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Yan JZ, Li GX, Sun SR, Cui LY, Yin YY, Li YF. A rate-limiting step in antidepressants onset: Excitation of glutamatergic pyramidal neurons in medial prefrontal cortex of rodents. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 130:110911. [PMID: 38065287 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110911] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Although clinical antidepressants have varied mechanisms of action, it remains unclear whether they may have a common mechanism underlying their antidepressant effects. We investigated the behavioral effects of five different antidepressants (differing in target, chemical structure, and rate of onset) and their effects on the firing activities of glutamatergic pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) using the forced swimming test (FST) and electrophysiological techniques (in vivo). We employed fiber photometry recordings to validate the effects of antidepressants on the firing activity of pyramidal neurons. Additionally, multichannel electrophysiological recordings were conducted in mice exhibiting depressive-like behaviors induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS) to investigate whether antidepressants exert similar effects on pyramidal neurons in depressed mice. Behavioral tests were utilized for evaluating the depression model. We found that fluoxetine, duloxetine, vilazodone, YL-0919, and ketamine all increase the firing activities of glutamatergic pyramidal neurons (at least 57%) while exerting their initial onset of antidepressant effects. Fiber photometry revealed an increase in the calcium activity of pyramidal neurons in the mPFC at the onset of antidepressant effects. Furthermore, a significant reduction was observed in the firing activity of pyramidal neurons in the mPFC of CRS-exposed mice, which was reversed by antidepressants. Taken together, our findings suggested that five pharmacologically distinct classes of antidepressants share the common ability to increase the firing activity of pyramidal neurons, just different time, which might be a rate-limiting step in antidepressants onset. The study contributes to the body of knowledge of the mechanisms underlying antidepressant effects and paves the way for developing rapid-acting antidepressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao-Zhao Yan
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing, China
| | - Guang-Xiang Li
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Si-Rui Sun
- Beijing Ditan Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lin-Yu Cui
- College of Anesthesia, Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi, China
| | - Yong-Yu Yin
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing, China.
| | - Yun-Feng Li
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing, China.
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2
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Forbes PAG, Aydogan G, Braunstein J, Todorova B, Wagner IC, Lockwood PL, Apps MAJ, Ruff CC, Lamm C. Acute stress reduces effortful prosocial behaviour. eLife 2024; 12:RP87271. [PMID: 38180785 PMCID: PMC10942768 DOI: 10.7554/elife.87271] [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] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute stress can change our cognition and emotions, but what specific consequences this has for human prosocial behaviour is unclear. Previous studies have mainly investigated prosociality with financial transfers in economic games and produced conflicting results. Yet a core feature of many types of prosocial behaviour is that they are effortful. We therefore examined how acute stress changes our willingness to exert effort that benefits others. Healthy male participants - half of whom were put under acute stress - made decisions whether to exert physical effort to gain money for themselves or another person. With this design, we could independently assess the effects of acute stress on prosocial, compared to self-benefitting, effortful behaviour. Compared to controls (n = 45), participants in the stress group (n = 46) chose to exert effort more often for self- than for other-benefitting rewards at a low level of effort. Additionally, the adverse effects of stress on prosocial effort were particularly pronounced in more selfish participants. Neuroimaging combined with computational modelling revealed a putative neural mechanism underlying these effects: more stressed participants showed increased activation to subjective value in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and anterior insula when they themselves could benefit from their exerted effort relative to when someone else could. By using an effort-based task that better approximates real-life prosocial behaviour and incorporating trait differences in prosocial tendencies, our study provides important insights into how acute stress affects prosociality and its associated neural mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul AG Forbes
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Gökhan Aydogan
- Zurich Center for Neuroeconomics, Department of Economics, University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Julia Braunstein
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Vienna Cognitive Science Hub, University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Boryana Todorova
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Isabella C Wagner
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Vienna Cognitive Science Hub, University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Patricia L Lockwood
- Centre for Human Brain Health, Institute of Mental Health and School of Psychology, University of BirminghamBirminghamUnited Kingdom
- Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of BirminghamBirminghamUnited Kingdom
| | - Matthew AJ Apps
- Centre for Human Brain Health, Institute of Mental Health and School of Psychology, University of BirminghamBirminghamUnited Kingdom
- Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of BirminghamBirminghamUnited Kingdom
| | - Christian C Ruff
- Zurich Center for Neuroeconomics, Department of Economics, University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Claus Lamm
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Vienna Cognitive Science Hub, University of ViennaViennaAustria
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Ngoupaye GT, Mokgokong M, Madlala T, Mabandla MV. Alteration of the α5 GABA receptor and 5HTT lead to cognitive deficits associated with major depressive-like behaviors in a 14-day combined stress rat model. Int J Neurosci 2023; 133:959-976. [PMID: 34937496 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2021.2019033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Current models used to study the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) are laborious and time consuming. This study examined the effect of a 14-day combined stress model (CS; corticosterone injection and restraint stress) in male Sprague-Dawley rats and also compare the effect of CS versus 28-day corticosterone treatment on depressive-like behaviour and cognitive deficits. MATERIEL AND METHODS Depressive-like behaviours and cognitive deficits were assessed in the forced swim test (FST), sucrose preference (SPT), Morris water maze (MWM) and novel object recognition (NORT) tests. Real-time PCR and ELISA were respectively used to detect expression of the serotonin transporter (5-HTT), serotonin 1 A receptor (5-HT1A), α5 GABAA receptor, and the concentrations of corticosterone (plasma), GABA and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the hippocampus and Prefrontal cortex (PFC).Results CS group showed increased immobility time in the FST, time to reach the MWM platform, higher corticosterone level, and increased expressions of hippocampal and PFC 5-HT1A and α5 GABAA receptors, and AChE compared to their control groups. In contrast, reductions in SPT ratio, discrimination index in NORT, time in target quadrant, and hippocampal 5-HTT expression was noted relative to their control group. Compared to the 28-day corticosterone only group, PFC 5-HT1A, Hippocampal 5-HTT were reduced, while PFC 5-HTT, Hippocampal α5 GABAA receptors, and AChE concentrations were higher in the CS group. CONCLUSION Our CS model induced depressive-like behaviour with early cognitive deficits in rats affecting both hippocampus and PFC. The CS model may be useful in investigating new and comprehensive treatment strategies for MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwladys Temkou Ngoupaye
- Discipline of Human Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Makwena Mokgokong
- Discipline of Human Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Thobeka Madlala
- Discipline of Human Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Musa Vuyisile Mabandla
- Discipline of Human Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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4
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dos-Santos RC, Sweeten BLW, Stelly CE, Tasker JG. The Neuroendocrine Impact of Acute Stress on Synaptic Plasticity. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad149. [PMID: 37788632 PMCID: PMC11046011 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad149] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Stress induces changes in nervous system function on different signaling levels, from molecular signaling to synaptic transmission to neural circuits to behavior-and on different time scales, from rapid onset and transient to delayed and long-lasting. The principal effectors of stress plasticity are glucocorticoids, steroid hormones that act with a broad range of signaling competency due to the expression of multiple nuclear and membrane receptor subtypes in virtually every tissue of the organism. Glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors are localized to each of the cellular compartments of the receptor-expressing cells-the membrane, cytosol, and nucleus. In this review, we cover the neuroendocrine effects of stress, focusing mainly on the rapid actions of acute stress-induced glucocorticoids that effect changes in synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability by modulating synaptic and intrinsic neuronal properties via activation of presumed membrane glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors. We describe the synaptic plasticity that occurs in 4 stress-associated brain structures, the hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex, in response to single or short-term stress exposure. The rapid transformative impact of glucocorticoids makes this stress signal a particularly potent effector of acute neuronal plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raoni Conceição dos-Santos
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Brook L W Sweeten
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Claire E Stelly
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Jeffrey G Tasker
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
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Hughes BW, Siemsen BM, Tsvetkov E, Berto S, Kumar J, Cornbrooks RG, Akiki RM, Cho JY, Carter JS, Snyder KK, Assali A, Scofield MD, Cowan CW, Taniguchi M. NPAS4 in the medial prefrontal cortex mediates chronic social defeat stress-induced anhedonia-like behavior and reductions in excitatory synapses. eLife 2023; 12:e75631. [PMID: 36780219 PMCID: PMC9925055 DOI: 10.7554/elife.75631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress can produce reward system deficits (i.e., anhedonia) and other common symptoms associated with depressive disorders, as well as neural circuit hypofunction in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). However, the molecular mechanisms by which chronic stress promotes depressive-like behavior and hypofrontality remain unclear. We show here that the neuronal activity-regulated transcription factor, NPAS4, in the mPFC is regulated by chronic social defeat stress (CSDS), and it is required in this brain region for CSDS-induced changes in sucrose preference and natural reward motivation in the mice. Interestingly, NPAS4 is not required for CSDS-induced social avoidance or anxiety-like behavior. We also find that mPFC NPAS4 is required for CSDS-induced reductions in pyramidal neuron dendritic spine density, excitatory synaptic transmission, and presynaptic function, revealing a relationship between perturbation in excitatory synaptic transmission and the expression of anhedonia-like behavior in the mice. Finally, analysis of the mice mPFC tissues revealed that NPAS4 regulates the expression of numerous genes linked to glutamatergic synapses and ribosomal function, the expression of upregulated genes in CSDS-susceptible animals, and differentially expressed genes in postmortem human brains of patients with common neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression. Together, our findings position NPAS4 as a key mediator of chronic stress-induced hypofrontal states and anhedonia-like behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon W Hughes
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South CarolinaCharlestonUnited States
| | - Benjamin M Siemsen
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South CarolinaCharlestonUnited States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical University of South CarolinaCharlestonUnited States
| | - Evgeny Tsvetkov
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South CarolinaCharlestonUnited States
| | - Stefano Berto
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South CarolinaCharlestonUnited States
| | - Jaswinder Kumar
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical SchoolBelmontUnited States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Rebecca G Cornbrooks
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South CarolinaCharlestonUnited States
| | - Rose Marie Akiki
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South CarolinaCharlestonUnited States
| | - Jennifer Y Cho
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South CarolinaCharlestonUnited States
| | - Jordan S Carter
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South CarolinaCharlestonUnited States
| | - Kirsten K Snyder
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South CarolinaCharlestonUnited States
| | - Ahlem Assali
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South CarolinaCharlestonUnited States
| | - Michael D Scofield
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South CarolinaCharlestonUnited States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical University of South CarolinaCharlestonUnited States
| | - Christopher W Cowan
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South CarolinaCharlestonUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical SchoolBelmontUnited States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Makoto Taniguchi
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South CarolinaCharlestonUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical SchoolBelmontUnited States
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Shade RD, Ross JA, Van Bockstaele EJ. Targeting the cannabinoid system to counteract the deleterious effects of stress in Alzheimer’s disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:949361. [PMID: 36268196 PMCID: PMC9577232 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.949361] [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: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized histologically in postmortem human brains by the presence of dense protein accumulations known as amyloid plaques and tau tangles. Plaques and tangles develop over decades of aberrant protein processing, post-translational modification, and misfolding throughout an individual’s lifetime. We present a foundation of evidence from the literature that suggests chronic stress is associated with increased disease severity in Alzheimer’s patient populations. Taken together with preclinical evidence that chronic stress signaling can precipitate cellular distress, we argue that chronic psychological stress renders select circuits more vulnerable to amyloid- and tau- related abnormalities. We discuss the ongoing investigation of systemic and cellular processes that maintain the integrity of protein homeostasis in health and in degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease that have revealed multiple potential therapeutic avenues. For example, the endogenous cannabinoid system traverses the central and peripheral neural systems while simultaneously exerting anti-inflammatory influence over the immune response in the brain and throughout the body. Moreover, the cannabinoid system converges on several stress-integrative neuronal circuits and critical regions of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, with the capacity to dampen responses to psychological and cellular stress. Targeting the cannabinoid system by influencing endogenous processes or exogenously stimulating cannabinoid receptors with natural or synthetic cannabis compounds has been identified as a promising route for Alzheimer’s Disease intervention. We build on our foundational framework focusing on the significance of chronic psychological and cellular stress on the development of Alzheimer’s neuropathology by integrating literature on cannabinoid function and dysfunction within Alzheimer’s Disease and conclude with remarks on optimal strategies for treatment potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronnie D. Shade
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jennifer A. Ross
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Jennifer A. Ross,
| | - Elisabeth J. Van Bockstaele
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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7
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The infralimbic mineralocorticoid blockage prevents the stress-induced impairment of aversive memory extinction in rats. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:343. [PMID: 35999226 PMCID: PMC9399104 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02118-2] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals deal with adversity and return to a normal lifestyle when adversity ends. Nevertheless, in specific cases, traumas may be preceded by memory distortions in stress-related malaises, and memory extinction impairment is strictly associated with the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Glucocorticoids (GCs), the central stress mediator, target mineralocorticoid (MR) and glucocorticoid (GR) receptors and coordinate stress responses. Despite MRs being present in brain regions essential to cognition, emotions, and initial stress processing, such as the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), most studies attempt to elucidate the stress-induced deleterious actions of GCs via GR. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the relationship between stress, infralimbic mPFC (IL), and memory and how MR-mediated intracellular signaling influences this relationship and modulates memory extinction. We observed that acutely restraint-stressed male Wistar rats showed high corticosterone (CORT) levels, and previous intra-IL-spironolactone administration (a selective MR antagonist) decreased it 60 min after the stress started. Intra-IL-CORT118335, a novel mixed MR/GR selective modulator, increased CORT throughout stress exposure. Ten days after stress, all rats increased freezing in the memory retrieval test and acquired the aversive contextual memory. During the extinction test, intra-IL injection of spironolactone, but not CORT118335, prevented the stress-impaired memory extinction, suggesting that the IL-MR activity controls CORT concentration, and it is crucial to the establishment of late extinction impairment. Also, the concomitant GR full activation overrode MR blockage. It increased CORT levels leading to the stress-induced extinction memory impairment, reinforcing that the MR/GR balance is crucial to predicting stress-induced behavioral outcomes.
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8
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Albernaz-Mariano KA, Souza RR, Canto-de-Souza A. Blockade of the mineralocorticoid receptors in the medial prefrontal cortex prevents the acquisition of one-trial tolerance in mice. Behav Brain Res 2022; 431:113938. [PMID: 35618080 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.113938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
One-trial tolerance (OTT) is characterized by the lack of anxiolytic-like effects of benzodiazepines in animals submitted to a trial 2 in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and is described to be influenced by learning mechanisms. Mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) in the infralimbic subregion (IL) of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) are important modulators of emotional learning, but the MR involvement in the establishment of OTT remains unclear. We investigated the effects of intra-IL infusions of RU 28318 (an MR antagonist) on the OTT to the anxiolytic effects of midazolam (MDZ, GABAA-benzodiazepine agonist) in mice exposed to a two-trial protocol in the EPM. First, mice were treated with saline or MDZ (2mgkg-1, i.p.) 30minutes before trial 1 or 2 in the EPM, to characterize the OTT. To investigate the role of MR in the OTT, independent groups of mice received intra-IL infusions of vehicle or RU 28318 (5 or 10ng 0.1µL-1) immediately before or after first trial in the EPM. Twenty-four hours later, the same mice received injections of saline or MDZ and were re-tested in the EPM. The MDZ decreased anxiety-like behaviors in trial 1, but the same anxiolytic-like effect was not observed in MDZ-mice prior to the second EPM test, confirming the OTT. Blockade of MR in the IL before, but not after, trial 1 restored the anxiolytic effects if MDZ administered in trial 2. These findings indicate that the MR in the IL-mPFC contributing to the OTT by mediating the acquisition, but not the consolidation of emotional learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kairo Alan Albernaz-Mariano
- Psychobiology Group/Department of Psychology/CECH-UFSCar, São Carlos, SP 13565-905, Brazil; Joint Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences UFSCar/UNESP, Rod. Washington Luís, Km 235, São Carlos, SP 13565-905, Brazil.
| | - Rimenez Rodrigues Souza
- The University of Texas at Dallas, School of Behavior and Brain Sciences, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, TX 75080-3021, United States; The University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Biomedical Device Center, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, TX 75080-3021, United States.
| | - Azair Canto-de-Souza
- Psychobiology Group/Department of Psychology/CECH-UFSCar, São Carlos, SP 13565-905, Brazil; Joint Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences UFSCar/UNESP, Rod. Washington Luís, Km 235, São Carlos, SP 13565-905, Brazil; Graduate Program in Psychology UFSCar, Rod. Washington Luís, Km 235, São Carlos, SP 13565-905, Brazil; Neuroscience and Behavioral Institute, Av. do Café, 2.450, 14050-220 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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9
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Sun W, Chen X, Mei Y, Yang Y, Li X, An L. Prelimbic proBDNF Facilitates Retrieval-Dependent Fear Memory Destabilization by Regulation of Synaptic and Neural Functions in Juvenile Rats. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:4179-4196. [PMID: 35501631 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02849-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Fear regulation changes as a function of the early life is a key developmental period for the continued maturation of fear neural circuitry. The mechanisms of fear retrieval-induced reconsolidation have been investigated but remain poorly understood. The involvement of prelimbic proBDNF in fear memory extinction and its mediated signaling have been reported previously. Specifically, blocking the proBDNF/p75NTR pathway during the postnatal stage disrupts synaptic development and neuronal activity in adulthood. Given the inherent high expression of proBDNF during the juvenile period, we tested whether the prelimbic proBDNF regulated synaptic and neuronal functions allowing to influencing retrieval-dependent memory processing. By examining the freezing behavior of auditory fear-conditioned rats, we found the high level of the prelimbic proBDNF in juvenile rats enhanced the destabilization of the retrieval-dependent weak but not strong fear memory through activating p75NTR-GluN2B signaling. This modification of fear memory traces was attributed to the increment in the proportion of thin-type spine and promotion in synaptic function, as evidenced by the facilitation of NMDA-mediated EPSCs and GluN2B-dependent synaptic depression at the prelimbic projection. Furthermore, the strong prelimbic theta- and gamma-oscillation coupling predicted the suppressive effect of juvenile proBDNF on the recall of postretrieval memory. Our results critically emphasize the importance of developmental proBDNF for modification of retrieval-dependent memory and provide a potential critical targeting to inhibit threaten memories associated with neurodevelopment disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Sun
- Department of Pediatric, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550001, Guizhou, China.,Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550001, Guizhou, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550001, Guizhou, China.,Department of Neurology, Jinan Geriatric/Rehabilitation Hospital, Jinan, 250013, China
| | - Yazi Mei
- Graduate School of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Pediatric, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550001, Guizhou, China
| | - Xiaoliang Li
- Department of Neurology, Jinan Geriatric/Rehabilitation Hospital, Jinan, 250013, China
| | - Lei An
- Department of Pediatric, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550001, Guizhou, China. .,Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550001, Guizhou, China. .,Department of Neurology, Jinan Geriatric/Rehabilitation Hospital, Jinan, 250013, China. .,Graduate School of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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Wu C, Zheng W, Jia X, Li Y, Shen F, Haghparast A, Liang J, Sui N, Zhang J. Adolescent chronic unpredictable stress causes a bias in goal‐directed behavior and distinctively changes the expression of NMDA and dopamine receptors in the dorsomedial and dorsolateral striatum in male rats. Dev Psychobiol 2022; 64:e22235. [DOI: 10.1002/dev.22235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health Institute of Psychology Beijing China
- Department of Psychology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Wei Zheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health Institute of Psychology Beijing China
- Department of Psychology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Xiaohua Jia
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging of Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Automation Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Yonghui Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health Institute of Psychology Beijing China
- Department of Psychology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Fang Shen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health Institute of Psychology Beijing China
- Department of Psychology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Abbas Haghparast
- Neuroscience Research Center School of Medicine Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Jing Liang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health Institute of Psychology Beijing China
- Department of Psychology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Nan Sui
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health Institute of Psychology Beijing China
- Department of Psychology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Jian‐Jun Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health Institute of Psychology Beijing China
- Department of Psychology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
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11
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Hwang HM, Hashimoto-Torii K. Activation of the anterior cingulate cortex ameliorates anxiety in a preclinical model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:24. [PMID: 35058425 PMCID: PMC8776849 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01789-1] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
People with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are suffered from a wide range of interlinked cognitive and psychological problems. However, few therapeutic options are available for those patients due to limited dissection of its underlying etiology. Here we found that prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) increases anxiety in mice due to a dysregulated functional connectivity between the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and basolateral amygdala (BLA). We also show that chemogenetic activation of excitatory neurons in the ACC reduced this anxiety behavior in the PAE mice. Interestingly, although the level of plasma corticosterone correlated with the increase in anxiety in the PAE, this level was not altered by chemogenetic activation of the ACC, suggesting that the functional connectivity between the ACC and the BLA does not alter the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Altogether, this study demonstrated that reduced excitation in the ACC is a cause of anxiety in the PAE mice, providing critical insights into the ACC-BLA neural circuit as a potential target for treating anxiety in FASD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye M. Hwang
- grid.239560.b0000 0004 0482 1586Center for Neuroscience Research, The Children’s Research Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC USA ,grid.253615.60000 0004 1936 9510The Institute for Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC USA
| | - Kazue Hashimoto-Torii
- Center for Neuroscience Research, The Children's Research Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA. .,Departments of Pediatrics, and Pharmacology & Physiology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
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12
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Wang X, Zhao Y, Shi X, Gong M, Hao Y, Fu Y, Velez de-la-Paz OI, Wang X, Du Y, Guo X, Song L, Meng L, Gao Y, Yin X, Wang S, Shi Y, Shi H. Sulfur dioxide derivatives attenuates consolidation of contextual fear memory in mice. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 914:174658. [PMID: 34861211 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174658] [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: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by an enhancement of traumatic memory. Intervention strategies based on the different stages of memory have been shown to be effective in the prevention and control of PTSD. The endogenous gaseous molecule, sulfur dioxide (SO2), has been reported to significantly exert neuromodulatory effects; however, its regulation of learning and memory remains unestablished. This study aimed to investigate the effects of exogenous SO2 derivatives administration on the formation, consolidation, reconsolidation, retention, and expression of contextual fear memory. Behavioral results showed that both intraperitoneal injection (50 mg/kg, ip) and hippocampal infusion (5 μg/side) of SO2 derivatives (a mixture of sodium sulfite and sodium bisulfite, Na2SO3/NaHSO3, 3:1 M/M) significantly impaired consolidation but had no effect on reconsolidation and retention of contextual fear memory. These findings suggest that the attenuating effects of SO2 on the consolidation of fear memory involves, at least partially, the region of the hippocampus. The findings of this study provide direct evidence for the development of new strategies for PTSD prevention and treatment involving the use of gaseous SO2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhao Wang
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Yize Zhao
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Xiaorui Shi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Miao Gong
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Ying Hao
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Yaling Fu
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Omar Israel Velez de-la-Paz
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Xi Wang
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Yuru Du
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Xiangfei Guo
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Li Song
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, China
| | - Li Meng
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, China
| | - Xi Yin
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Department of Functional Region of Diagnosis, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050011, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Yun Shi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, China.
| | - Haishui Shi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China.
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13
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The role of glucocorticoid receptor gene in the association between attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and smaller brain structures. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2021; 128:1907-1916. [PMID: 34609638 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-021-02425-w] [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: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
ADHD is associated with smaller subcortical brain volumes and cortical surface area, with greater effects observed in children than adults. It is also associated with dysregulation of the HPA axis. Considering the effects of the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) in neurophysiology, we hypothesize that the blurred relationships between brain structures and ADHD in adults could be partly explained by NR3C1 gene variation. Structural T1-weighted images were acquired on a 3 T scanner (N = 166). Large-scale genotyping was performed, and it was followed by quality control and pruning procedures, which resulted in 48 independent NR3C1 gene variants analyzed. After a stringent Bonferroni correction, two SNPs (rs2398631 and rs72801070) moderated the association between ADHD and accumbens and amygdala volumes in adults. The significant SNPs that interacted with ADHD appear to have a role in gene expression regulation, and they are in linkage disequilibrium with NR3C1 variants that present well-characterized physiological functions. The literature-reported associations of ADHD with accumbens and amygdala were only observed for specific NR3C1 genotypes. Our findings reinforce the influence of the NR3C1 gene on subcortical volumes and ADHD. They suggest a genetic modulation of the effects of a pivotal HPA axis component in the neuroanatomical features of ADHD.
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14
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Sex-Specific Role for SLIT1 in Regulating Stress Susceptibility. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 91:81-91. [PMID: 33896623 PMCID: PMC8390577 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major depressive disorder is a pervasive and debilitating syndrome characterized by mood disturbances, anhedonia, and alterations in cognition. While the prevalence of major depressive disorder is twice as high for women as men, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that drive sex differences in depression susceptibility. METHODS We discovered that SLIT1, a secreted protein essential for axonal navigation and molecular guidance during development, is downregulated in the adult ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) of women with depression compared with healthy control subjects, but not in men with depression. This sex-specific downregulation of Slit1 was also observed in the vmPFC of mice exposed to chronic variable stress. To identify a causal, sex-specific role for SLIT1 in depression-related behavioral abnormalities, we performed knockdown (KD) of Slit1 expression in the vmPFC of male and female mice. RESULTS When combined with stress exposure, vmPFC Slit1 KD reflected the human condition by inducing a sex-specific increase in anxiety- and depression-related behaviors. Furthermore, we found that vmPFC Slit1 KD decreased the dendritic arborization of vmPFC pyramidal neurons and decreased the excitability of the neurons in female mice, effects not observed in males. RNA sequencing analysis of the vmPFC after Slit1 KD in female mice revealed an augmented transcriptional stress signature. CONCLUSIONS Together, our findings establish a crucial role for SLIT1 in regulating neurophysiological and transcriptional responses to stress within the female vmPFC and provide mechanistic insight into novel signaling pathways and molecular factors influencing sex differences in depression susceptibility.
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15
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Freitas AE, Heinrich IA, Moura TM, Fraga DB, Costa AP, Azevedo D, Brocardo PS, Kaster MP, Leal RB, Rodrigues ALS. Agmatine potentiates antidepressant and synaptic actions of ketamine: Effects on dendritic arbors and spines architecture and Akt/S6 kinase signaling. Exp Neurol 2020; 333:113398. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2020.113398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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16
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Sex Hormone Depletion Augments Glucocorticoid Induction of Tau Hyperphosphorylation in Male Rat Brain. Neuroscience 2020; 454:140-150. [PMID: 32512138 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.05.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Steroid hormones secreted by the gonads (sex steroids) and adrenal glands (glucocorticoids, GC) are known to influence brain structure and function. While levels of sex steroids wane in late adulthood, corticosteroid levels tend to rise in many individuals due to age-related impairments in their feedback on central mechanisms regulating adrenal function. These fluctuations in sex and adrenal steroid secretion may be relevant to age-related neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) in which hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein is a key pathological event. We here report that both, long-term GC deprivation (by adrenalectomy) and exogenous GC administration with natural or synthetic glucocorticoid receptor ligands (corticosterone and dexamethasone, respectively) induce Tau hyperphosphorylation in the hippocampus and frontocortical regions at epitopes associated with disruption of cytoskeletal and synaptic function. Interestingly, we observed that the changes in Tau induced by manipulation of the GC milieu of male rats were exacerbated by testosterone depletion (by orchiectomy). While this finding supports previous suggestions of a neuroprotective role of male sex hormones, this is the first study to address interactions between adrenal and sex steroids on Tau hyperphosphorylation and accumulation that are known to endanger neuronal function and plasticity. These results are particularly important for understanding the mechanisms that can precipitate AD because, besides being modulated by age, GC are elevated by stress, a phenomenon now established as a trigger of deficits in neural plasticity and survival, cognitive behaviour and AD-like Tau pathology.
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17
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Khan AR, Geiger L, Wiborg O, Czéh B. Stress-Induced Morphological, Cellular and Molecular Changes in the Brain-Lessons Learned from the Chronic Mild Stress Model of Depression. Cells 2020; 9:cells9041026. [PMID: 32326205 PMCID: PMC7226496 DOI: 10.3390/cells9041026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a severe illness imposing an increasing social and economic burden worldwide. Numerous rodent models have been developed to investigate the pathophysiology of MDD. One of the best characterized and most widely used models is the chronic mild stress (CMS) model which was developed more than 30 years ago by Paul Willner. More than 2000 published studies used this model, mainly to assess novel compounds with potential antidepressant efficacy. Most of these studies examined the behavioral consequences of stress and concomitant drug intervention. Much fewer studies focused on the CMS-induced neurobiological changes. However, the stress-induced cellular and molecular changes are important as they may serve as potential translational biomarkers and increase our understanding of the pathophysiology of MDD. Here, we summarize current knowledge on the structural and molecular alterations in the brain that have been described using the CMS model. We discuss the latest neuroimaging and postmortem histopathological data as well as molecular changes including recent findings on microRNA levels. Different chronic stress paradigms occasionally deliver dissimilar findings, but the available experimental data provide convincing evidence that the CMS model has a high translational value. Future studies examining the neurobiological changes in the CMS model in combination with clinically effective antidepressant drug intervention will likely deliver further valuable information on the pathophysiology of MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Raza Khan
- Centre of Biomedical Research, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute (SGPGI) Campus, Lucknow-226017, U.P, India;
| | - Lili Geiger
- Neurobiology of Stress Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary;
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ove Wiborg
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark;
| | - Boldizsár Czéh
- Neurobiology of Stress Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary;
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Correspondence:
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18
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Parker N, Vidal-Pineiro D, French L, Shin J, Adams HHH, Brodaty H, Cox SR, Deary IJ, Fjell AM, Frenzel S, Grabe H, Hosten N, Ikram MA, Jiang J, Knol MJ, Mazoyer B, Mishra A, Sachdev PS, Salum G, Satizabal CL, Schmidt H, Schmidt R, Seshadri S, Schumann G, Völzke H, Walhovd KB, Wen W, Wittfeld K, Yang Q, Debette S, Pausova Z, Paus T. Corticosteroids and Regional Variations in Thickness of the Human Cerebral Cortex across the Lifespan. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:575-586. [PMID: 31240317 PMCID: PMC7444740 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposures to life stressors accumulate across the lifespan, with possible impact on brain health. Little is known, however, about the mechanisms mediating age-related changes in brain structure. We use a lifespan sample of participants (n = 21 251; 4-97 years) to investigate the relationship between the thickness of cerebral cortex and the expression of the glucocorticoid- and the mineralocorticoid-receptor genes (NR3C1 and NR3C2, respectively), obtained from the Allen Human Brain Atlas. In all participants, cortical thickness correlated negatively with the expression of both NR3C1 and NR3C2 across 34 cortical regions. The magnitude of this correlation varied across the lifespan. From childhood through early adulthood, the profile similarity (between NR3C1/NR3C2 expression and thickness) increased with age. Conversely, both profile similarities decreased with age in late life. These variations do not reflect age-related changes in NR3C1 and NR3C2 expression, as observed in 5 databases of gene expression in the human cerebral cortex (502 donors). Based on the co-expression of NR3C1 (and NR3C2) with genes specific to neural cell types, we determine the potential involvement of microglia, astrocytes, and CA1 pyramidal cells in mediating the relationship between corticosteroid exposure and cortical thickness. Therefore, corticosteroids may influence brain structure to a variable degree throughout life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Parker
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1A8, Canada
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto M4G 1R8, Canada
| | - Didac Vidal-Pineiro
- Centre for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo 0373, Norway
| | - Leon French
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto M5T 1L8, Canada
| | - Jean Shin
- The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Hieab H H Adams
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam 3015, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam 3015, the Netherlands
| | - Henry Brodaty
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing and Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2025, Australia
| | - Simon R Cox
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburg EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Ian J Deary
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburg EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Anders M Fjell
- Centre for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo 0373, Norway
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo 0318, Norway
| | - Stefan Frenzel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald 17489, Germany
| | - Hans Grabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald 17489, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Site Rostock/ Greifswald 18147, Germany
| | - Norbert Hosten
- Institute for Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald 17489, Germany
| | - Mohammad Arfan Ikram
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam 3015, the Netherlands
| | - Jiyang Jiang
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Maria J Knol
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam 3015, the Netherlands
| | - Bernard Mazoyer
- Groupe d’Imagerie Neurofonctionnelle, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, et Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux 5293, France
| | - Aniket Mishra
- Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, INSERM UMR, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux 33076, France
| | - Perminder S Sachdev
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Giovanni Salum
- Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
- National Institute of Developmental Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents (INCT-CNPq), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Claudia L Satizabal
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases, UT Health San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, MA 02118, USA
| | - Helena Schmidt
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz 8036, Austria
| | - Reinhold Schmidt
- Clinical Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz 8036, Austria
| | - Sudha Seshadri
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases, UT Health San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, MA 02118, USA
| | - Gunter Schumann
- MRC-Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Henry Völzke
- Department of SHIP/Clinical-Epidemiological Research, Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald 17489, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Greifswald 13316, Germany
- DZD (German Centre for Diabetes Research), Site Greifswald
85764, Germany
| | - Kristine B Walhovd
- Centre for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo 0373, Norway
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo 0318, Norway
| | - Wei Wen
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Katharina Wittfeld
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburg EH8 9JZ, UK
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Site Rostock/ Greifswald 18147, Germany
| | - Qiong Yang
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, MA 02118, USA
| | - Stephanie Debette
- Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, INSERM UMR, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux 33076, France
- Department of Neurology, CHU de Bordeaux, Bordeaux 33000, France
| | - Zdenka Pausova
- The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Tomáš Paus
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1A8, Canada
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto M4G 1R8, Canada
- Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Toronto
M5T 1R8, Canada
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19
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Castelhano-Carlos MJ, Aslani S, Sousa N. The Impact of Physical Enrichment in the Structure of the Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Nucleus Accumbens of the Adult Male Rat Brain. Neuroscience 2020; 454:51-60. [PMID: 32058067 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.01.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Rodents' behavioural analysis can be influenced by several factors, including housing. The PhenoWorld (PhW) is an enriched housing and testing paradigm, which proved to be relevant for screening depressive-like behaviours in rats, being remarkably sensitive for hedonic behaviour. Herein, we assessed neuronal plasticity as a consequence of living in the PhW, by comparing the structure of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc), two brain areas involved in the circuitry regulating motivation and reward. Our findings indicate that male rats living in the PhW display increased mPFC layer II volumes, as well as increased immature spine densities and total numbers in the mPFC pyramidal neurons. The NAc volumes and NAc medium spiny neurons branching tend also to be higher in animals experiencing the physical enrichment provided in the PhW, but significant differences were not found between animals living in PhW compared to animals living in standard cages (STD6). These results demonstrate that living in a more naturalistic complex environment, closer to real life experience, impacts on the structure of brain regions implicated in complex multidimensional disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Castelhano-Carlos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - S Aslani
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - N Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
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20
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Effects of stress on the structure and function of the medial prefrontal cortex: Insights from animal models. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2019; 150:129-153. [PMID: 32204829 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2019.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Stress alters both cognitive and emotional function, and increases risk for a variety of psychological disorders, such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. The prefrontal cortex is critical for executive function and emotion regulation, is a target for stress hormones, and is implicated in many stress-influenced psychological disorders. Therefore, understanding how stress-induced changes in the structure and function of the prefrontal cortex are related to stress-induced changes in behavior may elucidate some of the mechanisms contributing to stress-sensitive disorders. This review focuses on data from rodent models to describe the effects of chronic stress on behaviors mediated by the medial prefrontal cortex, the effects of chronic stress on the morphology and physiology of the medial prefrontal cortex, mechanisms that may mediate these effects, and evidence for sex differences in the effects of stress on the prefrontal cortex. Understanding how stress influences prefrontal cortex and behaviors mediated by it, as well as sex differences in this effect, will elucidate potential avenues for novel interventions for stress-sensitive disorders characterized by deficits in executive function and emotion regulation.
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21
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Chronic social defeat stress induces sustained synaptic structural changes in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala. Behav Brain Res 2019; 373:112079. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Structural and molecular correlates of cognitive aging in the rat. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2005. [PMID: 30765864 PMCID: PMC6376121 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39645-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is associated with cognitive decline. Herein, we studied a large cohort of old age and young adult male rats and confirmed that, as a group, old rats display poorer spatial learning and behavioral flexibility than younger adults. Surprisingly, when animals were clustered as good and bad performers, our data revealed that while in younger animals better cognitive performance was associated with longer dendritic trees and increased levels of synaptic markers in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, the opposite was found in the older group, in which better performance was associated with shorter dendrites and lower levels of synaptic markers. Additionally, in old, but not young individuals, worse performance correlated with increased levels of BDNF and the autophagy substrate p62, but decreased levels of the autophagy complex protein LC3. In summary, while for younger individuals “bigger is better”, “smaller is better” is a more appropriate aphorism for older subjects.
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Hinojosa CA, Kaur N, VanElzakker MB, Shin LM. Cingulate subregions in posttraumatic stress disorder, chronic stress, and treatment. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2019; 166:355-370. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-64196-0.00020-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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24
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Sotiropoulos I, Silva JM, Gomes P, Sousa N, Almeida OFX. Stress and the Etiopathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease and Depression. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1184:241-257. [PMID: 32096043 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-32-9358-8_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder with a complex physiopathology whose initiators are poorly defined. Accumulating clinical and experimental evidence suggests a causal role of lifetime stress in AD. This chapter summarizes current knowledge about how chronic stress and its accompanying high levels of glucocorticoid (GC) secretion, trigger the two main pathomechanisms of AD: (i) misprocessing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and the generation of amyloid beta (Aβ) and (ii) Tau hyperphosphorylation and aggregation. Given that depression is a well-known stress-related illness, and the evidence that depression may precede AD, this chapter also explores neurobiological mechanisms that may be common to depressive and AD pathologies. This review also discusses emerging insights into the role of Tau and its malfunction in disrupting neuronal cascades and neuroplasticity and, thus triggering brain pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Sotiropoulos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho - Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Joana M Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho - Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patricia Gomes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho - Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho - Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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25
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Wellman CL, Moench KM. Preclinical studies of stress, extinction, and prefrontal cortex: intriguing leads and pressing questions. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:59-72. [PMID: 30225660 PMCID: PMC6374178 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-5023-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stress is associated with cognitive and emotional dysfunction, and increases risk for a variety of psychological disorders, including depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. Prefrontal cortex is critical for executive function and emotion regulation, is a target for stress hormones, and is implicated in many stress-influenced psychological disorders. Extinction of conditioned fear provides an excellent model system for examining how stress-induced changes in corticolimbic structure and function are related to stress-induced changes in neural function and behavior, as the neural circuitry underlying this behavior is well characterized. OBJECTIVES This review examines how acute and chronic stress influences extinction and describes how stress alters the structure and function of the medial prefrontal cortex, a potential neural substrate for these effects. In addition, we identify important unanswered questions about how stress-induced change in prefrontal cortex may mediate extinction deficits and avenues for future research. KEY FINDINGS A substantial body of work demonstrates deficits in extinction after either acute or chronic stress. A separate and substantial literature demonstrates stress-induced neuronal remodeling in medial prefrontal cortex, along with several key neurohormonal contributors to this remodeling, and there is substantial overlap in prefrontal mechanisms underlying extinction and the mechanisms implicated in stress-induced dysfunction of-and neuronal remodeling in-medial prefrontal cortex. However, data directly examining the contribution of changes in prefrontal structure and function to stress-induced extinction deficits is currently lacking. CONCLUSIONS Understanding how stress influences extinction and its neural substrates as well as individual differences in this effect will elucidate potential avenues for novel interventions for stress-sensitive disorders characterized by deficits in extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara L. Wellman
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Indiana University,Department of Psychological, Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University,Department of Psychological, Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University
| | - Kelly M. Moench
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Indiana University,Department of Psychological, Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University,Department of Psychological, Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University
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26
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Barfield ET, Gourley SL. Prefrontal cortical trkB, glucocorticoids, and their interactions in stress and developmental contexts. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 95:535-558. [PMID: 30477984 PMCID: PMC6392187 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The tropomyosin/tyrosine receptor kinase B (trkB) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) regulate neuron structure and function and the hormonal stress response. Meanwhile, disruption of trkB and GR activity (e.g., by chronic stress) can perturb neuronal morphology in cortico-limbic regions implicated in stressor-related illnesses like depression. Further, several of the short- and long-term neurobehavioral consequences of stress depend on the developmental timing and context of stressor exposure. We review how the levels and activities of trkB and GR in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) change during development, interact, are modulated by stress, and are implicated in depression. We review evidence that trkB- and GR-mediated signaling events impact the density and morphology of dendritic spines, the primary sites of excitatory synapses in the brain, highlighting effects in adolescents when possible. Finally, we review the role of neurotrophin and glucocorticoid systems in stress-related metaplasticity. We argue that better understanding the long-term effects of developmental stressors on PFC trkB, GR, and related factors may yield insights into risk for chronic, remitting depression and related neuropsychiatric illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth T Barfield
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA; Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
| | - Shannon L Gourley
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA; Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA; Molecular and Systems Pharmacology Program, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
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27
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Stress influences the dynamics of hippocampal structural remodeling associated with fear memory extinction. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2018; 155:412-421. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 08/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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28
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Sierra-Fonseca JA, Gosselink KL. Tauopathy and neurodegeneration: A role for stress. Neurobiol Stress 2018; 9:105-112. [PMID: 30450376 PMCID: PMC6234266 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2018.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by an irreversible and progressive loss of neuronal structure and function. While many alterations to normal cellular processes occur during neurodegeneration, a pathological accumulation of aggregated proteins constitutes a hallmark of several neurodegenerative disorders. Alzheimer's disease, specifically, is pathologically defined by the formation of amyloid plaques and tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Stress has emerged as an important factor in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's. Very little is known, however, regarding the effects of stress on the mechanisms controlling abnormal protein aggregation and clearance. Chronic stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, causing an excessive secretion of glucocorticoids that are capable of impacting diverse physiological and cellular processes. The present review focuses on the influence of stress on a key feature of Alzheimer's disease pathology, emphasizing the relationship between tau phosphorylation and accumulation and its connection to HPA axis dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge A Sierra-Fonseca
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Kristin L Gosselink
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
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29
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Larsen B, Luna B. Adolescence as a neurobiological critical period for the development of higher-order cognition. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 94:179-195. [PMID: 30201220 PMCID: PMC6526538 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 303] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The transition from adolescence to adulthood is characterized by improvements in higher-order cognitive abilities and corresponding refinements of the structure and function of the brain regions that support them. Whereas the neurobiological mechanisms that govern early development of sensory systems are well-understood, the mechanisms that drive developmental plasticity of association cortices, such as prefrontal cortex (PFC), during adolescence remain to be explained. In this review, we synthesize neurodevelopmental findings at the cellular, circuit, and systems levels in PFC and evaluate them through the lens of established critical period (CP) mechanisms that guide early sensory development. We find remarkable correspondence between these neurodevelopmental processes and the mechanisms driving CP plasticity, supporting the hypothesis that adolescent development is driven by CP mechanisms that guide the rapid development of neurobiology and cognitive ability during adolescence and their subsequent stability in adulthood. Critically, understanding adolescence as a CP not only provides a mechanism for normative adolescent development, it provides a framework for understanding the role of experience and neurobiology in the emergence of psychopathology that occurs during this developmental period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Larsen
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, United States; Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, United States.
| | - Beatriz Luna
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, United States
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30
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Girotti M, Adler SM, Bulin SE, Fucich EA, Paredes D, Morilak DA. Prefrontal cortex executive processes affected by stress in health and disease. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 85:161-179. [PMID: 28690203 PMCID: PMC5756532 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 07/01/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Prefrontal cortical executive functions comprise a number of cognitive capabilities necessary for goal directed behavior and adaptation to a changing environment. Executive dysfunction that leads to maladaptive behavior and is a symptom of psychiatric pathology can be instigated or exacerbated by stress. In this review we survey research addressing the impact of stress on executive function, with specific focus on working memory, attention, response inhibition, and cognitive flexibility. We then consider the neurochemical pathways underlying these cognitive capabilities and, where known, how stress alters them. Finally, we review work exploring potential pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches that can ameliorate deficits in executive function. Both preclinical and clinical literature indicates that chronic stress negatively affects executive function. Although some of the circuitry and neurochemical processes underlying executive function have been characterized, a great deal is still unknown regarding how stress affects these processes. Additional work focusing on this question is needed in order to make progress on developing interventions that ameliorate executive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Girotti
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, UT Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
| | - Samantha M Adler
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, UT Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Sarah E Bulin
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, UT Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Fucich
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, UT Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Denisse Paredes
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, UT Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - David A Morilak
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, UT Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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31
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Ross JA, Gliebus G, Van Bockstaele EJ. Stress induced neural reorganization: A conceptual framework linking depression and Alzheimer's disease. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 85:136-151. [PMID: 28803923 PMCID: PMC5809232 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Chronic stress is a risk factor for a number of physiological disorders including cardiovascular disease, obesity and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. There are a number of underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms altered in the course of chronic stress, which may increase the vulnerability of individuals to develop psychiatric disorders such as depression, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD). This is evident in the influence of stress on large-scale brain networks, including the resting state Default Mode Network (DMN), the effects of stress on neuronal circuitry and architecture, and the cellular and molecular adaptations to stress, which may render individuals with stress related psychiatric disorders more vulnerable to neurodegenerative disease later in life. These alterations include decreased negative feedback inhibition of the hypothalamic pituitary axis (HPA) axis, decreased dendritic arborization and spine density in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus, and the release of proinflammatory cytokines, which may suppress neurogenesis and promote neuronal cell death. Each of these factors are thought to play a role in stress-related psychiatric disease as well as AD, and have been observed in clinical and post-mortem studies of individuals with depression and AD. The goal of the current review is to summarize clinical and preclinical evidence supporting a role for chronic stress as a putative link between neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disease. Moreover, we provide a rationale for the importance of taking a medical history of stress-related psychiatric diseases into consideration during clinical trial design, as they may play an important role in the etiology of AD in stratified patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A. Ross
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19102
| | - Gediminas Gliebus
- Department of Neurology, Drexel Neuroscience Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19107
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32
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Ilg L, Klados M, Alexander N, Kirschbaum C, Li SC. Long-term impacts of prenatal synthetic glucocorticoids exposure on functional brain correlates of cognitive monitoring in adolescence. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7715. [PMID: 29769646 PMCID: PMC5955898 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26067-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The fetus is highly responsive to the level of glucocorticoids in the gestational environment. Perturbing glucocorticoids during fetal development could yield long-term consequences. Extending prior research about effects of prenatally exposed synthetic glucocorticoids (sGC) on brain structural development during childhood, we investigated functional brain correlates of cognitive conflict monitoring in term-born adolescents, who were prenatally exposed to sGC. Relative to the comparison group, behavioral response consistency (indexed by lower reaction time variability) and a brain correlate of conflict monitoring (the N2 event-related potential) were reduced in the sGC exposed group. Relatedly, source localization analyses showed that activations in the fronto-parietal network, most notably in the cingulate cortex and precuneus, were also attenuated in these adolescents. These regions are known to subserve conflict detection and response inhibition as well as top-down regulation of stress responses. Moreover, source activation in the anterior cingulate cortex correlated negatively with reaction time variability, whereas activation in the precuneus correlated positively with salivary cortisol reactivity to social stress in the sGC exposed group. Taken together, findings of this study indicate that prenatal exposure to sGC yields lasting impacts on the development of fronto-parietal brain functions during adolescence, affecting multiple facets of adaptive cognitive and behavioral control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesa Ilg
- Chair for Lifespan Developmental Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 17, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Manousos Klados
- Chair for Lifespan Developmental Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 17, 01062, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Aston University, MB555 Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B47ET, UK
| | - Nina Alexander
- Chair for Biopsychology, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 19, 01602, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Clemens Kirschbaum
- Chair for Biopsychology, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 19, 01602, Dresden, Germany
| | - Shu-Chen Li
- Chair for Lifespan Developmental Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 17, 01062, Dresden, Germany.
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33
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Sawada K, Kawakami R, Shigemoto R, Nemoto T. Super-resolution structural analysis of dendritic spines using three-dimensional structured illumination microscopy in cleared mouse brain slices. Eur J Neurosci 2018. [PMID: 29512842 PMCID: PMC5969222 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Three‐dimensional (3D) super‐resolution microscopy technique structured illumination microscopy (SIM) imaging of dendritic spines along the dendrite has not been previously performed in fixed tissues, mainly due to deterioration of the stripe pattern of the excitation laser induced by light scattering and optical aberrations. To address this issue and solve these optical problems, we applied a novel clearing reagent, LUCID, to fixed brains. In SIM imaging, the penetration depth and the spatial resolution were improved in LUCID‐treated slices, and 160‐nm spatial resolution was obtained in a large portion of the imaging volume on a single apical dendrite. Furthermore, in a morphological analysis of spine heads of layer V pyramidal neurons (L5PNs) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of chronic dexamethasone (Dex)‐treated mice, SIM imaging revealed an altered distribution of spine forms that could not be detected by high‐NA confocal imaging. Thus, super‐resolution SIM imaging represents a promising high‐throughput method for revealing spine morphologies in single dendrites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuaki Sawada
- Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.,Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Kawakami
- Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.,Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Shigemoto
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Tomomi Nemoto
- Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.,Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.,Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biophysics, Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Kita 20, Nishi 10, Kita, Sapporo, 001-0020, Hokkaido, Japan
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34
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Increased dendritic length in CA1 and CA3 hippocampal neurons during the metestrus phase in Wistar rats. Brain Res 2018; 1682:78-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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35
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The Stress-Induced Transcription Factor NR4A1 Adjusts Mitochondrial Function and Synapse Number in Prefrontal Cortex. J Neurosci 2018; 38:1335-1350. [PMID: 29295823 PMCID: PMC5815341 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2793-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The energetic costs of behavioral chronic stress are unlikely to be sustainable without neuronal plasticity. Mitochondria have the capacity to handle synaptic activity up to a limit before energetic depletion occurs. Protective mechanisms driven by the induction of neuronal genes likely evolved to buffer the consequences of chronic stress on excitatory neurons in prefrontal cortex (PFC), as this circuitry is vulnerable to excitotoxic insults. Little is known about the genes involved in mitochondrial adaptation to the buildup of chronic stress. Using combinations of genetic manipulations and stress for analyzing structural, transcriptional, mitochondrial, and behavioral outcomes, we characterized NR4A1 as a stress-inducible modifier of mitochondrial energetic competence and dendritic spine number in PFC. NR4A1 acted as a transcription factor for changing the expression of target genes previously involved in mitochondrial uncoupling, AMP-activated protein kinase activation, and synaptic growth. Maintenance of NR4A1 activity by chronic stress played a critical role in the regressive synaptic organization in PFC of mouse models of stress (male only). Knockdown, dominant-negative approach, and knockout of Nr4a1 in mice and rats (male only) protected pyramidal neurons against the adverse effects of chronic stress. In human PFC tissues of men and women, high levels of the transcriptionally active NR4A1 correlated with measures of synaptic loss and cognitive impairment. In the context of chronic stress, prolonged expression and activity of NR4A1 may lead to responses of mitochondria and synaptic connectivity that do not match environmental demand, resulting in circuit malfunction between PFC and other brain regions, constituting a pathological feature across disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The bioenergetic cost of chronic stress is too high to be sustainable by pyramidal prefrontal neurons. Cellular checkpoints have evolved to adjust the responses of mitochondria and synapses to the buildup of chronic stress. NR4A1 plays such a role by controlling the energetic competence of mitochondria with respect to synapse number. As an immediate-early gene, Nr4a1 promotes neuronal plasticity, but sustained expression or activity can be detrimental. NR4A1 expression and activity is sustained by chronic stress in animal models and in human studies of neuropathologies sensitive to the buildup of chronic stress. Therefore, antagonism of NR4A1 is a promising avenue for preventing the regressive synaptic reorganization in cortical systems in the context of chronic stress.
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Kafetzopoulos V, Kokras N, Sotiropoulos I, Oliveira JF, Leite-Almeida H, Vasalou A, Sardinha VM, Papadopoulou-Daifoti Z, Almeida OFX, Antoniou K, Sousa N, Dalla C. The nucleus reuniens: a key node in the neurocircuitry of stress and depression. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:579-586. [PMID: 28397837 PMCID: PMC5822458 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) are connected in a reciprocal manner: whereas the hippocampus projects directly to the PFC, a polysynaptic pathway that passes through the nucleus reuniens (RE) of the thalamus relays inputs from the PFC to the hippocampus. The present study demonstrates that lesioning and/or inactivation of the RE reduces coherence in the PFC-hippocampal pathway, provokes an antidepressant-like behavioral response in the forced swim test and prevents, but does not ameliorate, anhedonia in the chronic mild stress (CMS) model of depression. Additionally, RE lesioning before CMS abrogates the well-known neuromorphological and endocrine correlates of CMS. In summary, this work highlights the importance of the reciprocal connectivity between the hippocampus and PFC in the establishment of stress-induced brain pathology and suggests a role for the RE in promoting resilience to depressive illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Kafetzopoulos
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - N Kokras
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece,First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - I Sotiropoulos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - J F Oliveira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - H Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - A Vasalou
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - V M Sardinha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Z Papadopoulou-Daifoti
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - O F X Almeida
- NeuroAdaptations Group, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - K Antoniou
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - N Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - C Dalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece,Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens 11527, Greece. E-mail:
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37
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Emerging role of amyloid beta in stress response: Implication for depression and diabetes. Eur J Pharmacol 2017; 817:22-29. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.08.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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38
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Tesic V, Perovic M, Zaletel I, Jovanovic M, Puskas N, Ruzdijic S, Kanazir S. A single high dose of dexamethasone increases GAP-43 and synaptophysin in the hippocampus of aged rats. Exp Gerontol 2017; 98:62-69. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2017.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2017] [Revised: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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39
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Rincel M, Lépinay AL, Janthakhin Y, Soudain G, Yvon S, Da Silva S, Joffre C, Aubert A, Séré A, Layé S, Theodorou V, Ferreira G, Darnaudéry M. Maternal high-fat diet and early life stress differentially modulate spine density and dendritic morphology in the medial prefrontal cortex of juvenile and adult rats. Brain Struct Funct 2017; 223:883-895. [DOI: 10.1007/s00429-017-1526-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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40
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Lopes S, Teplytska L, Vaz-Silva J, Dioli C, Trindade R, Morais M, Webhofer C, Maccarrone G, Almeida OFX, Turck CW, Sousa N, Sotiropoulos I, Filiou MD. Tau Deletion Prevents Stress-Induced Dendritic Atrophy in Prefrontal Cortex: Role of Synaptic Mitochondria. Cereb Cortex 2017; 27:2580-2591. [PMID: 27073221 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhw057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau protein in dendrites and synapses has been recently implicated in synaptic degeneration and neuronal malfunction. Chronic stress, a well-known inducer of neuronal/synaptic atrophy, triggers hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein and cognitive deficits. However, the cause-effect relationship between these events remains to be established. To test the involvement of Tau in stress-induced impairments of cognition, we investigated the impact of stress on cognitive behavior, neuronal structure, and the synaptic proteome in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of Tau knock-out (Tau-KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. Whereas exposure to chronic stress resulted in atrophy of apical dendrites and spine loss in PFC neurons as well as significant impairments in working memory in WT mice, such changes were absent in Tau-KO animals. Quantitative proteomic analysis of PFC synaptosomal fractions, combined with transmission electron microscopy analysis, suggested a prominent role for mitochondria in the regulation of the effects of stress. Specifically, chronically stressed animals exhibit Tau-dependent alterations in the levels of proteins involved in mitochondrial transport and oxidative phosphorylation as well as in the synaptic localization of mitochondria in PFC. These findings provide evidence for a causal role of Tau in mediating stress-elicited neuronal atrophy and cognitive impairment and indicate that Tau may exert its effects through synaptic mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Lopes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães 4710-057, Portugal
| | | | - Joao Vaz-Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães 4710-057, Portugal
| | - Chrysoula Dioli
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães 4710-057, Portugal
| | - Rita Trindade
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães 4710-057, Portugal
| | - Monica Morais
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães 4710-057, Portugal
| | - Christian Webhofer
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany.,Current address: Sandoz Biopharmaceuticals, 82041 Oberhaching, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães 4710-057, Portugal
| | - Ioannis Sotiropoulos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães 4710-057, Portugal
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41
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Wellman CL. Visualizing Changes in Neuronal Dendritic Morphology in Response to Stress and Pharmacological Challenge. CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN NEUROSCIENCE 2017; 78:8.38.1-8.38.18. [PMID: 28046203 DOI: 10.1002/cpns.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
This unit outlines a protocol for Golgi staining, which has been used extensively to reliably and quantitatively assess alterations in dendritic arborization and spine density as a result of a variety of factors, including chronic administration of glucocorticoids, chronic stress, and pharmacological manipulations. The method stains neurons in their entirety, allowing for sophisticated analyses of branch lengths and numbers as well as patterns of dendritic branching. Advantages of the technique include its usefulness in multisite collaborations and its utility in visualizing neurons in multiple regions within the same brain. Given that it typically labels approximately one in one hundred neurons, many neurons per region of interest can be sampled per animal, greatly increasing the ability to obtain a representative sample of neurons. Limitations include its time-consuming nature, the hazardous chemicals employed, and the inability to use the stain to identify discrete subpopulations of neurons based on their projections, activation, or protein expression. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara L Wellman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, and Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
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42
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Croteau JD, Schulkin J, Shepard JD. Behavioral effects of chronically elevated corticosterone in subregions of the medial prefrontal cortex. Behav Brain Res 2017; 316:82-86. [PMID: 27577612 PMCID: PMC5051954 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.08.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Revised: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The medial prefrontal cortex is a key mediator of behavioral aspects of the defense response. Since chronic exposure to elevated glucocorticoids alters the dendritic structure of neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex, such exposure may alter behavioral responses to danger as well. We examined the effects of chronically elevated corticosterone in discrete regions of the medial prefrontal cortex on exploration of the elevated plus-maze. Chronically elevated corticosterone in the prelimbic or infralimbic cortices reduced open arm exploration. This effect was specific to the ventral regions of the medial prefrontal cortex as corticosterone had no effect on plus-maze exploration when administered into the anterior cingulate cortex. Taken together, these findings demonstrate clear regional differences for the effects of corticosterone in the medial prefrontal cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D Croteau
- Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Towson, MD, USA
| | - Jay Schulkin
- Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jack D Shepard
- Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Towson, MD, USA.
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43
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Anderson RM, Glanz RM, Johnson SB, Miller MM, Romig-Martin SA, Radley JJ. Prolonged corticosterone exposure induces dendritic spine remodeling and attrition in the rat medial prefrontal cortex. J Comp Neurol 2016; 524:3729-3746. [PMID: 27113541 PMCID: PMC5063662 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Revised: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The stress-responsive hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays a central role in promoting adaptations acutely, whereas adverse effects on physiology and behavior following chronic challenges may result from overactivity of this system. Elevations in glucocorticoids, the end-products of HPA activation, play roles in adaptive and maladaptive processes by targeting cognate receptors throughout neurons in limbic cortical networks to alter synaptic functioning. Because previous work has shown that chronic stress leads to functionally relevant regressive alterations in dendritic spine shape and number in pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), this study examines the capacity of sustained increases in circulating corticosterone (B) alone to alter dendritic spine morphology and density in this region. Subcutaneous B pellets were implanted in rats to provide continuous exposure to levels approximating the circadian mean or peak of the steroid for 1, 2, or 3 weeks. Pyramidal neurons in the prelimbic area of the mPFC were selected for intracellular fluorescent dye filling, followed by high-resolution three-dimensional imaging and analysis of dendritic arborization and spine morphometry. Two or more weeks of B exposure decreased dendritic spine volume in the mPFC, whereas higher dose exposure of the steroid resulted in apical dendritic retraction and spine loss in the same cell population, with thin spine subtypes showing the greatest degree of attrition. Finally, these structural alterations were noted to persist following a 3-week washout period and corresponding restoration of circadian HPA rhythmicity. These studies suggest that prolonged disruptions in adrenocortical functioning may be sufficient to induce enduring regressive structural and functional alterations in the mPFC. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:3729-3746, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Anderson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242
| | - Ryan M Glanz
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242
| | - Shane B Johnson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242
| | - Mary M Miller
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242
| | - Sara A Romig-Martin
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242
| | - Jason J Radley
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242.
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44
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Reser JE. Chronic stress, cortical plasticity and neuroecology. Behav Processes 2016; 129:105-115. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2016.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Revised: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Biophysical modeling of high field diffusion MRI demonstrates micro-structural aberration in chronic mild stress rat brain. Neuroimage 2016; 142:421-430. [PMID: 27389790 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Immense heterogeneity in symptoms of depression causes difficulty in diagnosis, and to date, there are no established biomarkers or imaging methods to examine depression. Unpredictable chronic mild stress (CMS) induced anhedonia is considered to be a realistic model of depression in studies of animal subjects. Stereological and neuronal tracing techniques have demonstrated persistent remodeling of microstructure in hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and amygdala of CMS brains. Recent developments in diffusion MRI (d-MRI) analyses, such as neurite density and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI), are able to capture microstructural changes and are considered to be robust tools in preclinical and clinical imaging. The present study utilized d-MRI analyzed with a neurite density model and the DKI framework to investigate microstructure in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, caudate putamen and amygdala regions of CMS rat brains by comparison to brains from normal controls. To validate findings of CMS induced microstructural alteration, histology was performed to determine neurite, nuclear and astrocyte density. d-MRI based neurite density and tensor-based mean kurtosis (MKT) were significantly higher, while mean diffusivity (MD), extracellular diffusivity (Deff) and intra-neurite diffusivity(DL) were significantly lower in the amygdala of CMS rat brains. Deff was also significantly lower in the hippocampus and caudate putamen in stressed groups. Histological neurite density corroborated the d-MRI findings in the amygdala and reductions in nuclear and astrocyte density further buttressed the d-MRI results. The present study demonstrated that the d-MRI based neurite density and MKT can reveal specific microstructural changes in CMS rat brains and these parameters might have value in clinical diagnosis of depression and for evaluation of treatment efficacy.
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Longitudinal Effects of Ketamine on Dendritic Architecture In Vivo in the Mouse Medial Frontal Cortex. eNeuro 2016; 3:eN-NWR-0133-15. [PMID: 27066532 PMCID: PMC4819286 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0133-15.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Revised: 03/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
A single subanesthetic dose of ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, leads to fast-acting antidepressant effects. In rodent models, systemic ketamine is associated with higher dendritic spine density in the prefrontal cortex, reflecting structural remodeling that may underlie the behavioral changes. However, turnover of dendritic spines is a dynamic process in vivo, and the longitudinal effects of ketamine on structural plasticity remain unclear. The purpose of the current study is to use subcellular resolution optical imaging to determine the time course of dendritic alterations in vivo following systemic ketamine administration in mice. We used two-photon microscopy to visualize repeatedly the same set of dendritic branches in the mouse medial frontal cortex (MFC) before and after a single injection of ketamine or saline. Compared to controls, ketamine-injected mice had higher dendritic spine density in MFC for up to 2 weeks. This prolonged increase in spine density was driven by an elevated spine formation rate, and not by changes in the spine elimination rate. A fraction of the new spines following ketamine injection was persistent, which is indicative of functional synapses. In a few cases, we also observed retraction of distal apical tuft branches on the day immediately after ketamine administration. These results indicate that following systemic ketamine administration, certain dendritic inputs in MFC are removed immediately, while others are added gradually. These dynamic structural modifications are consistent with a model of ketamine action in which the net effect is a rebalancing of synaptic inputs received by frontal cortical neurons.
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47
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Sousa N. The dynamics of the stress neuromatrix. Mol Psychiatry 2016; 21:302-12. [PMID: 26754952 PMCID: PMC4759204 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2015.196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2015] [Revised: 10/04/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Stressful stimuli in healthy subjects trigger activation of a consistent and reproducible set of brain regions; yet, the notion that there is a single and constant stress neuromatrix is not sustainable. Indeed, after chronic stress exposure there is activation of many brain regions outside that network. This suggests that there is a distinction between the acute and the chronic stress neuromatrix. Herein, a new working model is proposed to understand the shift between these networks. The understanding of the factors that modulate these networks and their interplay will allow for a more comprehensive and holistic perspective of how the brain shifts 'back and forth' from a healthy to a stressed pattern and, ultimately, how the latter can be a trigger for several neurological and psychiatric conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B's–PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal,Clinical Academic Center–Braga, Braga, Portugal,Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal. E-mail:
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48
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Vila-Verde C, Marinho ALZ, Lisboa SF, Guimarães FS. Nitric oxide in the prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex is involved in the anxiogenic-like effect induced by acute restraint stress in rats. Neuroscience 2016; 320:30-42. [PMID: 26812037 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.01.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 01/02/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neurons containing the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) enzyme are located in brain areas related to defensive behavior, such as the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC). Rats exposed to a live predator (a cat) present anxiety-like behavior and an increased number of nNOS-positive neurons in this brain area one-week later. Moreover, stress-related behavioral changes in rodents can be prevented by systemic or local vMPFC nNOS inhibition. In the present study we investigated if acute restraint stress (RS)-induced delayed (one-week) anxiogenic-like effect was associated with increased nNOS expression or activity in the vMPFC. Furthermore, we also tested if local pharmacological nNOS inhibition would prevent stress-induced behavioral changes. Male Wistar rats were submitted to RS for 3h and tested in the elevated plus maze (EPM) 24h or 7 days later. Two hours after the EPM test, their brains were removed, processed and nNOS expression in the vMPFC was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Another group of animals was used for measuring NO metabolites (NOx; an indirect measure of NOS activity) immediately after the EPM test, 24h after RS. Independent groups had guide cannula implanted bilaterally into the prelimbic (PL) portion of vMPFC. Five to six days after surgery, the animals were submitted to RS and 24h later received local administration of the nNOS inhibitor, N-propyl-l-arginine (NPLA; 0.04 nmol). They were tested in the EPM 10 min later. RS-induced anxiogenic-like effect was accompanied by increased nNOS expression in the PL (p<0.05), but not in the infralimbic (IL) vMPFC, both 24h and 7 days after RS. Moreover, open-arm exploration of the EPM was negatively correlated with nNOS expression (p<0.05) and NOx levels (p<0.05) in the PL. The anxiogenic-like effect observed 24h after RS was prevented by NPLA (p<0.05). Our results suggest that RS-induced anxiogenic-like effect might depend on increased nNOS-mediated signaling in the PL MPFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Vila-Verde
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - A L Z Marinho
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - S F Lisboa
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - F S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, Brazil
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Obesity diminishes synaptic markers, alters microglial morphology, and impairs cognitive function. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:15731-6. [PMID: 26644559 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1511593112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a major public health problem affecting overall physical and emotional well-being. Despite compelling data suggesting an association between obesity and cognitive dysfunction, this phenomenon has received relatively little attention. Neuroimaging studies in obese humans report reduced size of brain regions involved in cognition, but few studies have investigated the cellular processes underlying cognitive decline in obesity or the influence of obesity on cognition in the absence of obesity-related illnesses. Here, a rat model of diet-induced obesity was used to explore changes in brain regions important for cognition. Obese rats showed deficits on cognitive tasks requiring the prefrontal and perirhinal cortex. Cognitive deficits were accompanied by decreased dendritic spine density and synaptic marker expression in both brain regions. Microglial morphology was also changed in the prefrontal cortex. Detrimental changes in the prefrontal cortex and perirhinal cortex occurred before metabolic syndrome or diabetes, suggesting that these brain regions may be particularly vulnerable to early stage obesity.
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50
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The Contingency of Cocaine Administration Accounts for Structural and Functional Medial Prefrontal Deficits and Increased Adrenocortical Activation. J Neurosci 2015; 35:11897-910. [PMID: 26311772 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4961-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The prelimbic region (PL) of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is implicated in the relapse of drug-seeking behavior. Optimal mPFC functioning relies on synaptic connections involving dendritic spines in pyramidal neurons, whereas prefrontal dysfunction resulting from elevated glucocorticoids, stress, aging, and mental illness are each linked to decreased apical dendritic branching and spine density in pyramidal neurons in these cortical fields. The fact that cocaine use induces activation of the stress-responsive hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis raises the possibility that cocaine-related impairments in mPFC functioning may be manifested by similar changes in neuronal architecture in mPFC. Nevertheless, previous studies have generally identified increases, rather than decreases, in structural plasticity in mPFC after cocaine self-administration. Here, we use 3D imaging and analysis of dendritic spine morphometry to show that chronic cocaine self-administration leads to mild decreases of apical dendritic branching, prominent dendritic spine attrition in PL pyramidal neurons, and working memory deficits. Importantly, these impairments were largely accounted for in groups of rats that self-administered cocaine compared with yoked-cocaine- and saline-matched counterparts. Follow-up experiments failed to demonstrate any effects of either experimenter-administered cocaine or food self-administration on structural alterations in PL neurons. Finally, we verified that the cocaine self-administration group was distinguished by more protracted increases in adrenocortical activity compared with yoked-cocaine- and saline-matched controls. These studies suggest a mechanism whereby increased adrenocortical activity resulting from chronic cocaine self-administration may contribute to regressive prefrontal structural and functional plasticity. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Stress, aging, and mental illness are each linked to decreased prefrontal plasticity. Here, we show that chronic cocaine self-administration in rats leads to decrements in medial prefrontal structural and functional plasticity. Notably, these impairments were largely accounted for in rats that self-administered cocaine compared with yoked counterparts. Moreover, we verified previous reports showing that adrenocortical output is augmented by cocaine administration and is more protracted in rats that were permitted to receive the drug contingently instead of passively. These studies suggest that increased adrenocortical activity resulting from cocaine self-administration may contribute to regressive prefrontal structural and functional plasticity.
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