Frontal cortical afferents facilitate striatal nitric oxide transmission in vivo via a NMDA receptor and neuronal NOS-dependent mechanism

Duration of Social Isolation Affects Production of Nitric Oxide in the Rat Brain

Social isolation deprives rodents of social interactions that are critical for normal development of brain and behavior. Several studies have indicated that postweaning isolation rearing may affect nitric oxide (NO) production. The aim of this study was to compare selected behavioral and biochemical changes related to NO production in the brain of rats reared in social isolation for different duration. At the age of 21 days, male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups reared in isolation or socially for 10 or 29 weeks. At the end of the rearing, open-field and prepulse inhibition (PPI) tests were carried out. Furthermore, in several brain areas we assessed NO synthase (NOS) activity, protein expression of nNOS and iNOS isoforms and the concentration of conjugated dienes (CD), a marker of oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation. Social isolation for 10 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in PPI, which was accompanied by a decrease in NOS activity in the cerebral cortex and the cerebellum, an increase in iNOS in the hippocampus and an increase in CD concentration in cortex homogenate. On the other hand, a 29 week isolation had an opposite effect on NOS activity, which increased in the cerebral cortex and the cerebellum in animals reared in social isolation, accompanied by a decrease in CD concentration. The decrease in NOS activity after 10 weeks of isolation might have been caused by chronic stress induced by social isolation, which has been documented in previous studies. The increased oxidative state might result in the depleted NO bioavailability, as NO reacts with superoxide radical creating peroxynitrite. After 29 weeks of isolation, this loss of NO might be compensated by the subsequent increase in NOS activity.

Progression of basal ganglia pathology in heterozygous Q175 knock-in Huntington's disease mice

We used behavioral testing and morphological methods to detail the progression of basal ganglia neuron type-specific pathology and the deficits stemming from them in male heterozygous Q175 mice, compared to age-matched WT males. A rotarod deficit was not present in Q175 mice until 18 months, but increased open field turn rate (reflecting hyperkinesia) and open field anxiety were evident at 6 months. No loss of striatal neurons was seen out to 18 months, but ENK+ and DARPP32+ striatal perikarya were fewer by 6 months, due to diminished expression, with further decline by 18 months. No reduction in SP+ striatal perikarya or striatal interneurons was seen in Q175 mice at 18 months, but cholinergic interneurons showed dendrite attenuation by 6 months. Despite reduced ENK expression in indirect pathway striatal perikarya, ENK-immunostained terminals in globus pallidus externus (GPe) were more abundant at 6 months and remained so out to 18 months. Similarly, SP-immunostained terminals from striatal direct pathway neurons were more abundant in globus pallidus internus and substantia nigra at 6 months and remained so at 18 months. FoxP2+ arkypallidal GPe neurons and subthalamic nucleus neurons were lost by 18 months but not prototypical PARV+ GPe neurons or dopaminergic nigral neurons. Our results show that striatal projection neuron abnormalities and behavioral abnormalities reflecting them develop between 2 and 6 months of age in Q175 male heterozygotes, indicating early effects of the HD mutation. The striatal pathologies resemble those in human HD, but are less severe at 18 months than even in premanifest HD.

Amperometric measurements of cocaine cue and novel context-evoked glutamate and nitric oxide release in the nucleus accumbens core

Cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking after self-administration (SA) and extinction relies on glutamate release in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcore), which activates neuronal nitric oxide synthase interneurons. Nitric oxide (NO) is required for structural plasticity in NAcore medium spiny neurons, as well as cued cocaine seeking. However, NO release in the NAcore during reinstatement has yet to be directly measured. Furthermore, the temporal relationship between glutamate release and the induction of an NO response also remains unknown. Using wireless amperometric recordings in awake behaving rats, we quantified the magnitude and temporal dynamics of novel context- and cue-induced reinstatement-evoked glutamate and NO release in the NAcore. We found that re-exposure to cocaine-conditioned stimuli following SA and extinction increased extracellular glutamate, leading to release of NO in the NAcore. In contrast, exposing drug-naïve rats to a novel context led to a lower magnitude rise in glutamate in the NAcore relative to cue-induced reinstatement. Interestingly, novel context exposure evoked a higher magnitude NO response relative to cue-induced reinstatement. Despite differences in magnitude, novel context evoked-NO release in the NAcore was also temporally delayed when compared to glutamate. These results demonstrate a dissociation between the magnitude of cocaine cue- and novel context-evoked glutamate and NO release in the NAcore, yet similarity in the temporal dynamics of their release. Together, these data contribute to a greater understanding of the relationship between glutamate and NO, two neurotransmitters implicated in encoding the valence of distinct contextual stimuli.

Age- and sex-related changes in cortical and striatal nitric oxide synthase in the Q175 mouse model of Huntington's disease

In Huntington's disease (HD), corticostriatal and striatopallidal projection neurons preferentially degenerate as a result of mutant huntingtin expression. Pathological deficits in nitric oxide (NO) signaling have also been reported in corticostriatal circuits in HD, however, the impact of age and sex on nitrergic transmission is not well characterized. Thus, we utilized NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry and qPCR assays to assess neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) activity/expression in aged male and female Q175 heterozygous mice. Compared to age-matched controls, male Q175 mice exhibited reductions in NADPH-d staining in the motor cortex at 21, but not, 16 months of age. Comparisons across genotypes showed that striatal NADPH-d staining was significantly decreased at both 16 and 21 months of age. Comparisons within sexes in 21 month old mice revealed a decrease in striatal NADPH-d staining in males, but no changes were detected in females. Significant correlations between cortical and striatal NADPH-d staining deficits were also observed in males and females at both ages. To directly assess the role of constitutively active NOS isoforms in these changes, nNOS and endothelial NOS (eNOS) mRNA expression levels were examined in R6/2 (3 month old) and Q175 (11.5 month old) mice using qPCR assays. nNOS transcript expression was decreased in the cortex (40%) and striatum (54%) in R6/2 mice. nNOS mRNA down-regulation in striatum of Q175 animals was more modest (19%), and no changes were detected in cortex. eNOS expression was not changed in the cortex or striatum of Q175 mice. The current findings point to age-dependent deficits in nNOS activity in the HD cortex and striatum which appear first in the striatum and are more pronounced in males. Together, these observations and previous studies indicate that decreases in nitrergic transmission progress with age and are likely to contribute to corticostriatal circuit pathophysiology particularly in male patients with HD.

Pathologic role of nitrergic neurotransmission in mood disorders

Mood disorders are chronic, recurrent mental diseases that affect millions of individuals worldwide. Although over the past 40 years the biogenic amine models have provided meaningful links with the clinical phenomena of, and the pharmacological treatments currently employed in, mood disorders, there is still a need to examine the contribution of other systems to the neurobiology and treatment of mood disorders. This article reviews the current literature describing the potential role of nitric oxide (NO) signaling in the pathophysiology and thereby the treatment of mood disorders. The hypothesis has arisen from several observations including (i) altered NO levels in patients with mood disorders; (ii) antidepressant effects of NO signaling blockers in both clinical and pre-clinical studies; (iii) interaction between conventional antidepressants/mood stabilizers and NO signaling modulators in several biochemical and behavioral studies; (iv) biochemical and physiological evidence of interaction between monoaminergic (serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine) system and NO signaling; (v) interaction between neurotrophic factors and NO signaling in mood regulation and neuroprotection; and finally (vi) a crucial role for NO signaling in the inflammatory processes involved in pathophysiology of mood disorders. These accumulating lines of evidence have provided a new insight into novel approaches for the treatment of mood disorders.

Disrupted striatal neuron inputs and outputs in Huntington's disease

Huntington's disease (HD) is a hereditary progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the gene coding for the protein huntingtin, resulting in a pathogenic expansion of the polyglutamine tract in the N-terminus of this protein. The HD pathology resulting from the mutation is most prominent in the striatal part of the basal ganglia, and progressive differential dysfunction and loss of striatal projection neurons and interneurons account for the progression of motor deficits seen in this disease. The present review summarizes current understanding regarding the progression in striatal neuron dysfunction and loss, based on studies both in human HD victims and in genetic mouse models of HD. We review evidence on early loss of inputs to striatum from cortex and thalamus, which may be the basis of the mild premanifest bradykinesia in HD, as well as on the subsequent loss of indirect pathway striatal projection neurons and their outputs to the external pallidal segment, which appears to be the basis of the chorea seen in early symptomatic HD. Later loss of direct pathway striatal projection neurons and their output to the internal pallidal segment account for the severe akinesia seen late in HD. Loss of parvalbuminergic striatal interneurons may contribute to the late dystonia and rigidity.

Regulation of Striatal Neuron Activity by Cyclic Nucleotide Signaling and Phosphodiesterase Inhibition: Implications for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis and inactivation of cyclic nucleotides (cAMP/cGMP) in the brain. Several classes of PDE enzymes with distinct tissue distributions, cyclic nucleotide selectivity, and regulatory factors are highly expressed in brain regions subserving cognitive and motor processes known to be disrupted in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Furthermore, small-molecule inhibitors of several different PDE family members alter cyclic nucleotide levels and favorably enhance motor performance and cognition in animal disease models. This chapter will explore the roles and therapeutic potential of non-selective and selective PDE inhibitors on neural processing in fronto-striatal circuits in normal animals and models of DOPA-induced dyskinesias (LIDs) associated with PD. The impact of selective PDE inhibitors and augmentation of cAMP and cGMP signaling on the membrane excitability of striatal medium-sized spiny projection neurons (MSNs) will be discussed. The effects of cyclic nucleotide signaling and PDE inhibitors on synaptic plasticity of striatonigral and striatopallidal MSNs will be also be reviewed. New data on the efficacy of PDE10A inhibitors for reversing behavioral and electrophysiological correlates of L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias in a rat model of PD will also be presented. Together, these data will highlight the potential of novel PDE inhibitors for treatment of movement disorders such as PD which are associated with abnormal corticostriatal transmission.

Learning new sequential stepping patterns requires striatal plasticity during the earliest phase of acquisition

Animals including humans execute motor behavior to reach their goals. For this purpose, they must choose correct strategies according to environmental conditions and shape many parameters of their movements, including their serial order and timing. To investigate the neurobiology underlying such skills, we used a multi-sensor equipped, motor-driven running wheel with adjustable sequences of foothold pegs on which mice ran to obtain water reward. When the peg patterns changed from a familiar pattern to a new pattern, the mice had to learn and implement new locomotor strategies in order to receive reward. We found that the accuracy of stepping and the achievement of water reward improved with the new learning after changes in the peg-pattern, and c-Fos expression levels assayed after the first post-switch session were high in both dorsolateral striatum and motor cortex, relative to post-switch plateau levels. Combined in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry of striatal sections demonstrated that both enkephalin-positive (indirect pathway) neurons and substance P-positive (direct pathway) neurons were recruited specifically after the pattern switches, as were interneurons expressing neuronal nitric oxide synthase. When we blocked N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the dorsolateral striatum by injecting the NMDA receptor antagonist, D-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP5), we found delays in early post-switch improvement in performance. These findings suggest that the dorsolateral striatum is activated on detecting shifts in environment to adapt motor behavior to the new context via NMDA-dependent plasticity, and that this plasticity may underlie forming and breaking skills and habits as well as to behavioral difficulties in clinical disorders.

Cross-regulation of Phosphodiesterase 1 and Phosphodiesterase 2 Activities Controls Dopamine-mediated Striatal α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid (AMPA) Receptor Trafficking

Dopamine, a key striatal neuromodulator, increases synaptic strength by promoting surface insertion and/or retention of AMPA receptors (AMPARs). This process is mediated by the phosphorylation of the GluA1 subunit of AMPAR by cyclic nucleotide-dependent kinases, making cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) potential regulators of synaptic strength. In this study, we examined the role of phosphodiesterase 2 (PDE2), a medium spiny neuron-enriched and cGMP-activated PDE, in AMPAR trafficking. We found that inhibiting PDE2 resulted in enhancement of dopamine-induced surface GluA1 expression in dopamine receptor 1-expressing medium spiny neurons. Using pharmacological and genetic approaches, we found that inhibition of PDE1 resulted in a decrease in surface AMPAR levels because of the allosteric activation of PDE2. The cross-regulation of PDE1 and PDE2 activities results in counterintuitive control of surface AMPAR expression, making it possible to regulate the directionality and magnitude of AMPAR trafficking.

Synaptic signalling and its interface with neuropathologies: snapshots from the past, present and future

This 'Past to Future' Review as part of the 60th anniversary year of the Journal of Neurochemistry focuses on synaptic transmission and associated signalling, and seeks to identify seminal progress in neurochemistry over the last 10 years which has advanced our understanding of neuronal communication in brain. The approach adopted analyses neurotransmitters on a case by case basis (i.e. amino acids, monoamines, acetylcholine, neuropeptides, ATP/purines and gasotransmitters) to highlight novel findings that have changed the way we view each type of transmitter, to explore commonalities and interactions, and to note how new insights have changed the way we view the biology of degenerative, psychiatric and behavioural conditions. Across all transmitter systems there was remarkable growth in the identification of targets likely to provide therapeutic benefit and which undoubtedly was driven by the elucidation of circuit function and new vistas of synaptic signalling. There has been an increasing trend to relate signalling to disease, notably for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and related conditions, and which has occurred for each transmitter family. Forebrain circuitry and tonic excitatory control have been the centre of great attention yielding novel findings that will impact upon cognitive, emotional and addictive behaviours. Other impressive insights focus on gasotransmitters integrating activity as volume transmitters. Exciting developments in how serotonin, cholinergic, l-glutamate, galanin and adenosine receptors and their associated signalling can be beneficially targeted should underpin the development of new therapies. Clearly integrated, multifaceted neurochemistry has changed the way we view synaptic signalling and its relevance to pathobiology. Highlighted are important advances in synaptic signalling over the last decade in the Journal of Neurochemistry. Across all transmitter systems elucidation of circuit function, and notably molecular insights, have underpinned remarkable growth in the identification of targets likely to provide therapeutic benefit in neuropathologies. Another commonality was wide interest in forebrain circuitry and its tonic excitatory control. Increasingly observations relate to signalling in disease and behavioural conditions. This article is part of the 60th Anniversary special issue.

Interneuronal Nitric Oxide Signaling Mediates Post-synaptic Long-Term Depression of Striatal Glutamatergic Synapses

Experience-driven plasticity of glutamatergic synapses on striatal spiny projection neurons (SPNs) is thought to be essential to goal-directed behavior and habit formation. One major form of striatal plasticity, long-term depression (LTD), has long appeared to be expressed only pre-synaptically. Contrary to this view, nitric oxide (NO) generated by striatal interneurons was found to induce a post-synaptically expressed form of LTD at SPN glutamatergic synapses. This form of LTD was dependent on signaling through guanylyl cyclase and protein kinase G, both of which are abundantly expressed by SPNs. NO-LTD was unaffected by local synaptic activity or antagonism of endocannabinoid (eCb) and dopamine receptors, all of which modulate canonical, pre-synaptic LTD. Moreover, NO signaling disrupted induction of this canonical LTD by inhibiting dendritic Ca(2+) channels regulating eCb synthesis. These results establish an interneuron-dependent, heterosynaptic form of post-synaptic LTD that could act to promote stability of the striatal network during learning.

Nitric oxide signaling in the development and evolution of language and cognitive circuits

The neocortex underlies not only remarkable motor and sensory capabilities, but also some of our most distinctly human cognitive functions. The emergence of these higher functions during evolution was accompanied by structural changes in the neocortex, including the acquisition of areal specializations such as Broca's speech and language area. The study of these evolutionary mechanisms, which likely involve species-dependent gene expression and function, represents a substantial challenge. These species differences, however, may represent valuable opportunities to understand the molecular underpinnings of neocortical evolution. Here, we discuss nitric oxide signaling as a candidate mechanism in the assembly of neocortical circuits underlying language and higher cognitive functions. This hypothesis was based on the highly specific mid-fetal pattern of nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1, previously nNOS) expression in the pyramidal (projection) neurons of two human neocortical areas respectively involved in speech and language, and higher cognition; the frontal operculum (FOp) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). This expression is transiently present during mid-gestation, suggesting that NOS1 may be involved in the development of these areas and the assembly of their neural circuits. As no other gene product is known to exhibit such exquisite spatiotemporal expression, NOS1 represents a remarkable candidate for these functions.

Impact of neonatal NOS-1 inhibitor exposure on neurobehavioural measures and prefrontal-temporolimbic integration in the rat nucleus accumbens

Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in the establishment and refinement of functional neural circuits. Genetic and post-mortem studies have suggested that neuronal NO synthase (NOS-1) activity may be compromised in frontal and temporal lobes, and related structures, in schizophrenia. The goal of this study was to determine if there is a link between neonatal disruptions in NO signalling and disturbances in the development and function of prefrontal-temporolimbic circuits. Neonatal rats were injected on postnatal days PD3-5 with the selective NOS-1 inhibitor Nω-propyl-L-arginine (NPA) and tested in adulthood (≥PD60) or as juveniles (PD30). Adult rats treated with NPA as neonates exhibited increased amphetamine-induced locomotion compared to animals receiving vehicle as neonates, whereas this was not observed in juvenile rats treated with NPA as neonates. Adult rats exposed to NPA as neonates also exhibited deficits in social interaction and short-term recognition memory, as well as reduced brain weight, compared to vehicle-treated controls. Finally, neonatal NPA exposure increased the responsiveness of nucleus accumbens neurons to prefrontal cortical input and disrupted the modulation of cortico-accumbens circuits by hippocampal afferents that is normally observed in adult animals. These results show for the first time that neonatal inhibition of NOS-1 during a critical neurodevelopmental period leads to aberrant behaviours that manifest in adulthood, as well as electrophysiological abnormalities in prefrontal-temporolimbic circuits. Greater understanding of the role of NOS-1 in the development of these circuits will shed light on how developmental insults translate to pathophysiology associated with schizophrenia.

The pattern of glutamate-induced nitric oxide dynamics in vivo and its correlation with nNOS expression in rat hippocampus, cerebral cortex and striatum

Nitric oxide (NO) is a diffusible intercellular messenger, acting via volume signaling in the brain and, therefore, the knowledge of its temporal dynamics is determinant to the understanding of its neurobiological role. However, such an analysis in vivo is challenging and indirect or static approaches are mostly used to infer NO bioactivity. In the present work we measured the glutamate-dependent NO temporal dynamics in vivo in the hippocampus (CA1, CA3 and DG subregions), cerebral cortex and striatum, using NO selective microelectrodes. Concurrently, the immunolocalization of nNOS was evaluated in each region. A transitory increase in NO levels occurred at higher amplitudes in the striatum and hippocampus relatively to the cortex. In the hippocampus, subtle differences in the profiles of NO signals were observed along the trisynaptic loop, with CA1 exhibiting the largest signals. The topography of NO temporal dynamics did not fully overlap with the pattern of the density of nNOS expression, suggesting that, complementary to the distribution of nNOS, the local regulation of NO synthesis as well as the decay pathways critically determine the effective NO concentration sensed by a target within the diffusional spread of this free radical. In sum, the rate and pattern of NO changes here shown, by incorporating regulatory mechanisms and processes that affect NO synthesis and decay, provide refined information critical for the understanding of NO multiple actions in the brain.

Review: Modulation of striatal neuron activity by cyclic nucleotide signaling and phosphodiesterase inhibition

The cyclic nucleotides cAMP and cGMP are common signaling molecules synthesized in neurons following the activation of adenylyl or guanylyl cyclase. In the striatum, the synthesis and degradation of cAMP and cGMP is highly regulated as these second messengers have potent effects on the activity of striatonigral and striatopallidal neurons. This review will summarize the literature on cyclic nucleotide signaling in the striatum with a particular focus on the impact of cAMP and cGMP on the membrane excitability of striatal medium-sized spiny output neurons (MSNs). The effects of non-selective and selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors on membrane activity and synaptic plasticity of MSNs will also be reviewed. Lastly, this review will discuss the implications of the effects PDE modulation on electrophysiological activity of striatal MSNs as it relates to the treatment of neurological disorders such as Huntington's and Parkinson's disease.

The role of nitric oxide in pre-synaptic plasticity and homeostasis

Since the observation that nitric oxide (NO) can act as an intercellular messenger in the brain, the past 25 years have witnessed the steady accumulation of evidence that it acts pre-synaptically at both glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses to alter release-probability in synaptic plasticity. NO does so by acting on the synaptic machinery involved in transmitter release and, in a coordinated fashion, on vesicular recycling mechanisms. In this review, we examine the body of evidence for NO acting as a retrograde factor at synapses, and the evidence from in vivo and in vitro studies that specifically establish NOS1 (neuronal nitric oxide synthase) as the important isoform of NO synthase in this process. The NOS1 isoform is found at two very different locations and at two different spatial scales both in the cortex and hippocampus. On the one hand it is located diffusely in the cytoplasm of a small population of GABAergic neurons and on the other hand the alpha isoform is located discretely at the post-synaptic density (PSD) in spines of pyramidal cells. The present evidence is that the number of NOS1 molecules that exist at the PSD are so low that a spine can only give rise to modest concentrations of NO and therefore only exert a very local action. The NO receptor guanylate cyclase is located both pre- and post-synaptically and this suggests a role for NO in the coordination of local pre- and post-synaptic function during plasticity at individual synapses. Recent evidence shows that NOS1 is also located post-synaptic to GABAergic synapses and plays a pre-synaptic role in GABAergic plasticity as well as glutamatergic plasticity. Studies on the function of NO in plasticity at the cellular level are corroborated by evidence that NO is also involved in experience-dependent plasticity in the cerebral cortex.

Neurovascular signaling in the brain and the pathological consequences of hypertension

The execution and maintenance of all brain functions are dependent on a continuous flow of blood to meet the metabolic needs of the tissue. To ensure the delivery of resources required for neural processing and the maintenance of neural homeostasis, the cerebral vasculature is elaborately and extensively regulated by signaling from neurons, glia, interneurons, and perivascular nerves. Hypertension is associated with impaired neurovascular regulation of the cerebral circulation and culminates in neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunction. Here, we review the physiological processes of neurovascular signaling in the brain and discuss mechanisms of hypertensive neurovascular dysfunction.

Is there a role for nitric oxide in methamphetamine-induced dopamine terminal degeneration?

Methamphetamine (METH) abuse results in long-term damage to the dopaminergic system, manifesting as decreases in dopamine (DA) tissue content, DA transporter binding, as well as tyrosine hydroxylase and vesicular monoamine transporter immunostaining. However, the exact cascade of events that ultimately result in this damage has not been clearly elucidated. One factor that has been heavily implicated in METH-induced DA terminal degeneration is the production of nitric oxide (NO). Unfortunately, many of the studies attempting to clarify the role of NO in METH-induced neurotoxicity have been confounded by issues such as the disruption of METH-induced hyperthermia, preventing the formation of strong conclusions. As a result, there is a body of work suggesting that NO is sufficient for METH-induced neurotoxicity, while other studies suggest that NO does not play a role in METH-induced degeneration of DA nerve terminals. This review summarizes the existing studies investigating the role of NO in METH-induced neurotoxicity, and argues that while NO may be necessary for METH-induced neurotoxicity, it is not sufficient. Finally, important areas of future investigation are highlighted and discussed.

The role of β-adrenergic blockers in Parkinson's disease: possible genetic and cell-signaling mechanisms

Genetic studies have identified numerous factors linking β-adrenergic blockade to Parkinson's disease (PD), including human leukocyte antigen genes, the renin-angiotensin system, poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase 1, nerve growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate. β-Adrenergic blockade has also been implicated in PD via its effects on matrix metalloproteinases, mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, prostaglandins, cyclooxygenase 2, and nitric oxide synthase. β-Adrenergic blockade may have a significant role in PD; therefore, the characterization of β-adrenergic blockade in patients with PD is needed.

Relationships between the firing of identified striatal interneurons and spontaneous and driven cortical activities in vivo

The striatum is comprised of medium-sized spiny projection neurons (MSNs) and several types of interneuron, and receives massive glutamatergic input from the cerebral cortex. Understanding of striatal function requires definition of the electrophysiological properties of neurochemically identified interneurons sampled in the same context of ongoing cortical activity in vivo. To address this, we recorded the firing of cholinergic interneurons (expressing choline acetyltransferase; ChAT) and GABAergic interneurons expressing parvalbumin (PV) or nitric oxide synthase (NOS), as well as MSNs, in anesthetized rats during cortically defined brain states. Depending on the cortical state, these interneurons were partly distinguished from each other, and MSNs, on the basis of firing rate and/or pattern. During slow-wave activity (SWA), ChAT+ interneurons, and some PV+ and NOS+ interneurons, were tonically active; NOS+ interneurons fired prominent bursts but, contrary to investigations in vitro, these were not typical low-threshold spike bursts. Identified MSNs, and other PV+ and NOS+ interneurons, were phasically active. Contrasting with ChAT+ interneurons, whose firing showed poor brain state dependency, PV+ and NOS+ interneurons displayed robust firing increases and decreases, respectively, upon spontaneous or driven transitions from SWA to cortical activation. The firing of most neurons was phase locked to cortical slow oscillations, but only PV+ and ChAT+ interneurons also fired in time with cortical spindle and gamma oscillations. Complementing this diverse temporal coupling, each interneuron type exhibited distinct responses to cortical stimulation. Thus, these striatal interneuron types have distinct temporal signatures in vivo, including relationships to spontaneous and driven cortical activities, which likely underpin their specialized contributions to striatal microcircuit function.

Inhibition of striatal soluble guanylyl cyclase-cGMP signaling reverses basal ganglia dysfunction and akinesia in experimental parkinsonism

OBJECTIVE

There is clearly a necessity to identify novel non-dopaminergic mechanisms as new therapeutic targets for Parkinson's disease (PD). Among these, the soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC)-cGMP signaling cascade is emerging as a promising candidate for second messenger-based therapies for the amelioration of PD symptoms. In the present study, we examined the utility of the selective sGC inhibitor 1H-[1], [2], [4] oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) for reversing basal ganglia dysfunction and akinesia in animal models of PD.

METHODS

The utility of the selective sGC inhibitor ODQ for reversing biochemical, electrophysiological, histochemical, and behavioral correlates of experimental PD was performed in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats and mice chronically treated with MPTP.

RESULTS

We found that one systemic administration of ODQ is sufficient to reverse the characteristic elevations in striatal cGMP levels, striatal output neuron activity, and metabolic activity in the subthalamic nucleus observed in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. The latter outcome was reproduced after intrastriatal infusion of ODQ. Systemic administration of ODQ was also effective in improving deficits in forelimb akinesia induced by 6-OHDA and MPTP.

INTERPRETATION

Pharmacological inhibition of the sGC-cGMP signaling pathway is a promising non-dopaminergic treatment strategy for restoring basal ganglia dysfunction and attenuating motor symptoms associated with PD.

Interactions of Dopamine D1 and N-methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors are Required for Acute Cocaine-Evoked Nitric Oxide Efflux in the Dorsal Striatum

Alterations in nitric oxide (NO) release in response to psychostimulants in the striatum cause a plastic change contributing to the development and expression of addiction. In this study, regulation of NO efflux evoked by acute cocaine in the dorsal striatum was investigated using real-time detection of NO in vivo. We found that acute systemic injection of cocaine (20 mg/kg) increased NO efflux, which was reduced by the intrastriatal infusion of the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, SCH23390 (7.5 nmol), and the dopamine D2 receptor agonist, quinpirole (5 nmol). Increased levels of NO efflux by acute cocaine were also reduced by the intrastriatal infusion of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, MK801 (2 nmol) and AP5 (2 nmol). These findings suggest that interactions of dopamine D1 receptors and NMDA receptors after acute exposure to cocaine participate in the upregulation of NO efflux in the dorsal striatum.

Nitric Oxide-Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase-Cyclic GMP Signaling in the Striatum: New Targets for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease?

Striatal nitric oxide (NO)-producing interneurons play an important role in the regulation of corticostriatal synaptic transmission and motor behavior. Striatal NO synthesis is driven by concurrent activation of NMDA and dopamine (DA) D1 receptors. NO diffuses into the dendrites of medium-sized spiny neurons which contain high levels of NO receptors called soluble guanylyl cyclases (sGC). NO-mediated activation of sGC leads to the synthesis of the second messenger cGMP. In the intact striatum, transient elevations in intracellular cGMP primarily act to increase neuronal excitability and to facilitate glutamatergic corticostriatal transmission. NO–cGMP signaling also functionally opposes the inhibitory effects of DA D2 receptor activation on corticostriatal transmission. Not surprisingly, abnormal striatal NO–sGC–cGMP signaling becomes apparent following striatal DA depletion, an alteration thought to contribute to pathophysiological changes observed in basal ganglia circuits in Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we discuss recent developments in the field which have shed light on the role of NO–sGC–cGMP signaling pathways in basal ganglia dysfunction and motor symptoms associated with PD and l-DOPA-induced dyskinesias.

Deep brain stimulation: technology at the cutting edge

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery has been performed in over 75,000 people worldwide, and has been shown to be an effective treatment for Parkinson's disease, tremor, dystonia, epilepsy, depression, Tourette's syndrome, and obsessive compulsive disorder. We review current and emerging evidence for the role of DBS in the management of a range of neurological and psychiatric conditions, and discuss the technical and practical aspects of performing DBS surgery. In the future, evolution of DBS technology may depend on several key areas, including better scientific understanding of its underlying mechanism of action, advances in high-spatial resolution imaging and development of novel electrophysiological and neurotransmitter microsensor systems. Such developments could form the basis of an intelligent closed-loop DBS system with feedback-guided neuromodulation to optimize both electrode placement and therapeutic efficacy.

Inhibition of phosphodiesterases rescues striatal long-term depression and reduces levodopa-induced dyskinesia

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of the nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway in corticostriatal long-term depression induction in a model of levodopa-induced dyskinesia in experimental parkinsonism. Moreover, we have also analysed the possibility of targeting striatal phosphodiesterases to reduce levodopa-induced dyskinesia. To study synaptic plasticity in sham-operated rats and in 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned animals chronically treated with therapeutic doses of levodopa, recordings from striatal spiny neurons were taken using either intracellular recordings with sharp electrodes or whole-cell patch clamp techniques. Behavioural analysis of levodopa-induced abnormal involuntary movements was performed before and after the treatment with two different inhibitors of phosphodiesterases, zaprinast and UK-343664. Levodopa-induced dyskinesia was associated with the loss of long-term depression expression at glutamatergic striatal synapses onto spiny neurons. Both zaprinast and UK-343664 were able to rescue the induction of this form of synaptic plasticity via a mechanism requiring the modulation of intracellular cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels. This effect on synaptic plasticity was paralleled by a significant reduction of abnormal movements following intrastriatal injection of phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Our findings suggest that drugs selectively targeting phosphodiesterases can ameliorate levodopa-induced dyskinesia, possibly by restoring physiological synaptic plasticity in the striatum. Future studies exploring the possible therapeutic effects of phosphodiesterase inhibitors in non-human primate models of Parkinson's disease and the involvement of striatal synaptic plasticity in these effects remain necessary to validate this hypothesis.

Inhibition of nNOS prevents and inhibition of iNOS reverses α,β-meATP-induced facilitation of neck muscle nociception in mice

Infusion of α,β-methylene ATP (α,β-meATP) into murine neck muscle facilitates brainstem nociception. Unspecific nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition prevents and reverses this sensitization. It is unclear whether neuronal (nNOS), inducible (iNOS) or endothelial NOS isoenzymes are involved in this α,β-meATP effect. Hypothesized involvement of nNOS isoenzyme was addressed by preceding (0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg) and subsequent (2 mg/kg) intraperitoneal injection of the nNOS-inhibitor NPLA. iNOS involvement was addressed by subsequent, intraperitoneal administration of the iNOS-inhibitor 1400 W (2 mg/kg). Brainstem nociception was monitored by the jaw-opening reflex elicited via electrical tongue stimulation in 45 anesthetized mice. Preceding NPLA dose-dependently prevented α,β-meATP-induced reflex facilitation. Whereas subsequent inhibition of nNOS showed no effect, iNOS inhibition by 1400 W significantly reversed reflex facilitation. Data provide evidence that nNOS plays a major role in induction and iNOS in maintenance of facilitation in neck muscle nociception. Divergent roles of NOS isoenzymes may promote research on target specific treatment for headache and neck muscle pain.

Nitric oxide-soluble guanylyl cyclase signaling regulates corticostriatal transmission and short-term synaptic plasticity of striatal projection neurons recorded in vivo

Striatal medium-sized spiny neurons (MSNs) contain the highest levels of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) in the brain. Striatal sGC signaling is activated by nitric oxide (NO) and other neuromodulators. MSNs also express cGMP-dependent protein kinase and other components of the cGMP signaling system which are critically involved in integrating corticostriatal transmission and regulating synaptic plasticity in striatal networks. However, the influence of tonic and phasic activation of this signaling pathway on striatal MSN activity is poorly understood. The present study examined the impact of systemic administration of the selective sGC inhibitor [1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one] (ODQ) on spike activity evoked using low and high frequency electrical stimulation of the frontal cortex. MSN activity was monitored using single-unit extracellular recordings in urethane-anesthetized rats. ODQ administration significantly decreased spike activity evoked by low frequency cortical stimulation in a stimulus intensity- and time-dependent manner. Additionally, ODQ administered along with the neuronal NO synthase inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) potently decreased the incidence of excitatory responses observed during high-frequency train stimulation of the contralateral frontal cortex. The short-term depression of cortically-evoked spike activity induced by train stimulation was enhanced following pretreatment with ODQ in MSNs exhibiting an excitatory response during cortical train stimulation. Unexpectedly, this effect of ODQ was reversed in animals receiving co-administration of ODQ and 7-NI. 7-NI/ODQ co-administration also reversed measures of short-term depression observed in MSNs exhibiting an inhibitory response during cortical train stimulation. These observations extend previous studies showing that tonic and phasic NO-sGC signaling modulates the responsiveness of MSNs to corticostriatal input. Moreover, phasic activation of NO signaling is likely to regulate short-term changes in corticostriatal synaptic plasticity via complex mechanisms involving both sGC-cGMP-dependent and independent pathways.

Repeated cocaine administration increases nitric oxide efflux in the rat dorsal striatum

RATIONALE

Repeated injections of cocaine alter extracellular nitric oxide (NO) efflux via interactions between dopamine and glutamate receptor-coupled signaling cascades.

OBJECTIVES

Putative cellular mechanisms underlying changes in NO efflux following repeated cocaine administration were investigated.

METHODS

Real-time detection of NO efflux using a NO biosensor was mainly performed in the rat dorsal striatum in vivo.

RESULTS

Repeated exposure to cocaine (20 mg/kg), once a day for seven consecutive days, increased NO levels. Repeated injections of cocaine also increased the phosphorylation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and inhibition of nNOS decreased the repeated cocaine-evoked increases in NO levels. Inhibition of protein kinase A, but not protein phosphatases, synergistically increased NO levels elevated by repeated cocaine injections. Blockade of dopamine D1 (D1) receptors or stimulation of dopamine D2 (D2) receptors decreased the repeated cocaine-evoked increases in NO levels. Similarly, blockade of N-methyl-D: -aspartate (NMDA) receptors and group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) or stimulation of group III mGluRs also decreased the repeated cocaine-evoked increases in NO levels.

CONCLUSION

Stimulation of D1 receptors or group I mGluRs following repeated cocaine administration upregulates NO efflux via an NMDA receptor-evoked Ca2+ influx, while stimulation of D2 receptors or group III mGluRs downregulates NO efflux. Dephosphorylation of phosphorylated nNOS by protein phosphatases is necessary for upregulating NO efflux in the dorsal striatum after repeated cocaine administration.

Impact of dopamine-glutamate interactions on striatal neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity

RATIONALE

It is known that dopamine (DA) D1 receptor activation stimulates striatal nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, whereas D2 receptor activation produces the opposite effect. However, the mechanisms involved in the dopaminergic modulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) are unknown.

OBJECTIVES

We hypothesized that the effects of DA on striatal NO signaling are dependent on ongoing glutamatergic activation of NOS. Therefore, the current study examined whether intact N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor activation is required for the dopaminergic modulation of NOS activity.

METHODS

We assessed the impact of pharmacological manipulations of D1, D2, and NMDA receptors on NOS activity in the dorsal striatum and motor cortex using nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry. Drugs were administered systemically to conscious animals and NADPH-d staining was quantified in these regions using ex vivo measurements of tissue optical density.

RESULTS

Administration of the neuronal NOS inhibitor N (G)-propyl-L-arginine (NPA), the D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390, and the NMDA receptor antagonist 3-phosphonopropyl-piperazine-2-carboxylic acid (CPP) all attenuated staining selectively in the striatum. Administration of the D2 receptor agonist quinpirole decreased NADPH-d staining in both the striatum and cortex. Striatal NADPH-d staining elicited by administration of the D1 receptor agonist SKF 81297 or the D2 receptor antagonist eticlopride was attenuated by NPA, SCH 23390, and CPP pretreatment. Quinpirole pretreatment also abolished the facilitatory effect of SKF 81297.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies show for the first time that ongoing NMDA receptor activation is necessary for the modulation of striatal NOS activity by both facilitatory (D1 receptor activation) and inhibitory (D2 receptor activation) dopaminergic signaling mechanisms.

Regulation of striatal nitric oxide synthesis by local dopamine and glutamate interactions

Nitric oxide (NO) is a key neuromodulator of corticostriatal synaptic transmission. We have shown previously that dopamine (DA) D1/5 receptor stimulation facilitates neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) activity in the intact striatum. To study the impact of local manipulations of D1/5 and glutamatergic NMDA receptors on striatal nNOS activity, we combined the techniques of in vivo amperometry and reverse microdialysis. Striatal NO efflux was monitored proximal to the microdialysis probe in urethane-anesthetized rats during local infusion of vehicle or drug. NO efflux elicited by systemic administration of SKF-81297 was blocked following intrastriatal infusion of: (i) the D1/5 receptor antagonist SCH-23390, (ii) the nNOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole, (iii) the non-specific ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonist kynurenic acid, and (iv) the selective NMDA receptor antagonist 3-phosphonopropyl-piperazine-2-carboxylic acid. Glycine co-perfusion did not affect SKF-81297-induced NO efflux. Furthermore, intrastriatal infusion of SKF-81297 potentiated NO efflux evoked during electrical stimulation of the motor cortex. The facilitatory effects of cortical stimulation and SKF-81297 were both blocked by intrastriatal infusion of SCH-23390, indicating that striatal D1/5 receptor activation is necessary for the activation of nNOS by corticostriatal afferents. These studies demonstrate for the first time that reciprocal DA-glutamate interactions play a critical role in stimulating striatal nNOS activity.

What is the real physiological NO concentration in vivo?

Clarity about the nitric oxide (NO) concentrations existing physiologically is essential for developing a quantitative understanding of NO signalling, for performing experiments with NO that emulate reality, and for knowing whether or not NO concentrations become abnormal in disease states. A decade ago, a value of about 1 μM seemed reasonable based on early electrode measurements and a provisional estimate of the potency of NO for its guanylyl cyclase-coupled receptors, which mediate physiological NO signal transduction. Since then, numerous efforts to measure NO concentrations directly using electrodes in cells and tissues have yielded an irreconcilably large spread of values. In compensation, data from several alternative approaches have now converged to provide a more coherent picture. These approaches include the quantitative analysis of NO-activated guanylyl cyclase, computer modelling based on the type, activity and amount of NO synthase enzyme contained in cells, the use of novel biosensors to monitor NO release from single endothelial cells and neurones, and the use of guanylyl cyclase as an endogenous NO biosensor in tissue subjected to a variety of challenges. All these independent lines of evidence suggest the physiological NO concentration range to be 100 pM (or below) up to ∼5 nM, orders of magnitude lower than was once thought.

The neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) gene contributes to the regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) by cocaine

Recently, we demonstrated that intact nitric oxide (NO) signaling is essential for the development of cocaine behavioral sensitization in adulthood [M.A. Balda, K.L. Anderson, Y. Itzhak, Differential role of the nNOS gene in the development of behavioral sensitization to cocaine in adolescent and adult B6;129S mice, Psychopharmacology (Berl) 200 (2008) 509-519]. Given the requirement of dopamine (DA) transmission in cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization and the interactions between NO and DA systems, the present study investigated the role of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) gene and the effect of cocaine on the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive (-ir) neurons. Adult (postnatal day 80) wild type (WT) and nNOS knockout (KO) mice received saline or a sensitizing regimen of cocaine (20mg/kg) for 5 days. After 24h, TH immunoreactivity was assessed in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the dorsal striatum (dST) using stereology and Western blotting, respectively. We report that (a) nNOS KO mice express lower levels of TH-ir neurons in the VTA compared to WT counterparts, (b) cocaine administration to WT mice significantly increased striatal TH expression, and (c) the same cocaine administration to nNOS KO mice significantly decreased striatal TH expression. Thus, the nitrergic system may contribute to cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization by regulating dopaminergic neurotransmission.

Acquiring local field potential information from amperometric neurochemical recordings

Simultaneous acquisition of in vivo electrophysiological and neurochemical information is essential for understanding how endogenous neurochemicals modulate the dynamics of brain activity. However, up to now such a task has rarely been accomplished due to the major technical challenge of operating two independent recording systems simultaneously in real-time. Here we propose a simpler solution for achieving this goal by using only a standard electrochemical technique--amperometry. To demonstrate its feasibility, we compared amperometric signals with simultaneously recorded local field potential (LFP) signals. We found that the high frequency component (HFC) of the amperometric signals did not reflect neurochemical fluctuations, but instead it resembled LFPs in several aspects, including: (1) coherent spectral fluctuations; (2) clear characterization of different brain states; (3) identical hippocampal theta depth profile. As such, our findings provide the first demonstration that both LFP and local neurochemical information can be simultaneously acquired from electrochemical sensors alone.

Development and persistence of long-lasting behavioral sensitization to cocaine in female mice: role of the nNOS gene

Our recent studies have shown that the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) gene is required for the development and persistence of psychomotor sensitization to cocaine in adult but not adolescent male mice (Balda, M.A., Anderson, K.L., Itzhak, Y., 2008. Differential role of the nNOS gene in the development of behavioral sensitization to cocaine in adolescent and adult B6;129S mice. Psychopharmacology (Berlin) 200, 509-519.). The aim of the present study was to investigate the contribution of the nNOS gene to cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization in adolescent and adult female mice. Adolescent and adult wild type (WT) and nNOS knockout (KO) mice received saline or cocaine (20 mg/kg) for 5 days and then were challenged with cocaine (20 mg/kg) after a drug-free period of either 10, 30, or 90 days. Context-dependent sensitization was determined by measuring saline-induced locomotor activity in the previously cocaine-paired environment. Results show that adolescent females of both genotypes, like their adult counterparts, developed long-lasting behavioral sensitization to cocaine (a three-month period), suggesting high vulnerability of females to cocaine regardless of age. An effect of genotype was observed in the initiation of sensitization, e.g., delayed onset in the absence of the nNOS gene. The only age-dependent difference observed was that adult, but not adolescent mice developed context-dependent sensitization. The present study suggests that long-term expression of cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization in females (adolescent and adult) is nNOS-independent, unlike our previous findings in adult males.

NMDA receptor gating of information flow through the striatum in vivo

A role of NMDA receptors in corticostriatal synaptic plasticity is widely acknowledged. However, the conditions that allow NMDA receptor activation in the striatum in vivo remain obscure. Here we show that NMDA receptors contribute to sustain the membrane potential of striatal medium spiny projection neurons close to threshold during spontaneous UP states in vivo. Moreover, we found that the blockade of striatal NMDA receptors reduces markedly the spontaneous firing of ensembles of medium spiny neurons during slow waves in urethane-anesthetized rats. We speculate that recurrent activation of NMDA receptors during UP states allows off-line information flow through the striatum and system level consolidation during habit formation.

Inhibition of Phosphodiesterase 10A Increases the Responsiveness of Striatal Projection Neurons to Cortical Stimulation

The cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) is highly expressed in striatal medium-sized spiny projection neurons (MSNs), apparently playing a critical role in the regulation of both cGMP and cAMP signaling cascades. Genetic disruption or pharmacological inhibition of PDE10A reverses behavioral abnormalities associated with subcortical hyperdopaminergia. Here, we investigate the effect of PDE10A inhibition on the activity of MSNs using single-unit extracellular recordings performed in the dorsal striatum of anesthetized rats. Antidromic stimulation of the substantia nigra pars reticulata was used to identify striatonigral (SNr+) MSNs. Intrastriatal infusion of the selective PDE10A inhibitors papaverine or TP-10 [2-{4-[-pyridin-4-yl-1-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]-phenoxymethyl}-quinoline succinic acid] by reverse microdialysis did not affect spontaneous firing but robustly increased measures of cortically evoked spike activity in a stimulus intensity-dependent manner. Systemic administration of TP-10 also increased cortically evoked spike activity in a stimulus intensity- and dose-dependent manner. A robust increase in cortically evoked activity was apparent in SNr- MSNs (primarily striatopallidal). It is interesting that TP-10 administration did not affect cortically evoked activity in SNr+ MSNs. However, TP-10 administration increased the incidence of antidromically activated (i.e., SNr+) MSNs. These findings indicate that inhibition of striatal PDE10A activity increases the responsiveness of MSNs to depolarizing stimuli. Furthermore, given the lack of effect of TP-10 on SNr+ MSNs, we speculate that PDE10A inhibition may have a greater facilitatory effect on corticostriatal synaptic activity in striatopallidal MSNs. These data support further investigation of selective targeting of PDE signaling pathways in MSN subpopulations because this may represent a promising novel approach for treating brain disorders involving dysfunctional glutamatergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission.

Acute cocaine administration increases NO efflux in the rat prefrontal cortex via a neuronal NOS-dependent mechanism

An understanding of the neurochemical changes occurring following exposure to psychostimulants such as cocaine is critical for the development of novel pharmacotherapies aimed at disrupting the addictive cycle. It is well established that the acute effects of cocaine associated with drug-induced blockade of dopamine (DA) reuptake processes occur in reward-related areas of the brain including the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Considerable evidence has accumulated indicating that the interaction between DA, glutamate, and nitric oxide (NO) is likely to play a critical role in the neuroplastic changes associated with psychostimulant exposure. However, the potential impact of cocaine on NO synthase (NOS) activity in the mPFC has not been examined. In this study, NO efflux was measured in the mPFC of anesthetized male rats using a NO-selective electrochemical microsensor. Acute systemic administration of cocaine significantly increased NO efflux in the mPFC in a time-dependent manner. Similar injections using vehicle did not affect NO efflux. The facilitatory effect of cocaine on NO efflux was transient and reproducible. The signal was derived from neuronal sources of NO, because it was attenuated by systemic administration of the neuronal NO synthase inhibitor 7-nitroindazole. These studies support a role for prefrontal cortical NO signaling in cocaine-induced changes in neurotransmission in reward-related circuits involved in addiction.

In vivo electrophysiology of dopamine-denervated striatum: focus on the nitric oxide/cGMP signaling pathway

Within the striatum, the gaseous neurotransmitter nitric oxide (NO) is produced by a subclass of interneurons containing the neuronal NO synthase (nNOS). NO promotes the second messenger cGMP through the activation of the soluble guanyl cyclase (sGC) and plays a crucial role in the integration of glutamate (GLU) and DA transmission. The aim of this study was to characterize the impact of 6-hydroxyDA (6-OHDA) lesion of the rat nigrostriatal pathway on NO/cGMP system. In vivo extracellular single units recordings were performed under urethane anesthesia to avoid any potentially misleading contributions of cortically-driven changes on endogenous NO. Hence, no electrical extrastriatal stimulation was performed and great attention was paid to the effects of 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1, a NO donor), N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, a nonselective NOS inhibitor) and Zaprinast (a PDE inhibitor) delivered by iontophoresis upon the main striatal phenotypes. The latter were operationally distinguished in silent medium spiny-like neurons (MSN), with negligible spontaneous activity but displaying glutamate-induced firing discharge at rest and spontaneously active neurons (SAN), representing to a large extent nonprojecting interneurons. SANs were excited by SIN-1 and Zaprinast while MSNs showed a clear inhibition during local iontophoretic application of SIN-1 and Zaprinast. In 6-OHDA animals, SIN-1-induced excitation in SANs was significantly increased (on the contrary, the inhibitory effect of L-NAME was less effective). Interestingly, in DA-denervated animals, a subclass of MSNs (40%) displayed a peculiar excitatory response to SIN-1. These findings support the notion of an inhibitory modulatory role exerted by endogenous NO on control striatal projection cells. In addition, these findings suggest a functional cross-talk between NO, spontaneously active interneurons, and projection neurons that becomes critical in the parkinsonian state.

Rare structural variants disrupt multiple genes in neurodevelopmental pathways in schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder whose genetic influences remain elusive. We hypothesize that individually rare structural variants contribute to the illness. Microdeletions and microduplications >100 kilobases were identified by microarray comparative genomic hybridization of genomic DNA from 150 individuals with schizophrenia and 268 ancestry-matched controls. All variants were validated by high-resolution platforms. Novel deletions and duplications of genes were present in 5% of controls versus 15% of cases and 20% of young-onset cases, both highly significant differences. The association was independently replicated in patients with childhood-onset schizophrenia as compared with their parents. Mutations in cases disrupted genes disproportionately from signaling networks controlling neurodevelopment, including neuregulin and glutamate pathways. These results suggest that multiple, individually rare mutations altering genes in neurodevelopmental pathways contribute to schizophrenia.

Feed-forward excitation of striatal neuron activity by frontal cortical activation of nitric oxide signaling in vivo

The gaseous neurotransmitter nitric oxide plays an important role in the modulation of corticostriatal synaptic transmission. This study examined the impact of frontal cortex stimulation on striatal nitric oxide efflux and neuron activity in urethane-anesthetized rats using amperometric microsensor and single-unit extracellular recordings, respectively. Systemic administration of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor 7-nitroindazole decreased spontaneous spike activity without affecting activity evoked by single-pulse stimulation of the ipsilateral cortex. Train (30 Hz) stimulation of the contralateral frontal cortex transiently increased nitric oxide efflux in a robust and reproducible manner. Evoked nitric oxide efflux was attenuated by systemic administration of 7-nitroindazole and the non-selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Train stimulation of the contralateral cortex, in a manner identical to that used to evoke nitric oxide efflux, had variable effects on spike activity assessed during the train stimulation trial, but induced a short-term depression of cortically evoked activity in the first post-train stimulation trial. Interestingly, 7-nitroindazole potently decreased cortically evoked activity recorded during the train stimulation trial. Moreover, the short-term depression of spike activity induced by train stimulation was enhanced following pretreatment with 7-nitroindazole and attenuated after systemic administration of the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist eticlopride. These results demonstrate that robust activation of frontal cortical afferents in the intact animal activates a powerful nitric oxide-mediated feed-forward excitation which partially offsets concurrent D2 receptor-mediated short-term inhibitory influences on striatal neuron activity. Thus, nitric oxide signaling is likely to play an important role in the integration of corticostriatal sensorimotor information in striatal networks.