-related decision making in humanized COMT mice: Effects of Val 158Met polymorphisms and possible implications for negative symptoms in humans. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2020; 196:172975. [PMID: 32593787 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2020.172975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) is an enzyme that metabolizes catecholamines, and is crucial for clearance of dopamine (DA) in prefrontal cortex. Val158Met polymorphism, which causes a valine (Val) to methionine (Met) substitution at codon 158, is reported to be associated with human psychopathologies in some studies. The Val/Val variant of the enzyme results in higher dopamine metabolism, which results in reduced dopamine transmission. Thus, it is important to investigate the relation between Val158Met polymorphisms using rodent models of psychiatric symptoms, including negative symptoms such as motivational dysfunction. In the present study, humanized COMT transgenic mice with two genotype groups (Val/Val (Val) and Met/Met (Met) homozygotes) and wild-type (WT) mice from the S129 background were tested using a touchscreen effort-based choice paradigm. Mice were trained to choose between delivery of a preferred liquid diet that reinforced panel pressing on various fixed ratio (FR) schedules (high-effort alternative), vs. intake of pellets concurrently available in the chamber (low-effort alternative). Panel pressing requirements were controlled by varying the FR levels (FR1, 2, 4, 8, 16) in ascending and descending sequences across weeks of testing. All mice were able to acquire the initial touchscreen operant training, and there was an inverse relationship between the number of reinforcers delivered by panel pressing and pellet intake across different FR levels. There was a significant group x FR level interaction in the ascending limb, with panel presses in the Val group being significantly lower than the WT group in FR1-8, and lower than Met in FR4. These findings indicate that the humanized Val allele in mice modulates FR/pellet-choice performance, as marked by lower levels of panel pressing in the Val group when the ratio requirement was moderately high. These studies may contribute to the understanding of the role of COMT polymorphisms in negative symptoms such as motivational dysfunctions in schizophrenic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen-Hau Yang
- Behavioral Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA; Present address: Dept. of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rose E Presby
- Behavioral Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Suzanne Cayer
- Behavioral Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Renee A Rotolo
- Behavioral Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Peter A Perrino
- Behavioral Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - R Holly Fitch
- Behavioral Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Merce Correa
- Behavioral Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA; Area de Psicobiologia, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló, Spain
| | | | - John D Salamone
- Behavioral Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
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19
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Ohmann HA, Kuper N, Wacker J. A low dosage of the dopamine D2-receptor antagonist sulpiride affects effort allocation for reward regardless of trait extraversion. PERSONALITY NEUROSCIENCE 2020; 3:e7. [PMID: 32656492 PMCID: PMC7327436 DOI: 10.1017/pen.2020.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) is known to be involved in various aspects of reward processing and goal-directed behavior. The present preregistered study aims at directly accessing the causal influence of DA activity on reward motivation in humans, while also accounting for trait extraversion. Therefore, we examined the effect of a single dose of the DA D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride (200 mg) on effort allocation in a modified version of the Effort-Expenditure for Reward Task (EEfRT). Based on its presumably DA increasing action, we expected the low dose of sulpiride to increase participants' willingness to allocate effort during the modified EEfRT relative to placebo, especially in trials with low probability of reward attainment. Further, we expected a moderating effect of trait extraversion on the effects of sulpiride. Two hundred and three healthy male participants were tested in a randomized, double-blind between-subjects design. Contrary to our expectations, sulpiride reduced the average number of clicks within the modified EEfRT and did not interact with reward attributes, suggesting a more global and not reward-specific effect of sulpiride. Furthermore, trait extraversion did not moderate the effect of sulpiride. Our results provide initial support for the validity of the modified version of the EEfRT, suggesting a possible inhibiting effect of a low dose of sulpiride on approach motivation regardless of trait extraversion. However, given the mixed pattern of findings and the possible confounding role of motoric abilities, further studies examining these effects are clearly warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanno Andreas Ohmann
- Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement Science, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Niclas Kuper
- Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement Science, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science, Universität Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Jan Wacker
- Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement Science, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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20
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Ducrocq F, Walle R, Contini A, Oummadi A, Caraballo B, van der Veldt S, Boyer ML, Aby F, Tolentino-Cortez T, Helbling JC, Martine L, Grégoire S, Cabaret S, Vancassel S, Layé S, Kang JX, Fioramonti X, Berdeaux O, Barreda-Gómez G, Masson E, Ferreira G, Ma DWL, Bosch-Bouju C, De Smedt-Peyrusse V, Trifilieff P. Causal Link between n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Deficiency and Motivation Deficits. Cell Metab 2020; 31:755-772.e7. [PMID: 32142670 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2020.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Reward-processing impairment is a common symptomatic dimension of several psychiatric disorders. However, whether the underlying pathological mechanisms are common is unknown. Herein, we asked if the decrease in the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) lipid species, consistently described in these pathologies, could underlie reward-processing deficits. We show that reduced n-3 PUFA biostatus in mice leads to selective motivational impairments. Electrophysiological recordings revealed increased collateral inhibition of dopamine D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) onto dopamine D1 receptor-expressing MSNs in the nucleus accumbens, a main brain region for the modulation of motivation. Strikingly, transgenically preventing n-3 PUFA deficiency selectively in D2-expressing neurons normalizes MSN collateral inhibition and enhances motivation. These results constitute the first demonstration of a causal link between a behavioral deficit and n-3 PUFA decrease in a discrete neuronal population and suggest that lower n-3 PUFA biostatus in psychopathologies could participate in the etiology of reward-related symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Ducrocq
- Université Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France.
| | - Roman Walle
- Université Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Andrea Contini
- Université Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Asma Oummadi
- Université Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Baptiste Caraballo
- Université Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Marie-Lou Boyer
- Université Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Frank Aby
- Université Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | | | | | - Lucy Martine
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS, INRAE, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Stéphane Grégoire
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS, INRAE, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Stéphanie Cabaret
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS, INRAE, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Sylvie Vancassel
- Université Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Sophie Layé
- Université Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Jing Xuan Kang
- Laboratory for Lipid Medicine and Technology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA
| | - Xavier Fioramonti
- Université Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Olivier Berdeaux
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS, INRAE, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France
| | | | - Elodie Masson
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS, INRAE, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Guillaume Ferreira
- Université Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - David W L Ma
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E., Guelph, ON N1G2W1, Canada
| | | | | | - Pierre Trifilieff
- Université Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, 33000, Bordeaux, France.
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21
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Pharmacological studies of effort-related decision making using mouse touchscreen procedures: effects of dopamine antagonism do not resemble reinforcer devaluation by removal of food restriction. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:33-43. [PMID: 31392358 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05343-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Effort-based decision-making tasks offer animals choices between preferred reinforcers that require high effort to obtain vs. low effort/low reward options. The neural mechanisms of effort-based choice are widely studied in rats, and evidence indicates that mesolimbic dopamine (DA) and related neural systems play a key role. Fewer studies of effort-based choice have been performed in mice. OBJECTIVES The present studies used touchscreen operant procedures (Bussey-Saksida boxes) to assess effort-based choice in mice. METHODS CD1 mice were assessed on a concurrent fixed ratio 1 panel pressing/choice procedure. Mice were allowed to choose between rearing to press an elevated panel on the touchscreen for a preferred food (strawberry milkshake) vs. consuming a concurrently available less preferred alternative (high carbohydrate pellets). RESULTS The DA D2 antagonist haloperidol (0.05-0.15 mg/kg IP) produced a dose-related decrease in panel pressing. Intake of food pellets was not reduced by haloperidol, and in fact, there was a significant quadratic trend, indicating a tendency for pellet intake to increase at low/moderate doses. In contrast, reinforcer devaluation by removing food restriction substantially decreased both panel pressing and pellet intake. In free-feeding choice tests, mice strongly preferred milkshake vs. pellets. Haloperidol did not affect food intake or preference. CONCLUSION Haloperidol reduced the tendency to work for food, but this reduction was not due to decreases in primary food motivation or preference. Mouse touchscreen procedures demonstrate effects of haloperidol that are similar but not identical to those shown in rats. These rodent studies may be relevant for understanding motivational dysfunctions in humans.
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Bryce CA, Floresco SB. Alterations in effort-related decision-making induced by stimulation of dopamine D 1, D 2, D 3, and corticotropin-releasing factor receptors in nucleus accumbens subregions. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:2699-2712. [PMID: 30972447 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05244-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Nucleus accumbens (NAc) dopamine (DA) plays an integral role in overcoming effort costs, as blockade of D1 and D2 receptors reduces the choice of larger, more-costly rewards. Similarly, the stress neuropeptide corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) modulates DA transmission and mediates stress-induced alterations in effort-related choice. OBJECTIVES The current study explored how excessive stimulation of different DA receptors within the NAc core and shell alters effort-related decision-making and compared these effects to those induced by CRF stimulation. METHODS Male Long Evans rats were well-trained on an effort-discounting task wherein they choose between a low-effort/low-reward and a high-effort/high-reward lever where the effort requirement increased over blocks (2-20 presses). Dopamine D1 (SKF 81297, 0.2-2 μg), D2/3 (quinpirole, 1-10 μg), or D3 (PD 128,907, 1.5-3 μg) receptor agonists, or CRF (0.5 μg), were infused into the NAc core or shell prior to testing. RESULTS Stimulation of D2/3 receptors with quinpirole in the NAc core or shell markedly reduced the choice of high-effort option and increase choice latencies, without altering preference for larger vs smaller rewards. Stimulation of D1 or D3 receptors did not alter choice, although SKF 81297 infusions into the shell reduced response vigor. In comparison, core infusions of CRF flattened the discounting curve, reducing effortful choice when costs were low and increasing it when costs were high. CONCLUSIONS Excessive stimulation of NAc D2 receptors has detrimental effects on effort-related decision-making. Furthermore, CRF stimulation induces dissociable effects on decision-making compared with those induced the effects of stimulation of different DA receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney A Bryce
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Stan B Floresco
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
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23
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Olivetti PR, Balsam PD, Simpson EH, Kellendonk C. Emerging roles of striatal dopamine D2 receptors in motivated behaviour: Implications for psychiatric disorders. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2019; 126 Suppl 6:47-55. [PMID: 31188541 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Impaired motivation has been a long recognized negative symptom of schizophrenia, as well as a common feature of non-psychotic psychiatric disorders, responsible for a significant share of functional burden, and with limited treatment options. The striatum and dopamine signalling system play a central role in extracting motivationally relevant information from the environment, selecting which behavioural direction the animal should follow, and the vigour with which to engage it. Much of this function relies on striatal projection neurons, known as medium spiny neurons (MSNs) expressing dopamine D2 receptors (D2Rs), or D2-MSNs. However, determining the precise nature of D2-MSNs in regulating motivated behaviour in both healthy individuals and experimental manipulations of D2-MSN function has at times yielded a somewhat confusing picture since their activity has been linked to either enhancement or dampening of motivation in animal models. In this MiniReview, we describe the latest data from rodent studies that investigated how D2Rs exert their modulatory effect on motivated behaviour by regulating striatal indirect pathway neuronal activity. We will include a discussion about how functional selectivity of D2Rs towards G protein-dependent or β-arrestin-dependent signalling differentially affects motivated behaviour. Lastly, we will describe a recent preclinical attempt to improve motivation by exploiting serotonin receptor-mediated modulation of dopamine transmission in the striatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro R Olivetti
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City, New York, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Peter D Balsam
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City, New York, USA.,Barnard College, Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Eleanor H Simpson
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City, New York, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Christoph Kellendonk
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City, New York, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA
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24
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Hupalo S, Bryce CA, Bangasser DA, Berridge CW, Valentino RJ, Floresco SB. Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF) circuit modulation of cognition and motivation. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 103:50-59. [PMID: 31212019 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The neuropeptide, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), is a key modulator of physiological, endocrine, and behavioral responses during stress. Dysfunction of the CRF system has been observed in stress-related affective disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Beyond affective symptoms, these disorders are also characterized by impaired cognition, for which current pharmacological treatments are lacking. Thus, there is a need for pro-cognitive treatments to improve quality of life for individuals suffering from mental illness. In this review, we highlight research demonstrating that CRF elicits potent modulatory effects on higher-order cognition via actions within the prefrontal cortex and subcortical monoaminergic and cholinergic systems. Additionally, we identify questions for future preclinical research on this topic, such as the need to investigate sex differences in the cognitive and microcircuit actions of CRF, and whether CRF may represent a pharmacological target to treat cognitive dysfunction. Addressing these questions will provide new insight into pathophysiology underlying cognitive dysfunction and may lead to improved treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofiya Hupalo
- Integrative Neuroscience Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States.
| | - Courtney A Bryce
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Debra A Bangasser
- Psychology Department and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
| | - Craig W Berridge
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Rita J Valentino
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - Stan B Floresco
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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25
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LeSauter J, Balsam PD, Simpson EH, Silver R. Overexpression of striatal D2 receptors reduces motivation thereby decreasing food anticipatory activity. Eur J Neurosci 2018; 51:71-81. [PMID: 30362616 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Dopamine has been implicated in circadian timing underlying the food entrainable oscillator (FEO) circuitry and overexpression of the dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) in the striatum has been reported to reduce motivation to obtain food rewards in operant tasks. In the present study, we explored both of these mechanisms by examining food anticipatory activity (FAA) in dopamine D2 receptor-overexpressing (D2R-OE) mice under various durations of food availability. First, we noted that at baseline, there were no differences between D2R-OE mice and their littermates in activity level, food intake, and body weight or in circadian activity. Under conditions of very restricted food availability (4 or 6 hr), both genotypes displayed FAA. In contrast, under 8-hr food availability, control mice showed FAA, but D2R-OE mice did not. Normalization of D2R by administration of doxycycline, a tetracycline analogue, rescued FAA under 8-hr restricted food. We next tested for circadian regulation of FAA. When given ad libitum access to food, neither D2R-OE nor controls were active during the daytime. However, after an interval of food restriction, all mice showed elevated locomotor activity at the time of previous food availability in the day, indicating circadian timing of anticipatory activity. In summary, motivation is reduced in D2R-OE mice but circadian timing behavior is not affected. We conclude that an increase in striatal D2R reduces FAA by modulating motivation and not by acting on a clock mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph LeSauter
- Department of Psychology, Barnard College, New York City, New York
| | - Peter D Balsam
- Department of Psychology, Barnard College, New York City, New York.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York City, New York.,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City, New York
| | - Eleanor H Simpson
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York City, New York.,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City, New York
| | - Rae Silver
- Department of Psychology, Barnard College, New York City, New York.,Departments of Psychology and of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York City, New York
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