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Avegno EM, Gilpin NW. Reciprocal midbrain-extended amygdala circuit activity in preclinical models of alcohol use and misuse. Neuropharmacology 2022; 202:108856. [PMID: 34710467 PMCID: PMC8627447 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol dependence is characterized by a shift in motivation to consume alcohol from positive reinforcement (i.e., increased likelihood of future alcohol drinking based on its rewarding effects) to negative reinforcement (i.e., increased likelihood of future alcohol drinking based on alcohol-induced reductions in negative affective symptoms, including but not limited to those experienced during alcohol withdrawal). The neural adaptations that occur during this transition are not entirely understood. Mesolimbic reinforcement circuitry (i.e., ventral tegmental area [VTA] neurons) is activated during early stages of alcohol use, and may be involved in the recruitment of brain stress circuitry (i.e., extended amygdala) during the transition to alcohol dependence, after chronic periods of high-dose alcohol exposure. Here, we review the literature regarding the role of canonical brain reinforcement (VTA) and brain stress (extended amygdala) systems, and the connections between them, in acute, sub-chronic, and chronic alcohol response. Particular emphasis is placed on preclinical models of alcohol use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Avegno
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA,Department of Alcohol & Drug Center of Excellence, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA,Corresponding author: Correspondence should be addressed to Elizabeth Avegno, 1901 Perdido St, Room 7205, New Orleans, LA 70112,
| | - Nicholas W Gilpin
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA,Department of Alcohol & Drug Center of Excellence, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA,Neuroscience Center of Excellence, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA,Southeast Louisiana VA Healthcare System (SLVHCS), New Orleans, LA
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2
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Kim MS, Fan Y, Lee SM, Chang SC, Kim HK, Ryu Y, Steffensen SC, Yang CH, Kim HY. Role of the central amygdala in acupuncture inhibition of methamphetamine-induced behaviors in rats. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12862. [PMID: 31997525 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) enhances dopamine (DA) transmission in the mesolimbic system implicated in its reinforcing effects. Our previous studies have shown that acupuncture attenuates drug-seeking behaviors by modulating GABAergic transmission in the ventral tegmental area and DA release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of the striatum. The effects of acupuncture on METH-induced behaviors and its mediation by neural pathways remain a relatively understudied area of research. The central amygdala (CeA) plays a critical role in physiological and behavioral responses to somatosensory and drug stimuli and has been implicated in negative reinforcement. Thus, we evaluated the role of the CeA in acupuncture effects on locomotor activity, positive affective states, and DA release in the NAc following acute administration of METH. Acupuncture at acupoint HT7 reduced locomotor activity, 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), and NAc DA release following systemic injection of METH, which was prevented by electrolytic lesions or optogenetic inhibition of the CeA. Acupuncture alone excited CeA neurons and reversed the suppression of CeA neurons induced by METH. These results suggest that acupuncture can relieve psychomotor responses and positive affective states following METH by inhibiting NAc DA release and this effect is mediated by activation of CeA neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Seon Kim
- College of Korean Medicine Daegu Haany University Daegu South Korea
| | - Yu Fan
- College of Korean Medicine Daegu Haany University Daegu South Korea
| | - Soo Min Lee
- College of Korean Medicine Daegu Haany University Daegu South Korea
| | - Su Chan Chang
- College of Korean Medicine Daegu Haany University Daegu South Korea
| | - Hyung Kyu Kim
- College of Korean Medicine Daegu Haany University Daegu South Korea
| | - Yeonhee Ryu
- Clinical Medicine Division Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine Daejeon South Korea
| | | | - Chae Ha Yang
- College of Korean Medicine Daegu Haany University Daegu South Korea
| | - Hee Young Kim
- College of Korean Medicine Daegu Haany University Daegu South Korea
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Long-term Changes in the Central Amygdala Proteome in Rats with a History of Chronic Cocaine Self-administration. Neuroscience 2020; 443:93-109. [PMID: 32540363 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is a striatum-like structure that contains mainly inhibitory circuits controlling a repertoire of (mal)adaptive behaviors related to pain, anxiety, motivation, and addiction. Neural activity in the CeA is also necessary for the expression of persistent and robust drug seeking, also termed 'incubation of drug craving.' However, neuroadaptations within this brain region supporting incubated drug craving have not been characterized. Here, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of protein expression in the CeA of male rats after prolonged (45-day) abstinence from extended-access cocaine self-administration using a quantitative proteomic approach. The proteomic analysis identified 228 unique proteins altered in cocaine rats relative to animals that received saline. Out of the identified proteins, 160 were downregulated, while 68 upregulated. Upregulation of tyrosine hydroxylase and downregulation of neural cell-adhesion protein contactin-1 were validated by immunoblotting. Follow-up analysis by the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis tool revealed alterations in protein networks associated with several neurobehavioral disorders, cellular function and morphology, as well as axogenesis, long-term potentiation, and receptor signaling pathways. This study suggests that chronic cocaine self-administration, followed by a prolonged abstinence results in reorganization of specific protein signaling networks within the CeA that may underlie incubated cocaine craving and identifies potential novel 'druggable' targets for the treatment of cocaine use disorder (CUD).
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Torrisi SA, Leggio GM, Drago F, Salomone S. Therapeutic Challenges of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Focus on the Dopaminergic System. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:404. [PMID: 31057408 PMCID: PMC6478703 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness developed by vulnerable individuals exposed to life-threatening events. The pharmacological unresponsiveness displayed by the vast majority of PTSD patients has raised considerable interest in understanding the poorly known pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this disorder. Most studies in the field focused, so far, on noradrenergic mechanisms, because of their well-established role in either tuning arousal or in encoding emotional memories. However, less attention has been paid to other neural systems. Manipulations of the dopaminergic system alter behavioral responses to stressful situations and recent findings suggest that dopaminergic dysfunction might play an overriding role in the pathophysiology of PTSD. In the present review, dopaminergic mechanisms relevant for the pathogenesis of PTSD, as well as potential dopaminergic-based pharmacotherapies are discussed in the context of addressing the unmet medical need for new and effective drugs for treatment of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gian Marco Leggio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Salomone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Dorsal tegmental dopamine neurons gate associative learning of fear. Nat Neurosci 2018; 21:952-962. [PMID: 29950668 PMCID: PMC6166775 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-018-0174-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Functional neuroanatomy of Pavlovian fear has identified neuronal circuits and synapses associating conditioned stimuli with aversive events. Hebbian plasticity within these networks requires additional reinforcement to store particularly salient experiences into long-term memory. Here, we have identified a circuit reciprocally connecting the ventral periaqueductal grey (vPAG)/dorsal raphe (DR) region and the central amygdala (CE) that gates fear learning. We found that vPAG/DR dopaminergic (vPdRD) neurons encode a positive prediction error in response to unpredicted shocks, and may reshape intra-amygdala connectivity via a dopamine-dependent form of long-term potentiation (LTP). Negative feedback from the CE to vPdRD neurons might limit reinforcement to events that have not been predicted. These findings add a new module to the midbrain DA circuit architecture underlying associative reinforcement learning and identify vPdRD neurons as critical component of Pavlovian fear conditioning. We propose that dysregulation of vPdRD neuronal activity may contribute to fear-related psychiatric disorders.
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Dopamine D2 receptors gate generalization of conditioned threat responses through mTORC1 signaling in the extended amygdala. Mol Psychiatry 2016; 21:1545-1553. [PMID: 26782052 PMCID: PMC5101541 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2015.210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Revised: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Overgeneralization of conditioned threat responses is a robust clinical marker of anxiety disorders. In overgeneralization, responses that are appropriate to threat-predicting cues are evoked by perceptually similar safety-predicting cues. Inappropriate learning of conditioned threat responses may thus form an etiological basis for anxiety disorders. The role of dopamine (DA) in memory encoding is well established. Indeed by signaling salience and valence, DA is thought to facilitate discriminative learning between stimuli representing safety or threat. However, the neuroanatomical and biochemical substrates through which DA modulates overgeneralization of threat responses remain poorly understood. Here we report that the modulation of DA D2 receptor (D2R) signaling bidirectionally regulates the consolidation of fear responses. While the blockade of D2R induces generalized threat responses, its stimulation facilitates discriminative learning between stimuli representing safety or threat. Moreover, we show that controlled threat generalization requires the coordinated activation of D2R in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the central amygdala. Finally, we identify the mTORC1 cascade activation as an important molecular event by which D2R mediates its effects. These data reveal that D2R signaling in the extended amygdala constitutes an important checkpoint through which DA participates in the control of threat processing and the emergence of overgeneralized threat responses.
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Pomrenze MB, Millan EZ, Hopf FW, Keiflin R, Maiya R, Blasio A, Dadgar J, Kharazia V, De Guglielmo G, Crawford E, Janak PH, George O, Rice KC, Messing RO. A Transgenic Rat for Investigating the Anatomy and Function of Corticotrophin Releasing Factor Circuits. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:487. [PMID: 26733798 PMCID: PMC4689854 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) is a 41 amino acid neuropeptide that coordinates adaptive responses to stress. CRF projections from neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) to the brainstem are of particular interest for their role in motivated behavior. To directly examine the anatomy and function of CRF neurons, we generated a BAC transgenic Crh-Cre rat in which bacterial Cre recombinase is expressed from the Crh promoter. Using Cre-dependent reporters, we found that Cre expressing neurons in these rats are immunoreactive for CRF and are clustered in the lateral CeA (CeL) and the oval nucleus of the BNST. We detected major projections from CeA CRF neurons to parabrachial nuclei and the locus coeruleus, dorsal and ventral BNST, and more minor projections to lateral portions of the substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area, and lateral hypothalamus. Optogenetic stimulation of CeA CRF neurons evoked GABA-ergic responses in 11% of non-CRF neurons in the medial CeA (CeM) and 44% of non-CRF neurons in the CeL. Chemogenetic stimulation of CeA CRF neurons induced Fos in a similar proportion of non-CRF CeM neurons but a smaller proportion of non-CRF CeL neurons. The CRF1 receptor antagonist R121919 reduced this Fos induction by two-thirds in these regions. These results indicate that CeL CRF neurons provide both local inhibitory GABA and excitatory CRF signals to other CeA neurons, and demonstrate the value of the Crh-Cre rat as a tool for studying circuit function and physiology of CRF neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew B Pomrenze
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX, USA
| | - E Zayra Millan
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - F Woodward Hopf
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ronald Keiflin
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Rajani Maiya
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX, USA
| | - Angelo Blasio
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX, USA
| | - Jahan Dadgar
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Viktor Kharazia
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Giordano De Guglielmo
- Committee on The Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Elena Crawford
- Committee on The Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Patricia H Janak
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Olivier George
- Committee on The Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Chemical Biology Research Branch, Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Robert O Messing
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA, USA
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Sauer C, Montag C, Reuter M, Kirsch P. Imaging oxytocin × dopamine interactions: an epistasis effect of CD38 and COMT gene variants influences the impact of oxytocin on amygdala activation to social stimuli. Front Neurosci 2013; 7:45. [PMID: 23554586 PMCID: PMC3612689 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2013.00045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2012] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Although oxytocin (OT) has become a major target for the investigation of positive social processes, it can be assumed that it exerts its effects in concert with other neurotransmitters. One candidate for such an interaction is dopamine (DA). For both systems, genetic variants have been identified that influence the availability of the particular substance. A variant of the gene coding for the transmembrane protein CD38 (rs3796863), which is engaged in OT secretion, has been associated with OT plasma level. The common catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) val158met polymorphism is known to influence COMT activity and therefore the degradation of DA. The present study aimed to investigate OT × DA interactions in the context of an OT challenge study. Hence, we tested the influence of the above mentioned genetic variants and their interaction on the activation of different brain regions (amygdala, VTA, ventral striatum and fusiform gyrus) during the presentation of social stimuli. In a pharmacological cross-over design 55 participants were investigated under OT and placebo (PLA) by means of fMRI. Brain imaging results revealed no significant effects for VTA or ventral striatum. Regarding the fusiform gyrus, we could not find any effects apart from those already described in Sauer et al. (2012). Analyses of amygdala activation resulted in no gene main effect, no gene × substance interaction but a significant gene × gene × substance interaction. While under PLA the effect of CD38 on bilateral amygdala activation to social stimuli was modulated by the COMT genotype, no such epistasis effect was found under OT. Our results provide evidence for an OT × DA interaction during responses to social stimuli. We postulate that the effect of central OT secretion on amygdala response is modulated by the availability of DA. Therefore, for an understanding of the effect of social hormones on social behavior, interactions of OT with other transmitter systems have to be taken into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Sauer
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim and Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg Mannheim, Germany
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Silberman Y, Winder DG. Corticotropin releasing factor and catecholamines enhance glutamatergic neurotransmission in the lateral subdivision of the central amygdala. Neuropharmacology 2013; 70:316-23. [PMID: 23470280 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Revised: 02/15/2013] [Accepted: 02/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Glutamatergic neurotransmission in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) plays an important role in many behaviors including anxiety, memory consolidation and cardiovascular responses. While these behaviors can be modulated by corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and catecholamine signaling, the mechanism(s) by which these signals modify CeA glutamatergic neurotransmission remains unclear. Utilizing whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology recordings from neurons in the lateral subdivision of the CeA (CeAL), we show that CRF, dopamine (DA) and the β-adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol (ISO) all enhance the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSC) without altering sEPSC kinetics, suggesting they increase presynaptic glutamate release. The effect of CRF on sEPSCs was mediated by a combination of CRFR1 and CRFR2 receptors. While previous work from our lab suggests that CRFRs mediate the effect of catecholamines on excitatory transmission in other subregions of the extended amygdala, blockade of CRFRs in the CeAL failed to significantly alter effects of DA and ISO on glutamatergic transmission. These findings suggest that catecholamine and CRF enhancement of glutamatergic transmission onto CeAL neurons occurs via distinct mechanisms. While CRF increased spontaneous glutamate release in the CeAL, CRF caused no significant changes to optogenetically evoked glutamate release in this region. The dissociable effects of CRF on different types of glutamatergic neurotransmission suggest that CRF may specifically regulate spontaneous excitatory transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuval Silberman
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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Li YC, Wang MJ, Gao WJ. Hyperdopaminergic modulation of inhibitory transmission is dependent on GSK-3β signaling-mediated trafficking of GABAA receptors. J Neurochem 2012; 122:308-20. [PMID: 22676038 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2012.07790.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cortical dopamine (DA) modulation of the gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) system is closely associated with cognitive function and psychiatric disorders. We recently reported that the glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) pathway is required for hyperdopamine/D2 receptor-mediated inhibition of NMDA receptors in the prefrontal cortex. Here we explore whether or not GSK-3β is also involved in dopaminergic modulation of GABAA receptor-mediated inhibitory transmission. We confirmed that DA induces a dose-dependent, bidirectional regulatory effect on inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in prefrontal neurons. The modulatory effects of DA were differentially affected by co-application of GSK-3β inhibitors and different doses of DA. GSK-3β inhibitors completely blocked high-dose (20 μM) DA-induced depressive effects on IPSCs but exhibited limited effects on the facilitating regulation of IPSC in low-dose DA (200 nM). We also confirmed that surface expressions of GABAA receptor β2/3 subunits were significantly decreased by DA applied in cultured prefrontal neurons and in vivo administration of DA reuptake inhibitor. These effects were blocked by prior administration of GSK-3β inhibitors. We explored DA-mediated regulation of GABAA receptor trafficking and exhibited the participation of brefeldin A-inhibited GDP/GTP exchange factor 2 (BIG2) or dynamin-dependent trafficking of GABAA receptors. Together, these data suggest that DA may act through different signaling pathways to affect synaptic inhibition, depending on the concentration. The GSK-3β signaling pathway is involved in DA-induced decrease in BIG2-dependent insertion and an increase in the dynamin-dependent internalization of GABAA receptors, which results in suppression of inhibitory synaptic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Chun Li
- Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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