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Beas S, Khan I, Gao C, Loewinger G, Macdonald E, Bashford A, Rodriguez-Gonzalez S, Pereira F, Penzo MA. Dissociable encoding of motivated behavior by parallel thalamo-striatal projections. Curr Biol 2024; 34:1549-1560.e3. [PMID: 38458192 PMCID: PMC11003833 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.037] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
The successful pursuit of goals requires the coordinated execution and termination of actions that lead to positive outcomes. This process relies on motivational states that are guided by internal drivers, such as hunger or fear. However, the mechanisms by which the brain tracks motivational states to shape instrumental actions are not fully understood. The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) is a midline thalamic nucleus that shapes motivated behaviors via its projections to the nucleus accumbens (NAc)1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and monitors internal state via interoceptive inputs from the hypothalamus and brainstem.3,9,10,11,12,13,14 Recent studies indicate that the PVT can be subdivided into two major neuronal subpopulations, namely PVTD2(+) and PVTD2(-), which differ in genetic identity, functionality, and anatomical connectivity to other brain regions, including the NAc.4,15,16 In this study, we used fiber photometry to investigate the in vivo dynamics of these two distinct PVT neuronal types in mice performing a foraging-like behavioral task. We discovered that PVTD2(+) and PVTD2(-) neurons encode the execution and termination of goal-oriented actions, respectively. Furthermore, activity in the PVTD2(+) neuronal population mirrored motivation parameters such as vigor and satiety. Similarly, PVTD2(-) neurons also mirrored some of these parameters, but to a much lesser extent. Importantly, these features were largely preserved when activity in PVT projections to the NAc was selectively assessed. Collectively, our results highlight the existence of two parallel thalamo-striatal projections that participate in the dynamic regulation of goal pursuits and provide insight into the mechanisms by which the brain tracks motivational states to shape instrumental actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Beas
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Isbah Khan
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Claire Gao
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Gabriel Loewinger
- Machine Learning Team, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Emma Macdonald
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Alison Bashford
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Shakira Rodriguez-Gonzalez
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Francisco Pereira
- Machine Learning Team, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mario A Penzo
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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2
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Beas S, Khan I, Gao C, Loewinger G, Macdonald E, Bashford A, Rodriguez-Gonzalez S, Pereira F, Penzo MA. Dissociable encoding of motivated behavior by parallel thalamo-striatal projections. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.07.07.548113. [PMID: 37781624 PMCID: PMC10541145 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.07.548113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
The successful pursuit of goals requires the coordinated execution and termination of actions that lead to positive outcomes. This process is thought to rely on motivational states that are guided by internal drivers, such as hunger or fear. However, the mechanisms by which the brain tracks motivational states to shape instrumental actions are not fully understood. The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) is a midline thalamic nucleus that shapes motivated behaviors via its projections to the nucleus accumbens (NAc)1-8 and monitors internal state via interoceptive inputs from the hypothalamus and brainstem3,9-14. Recent studies indicate that the PVT can be subdivided into two major neuronal subpopulations, namely PVTD2(+) and PVTD2(-), which differ in genetic identity, functionality, and anatomical connectivity to other brain regions, including the NAc4,15,16. In this study, we used fiber photometry to investigate the in vivo dynamics of these two distinct PVT neuronal types in mice performing a reward foraging-like behavioral task. We discovered that PVTD2(+) and PVTD2(-) neurons encode the execution and termination of goal-oriented actions, respectively. Furthermore, activity in the PVTD2(+) neuronal population mirrored motivation parameters such as vigor and satiety. Similarly, PVTD2(-) neurons, also mirrored some of these parameters but to a much lesser extent. Importantly, these features were largely preserved when activity in PVT projections to the NAc was selectively assessed. Collectively, our results highlight the existence of two parallel thalamo-striatal projections that participate in the dynamic regulation of goal pursuits and provide insight into the mechanisms by which the brain tracks motivational states to shape instrumental actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Beas
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Isbah Khan
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Claire Gao
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gabriel Loewinger
- Machine Learning Team, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Emma Macdonald
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alison Bashford
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Francisco Pereira
- Machine Learning Team, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mario A. Penzo
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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3
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Pace SA, Myers B. Hindbrain Adrenergic/Noradrenergic Control of Integrated Endocrine and Autonomic Stress Responses. Endocrinology 2023; 165:bqad178. [PMID: 38015813 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Hindbrain adrenergic/noradrenergic nuclei facilitate endocrine and autonomic responses to physical and psychological challenges. Neurons that synthesize adrenaline and noradrenaline target hypothalamic structures to modulate endocrine responses while descending spinal projections regulate sympathetic function. Furthermore, these neurons respond to diverse stress-related metabolic, autonomic, and psychosocial challenges. Accordingly, adrenergic and noradrenergic nuclei are integrative hubs that promote physiological adaptation to maintain homeostasis. However, the precise mechanisms through which adrenaline- and noradrenaline-synthesizing neurons sense interoceptive and exteroceptive cues to coordinate physiological responses have yet to be fully elucidated. Additionally, the regulatory role of these cells in the context of chronic stress has received limited attention. This mini-review consolidates reports from preclinical rodent studies on the organization and function of brainstem adrenaline and noradrenaline cells to provide a framework for how these nuclei coordinate endocrine and autonomic physiology. This includes identification of hindbrain adrenaline- and noradrenaline-producing cell groups and their role in stress responding through neurosecretory and autonomic engagement. Although temporally and mechanistically distinct, the endocrine and autonomic stress axes are complementary and interconnected. Therefore, the interplay between brainstem adrenergic/noradrenergic nuclei and peripheral physiological systems is necessary for integrated stress responses and organismal survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian A Pace
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Brent Myers
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
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Sayar-Atasoy N, Laule C, Aklan I, Kim H, Yavuz Y, Ates T, Coban I, Koksalar-Alkan F, Rysted J, Davis D, Singh U, Alp MI, Yilmaz B, Cui H, Atasoy D. Adrenergic modulation of melanocortin pathway by hunger signals. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6602. [PMID: 37857606 PMCID: PMC10587058 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42362-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Norepinephrine (NE) is a well-known appetite regulator, and the nor/adrenergic system is targeted by several anti-obesity drugs. To better understand the circuitry underlying adrenergic appetite control, here we investigated the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN), a key brain region that integrates energy signals and receives dense nor/adrenergic input, using a mouse model. We found that PVN NE level increases with signals of energy deficit and decreases with food access. This pattern is recapitulated by the innervating catecholaminergic axon terminals originating from NTSTH-neurons. Optogenetic activation of rostral-NTSTH → PVN projection elicited strong motivation to eat comparable to overnight fasting whereas its inhibition attenuated both fasting-induced & hypoglycemic feeding. We found that NTSTH-axons functionally targeted PVNMC4R-neurons by predominantly inhibiting them, in part, through α1-AR mediated potentiation of GABA release from ARCAgRP presynaptic terminals. Furthermore, glucoprivation suppressed PVNMC4R activity, which was required for hypoglycemic feeding response. These results define an ascending nor/adrenergic circuit, NTSTH → PVNMC4R, that conveys peripheral hunger signals to melanocortin pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilufer Sayar-Atasoy
- Department of Pharmacology, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Connor Laule
- Department of Pharmacology, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Iltan Aklan
- Department of Pharmacology, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Hyojin Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Yavuz Yavuz
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tayfun Ates
- Department of Pharmacology, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Ilknur Coban
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Jacob Rysted
- Department of Pharmacology, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Debbie Davis
- Department of Pharmacology, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Uday Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Muhammed Ikbal Alp
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technologies (SABITA), Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Bayram Yilmaz
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Huxing Cui
- Department of Pharmacology, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Deniz Atasoy
- Department of Pharmacology, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
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Cho D, O'Berry K, Possa-Paranhos IC, Butts J, Palanikumar N, Sweeney P. Paraventricular Thalamic MC3R Circuits Link Energy Homeostasis with Anxiety-Related Behavior. J Neurosci 2023; 43:6280-6296. [PMID: 37591737 PMCID: PMC10490510 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0704-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamic melanocortin system is critically involved in sensing stored energy and communicating this information throughout the brain, including to brain regions controlling motivation and emotion. This system consists of first-order agouti-related peptide (AgRP) and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons located in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and downstream neurons containing the melanocortin-3 (MC3R) and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R). Although extensive work has characterized the function of downstream MC4R neurons, the identity and function of MC3R-containing neurons are poorly understood. Here, we used neuroanatomical and circuit manipulation approaches in mice to identify a novel pathway linking hypothalamic melanocortin neurons to melanocortin-3 receptor neurons located in the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) in male and female mice. MC3R neurons in PVT are innervated by hypothalamic AgRP and POMC neurons and are activated by anorexigenic and aversive stimuli. Consistently, chemogenetic activation of PVT MC3R neurons increases anxiety-related behavior and reduces feeding in hungry mice, whereas inhibition of PVT MC3R neurons reduces anxiety-related behavior. These studies position PVT MC3R neurons as important cellular substrates linking energy status with neural circuitry regulating anxiety-related behavior and represent a promising potential target for diseases at the intersection of metabolism and anxiety-related behavior such as anorexia nervosa.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Animals must constantly adapt their behavior to changing internal and external challenges, and impairments in appropriately responding to these challenges are a hallmark of many neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we demonstrate that paraventricular thalamic neurons containing the melanocortin-3 receptor respond to energy-state-related information and external challenges to regulate anxiety-related behavior in mice. Thus, these neurons represent a potential target for understanding the neurobiology of disorders at the intersection of metabolism and psychiatry such as anorexia nervosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dajin Cho
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Kyle O'Berry
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Ingrid Camila Possa-Paranhos
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Jared Butts
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Naraen Palanikumar
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Patrick Sweeney
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
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6
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Gu X, Zhang YZ, O'Malley JJ, De Preter CC, Penzo M, Hoon MA. Neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla mediate descending pain control. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:594-605. [PMID: 36894654 PMCID: PMC11114367 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01268-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Supraspinal brain regions modify nociceptive signals in response to various stressors including stimuli that elevate pain thresholds. The medulla oblongata has previously been implicated in this type of pain control, but the neurons and molecular circuits involved have remained elusive. Here we identify catecholaminergic neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla that are activated by noxious stimuli in mice. Upon activation, these neurons produce bilateral feed-forward inhibition that attenuates nociceptive responses through a pathway involving the locus coeruleus and norepinephrine in the spinal cord. This pathway is sufficient to attenuate injury-induced heat allodynia and is required for counter-stimulus induced analgesia to noxious heat. Our findings define a component of the pain modulatory system that regulates nociceptive responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinglong Gu
- Molecular Genetics Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research/NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yizhen Z Zhang
- Molecular Genetics Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research/NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - John J O'Malley
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Caitlynn C De Preter
- Molecular Genetics Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research/NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mario Penzo
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark A Hoon
- Molecular Genetics Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research/NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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7
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Gao C, Gohel CA, Leng Y, Ma J, Goldman D, Levine AJ, Penzo MA. Molecular and spatial profiling of the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus. eLife 2023; 12:81818. [PMID: 36867023 PMCID: PMC10014079 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) is known to regulate various cognitive and behavioral processes. However, while functional diversity among PVT circuits has often been linked to cellular differences, the molecular identity and spatial distribution of PVT cell types remain unclear. To address this gap, here we used single nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) and identified five molecularly distinct PVT neuronal subtypes in the mouse brain. Additionally, multiplex fluorescent in situ hybridization of top marker genes revealed that PVT subtypes are organized by a combination of previously unidentified molecular gradients. Lastly, comparing our dataset with a recently published single-cell sequencing atlas of the thalamus yielded novel insight into the PVT's connectivity with the cortex, including unexpected innervation of auditory and visual areas. This comparison also revealed that our data contains a largely non-overlapping transcriptomic map of multiple midline thalamic nuclei. Collectively, our findings uncover previously unknown features of the molecular diversity and anatomical organization of the PVT and provide a valuable resource for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Gao
- National Institute of Mental HealthBethesdaUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
| | - Chiraag A Gohel
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and AlcoholismRockvilleUnited States
| | - Yan Leng
- National Institute of Mental HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Jun Ma
- National Institute of Mental HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - David Goldman
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and AlcoholismRockvilleUnited States
| | - Ariel J Levine
- National Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentBethesdaUnited States
| | - Mario A Penzo
- National Institute of Mental HealthBethesdaUnited States
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8
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Vollmer KM, Green LM, Grant RI, Winston KT, Doncheck EM, Bowen CW, Paniccia JE, Clarke RE, Tiller A, Siegler PN, Bordieanu B, Siemsen BM, Denton AR, Westphal AM, Jhou TC, Rinker JA, McGinty JF, Scofield MD, Otis JM. An opioid-gated thalamoaccumbal circuit for the suppression of reward seeking in mice. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6865. [PMID: 36369508 PMCID: PMC9652456 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34517-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Suppression of dangerous or inappropriate reward-motivated behaviors is critical for survival, whereas therapeutic or recreational opioid use can unleash detrimental behavioral actions and addiction. Nevertheless, the neuronal systems that suppress maladaptive motivated behaviors remain unclear, and whether opioids disengage those systems is unknown. In a mouse model using two-photon calcium imaging in vivo, we identify paraventricular thalamostriatal neuronal ensembles that are inhibited upon sucrose self-administration and seeking, yet these neurons are tonically active when behavior is suppressed by a fear-provoking predator odor, a pharmacological stressor, or inhibitory learning. Electrophysiological, optogenetic, and chemogenetic experiments reveal that thalamostriatal neurons innervate accumbal parvalbumin interneurons through synapses enriched with calcium permeable AMPA receptors, and activity within this circuit is necessary and sufficient for the suppression of sucrose seeking regardless of the behavioral suppressor administered. Furthermore, systemic or intra-accumbal opioid injections rapidly dysregulate thalamostriatal ensemble dynamics, weaken thalamostriatal synaptic innervation of downstream neurons, and unleash reward-seeking behaviors in a manner that is reversed by genetic deletion of thalamic µ-opioid receptors. Overall, our findings reveal a thalamostriatal to parvalbumin interneuron circuit that is both required for the suppression of reward seeking and rapidly disengaged by opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey M Vollmer
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Lisa M Green
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Roger I Grant
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Kion T Winston
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Doncheck
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Christopher W Bowen
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Jacqueline E Paniccia
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Rachel E Clarke
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Annika Tiller
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Preston N Siegler
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Bogdan Bordieanu
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Benjamin M Siemsen
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Adam R Denton
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Annaka M Westphal
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Thomas C Jhou
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Jennifer A Rinker
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Jacqueline F McGinty
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Michael D Scofield
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - James M Otis
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
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9
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Vertes RP, Linley SB, Rojas AKP. Structural and functional organization of the midline and intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:964644. [PMID: 36082310 PMCID: PMC9445584 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.964644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The midline and intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus form a major part of the "limbic thalamus;" that is, thalamic structures anatomically and functionally linked with the limbic forebrain. The midline nuclei consist of the paraventricular (PV) and paratenial nuclei, dorsally and the rhomboid and nucleus reuniens (RE), ventrally. The rostral intralaminar nuclei (ILt) consist of the central medial (CM), paracentral (PC) and central lateral (CL) nuclei. We presently concentrate on RE, PV, CM and CL nuclei of the thalamus. The nucleus reuniens receives a diverse array of input from limbic-related sites, and predominantly projects to the hippocampus and to "limbic" cortices. The RE participates in various cognitive functions including spatial working memory, executive functions (attention, behavioral flexibility) and affect/fear behavior. The PV receives significant limbic-related afferents, particularly the hypothalamus, and mainly distributes to "affective" structures of the forebrain including the bed nucleus of stria terminalis, nucleus accumbens and the amygdala. Accordingly, PV serves a critical role in "motivated behaviors" such as arousal, feeding/consummatory behavior and drug addiction. The rostral ILt receives both limbic and sensorimotor-related input and distributes widely over limbic and motor regions of the frontal cortex-and throughout the dorsal striatum. The intralaminar thalamus is critical for maintaining consciousness and directly participates in various sensorimotor functions (visuospatial or reaction time tasks) and cognitive tasks involving striatal-cortical interactions. As discussed herein, while each of the midline and intralaminar nuclei are anatomically and functionally distinct, they collectively serve a vital role in several affective, cognitive and executive behaviors - as major components of a brainstem-diencephalic-thalamocortical circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P. Vertes
- Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States
- Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States
| | - Stephanie B. Linley
- Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States
- Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States
- Department of Psychological Science, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, GA, United States
| | - Amanda K. P. Rojas
- Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States
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10
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Sciolino NR, Hsiang M, Mazzone CM, Wilson LR, Plummer NW, Amin J, Smith KG, McGee CA, Fry SA, Yang CX, Powell JM, Bruchas MR, Kravitz AV, Cushman JD, Krashes MJ, Cui G, Jensen P. Natural locus coeruleus dynamics during feeding. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn9134. [PMID: 35984878 PMCID: PMC9390985 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn9134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Recent data demonstrate that noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus (LC-NE) are required for fear-induced suppression of feeding, but the role of endogenous LC-NE activity in natural, homeostatic feeding remains unclear. Here, we found that LC-NE activity was suppressed during food consumption, and the magnitude of this neural response was attenuated as mice consumed more pellets throughout the session, suggesting that LC responses to food are modulated by satiety state. Visual-evoked LC-NE activity was also attenuated in sated mice, suggesting that satiety state modulates LC-NE encoding of multiple behavioral states. We also found that food intake could be attenuated by brief or longer durations of LC-NE activation. Last, we found that activation of the LC to the lateral hypothalamus pathway suppresses feeding and enhances avoidance and anxiety-like responding. Our findings suggest that LC-NE neurons modulate feeding by integrating both external cues (e.g., anxiogenic environmental cues) and internal drives (e.g., satiety).
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Affiliation(s)
- Natale R. Sciolino
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Madeline Hsiang
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Christopher M. Mazzone
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Leslie R. Wilson
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Nicholas W. Plummer
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Jaisal Amin
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Kathleen G. Smith
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Christopher A. McGee
- Comparative Medicine, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Sydney A. Fry
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Cindy X. Yang
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Jeanne M. Powell
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Michael R. Bruchas
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology, Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Jesse D. Cushman
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Michael J. Krashes
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Guohong Cui
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Patricia Jensen
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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11
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Rawlinson S, Reichenbach A, Clarke RE, Nuñez-Iglesias J, Dempsey H, Lockie SH, Andrews ZB. In Vivo Photometry Reveals Insulin and 2-Deoxyglucose Maintain Prolonged Inhibition of VMH Vglut2 Neurons in Male Mice. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6631280. [PMID: 35788848 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac095] [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: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH) nucleus is a well-established hub for energy and glucose homeostasis. In particular, VMH neurons are thought to be important for initiating the counterregulatory response to hypoglycemia, and ex vivo electrophysiology and immunohistochemistry data indicate a clear role for VMH neurons in sensing glucose concentration. However, the temporal response of VMH neurons to physiologically relevant changes in glucose availability in vivo has been hampered by a lack of available tools for measuring neuronal activity over time. Since the majority of neurons within the VMH are glutamatergic and can be targeted using the vesicular glutamate transporter Vglut2, we expressed cre-dependent GCaMP7s in Vglut2 cre mice and examined the response profile of VMH to intraperitoneal injections of glucose, insulin, and 2-deoxyglucose (2DG). We show that reduced available glucose via insulin-induced hypoglycemia and 2DG-induced glucoprivation, but not hyperglycemia induced by glucose injection, inhibits VMH Vglut2 neuronal population activity in vivo. Surprisingly, this inhibition was maintained for at least 45 minutes despite prolonged hypoglycemia and initiation of a counterregulatory response. Thus, although VMH stimulation, via pharmacological, electrical, or optogenetic approaches, is sufficient to drive a counterregulatory response, our data suggest VMH Vglut2 neurons are not the main drivers required to do so, since VMH Vglut2 neuronal population activity remains suppressed during hypoglycemia and glucoprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasha Rawlinson
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Alex Reichenbach
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Rachel E Clarke
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
| | - Juan Nuñez-Iglesias
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Harry Dempsey
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Sarah H Lockie
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Zane B Andrews
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
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12
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Kung PH, Soriano-Mas C, Steward T. The influence of the subcortex and brain stem on overeating: How advances in functional neuroimaging can be applied to expand neurobiological models to beyond the cortex. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2022; 23:719-731. [PMID: 35380355 PMCID: PMC9307542 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-022-09720-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Functional neuroimaging has become a widely used tool in obesity and eating disorder research to explore the alterations in neurobiology that underlie overeating and binge eating behaviors. Current and traditional neurobiological models underscore the importance of impairments in brain systems supporting reward, cognitive control, attention, and emotion regulation as primary drivers for overeating. Due to the technical limitations of standard field strength functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanners, human neuroimaging research to date has focused largely on cortical and basal ganglia effects on appetitive behaviors. The present review draws on animal and human research to highlight how neural signaling encoding energy regulation, reward-learning, and habit formation converge on hypothalamic, brainstem, thalamic, and striatal regions to contribute to overeating in humans. We also consider the role of regions such as the mediodorsal thalamus, ventral striatum, lateral hypothalamus and locus coeruleus in supporting habit formation, inhibitory control of food craving, and attentional biases. Through these discussions, we present proposals on how the neurobiology underlying these processes could be examined using functional neuroimaging and highlight how ultra-high field 7-Tesla (7 T) fMRI may be leveraged to elucidate the potential functional alterations in subcortical networks. Focus is given to how interactions of these regions with peripheral endocannabinoids and neuropeptides, such as orexin, could be explored. Technical and methodological aspects regarding the use of ultra-high field 7 T fMRI to study eating behaviors are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Han Kung
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carles Soriano-Mas
- Psychiatry and Mental Health Group, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Neuroscience Program, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- CIBERSAM, Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Social Psychology and Quantitative Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Trevor Steward
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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13
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Kirouac GJ, Li S, Li S. Convergence of monosynaptic inputs from neurons in the brainstem and forebrain on parabrachial neurons that project to the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus. Brain Struct Funct 2022; 227:2409-2437. [PMID: 35838792 PMCID: PMC9418111 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-022-02534-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) projects to areas of the forebrain involved in regulating behavior. Homeostatic challenges and salient cues activate the PVT and evidence shows that the PVT regulates appetitive and aversive responses. The brainstem is a source of afferents to the PVT and the present study was done to determine if the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPB) is a relay for inputs to the PVT. Retrograde tracing experiments with cholera toxin B (CTB) demonstrate that the LPB contains more PVT projecting neurons than other regions of the brainstem including the catecholamine cell groups. The hypothesis that the LPB is a relay for signals to the PVT was assessed using an intersectional monosynaptic rabies tracing approach. Sources of inputs to LPB included the reticular formation; periaqueductal gray (PAG); nucleus cuneiformis; and superior and inferior colliculi. Distinctive clusters of input cells to LPB-PVT projecting neurons were also found in the dorsolateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTDL) and the lateral central nucleus of the amygdala (CeL). Anterograde viral tracing demonstrates that LPB-PVT neurons densely innervate all regions of the PVT in addition to providing collateral innervation to the preoptic area, lateral hypothalamus, zona incerta and PAG but not the BSTDL and CeL. The paper discusses the anatomical evidence that suggests that the PVT is part of a network of interconnected neurons involved in arousal, homeostasis, and the regulation of behavioral states with forebrain regions potentially providing descending modulation or gating of signals relayed from the LPB to the PVT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert J Kirouac
- Department of Oral Biology, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 780 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2, Canada. .,Departments of Psychiatry and Human Anatomy and Cell Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2, Canada.
| | - Sa Li
- Department of Oral Biology, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 780 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2, Canada
| | - Shuanghong Li
- Department of Oral Biology, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 780 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2, Canada
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14
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Dumont C, Li G, Castel J, Luquet S, Gangarossa G. Hindbrain catecholaminergic inputs to the paraventricular thalamus scale feeding and metabolic efficiency in stress-related contexts. J Physiol 2022; 600:2877-2895. [PMID: 35648134 DOI: 10.1113/jp282996] [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: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The regulation of food intake and energy balance relies on the dynamic integration of exteroceptive and interoceptive signals monitoring nutritional, metabolic, cognitive, and emotional states. The paraventricular thalamus (PVT) is a central hub that, by integrating sensory, metabolic, and emotional states, may contribute to the regulation of feeding and homeostatic/allostatic processes. However, the underlying PVT circuits still remain elusive. Here, we aimed at unravelling the role of catecholaminergic (CA) inputs to the PVT in scaling feeding and metabolic efficiency. First, using region-specific retrograde disruption of CA projections, we show that PVT CA inputs mainly arise from the hindbrain, notably the locus coeruleus (LC) and the nucleus tractus solitarius. Second, taking advantage of integrative calorimetric measurements of metabolic efficiency, we reveal that CA inputs to the PVT scale adaptive feeding and metabolic responses in environmental, behavioural, physiological, and metabolic stress-like contexts. Third, we show that hindbrainTH →PVT inputs contribute to modulating the activity of PVT as well as lateral and dorsomedial hypothalamic neurons. In conclusion, the present study, by assessing the key role of CA inputs to the PVT in scaling homeostatic/allostatic regulations of feeding patterns, reveals the integrative and converging hindbrainTH →PVT paths that contribute to whole-body metabolic adaptations in stress-like contexts. KEY POINTS: The paraventricular thalamus (PVT) is known to receive projections from the hindbrain. Here, we confirm and further extend current knowledge on the existence of hindbrainTH →PVT catecholaminergic inputs, notably from the locus coeruleus and the nucleus tractus solitarius, with the nucleus tractus solitarius representing the main source. Disruption of hindbrainTH →PVT inputs contributes to the modulation of PVT neuron activity. HindbrainTH →PVT inputs scale feeding strategies in environmental, behavioural, physiological, and metabolic stress-like contexts. HindbrainTH →PVT inputs participate in regulating metabolic efficiency and nutrient partitioning in stress-like contexts. HindbrainTH →PVT inputs, directly and/or indirectly, contribute to modulating the downstream activity of lateral and dorsomedial hypothalamic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarisse Dumont
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France
| | - Guangping Li
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France
| | - Julien Castel
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France
| | - Serge Luquet
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France
| | - Giuseppe Gangarossa
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France
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15
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Ye Q, Nunez J, Zhang X. Oxytocin Receptor-Expressing Neurons in the Paraventricular Thalamus Regulate Feeding Motivation through Excitatory Projections to the Nucleus Accumbens Core. J Neurosci 2022; 42:3949-3964. [PMID: 35387870 PMCID: PMC9097779 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2042-21.2022] [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: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin receptors (OTR) have been found in the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) for the regulation of feeding and maternal behaviors. However, the functional projections of OTR-expressing PVT neurons remain largely unknown. Here, we used chemogenetic and optogenetic tools to test the role of OTR-expressing PVT neurons and their projections in the regulation of food intake in both male and female OTR-Cre mice. We found chemogenetic activation of OTR-expressing PVT neurons promoted food seeking under trials with a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement. Using Feeding Experimentation Devices for real-time meal measurements, we found chemogenetic activation of OTR-expressing PVT neurons increased meal frequency but not cumulative food intake because of a compensatory decrease in meal sizes. In combination with anterograde neural tracing and slice patch-clamp recordings, we found optogenetic stimulation of PVT OTR terminals excited neurons in the posterior basolateral amygdala (pBLA) and nucleus accumbens core (NAcC) as well as local PVT neurons through monosynaptic glutamatergic transmissions. Photostimulation of OTR-expressing PVT-NAcC projections promoted food-seeking, whereas selective activation of PVT-pBLA projections produced little effect on feeding. In contrast to selective activation of OTR terminals, photostimulation of a broader population of glutamatergic PVT terminals exerted direct excitation followed by indirect lateral inhibition on neurons in both NAcC and anterior basolateral amygdala. Together, these results suggest that OTR-expressing PVT neurons are a distinct population of PVT glutamate neurons that regulate feeding motivation through projections to NAcC.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The paraventricular thalamus plays an important role in the regulation of feeding motivation. However, because of the diversity of paraventricular thalamic neurons, the specific neuron types promoting food motivation remain elusive. In this study, we provide evidence that oxytocin receptor-expressing neurons are a specific group of glutamate neurons that primarily project to the nucleus accumbens core and posterior amygdala. We found that activation of these neurons promotes the motivation for food reward and increases meal frequency through projections to the nucleus accumbens core but not the posterior amygdala. As a result, we postulate that oxytocin receptor-expressing neurons in the paraventricular thalamus and their projections to the nucleus accumbens core mainly regulate feeding motivation but not food consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiying Ye
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306
| | - Jeremiah Nunez
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306
| | - Xiaobing Zhang
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306
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16
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Qi G, Zhang P, Li T, Li M, Zhang Q, He F, Zhang L, Cai H, Lv X, Qiao H, Chen X, Ming J, Tian B. NAc-VTA circuit underlies emotional stress-induced anxiety-like behavior in the three-chamber vicarious social defeat stress mouse model. Nat Commun 2022; 13:577. [PMID: 35102141 PMCID: PMC8804001 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28190-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Emotional stress is considered a severe pathogenetic factor of psychiatric disorders. However, the circuit mechanisms remain largely unclear. Using a three-chamber vicarious social defeat stress (3C-VSDS) model in mice, we here show that chronic emotional stress (CES) induces anxiety-like behavior and transient social interaction changes. Dopaminergic neurons of ventral tegmental area (VTA) are required to control this behavioral deficit. VTA dopaminergic neuron hyperactivity induced by CES is involved in the anxiety-like behavior in the innate anxiogenic environment. Chemogenetic activation of VTA dopaminergic neurons directly triggers anxiety-like behavior, while chemogenetic inhibition of these neurons promotes resilience to the CES-induced anxiety-like behavior. Moreover, VTA dopaminergic neurons receiving nucleus accumbens (NAc) projections are activated in CES mice. Bidirectional modulation of the NAc-VTA circuit mimics or reverses the CES-induced anxiety-like behavior. In conclusion, we propose that a NAc-VTA circuit critically establishes and regulates the CES-induced anxiety-like behavior. This study not only characterizes a preclinical model that is representative of the nuanced aspect of CES, but also provides insight to the circuit-level neuronal processes that underlie empathy-like behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangjian Qi
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- College of Acupuncture & Massage, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xixian New Area, Shaanxi Province, 712046, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture & Medicine of Shaanxi Province, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xixian New Area, Shaanxi Province, 712046, P. R. China
| | - Pei Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Tongxia Li
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Feng He
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Lijun Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Hongwei Cai
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Xinyuan Lv
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Haifa Qiao
- College of Acupuncture & Massage, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xixian New Area, Shaanxi Province, 712046, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture & Medicine of Shaanxi Province, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xixian New Area, Shaanxi Province, 712046, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoqian Chen
- Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Jie Ming
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430022, P. R. China.
| | - Bo Tian
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China.
- Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China.
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China.
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17
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Ye Q, Zhang X. Serotonin activates paraventricular thalamic neurons through direct depolarization and indirect disinhibition from zona incerta. J Physiol 2021; 599:4883-4900. [PMID: 34510418 DOI: 10.1113/jp282088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Paraventricular thalamus (PVT) is a midline thalamic area that receives dense GABA projections from zona incerta (ZI) for the regulation of feeding behaviours. Activation of central serotonin (5-HT) signalling is known to inhibit food intake. Although previous studies have reported both 5-HT fibres and receptors in the PVT, it remains unknown how 5-HT regulates PVT neurons and whether PVT 5-HT signalling is involved in the control of food intake. Using slice patch-clamp recordings in combination with optogenetics, we found that 5-HT not only directly excited PVT neurons by activating 5-HT7 receptors to modulate hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels but also disinhibited these neurons by acting on presynaptic 5-HT1A receptors to reduce GABA inhibition. Specifically, 5-HT depressed photostimulation-evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (eIPSCs) in PVT neurons innervated by channelrhodopsin-2-positive GABA axons from ZI. Using paired-pulse photostimulation, we found 5-HT increased paired-pulse ratios of eIPSCs, suggesting 5-HT decreases ZI-PVT GABA release. Furthermore, we found that exposure to a high-fat-high-sucrose diet for 2 weeks impaired both 5-HT inhibition of ZI-PVT GABA transmission and 5-HT excitation of PVT neurons. Using retrograde tracer in combination with immunocytochemistry and slice electrophysiology, we found that PVT-projecting dorsal raphe neurons expressed 5-HT and were inhibited by food deprivation. Together, our study reveals the mechanism by which 5-HT activates PVT neurons through both direct excitation and indirect disinhibition from the ZI. The downregulation in 5-HT excitation and disinhibition of PVT neurons may contribute to the development of overeating and obesity after chronic high-fat diet. KEY POINTS: Serotonin (5-HT) depolarizes and excites paraventricular thalamus (PVT) neurons. 5-HT7 receptors are responsible for 5-HT excitation of PVT neurons and the coupling of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels to 5-HT receptors in part mediates the excitatory effect of 5-HT. 5-HT depresses the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory but not excitatory postsynaptic currents in PVT neurons. 5-HT1A receptors contribute to the depressive effect of 5-HT on inhibitory transmissions. 5-HT inhibits GABA release from zona incerta (ZI) GABA terminals in PVT. Chronic high-fat diet not only impairs 5-HT inhibition of the ZI-PVT GABA transmission but also downregulates 5-HT excitation of PVT neurons. PVT-projecting dorsal raphe neurons express 5-HT and are inhibited by food deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiying Ye
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Xiaobing Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
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18
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Ma J, du Hoffmann J, Kindel M, Beas BS, Chudasama Y, Penzo MA. Divergent projections of the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus mediate the selection of passive and active defensive behaviors. Nat Neurosci 2021; 24:1429-1440. [PMID: 34413514 PMCID: PMC8484052 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-021-00912-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The appropriate selection of passive and active defensive behaviors in threatening situations is essential for survival. Previous studies have shown that passive defensive responses depend on activity of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), whereas active ones primarily rely on the nucleus accumbens (NAc). However, the mechanisms underlying flexible switching between these two types of responses remain unknown. Here, we show in mice that the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) mediates the selection of defensive behaviors through its interaction with the CeA and the NAc. We show that the PVT–CeA pathway drives conditioned freezing responses, whereas the PVT–NAc pathway is inhibited during freezing and instead signals active avoidance events. Optogenetic manipulations revealed that activity in the PVT–CeA or PVT–NAc pathway biases behavior toward the selection of passive or active defensive responses, respectively. These findings provide evidence that the PVT mediates flexible switching between opposing defensive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ma
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Johann du Hoffmann
- Central Nervous System Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany.,Rodent Behavioral Core, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Morgan Kindel
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - B Sofia Beas
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yogita Chudasama
- Rodent Behavioral Core, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Section on Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mario A Penzo
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Petrovich GD. The Function of Paraventricular Thalamic Circuitry in Adaptive Control of Feeding Behavior. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:671096. [PMID: 33986649 PMCID: PMC8110711 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.671096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) is a complex area that is uniquely embedded across the core feeding, reward, arousal, and stress circuits. The PVT role in the control of feeding behavior is discussed here within a framework of adaptive behavioral guidance based on the body’s energy state and competing drives. The survival of an organism depends on bodily energy resources and promotion of feeding over other behaviors is adaptive except when in danger or sated. The PVT is structurally set up to respond to homeostatic and hedonic needs to feed, and to integrate those signals with physiological and environmental stress, as well as anticipatory needs and other cognitive inputs. It can regulate both food foraging (seeking) and consumption and may balance their expression. The PVT is proposed to accomplish these functions through a network of connections with the brainstem, hypothalamic, striatal, and cortical areas. The connectivity of the PVT further indicates that it could broadcast the information about energy use/gain and behavioral choice to impact cognitive processes—learning, memory, and decision-making—through connections with the medial and lateral prefrontal cortical areas, the hippocampal formation, and the amygdala. The PVT is structurally complex and recent evidence for specific PVT pathways in different aspects of feeding behavior will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gorica D Petrovich
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
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The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus: an integrative node underlying homeostatic behavior. Trends Neurosci 2021; 44:538-549. [PMID: 33775435 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Early anatomical evidence suggested that the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) regulates arousal, as well as emotional and motivated behaviors. We discuss recent studies using modern techniques which now confirm and expand the involvement of the rodent PVT in these functions. Despite the emerging notion that the PVT is implicated in various behavioral processes, a recurrent theme is that activity in this brain region depends on internal state information arriving from the hypothalamus and brainstem, and is influenced by prior experience. We propose that the primary function of the PVT is to detect homeostatic challenges by integrating information about prior experiences, competing needs, and internal state to guide adaptive behavioral responses aimed at restoring homeostasis.
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