1
|
Legon W, Strohman A, In A, Payne B. Noninvasive neuromodulation of subregions of the human insula differentially affect pain processing and heart-rate variability: a within-subjects pseudo-randomized trial. Pain 2024; 165:1625-1641. [PMID: 38314779 PMCID: PMC11189760 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The insula is an intriguing target for pain modulation. Unfortunately, it lies deep to the cortex making spatially specific noninvasive access difficult. Here, we leverage the high spatial resolution and deep penetration depth of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) to nonsurgically modulate the anterior insula (AI) or posterior insula (PI) in humans for effect on subjective pain ratings, electroencephalographic (EEG) contact heat-evoked potentials, as well as autonomic measures including heart-rate variability (HRV). In a within-subjects, repeated-measures, pseudo-randomized trial design, 23 healthy volunteers received brief noxious heat pain stimuli to the dorsum of their right hand during continuous heart-rate, electrodermal, electrocardiography and EEG recording. Low-intensity focused ultrasound was delivered to the AI (anterior short gyrus), PI (posterior longus gyrus), or under an inert Sham condition. The primary outcome measure was pain rating. Low-intensity focused ultrasound to both AI and PI similarly reduced pain ratings but had differential effects on EEG activity. Low-intensity focused ultrasound to PI affected earlier EEG amplitudes, whereas LIFU to AI affected later EEG amplitudes. Only LIFU to the AI affected HRV as indexed by an increase in SD of N-N intervals and mean HRV low-frequency power. Taken together, LIFU is an effective noninvasive method to individually target subregions of the insula in humans for site-specific effects on brain biomarkers of pain processing and autonomic reactivity that translates to reduced perceived pain to a transient heat stimulus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wynn Legon
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, United States
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- Center for Human Neuroscience Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, United States
- Center for Health Behaviors Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Andrew Strohman
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, United States
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Alexander In
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Brighton Payne
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, United States
- Center for Health Behaviors Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yin Y, Haggerty DL, Zhou S, Atwood BK, Sheets PL. Converging Effects of Chronic Pain and Binge Alcohol Consumption on Anterior Insular Cortex Neurons Projecting to the Dorsolateral Striatum in Male Mice. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1287232024. [PMID: 38453466 PMCID: PMC11026341 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1287-23.2024] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are highly comorbid, and patients with chronic pain are more likely to meet the criteria for AUD. Evidence suggests that both conditions alter similar brain pathways, yet this relationship remains poorly understood. Prior work shows that the anterior insular cortex (AIC) is involved in both chronic pain and AUD. However, circuit-specific changes elicited by the combination of pain and alcohol use remain understudied. The goal of this work was to elucidate the converging effects of binge alcohol consumption and chronic pain on AIC neurons that send projections to the dorsolateral striatum (DLS). Here, we used the Drinking-in-the-Dark (DID) paradigm to model binge-like alcohol drinking in mice that underwent spared nerve injury (SNI), after which whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiological recordings were performed in acute brain slices to measure intrinsic and synaptic properties of AIC→DLS neurons. In male, but not female, mice, we found that SNI mice with no prior alcohol exposure consumed less alcohol compared with sham mice. Electrophysiological analyses showed that AIC→DLS neurons from SNI-alcohol male mice displayed increased neuronal excitability and increased frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents. However, mice exposed to alcohol prior to SNI consumed similar amounts of alcohol compared with sham mice following SNI. Together, our data suggest that the interaction of chronic pain and alcohol drinking have a direct effect on both intrinsic excitability and synaptic transmission onto AIC→DLS neurons in mice, which may be critical in understanding how chronic pain alters motivated behaviors associated with alcohol.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuexi Yin
- Medical Neurosciences Graduate Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - David L Haggerty
- Medical Neurosciences Graduate Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Shudi Zhou
- Medical Neurosciences Graduate Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Brady K Atwood
- Medical Neurosciences Graduate Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Patrick L Sheets
- Medical Neurosciences Graduate Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Greiner EM, Witt ME, Moran SJ, Petrovich GD. Activation patterns in male and female forebrain circuitries during food consumption under novelty. Brain Struct Funct 2024; 229:403-429. [PMID: 38193917 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02742-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
The influence of novelty on feeding behavior is significant and can override both homeostatic and hedonic drives due to the uncertainty of potential danger. Previous work found that novel food hypophagia is enhanced in a novel environment and that males habituate faster than females. The current study's aim was to identify the neural substrates of separate effects of food and context novelty. Adult male and female rats were tested for consumption of a novel or familiar food in either a familiar or in a novel context. Test-induced Fos expression was measured in the amygdalar, thalamic, striatal, and prefrontal cortex regions that are important for appetitive responding, contextual processing, and reward motivation. Food and context novelty induced strikingly different activation patterns. Novel context induced Fos robustly in almost every region analyzed, including the central (CEA) and basolateral complex nuclei of the amygdala, the thalamic paraventricular (PVT) and reuniens nuclei, the nucleus accumbens (ACB), the medial prefrontal cortex prelimbic and infralimbic areas, and the dorsal agranular insular cortex (AI). Novel food induced Fos in a few select regions: the CEA, anterior basomedial nucleus of the amygdala, anterior PVT, and posterior AI. There were also sex differences in activation patterns. The capsular and lateral CEA had greater activation for male groups and the anterior PVT, ACB ventral core and shell had greater activation for female groups. These activation patterns and correlations between regions, suggest that distinct functional circuitries control feeding behavior when food is novel and when eating occurs in a novel environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eliza M Greiner
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA
| | - Mary E Witt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA
| | - Stephanie J Moran
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA
| | - Gorica D Petrovich
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Agoitia A, Cruz-Sanchez A, Balderas I, Bermúdez-Rattoni F. The anterior insula and its projection to amygdala nuclei modulate the abstinence-exacerbated expression of conditioned place preference. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:445-459. [PMID: 38010515 PMCID: PMC10884150 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06499-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Relapse into substance use is often triggered by exposure to drug-related environmental cues. The magnitude of drug seeking depends on the duration of abstinence, a phenomenon known as the incubation of drug craving. Clinical and preclinical research shows that the insular cortex is involved in substance use disorders and cue-induced drug seeking. However, the role of the insula on memory retrieval and motivational integration for cue-elicited drug seeking remains to be determined. OBJECTIVES We investigated the role of the anterior insular cortex (aIC) and its glutamatergic projection to amygdala nuclei (aIC-AMY) on the expression of conditioned place preference (CPP) during early and late abstinence. METHODS Male adult C57BL/6J mice underwent amphetamine-induced CPP, and their preference was tested following 1 or 14 days of abstinence. aIC and aIC-AMY functional role in CPP expression was assessed at both abstinence periods by employing optogenetic silencing and behavioral pharmacology. RESULTS Compared to a single day, an exacerbated preference for the amphetamine-paired context was observed after 14 days of abstinence. Photoinhibition of either aIC or aIC-AMY projection reduced CPP expression following late but not early abstinence. Similarly, the antagonism of aIC NMDA receptors reduced CPP expression after 14 days of abstinence but not 1 day. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that aIC and its glutamatergic output to amygdala nuclei constitute critical neurobiological substrates mediating enhanced motivational cue reactivity during the incubation of amphetamine craving rather than contextual memory recall. Moreover, cortical NMDA receptor signaling may become sensitized during abstinence, ultimately modulating disproportioned drug seeking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Agoitia
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Apolinar Cruz-Sanchez
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Israela Balderas
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Federico Bermúdez-Rattoni
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hernández-Ortiz E, Luis-Islas J, Tecuapetla F, Gutierrez R, Bermúdez-Rattoni F. Top-down circuitry from the anterior insular cortex to VTA dopamine neurons modulates reward-related memory. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113365. [PMID: 37924513 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The insular cortex (IC) has been linked to the processing of interoceptive and exteroceptive signals associated with addictive behavior. However, whether the IC modulates the acquisition of drug-related affective states by direct top-down connectivity with ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons is unknown. We found that photostimulation of VTA terminals of the anterior insular cortex (aIC) induces rewarding contextual memory, modulates VTA activity, and triggers dopamine release within the VTA. Employing neuronal recordings and neurochemical and transsynaptic tagging techniques, we disclose the functional top-down organization tagging the aIC pre-synaptic neuronal bodies and identifying VTA recipient neurons. Furthermore, systemic administration of amphetamine altered the VTA excitability of neurons modulated by the aIC projection, where photoactivation enhances, whereas photoinhibition impairs, a contextual rewarding behavior. Our study reveals a key circuit involved in developing and retaining drug reward-related contextual memory, providing insight into the neurobiological basis of addictive behavior and helping develop therapeutic addiction strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Hernández-Ortiz
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, División de Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City 04510, México
| | - Jorge Luis-Islas
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Appetitive, Department of Pharmacology, Center of Aging Research (CIE), Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (CINVESTAV), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Fatuel Tecuapetla
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, División de Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City 04510, México
| | - Ranier Gutierrez
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Appetitive, Department of Pharmacology, Center of Aging Research (CIE), Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (CINVESTAV), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Federico Bermúdez-Rattoni
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, División de Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City 04510, México.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rodríguez-Durán LF, López-Ibarra DL, Herrera-Xithe G, Bermúdez-Rattoni F, Osorio-Gómez D, Escobar ML. Synergistic photoactivation of VTA-catecholaminergic and BLA-glutamatergic projections induces long-term potentiation in the insular cortex. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2023; 205:107845. [PMID: 37865264 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107845] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
The presentation of novel stimuli induces a reliable dopamine release in the insular cortex (IC) from the ventral tegmental area (VTA). The novel stimuli could be associated with motivational and emotional signals induced by cortical glutamate release from the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Dopamine and glutamate are essential for acquiring and maintaining behavioral tasks, including visual and taste recognition memories. In this study, we hypothesize that the simultaneous activation of dopaminergic and glutamatergic projections to the neocortex can underlie synaptic plasticity. High-frequency stimulation of the BLA-IC circuit has demonstrated a reliable long-term potentiation (LTP), a widely acknowledged synaptic plasticity that underlies memory consolidation. Therefore, the concurrent optogenetic stimulation of the insula's glutamatergic and dopaminergic terminal fibers would induce reliable LTP. Our results confirmed that combined photostimulation of the VTA and BLA projections to the IC induces a slow-onset LTP. We also found that optogenetically-induced LTP in the IC relies on both glutamatergic NMDA receptors and dopaminergic D1/D5 receptors, suggesting that the combined effects of these neurotransmitters can trigger synaptic plasticity in the neocortex. Overall, our findings provide compelling evidence supporting the essential role of both dopaminergic and glutamatergic projections in modulating synaptic plasticity within the IC. Furthermore, our results suggest that the synergistic actions of these projections have a pivotal influence on the formation of motivational memories.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luis F Rodríguez-Durán
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, UNAM, División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Diana L López-Ibarra
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, UNAM, División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gabriela Herrera-Xithe
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, UNAM, División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Federico Bermúdez-Rattoni
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, UNAM, División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Daniel Osorio-Gómez
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, UNAM, División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Martha L Escobar
- Facultad de Psicología, UNAM, División de Investigación y Estudios de Posgrado, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang L, Hu X, Ren Y, Lv J, Zhao S, Guo L, Liu T, Han J. Arousal modulates the amygdala-insula reciprocal connectivity during naturalistic emotional movie watching. Neuroimage 2023; 279:120316. [PMID: 37562718 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Emotional arousal is a complex state recruiting distributed cortical and subcortical structures, in which the amygdala and insula play an important role. Although previous neuroimaging studies have showed that the amygdala and insula manifest reciprocal connectivity, the effective connectivities and modulatory patterns on the amygdala-insula interactions underpinning arousal are still largely unknown. One of the reasons may be attributed to static and discrete laboratory brain imaging paradigms used in most existing studies. In this study, by integrating naturalistic-paradigm (i.e., movie watching) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with a computational affective model that predicts dynamic arousal for the movie stimuli, we investigated the effective amygdala-insula interactions and the modulatory effect of the input arousal on the effective connections. Specifically, the predicted dynamic arousal of the movie served as regressors in general linear model (GLM) analysis and brain activations were identified accordingly. The regions of interest (i.e., the bilateral amygdala and insula) were localized according to the GLM activation map. The effective connectivity and modulatory effect were then inferred by using dynamic causal modeling (DCM). Our experimental results demonstrated that amygdala was the site of driving arousal input and arousal had a modulatory effect on the reciprocal connections between amygdala and insula. Our study provides novel evidence to the underlying neural mechanisms of arousal in a dynamical naturalistic setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liting Wang
- School of Automation, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xintao Hu
- School of Automation, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Yudan Ren
- School of Information Science and Technology, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jinglei Lv
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Shijie Zhao
- School of Automation, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lei Guo
- School of Automation, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Tianming Liu
- School of Computing, University of Georgia, Athens, USA
| | - Junwei Han
- School of Automation, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Greiner EM, Witt ME, Moran SJ, Petrovich GD. Activation patterns in male and female forebrain circuitries during food consumption under novelty. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3328570. [PMID: 37790415 PMCID: PMC10543437 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3328570/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
The influence of novelty on feeding behavior is significant and can override both homeostatic and hedonic drives due to the uncertainty of potential danger. Previous work found that novel food hypophagia is enhanced in a novel environment and that males habituate faster than females. The current study's aim was to identify the neural substrates of separate effects of food and context novelty. Adult male and female rats were tested for consumption of a novel or family food in either a familiar or in a novel context. Test-induced Fos expression was measured in the amygdalar, thalamic, striatal, and prefrontal cortex regions that are important for appetitive responding, contextual processing, and reward motivation. Food and context novelty induced strikingly different activation patterns. Novel context induced Fos robustly in almost every region analyzed, including the central (CEA) and basolateral complex nuclei of the amygdala, the thalamic paraventricular (PVT) and reuniens nuclei, the nucleus accumbens (ACB), the medial prefrontal cortex prelimbic and infralimbic areas, and the dorsal agranular insular cortex (AI). Novel food induced Fos in a few select regions: the CEA, anterior basomedial nucleus of the amygdala, anterior PVT, and posterior AI. There were also sex differences in activation patterns. The capsular and lateral CEA had greater activation for male groups and the anterior PVT, ACB ventral core and shell had greater activation for female groups. These activation patterns and correlations between regions, suggest that distinct functional circuitries control feeding behavior when food is novel and when eating occurs in a novel environment.
Collapse
|
9
|
Legon W, Strohman A, In A, Stebbins K, Payne B. Non-invasive neuromodulation of sub-regions of the human insula differentially affect pain processing and heart-rate variability. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.05.539593. [PMID: 37205396 PMCID: PMC10187309 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.05.539593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The insula is a portion of the cerebral cortex folded deep within the lateral sulcus covered by the overlying opercula of the inferior frontal lobe and superior portion of the temporal lobe. The insula has been parsed into sub-regions based upon cytoarchitectonics and structural and functional connectivity with multiple lines of evidence supporting specific roles for each of these sub-regions in pain processing and interoception. In the past, causal interrogation of the insula was only possible in patients with surgically implanted electrodes. Here, we leverage the high spatial resolution combined with the deep penetration depth of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) to non-surgically modulate either the anterior insula (AI) or posterior insula (PI) in humans for effect on subjective pain ratings, electroencephalographic (EEG) contact head evoked potentials (CHEPs) and time-frequency power as well as autonomic measures including heart-rate variability (HRV) and electrodermal response (EDR). N = 23 healthy volunteers received brief noxious heat pain stimuli to the dorsum of their right hand during continuous heart-rate, EDR and EEG recording. LIFU was delivered to either the AI (anterior short gyrus), PI (posterior longus gyrus) or under an inert sham condition time-locked to the heat stimulus. Results demonstrate that single-element 500 kHz LIFU is capable of individually targeting specific gyri of the insula. LIFU to both AI and PI similarly reduced perceived pain ratings but had differential effects on EEG activity. LIFU to PI affected earlier EEG amplitudes around 300 milliseconds whereas LIFU to AI affected EEG amplitudes around 500 milliseconds. In addition, only LIFU to the AI affected HRV as indexed by an increase in standard deviation of N-N intervals (SDNN) and mean HRV low frequency power. There was no effect of LIFU to either AI or PI on EDR or blood pressure. Taken together, LIFU looks to be an effective method to individually target sub-regions of the insula in humans for site-specific effects on brain biomarkers of pain processing and autonomic reactivity that translates to reduced perceived pain to a transient heat stimulus. These data have implications for the treatment of chronic pain and several neuropsychological diseases like anxiety, depression and addiction that all demonstrate abnormal activity in the insula concomitant with dysregulated autonomic function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wynn Legon
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
- Center for Human Neuroscience Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Center for Health Behaviors Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
| | - Andrew Strohman
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
| | - Alexander In
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
| | - Katelyn Stebbins
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
| | - Brighton Payne
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Center for Health Behaviors Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ramirez-Mejia G, Gil-Lievana E, Urrego-Morales O, Galvez-Marquez D, Hernández-Ortiz E, Carrillo-Lorenzo JA, Bermúdez-Rattoni F. Salience to remember: VTA-IC dopaminergic pathway activity is necessary for object recognition memory formation. Neuropharmacology 2023; 228:109464. [PMID: 36804534 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109464] [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: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that dopaminergic activity modulates the salience of novel stimuli enabling the formation of recognition memories. In this work, we hypothesize that dopamine released into the insular cortex (IC) from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) inputs enables the acquisition to consolidate object recognition memory. It has been reported that short training produces weak recognition memories; on the contrary, longer training produces lasting and robust recognition memories. Using a Cre-recombinase under the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH+) promoter mouse model, we photostimulated the VTA-IC dopaminergic pathway during short training or photoinhibited the same pathway during long training while mice explored objects. Our results showed that the photostimulation of the VTA-IC pathway during a short training enables the acquisition of recognition memory. Conversely, photoinhibition of the same pathway during a long training prevents the acquisition of recognition memory. Interestingly, the exploration time of the objects under photoinhibition or photostimulation of the dopaminergic VTA-IC pathway was not altered. Significantly, this enhancement of acquisition of the object recognition memory through the photostimulation of the VTA dopaminergic neurons could be impaired by the blockage of the D1-like receptors into the IC, either before or after the photostimulation. Altogether, our results suggest that dopamine released by the VTA is required during the acquisition to consolidate the object recognition memory through D1-like receptors into the IC without affecting the activity or the motivation to explore objects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Ramirez-Mejia
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Elvi Gil-Lievana
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Oscar Urrego-Morales
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Donovan Galvez-Marquez
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Hernández-Ortiz
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - José Alberto Carrillo-Lorenzo
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Federico Bermúdez-Rattoni
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Osorio-Gómez D, Miranda MI, Guzmán-Ramos K, Bermúdez-Rattoni F. Transforming experiences: Neurobiology of memory updating/editing. Front Syst Neurosci 2023; 17:1103770. [PMID: 36896148 PMCID: PMC9989287 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2023.1103770] [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: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-term memory is achieved through a consolidation process where structural and molecular changes integrate information into a stable memory. However, environmental conditions constantly change, and organisms must adapt their behavior by updating their memories, providing dynamic flexibility for adaptive responses. Consequently, novel stimulation/experiences can be integrated during memory retrieval; where consolidated memories are updated by a dynamic process after the appearance of a prediction error or by the exposure to new information, generating edited memories. This review will discuss the neurobiological systems involved in memory updating including recognition memory and emotional memories. In this regard, we will review the salient and emotional experiences that promote the gradual shifting from displeasure to pleasure (or vice versa), leading to hedonic or aversive responses, throughout memory updating. Finally, we will discuss evidence regarding memory updating and its potential clinical implication in drug addiction, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Osorio-Gómez
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Maria Isabel Miranda
- Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, Mexico
| | - Kioko Guzmán-Ramos
- División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Lerma de Villada, Mexico
| | - Federico Bermúdez-Rattoni
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Shahidani S, Jokar Z, Alaei H, Reisi P. Effects of treadmill exercise and chronic stress on anxiety-like behavior, neuronal activity, and oxidative stress in basolateral amygdala in morphine-treated rats. Synapse 2023; 77:e22256. [PMID: 36200789 DOI: 10.1002/syn.22256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The basolateral amygdala (BLA), which is sensitive to stress, is necessary for reward-seeking behavior and addiction. Regular exercise can produce various positive effects by affecting the BLA. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of chronic stress and treadmill running (TR) on anxiety-like behavior, neuronal activity, lipid peroxidation (measured by malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a marker for oxidative stress), and total thiol in BLA, in morphine-treated rats. Male Wistar rats were restricted in restraint stress and/or ran on the treadmill and treated with morphine (5 mg/kg) for 21 days. Anxiety-like behavior was evaluated using an elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field tests (OFTs), on day 22. On day 23, neuronal activity in BLA was assessed via single-unit recording. Finally, MDA and total thiol were assessed in BLA. Our results showed that chronic administration of morphine (5 mg/kg) did not affect anxiety-like behavior. However, the morphine-treated rats, subjected to chronic stress and exercise, showed fewer anxiety-like behaviors. Morphine increased BLA's MDA levels but it was prevented by TR. Glutamatergic and GABAergic basal neuronal activities were low in morphine-treated rats but after acute morphine application, there was a significant decrease in GABAergic neuronal activities in the morphine-exercise-stress (Mor-Exe-St) group. The results of this study showed that in morphine-treated rats, stress and exercise or their combination could have either co-directional or opposite effects to the chronic effects of morphine. These results indicate the existence of common pathways similar to endogenous opioids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Shahidani
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zahra Jokar
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hojjatallah Alaei
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Parham Reisi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Spatial contextual recognition memory updating is modulated by dopamine release in the dorsal hippocampus from the locus coeruleus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2208254119. [PMID: 36442129 PMCID: PMC9894183 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2208254119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Detecting novelty is critical to consolidate declarative memories, such as spatial contextual recognition memory. It has been shown that stored memories, when retrieved, are susceptible to modification, incorporating new information through an updating process. Catecholamine release in the hippocampal CA1 region consolidates an object location memory (OLM). This work hypothesized that spatial contextual memory updating could be changed by decreasing catecholamine release in the hippocampal CA1 terminals from the locus coeruleus (LC). In a mouse model expressing Cre-recombinase under the control of the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) promoter, memory updating was impaired by photoinhibition of the CA1 catecholaminergic terminals from the LC (LC-CA1) but not from the ventral tegmental area (VTA-CA1). In vivo microdialysis confirmed that the extracellular concentration of both dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA) decreased after photoinhibition of the LC-CA1 terminals (but not VTA-CA1) during the OLM update session. Furthermore, DA D1/D5 and beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists disrupted behavior, but only the former impaired memory updating. Finally, photoinhibition of LC-CA1 terminals suppressed long-term potentiation (LTP) induction in Schaffer's collaterals as a plausible mechanism for memory updating. These data will help understand the underpinning mechanisms of DA in spatial contextual memory updating.
Collapse
|
14
|
Osorio-Gómez D, Guzmán-Ramos K, Bermúdez-Rattoni F. Dopamine activity on the perceptual salience for recognition memory. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:963739. [PMID: 36275849 PMCID: PMC9583835 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.963739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
To survive, animals must recognize relevant stimuli and distinguish them from inconspicuous information. Usually, the properties of the stimuli, such as intensity, duration, frequency, and novelty, among others, determine the salience of the stimulus. However, previously learned experiences also facilitate the perception and processing of information to establish their salience. Here, we propose “perceptual salience” to define how memory mediates the integration of inconspicuous stimuli into a relevant memory trace without apparently altering the recognition of the physical attributes or valence, enabling the detection of stimuli changes in future encounters. The sense of familiarity is essential for successful recognition memory; in general, familiarization allows the transition of labeling a stimulus from the novel (salient) to the familiar (non-salient). The novel object recognition (NOR) and object location recognition (OLRM) memory paradigms represent experimental models of recognition memory that allow us to study the neurobiological mechanisms involved in episodic memory. The catecholaminergic system has been of vital interest due to its role in several aspects of recognition memory. This review will discuss the evidence that indicates changes in dopaminergic activity during exposure to novel objects or places, promoting the consolidation and persistence of memory. We will discuss the relationship between dopaminergic activity and perceptual salience of stimuli enabling learning and consolidation processes necessary for the novel-familiar transition. Finally, we will describe the effect of dopaminergic deregulation observed in some pathologies and its impact on recognition memory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Osorio-Gómez
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico, Mexico
| | - Kioko Guzmán-Ramos
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Lerma, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Federico Bermúdez-Rattoni
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Federico Bermúdez-Rattoni
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Meng X, Yue L, Liu A, Tao W, Shi L, Zhao W, Wu Z, Zhang Z, Wang L, Zhang X, Zhou W. Distinct basolateral amygdala excitatory inputs mediate the somatosensory and aversive-affective components of pain. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102207. [PMID: 35772494 PMCID: PMC9304789 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain is a multidimensional perception that includes unpleasant somatosensory and affective experiences; however, the underlying neural circuits that mediate different components of pain remain elusive. Although hyperactivity of basolateral amygdala glutamatergic (BLAGlu) neurons is required for the somatosensory and emotional processing of pain, the precise excitatory inputs to BLAGlu neurons and their roles in mediating different aspects of pain are unclear. Here, we identified two discrete glutamatergic neuronal circuits in male mice: a projection from the insular cortex glutamatergic (ICGlu) to BLAGlu neurons, which modulates both the somatosensory and affective components of pain, and a projection from the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MDGlu) to BLAGlu neurons, which modulates only the aversive-affective component of pain. Using whole-cell recording and fiber photometry, we found that neurons within the IC→BLA and MD→BLA pathways were activated in mice upon inflammatory pain induced by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into their paws. Optical inhibition of the ICGlu→BLA pathway increased the nociceptive threshold and induced behavioral place preference in CFA mice. In contrast, optical inhibition of the MDGlu→BLA pathway did not affect the nociceptive threshold but still induced place preference in CFA mice. In normal mice, optical activation of the ICGlu→BLA pathway decreased the nociceptive threshold and induced place aversion, while optical activation of the MDGlu→BLA pathway only evoked aversion. Taken together, our results demonstrate that discrete ICGlu→BLA and MDGlu→BLA pathways are involved in modulating different components of pain, provide insights into its circuit basis, and better our understanding of pain perception.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Meng
- Affiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China
| | - Lingxiao Yue
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Pathology, Anhui Medical College, Hefei, China
| | - An Liu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wenjuan Tao
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Li Shi
- Affiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China
| | - Wan Zhao
- Department of Otolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zhongmin Wu
- Department of Anatomy, Medical College of Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Liecheng Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
| | - Xulai Zhang
- Affiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China.
| | - Wenjie Zhou
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Ghareh H, Alonso-Lozares I, Schetters D, Herman RJ, Heistek TS, Van Mourik Y, Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel P, Zernig G, Mansvelder HD, De Vries TJ, Marchant NJ. Role of anterior insula cortex in context-induced relapse of nicotine-seeking. eLife 2022; 11:e75609. [PMID: 35536612 PMCID: PMC9119676 DOI: 10.7554/elife.75609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide, and relapse during abstinence remains the critical barrier to successful treatment of tobacco addiction. During abstinence, environmental contexts associated with nicotine use can induce craving and contribute to relapse. The insular cortex (IC) is thought to be a critical substrate of nicotine addiction and relapse. However, its specific role in context-induced relapse of nicotine-seeking is not fully known. In this study, we report a novel rodent model of context-induced relapse to nicotine-seeking after punishment-imposed abstinence, which models self-imposed abstinence through increasing negative consequences of excessive drug use. Using the neuronal activity marker Fos we find that the anterior (aIC), but not the middle or posterior IC, shows increased activity during context-induced relapse. Combining Fos with retrograde labeling of aIC inputs, we show projections to aIC from contralateral aIC and basolateral amygdala exhibit increased activity during context-induced relapse. Next, we used fiber photometry in aIC and observed phasic increases in aIC activity around nicotine-seeking responses during self-administration, punishment, and the context-induced relapse tests. Next, we used chemogenetic inhibition in both male and female rats to determine whether activity in aIC is necessary for context-induced relapse. We found that chemogenetic inhibition of aIC decreased context-induced nicotine-seeking after either punishment- or extinction-imposed abstinence. These findings highlight the critical role nicotine-associated contexts play in promoting relapse, and they show that aIC activity is critical for this context-induced relapse following both punishment and extinction-imposed abstinence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Ghareh
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Isis Alonso-Lozares
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Anatomy & NeurosciencesAmsterdamNetherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Compulsivity Impulsivity and AttentionAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Dustin Schetters
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Anatomy & NeurosciencesAmsterdamNetherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Compulsivity Impulsivity and AttentionAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Rae J Herman
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Anatomy & NeurosciencesAmsterdamNetherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Compulsivity Impulsivity and AttentionAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Tim S Heistek
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije UniversiteitAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Yvar Van Mourik
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Anatomy & NeurosciencesAmsterdamNetherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Compulsivity Impulsivity and AttentionAmsterdamNetherlands
| | | | - Gerald Zernig
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Huibert D Mansvelder
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije UniversiteitAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Taco J De Vries
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Anatomy & NeurosciencesAmsterdamNetherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Compulsivity Impulsivity and AttentionAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Nathan J Marchant
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Anatomy & NeurosciencesAmsterdamNetherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Compulsivity Impulsivity and AttentionAmsterdamNetherlands
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Gil-Lievana E, Ramírez-Mejía G, Urrego-Morales O, Luis-Islas J, Gutierrez R, Bermúdez-Rattoni F. Photostimulation of Ventral Tegmental Area-Insular Cortex Dopaminergic Inputs Enhances the Salience to Consolidate Aversive Taste Recognition Memory via D1-Like Receptors. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:823220. [PMID: 35360496 PMCID: PMC8962201 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.823220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Taste memory involves storing information through plasticity changes in the neural network of taste, including the insular cortex (IC) and ventral tegmental area (VTA), a critical provider of dopamine. Although a VTA-IC dopaminergic pathway has been demonstrated, its role to consolidate taste recognition memory remains poorly understood. We found that photostimulation of dopaminergic neurons in the VTA or VTA-IC dopaminergic terminals of TH-Cre mice improves the salience to consolidate a subthreshold novel taste stimulus regardless of its hedonic value, without altering their taste palatability. Importantly, the inhibition of the D1-like receptor into the IC impairs the salience to facilitate consolidation of an aversive taste recognition memory. Finally, our results showed that VTA photostimulation improves the salience to consolidate a conditioned taste aversion memory through the D1-like receptor into the IC. It is concluded that the dopamine activity from the VTA into IC is required to increase the salience enabling the consolidation of a taste recognition memory. Notably, the D1-like receptor activity into the IC is required to consolidate both innate and learned aversive taste memories but not appetitive taste memory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elvi Gil-Lievana
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, División de Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Ramírez-Mejía
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, División de Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Oscar Urrego-Morales
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, División de Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jorge Luis-Islas
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Appetitive, Department of Pharmacology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, CINVESTAV, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ranier Gutierrez
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Appetitive, Department of Pharmacology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, CINVESTAV, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Federico Bermúdez-Rattoni
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, División de Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Federico Bermúdez-Rattoni,
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Volume and Connectivity Differences in Brain Networks Associated with Cognitive Constructs of Binge Eating. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0080-21.2021. [PMID: 35064023 PMCID: PMC8856709 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0080-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED) are characterized by episodes of eating large amounts of food while experiencing a loss of control. Recent studies suggest that the underlying causes of BN/BED consist of a complex system of environmental cues, atypical processing of food stimuli, altered behavioral responding, and structural/functional brain differences compared with healthy controls (HC). In this narrative review, we provide an integrative account of the brain networks associated with the three cognitive constructs most integral to BN and BED, namely increased reward sensitivity, decreased cognitive control, and altered negative affect and stress responding. We show altered activity in BED/BN within several brain networks, specifically in the striatum, insula, prefrontal cortex (PFC) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and cingulate gyrus. Numerous key nodes in these networks also differ in volume and connectivity compared with HC. We provide suggestions for how this integration may guide future research into these brain networks and cognitive constructs.
Collapse
|
19
|
Better living through understanding the insula: Why subregions can make all the difference. Neuropharmacology 2021; 198:108765. [PMID: 34461066 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Insula function is considered critical for many motivated behaviors, with proposed functions ranging from attention, behavioral control, emotional regulation, goal-directed and aversion-resistant responding. Further, the insula is implicated in many neuropsychiatric conditions including substance abuse. More recently, multiple insula subregions have been distinguished based on anatomy, connectivity, and functional contributions. Generally, posterior insula is thought to encode more somatosensory inputs, which integrate with limbic/emotional information in middle insula, that in turn integrate with cognitive processes in anterior insula. Together, these regions provide rapid interoceptive information about the current or predicted situation, facilitating autonomic recruitment and quick, flexible action. Here, we seek to create a robust foundation from which to understand potential subregion differences, and provide direction for future studies. We address subregion differences across humans and rodents, so that the latter's mechanistic interventions can best mesh with clinical relevance of human conditions. We first consider the insula's suggested roles in humans, then compare subregional studies, and finally describe rodent work. One primary goal is to encourage precision in describing insula subregions, since imprecision (e.g. including both posterior and anterior studies when describing insula work) does a disservice to a larger understanding of insula contributions. Additionally, we note that specific task details can greatly impact recruitment of various subregions, requiring care and nuance in design and interpretation of studies. Nonetheless, the central ethological importance of the insula makes continued research to uncover mechanistic, mood, and behavioral contributions of paramount importance and interest. This article is part of the special Issue on 'Neurocircuitry Modulating Drug and Alcohol Abuse'.
Collapse
|
20
|
Faccidomo S, Cogan ES, Hon OJ, Hoffman JL, Saunders BL, Eastman VR, Kim M, Taylor SM, McElligott ZA, Hodge CW. Calcium-permeable AMPA receptor activity and GluA1 trafficking in the basolateral amygdala regulate operant alcohol self-administration. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e13049. [PMID: 33955100 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Addiction is viewed as maladaptive glutamate-mediated neuroplasticity that is regulated, in part, by calcium-permeable AMPA receptor (CP-AMPAR) activity. However, the contribution of CP-AMPARs to alcohol-seeking behavior remains to be elucidated. We evaluated CP-AMPAR activity in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) as a potential target of alcohol that also regulates alcohol self-administration in C57BL/6J mice. Operant self-administration of sweetened alcohol increased spontaneous EPSC frequency in BLA neurons that project to the nucleus accumbens as compared with behavior-matched sucrose controls indicating an alcohol-specific upregulation of synaptic activity. Bath application of the CP-AMPAR antagonist NASPM decreased evoked EPSC amplitude only in alcohol self-administering mice indicating alcohol-induced synaptic insertion of CP-AMPARs in BLA projection neurons. Moreover, NASPM infusion in the BLA dose-dependently decreased the rate of operant alcohol self-administration providing direct evidence for CP-AMPAR regulation of alcohol reinforcement. As most CP-AMPARs are GluA1-containing, we asked if alcohol alters the activation state of GluA1-containing AMPARs. Immunocytochemistry results showed elevated GluA1-S831 phosphorylation in the BLA of alcohol as compared with sucrose mice. To investigate mechanistic regulation of alcohol self-administration by GluA1-containing AMPARs, we evaluated the necessity of GluA1 trafficking using a TET-ON AAV encoding a dominant-negative GluA1 c-terminus (GluA1ct) that blocks activity-dependent synaptic delivery of native GluA1-containing AMPARs. GluA1ct expression in the BLA reduced alcohol self-administration with no effect on sucrose controls. These results show that CP-AMPAR activity and GluA1 trafficking in the BLA mechanistically regulate the reinforcing effects of sweetened alcohol. Pharmacotherapeutic targeting these mechanisms of maladaptive neuroplasticity may aid medical management of alcohol use disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Faccidomo
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
- Department of Psychiatry The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Elizabeth S. Cogan
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Olivia J. Hon
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
- Neuroscience Curriculum The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Jessica L. Hoffman
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Briana L. Saunders
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Vallari R. Eastman
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Michelle Kim
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Seth M. Taylor
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Zoe A. McElligott
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
- Department of Psychiatry The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
- Department of Pharmacology The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Clyde W. Hodge
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
- Department of Psychiatry The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
- Department of Pharmacology The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
McCool BA. Ethanol modulation of cortico-basolateral amygdala circuits: Neurophysiology and behavior. Neuropharmacology 2021; 197:108750. [PMID: 34371080 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
This review highlights literature relating the anatomy, physiology, and behavioral contributions by projections between rodent prefrontal cortical areas and the basolateral amygdala. These projections are robustly modulated by both environmental experience and exposure to drugs of abuse including ethanol. Recent literature relating optogenetic and chemogenetic dissection of these circuits within behavior both compliments and occasionally challenges roles defined by more traditional pharmacological or lesion-based approaches. In particular, cortico-amygdala circuits help control both aversive and reward-seeking. Exposure to pathology-producing environments or abused drugs dysregulates the relative 'balance' of these outcomes. Modern circuit-based approaches have also shown that overlapping populations of neurons within a given brain region frequently govern both aversion and reward-seeking. In addition, these circuits often dramatically influence 'local' cortical or basolateral amygdala excitatory or inhibitory circuits. Our understanding of these neurobiological processes, particularly in relation to ethanol research, has just begun and represents a significant opportunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian A McCool
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Pribut HJ, Vázquez D, Brockett AT, Wei AD, Tennyson SS, Roesch MR. Prior Cocaine Exposure Increases Firing to Immediate Reward While Attenuating Cue and Context Signals Related to Reward Value in the Insula. J Neurosci 2021; 41:4667-4677. [PMID: 33849944 PMCID: PMC8260251 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3025-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The insula contributes to behavioral control and is disrupted by substance abuse, yet we know little about the neural signals underlying these functions or how they are disrupted after chronic drug self-administration. Here, male and female rats self-administered either cocaine (experimental group) or sucrose (control) for 12 consecutive days. After a 1 month withdrawal period, we recorded from insula while rats performed a previously learned reward-guided decision-making task. Cocaine-exposed rats were more sensitive to value manipulations and were faster to respond. These behavioral changes were accompanied by elevated counts of neurons in the insula that increased firing to reward. These neurons also fired more strongly at the start of long-delay trials, when a more immediate reward would be expected, and fired less strongly in anticipation of the actual delivery of delayed rewards. Although reward-related firing to immediate reward was enhanced after cocaine self-administration, reward-predicting cue and context signals were attenuated. In addition to revealing novel firing patterns unique to insula, our data suggest changes in such neural activity likely contribute to impaired decision making observed after drug use.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The insula plays a clear role in drug addiction and drug-induced impairments of decision making, yet there is little understanding of its underlying neural signals. We found that chronic cocaine self-administration reduces cue and context encoding in insula while enhancing signals related to immediate reward. These changes in neural activity likely contribute to impaired decision making and impulsivity observed after drug use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heather J Pribut
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
| | - Daniela Vázquez
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
| | - Adam T Brockett
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
| | - Alice D Wei
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
| | - Stephen S Tennyson
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
| | - Matthew R Roesch
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Osorio-Gómez D, Bermúdez-Rattoni F, Guzmán-Ramos KR. Cortical neurochemical signaling of gustatory stimuli and their visceral consequences during the acquisition and consolidation of taste aversion memory. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2021; 181:107437. [PMID: 33831511 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2021.107437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The insular cortex (IC) has a crucial role in taste recognition memory, including conditioned taste aversion (CTA). CTA is a learning paradigm in which a novel taste stimulus (CS) is associated with gastric malaise (US), inducing aversion to the CS in future encounters. The role of the IC in CTA memory formation has been extensively studied. However, the functional significance of neurotransmitter release during the presentation of taste stimuli and gastric malaise-inducing agents remains unclear. Using microdialysis in free-moving animals, we evaluated simultaneous changes in glutamate, norepinephrine and dopamine release in response to the presentation of an innate appetitive or aversive gustatory novel stimulus, as well as after i.p. administration of isotonic or hypertonic gastric malaise-inducing solutions. Our results demonstrate that the presentation of novel stimuli, regardless of their innate valence, induces an elevation of norepinephrine and dopamine. Administration of a gastric malaise inducing agent (LiCl) promotes an elevation of glutamate regardless of its concentration. In comparison, norepinephrine release is related to the LiCl concentration and its equimolar NaCl control. Additionally, we evaluated their functional role on short and long-term taste aversion memory. Results indicate that the blockade of noradrenergic β1,2 receptors in the IC spares CTA acquisition and memory consolidation. In contrast, blockade of dopamine D1/D5 receptors impaired CTA consolidation, whereas the NMDA receptor blockade impedes both acquisition and consolidation of CTA. These results suggest that dopaminergic and noradrenergic release are related to the salience of conditioned taste stimuli. However, only cortical D1/D5 dopaminergic activity, but not the noradrenergic β1,2 activity, is involved in the acquisition and consolidation of taste memory formation. Additionally, glutamatergic activity signals visceral distress caused by LiCl administration and activates NMDA receptors necessary for the acquisition and consolidation of long-lasting taste aversion memory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Osorio-Gómez
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Federico Bermúdez-Rattoni
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Kioko R Guzmán-Ramos
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Lerma. Av. de las Garzas No. 10, Col. El Panteón, Lerma de Villada, Estado de México C.P. 52005, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|