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Rodríguez-Manzo G, Canseco-Alba A. The endogenous cannabinoid system modulates male sexual behavior expression. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1198077. [PMID: 37324524 PMCID: PMC10264596 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1198077] [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: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a key neuromodulatory role in the brain. Main features of endocannabinoids (eCBs) are that they are produced on demand, in response to enhanced neuronal activity, act as retrograde messengers, and participate in the induction of brain plasticity processes. Sexual activity is a motivated behavior and therefore, the mesolimbic dopaminergic system (MSL) plays a central role in the control of its appetitive component (drive to engage in copulation). In turn, copulation activates mesolimbic dopamine neurons and repeated copulation produces the continuous activation of the MSL system. Sustained sexual activity leads to the achievement of sexual satiety, which main outcome is the transient transformation of sexually active male rats into sexually inhibited animals. Thus, 24 h after copulation to satiety, the sexually satiated males exhibit a decreased sexual motivation and do not respond to the presence of a sexually receptive female with sexual activity. Interestingly, blockade of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) during the copulation to satiety process, interferes with both the appearance of the long-lasting sexual inhibition and the decrease in sexual motivation in the sexually satiated males. This effect is reproduced when blocking CB1R at the ventral tegmental area evidencing the involvement of MSL eCBs in the induction of this sexual inhibitory state. Here we review the available evidence regarding the effects of cannabinoids, including exogenously administered eCBs, on male rodent sexual behavior of both sexually competent animals and rat sub populations spontaneously showing copulatory deficits, considered useful to model some human male sexual dysfunctions. We also include the effects of cannabis preparations on human male sexual activity. Finally, we review the role played by the ECS in the control of male sexual behavior expression with the aid of the sexual satiety phenomenon. Sexual satiety appears as a suitable model for the study of the relationship between eCB signaling, MSL synaptic plasticity and the modulation of male sexual motivation under physiological conditions that might be useful for the understanding of MSL functioning, eCB-mediated plasticity and their relationship with motivational processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Rodríguez-Manzo
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (Cinvestav-Sede Sur), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ana Canseco-Alba
- Laboratorio de Fisiología de la Formación Reticular, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Ciudad de México, Mexico
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2
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Lakosa A, Rahimian A, Tomasi F, Marti F, Reynolds LM, Tochon L, David V, Danckaert A, Canonne C, Tahraoui S, de Chaumont F, Forget B, Maskos U, Besson M. Impact of the gut microbiome on nicotine's motivational effects and glial cells in the ventral tegmental area in male mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:963-974. [PMID: 36932179 PMCID: PMC10156728 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01563-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
A link between gut dysbiosis and the pathogenesis of brain disorders has been identified. A role for gut bacteria in drug reward and addiction has been suggested but very few studies have investigated their impact on brain and behavioral responses to addictive drugs so far. In particular, their influence on nicotine's addiction-like processes remains unknown. In addition, evidence shows that glial cells shape the neuronal activity of the mesolimbic system but their regulation, within this system, by the gut microbiome is not established. We demonstrate that a lack of gut microbiota in male mice potentiates the nicotine-induced activation of sub-regions of the mesolimbic system. We further show that gut microbiota depletion enhances the response to nicotine of dopaminergic neurons of the posterior ventral tegmental area (pVTA), and alters nicotine's rewarding and aversive effects in an intra-VTA self-administration procedure. These effects were not associated with gross behavioral alterations and the nicotine withdrawal syndrome was not impacted. We further show that depletion of the gut microbiome modulates the glial cells of the mesolimbic system. Notably, it increases the number of astrocytes selectively in the pVTA, and the expression of postsynaptic density protein 95 in both VTA sub-regions, without altering the density of the astrocytic glutamatergic transporter GLT1. Finally, we identify several sub-populations of microglia in the VTA that differ between its anterior and posterior sub-parts, and show that they are re-organized in conditions of gut microbiota depletion. The present study paves the way for refining our understanding of the pathophysiology of nicotine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Lakosa
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, CNRS UMR 3571, Paris, France
| | - Anaïs Rahimian
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, CNRS UMR 3571, Paris, France
| | - Flavio Tomasi
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, CNRS UMR 3571, Paris, France
- Neuroscience Paris Seine, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Fabio Marti
- Plasticité du Cerveau, CNRS UMR 8249, ESPCI Paris, Université PSL, Paris, France
- Neuroscience Paris Seine, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Lauren M Reynolds
- Plasticité du Cerveau, CNRS UMR 8249, ESPCI Paris, Université PSL, Paris, France
| | - Léa Tochon
- Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- CNRS UMR 5287, Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, Bordeaux, France
| | - Vincent David
- Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- CNRS UMR 5287, Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, Bordeaux, France
| | - Anne Danckaert
- UTechS Photonics Bioimaging/C2RT, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, 25 rue du Dr Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Candice Canonne
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, CNRS UMR 3571, Paris, France
| | - Sylvana Tahraoui
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, CNRS UMR 3571, Paris, France
| | - Fabrice de Chaumont
- Génétique humaine et fonctions cognitives, CNRS UMR 3571, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, 25 rue du Dr Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Benoît Forget
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, CNRS UMR 3571, Paris, France
- Génétique humaine et fonctions cognitives, CNRS UMR 3571, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, 25 rue du Dr Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Uwe Maskos
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, CNRS UMR 3571, Paris, France
| | - Morgane Besson
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, CNRS UMR 3571, Paris, France.
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Martinez Damonte V, Pomrenze MB, Manning CE, Casper C, Wolfden AL, Malenka RC, Kauer JA. Somatodendritic Release of Cholecystokinin Potentiates GABAergic Synapses Onto Ventral Tegmental Area Dopamine Cells. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 93:197-208. [PMID: 35961792 PMCID: PMC9976994 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuropeptides are contained in nearly every neuron in the central nervous system and can be released not only from nerve terminals but also from somatodendritic sites. Cholecystokinin (CCK), among the most abundant neuropeptides in the brain, is expressed in the majority of midbrain dopamine neurons. Despite this high expression, CCK function within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is not well understood. METHODS We confirmed CCK expression in VTA dopamine neurons through immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization and detected optogenetically induced CCK release using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To investigate whether CCK modulates VTA circuit activity, we used whole-cell patch clamp recordings in mouse brain slices. We infused CCK locally in vivo and tested food intake and locomotion in fasted mice. We also used in vivo fiber photometry to measure Ca2+ transients in dopamine neurons during feeding. RESULTS Here we report that VTA dopamine neurons release CCK from somatodendritic regions, where it triggers long-term potentiation of GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acidergic) synapses. The somatodendritic release occurs during trains of optogenetic stimuli or prolonged but modest depolarization and is dependent on synaptotagmin-7 and T-type Ca2+ channels. Depolarization-induced long-term potentiation is blocked by a CCK2 receptor antagonist and mimicked by exogenous CCK. Local infusion of CCK in vivo inhibits food consumption and decreases distance traveled in an open field test. Furthermore, intra-VTA-infused CCK reduced dopamine cell Ca2+ signals during food consumption after an overnight fast and was correlated with reduced food intake. CONCLUSIONS Our experiments introduce somatodendritic neuropeptide release as a previously unknown feedback regulator of VTA dopamine cell excitability and dopamine-related behaviors.
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Zhan B, Zhu Y, Xia J, Li W, Tang Y, Beesetty A, Ye JH, Fu R. Comorbidity of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder: Animal Models and Associated Neurocircuitry. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010388. [PMID: 36613829 PMCID: PMC9820348 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are prevalent neuropsychiatric disorders and frequently co-occur concomitantly. Individuals suffering from this dual diagnosis often exhibit increased symptom severity and poorer treatment outcomes than those with only one of these diseases. Lacking standard preclinical models limited the exploration of neurobiological mechanisms underlying PTSD and AUD comorbidity. In this review, we summarize well-accepted preclinical model paradigms and criteria for developing successful models of comorbidity. We also outline how PTSD and AUD affect each other bidirectionally in the nervous nuclei have been heatedly discussed recently. We hope to provide potential recommendations for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhan
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Yingxin Zhu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Jianxun Xia
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Yunkang School of Medicine and Health, Nanfang College, Guangzhou 510970, China
| | - Wenfu Li
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Ying Tang
- Department of Biology, School of Life Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Anju Beesetty
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Jiang-Hong Ye
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
- Correspondence: (J.-H.Y.); (R.F.)
| | - Rao Fu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
- Correspondence: (J.-H.Y.); (R.F.)
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5
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Rodríguez-Manzo G, González-Morales E, Garduño-Gutiérrez R. Endocannabinoids Released in the Ventral Tegmental Area During Copulation to Satiety Modulate Changes in Glutamate Receptors Associated With Synaptic Plasticity Processes. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2021; 13:701290. [PMID: 34483875 PMCID: PMC8416467 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2021.701290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocannabinoids modulate mesolimbic (MSL) dopamine (DA) neurons firing at the ventral tegmental area (VTA). These neurons are activated by copulation, increasing DA release in nucleus accumbens (NAcc). Copulation to satiety in male rats implies repeated ejaculation within a short period (around 2.5 h), during which NAcc dopamine concentrations remain elevated, suggesting continuous neuronal activation. During the 72 h that follow copulation to satiety, males exhibit long-lasting changes suggestive of brain plasticity processes. Enhanced DA neuron activity triggers the synthesis and release of endocannabinoids (eCBs) in the VTA, which participate in several long-term synaptic plasticity processes. Blockade of cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1Rs) during copulation to satiety interferes with the appearance of the plastic changes. Glutamatergic inputs to the VTA express CB1Rs and contribute to DA neuron burst firing and synaptic plasticity. We hypothesized that eCBs, released during copulation to satiety, would activate VTA CB1Rs and modulate synaptic plasticity processes involving glutamatergic transmission. To test this hypothesis, we determined changes in VTA CB1R density, phosphorylation, and internalization in rats that copulated to satiety 24 h earlier as compared both to animals that ejaculated only once and to sexually experienced unmated males. Changes in glutamate AMPAR and NMDAR densities and subunit composition and in ERK1/2 activation were determined in the VTA of males that copulated to satiety in the presence or absence of AM251, a CB1R antagonist. The CB1R density decreased and the proportion of phosphorylated CB1Rs increased in the animals that copulated compared to control rats. The CB1R internalization was detected only in sexually satiated males. A decrease in α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate receptor (AMPAR) density, blocked by AM251 pretreatment, and an increase in the proportion of GluA2-AMPARs occurred in sexually satiated rats. GluN2A- N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) expression decreased, and GluN2B-NMDARs increased in these animals, both of which were prevented by AM251 pre-treatment. An increase in phosphorylated ERK1/2 emerged in males copulating to satiety in the presence of AM251. Results demonstrate that during copulation to satiety, eCBs activate CB1Rs in the VTA, producing changes in glutamate receptors compatible with a reduced neuronal activation. These changes could play a role in the induction of the long-lasting physiological changes that characterize sexually satiated rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Rodríguez-Manzo
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (Cinvestav-Sede Sur), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Estefanía González-Morales
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (Cinvestav-Sede Sur), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - René Garduño-Gutiérrez
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (Cinvestav-Sede Sur), Ciudad de México, Mexico
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6
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Izuhara M, Miura S, Otsuki K, Nagahama M, Hayashida M, Hashioka S, Asou H, Kitagaki H, Inagaki M. Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in the Ventral Tegmental Area Distinguishes Responders to Suvorexant Prior to Treatment: A 4-Week Prospective Cohort Study. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:714376. [PMID: 34497544 PMCID: PMC8419448 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.714376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The ventral tegmental area (VTA; a dopaminergic nucleus) plays an important role in the sleep-wake regulation system including orexin system. In addition to neuronal activity, there is increasing evidence for an important role of glial cells (i.e., astrocytes and microglia) in these systems. The present study examined the utility of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) for detecting neural and/or glial changes in the VTA to distinguish responders from non-responders before treatment with the orexin receptor antagonist suvorexant. Methods: A total of 50 patients were screened and 9 patients were excluded. The remaining 41 patients with insomnia who have or not a psychiatric disease who were expected to receive suvorexant treatment were included in this study. We compared MRS signals in the VTA between responders to suvorexant and non-responders before suvorexant use. Based on previous reports, suvorexant responders were defined as patients who improved ≥3 points on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index after 4 weeks of suvorexant use. MRS data included choline (reflects non-specific cell membrane breakdown, including of glial cells) and N-acetylaspartate (a decrease reflects neuronal degeneration). Results: Among 41 examined patients, 20 patients responded to suvorexant and 21 patients did not. By MRS, the choline/creatine and phosphorylcreatine ratio in the VTA was significantly high in non-responders compared with responders (p = 0.039) before suvorexant treatment. There was no difference in the N-acetylaspartate/creatine and phosphorylcreatine ratio (p = 0.297) between the two groups. Conclusions: Changes in glial viability in the VTA might be used to distinguish responders to suvorexant from non-responders before starting treatment. These findings may help with more appropriate selection of patients for suvorexant treatment in clinical practice. Further, we provide novel possible evidence for a relationship between glial changes in the VTA and the orexin system, which may aid in the development of new hypnotics focusing on the VTA and/or glial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muneto Izuhara
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Sleep-Wake Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, Japan
| | - Shoko Miura
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, Japan
| | - Koji Otsuki
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, Japan
| | - Michiharu Nagahama
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, Japan
| | - Maiko Hayashida
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, Japan
| | - Sadayuki Hashioka
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, Japan
| | - Hiroya Asou
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, Japan
| | - Hajime Kitagaki
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Inagaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, Japan
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7
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Crocin Reverses Depression-Like Behavior in Parkinson Disease Mice via VTA-mPFC Pathway. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:3158-3170. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-01941-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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8
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Stress-induced plasticity and functioning of ventral tegmental dopamine neurons. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 108:48-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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9
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Richter A, Krämer B, Diekhof EK, Gruber O. Resilience to adversity is associated with increased activity and connectivity in the VTA and hippocampus. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2019; 23:101920. [PMID: 31491818 PMCID: PMC6617249 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2019.101920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests altered function of the mesolimbic reward system resulting from exposure to early adversity. The present study investigated the combined long-term impact of adversity until young adulthood on neuronal reward processing and its interaction with individual resilience processes. In this functional magnetic resonance imaging study, 97 healthy young adults performed a reward-based decision-making task. Adversity as well as resilience were assessed retrospectively using the validated childhood trauma questionnaire, trauma history questionnaire and a resilience scale. Subjects with high adversity load showed reduced reward-related bottom-up activation in the ventral striatum (VS), ventral tegmental area (VTA) and hippocampus (HP) as compared to the low adversity group. However, high resilience traits in individuals with high adversity load were associated with an increased activation in the VTA and HP, indicating a possible resilience-related protective mechanism. Moreover, when comparing groups with high to low adversity, psychophysiological interaction analyses highlighted an increased negative functional coupling between VS and VTA as well as between VS and anteroventral prefrontal cortex (avPFC) during reward acceptance, and an impaired top-down control of the VS by the avPFC during reward rejection. In turn, combination of high adversity and high resilience traits was associated with an improved functional coupling between VTA, VS and HP. Thereby, the present findings identify neural mechanisms mediating interacting effects of adversity and resilience, which could be targeted by early intervention and prevention. fMRI activity in the reward system decresead with adversity load. Stress exposure associated with impaired connectivity in the reward system. fMRI activity in VTA and hippocampus incresead with resilience to adversity. Functional coupling within reward circuitry improved with resilience to adversity. Evidence for protective resilience-related mechanisms mediated by VTA & hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Richter
- Section for Experimental Psychopathology and Neuroimaging, Department of General Psychiatry, Heidelberg University, Germany; Center for Translational Research in Systems Neuroscience and Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.
| | - Bernd Krämer
- Section for Experimental Psychopathology and Neuroimaging, Department of General Psychiatry, Heidelberg University, Germany; Center for Translational Research in Systems Neuroscience and Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
| | - Esther K Diekhof
- Center for Translational Research in Systems Neuroscience and Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany; Neuroendocrinology Unit, Institute of Zoology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Universität Hamburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Gruber
- Section for Experimental Psychopathology and Neuroimaging, Department of General Psychiatry, Heidelberg University, Germany; Center for Translational Research in Systems Neuroscience and Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
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10
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Xin W, Schuebel KE, Jair KW, Cimbro R, De Biase LM, Goldman D, Bonci A. Ventral midbrain astrocytes display unique physiological features and sensitivity to dopamine D2 receptor signaling. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019; 44:344-355. [PMID: 30054584 PMCID: PMC6300565 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0151-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes are ubiquitous CNS cells that support tissue homeostasis through ion buffering, neurotransmitter recycling, and regulation of CNS vasculature. Yet, despite the essential functional roles they fill, very little is known about the physiology of astrocytes in the ventral midbrain, a region that houses dopamine-releasing neurons and is critical for reward learning and motivated behaviors. Here, using a combination of whole-transcriptome sequencing, histology, slice electrophysiology, and calcium imaging, we performed the first functional and molecular profiling of ventral midbrain astrocytes and observed numerous differences between these cells and their telencephalic counterparts, both in their gene expression profile and in their physiological properties. Ventral midbrain astrocytes have very low membrane resistance and inward-rectifying potassium channel-mediated current, and are extensively coupled to surrounding oligodendrocytes through gap junctions. They exhibit calcium responses to glutamate but are relatively insensitive to norepinephrine. In addition, their calcium activity can be dynamically modulated by dopamine D2 receptor signaling. Taken together, these data indicate that ventral midbrain astrocytes are physiologically distinct from astrocytes in cortex and hippocampus. This work provides new insights into the extent of functional astrocyte heterogeneity within the adult brain and establishes the foundation for examining the impact of regional astrocyte differences on dopamine neuron function and susceptibility to degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy Xin
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA. .,Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Kornel E. Schuebel
- 0000 0001 2297 5165grid.94365.3dLaboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852 USA
| | - Kam-wing Jair
- 0000 0001 2297 5165grid.94365.3dLaboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852 USA
| | - Raffaello Cimbro
- 0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35Department of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224 USA
| | - Lindsay M. De Biase
- 0000 0001 2297 5165grid.94365.3dIntramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224 USA
| | - David Goldman
- 0000 0001 2297 5165grid.94365.3dLaboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852 USA
| | - Antonello Bonci
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA. .,Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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11
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Gantz SC, Ford CP, Morikawa H, Williams JT. The Evolving Understanding of Dopamine Neurons in the Substantia Nigra and Ventral Tegmental Area. Annu Rev Physiol 2018; 80:219-241. [PMID: 28938084 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-021317-121615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the population of neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra (SN) has been examined at multiple levels. The results indicate that the projections, neurochemistry, and receptor and ion channel expression in this cell population vary widely. This review centers on the intrinsic properties and synaptic regulation that control the activity of dopamine neurons. Although all dopamine neurons fire action potentials in a pacemaker pattern in the absence of synaptic input, the intrinsic properties that underlie this activity differ considerably. Likewise, the transition into a burst/pause pattern results from combinations of intrinsic ion conductances, inhibitory and excitatory synaptic inputs that differ among this cell population. Finally, synaptic plasticity is a key regulator of the rate and pattern of activity in different groups of dopamine neurons. Through these fundamental properties, the activity of dopamine neurons is regulated and underlies the wide-ranging functions that have been attributed to dopamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie C Gantz
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | - Christopher P Ford
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
| | - Hitoshi Morikawa
- Department of Neuroscience and Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - John T Williams
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA;
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Ostroumov A, Dani JA. Convergent Neuronal Plasticity and Metaplasticity Mechanisms of Stress, Nicotine, and Alcohol. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2017; 58:547-566. [PMID: 28977763 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010617-052735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Stress and tobacco smoking are risk factors for alcoholism, but the underlying neural mechanisms are not well understood. Although stress, nicotine, and alcohol have broad, individual effects in the brain, some of their actions converge onto the same mechanisms and circuits. Stress and nicotine augment alcohol-related behaviors, in part via modulation of alcohol-evoked neuronal plasticity and metaplasticity mechanisms. Stress modulates alcohol-evoked plasticity via the release of signaling molecules that influence synaptic transmission. Nicotine also activates some of the same signaling molecules, cells, and circuits, producing a convergence of both stress and nicotine onto common plasticity mechanisms that influence alcohol self-administration. We describe several forms of alcohol-induced plasticity, including classic Hebbian plasticity at glutamatergic synapses, and we highlight less appreciated forms, such as non-Hebbian and GABAergic synaptic plasticity. Risk factors such as stress and nicotine initiate lasting neural changes that modify subsequent alcohol-induced synaptic plasticity and increase the vulnerability to alcohol addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey Ostroumov
- Department of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School for Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA; ,
| | - John A Dani
- Department of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School for Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA; ,
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