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Guan X, Cao P. Brain Mechanisms Underlying Panic Attack and Panic Disorder. Neurosci Bull 2024; 40:795-814. [PMID: 37477800 PMCID: PMC11178723 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01088-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Panic disorder is a psychiatric disorder characterized by recurrent panic attacks, with a prevalence of ~ 4% in the general population, causing heavy personal and socioeconomic burdens. The similarities of animal defense responses to clinical panic attack symptoms in humans make it possible to translate neuroanatomical pathways identified in animal studies to panic disorder in humans. Therefore, in this review we first present a basic overview of panic disorder in humans including the main subtypes, models commonly used to trigger panic attacks, related hypotheses, the neurotransmitter systems that may be involved, and the current clinical treatments to give the reader a comprehensive understanding of panic disorder. The animal section introduces the models that trigger panic-like behavior in animals and the brain regions that may be involved, providing insights for future elucidation of the neural circuit mechanisms behind panic attacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuyan Guan
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 102206, China.
- National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS), Beijing, 102206, China.
| | - Peng Cao
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 102206, China
- National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS), Beijing, 102206, China
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2
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Nguyen QAT, Rocha A, Yamashita Y, Chhor R, Stadler C, Pontrello C, Haga-Yamanaka S. Hypothalamic representation of the imminence of predator threat detected by the vomeronasal organ in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.09.27.559655. [PMID: 37808690 PMCID: PMC10557655 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.27.559655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Animals have the innate ability to select optimal defensive behavioral outputs with an appropriate intensity in response to predator threat in specific contexts. Such innate behavioral decisions are thought to be computed in the medial hypothalamic nuclei that contain neural populations directly controlling defensive behavioral outputs. The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is one of the major sensory input channels through which predator cues are detected with ascending inputs to the medial hypothalamic nuclei, especially to the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), through the medial amygdala (MeA) and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Here, we show that cat saliva contains predator cues that signal imminence of predator threat and regulate the robustness of freezing behavior through the VNO in mice. Cat saliva activates neurons expressing the V2R-A4 subfamily of sensory receptors, suggesting the existence of specific receptor groups responsible for freezing behavior induced by the predator cues. The number of VNO neurons activated in response to saliva correlates with the freshness of saliva and the intensity of freezing behavior, while the downstream neurons in the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) and defensive behavioral circuit are quantitatively equally activated by fresh and old saliva. Strikingly, however, only the number of VMH neurons activated by fresh saliva positively correlates with the intensity of freezing behavior. Detailed analysis of the spatial distribution of fresh and old saliva-responding neurons revealed a neuronal population within the VMH that is more sensitive to fresh saliva than old saliva. Taken together, this study demonstrates that predator cues in cat saliva change over time and differentially activate the sensory-to-hypothalamus defensive behavioral pathway to modulate behavioral outputs.
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Shao J, Chen Y, Gao D, Liu Y, Hu N, Yin L, Zhang X, Yang F. Ventromedial hypothalamus relays chronic stress inputs and exerts bidirectional regulation on anxiety state and related sympathetic activity. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1281919. [PMID: 38161999 PMCID: PMC10755867 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1281919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress can induce negative emotion states, including anxiety and depression, leading to sympathetic overactivation and disturbed physiological homeostasis in peripheral tissues. While anxiety-related neural circuitry integrates chronic stress information and modulates sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity, the critical nodes linking anxiety and sympathetic activity still need to be clarified. In our previous study, we demonstrated that the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) is involved in integrating chronic stress inputs and exerting influence on sympathetic activity. However, the underlying synaptic and electrophysiological mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we combined in vitro electrophysiological recordings, behavioral tests, optogenetic manipulations, and SNS activity analyses to explore the role of VMH in linking anxiety emotion and peripheral SNS activity. Results showed that the VMH played an important role in bidirectionally regulating anxiety-like behavior and peripheral sympathetic excitation. Chronic stress enhanced excitatory inputs into VMH neurons by strengthening the connection with the paraventricular hypothalamus (PVN), hence promoting anxiety and sympathetic tone outflow, an important factor contributing to the development of metabolic imbalance in peripheral tissues and cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Shao
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University (Shenzhen People’s Hospital), Shenzhen, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Chen
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
- School of Sport Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
| | - Dashuang Gao
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yunhui Liu
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Nan Hu
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, China
| | - Lianghong Yin
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinzhou Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, China
| | - Fan Yang
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
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4
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Fossati G, Kiss-Bodolay D, Prados J, Chéreau R, Husi E, Cadilhac C, Gomez L, Silva BA, Dayer A, Holtmaat A. Bimodal modulation of L1 interneuron activity in anterior cingulate cortex during fear conditioning. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1138358. [PMID: 37334059 PMCID: PMC10272719 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1138358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) plays a crucial role in encoding, consolidating and retrieving memories related to emotionally salient experiences, such as aversive and rewarding events. Various studies have highlighted its importance for fear memory processing, but its circuit mechanisms are still poorly understood. Cortical layer 1 (L1) of the ACC might be a particularly important site of signal integration, since it is a major entry point for long-range inputs, which is tightly controlled by local inhibition. Many L1 interneurons express the ionotropic serotonin receptor 3a (5HT3aR), which has been implicated in post-traumatic stress disorder and in models of anxiety. Hence, unraveling the response dynamics of L1 interneurons and subtypes thereof during fear memory processing may provide important insights into the microcircuit organization regulating this process. Here, using 2-photon laser scanning microscopy of genetically encoded calcium indicators through microprisms in awake mice, we longitudinally monitored over days the activity of L1 interneurons in the ACC in a tone-cued fear conditioning paradigm. We observed that tones elicited responses in a substantial fraction of the imaged neurons, which were significantly modulated in a bidirectional manner after the tone was associated to an aversive stimulus. A subpopulation of these neurons, the neurogliaform cells (NGCs), displayed a net increase in tone-evoked responses following fear conditioning. Together, these results suggest that different subpopulations of L1 interneurons may exert distinct functions in the ACC circuitry regulating fear learning and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliana Fossati
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, and Neurocenter, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Neuro Center, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniel Kiss-Bodolay
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, and Neurocenter, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Lemanic Neuroscience Doctoral School, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Julien Prados
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, and Neurocenter, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ronan Chéreau
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, and Neurocenter, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Elodie Husi
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, and Neurocenter, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Christelle Cadilhac
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, and Neurocenter, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Lucia Gomez
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, and Neurocenter, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bianca A. Silva
- Neuro Center, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Neuroscience, Milan, Italy
| | - Alexandre Dayer
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, and Neurocenter, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Anthony Holtmaat
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, and Neurocenter, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Santos-Durán GN, Ferreiro-Galve S, Mazan S, Anadón R, Rodríguez-Moldes I, Candal E. Developmental genoarchitectonics as a key tool to interpret the mature anatomy of the chondrichthyan hypothalamus according to the prosomeric model. Front Neuroanat 2022; 16:901451. [PMID: 35991967 PMCID: PMC9385951 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2022.901451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamus is a key vertebrate brain region involved in survival and physiological functions. Understanding hypothalamic organization and evolution is important to deciphering many aspects of vertebrate biology. Recent comparative studies based on gene expression patterns have proposed the existence of hypothalamic histogenetic domains (paraventricular, TPa/PPa; subparaventricular, TSPa/PSPa; tuberal, Tu/RTu; perimamillary, PM/PRM; and mamillary, MM/RM), revealing conserved evolutionary trends. To shed light on the functional relevance of these histogenetic domains, this work aims to interpret the location of developed cell groups according to the prosomeric model in the hypothalamus of the catshark Scyliorhinus canicula, a representative of Chondrichthyans (the sister group of Osteichthyes, at the base of the gnathostome lineage). To this end, we review in detail the expression patterns of ScOtp, ScDlx2, and ScPitx2, as well as Pax6-immunoreactivity in embryos at stage 32, when the morphology of the adult catshark hypothalamus is already organized. We also propose homologies with mammals when possible. This study provides a comprehensive tool to better understand previous and novel data on hypothalamic development and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel N. Santos-Durán
- Grupo NEURODEVO, Departamento de Bioloxía Funcional, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago, Spain
| | - Susana Ferreiro-Galve
- Grupo NEURODEVO, Departamento de Bioloxía Funcional, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago, Spain
| | - Sylvie Mazan
- CNRS-UMR 7232, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Observatoire Océanologique, Paris, France
| | - Ramón Anadón
- Grupo NEURODEVO, Departamento de Bioloxía Funcional, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago, Spain
| | - Isabel Rodríguez-Moldes
- Grupo NEURODEVO, Departamento de Bioloxía Funcional, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago, Spain
| | - Eva Candal
- Grupo NEURODEVO, Departamento de Bioloxía Funcional, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago, Spain
- *Correspondence: Eva Candal,
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Velasco ER, Florido A, Flores Á, Senabre E, Gomez-Gomez A, Torres A, Roca A, Norrholm S, Newman EL, Das P, Ross RA, Lori A, Pozo OJ, Ressler KJ, Garcia-Esteve LL, Jovanovic T, Andero R. PACAP-PAC1R modulates fear extinction via the ventromedial hypothalamus. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4374. [PMID: 35902577 PMCID: PMC9334354 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31442-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to traumatic stress can lead to fear dysregulation, which has been associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous work showed that a polymorphism in the PACAP-PAC1R (pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide) system is associated with PTSD risk in women, and PACAP (ADCYAP1)-PAC1R (ADCYAP1R1) are highly expressed in the hypothalamus. Here, we show that female mice subjected to acute stress immobilization (IMO) have fear extinction impairments related to Adcyap1 and Adcyap1r1 mRNA upregulation in the hypothalamus, PACAP-c-Fos downregulation in the Medial Amygdala (MeA), and PACAP-FosB/ΔFosB upregulation in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus dorsomedial part (VMHdm). DREADD-mediated inhibition of MeA neurons projecting to the VMHdm during IMO rescues both PACAP upregulation in VMHdm and the fear extinction impairment. We also found that women with the risk genotype of ADCYAP1R1 rs2267735 polymorphism have impaired fear extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- E R Velasco
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Florido
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Á Flores
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Senabre
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-NeuroPhar, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Gomez-Gomez
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Neurosciences Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Torres
- Perinatal Mental health Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- Programme for the Prevention and Treatment of Psychic Effects in Sexually Assaulted Women. Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Roca
- Perinatal Mental health Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Norrholm
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - E L Newman
- McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - P Das
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Psychiatry Research Institute of Montefiore and Einstein, New York, NY, USA
| | - R A Ross
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Psychiatry Research Institute of Montefiore and Einstein, New York, NY, USA
| | - A Lori
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- American Cancer Society, Inc., Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - O J Pozo
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Neurosciences Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - K J Ressler
- McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - L L Garcia-Esteve
- Perinatal Mental health Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- Programme for the Prevention and Treatment of Psychic Effects in Sexually Assaulted Women. Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - T Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - R Andero
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Unitat de Neurociència Traslacional, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT), Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain.
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Bang JY, Sunstrum JK, Garand D, Parfitt GM, Woodin M, Inoue W, Kim J. Hippocampal-hypothalamic circuit controls context-dependent innate defensive responses. eLife 2022; 11:74736. [PMID: 35420543 PMCID: PMC9042231 DOI: 10.7554/elife.74736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Preys use their memory - where they sensed a predatory threat and whether a safe shelter is nearby - to dynamically control their survival instinct to avoid harm and reach safety. However, it remains unknown which brain regions are involved, and how such top-down control of innate behaviour is implemented at the circuit level. Here, using adult male mice, we show that the anterior hypothalamic nucleus (AHN) is best positioned to control this task as an exclusive target of the hippocampus (HPC) within the medial hypothalamic defense system. Selective optogenetic stimulation and inhibition of hippocampal inputs to the AHN revealed that the HPC→AHN pathway not only mediates the contextual memory of predator threats but also controls the goal-directed escape by transmitting information about the surrounding environment. These results reveal a new mechanism for experience-dependent, top-down control of innate defensive behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jee Yoon Bang
- Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Danielle Garand
- Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Gustavo Morrone Parfitt
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States
| | - Melanie Woodin
- Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Wataru Inoue
- Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Junchul Kim
- Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Tran LT, Park S, Kim SK, Lee JS, Kim KW, Kwon O. Hypothalamic control of energy expenditure and thermogenesis. Exp Mol Med 2022; 54:358-369. [PMID: 35301430 PMCID: PMC9076616 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-022-00741-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Energy expenditure and energy intake need to be balanced to maintain proper energy homeostasis. Energy homeostasis is tightly regulated by the central nervous system, and the hypothalamus is the primary center for the regulation of energy balance. The hypothalamus exerts its effect through both humoral and neuronal mechanisms, and each hypothalamic area has a distinct role in the regulation of energy expenditure. Recent studies have advanced the understanding of the molecular regulation of energy expenditure and thermogenesis in the hypothalamus with targeted manipulation techniques of the mouse genome and neuronal function. In this review, we elucidate recent progress in understanding the mechanism of how the hypothalamus affects basal metabolism, modulates physical activity, and adapts to environmental temperature and food intake changes. The hypothalamus is a key regulator of metabolism, controlling resting metabolism, activity levels, and responses to external temperature and food intake. The balance between energy intake and expenditure must be tightly controlled, with imbalances resulting in metabolic disorders such as obesity or diabetes. Obin Kwon at Seoul National University College of Medicine and Ki Woo Kim at Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, both in South Korea, and coworkers reviewed how metabolism is regulated by the hypothalamus, a small hormone-producing brain region. They report that hormonal and neuronal signals from the hypothalamus influence the ratio of lean to fatty tissue, gender-based differences in metabolism, activity levels, and weight gain in response to food intake. They note that further studies to untangle cause-and-effect relationships and other genetic factors will improve our understanding of metabolic regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Trung Tran
- Departments of Oral Biology and Applied Biological Science, BK21 Four, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Sohee Park
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Korea.,Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Seul Ki Kim
- Departments of Oral Biology and Applied Biological Science, BK21 Four, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Jin Sun Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Korea.,Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Ki Woo Kim
- Departments of Oral Biology and Applied Biological Science, BK21 Four, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, 03722, Korea.
| | - Obin Kwon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Korea. .,Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Korea.
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9
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Alfieri V, Mattera A, Baldassarre G. Neural Circuits Underlying Social Fear in Rodents: An Integrative Computational Model. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:841085. [PMID: 35350477 PMCID: PMC8957808 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.841085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Social avoidance in rodents arises from a complex interplay between the prefrontal cortex and subcortical structures, such as the ventromedial hypothalamus and the dorsal periaqueductal gray matter. Experimental studies are revealing the contribution of these areas, but an integrative view and model of how they interact to produce adaptive behavior are still lacking. Here, we present a computational model of social avoidance, proposing a set of integrated hypotheses on the possible macro organization of the brain system underlying this phenomenon. The model is validated by accounting for several different empirical findings and produces predictions to be tested in future experiments.
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10
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Fratzl A, Koltchev AM, Vissers N, Tan YL, Marques-Smith A, Stempel AV, Branco T, Hofer SB. Flexible inhibitory control of visually evoked defensive behavior by the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus. Neuron 2021; 109:3810-3822.e9. [PMID: 34614420 PMCID: PMC8648186 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Animals can choose to act upon, or to ignore, sensory stimuli, depending on circumstance and prior knowledge. This flexibility is thought to depend on neural inhibition, through suppression of inappropriate and disinhibition of appropriate actions. Here, we identified the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus (vLGN), an inhibitory prethalamic area, as a critical node for control of visually evoked defensive responses in mice. The activity of vLGN projections to the medial superior colliculus (mSC) is modulated by previous experience of threatening stimuli, tracks the perceived threat level in the environment, and is low prior to escape from a visual threat. Optogenetic stimulation of the vLGN abolishes escape responses, and suppressing its activity lowers the threshold for escape and increases risk-avoidance behavior. The vLGN most strongly affects visual threat responses, potentially via modality-specific inhibition of mSC circuits. Thus, inhibitory vLGN circuits control defensive behavior, depending on an animal’s prior experience and its anticipation of danger in the environment. Activity of vLGN axons in the mSC reflects the previous experience of threat The vLGN bidirectionally controls escape from visual threat Activating the vLGN specifically reduces the activity of visual units in mSC Activating vLGN axons in the mSC specifically suppresses escape from visual threat
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Fratzl
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alice M Koltchev
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nicole Vissers
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University College London, London, UK
| | - Yu Lin Tan
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andre Marques-Smith
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University College London, London, UK
| | - A Vanessa Stempel
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University College London, London, UK
| | - Tiago Branco
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sonja B Hofer
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University College London, London, UK.
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11
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Coordination of escape and spatial navigation circuits orchestrates versatile flight from threats. Neuron 2021; 109:1848-1860.e8. [PMID: 33861942 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.03.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Naturalistic escape requires versatile context-specific flight with rapid evaluation of local geometry to identify and use efficient escape routes. It is unknown how spatial navigation and escape circuits are recruited to produce context-specific flight. Using mice, we show that activity in cholecystokinin-expressing hypothalamic dorsal premammillary nucleus (PMd-cck) cells is sufficient and necessary for context-specific escape that adapts to each environment's layout. In contrast, numerous other nuclei implicated in flight only induced stereotyped panic-related escape. We reasoned the dorsal premammillary nucleus (PMd) can induce context-specific escape because it projects to escape and spatial navigation nuclei. Indeed, activity in PMd-cck projections to thalamic spatial navigation circuits is necessary for context-specific escape induced by moderate threats but not panic-related stereotyped escape caused by perceived asphyxiation. Conversely, the PMd projection to the escape-inducing dorsal periaqueductal gray projection is necessary for all tested escapes. Thus, PMd-cck cells control versatile flight, engaging spatial navigation and escape circuits.
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12
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Liu Q, Yang X, Song R, Su J, Luo M, Zhong J, Wang L. An Infrared Touch System for Automatic Behavior Monitoring. Neurosci Bull 2021; 37:815-830. [PMID: 33788145 PMCID: PMC8192659 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-021-00661-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Key requirements of successful animal behavior research in the laboratory are robustness, objectivity, and high throughput, which apply to both the recording and analysis of behavior. Many automatic methods of monitoring animal behavior meet these requirements. However, they usually depend on high-performing hardware and sophisticated software, which may be expensive. Here, we describe an automatic infrared behavior-monitor (AIBM) system based on an infrared touchscreen frame. Using this, animal positions can be recorded and used for further behavioral analysis by any PC supporting touch events. This system detects animal behavior in real time and gives closed-loop feedback using relatively low computing resources and simple algorithms. The AIBM system automatically records and analyzes multiple types of animal behavior in a highly efficient, unbiased, and low-cost manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xing Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Ru Song
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Junying Su
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Moxuan Luo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Jinling Zhong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Liping Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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13
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Rawlinson S, Andrews ZB. Hypothalamic insulin signalling as a nexus regulating mood and metabolism. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e12939. [PMID: 33634518 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Insulin has long been known as a metabolic hormone critical in the treatment of diabetes for its peripheral effects on blood glucose. However, in the last 50 years, insulin has entered the realm of neuroendocrinology and many studies have described its function on insulin receptors in the brain in relation to both metabolic and mood disorders. Indeed, rodent models of impaired insulin signalling show signs of dysregulated energy and glucose homeostasis, as well as anxiety-like and depressive behaviours. Importantly, many metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes increase the risk of developing mood disorders; however, the brain mechanisms underlying the connection between metabolism and mood remain unresolved. We present the current literature on the importance of the insulin receptor with respect to regulating glucose and energy homeostasis and mood-related behaviours. Specifically, we hypothesise that the insulin receptor in the hypothalamus, classically known as the homeostatic centre of the brain, plays a causal role in linking metabolic and behavioural effects of insulin signalling. In this review, we discuss insulin signalling in the hypothalamus as a critical point of neural integration controlling metabolism and mood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasha Rawlinson
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Zane B Andrews
- Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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14
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Montardy Q, Kwan WC, Mundinano IC, Fox DM, Wang L, Gross CT, Bourne JA. Mapping the neural circuitry of predator fear in the nonhuman primate. Brain Struct Funct 2020; 226:195-205. [PMID: 33263778 PMCID: PMC7817595 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-020-02176-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In rodents, innate and learned fear of predators depends on the medial hypothalamic defensive system, a conserved brain network that lies downstream of the amygdala and promotes avoidance via projections to the periaqueductal gray. Whether this network is involved in primate fear remains unknown. To address this, we provoked flight responses to a predator (moving snake) in the marmoset monkey under laboratory conditions. We combined c-Fos immunolabeling and anterograde/retrograde tracing to map the functional connectivity of the ventromedial hypothalamus, a core node in the medial hypothalamic defensive system. Our findings demonstrate that the ventromedial hypothalamus is recruited by predator exposure in primates and that anatomical connectivity of the rodent and primate medial hypothalamic defensive system are highly conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Montardy
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - William C Kwan
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Inaki C Mundinano
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Dylan M Fox
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Liping Wang
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Cornelius T Gross
- Epigenetics and Neurobiology Unit, EMBL Rome, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Via Ramarini 32, 00015, Monterotondo, RM, Italy.
| | - James A Bourne
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
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15
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Differential Encoding of Predator Fear in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus and Periaqueductal Grey. J Neurosci 2020; 40:9283-9292. [PMID: 33115925 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0761-18.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The ventromedial hypothalamus is a central node of the mammalian predator defense network. Stimulation of this structure in rodents and primates elicits abrupt defensive responses, including flight, freezing, sympathetic activation, and panic, while inhibition reduces defensive responses to predators. The major efferent target of the ventromedial hypothalamus is the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG), and stimulation of this structure also elicits flight, freezing, and sympathetic activation. However, reversible inhibition experiments suggest that the ventromedial hypothalamus and periaqueductal gray play distinct roles in the control of defensive behavior, with the former proposed to encode an internal state necessary for the motivation of defensive responses, while the latter serves as a motor pattern initiator. Here, we used electrophysiological recordings of single units in behaving male mice exposed to a rat to investigate the encoding of predator fear in the dorsomedial division of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHdm) and the dPAG. Distinct correlates of threat intensity and motor responses were found in both structures, suggesting a distributed encoding of sensory and motor features in the medial hypothalamic-brainstem instinctive network.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Although behavioral responses to predatory threat are essential for survival, the underlying neuronal circuits remain undefined. Using single unit in vivo electrophysiological recordings in mice, we have identified neuronal populations in the medial hypothalamus and brainstem that encode defensive responses to a rat predator. We found that both structures encode both sensory as well as motor aspects of the behavior although with different kinetics. Our findings provide a framework for understanding how innate sensory cues are processed to elicit adaptive behavioral responses to threat and will help to identify targets for the pharmacological modulation of related pathologic behaviors.
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16
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Krzywkowski P, Penna B, Gross CT. Dynamic encoding of social threat and spatial context in the hypothalamus. eLife 2020; 9:e57148. [PMID: 32955014 PMCID: PMC7505658 DOI: 10.7554/elife.57148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Social aggression and avoidance are defensive behaviors expressed by territorial animals in a manner appropriate to spatial context and experience. The ventromedial hypothalamus controls both social aggression and avoidance, suggesting that it may encode a general internal state of threat modulated by space and experience. Here, we show that neurons in the mouse ventromedial hypothalamus are activated both by the presence of a social threat as well as by a chamber where social defeat previously occurred. Moreover, under conditions where the animal could move freely between a home and defeat chamber, firing activity emerged that predicted the animal's position, demonstrating the dynamic encoding of spatial context in the hypothalamus. Finally, we found that social defeat induced a functional reorganization of neural activity as optogenetic activation could elicit avoidance after, but not before social defeat. These findings reveal how the hypothalamus dynamically encodes spatial and sensory cues to drive social behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Krzywkowski
- Epigenetics & Neurobiology Unit, EMBL Rome, European Molecular Biology LaboratoryMonterotondoItaly
- EMBL and Heidelberg University, Faculty of BiosciencesHeidelbergGermany
| | - Beatrice Penna
- Epigenetics & Neurobiology Unit, EMBL Rome, European Molecular Biology LaboratoryMonterotondoItaly
- Masters Course in Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Sapienza UniversityRomaItaly
| | - Cornelius T Gross
- Epigenetics & Neurobiology Unit, EMBL Rome, European Molecular Biology LaboratoryMonterotondoItaly
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17
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Kennedy A, Kunwar PS, Li LY, Stagkourakis S, Wagenaar DA, Anderson DJ. Stimulus-specific hypothalamic encoding of a persistent defensive state. Nature 2020; 586:730-734. [PMID: 32939094 PMCID: PMC7606611 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2728-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Persistent neural activity has been described in cortical, hippocampal,
and motor networks as mediating working memory of transiently encountered
stimuli1,2. Internal emotion states such as fear
also exhibit persistence following exposure to an inciting stimulus3, but whether slow neural
dynamics are involved is not well-studied. SF1+/Nr5a1+
neurons in the dorsomedial and central subdivisions of the ventromedial
hypothalamus (VMHdm/c) are necessary for defensive responses to
predators4–7. Optogenetic activation of
VMHdmSF1 neurons elicits defensive behaviours that outlast
stimulation5,8, suggesting the induction of a persistent
internal state of fear or anxiety. Here we show that in response to naturalistic
threatening stimuli, VMHdmSF1 neurons exhibit persistent activity
lasting many tens of seconds. This persistent activity was correlated with, and
required for, persistent defensive behavior in an open-field assay, and was
dependent on neurotransmitter release from VMHdmSF1 neurons.
Stimulation and calcium imaging experiments in acute slices revealed local
excitatory connectivity between VMHdmSF1 neurons. Microendoscopic
calcium imaging of VMHdmSF1 neurons revealed that persistent activity
at the population level reflects heterogeneous dynamics among individual cells.
Unexpectedly, distinct but overlapping VMHdmSF1 subpopulations were
persistently activated by different modalities of threatening stimuli.
Computational modeling suggests that neither recurrent excitation nor
slow-acting neuromodulators alone can account for persistent activity that
maintains stimulus identity. Our results identify stimulus-specific slow neural
dynamics in the hypothalamus, on a time scale orders of magnitude longer than
that supporting working memory in the cortex9,10, as a
contributing mechanism underlying a persistent emotion state. (238 words)
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Kennedy
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Prabhat S Kunwar
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.,Kallyope, Inc., New York, NY, USA
| | - Ling-Yun Li
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Stefanos Stagkourakis
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Daniel A Wagenaar
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - David J Anderson
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA. .,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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18
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Montardy Q, Zhou Z, Liu X, Lei Z, Zeng P, Chen C, Liu Y, Huang K, Wei M, Wang L. Glutamatergic and gabaergic neuronal populations in the dorsal Periacqueductual Gray have different functional roles in aversive conditioning. Neurosci Lett 2020; 732:135059. [PMID: 32454151 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The dorsal periacqueductal gray (dPAG) is a midbrain structure having an essential role in coordinating defensive behaviors in response to aversive stimulation. However, the question of whether dPAG neurons can respond to aversive conditioning and retrieval, properties involved in emergence of negative emotional state, is still under debate. Here we used calcium imaging by fiber photometry to record the activity of dPAGVGluT2+ and dPAGGAD2+ neuronal populations during unconditioned and conditioned aversive stimulation. Then, following an unconditioned stimulation we performed a retrieval experiment to quantify memory-like responses of dPAG neurons. This shown that whilst both dPAGVGluT2+ and dPAGGAD2+ neuronal populations respond to direct US stimulation, and to CS stimulation during conditioning, only the dPAGVGluT2+ population persisted in responding to the CS stimulation during retrieval. Finally to better understand these divergences in dPAGVGluT2+ and dPAGGAD2+ responses, we investigated their respective connectivity patterns by performing a cell specific monosynaptic retrograde rabies virus tracing experiment. This revealed that different patterns of fibers projects to dPAGVGluT2+ and dPAGGAD2+, which could explain part of their response specificities. This may indicate that glutamatergic subpopulation is a main contributor of aversive memories in dPAG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Montardy
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Zheng Zhou
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China; McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Xuemei Liu
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhuogui Lei
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pengyu Zeng
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuanming Liu
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Kang Huang
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Mengxia Wei
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Liping Wang
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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19
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Cheong RY, Gabery S, Petersén Å. The Role of Hypothalamic Pathology for Non-Motor Features of Huntington's Disease. J Huntingtons Dis 2020; 8:375-391. [PMID: 31594240 PMCID: PMC6839491 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-190372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a fatal genetic neurodegenerative disorder. It has mainly been considered a movement disorder with cognitive symptoms and these features have been associated with pathology of the striatum and cerebral cortex. Importantly, individuals with the mutant huntingtin gene suffer from a spectrum of non-motor features often decades before the motor disorder manifests. These symptoms and signs include a range of psychiatric symptoms, sleep problems and metabolic changes with weight loss particularly in later stages. A higher body mass index at diagnosis is associated with slower disease progression. The common psychiatric symptom of apathy progresses with the disease. The fact that non-motor features are present early in the disease and that they show an association to disease progression suggest that unravelling the underlying neurobiological mechanisms may uncover novel targets for early disease intervention and better symptomatic treatment. The hypothalamus and the limbic system are important brain regions that regulate emotion, social cognition, sleep and metabolism. A number of studies using neuroimaging, postmortem human tissue and genetic manipulation in animal models of the disease has collectively shown that the hypothalamus and the limbic system are affected in HD. These findings include the loss of neuropeptide-expressing neurons such as orexin (hypocretin), oxytocin, vasopressin, somatostatin and VIP, and increased levels of SIRT1 in distinct nuclei of the hypothalamus. This review provides a summary of the results obtained so far and highlights the potential importance of these changes for the understanding of non-motor features in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Y Cheong
- Translational Neuroendocrine Research Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sanaz Gabery
- Translational Neuroendocrine Research Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Åsa Petersén
- Translational Neuroendocrine Research Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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20
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Kiss DS, Toth I, Jocsak G, Barany Z, Bartha T, Frenyo LV, Horvath TL, Zsarnovszky A. Functional Aspects of Hypothalamic Asymmetry. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10060389. [PMID: 32575391 PMCID: PMC7349050 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10060389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Anatomically, the brain is a symmetric structure. However, growing evidence suggests that certain higher brain functions are regulated by only one of the otherwise duplicated (and symmetric) brain halves. Hemispheric specialization correlates with phylogeny supporting intellectual evolution by providing an ergonomic way of brain processing. The more complex the task, the higher are the benefits of the functional lateralization (all higher functions show some degree of lateralized task sharing). Functional asymmetry has been broadly studied in several brain areas with mirrored halves, such as the telencephalon, hippocampus, etc. Despite its paired structure, the hypothalamus has been generally considered as a functionally unpaired unit, nonetheless the regulation of a vast number of strongly interrelated homeostatic processes are attributed to this relatively small brain region. In this review, we collected all available knowledge supporting the hypothesis that a functional lateralization of the hypothalamus exists. We collected and discussed findings from previous studies that have demonstrated lateralized hypothalamic control of the reproductive functions and energy expenditure. Also, sporadic data claims the existence of a partial functional asymmetry in the regulation of the circadian rhythm, body temperature and circulatory functions. This hitherto neglected data highlights the likely high-level ergonomics provided by such functional asymmetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Sandor Kiss
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary; (I.T.); (G.J.); (Z.B.); (T.B.); (L.V.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +36-1478-4247 or +36-1478-8406
| | - Istvan Toth
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary; (I.T.); (G.J.); (Z.B.); (T.B.); (L.V.F.)
| | - Gergely Jocsak
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary; (I.T.); (G.J.); (Z.B.); (T.B.); (L.V.F.)
| | - Zoltan Barany
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary; (I.T.); (G.J.); (Z.B.); (T.B.); (L.V.F.)
| | - Tibor Bartha
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary; (I.T.); (G.J.); (Z.B.); (T.B.); (L.V.F.)
| | - Laszlo V. Frenyo
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary; (I.T.); (G.J.); (Z.B.); (T.B.); (L.V.F.)
| | - Tamas L. Horvath
- Department of Animal Physiology and Animal Health, Szent Istvan University, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (T.L.H.); (A.Z.)
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Attila Zsarnovszky
- Department of Animal Physiology and Animal Health, Szent Istvan University, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (T.L.H.); (A.Z.)
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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21
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Lecca S, Namboodiri VM, Restivo L, Gervasi N, Pillolla G, Stuber GD, Mameli M. Heterogeneous Habenular Neuronal Ensembles during Selection of Defensive Behaviors. Cell Rep 2020; 31:107752. [PMID: 32521277 PMCID: PMC7296347 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Optimal selection of threat-driven defensive behaviors is paramount to an animal's survival. The lateral habenula (LHb) is a key neuronal hub coordinating behavioral responses to aversive stimuli. Yet, how individual LHb neurons represent defensive behaviors in response to threats remains unknown. Here, we show that in mice, a visual threat promotes distinct defensive behaviors, namely runaway (escape) and action-locking (immobile-like). Fiber photometry of bulk LHb neuronal activity in behaving animals reveals an increase and a decrease in calcium signal time-locked with runaway and action-locking, respectively. Imaging single-cell calcium dynamics across distinct threat-driven behaviors identify independently active LHb neuronal clusters. These clusters participate during specific time epochs of defensive behaviors. Decoding analysis of this neuronal activity reveals that some LHb clusters either predict the upcoming selection of the defensive action or represent the selected action. Thus, heterogeneous neuronal clusters in LHb predict or reflect the selection of distinct threat-driven defensive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Lecca
- The Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, The University of Lausanne, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Vijay M.K. Namboodiri
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Leonardo Restivo
- The Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, The University of Lausanne, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Garret D. Stuber
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Manuel Mameli
- The Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, The University of Lausanne, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland; INSERM, UMR-S 839, 75005 Paris, France.
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22
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Kammel LG, Correa SM. Selective sexual differentiation of neurone populations may contribute to sex-specific outputs of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus. J Neuroendocrinol 2020; 32:e12801. [PMID: 31605642 PMCID: PMC6982598 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Sex differences among neurones in the ventrolateral region of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMHvl) allow for the display of a diversity of sex-typical behaviours and physiological responses, ranging from mating behaviour to metabolism. Here, we review recent studies that interrogate the relationship between sex-typical responses and changes in cellular phenotypes. We discuss technologies that increase the resolution of molecular profiling or targeting of cell populations, including single-cell transcriptional profiling and conditional viral genetic approaches to manipulate neurone survival or activity. Overall, emerging studies indicate that sex-typical functions of the VMH may be mediated by phenotypically distinct and sexually differentiated neurone populations within the VMHvl. Future studies in this and other brain regions could exploit cell-type-specific tools to reveal the cell populations and molecular mediators that modulate sex-typical responses. Furthermore, cell-type-specific analyses of the effects of sexually differentiating factors, including sex hormones, can test the hypothesis that distinct cell types within a single brain region vary with respect to sexual differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura G Kammel
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, Integrative Physiology Graduate Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie M Correa
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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23
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Milton AL. Fear not: recent advances in understanding the neural basis of fear memories and implications for treatment development. F1000Res 2019; 8:F1000 Faculty Rev-1948. [PMID: 31824654 PMCID: PMC6880271 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.20053.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Fear is a highly adaptive emotion that has evolved to promote survival and reproductive fitness. However, maladaptive expression of fear can lead to debilitating stressor-related and anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Although the neural basis of fear has been extensively researched for several decades, recent technological advances in pharmacogenetics and optogenetics have allowed greater resolution in understanding the neural circuits that underlie fear. Alongside conceptual advances in the understanding of fear memory, this increased knowledge has clarified mechanisms for some currently available therapies for post-traumatic stress disorder and has identified new potential treatment targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L. Milton
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
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24
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Mangieri LR, Jiang Z, Lu Y, Xu Y, Cassidy RM, Justice N, Xu Y, Arenkiel BR, Tong Q. Defensive Behaviors Driven by a Hypothalamic-Ventral Midbrain Circuit. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0156-19.2019. [PMID: 31331938 PMCID: PMC6664144 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0156-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH) regulates stress, feeding behaviors and other homeostatic processes, but whether PVH also drives defensive states remains unknown. Here we showed that photostimulation of PVH neurons in mice elicited escape jumping, a typical defensive behavior. We mapped PVH outputs that densely terminate in the ventral midbrain (vMB) area, and found that activation of the PVH→vMB circuit produced profound defensive behavioral changes, including escape jumping, hiding, hyperlocomotion, and learned aversion. Electrophysiological recordings showed excitatory postsynaptic input onto vMB neurons via PVH fiber activation, and in vivo studies demonstrated that glutamate transmission from PVH→vMB was required for the evoked behavioral responses. Photostimulation of PVH→vMB fibers induced cFos expression mainly in non-dopaminergic neurons. Using a dual optogenetic-chemogenetic strategy, we further revealed that escape jumping and hiding were partially contributed by the activation of midbrain glutamatergic neurons. Taken together, our work unveils a hypothalamic-vMB circuit that encodes defensive properties, which may be implicated in stress-induced defensive responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandra R Mangieri
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine of McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience of MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Zhiying Jiang
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine of McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Yungang Lu
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine of McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Yuanzhong Xu
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine of McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Ryan M Cassidy
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine of McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience of MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Nicholas Justice
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine of McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience of MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Yong Xu
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Benjamin R Arenkiel
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, and Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Qingchun Tong
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine of McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience of MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy of McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
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25
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Franklin TB. Recent Advancements Surrounding the Role of the Periaqueductal Gray in Predators and Prey. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:60. [PMID: 31133827 PMCID: PMC6524621 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in neural circuitry techniques, like optogenetics and chemogenetics, have allowed for a greater understanding of the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and its importance in predator and prey behaviors. These studies in rodents have highlighted the role of the rostrolateral PAG in hunting behaviors, and have demonstrated functional differences across the dorsal-ventral/rostral-caudal axes of the PAG associated with defensive behaviors. Human imaging studies have further demonstrated that the PAG is active during situations involving imminent threat suggesting that the function of the PAG is likely largely conserved across species. This mini-review article highlights some of the recent advancements towards our understanding of the functional neuroanatomy of the PAG and its importance in the predator and prey behaviors that are critical for survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara B Franklin
- The Social Lab, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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26
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Abstract
Chemogenetic technologies enable selective pharmacological control of specific cell populations. An increasing number of approaches have been developed that modulate different signaling pathways. Selective pharmacological control over G protein-coupled receptor signaling, ion channel conductances, protein association, protein stability, and small molecule targeting allows modulation of cellular processes in distinct cell types. Here, we review these chemogenetic technologies and instances of their applications in complex tissues in vivo and ex vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deniz Atasoy
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine and Regenerative-Restorative Medicine Research Center (REMER), Istanbul Medipol University , Istanbul , Turkey ; and Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute , Ashburn, Virginia
| | - Scott M Sternson
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine and Regenerative-Restorative Medicine Research Center (REMER), Istanbul Medipol University , Istanbul , Turkey ; and Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute , Ashburn, Virginia
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27
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Viskaitis P, Irvine EE, Smith MA, Choudhury AI, Alvarez-Curto E, Glegola JA, Hardy DG, Pedroni SMA, Paiva Pessoa MR, Fernando ABP, Katsouri L, Sardini A, Ungless MA, Milligan G, Withers DJ. Modulation of SF1 Neuron Activity Coordinately Regulates Both Feeding Behavior and Associated Emotional States. Cell Rep 2018; 21:3559-3572. [PMID: 29262334 PMCID: PMC5746599 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.11.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Feeding requires the integration of homeostatic drives with emotional states relevant to food procurement in potentially hostile environments. The ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) regulates feeding and anxiety, but how these are controlled in a concerted manner remains unclear. Using pharmacogenetic, optogenetic, and calcium imaging approaches with a battery of behavioral assays, we demonstrate that VMH steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1) neurons constitute a nutritionally sensitive switch, modulating the competing motivations of feeding and avoidance of potentially dangerous environments. Acute alteration of SF1 neuronal activity alters food intake via changes in appetite and feeding-related behaviors, including locomotion, exploration, anxiety, and valence. In turn, intrinsic SF1 neuron activity is low during feeding and increases with both feeding termination and stress. Our findings identify SF1 neurons as a key part of the neurocircuitry that controls both feeding and related affective states, giving potential insights into the relationship between disordered eating and stress-associated psychological disorders in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulius Viskaitis
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Elaine E Irvine
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Mark A Smith
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Agharul I Choudhury
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Elisa Alvarez-Curto
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Justyna A Glegola
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Darran G Hardy
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Silvia M A Pedroni
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Maria R Paiva Pessoa
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Anushka B P Fernando
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Loukia Katsouri
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Alessandro Sardini
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Mark A Ungless
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Graeme Milligan
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Dominic J Withers
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
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28
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The blockage of ventromedial hypothalamus CRF type 2 receptors impairs escape responses in the elevated T-maze. Behav Brain Res 2017; 329:41-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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29
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EphrinA5 Signaling Is Required for the Distinctive Targeting of Raphe Serotonin Neurons in the Forebrain. eNeuro 2017; 4:eN-NWR-0327-16. [PMID: 28197551 PMCID: PMC5292598 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0327-16.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission in the brain relies on a widespread axon terminal network originating from the hindbrain raphe nuclei. These projections are topographically organized such that the dorsal (DR), and median raphe (MnR) nuclei have different brain targets. However, the guidance molecules involved in this selective targeting in development are unknown. Here, we show the implication of ephrinA5 signaling in this process. We find that the EphA5 gene is selectively expressed in a subset of 5-HT neurons during embryonic and postnatal development. Highest coexpression of EphA5 and the 5-HT marker Tph2 is found in the DR, with lower coexpression in the MnR, and hardly any colocalization of the caudal raphe in the medulla. Accordingly, ephrinA induced a dose-dependent collapse response of 5-HT growth cones cultured from rostral but not caudal raphe. Ectopic expression of ephrinA3, after in utero electroporation in the amygdala and piriform cortex, repelled 5-HT raphe fiber ingrowth. Conversely, misplaced DR 5-HT axons were found in ephrin A5 knockout mice in brain regions that are normally only targeted by MnR 5-HT axons. This causes an overall increase in the density of 5-HT innervation in the ventromedial hypothalamus, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, and the olfactory bulb. All these brain areas have high expression of ephrinAs at the time of 5-HT fiber ingrowth. Present results show for the first time the role of a guidance molecule for the region-specific targeting of raphe neurons. This has important implications to understand how functional parsing of central 5-HT neurons is established during development.
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30
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A feedback neural circuit for calibrating aversive memory strength. Nat Neurosci 2016; 20:90-97. [DOI: 10.1038/nn.4439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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31
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Silva BA, Gross CT, Gräff J. The neural circuits of innate fear: detection, integration, action, and memorization. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 23:544-55. [PMID: 27634145 PMCID: PMC5026211 DOI: 10.1101/lm.042812.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
How fear is represented in the brain has generated a lot of research attention, not only because fear increases the chances for survival when appropriately expressed but also because it can lead to anxiety and stress-related disorders when inadequately processed. In this review, we summarize recent progress in the understanding of the neural circuits processing innate fear in rodents. We propose that these circuits are contained within three main functional units in the brain: a detection unit, responsible for gathering sensory information signaling the presence of a threat; an integration unit, responsible for incorporating the various sensory information and recruiting downstream effectors; and an output unit, in charge of initiating appropriate bodily and behavioral responses to the threatful stimulus. In parallel, the experience of innate fear also instructs a learning process leading to the memorization of the fearful event. Interestingly, while the detection, integration, and output units processing acute fear responses to different threats tend to be harbored in distinct brain circuits, memory encoding of these threats seems to rely on a shared learning system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca A Silva
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cornelius T Gross
- Mouse Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Johannes Gräff
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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