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Grassi G, Scillitani E, Cecchelli C. New horizons for obsessive-compulsive disorder drug discovery: is targeting glutamate receptors the answer? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024:1-11. [PMID: 39105546 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2387127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Over the past decade, glutamate has emerged as a prominent focus in the field of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) pathophysiology. A convergence of evidence from genetic, preclinical, and clinical studies points to glutamatergic dysfunction as a key feature of this condition. In light of these findings, there has been a growing interest in exploring the potential of glutamatergic agents in the treatment of OCD. AREAS COVERED This paper reviews the literature on glutamate transmission in OCD. In addition, the authors examine the results of clinical trials investigating the efficacy of glutamatergic agents in the treatment of OCD patients. EXPERT OPINION Along with the recognition of neuroinflammation in the brain in OCD, the evidence of glutamate dysfunction represents one of the most promising recent discoveries for understanding the mechanisms involved in OCD. The importance of this discovery lies primarily in its pharmacological implications and has led to intense research activity in the field of glutamatergic agents. While this research has not yet had a substantial clinical impact, targeting glutamate receptors remains a promising horizon for the successful treatment of OCD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Grassi
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Firenze, Florence, Italy
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2
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Reid M, Lin A, Farhat LC, Fernandez TV, Olfson E. The genetics of trichotillomania and excoriation disorder: A systematic review. Compr Psychiatry 2024; 133:152506. [PMID: 38833896 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2024.152506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trichotillomania (TTM) and excoriation disorder (ED) are impairing obsessive-compulsive related disorders that are common in the general population and for which there are no clear first-line medications, highlighting the need to better understand the underlying biology of these disorders to inform treatments. Given the importance of genetics in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), evaluating genetic factors underlying TTM and ED may advance knowledge about the pathophysiology of these body-focused repetitive behaviors. AIM In this systematic review, we summarize the available evidence on the genetics of TTM and ED and highlight gaps in the field warranting further research. METHOD We systematically searched Embase, PsycInfo, PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science for original studies in genetic epidemiology (family or twin studies) and molecular genetics (candidate gene and genome-wide) published up to June 2023. RESULTS Of the 3536 records identified, 109 studies were included in this review. These studies indicated that genetic factors play an important role in the development of TTM and ED, some of which may be shared across the OCD spectrum, but there are no known high-confidence specific genetic risk factors for either TTM or ED. CONCLUSIONS Our review underscores the need for additional genome-wide research conducted on the genetics of TTM and ED, for instance, genome-wide association and whole-genome/whole-exome DNA sequencing studies. Recent advances in genomics have led to the discovery of risk genes in several psychiatric disorders, including related conditions such as OCD, but to date, TTM and ED have remained understudied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison Reid
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; The University of the South, USA
| | - Ashley Lin
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Luis C Farhat
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thomas V Fernandez
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Emily Olfson
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Lazaridis I, Crittenden JR, Ahn G, Hirokane K, Yoshida T, Wickersham IR, Mahar A, Skara V, Loftus JH, Parvataneni K, Meletis K, Ting JT, Hueske E, Matsushima A, Graybiel AM. Striosomes Target Nigral Dopamine-Containing Neurons via Direct-D1 and Indirect-D2 Pathways Paralleling Classic Direct-Indirect Basal Ganglia Systems. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.01.596922. [PMID: 38915684 PMCID: PMC11195572 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.01.596922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Balanced activity of canonical direct D1 and indirect D2 basal ganglia pathways is considered a core requirement for normal movement, and their imbalance is an etiologic factor in movement and neuropsychiatric disorders. We present evidence for a conceptually equivalent pair of direct-D1 and indirect-D2 pathways that arise from striatal projection neurons (SPNs) of the striosome compartment rather than from SPNs of the matrix, as do the canonical pathways. These S-D1 and S-D2 striosomal pathways target substantia nigra dopamine-containing neurons instead of basal ganglia motor output nuclei. They modulate movement oppositely to the modulation by the canonical pathways: S-D1 is inhibitory and S-D2 is excitatory. The S-D1 and S-D2 circuits likely influence motivation for learning and action, complementing and reorienting canonical pathway modulation. A major conceptual reformulation of the classic direct-indirect pathway model of basal ganglia function is needed, as well as reconsideration of the effects of D2-targeting therapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iakovos Lazaridis
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
| | - Jill R. Crittenden
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
| | - Gun Ahn
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
| | - Kojiro Hirokane
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
| | - Tomoko Yoshida
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
| | - Ian R. Wickersham
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
| | - Ara Mahar
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
| | | | - Johnny H. Loftus
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
| | - Krishna Parvataneni
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
| | | | - Jonathan T. Ting
- Human Cell Types Dept, Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle WA 98109, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98195, USA
| | - Emily Hueske
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
| | - Ayano Matsushima
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
| | - Ann M. Graybiel
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
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Wilson C, Gattuso JJ, Kuznetsova M, Li S, Connell S, Choo JM, Rogers GB, Gubert C, Hannan AJ, Renoir T. Experience-dependent grooming microstructure alterations and gastrointestinal dysfunction in the SAPAP3 knockout mouse model of compulsive behaviour. J Affect Disord 2024; 363:520-531. [PMID: 39043310 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.07.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compulsive- and anxiety-like behaviour can be efficiently modelled in SAPAP3 knockout (KO) mice, a preclinical model of relevance to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Although there is emerging evidence in the clinical literature of gastrointestinal dysfunction in OCD, no previous studies have investigated gut function in preclinical models of relevance to OCD. Similarly, the effects of voluntary exercise (EX) or environmental enrichment (EE) have not yet been explored in this context. METHOD We comprehensively phenotyped the SAPAP3 KO mouse model, including the assessment of grooming microstructure, anxiety- and depressive-like behaviour, and gastrointestinal function. Mice were exposed to either standard housing (SH), exercise (EX, provided by giving mice access to running wheels), or environmental enrichment (EE) for 4 weeks to investigate the effects of enriched housing conditions in this animal model relevant to OCD. FINDINGS Our study is the first to assess grooming microstructure, perseverative locomotor activity, and gastrointestinal function in SAPAP3 KO mice. We are also the first to report a sexually dimorphic effect of grooming in young-adult SAPAP3 KO mice; along with changes to grooming patterning and indicators of gut dysfunction, which occurred in the absence of gut dysbiosis in this model. Overall, we found no beneficial effects of voluntary exercise or environmental enrichment interventions in this mouse model; and unexpectedly, we revealed a deleterious effect of wheel-running exercise on grooming behaviour. We suspect that the detrimental effects of experimental housing in our study may be indicative of off-target effects of stress-a conclusion that warrants further investigation into the effects of chronic stress in this preclinical model of compulsive behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carey Wilson
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - James J Gattuso
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Maria Kuznetsova
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Shanshan Li
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Sasha Connell
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Jocelyn M Choo
- Microbiome and Host Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; Infection and Immunity, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Geraint B Rogers
- Microbiome and Host Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; Infection and Immunity, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Carolina Gubert
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Thibault Renoir
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
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Zhang YD, Shi DD, Wang Z. Neurobiology of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder from Genes to Circuits: Insights from Animal Models. Neurosci Bull 2024:10.1007/s12264-024-01252-9. [PMID: 38982026 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-024-01252-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic, severe psychiatric disorder that has been ranked by the World Health Organization as one of the leading causes of illness-related disability, and first-line interventions are limited in efficacy and have side-effect issues. However, the exact pathophysiology underlying this complex, heterogeneous disorder remains unknown. This scenario is now rapidly changing due to the advancement of powerful technologies that can be used to verify the function of the specific gene and dissect the neural circuits underlying the neurobiology of OCD in rodents. Genetic and circuit-specific manipulation in rodents has provided important insights into the neurobiology of OCD by identifying the molecular, cellular, and circuit events that induce OCD-like behaviors. This review will highlight recent progress specifically toward classic genetic animal models and advanced neural circuit findings, which provide theoretical evidence for targeted intervention on specific molecular, cellular, and neural circuit events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Dan Zhang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Dong-Dong Shi
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201108, China.
| | - Zhen Wang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201108, China.
- Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center, Shanghai, 200030, China.
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Brownstien M, Lazar M, Botvinnik A, Shevakh C, Blakolmer K, Lerer L, Lifschytz T, Lerer B. Striking Long Term Beneficial Effects of Single Dose Psilocybin and Psychedelic Mushroom Extract in the SAPAP3 Rodent Model of OCD-Like Excessive Self-Grooming. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.25.600634. [PMID: 38979304 PMCID: PMC11230258 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.25.600634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a highly prevalent disorder that causes serious disability. Available treatments leave 40% or more of people with OCD significantly symptomatic. There is an urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches. Mice that carry a homozygous deletion of the SAPAP3 gene (SAPAP3 KO) manifest a phenotype of excessive self-grooming, tic-like head-body twitches and anxiety. These behaviors closely resemble pathological self-grooming behaviors observed in humans in conditions that overlap with OCD. Following a preliminary report that the tryptaminergic psychedelic, psilocybin, may reduce symptoms in patients with OCD, we undertook a randomized controlled trial of psilocybin in 50 SAPAP3 KO mice (28 male, 22 female). Mice that fulfilled inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to a single intraperitoneal injection of psilocybin (4.4 mg/kg), psychedelic mushroom extract (encompassing the same psilocybin dose) or vehicle control and were evaluated after 2, 4 and 21 days by a rater blind to treatment allocation for grooming characteristics, head-body twitches, anxiety and other behavioral features. Mice treated with vehicle (n=18) manifested a 118.71±95.96 % increase in total self-grooming (the primary outcome measure) over the 21-day observation period. In contrast, total self-grooming decreased by 14.60%±17.90% in mice treated with psilocybin (n=16) and by 19.20±20.05% in mice treated with psychedelic mushroom extract (n=16) (p=.001 for effect of time; p=.0001 for time × treatment interaction). 5 mice were dropped from the vehicle group because they developed skin lesions; 4 from the psilocybin group and none from the psychedelic mushroom extract group. Secondary outcome measures such as head-body twitches and anxiety all showed a significant improvement over 21 days. Notably, in mice that responded to psilocybin (n=12) and psychedelic mushroom extract (n=13), the beneficial effect of a single treatment persisted up to 7 weeks. Mice initially treated with vehicle and non-responsive, showed a clear and lasting therapeutic response when treated with a single dose of psilocybin or psychedelic mushroom extract and followed for a further 3 weeks. While equivalent to psilocybin in overall effect on self-grooming, psychedelic mushroom extract showed superior effects in alleviating head-body twitches and anxiety. These findings strongly justify clinical trials of psilocybin in the treatment of OCD and further studies aimed at elucidating mechanisms that underlie the long-term effects to alleviate excessive self-grooming observed in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Brownstien
- Biological Psychiatry Laboratory and Hadassah BrainLabs Center for Psychedelic Research, Hebrew University, Ein Karem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michal Lazar
- Biological Psychiatry Laboratory and Hadassah BrainLabs Center for Psychedelic Research, Hebrew University, Ein Karem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Alexander Botvinnik
- Biological Psychiatry Laboratory and Hadassah BrainLabs Center for Psychedelic Research, Hebrew University, Ein Karem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Chloe Shevakh
- Biological Psychiatry Laboratory and Hadassah BrainLabs Center for Psychedelic Research, Hebrew University, Ein Karem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Leonard Lerer
- Parow Entheobiosciences (ParowBio), Chicago, IL, USA
- Back of the Yards Algae Sciences (BYAS), Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tzuri Lifschytz
- Biological Psychiatry Laboratory and Hadassah BrainLabs Center for Psychedelic Research, Hebrew University, Ein Karem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Bernard Lerer
- Biological Psychiatry Laboratory and Hadassah BrainLabs Center for Psychedelic Research, Hebrew University, Ein Karem, Jerusalem, Israel
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Piantadosi SC, Manning EE, Chamberlain BL, Hyde J, LaPalombara Z, Bannon NM, Pierson JL, K Namboodiri VM, Ahmari SE. Hyperactivity of indirect pathway-projecting spiny projection neurons promotes compulsive behavior. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4434. [PMID: 38789416 PMCID: PMC11126597 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48331-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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Compulsive behaviors are a hallmark symptom of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Striatal hyperactivity has been linked to compulsive behavior generation in correlative studies in humans and causal studies in rodents. However, the contribution of the two distinct striatal output populations to the generation and treatment of compulsive behavior is unknown. These populations of direct and indirect pathway-projecting spiny projection neurons (SPNs) have classically been thought to promote or suppress actions, respectively, leading to a long-held hypothesis that increased output of direct relative to indirect pathway promotes compulsive behavior. Contrary to this hypothesis, here we find that indirect pathway hyperactivity is associated with compulsive grooming in the Sapap3-knockout mouse model of OCD-relevant behavior. Furthermore, we show that suppression of indirect pathway activity using optogenetics or treatment with the first-line OCD pharmacotherapy fluoxetine is associated with reduced grooming in Sapap3-knockouts. Together, these findings highlight the striatal indirect pathway as a potential treatment target for compulsive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean C Piantadosi
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Elizabeth E Manning
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Brittany L Chamberlain
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - James Hyde
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Biology, Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia, AK, USA
| | - Zoe LaPalombara
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Nicholas M Bannon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jamie L Pierson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Susanne E Ahmari
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Wilson C, Hannan AJ, Renoir T. Serotonergic agonism and pharmacologically-induced adolescent stress cause operant-based learning deficits in mice. Neuropharmacology 2024; 244:109801. [PMID: 38040286 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The interplay between environmental stress and genetic factors is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis and maintenance of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, the relative contribution of these causative antecedents in the manifestation of cognitive inflexibility-a phenotype often seen in obsessive-compulsive (OC)- spectrum disorders-is not fully understood. METHOD In this study, we treated mice with 50 mg/L corticosterone (CORT, a glucocorticoid stress hormone) in their drinking water during adolescence. In adulthood, we assessed anxiety-like behaviour and locomotor activity; along with operant-based discrimination and reversal learning. RU-24969, a selective serotonin receptor 5-HT1A/1B receptor agonist, was used as an acute pharmacological model of OC-like behaviour. RU-24969 (5 mg/kg) was administered prior to each reversal learning testing session. RESULTS We found that acute treatment with 5 mg/kg RU-24969 induced stereotyped hyperlocomotion in vehicle- and CORT-treated mice. Furthermore, pre-treatment with CORT in adolescence produced subtle anxiety-like behaviour in adult mice, and also resulted in an impairment to late-stage discrimination learning and alterations to reversal learning. Finally, acute treatment with 5 mg/kg RU-24969 caused an impairment to early-stage reversal learning. CONCLUSION Whilst we revealed dissociable detrimental effects of adolescent CORT treatment and acute 5-HT1A/1B receptor agonism on discrimination and reversal learning, respectively, we did not find evidence of additive deleterious effects of these two treatments. We therefore suggest that while disrupted serotonergic signalling is likely to be involved in the cognitive phenotype of OC-spectrum disorders, distinct neuropathological pathways may be at play in mediating the role of stress as an antecedent in OCD and related illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carey Wilson
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Thibault Renoir
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
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Gargano SP, Santos MG, Taylor SM, Pastis I. A closer look to neural pathways and psychopharmacology of obsessive compulsive disorder. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1282246. [PMID: 38033477 PMCID: PMC10687174 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1282246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The intricate neural pathways involved in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affect areas of our brain that control executive functioning, organization, and planning. OCD is a chronic condition that can be debilitating, afflicting millions of people worldwide. The lifetime prevalence of OCD in the US is 2.3%. OCD is predominantly characterized by obsessions consisting of intrusive and unwanted thoughts, often with impulses that are strongly associated with anxiety. Compulsions with OCD encompass repetitive behaviors or mental acts to satisfy their afflicted obsessions or impulses. While these factors can be unique to each individual, it has been widely established that the etiology of OCD is complex as it relates to neuronal pathways, psychopharmacology, and brain chemistry involved and warrants further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven P. Gargano
- East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Melody G. Santos
- Internal Medicine and Psychiatry Combined Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Sydney M. Taylor
- East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Irene Pastis
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
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Gattuso JJ, Wilson C, Hannan AJ, Renoir T. Acute administration of the NMDA receptor antagonists ketamine and MK-801 reveals dysregulation of glutamatergic signalling and sensorimotor gating in the Sapap3 knockout mouse model of compulsive-like behaviour. Neuropharmacology 2023; 239:109689. [PMID: 37597609 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterised by excessive intrusive thoughts that may cause an individual to engage in compulsive behaviours. Frontline pharmacological treatments (i.e., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)) leave approximately 40% of patients refractory to treatment. To investigate the possibility of novel pharmacological therapies for OCD, as well as the potential mechanisms underlying its pathology, we used the Sapap3 knockout (KO) mouse model of OCD, which exhibits increased anxiety and compulsive grooming behaviours. Firstly, we investigated whether administration of the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) antagonist ketamine (30 mg/kg), would reduce anxiety and grooming behaviour in Sapap3 KO mice. Anxiety-like behaviour was measured via time spent in the light component of the light-dark box test. Grooming behaviour was recorded and scored in freely moving mice. In line with previous works conducted in older animals (i.e. typically between 6 and 9 months of age), we confirmed here that Sapap3 KO mice exhibit an anxious, compulsive grooming, hypolocomotive and reduced body weight phenotype even at a younger age (i.e., 2-3 months of age). However, we found that acute administration of ketamine did not cause a reduction in anxiety or grooming behaviour. We then investigated in vivo glutamatergic function via the administration of a different NMDAR antagonist, MK-801 (0.25 mg/kg), prior to locomotion and prepulse inhibition assays. We found evidence of altered functional NMDAR activity, as well as sexually dimorphic prepulse inhibition, a measure of sensorimotor gating, in Sapap3 KO mice. These results are suggestive of in vivo glutamatergic dysfunction and their functional consequences, enabling future research to further investigate novel treatments for OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J Gattuso
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Carey Wilson
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Thibault Renoir
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
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11
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van den Boom BJG, Elhazaz-Fernandez A, Rasmussen PA, van Beest EH, Parthasarathy A, Denys D, Willuhn I. Unraveling the mechanisms of deep-brain stimulation of the internal capsule in a mouse model. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5385. [PMID: 37666830 PMCID: PMC10477328 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41026-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Deep-brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for patients suffering from otherwise therapy-resistant psychiatric disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder. Modulation of cortico-striatal circuits has been suggested as a mechanism of action. To gain mechanistic insight, we monitored neuronal activity in cortico-striatal regions in a mouse model for compulsive behavior, while systematically varying clinically-relevant parameters of internal-capsule DBS. DBS showed dose-dependent effects on both brain and behavior: An increasing, yet balanced, number of excited and inhibited neurons was recruited, scattered throughout cortico-striatal regions, while excessive grooming decreased. Such neuronal recruitment did not alter basic brain function such as resting-state activity, and only occurred in awake animals, indicating a dependency on network activity. In addition to these widespread effects, we observed specific involvement of the medial orbitofrontal cortex in therapeutic outcomes, which was corroborated by optogenetic stimulation. Together, our findings provide mechanistic insight into how DBS exerts its therapeutic effects on compulsive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastijn J G van den Boom
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Alfredo Elhazaz-Fernandez
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A Rasmussen
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Enny H van Beest
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aishwarya Parthasarathy
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Damiaan Denys
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ingo Willuhn
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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12
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Wilson C, Gattuso JJ, Hannan AJ, Renoir T. Mechanisms of pathogenesis and environmental moderators in preclinical models of compulsive-like behaviours. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 185:106223. [PMID: 37423502 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106223] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRD) is an emergent class of psychiatric illnesses that contributes substantially to the global mental health disease burden. In particular, the prototypical illness, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), has a profoundly deleterious effect on the quality of life of those with lived experience. Both clinical and preclinical studies have investigated the genetic and environmental influences contributing to the pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. Significant progress has been made in recent years in our understanding of the genetics of OCD, along with the critical role of common environmental triggers (e.g., stress). Some of this progress can be attributed to the sophistication of rodent models used in the field, particularly genetic mutant models, which demonstrate promising construct, face, and predictive validity. However, there is a paucity of studies investigating how these genetic and environmental influences interact to precipitate the behavioural, cellular, and molecular changes that occur in OCD. In this review, we assert that preclinical studies offer a unique opportunity to carefully manipulate environmental and genetic factors, and in turn to interrogate gene-environment interactions and relevant downstream sequelae. Such studies may serve to provide a mechanistic framework to build our understanding of the pathogenesis of complex neuropsychiatric disorders such as OCD. Furthermore, understanding gene-environment interactions and pathogenic mechanisms will facilitate precision medicine and other future approaches to enhance treatment, reduce side-effects of therapeutic interventions, and improve the lives of those suffering from these devastating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carey Wilson
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - James J Gattuso
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Thibault Renoir
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
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13
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The Sapap3 -/- mouse reconsidered as a comorbid model expressing a spectrum of pathological repetitive behaviours. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:26. [PMID: 36717540 PMCID: PMC9886949 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02323-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Symptom comorbidity is present amongst neuropsychiatric disorders with repetitive behaviours, complicating clinical diagnosis and impeding appropriate treatments. This is of particular importance for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette syndrome. Here, we meticulously analysed the behaviour of Sapap3 knockout mice, the recent rodent model predominantly used to study compulsive-like behaviours, and found that its behaviour is more complex than originally and persistently described. Indeed, we detected previously unreported elements of distinct pathologically repetitive behaviours, which do not form part of rodent syntactic cephalo-caudal self-grooming. These repetitive behaviours include sudden, rapid body and head/body twitches, resembling tic-like movements. We also observed that another type of repetitive behaviour, aberrant hindpaw scratching, might be responsible for the flagship-like skin lesions of this mouse model. In order to characterise the symptomatological nature of observed repetitive behaviours, we pharmacologically challenged these phenotypes by systemic aripiprazole administration, a first-line treatment for tic-like symptoms in Tourette syndrome and trichotillomania. A single treatment of aripiprazole significantly reduced the number of head/body twitches, scratching, and single-phase grooming, but not syntactic grooming events. These observations are in line with the high comorbidity of tic- and compulsive-like symptoms in Tourette, OCD and trichotillomania patients.
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14
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Petrelli F, Zehnder T, Laugeray A, Mondoloni S, Calì C, Pucci L, Molinero Perez A, Bondiolotti BM, De Oliveira Figueiredo E, Dallerac G, Déglon N, Giros B, Magrassi L, Mothet JP, Mameli M, Simmler LD, Bezzi P. Disruption of Astrocyte-Dependent Dopamine Control in the Developing Medial Prefrontal Cortex Leads to Excessive Grooming in Mice. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 93:966-975. [PMID: 36958999 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Astrocytes control synaptic activity by modulating perisynaptic concentrations of ions and neurotransmitters including dopamine (DA) and, as such, could be involved in the modulating aspects of mammalian behavior. METHODS We produced a conditional deletion of the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) specifically in astrocytes (aVMTA2cKO mice) and studied the effects of the lack of VMAT2 in prefrontal cortex (PFC) astrocytes on the regulation of DA levels, PFC circuit functions, and behavioral processes. RESULTS We found a significant reduction of medial PFC (mPFC) DA levels and excessive grooming and compulsive repetitive behaviors in aVMAT2cKO mice. The mice also developed a synaptic pathology, expressed through increased relative AMPA versus NMDA receptor currents in synapses of the dorsal striatum receiving inputs from the mPFC. Importantly, behavioral and synaptic phenotypes were rescued by re-expression of mPFC VMAT2 and L-DOPA treatment, showing that the deficits were driven by mPFC astrocytes that are critically involved in developmental DA homeostasis. By analyzing human tissue samples, we found that VMAT2 is expressed in human PFC astrocytes, corroborating the potential translational relevance of our observations in mice. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that impairment of the astrocytic control of DA in the mPFC leads to symptoms resembling obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders such as trichotillomania and has a profound impact on circuit function and behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Petrelli
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tamara Zehnder
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anthony Laugeray
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Mondoloni
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Corrado Calì
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Luca Pucci
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alicia Molinero Perez
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Glenn Dallerac
- Centre de Recherche en Neurobiologie et Neurophysiologie de Marseille, Aix-Marseille Université UMR7286 CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Nicole Déglon
- Neurosciences Research Center, Laboratory of Neurotherapies and Neuromodulation, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bruno Giros
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Hospital Research Center, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Lorenzo Magrassi
- Neurosurgery, Dipartimento di Scienze Clinico-Chirurgiche e Pediatriche, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Jean-Pierre Mothet
- Centre de Recherche en Neurobiologie et Neurophysiologie de Marseille, Aix-Marseille Université UMR7286 CNRS, Marseille, France; "Biophotonics and Synapse Physiopathology" Team, UMR9188 CNRS - ENS Paris Saclay, Orsay, France
| | - Manuel Mameli
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Linda D Simmler
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Paola Bezzi
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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15
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Bai Y, Wang H, Li C. SAPAP Scaffold Proteins: From Synaptic Function to Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233815. [PMID: 36497075 PMCID: PMC9740047 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Excitatory (glutamatergic) synaptic transmission underlies many aspects of brain activity and the genesis of normal human behavior. The postsynaptic scaffolding proteins SAP90/PSD-95-associated proteins (SAPAPs), which are abundant components of the postsynaptic density (PSD) at excitatory synapses, play critical roles in synaptic structure, formation, development, plasticity, and signaling. The convergence of human genetic data with recent in vitro and in vivo animal model data indicates that mutations in the genes encoding SAPAP1-4 are associated with neurological and psychiatric disorders, and that dysfunction of SAPAP scaffolding proteins may contribute to the pathogenesis of various neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, Alzheimer's disease, and bipolar disorder. Here, we review recent major genetic, epigenetic, molecular, behavioral, electrophysiological, and circuitry studies that have advanced our knowledge by clarifying the roles of SAPAP proteins at the synapses, providing new insights into the mechanistic links to neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunxia Bai
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (STCSM & MOE), Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
- Shanghai Changning Mental Health Center, Shanghai 200335, China
| | - Huimin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (STCSM & MOE), Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
- Shanghai Changning Mental Health Center, Shanghai 200335, China
- NYU-ECNU Institute of Brain and Cognitive Science at NYU Shanghai, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Chunxia Li
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (STCSM & MOE), Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
- Shanghai Changning Mental Health Center, Shanghai 200335, China
- Correspondence:
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16
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Niedringhaus M, West EA. Prelimbic cortex neural encoding dynamically tracks expected outcome value. Physiol Behav 2022; 256:113938. [PMID: 35944659 PMCID: PMC11247951 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Animals must modify their behavior based on updated expected outcomes in a changing environment. Prelimbic cortex (PrL) neural encoding during learning predicts, and is necessary for, appropriately altering behavior based on a new expected outcome value following devaluation. We aimed to determine how PrL neural activity encodes reward predictive cues after the expected outcome value of those cues is decreased following conditioned taste aversion. In one post-devaluation session, rats were tested under extinction to determine their ability to alter their behavior to the expected outcome values (i.e., extinction test). In a second post-devaluation session, rats were tested with the newly devalued outcome delivered so that the rats experienced the updated outcome value within the session (i.e., re-exposure test). We found that PrL neural encoding of the cue associated with the devalued reward predicted the ability of rats to suppress behavior in the extinction test session, but not in the re-exposure test session. While all rats were able to successfully devalue the outcome during conditioned taste aversion, a subset of rats continued to consume the devalued outcome in the re-exposure test session. We found differential patterns of PrL neural encoding in the population of rats that did not avoid the devalued outcome during the re-exposure test compared to the rats that successfully avoided the devalued outcome. Our findings suggest that PrL neural encoding dynamically tracks expected outcome values, and differential neural encoding in the PrL to reward predictive cues following expected outcome value changes may contribute to distinct behavioral phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Niedringhaus
- Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, 08084
| | - Elizabeth A West
- Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, 08084; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, 08084.
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17
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Lustberg DJ, Liu JQ, Iannitelli AF, Vanderhoof SO, Liles LC, McCann KE, Weinshenker D. Norepinephrine and dopamine contribute to distinct repetitive behaviors induced by novel odorant stress in male and female mice. Horm Behav 2022; 144:105205. [PMID: 35660247 PMCID: PMC10216880 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to unfamiliar odorants induces an array of repetitive defensive and non-defensive behaviors in rodents which likely reflect adaptive stress responses to the uncertain valence of novel stimuli. Mice genetically deficient for dopamine β-hydroxylase (Dbh-/-) lack the enzyme required to convert dopamine (DA) into norepinephrine (NE), resulting in globally undetectable NE and supranormal DA levels. Because catecholamines modulate novelty detection and reactivity, we investigated the effects of novel plant-derived odorants on repetitive behaviors in Dbh-/- mice and Dbh+/- littermate controls, which have catecholamine levels comparable to wild-type mice. Unlike Dbh+/- controls, which exhibited vigorous digging in response to novel odorants, Dbh-/- mice displayed excessive grooming. Drugs that block NE synthesis or neurotransmission suppressed odorant-induced digging in Dbh+/- mice, while a DA receptor antagonist attenuated grooming in Dbh-/- mice. The testing paradigm elicited high circulating levels of corticosterone regardless of Dbh genotype, indicating that NE is dispensable for this systemic stress response. Odorant exposure increased NE and DA abundance in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of Dbh+/- mice, while Dbh-/- animals lacked NE and had elevated PFC DA levels that were unaffected by novel smells. Together, these findings suggest that novel odorant-induced increases in central NE tone contribute to repetitive digging and reflect psychological stress, while central DA signaling contributes to repetitive grooming. Further, we have established a simple method for repeated assessment of stress-induced repetitive behaviors in mice, which may be relevant for modeling neuropsychiatric disorders like Tourette syndrome or obsessive-compulsive disorder that are characterized by stress-induced exacerbation of compulsive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Lustberg
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Joyce Q Liu
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Alexa F Iannitelli
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Samantha O Vanderhoof
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - L Cameron Liles
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Katharine E McCann
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - David Weinshenker
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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18
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Kajs BL, van Roessel PJ, Davis GL, Williams LM, Rodriguez CI, Gunaydin LA. Valence processing alterations in SAPAP3 knockout mice and human OCD. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 151:657-666. [PMID: 35661523 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Abnormalities in valence processing - the processing of aversive or appetitive stimuli - may be an underrecognized component of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Preclinical rodent models have been critical in furthering pathophysiological understanding of OCD, yet there is a dearth of investigations examining whether rodent models of compulsive behavior show alterations in valence systems congruent with those seen in individuals with OCD. In this study, we sought to assess valence processing in a preclinical rodent model of compulsive behavior, the SAPAP3 knockout (KO) mouse model, and compare our preclinical findings to similar behavioral phenomena in OCD patients. In SAPAP3 KO mice, we used auditory fear conditioning and extinction to examine alterations in negative valence processing and reward-based operant conditioning to examine alterations in positive valence processing. We find that SAPAP3 KO mice show evidence of heightened negative valence processing through enhanced fear learning and impaired fear extinction. SAPAP3 KO mice also show deficits in reward acquisition and goal-directed behavior, suggesting impaired positive valence processing. In OCD patients, we used validated behavioral tests to assess explicit and implicit processing of fear-related facial expressions (negative valence) and socially-rewarding happy expressions (positive valence). We find similar trends towards enhanced negative and impaired positive valence processing in OCD patients. Overall, our results reveal valence processing abnormalities in a preclinical rodent model of compulsive behavior similar to those seen in OCD patients, with implications for valence processing alterations as novel therapeutic targets across a translational research spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget L Kajs
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Peter J van Roessel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA; Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Gwynne L Davis
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Leanne M Williams
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA; Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Carolyn I Rodriguez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA; Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA.
| | - Lisa A Gunaydin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA; Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
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19
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Groman SM, Thompson SL, Lee D, Taylor JR. Reinforcement learning detuned in addiction: integrative and translational approaches. Trends Neurosci 2022; 45:96-105. [PMID: 34920884 PMCID: PMC8770604 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2021.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Suboptimal decision-making strategies have been proposed to contribute to the pathophysiology of addiction. Decision-making, however, arises from a collection of computational components that can independently influence behavior. Disruptions in these different components can lead to decision-making deficits that appear similar behaviorally, but differ at the computational, and likely the neurobiological, level. Here, we discuss recent studies that have used computational approaches to investigate the decision-making processes underlying addiction. Studies in animal models have found that value updating following positive, but not negative, outcomes is predictive of drug use, whereas value updating following negative, but not positive, outcomes is disrupted following drug self-administration. We contextualize these findings with studies on the circuit and biological mechanisms of decision-making to develop a framework for revealing the biobehavioral mechanisms of addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M. Groman
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University,Correspondence to be directed to: Stephanie Groman, 321 Church Street SE, 4-125 Jackson Hall Minneapolis MN 55455,
| | | | - Daeyeol Lee
- The Zanvyl Krieger Mind/Brain Institute, The Solomon H Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Jane R. Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University,Department of Neuroscience, Yale University,Department of Psychology, Yale University
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20
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Ahmari SE, Rauch SL. The prefrontal cortex and OCD. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:211-224. [PMID: 34400778 PMCID: PMC8617188 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01130-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a highly prevalent and severe neuropsychiatric disorder, with an incidence of 1.5-3% worldwide. However, despite the clear public health burden of OCD and relatively well-defined symptom criteria, effective treatments are still limited, spotlighting the need for investigation of the neural substrates of the disorder. Human neuroimaging studies have consistently highlighted abnormal activity patterns in prefrontal cortex (PFC) regions and connected circuits in OCD during both symptom provocation and performance of neurocognitive tasks. Because of recent technical advances, these findings can now be leveraged to develop novel targeted interventions. Here we will highlight current theories regarding the role of the prefrontal cortex in the generation of OCD symptoms, discuss ways in which this knowledge can be used to improve treatments for this often disabling illness, and lay out challenges in the field for future study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne E Ahmari
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Scott L Rauch
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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21
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Optogenetic inhibition of indirect pathway neurons in the dorsomedial striatum reduces excessive grooming in Sapap3-knockout mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:477-487. [PMID: 34417544 PMCID: PMC8674346 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01161-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Excessive grooming of Sapap3-KO mice has been used as a model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Previous studies suggest that dysregulation of cortico-striatal circuits is critically important in the generation of compulsive behaviors, and it has been proposed that the alteration in the activity patterns of striatal circuitry underlies the excessive grooming observed in Sapap3-KO mice. To test this hypothesis, we used in-vivo calcium imaging of individual cells to record striatal activity in these animals and optogenetic inhibition to manipulate this activity. We identified striatal neurons that are modulated during grooming behavior and found that their proportion is significantly larger in Sapap3-KO mice compared to wild-type littermates. Inhibition of striatal cells in Sapap3-KO mice increased the number of grooming episodes observed. Remarkably, the specific inhibition of indirect pathway neurons decreased the occurrence of grooming events. Our results indicate that there is striatal neural activity related to excessive grooming engagement in Sapap3-KO mice. We also demonstrate, for the first time, that specific inhibition of striatal indirect pathway neurons reduces this compulsive phenotype, suggesting that treatments that alleviate compulsive symptoms in OCD patients may exert their effects through this specific striatal population.
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22
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Manning EE, Geramita MA, Piantadosi SC, Pierson JL, Ahmari SE. Distinct Patterns of Abnormal Lateral Orbitofrontal Cortex Activity During Compulsive Grooming and Reversal Learning Normalize After Fluoxetine. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 93:989-999. [PMID: 35094880 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) display disrupted performance and abnormal lateral orbitofrontal cortex (LOFC) activity during reversal learning tasks. However, it is unknown whether compulsions and reversal learning deficits share a common neural substrate. To answer this question, we measured neural activity with in vivo calcium imaging in LOFC during compulsive grooming and reversal learning before and after fluoxetine treatment. METHODS Sapap3 knockout (KO) mice were used as a model for OCD-relevant behaviors. Sapap3 KOs and control littermates were injected with a virus encoding GCaMP6f and implanted with gradient-index lenses to visualize LOFC activity using miniature microscopes. Grooming, reversal learning, and neural activity were measured pre- and post-fluoxetine treatment (18 mg/kg, 4 weeks). RESULTS Baseline compulsive grooming and reversal learning impairments in KOs improved after fluoxetine treatment. In addition, KOs displayed distinct patterns of abnormal LOFC activity during grooming and reversal learning, both of which normalized after fluoxetine. Finally, reversal learning-associated neurons were distributed randomly among grooming-associated neurons (i.e., overlap is what would be expected by chance). CONCLUSIONS In OCD, LOFC is disrupted during both compulsive behaviors and reversal learning, but whether these behaviors share common neural underpinnings is unknown. We found that LOFC plays distinct roles in compulsive grooming and impaired reversal learning and their improvement with fluoxetine. These findings suggest that LOFC plays separate roles in pathophysiology and treatment of different perseverative behaviors in OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth E Manning
- School of the Biological Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Matthew A Geramita
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Sean C Piantadosi
- Center for Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Washington, Seattle
| | - Jamie L Pierson
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Susanne E Ahmari
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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23
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Bariselli S, Lovinger DM. Corticostriatal Circuit Models of Cognitive Impairments Induced by Fetal Exposure to Alcohol. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 90:516-528. [PMID: 34281711 PMCID: PMC8463431 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The term fetal alcohol spectrum disorder includes a group of diseases caused by fetal alcohol exposure (FAE). Patients with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder display heterogeneous socioemotional and cognitive deficits, particularly in the domain of executive function, that share symptoms with other neuropsychiatric disorders. Despite the availability of several preclinical models, the developmental brain defects causally linked to behavioral deficits induced by FAE remain poorly understood. Here, we first review the effects of FAE on corticostriatal development and its impact on both corticostriatal pathway function and cognitive abilities. We propose three non-mutually exclusive circuit models of corticostriatal dysfunctions to account for some of the FAE-induced cognitive deficits. One model posits that associative-sensorimotor imbalance causes hyper goal-directed behavior, and a second model implies that alteration of prefrontal-striatal behavioral suppression circuits results in loss of behavioral inhibition. A third model suggests that local striatal circuit deficits affect striatal neuronal ensemble function to impair action selection and performance. Finally, we discuss how preclinical approaches applied to these circuit models could offer potential rescue strategies for executive function deficits in patients with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastiano Bariselli
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 5625 Fishers Lane, Bethesda, MD (20892-941),Center on Compulsive Behaviors, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - David M. Lovinger
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 5625 Fishers Lane, Bethesda, MD (20892-941),Corresponding author:
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Ketamine increases activity of a fronto-striatal projection that regulates compulsive behavior in SAPAP3 knockout mice. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6040. [PMID: 34654803 PMCID: PMC8519915 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26247-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions), is associated with dysfunction in fronto-striatal circuits. There are currently no fast-acting pharmacological treatments for OCD. However, recent clinical studies demonstrated that an intravenous infusion of ketamine rapidly reduces OCD symptoms. To probe mechanisms underlying ketamine’s therapeutic effect on OCD-like behaviors, we used the SAPAP3 knockout (KO) mouse model of compulsive grooming. Here we recapitulate the fast-acting therapeutic effect of ketamine on compulsive behavior, and show that ketamine increases activity of dorsomedial prefrontal neurons projecting to the dorsomedial striatum in KO mice. Optogenetically mimicking this increase in fronto-striatal activity reduced compulsive grooming behavior in KO mice. Conversely, inhibiting this circuit in wild-type mice increased grooming. Finally, we demonstrate that ketamine blocks the exacerbation of grooming in KO mice caused by optogenetically inhibiting fronto-striatal activity. These studies demonstrate that ketamine increases activity in a fronto-striatal circuit that causally controls compulsive grooming behavior, suggesting this circuit may be important for ketamine’s therapeutic effects in OCD. Intravenous infusion of ketamine rapidly reduces obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms. Here, the authors show in mice that ketamine acts by increasing activity in a fronto-striatal circuit that causally controls compulsive grooming behaviour.
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25
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Mitra S, Bult-Ito A. Bidirectional Behavioral Selection in Mice: A Novel Pre-clinical Approach to Examining Compulsivity. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:716619. [PMID: 34566718 PMCID: PMC8458042 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.716619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders (OCRD) is one of the most prevalent neuropsychiatric disorders with no definitive etiology. The pathophysiological attributes of OCD are driven by a multitude of factors that involve polygenic mechanisms, gender, neurochemistry, physiological status, environmental exposures and complex interactions among these factors. Such complex intertwining of contributing factors imparts clinical heterogeneity to the disorder making it challenging for therapeutic intervention. Mouse strains selected for excessive levels of nest- building behavior exhibit a spontaneous, stable and predictable compulsive-like behavioral phenotype. These compulsive-like mice exhibit heterogeneity in expression of compulsive-like and other adjunct behaviors that might serve as a valuable animal equivalent for examining the interactions of genetics, sex and environmental factors in influencing the pathophysiology of OCD. The current review summarizes the existing findings on the compulsive-like mice that bolster their face, construct and predictive validity for studying various dimensions of compulsive and associated behaviors often reported in clinical OCD and OCRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarup Mitra
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Abel Bult-Ito
- Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, United States
- OCRD Biomed LLC, Fairbanks, AK, United States
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26
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Perepelkina OV, Poletaeva II. Selection of Laboratory Mice for the Cognitive Task Successful Solution and for the Inability to Solve It. DOKL BIOCHEM BIOPHYS 2021; 499:207-210. [PMID: 34426912 DOI: 10.1134/s1607672921040116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Using the selected mouse strain EX as the founding population (selection for extrapolation ability) three selection generations of mice were obtained, which were selected for successful solution of object permanence test (plus-sub-strain) and for lack of such solution (minus-sub-strain). The successful solution required not only the ability to operate the object permanence rule (by J. Piajet), but the performance of complicated action (executive function) which was significantly higher in plus-substrain, and this is the unique example of successful selection for cognitive trait.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - I I Poletaeva
- Biology Department, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.
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27
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Disruption of prepulse inhibition is associated with compulsive behavior severity and nucleus accumbens dopamine receptor changes in Sapap3 knockout mice. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9442. [PMID: 33941812 PMCID: PMC8093235 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88769-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with disruption of sensorimotor gating, which may contribute to difficulties inhibiting intrusive thoughts and compulsive rituals. Neural mechanisms underlying these disturbances are unclear; however, striatal dopamine is implicated in regulation of sensorimotor gating and OCD pathophysiology. The goal of this study was to examine the relationships between sensorimotor gating, compulsive behavior, and striatal dopamine receptor levels in Sapap3 knockout mice (KOs), a widely used preclinical model system for OCD research. We found a trend for disruption of sensorimotor gating in Sapap3-KOs using the translational measure prepulse inhibition (PPI); however, there was significant heterogeneity in both PPI and compulsive grooming in KOs. Disruption of PPI was significantly correlated with a more severe compulsive phenotype. In addition, PPI disruption and compulsive grooming severity were associated with reduced dopamine D1 and D2/3 receptor density in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcC). Compulsive grooming progressively worsened in Sapap3-KOs tested longitudinally, but PPI disruption was first detected in high-grooming KOs at 7 months of age. Through detailed characterization of individual differences in OCD-relevant behavioral and neurochemical measures, our findings suggest that NAcC dopamine receptor changes may be involved in disruption of sensorimotor gating and compulsive behavior relevant to OCD.
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Transcriptome alterations are enriched for synapse-associated genes in the striatum of subjects with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:171. [PMID: 33723209 PMCID: PMC7961029 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01290-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and severe psychiatric disorder for which effective treatment options are limited. Structural and functional neuroimaging studies have consistently implicated the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and striatum in the pathophysiology of the disorder. Recent genetic evidence points to involvement of components of the excitatory synapse in the etiology of OCD. However, the transcriptional alterations that could link genetic risk to known structural and functional abnormalities remain mostly unknown. To assess potential transcriptional changes in the OFC and two striatal regions (caudate nucleus and nucleus accumbens) of OCD subjects relative to unaffected comparison subjects, we sequenced messenger RNA transcripts from these brain regions. In a joint analysis of all three regions, 904 transcripts were differentially expressed between 7 OCD versus 8 unaffected comparison subjects. Region-specific analyses highlighted a smaller number of differences, which concentrated in caudate and nucleus accumbens. Pathway analyses of the 904 differentially expressed transcripts showed enrichment for genes involved in synaptic signaling, with these synapse-associated genes displaying lower expression in OCD subjects relative to unaffected comparison subjects. Finally, we estimated that cell type fractions of medium spiny neurons were lower whereas vascular cells and astrocyte fractions were higher in tissue of OCD subjects. Together, these data provide the first unbiased examination of differentially expressed transcripts in both OFC and striatum of OCD subjects. These transcripts encoded synaptic proteins more often than expected by chance, and thus implicate the synapse as a vulnerable molecular compartment for OCD.
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29
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Borrie SC, Horner AE, Yoshimura A, Legius E, Kopanitsa MV, Brems H. Impaired instrumental learning in Spred1 -/- mice, a model for a rare RASopathy. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2021; 20:e12727. [PMID: 33624414 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
RASopathies are neuro-cardio-facio-cutaneous disorders stemming from mutations in genes regulating the RAS-MAPK pathway. Legius syndrome is a rare RASopathy disorder caused by mutations in the SPRED1 gene. SPRED1 protein negatively regulates activation of Ras by inhibiting RAS/RAF and by its interaction with neurofibromin, a Ras GTPase-activating protein (RAS-GAP). Cognitive impairments have been reported in Legius syndrome as well as in other RASopathy disorders. Modelling these cognitive deficits in a Spred1 mouse model for Legius syndrome has demonstrated spatial learning and memory deficits, but other cognitive domains remained unexplored. Here, we attempted to utilize a cognitive touchscreen battery to investigate if Spred1-/- mice exhibit deficits in other cognitive domains. We show that Spred1-/- mice had heterogeneous performance in instrumental operant learning, with a large subgroup (n = 9/20) failing to reach the standard criterion on touchscreen operant pretraining, precluding further cognitive testing. To examine whether targeting the RAS-MAPK signalling pathway could rescue these cognitive impairments, Spred1-/- mice were acutely treated with the clinically relevant mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD325901. However, MEK inhibition did not improve their instrumental learning. We conclude that Spred1-/- mice can model severe cognitive impairments that cannot be reversed in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Borrie
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Akihiko Yoshimura
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eric Legius
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Hilde Brems
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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30
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Benzina N, N'Diaye K, Pelissolo A, Mallet L, Burguière E. A cross-species assessment of behavioral flexibility in compulsive disorders. Commun Biol 2021; 4:96. [PMID: 33479495 PMCID: PMC7820021 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01611-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Lack of behavioral flexibility has been proposed as one underlying cause of compulsions, defined as repetitive behaviors performed through rigid rituals. However, experimental evidence has proven inconsistent across human and animal models of compulsive-like behavior. In the present study, applying a similarly-designed reversal learning task in two different species, which share a common symptom of compulsivity (human OCD patients and Sapap3 KO mice), we found no consistent link between compulsive behaviors and lack of behavioral flexibility. However, we showed that a distinct subgroup of compulsive individuals of both species exhibit a behavioral flexibility deficit in reversal learning. This deficit was not due to perseverative, rigid behaviors as commonly hypothesized, but rather due to an increase in response lability. These cross-species results highlight the necessity to consider the heterogeneity of cognitive deficits in compulsive disorders and call for reconsidering the role of behavioral flexibility in the aetiology of compulsive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabil Benzina
- Institut du Cerveau, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, 47 bd de l'Hôpital, 75013, Paris, France.
| | - Karim N'Diaye
- Institut du Cerveau, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, 47 bd de l'Hôpital, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Antoine Pelissolo
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, DMU IMPACT, Département Médical-Universitaire de Psychiatrie et d'Addictologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor-Albert Chenevier, Université Paris-Est Créteil, 40 rue de Mesly, 94000, Créteil, France
- INSERM U955, IMRB, 8 rue du Général Sarrail, 94010, Créteil cedex, France
| | - Luc Mallet
- Institut du Cerveau, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, 47 bd de l'Hôpital, 75013, Paris, France
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, DMU IMPACT, Département Médical-Universitaire de Psychiatrie et d'Addictologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor-Albert Chenevier, Université Paris-Est Créteil, 40 rue de Mesly, 94000, Créteil, France
- Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, Global Health Institute, University of Geneva, 9 Chemin des Mines, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eric Burguière
- Institut du Cerveau, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, 47 bd de l'Hôpital, 75013, Paris, France.
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31
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Yang Z, Wu G, Liu M, Sun X, Xu Q, Zhang C, Lei H. Dysfunction of Orbitofrontal GABAergic Interneurons Leads to Impaired Reversal Learning in a Mouse Model of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Curr Biol 2021; 31:381-393.e4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.10.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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32
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Abstract
It becomes increasingly clear that (non-)invasive neurostimulation is an effective treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In this chapter we review the available evidence on techniques and targets, clinical results including a meta-analysis, mechanisms of action, and animal research. We focus on deep brain stimulation (DBS), but also cover non-invasive neurostimulation including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Data shows that most DBS studies target the ventral capsule/ventral striatum (VC/VS), with an overall 76% response rate in treatment-refractory OCD. Also TMS holds clinical promise. Increased insight in the normalizing effects of neurostimulation on cortico-striatal-thalamic-cortical (CSTC) loops - through neuroimaging and animal research - provides novel opportunities to further optimize treatment strategies. Advancing clinical implementation of neurostimulation techniques is essential to ameliorate the lives of the many treatment-refractory OCD patients.
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33
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Abstract
OCD has lagged behind other psychiatric illnesses in the identification of molecular treatment targets, due in part to a lack of significant findings in genome-wide association studies. However, while progress in this area is being made, OCD's symptoms of obsessions, compulsions, and anxiety can be deconstructed into distinct neural functions that can be dissected in animal models. Studies in rodents and non-human primates have highlighted the importance of cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic circuits in OCD pathophysiology, and emerging studies in human post-mortem brain tissue point to glutamatergic synapse abnormalities as a potential cellular substrate for observed dysfunctional behaviors. In addition, accumulated evidence points to a potential role for neuromodulators including serotonin and dopamine in both OCD pathology and treatment. Here, we review current efforts to use animal models for the identification of molecules, cell types, and circuits relevant to OCD pathophysiology. We start by describing features of OCD that can be modeled in animals, including circuit abnormalities and genetic findings. We then review different strategies that have been used to study OCD using animal model systems, including transgenic models, circuit manipulations, and dissection of OCD-relevant neural constructs. Finally, we discuss how these findings may ultimately help to develop new treatment strategies for OCD and other related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany L Chamberlain
- Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Center for Neuroscience Program and Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Susanne E Ahmari
- Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. .,Center for Neuroscience Program and Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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34
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Increased cerebellar-default-mode network connectivity at rest in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2020; 270:1015-1024. [PMID: 31570980 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-019-01070-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Abnormalities of the cerebellum and default-mode network (DMN) in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have been widely reported. However, alterations of reciprocal functional connections between the cerebellum and DMN at rest in OCD remain unclear. Forty patients with OCD and 38 gender-, age-, and education-matched healthy controls (HCs) underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scan. Seed-based functional connectivity (FC) and support vector machine (SVM) were applied to analyze the imaging data. Compared with HCs, patients with OCD exhibited increased FCs between the left Crus I-left superior medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and between the right Crus I-left superior MPFC, left middle MPFC, and left middle temporal gyrus (MTG). A significantly negative correlation was observed between the right Crus I-left MTG connectivity and the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale compulsion subscale scores in the OCD group (r = - 0.476, p = 0.002, Bonferroni corrected). SVM classification analysis indicated that a combination of the left Crus I-left superior MPFC connectivity and the right Crus I-left middle MPFC connectivity can be used to discriminate patients with OCD from HCs with a sensitivity of 85.00%, specificity of 68.42%, and accuracy of 76.92%. Our study highlights the contribution of the cerebellar-DMN connectivity in OCD pathophysiology and provides new findings to OCD research.
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35
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Vicente AM, Martins GJ, Costa RM. Cortico-basal ganglia circuits underlying dysfunctional control of motor behaviors in neuropsychiatric disorders. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2020; 65:151-159. [PMID: 32688249 PMCID: PMC7749078 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2020.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric disorders often manifest with abnormal control of motor behavior. Common symptoms include restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior (RRBs). Cortico-basal ganglia circuits have been implicated in the etiology of RBBs. However, there is a vast range of behaviors encompassed in RRBs, from simple explosive motor tics to rather complex ritualized compulsions. In this review, we highlight how recent findings about the function of specific basal ganglia circuits can begin to shed light into defined motor symptoms associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. We discuss recent studies using genetic animal models that advocate that different aspects of motor repetition in neurodevelopmental disorders, like obsessive-compulsive disorder and autism spectrum disorder, emerge from particular dysregulations in distinct cortico-basal ganglia circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Mafalda Vicente
- Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, Zuckerman Mind Brain Institute, Columbia University 3227 Broadway, New York, NY, 10027, United States
| | - Gabriela J Martins
- Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, Zuckerman Mind Brain Institute, Columbia University 3227 Broadway, New York, NY, 10027, United States
| | - Rui M Costa
- Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, Zuckerman Mind Brain Institute, Columbia University 3227 Broadway, New York, NY, 10027, United States.
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36
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Hadjas LC, Schartner MM, Cand J, Creed MC, Pascoli V, Lüscher C, Simmler LD. Projection-specific deficits in synaptic transmission in adult Sapap3-knockout mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:2020-2029. [PMID: 32585679 PMCID: PMC7547074 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0747-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a circuit disorder involving corticostriatal projections, which play a role in motor control. The Sapap3-knockout (KO) mouse is a mouse model to study OCD and recapitulates OCD-like compulsion through excessive grooming behavior, with skin lesions appearing at advanced age. Deficits in corticostriatal control provide a link to the pathophysiology of OCD. However, there remain significant gaps in the characterization of the Sapap3-KO mouse, with respect to age, specificity of synaptic dysfunction, and locomotor phenotype. We therefore investigated the corticostriatal synaptic phenotype of Sapap3-KO mice using patch-clamp slice electrophysiology, in adult mice and with projection specificity. We also analyzed grooming across age and locomotor phenotype with a novel, unsupervised machine learning technique (MoSeq). Increased grooming in Sapap3-KO mice without skin lesions was age independent. Synaptic deficits persisted in adulthood and involved the projections from the motor cortices and cingulate cortex to the dorsolateral and dorsomedial striatum. Decreased synaptic strength was evident at the input from the primary motor cortex by reduction in AMPA receptor function. Hypolocomotion, i.e., slowness of movement, was consistently observed in Sapap3-KO mice. Our findings emphasize the utility of young adult Sapap3-KO mice to investigate corticostriatal synaptic dysfunction in motor control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotfi C. Hadjas
- grid.8591.50000 0001 2322 4988Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Michael M. Schartner
- grid.8591.50000 0001 2322 4988Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Cand
- grid.8591.50000 0001 2322 4988Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Meaghan C. Creed
- grid.8591.50000 0001 2322 4988Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Pascoli
- grid.8591.50000 0001 2322 4988Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Christian Lüscher
- grid.8591.50000 0001 2322 4988Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland ,grid.150338.c0000 0001 0721 9812Service de Neurologie, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospital, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Linda D. Simmler
- grid.8591.50000 0001 2322 4988Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
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37
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Evidence for Distinct Forms of Compulsivity in the SAPAP3 Mutant-Mouse Model for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. eNeuro 2020; 7:ENEURO.0245-19.2020. [PMID: 32234806 PMCID: PMC7189488 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0245-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The specific mechanisms underlying compulsive behavior in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are unknown. It has been suggested that such compulsivity may have its origin in cognitive dysfunction such as impaired processing of feedback information, received after the completion of goal-directed actions. The signal attenuation (SA) task models such a processing deficit in animals by attenuating the association strength between food reward and audiovisual feedback (signal) presented after performance of an operant response. The compulsive-like responding resulting from SA is well characterized in rats, but was so far not established in mice, a species for which powerful genetic OCD models exist. Thus, first, we demonstrate that the SA task can be implemented in mice and show that attenuation of reward-associated response feedback produces similar behavior in C57BL/6 mice as previously reported in rats. Second, we tested the hypothesis that SAPAP3 knock-out mice (SAPAP3-/-), prone to exhibit several OCD-like abnormalities including excessive grooming, show enhanced compulsive-like behavior in the SA task compared with their wild-type (WT) littermates. However, task-related compulsivity measures in SAPAP3-/- and WT did not yield significant differences, neither following SA nor during “regular” extinction of operant behavior. Thus, compulsive-like instrumental behavior following feedback distortion was not potentiated in compulsively grooming mice, implicating specifically that (1) a general deficit in feedback processing is not related to excessive grooming in SAPAP3-/- and (2) different manifestations of compulsivity may be driven by independent mechanisms.
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38
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Hadjas LC, Lüscher C, Simmler LD. Aberrant habit formation in the Sapap3-knockout mouse model of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12061. [PMID: 31427755 PMCID: PMC6700199 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48637-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor behavior can be executed deliberately to achieve specific goals. With repetition, such behavior can become habitual and noncontingent on actions-outcomes. The formation of habits is a natural process that can become pathological, such as in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The present study used the Sapap3-knockout (KO) mouse model of OCD to assess habit formation based on reward devaluation. We also tested wildtype mice under different training and food-restriction schedules to assess the extent of natural habit formation. We found that Sapap3-KO mice were insensitive to the devaluation of a sucrose reward under conditions in which wildtype littermates were sensitive to devaluation. Moreover, food restriction favored goal-directed action in wildtype mice, whereas mice that were fed ad libitum were more likely to form habitual behavior but nevertheless maintained partly goal-directed lever-press behavior. In conclusion, only Sapap3-KO mice developed behavior that was fully insensitive to reward devaluation, suggesting that pathological habits in OCD patients are recapitulated in the present Sapap3-KO mouse model. In wildtype mice, the extent of habit formation was influenced by the state of satiety during training and the reinforcement schedule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotfi C Hadjas
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Christian Lüscher
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland.,Service de Neurologie, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospital, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Linda D Simmler
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
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Groman SM, Keistler C, Keip AJ, Hammarlund E, DiLeone RJ, Pittenger C, Lee D, Taylor JR. Orbitofrontal Circuits Control Multiple Reinforcement-Learning Processes. Neuron 2019; 103:734-746.e3. [PMID: 31253468 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Adaptive decision making in dynamic environments requires multiple reinforcement-learning steps that may be implemented by dissociable neural circuits. Here, we used a novel directionally specific viral ablation approach to investigate the function of several anatomically defined orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) circuits during adaptive, flexible decision making in rats trained on a probabilistic reversal learning task. Ablation of OFC neurons projecting to the nucleus accumbens selectively disrupted performance following a reversal, by disrupting the use of negative outcomes to guide subsequent choices. Ablation of amygdala neurons projecting to the OFC also impaired reversal performance, but due to disruptions in the use of positive outcomes to guide subsequent choices. Ablation of OFC neurons projecting to the amygdala, by contrast, enhanced reversal performance by destabilizing action values. Our data are inconsistent with a unitary function of the OFC in decision making. Rather, distinct OFC-amygdala-striatal circuits mediate distinct components of the action-value updating and maintenance necessary for decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Colby Keistler
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06515, USA
| | - Alex J Keip
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06515, USA
| | - Emma Hammarlund
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06515, USA
| | - Ralph J DiLeone
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06515, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06515, USA
| | - Christopher Pittenger
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06515, USA; Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06515, USA
| | - Daeyeol Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06515, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06515, USA; Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06515, USA
| | - Jane R Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06515, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06515, USA; Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06515, USA.
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van den Boom BJ, Mooij AH, Misevičiūtė I, Denys D, Willuhn I. Behavioral flexibility in a mouse model for obsessive-compulsive disorder: Impaired Pavlovian reversal learning in SAPAP3 mutants. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2019; 18:e12557. [PMID: 30688005 PMCID: PMC6487954 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessive thinking, compulsive behavior and anxiety, and is often accompanied by cognitive deficits. The neuropathology of OCD involves dysregulation of cortical-striatal circuits. Similar to OCD patients, SAPAP3 knockout mice 3 (SAPAP3-/- ) exhibit compulsive behavior (grooming), anxiety and dysregulated cortical-striatal function. However, it is unknown whether SAPAP3-/- display cognitive deficits and how these different behavioral traits relate to one another. SAPAP3-/- and wild-type (WT) littermates were trained in a Pavlovian conditioning task pairing visual cues with the delivery of sucrose solution. After mice learned to discriminate between a reward-predicting conditioned stimulus (CS+) and a non-reward stimulus (CS-), contingencies were reversed (CS+ became CS- and vice versa). Additionally, we assessed grooming, anxiety and general activity. SAPAP3-/- acquired Pavlovian approach behavior similarly to WT, albeit less vigorously and with a different strategy. However, unlike WT, SAPAP3-/- were unable to adapt their behavior after contingency reversal, exemplified by a lack of re-establishing CS+ approach behavior (sign tracking). Surprisingly, such behavioral inflexibility, decreased vigor, compulsive grooming and anxiety were unrelated. This study shows that SAPAP3-/- are capable of Pavlovian learning, but lack flexibility to adapt associated conditioned approach behavior. Thus, SAPAP3-/- not only display compulsive-like behavior and anxiety, but also cognitive deficits, confirming and extending the validity of SAPAP3-/- as a suitable model for the study of OCD. The observation that compulsive-like behavior, anxiety and behavioral inflexibility were unrelated suggests a non-causal relationship between these traits and may be of clinical relevance for the treatment of OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastijn J.G. van den Boom
- Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceRoyal Netherlands Academy of Arts and SciencesAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMCUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Adriana H. Mooij
- Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceRoyal Netherlands Academy of Arts and SciencesAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Ieva Misevičiūtė
- Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceRoyal Netherlands Academy of Arts and SciencesAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Damiaan Denys
- Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceRoyal Netherlands Academy of Arts and SciencesAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMCUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Ingo Willuhn
- Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceRoyal Netherlands Academy of Arts and SciencesAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMCUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
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