1
|
Xu W, Wang M, Yang G, Mo F, Liu Y, Shan J, Jing L, Li M, Liu J, Lv S, Duan Y, Han M, Xu Z, Song Y, Cai X. Neuronal activity in the ventral tegmental area during goal-directed navigation recorded by low-curvature microelectrode arrays. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2024; 10:145. [PMID: 39396959 PMCID: PMC11471829 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-024-00778-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 10/15/2024]
Abstract
Navigating toward destinations with rewards is a common behavior among animals. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) has been shown to be responsible for reward coding and reward cue learning, and its response to other variables, such as kinematics, has also been increasingly studied. These findings suggest a potential relationship between animal navigation behavior and VTA activity. However, the deep location and small volume of the VTA pose significant challenges to the precision of electrode implantation, increasing the uncertainty of measurement results during animal navigation and thus limiting research on the role of the VTA in goal-directed navigation. To address this gap, we innovatively designed and fabricated low-curvature microelectrode arrays (MEAs) via a novel backside dry etching technique to release residual stress. Histological verification confirmed that low-curvature MEAs indeed improved electrode implantation precision. These low-curvature MEAs were subsequently implanted into the VTA of the rats to observe their electrophysiological activity in a freely chosen modified T-maze. The results of the behavioral experiments revealed that the rats could quickly learn the reward probability corresponding to the left and right paths and that VTA neurons were deeply involved in goal-directed navigation. Compared with those in no-reward trials, VTA neurons in reward trials presented a significantly greater firing rate and larger local field potential (LFP) amplitude during the reward-consuming period. Notably, we discovered place fields mapped by VTA neurons, which disappeared or were reconstructed with changes in the path-outcome relationship. These results provide new insights into the VTA and its role in goal-directed navigation. Our designed and fabricated low-curvature microelectrode arrays can serve as a new device for precise deep brain implantation in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Mixia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Gucheng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Fan Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yaoyao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jin Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Luyi Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Juntao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shiya Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yiming Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Meiqi Han
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhaojie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Yilin Song
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Xinxia Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
McGovern DJ, Phillips A, Ly A, Prévost ED, Ward L, Siletti K, Kim YS, Fenno LE, Ramakrishnan C, Deisseroth K, Ford CP, Root DH. Salience signaling and stimulus scaling of ventral tegmental area glutamate neuron subtypes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.12.598688. [PMID: 38915564 PMCID: PMC11195246 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.12.598688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Ventral tegmental area (VTA) glutamatergic neurons participate in reward, aversion, drug-seeking, and stress. Subsets of VTA VGluT2+ neurons are capable of co-transmitting glutamate and GABA (VGluT2+VGaT+ neurons), transmitting glutamate without GABA (VGluT2+VGaT- neurons), or co-transmitting glutamate and dopamine (VGluT2+TH+ neurons), but whether these molecularly distinct subpopulations show behavior-related differences is not wholly understood. We identified that neuronal activity of each VGluT2+ subpopulation is sensitive to reward value but signaled this in different ways. The phasic maximum activity of VGluT2+VGaT+ neurons increased with sucrose concentration, whereas VGluT2+VGaT- neurons increased maximum and sustained activity with sucrose concentration, and VGluT2+TH+ neurons increased sustained but not maximum activity with sucrose concentration. Additionally, VGluT2+ subpopulations signaled consummatory preferences in different ways. VGluT2+VGaT- neurons and VGluT2+TH+ neurons showed a signaling preference for a behaviorally-preferred fat reward over sucrose, but in temporally-distinct ways. In contrast, VGluT2+VGaT+ neurons uniquely signaled a less behaviorally-preferred sucrose reward compared with fat. Further experiments suggested that VGluT2+VGaT+ consummatory reward-related activity was related to sweetness, partially modulated by hunger state, and not dependent on caloric content or behavioral preference. All VGluT2+ subtypes increased neuronal activity following aversive stimuli but VGluT2+VGaT+ neurons uniquely scaled their magnitude and sustained activity with footshock intensity. Optogenetic activation of VGluT2+VGaT+ neurons during low intensity footshock enhanced fear-related behavior without inducing place preference or aversion. We interpret these data such that VTA glutamatergic subpopulations signal different elements of rewarding and aversive experiences and highlight the unique role of VTA VGluT2+VGaT+ neurons in enhancing the salience of behavioral experiences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dillon J. McGovern
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO 80301
| | - Alysabeth Phillips
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO 80301
| | - Annie Ly
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO 80301
| | - Emily D. Prévost
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO 80301
| | - Lucy Ward
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO 80301
| | - Kayla Siletti
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO 80301
| | - Yoon Seok Kim
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lief E. Fenno
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Current address: Department of Neuroscience, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin 78712
| | - Charu Ramakrishnan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Karl Deisseroth
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Christopher P. Ford
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045
| | - David H. Root
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO 80301
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Oriol L, Chao M, Kollman GJ, Dowlat DS, Singhal SM, Steinkellner T, Hnasko TS. Ventral tegmental area interneurons revisited: GABA and glutamate projection neurons make local synapses. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.07.597996. [PMID: 38895464 PMCID: PMC11185768 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.07.597996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) contains projection neurons that release the neurotransmitters dopamine, GABA, and/or glutamate from distal synapses. VTA also contains GABA neurons that synapse locally on to VTA dopamine neurons, synapses widely credited to a population of so-called VTA interneurons. Interneurons in cortex, striatum, and elsewhere have well-defined morphological features, physiological properties, and molecular markers, but such features have not been clearly described in VTA. Indeed, there is scant evidence that local and distal synapses originate from separate populations of VTA GABA neurons. In this study we tested whether several markers expressed in non-dopamine VTA neurons are selective markers of interneurons, defined as neurons that synapse locally but not distally. Challenging previous assumptions, we found that VTA neurons genetically defined by expression of parvalbumin, somatostatin, neurotensin, or mu-opioid receptor project to known VTA targets including nucleus accumbens, ventral pallidum, lateral habenula, and prefrontal cortex. Moreover, we provide evidence that VTA GABA and glutamate projection neurons make functional inhibitory or excitatory synapses locally within VTA. These findings suggest that local collaterals of VTA projection neurons could mediate functions prior attributed to VTA interneurons. This study underscores the need for a refined understanding of VTA connectivity to explain how heterogeneous VTA circuits mediate diverse functions related to reward, motivation, or addiction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Oriol
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States
| | - Melody Chao
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States
| | - Grace J Kollman
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States
| | - Dina S Dowlat
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States
| | - Sarthak M Singhal
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States
| | - Thomas Steinkellner
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas S Hnasko
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States
- Research Service VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
McGovern DJ, Ly A, Ecton KL, Huynh DT, Prévost ED, Gonzalez SC, McNulty CJ, Rau AR, Hentges ST, Daigle TL, Tasic B, Baratta MV, Root DH. Ventral tegmental area glutamate neurons mediate nonassociative consequences of stress. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:1671-1682. [PMID: 36437312 PMCID: PMC10375863 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01858-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to trauma is a risk factor for the development of a number of mood disorders, and may enhance vulnerability to future adverse life events. Recent data demonstrate that ventral tegmental area (VTA) neurons expressing the vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGluT2) signal and causally contribute to behaviors that involve aversive or threatening stimuli. However, it is unknown whether VTA VGluT2 neurons regulate transsituational outcomes of stress and whether these neurons are sensitive to stressor controllability. This work adapted an operant mouse paradigm to examine the impact of stressor controllability on VTA VGluT2 neuron function as well as the role of VTA VGluT2 neurons in mediating transsituational stressor outcomes. Uncontrollable (inescapable) stress, but not physically identical controllable (escapable) stress, produced social avoidance and exaggerated fear in male mice. Uncontrollable stress in females led to exploratory avoidance of a novel brightly lit environment. Both controllable and uncontrollable stressors increased VTA VGluT2 neuronal activity, and chemogenetic silencing of VTA VGluT2 neurons prevented the behavioral sequelae of uncontrollable stress in male and female mice. Further, we show that stress activates multiple genetically-distinct subtypes of VTA VGluT2 neurons, especially those that are VGluT2+VGaT+, as well as lateral habenula neurons receiving synaptic input from VTA VGluT2 neurons. Our results provide causal evidence that mice can be used for identifying stressor controllability circuitry and that VTA VGluT2 neurons contribute to transsituational stressor outcomes, such as social avoidance, exaggerated fear, or anxiety-like behavior that are observed within trauma-related disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dillon J McGovern
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, 80301, CO, US
| | - Annie Ly
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, 80301, CO, US
| | - Koy L Ecton
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, 80301, CO, US
| | - David T Huynh
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, 80301, CO, US
| | - Emily D Prévost
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, 80301, CO, US
| | - Shamira C Gonzalez
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, 80301, CO, US
| | - Connor J McNulty
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, 80301, CO, US
| | - Andrew R Rau
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 1617 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, 80523, CO, US
- Center for Structural and Functional Neuroscience, Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, 59812, MT, US
| | - Shane T Hentges
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 1617 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, 80523, CO, US
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, Washington State University, Pullman, 99164, WA, US
| | - Tanya L Daigle
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, 615 Westlake. Avenue North, Seattle, 98109, WA, US
| | - Bosiljka Tasic
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, 615 Westlake. Avenue North, Seattle, 98109, WA, US
| | - Michael V Baratta
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, 80301, CO, US.
| | - David H Root
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, 80301, CO, US.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mocellin P, Barnstedt O, Luxem K, Kaneko H, Vieweg S, Henschke JU, Dalügge D, Fuhrmann F, Karpova A, Pakan JMP, Kreutz MR, Mikulovic S, Remy S. A septal-ventral tegmental area circuit drives exploratory behavior. Neuron 2024; 112:1020-1032.e7. [PMID: 38266645 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.12.016] [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: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
To survive, animals need to balance their exploratory drive with their need for safety. Subcortical circuits play an important role in initiating and modulating movement based on external demands and the internal state of the animal; however, how motivation and onset of locomotion are regulated remain largely unresolved. Here, we show that a glutamatergic pathway from the medial septum and diagonal band of Broca (MSDB) to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) controls exploratory locomotor behavior in mice. Using a self-supervised machine learning approach, we found an overrepresentation of exploratory actions, such as sniffing, whisking, and rearing, when this projection is optogenetically activated. Mechanistically, this role relies on glutamatergic MSDB projections that monosynaptically target a subset of both glutamatergic and dopaminergic VTA neurons. Taken together, we identified a glutamatergic basal forebrain to midbrain circuit that initiates locomotor activity and contributes to the expression of exploration-associated behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Petra Mocellin
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany; International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior (IMPRS), Bonn 53175, Germany.
| | - Oliver Barnstedt
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany
| | - Kevin Luxem
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany
| | - Hiroshi Kaneko
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany
| | - Silvia Vieweg
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany
| | - Julia U Henschke
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany
| | - Dennis Dalügge
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany; International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior (IMPRS), Bonn 53175, Germany
| | - Falko Fuhrmann
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany
| | - Anna Karpova
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg 39106, Germany
| | - Janelle M P Pakan
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg 39120, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg 39106, Germany
| | - Michael R Kreutz
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg 39120, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg 39106, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Magdeburg 39106, Germany
| | - Sanja Mikulovic
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg 39106, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Magdeburg 39106, Germany
| | - Stefan Remy
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg 39120, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg 39106, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Magdeburg 39106, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lu X, Xue J, Lai Y, Tang X. Heterogeneity of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons: From molecular classifications, electrophysiological properties to functional connectivity. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23465. [PMID: 38315491 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202302031r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The mesencephalic dopamine (DA) system is composed of neuronal subtypes that are molecularly and functionally distinct, are responsible for specific behaviors, and are closely associated with numerous brain disorders. Existing research has made significant advances in identifying the heterogeneity of mesencephalic DA neurons, which is necessary for understanding their diverse physiological functions and disease susceptibility. Moreover, there is a conflict regarding the electrophysiological properties of the distinct subsets of midbrain DA neurons. This review aimed to elucidate recent developments in the heterogeneity of midbrain DA neurons, including subpopulation categorization, electrophysiological characteristics, and functional connectivity to provide new strategies for accurately identifying distinct subtypes of midbrain DA neurons and investigating the underlying mechanisms of these neurons in various diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaying Lu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Jinhua Xue
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Yudong Lai
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Xiaolu Tang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Fang LZ, Creed MC. Updating the striatal-pallidal wiring diagram. Nat Neurosci 2024; 27:15-27. [PMID: 38057614 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01518-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The striatal and pallidal complexes are basal ganglia structures that orchestrate learning and execution of flexible behavior. Models of how the basal ganglia subserve these functions have evolved considerably, and the advent of optogenetic and molecular tools has shed light on the heterogeneity of subcircuits within these pathways. However, a synthesis of how molecularly diverse neurons integrate into existing models of basal ganglia function is lacking. Here, we provide an overview of the neurochemical and molecular diversity of striatal and pallidal neurons and synthesize recent circuit connectivity studies in rodents that takes this diversity into account. We also highlight anatomical organizational principles that distinguish the dorsal and ventral basal ganglia pathways in rodents. Future work integrating the molecular and anatomical properties of striatal and pallidal subpopulations may resolve controversies regarding basal ganglia network function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Z Fang
- Washington University Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Meaghan C Creed
- Washington University Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Havranek T, Bacova Z, Bakos J. Oxytocin, GABA, and dopamine interplay in autism. Endocr Regul 2024; 58:105-114. [PMID: 38656256 DOI: 10.2478/enr-2024-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin plays an important role in brain development and is associated with various neurotransmitter systems in the brain. Abnormalities in the production, secretion, and distribution of oxytocin in the brain, at least during some stages of the development, are critical for the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric diseases, particularly in the autism spectrum disorder. The etiology of autism includes changes in local sensory and dopaminergic areas of the brain, which are also supplied by the hypothalamic sources of oxytocin. It is very important to understand their mutual relationship. In this review, the relationship of oxytocin with several components of the dopaminergic system, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibitory neurotransmission and their alterations in the autism spectrum disorder is discussed. Special attention has been paid to the results describing a reduced expression of inhibitory GABAergic markers in the brain in the context of dopaminergic areas in various models of autism. It is presumed that the altered GABAergic neurotransmission, due to the absence or dysfunction of oxytocin at certain developmental stages, disinhibits the dopaminergic signaling and contributes to the autism symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Havranek
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Bacova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jan Bakos
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
McGovern DJ, Polter AM, Prévost ED, Ly A, McNulty CJ, Rubinstein B, Root DH. Ventral tegmental area glutamate neurons establish a mu-opioid receptor gated circuit to mesolimbic dopamine neurons and regulate opioid-seeking behavior. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1889-1900. [PMID: 37407648 PMCID: PMC10584944 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01637-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
A two-neuron model of ventral tegmental area (VTA) opioid function classically involves VTA GABA neuron regulation of VTA dopamine neurons via a mu-opioid receptor dependent inhibitory circuit. However, this model predates the discovery of a third major type of neuron in the VTA: glutamatergic neurons. We found that about one-quarter of VTA neurons expressing the mu-opioid receptor are glutamate neurons without molecular markers of GABA co-release. Glutamate-Mu opioid receptor neurons are largely distributed in the anterior VTA. The majority of remaining VTA mu-opioid receptor neurons are GABAergic neurons that are mostly within the posterior VTA and do not express molecular markers of glutamate co-release. Optogenetic stimulation of VTA glutamate neurons resulted in excitatory currents recorded from VTA dopamine neurons that were reduced by presynaptic activation of the mu-opioid receptor ex vivo, establishing a local mu-opioid receptor dependent excitatory circuit from VTA glutamate neurons to VTA dopamine neurons. This VTA glutamate to VTA dopamine pathway regulated dopamine release to the nucleus accumbens through mu-opioid receptor activity in vivo. Behaviorally, VTA glutamate calcium-related neuronal activity increased following oral oxycodone consumption during self-administration and response-contingent oxycodone-associated cues during abstinent reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior. Further, chemogenetic inhibition of VTA glutamate neurons reduced abstinent oral oxycodone-seeking behavior in male but not female mice. These results establish 1) a three-neuron model of VTA opioid function involving a mu-opioid receptor gated VTA glutamate neuron pathway to VTA dopamine neurons that controls dopamine release within the nucleus accumbens, and 2) that VTA glutamate neurons participate in opioid-seeking behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dillon J McGovern
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
| | - Abigail M Polter
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Emily D Prévost
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
| | - Annie Ly
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
| | - Connor J McNulty
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
| | - Bodhi Rubinstein
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
| | - David H Root
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Elhadi K, Daiwile AP, Cadet JL. Modeling methamphetamine use disorder and relapse in animals: short- and long-term epigenetic, transcriptional., and biochemical consequences in the rat brain. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 155:105440. [PMID: 38707245 PMCID: PMC11068368 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by binge drug taking episodes, intervals of abstinence, and relapses to drug use even during treatment. MUD has been modeled in rodents and investigators are attempting to identify its molecular bases. Preclinical experiments have shown that different schedules of methamphetamine self-administration can cause diverse transcriptional changes in the dorsal striatum of Sprague-Dawley rats. In the present review, we present data on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified in the rat striatum following methamphetamine intake. These include genes involved in transcription regulation, potassium channel function, and neuroinflammation. We then use the striatal data to discuss the potential significance of the molecular changes induced by methamphetamine by reviewing concordant or discordant data from the literature. This review identified potential molecular targets for pharmacological interventions. Nevertheless, there is a need for more research on methamphetamine-induced transcriptional consequences in various brain regions. These data should provide a more detailed neuroanatomical map of methamphetamine-induced changes and should better inform therapeutic interventions against MUD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Elhadi
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, 21224
| | - Atul P. Daiwile
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, 21224
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, 21224
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Barcomb K, Ford CP. Alterations in neurotransmitter co-release in Parkinson's disease. Exp Neurol 2023; 370:114562. [PMID: 37802381 PMCID: PMC10842357 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2023.114562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder characterized by degeneration of midbrain dopamine neurons, which results in numerous adaptations in basal ganglia circuits. Research over the past twenty-five years has identified that midbrain dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) co-release multiple other transmitters including glutamate and GABA, in addition to their canonical transmitter, dopamine. This review summarizes previous work characterizing neurotransmitter co-release from dopamine neurons, work examining potential changes in co-release dynamics that result in animal models of Parkinson's disease, and future opportunities for determining how dysfunction in co-release may contribute to circuit dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey Barcomb
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| | - Christopher P Ford
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Stetsenko A, Koos T. Neuronal implementation of the temporal difference learning algorithm in the midbrain dopaminergic system. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2309015120. [PMID: 37903252 PMCID: PMC10636325 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2309015120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The temporal difference learning (TDL) algorithm has been essential to conceptualizing the role of dopamine in reinforcement learning (RL). Despite its theoretical importance, it remains unknown whether a neuronal implementation of this algorithm exists in the brain. Here, we provide an interpretation of the recently described signaling properties of ventral tegmental area (VTA) GABAergic neurons and show that a circuitry of these neurons implements the TDL algorithm. Specifically, we identified the neuronal mechanism of three key components of the TDL model: a sustained state value signal encoded by an afferent input to the VTA, a temporal differentiation circuit formed by two types of VTA GABAergic neurons the combined output of which computes momentary reward prediction (RP) as the derivative of the state value, and the computation of reward prediction errors (RPEs) in dopamine neurons utilizing the output of the differentiation circuit. Using computational methods, we also show that this mechanism is optimally adapted to the biophysics of RPE signaling in dopamine neurons, mechanistically links the emergence of conditioned reinforcement to RP, and can naturally account for the temporal discounting of reinforcement. Elucidating the implementation of the TDL algorithm may further the investigation of RL in biological and artificial systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anya Stetsenko
- Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ07102
| | - Tibor Koos
- Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ07102
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Nagaeva E, Schäfer A, Linden AM, Elsilä LV, Egorova K, Umemori J, Ryazantseva M, Korpi ER. Somatostatin-Expressing Neurons in the Ventral Tegmental Area Innervate Specific Forebrain Regions and Are Involved in Stress Response. eNeuro 2023; 10:ENEURO.0149-23.2023. [PMID: 37553240 PMCID: PMC10464661 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0149-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Expanding knowledge about the cellular composition of subcortical brain regions demonstrates large heterogeneity and differences from the cortical architecture. Previously we described three subtypes of somatostatin-expressing (Sst) neurons in the mouse ventral tegmental area (VTA) and showed their local inhibitory action on the neighboring dopaminergic neurons (Nagaeva et al., 2020). Here, we report that Sst+ neurons especially from the anterolateral part of the mouse VTA also project far outside the VTA and innervate forebrain regions that are mainly involved in the regulation of emotional behavior, including the ventral pallidum, lateral hypothalamus, the medial part of the central amygdala, anterolateral division of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis, and paraventricular thalamic nucleus. Deletion of these VTASst neurons in mice affected several behaviors, such as home cage activity, sensitization of locomotor activity to morphine, fear conditioning responses, and reactions to the inescapable stress of forced swimming, often in a sex-dependent manner. Together, these data demonstrate that VTASst neurons have selective projection targets distinct from the main targets of VTA dopamine neurons. VTASst neurons are involved in the regulation of behaviors primarily associated with the stress response, making them a relevant addition to the efferent VTA pathways and stress-related neuronal network.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elina Nagaeva
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Annika Schäfer
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anni-Maija Linden
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauri V. Elsilä
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ksenia Egorova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juzoh Umemori
- Gene and Cell Technology, A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Science, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Maria Ryazantseva
- HiLIFE Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Esa R. Korpi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Nikbakhtzadeh M, Ashabi G, Saadatyar R, Doostmohammadi J, Nekoonam S, Keshavarz M, Riahi E. Restoring the firing activity of ventral tegmental area neurons by lateral hypothalamic deep brain stimulation following morphine administration in rats: LH DBS and the spiking activity of VTA neurons. Physiol Behav 2023; 267:114209. [PMID: 37105347 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114209] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
We have previously shown that high-frequency deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) compromises morphine-induced addiction-like behavior in rats. The exact mechanism underlying this effect is not known. Here, we investigated the assumption that DBS in the LH influences the firing activity of neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). To that end, male Wistar rats received morphine (5 mg/kg; s.c.) for three days and underwent extracellular single unit recording under general anesthesia one day later. During the recording, the rats received an intraoperative injection of morphine (5 mg/kg; s.c.) plus DBS in the LH (130 Hz pulse frequency, 150 μA amplitude, and 100 μs pulse width). One group of animals also received preoperative DBS after each morphine injection before the recording. The spiking frequency of VTA neurons was measured at three successive phases: (1) baseline (5-15 min); (2) DBS-on (morphine + DBS for 30 min); and (3) After-DBS (over 30 min after termination of DBS). Results showed that morphine suppressed the firing activity of a large population of non-DA neurons, whereas it activated most DA neurons. Intraoperative DBS reversed morphine suppression of non-DA firing, but did not alter the excitatory effect of morphine on DA neurons firing. With repeated preoperative application of DBS, non-DA neurons returned to the morphine-induced suppressive state, but DA neurons released from the excitatory effect of morphine. It is concluded that the development of morphine reward is associated with a hypoactivity of VTA non-DA neurons and a hyperactivity of DA neurons, and that DBS modulation of the spiking activity may contribute to the blockade of morphine addiction-like behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marjan Nikbakhtzadeh
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghorbangol Ashabi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Saadatyar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Electrical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jafar Doostmohammadi
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saied Nekoonam
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mansoor Keshavarz
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Esmail Riahi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
The midbrain dopamine (mDA) system is composed of molecularly and functionally distinct neuron subtypes that mediate specific behaviours and are linked to various brain diseases. Considerable progress has been made in identifying mDA neuron subtypes, and recent work has begun to unveil how these neuronal subtypes develop and organize into functional brain structures. This progress is important for further understanding the disparate physiological functions of mDA neurons and their selective vulnerability in disease, and will ultimately accelerate therapy development. This Review discusses recent advances in our understanding of molecularly defined mDA neuron subtypes and their circuits, ranging from early developmental events, such as neuron migration and axon guidance, to their wiring and function, and future implications for therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
|
16
|
The antidepressant effect of nucleus accumbens deep brain stimulation is mediated by parvalbumin-positive interneurons in the dorsal dentate gyrus. Neurobiol Stress 2022; 21:100492. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2022.100492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
|
17
|
Kim MJ, Kaang BK. Distinct cell populations of ventral tegmental area process motivated behavior. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY 2022; 26:307-312. [PMID: 36039731 PMCID: PMC9437368 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2022.26.5.307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Min Jung Kim
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Bong-Kiun Kaang
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Cai J, Tong Q. Anatomy and Function of Ventral Tegmental Area Glutamate Neurons. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:867053. [PMID: 35669454 PMCID: PMC9164627 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.867053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is well known for regulating reward consumption, learning, memory, and addiction behaviors through mediating dopamine (DA) release in downstream regions. Other than DA neurons, the VTA is known to be heterogeneous and contains other types of neurons, including glutamate neurons. In contrast to the well-studied and established functions of DA neurons, the role of VTA glutamate neurons is understudied, presumably due to their relatively small quantity and a lack of effective means to study them. Yet, emerging studies have begun to reveal the importance of glutamate release from VTA neurons in regulating diverse behavioral repertoire through a complex intra-VTA and long-range neuronal network. In this review, we summarize the features of VTA glutamate neurons from three perspectives, namely, cellular properties, neural connections, and behavioral functions. Delineation of VTA glutamatergic pathways and their interactions with VTA DA neurons in regulating behaviors may reveal previously unappreciated functions of the VTA in other physiological processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Cai
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, UTHealth McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, United States
- Neuroscience Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Qingchun Tong
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, UTHealth McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, United States
- Neuroscience Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Kang SW. Central Nervous System Associated With Light Perception and Physiological Responses of Birds. Front Physiol 2021; 12:723454. [PMID: 34744764 PMCID: PMC8566752 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.723454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental light that animal receives (i.e., photoperiod and light intensity) has recently been shown that it affects avian central nervous system for the physiological responses to the environment by up or downregulation of dopamine and serotonin activities, and this, in turn, affects the reproductive function and stress-related behavior of birds. In this study, the author speculated on the intriguing possibility that one of the proposed avian deep-brain photoreceptors (DBPs), i.e., melanopsin (Opn4), may play roles in the dual sensory-neurosecretory cells in the hypothalamus, midbrain, and brain stem for the behavior and physiological responses of birds by light. Specifically, the author has shown that the direct light perception of premammillary nucleus dopamine-melatonin (PMM DA-Mel) neurons is associated with the reproductive activation in birds. Although further research is required to establish the functional role of Opn4 in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), dorsal raphe nucleus, and caudal raphe nucleus in the light perception and physiological responses of birds, it is an exciting prospect because the previous results in birds support this hypothesis that Opn4 in the midbrain DA and serotonin neurons may play significant roles on the light-induced welfare of birds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seong W. Kang
- Department of Poultry Science, Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Ducrot C, Trudeau LÉ. The challenging diversity of neurons in the ventral tegmental area: A commentary of Miranda-Barrientos, J. et al., Eur J Neurosci 2021. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 54:4085-4087. [PMID: 33942393 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Charles Ducrot
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, CNS Research Group (GRSNC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Louis-Éric Trudeau
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, CNS Research Group (GRSNC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|