1
|
Ricci A, Rubino E, Serra GP, Wallén-Mackenzie Å. Concerning neuromodulation as treatment of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorder: Insights gained from selective targeting of the subthalamic nucleus, para-subthalamic nucleus and zona incerta in rodents. Neuropharmacology 2024; 256:110003. [PMID: 38789078 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.110003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Neuromodulation such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) is advancing as a clinical intervention in several neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, including Parkinson's disease, dystonia, tremor, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) for which DBS is already applied to alleviate severely afflicted individuals of symptoms. Tourette syndrome and drug addiction are two additional disorders for which DBS is in trial or proposed as treatment. However, some major remaining obstacles prevent this intervention from reaching its full therapeutic potential. Side-effects have been reported, and not all DBS-treated individuals are relieved of their symptoms. One major target area for DBS electrodes is the subthalamic nucleus (STN) which plays important roles in motor, affective and associative functions, with impact on for example movement, motivation, impulsivity, compulsivity, as well as both reward and aversion. The multifunctionality of the STN is complex. Decoding the anatomical-functional organization of the STN could enhance strategic targeting in human patients. The STN is located in close proximity to zona incerta (ZI) and the para-subthalamic nucleus (pSTN). Together, the STN, pSTN and ZI form a highly heterogeneous and clinically important brain area. Rodent-based experimental studies, including opto- and chemogenetics as well as viral-genetic tract tracings, provide unique insight into complex neuronal circuitries and their impact on behavior with high spatial and temporal precision. This research field has advanced tremendously over the past few years. Here, we provide an inclusive review of current literature in the pre-clinical research fields centered around STN, pSTN and ZI in laboratory mice and rats; the three highly heterogeneous and enigmatic structures brought together in the context of relevance for treatment strategies. Specific emphasis is placed on methods of manipulation and behavioral impact.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Ricci
- Uppsala University, Department of Organism Biology, 756 32 Uppsala, Sweden; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Eleonora Rubino
- Uppsala University, Department of Organism Biology, 756 32 Uppsala, Sweden; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Gian Pietro Serra
- Uppsala University, Department of Organism Biology, 756 32 Uppsala, Sweden; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Åsa Wallén-Mackenzie
- Uppsala University, Department of Organism Biology, 756 32 Uppsala, Sweden; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cai H, Schnapp WI, Mann S, Miscevic M, Shcmit MB, Conteras M, Fang C. Neural circuits regulation of satiation. Appetite 2024; 200:107512. [PMID: 38801994 PMCID: PMC11227400 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107512] [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: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Terminating a meal after achieving satiation is a critical step in maintaining a healthy energy balance. Despite the extensive collection of information over the last few decades regarding the neural mechanisms controlling overall eating, the mechanism underlying different temporal phases of eating behaviors, especially satiation, remains incompletely understood and is typically embedded in studies that measure the total amount of food intake. In this review, we summarize the neural circuits that detect and integrate satiation signals to suppress appetite, from interoceptive sensory inputs to the final motor outputs. Due to the well-established role of cholecystokinin (CCK) in regulating the satiation, we focus on the neural circuits that are involved in regulating the satiation effect caused by CCK. We also discuss several general principles of how these neural circuits control satiation, as well as the limitations of our current understanding of the circuits function. With the application of new techniques involving sophisticated cell-type-specific manipulation and mapping, as well as real-time recordings, it is now possible to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms specifically underlying satiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haijiang Cai
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA; Bio 5 Institute and Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
| | - Wesley I Schnapp
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA; Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Shivani Mann
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Masa Miscevic
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA; Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Physiological Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Matthew B Shcmit
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA; Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Marco Conteras
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Caohui Fang
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ge J, Ren P, Tian B, Li J, Qi C, Huang Q, Ren K, Hu E, Mao H, Zang Y, Wu S, Xue Q, Wang W. Ventral zona incerta parvalbumin neurons modulate sensory-induced and stress-induced self-grooming via input-dependent mechanisms in mice. iScience 2024; 27:110165. [PMID: 38979011 PMCID: PMC11228785 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Self-grooming is an innate stereotyped behavior influenced by sense and emotion. It is considered an important characteristic in various disease models. However, the neural circuit mechanism underlying sensory-induced and emotion-driven self-grooming remains unclear. We found that the ventral zona incerta (Ziv) was activated during spontaneous self-grooming (SG), corn oil-induced sensory self-grooming (OG), and tail suspension-induced stress self-grooming (TG). Optogenetic excitation of Ziv parvalbumin (PV) neurons increased the duration of SG. Conversely, optogenetic inhibition of ZivPV neurons significantly reduced self-grooming in all three models. Furthermore, glutamatergic inputs from the primary sensory cortex activated the Ziv and contributed to OG. Activation of GABAergic inputs from the central amygdala to the Ziv increased SG, OG, and TG, potentially through local negative regulation of the Ziv. These findings suggest that the Ziv may play a crucial role in processing sensory and emotional information related to self-grooming, making it a potential target for regulating stereotyped behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junye Ge
- Pain Research Center and Department of Physiology, Zhongshan Medical School, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road. 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Pengfei Ren
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Biqing Tian
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Jiaqi Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Chuchu Qi
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Qiyi Huang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Keke Ren
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Erling Hu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Honghui Mao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Ying Zang
- Pain Research Center and Department of Physiology, Zhongshan Medical School, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road. 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Shengxi Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Qian Xue
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Wenting Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kreifeldt M, Okhuarobo A, Dunning JL, Lopez C, Macedo G, Sidhu H, Contet C. Mouse parasubthalamic Crh neurons drive alcohol drinking escalation and behavioral disinhibition. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.06.602357. [PMID: 39026704 PMCID: PMC11257461 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.06.602357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF, encoded by Crh) signaling is thought to play a critical role in the development of excessive alcohol drinking and the emotional and physical pain associated with alcohol withdrawal. Here, we investigated the parasubthalamic nucleus (PSTN) as a potential source of CRF relevant to the control of alcohol consumption, affect, and nociception in mice. We identified PSTN Crh neurons as a neuronal subpopulation that exerts a potent and unique influence on behavior by promoting not only alcohol but also saccharin drinking, while PSTN neurons are otherwise known to suppress consummatory behaviors. Furthermore, PSTN Crh neurons are causally implicated in the escalation of alcohol and saccharin intake produced by chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) vapor inhalation, a mouse model of alcohol use disorder. In contrast to our predictions, the ability of PSTN Crh neurons to increase alcohol drinking is not mediated by CRF1 signaling. Moreover, the pattern of behavioral disinhibition and reduced nociception driven by their activation does not support a role of negative reinforcement as a motivational basis for the concomitant increase in alcohol drinking. Finally, silencing Crh expression in the PSTN slowed down the escalation of alcohol intake in mice exposed to CIE and accelerated their recovery from withdrawal-induced mechanical hyperalgesia. Altogether, our results suggest that PSTN Crh neurons may represent an important node in the brain circuitry linking alcohol use disorder with sweet liking and novelty seeking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Max Kreifeldt
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, La Jolla, CA
| | | | - Jeffery L Dunning
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, La Jolla, CA
| | - Catherine Lopez
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, La Jolla, CA
| | - Giovana Macedo
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, La Jolla, CA
| | - Harpreet Sidhu
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, La Jolla, CA
| | - Candice Contet
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, La Jolla, CA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dunning JL, Lopez C, Krull C, Kreifeldt M, Angelo M, Shu L, Ramakrishnan C, Deisseroth K, Contet C. The parasubthalamic nucleus refeeding ensemble delays feeding initiation and hastens water drinking. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02653-y. [PMID: 38965421 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02653-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
The parasubthalamic nucleus (PSTN) is activated by refeeding after food deprivation and several PSTN subpopulations have been shown to suppress feeding. However, no study to date directly addressed the role of PSTN neurons activated upon food access in the control of ensuing food consumption. Here we identify consumption latency as a sensitive behavioral indicator of PSTN activity, and show that, in hungry mice, the ensemble of refeeding-activated PSTN neurons drastically increases the latency to initiate refeeding with both familiar and a novel, familiar food, but does not control the amount of food consumed. In thirsty mice, this ensemble also delays sucrose consumption but accelerates water consumption, possibly reflecting anticipatory prandial thirst, with again no influence on the amount of fluid consumed. We next sought to identify which subpopulations of PSTN neurons might be driving these latency effects, using cell-type and pathway-specific chemogenetic manipulations. Our results suggest a prominent role of PSTN Tac1 neurons projecting to the central amygdala in the hindrance of feeding initiation. While PSTN Crh neurons also delay the latency of hungry mice to ingest familiar foods, they surprisingly promote the consumption of novel, palatable substances. Furthermore, PSTN Crh neurons projecting to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis accelerate rehydration in thirsty mice. Our results demonstrate the key role of endogenous PSTN activity in the control of feeding and drinking initiation and delineate specific circuits mediating these effects, which may have relevance for eating disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffery L Dunning
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Catherine Lopez
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Colton Krull
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Max Kreifeldt
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Maggie Angelo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Leeann Shu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Karl Deisseroth
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Candice Contet
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ye Q, Nunez J, Zhang X. Multiple cholinergic receptor subtypes coordinate dual modulation of acetylcholine on anterior and posterior paraventricular thalamic neurons. J Neurochem 2024; 168:995-1018. [PMID: 38664195 PMCID: PMC11136594 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16115] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Paraventricular thalamus (PVT) plays important roles in the regulation of emotion and motivation through connecting many brain structures including the midbrain and the limbic system. Although acetylcholine (ACh) neurons of the midbrain were reported to send projections to PVT, little is known about how cholinergic signaling regulates PVT neurons. Here, we used both RNAscope and slice patch-clamp recordings to characterize cholinergic receptor expression and ACh modulation of PVT neurons in mice. We found ACh excited a majority of anterior PVT (aPVT) neurons but predominantly inhibited posterior PVT (pPVT) neurons. Compared to pPVT with more inhibitory M2 receptors, aPVT expressed higher levels of all excitatory receptor subtypes including nicotinic α4, α7, and muscarinic M1 and M3. The ACh-induced excitation was mimicked by nicotine and antagonized by selective blockers for α4β2 and α7 nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR) subtypes as well as selective antagonists for M1 and M3 muscarinic ACh receptors (mAChR). The ACh-induced inhibition was attenuated by selective M2 and M4 mAChR receptor antagonists. Furthermore, we found ACh increased the frequency of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) on a majority of aPVT neurons but decreased EPSC frequency on a larger number of pPVT neurons. In addition, ACh caused an acute increase followed by a lasting reduction in inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) on PVT neurons of both subregions. Together, these data suggest that multiple AChR subtypes coordinate a differential modulation of ACh on aPVT and pPVT neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiying Ye
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Jeremiah Nunez
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Xiaobing Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Senol E, Mohammad H. Current perspectives on brain circuits involved in food addiction-like behaviors. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2024; 131:475-485. [PMID: 38216705 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-023-02732-4] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
There is an emerging view that the increased availability of energy-dense foods in our society is contributing to excessive food consumption which could lead to food addiction-like behavior. Particularly, compulsive eating patterns are predominant in people suffering from eating disorders (binge-eating disorder, bulimia and anorexia nervosa) and obesity. Phenotypically, the behavioral pattern exhibits a close resemblance to individuals suffering from other forms of addiction (drug, sex, gambling). Growing body of evidence in neuroscience research is showing that excessive consumption of energy-dense foods alters the brain circuits implicated in reward, decision-making, control, habit formation, and emotions that are central to drug addiction. Here, we review the current understanding of the circuits of food addiction-like behaviors and highlight the future possibility of exploring those circuits to combat obesity and eating disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Esra Senol
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hasan Mohammad
- Centre de Recherche en Biomédicine de Strasbourg (CRBS), L'Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (Inserm) U1114, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kawatake-Kuno A, Li H, Inaba H, Hikosaka M, Ishimori E, Ueki T, Garkun Y, Morishita H, Narumiya S, Oishi N, Ohtsuki G, Murai T, Uchida S. Sustained antidepressant effects of ketamine metabolite involve GABAergic inhibition-mediated molecular dynamics in aPVT glutamatergic neurons. Neuron 2024; 112:1265-1285.e10. [PMID: 38377990 PMCID: PMC11031324 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.01.023] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Despite the rapid and sustained antidepressant effects of ketamine and its metabolites, their underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that the sustained antidepressant-like behavioral effects of (2S,6S)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK) in repeatedly stressed animal models involve neurobiological changes in the anterior paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (aPVT). Mechanistically, (2S,6S)-HNK induces mRNA expression of extrasynaptic GABAA receptors and subsequently enhances GABAA-receptor-mediated tonic currents, leading to the nuclear export of histone demethylase KDM6 and its replacement by histone methyltransferase EZH2. This process increases H3K27me3 levels, which in turn suppresses the transcription of genes associated with G-protein-coupled receptor signaling. Thus, our findings shed light on the comprehensive cellular and molecular mechanisms in aPVT underlying the sustained antidepressant behavioral effects of ketamine metabolites. This study may support the development of potentially effective next-generation pharmacotherapies to promote sustained remission of stress-related psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Kawatake-Kuno
- SK Project, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 53 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029; Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029; Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029; Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029
| | - Haiyan Li
- SK Project, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 53 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Inaba
- SK Project, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 53 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; Department of Psychiatry, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Momoka Hikosaka
- Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Erina Ishimori
- SK Project, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 53 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Takatoshi Ueki
- Department of Integrative Anatomy, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8601, Japan
| | - Yury Garkun
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029; Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029; Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029; Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029
| | - Hirofumi Morishita
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029; Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029; Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029; Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029
| | - Shuh Narumiya
- Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Naoya Oishi
- SK Project, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 53 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; Department of Psychiatry, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Gen Ohtsuki
- Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
| | - Toshiya Murai
- Department of Psychiatry, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Shusaku Uchida
- SK Project, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 53 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; Department of Integrative Anatomy, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8601, Japan; Kyoto University Medical Science and Business Liaison Organization, 53 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Beas S, Khan I, Gao C, Loewinger G, Macdonald E, Bashford A, Rodriguez-Gonzalez S, Pereira F, Penzo MA. Dissociable encoding of motivated behavior by parallel thalamo-striatal projections. Curr Biol 2024; 34:1549-1560.e3. [PMID: 38458192 PMCID: PMC11003833 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.037] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
The successful pursuit of goals requires the coordinated execution and termination of actions that lead to positive outcomes. This process relies on motivational states that are guided by internal drivers, such as hunger or fear. However, the mechanisms by which the brain tracks motivational states to shape instrumental actions are not fully understood. The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) is a midline thalamic nucleus that shapes motivated behaviors via its projections to the nucleus accumbens (NAc)1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and monitors internal state via interoceptive inputs from the hypothalamus and brainstem.3,9,10,11,12,13,14 Recent studies indicate that the PVT can be subdivided into two major neuronal subpopulations, namely PVTD2(+) and PVTD2(-), which differ in genetic identity, functionality, and anatomical connectivity to other brain regions, including the NAc.4,15,16 In this study, we used fiber photometry to investigate the in vivo dynamics of these two distinct PVT neuronal types in mice performing a foraging-like behavioral task. We discovered that PVTD2(+) and PVTD2(-) neurons encode the execution and termination of goal-oriented actions, respectively. Furthermore, activity in the PVTD2(+) neuronal population mirrored motivation parameters such as vigor and satiety. Similarly, PVTD2(-) neurons also mirrored some of these parameters, but to a much lesser extent. Importantly, these features were largely preserved when activity in PVT projections to the NAc was selectively assessed. Collectively, our results highlight the existence of two parallel thalamo-striatal projections that participate in the dynamic regulation of goal pursuits and provide insight into the mechanisms by which the brain tracks motivational states to shape instrumental actions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Beas
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Isbah Khan
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Claire Gao
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Gabriel Loewinger
- Machine Learning Team, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Emma Macdonald
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Alison Bashford
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Shakira Rodriguez-Gonzalez
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Francisco Pereira
- Machine Learning Team, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mario A Penzo
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Curtis GR, Carpenter BA, Pirino BE, Hawks A, Li G, Barson JR. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus: Influence on binge-type eating in male and female mice. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4145128. [PMID: 38645077 PMCID: PMC11030496 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4145128/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Binge eating disorder, characterized by the overconsumption of food in a discrete time period, is the most common eating disorder in the United States, but its neurological basis is not fully understood. The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) is a limbic brain region implicated in eating, and the anorexigenic neuropeptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), is densely expressed in the PVT. This study sought to examine the possible involvement of PACAP in the PVT in binge-type eating. First, a model of binge-type eating was established in mice. Male and female C57BL/6J mice were given limited access to Milk Chocolate Ensure Plus® or had access only to chow and water. Under this model, while males and females both engaged in binge-type eating with Ensure, females engaged in this behavior to a greater degree than males. Next, the role of PACAP in the PVT was defined in relation to binge-type eating. Using quantitative real-time PCR, females were found to have higher baseline levels of PVT PACAP mRNA than males, but only males showed an increase in levels of PACAP after a history of binge-type eating, and only males showed a reduction in levels of PACAP immediately prior to a binge session. Using chemogenetics in PACAP-Cre transgenic mice on a C57BL/6J background, activation of PVT PACAP+ cells with a Cre-dependent Gq-DREADD was found to reduce binge-type eating, significantly in male but not female mice. These results indicate that PVT PACAP is involved in binge-type eating in a sex-dependent manner, with a decrease in PVT PACAP levels preceding binge-type eating in male mice, and enhanced PVT PACAP+ cell activity suppressing binge-type eating in male mice. Together, these results suggest that the PACAP system could be targeted in specific patient populations to help treat binge eating disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve R. Curtis
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, P.A. 19129
| | - Brody A. Carpenter
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, P.A. 19129
| | - Breanne E. Pirino
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, P.A. 19129
| | - Annie Hawks
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, P.A. 19129
| | - George Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, P.A. 19129
| | - Jessica R. Barson
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, P.A. 19129
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Wang XY, Zhang HQ, Tong K, Han J, Zhao XY, Song YT, Hao JR, Sun N, Gao C. Glutamatergic Projection from the Ventral Tegmental Area to the Zona Incerta Regulates Fear Response. Neuroscience 2024; 541:14-22. [PMID: 38280511 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.01.020] [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: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Innate defensive behavior is important for animal survival. The Vglut2+ neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have been demonstrated to play important roles in innate defensive behaviors, but the neural circuit mechanism is still unclear. Here, we find that VTA - zona incerta (ZI) glutamatergic projection is involved in regulating innate fear responses. Combining calcium signal recording and chemogentics, we find that VTA-Vglut2+ neurons respond to foot shock stimulus. Inhibition of VTA-Vglut2+ neurons reduces foot shock-evoked freezing, while chemogentic activation of these neurons results in an enhanced fear response. Using viral tracing and immunofluorescence, we show that VTA - Vglut2+ neurons send direct excitatory outputs to the ZI. Moreover, we find that the activity of VTAVglut2 - ZI projection is pivotal in modulating fear response. Together, our study reveals a new VTA - ZI glutamatergic circuit in mediating innate fear response and provides a potential target for treating post-traumatic stress disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Yi Wang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Hong-Quan Zhang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Kun Tong
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Jie Han
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Xin-Yu Zhao
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Yu-Tong Song
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Jing-Ru Hao
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Nan Sun
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Can Gao
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; School of Life Sciences, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Reis FMCV, Maesta-Pereira S, Ollivier M, Schuette PJ, Sethi E, Miranda BA, Iniguez E, Chakerian M, Vaughn E, Sehgal M, Nguyen DCT, Yuan FTH, Torossian A, Ikebara JM, Kihara AH, Silva AJ, Kao JC, Khakh BS, Adhikari A. Control of feeding by a bottom-up midbrain-subthalamic pathway. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2111. [PMID: 38454000 PMCID: PMC10920831 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46430-5] [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: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Investigative exploration and foraging leading to food consumption have vital importance, but are not well-understood. Since GABAergic inputs to the lateral and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (l/vlPAG) control such behaviors, we dissected the role of vgat-expressing GABAergic l/vlPAG cells in exploration, foraging and hunting. Here, we show that in mice vgat l/vlPAG cells encode approach to food and consumption of both live prey and non-prey foods. The activity of these cells is necessary and sufficient for inducing food-seeking leading to subsequent consumption. Activation of vgat l/vlPAG cells produces exploratory foraging and compulsive eating without altering defensive behaviors. Moreover, l/vlPAG vgat cells are bidirectionally interconnected to several feeding, exploration and investigation nodes, including the zona incerta. Remarkably, the vgat l/vlPAG projection to the zona incerta bidirectionally controls approach towards food leading to consumption. These data indicate the PAG is not only a final downstream target of top-down exploration and foraging-related inputs, but that it also influences these behaviors through a bottom-up pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando M C V Reis
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Sandra Maesta-Pereira
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Matthias Ollivier
- Department of Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Peter J Schuette
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Ekayana Sethi
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Blake A Miranda
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Emily Iniguez
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Meghmik Chakerian
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Eric Vaughn
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Megha Sehgal
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Darren C T Nguyen
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Faith T H Yuan
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Anita Torossian
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Juliane M Ikebara
- Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, SP, 09606-070, Brazil
| | - Alexandre H Kihara
- Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, SP, 09606-070, Brazil
| | - Alcino J Silva
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Jonathan C Kao
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Baljit S Khakh
- Department of Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Avishek Adhikari
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhang M, Yang L, Li Z, Fei F, Zhou Y, Jiang D, Zheng Y, Cheng H, Wang Y, Xu C, Fang J, Wang S, Chen Z, Wang Y. Low-frequency stimulation in the zona incerta attenuates seizure via driving GABAergic neuronal activity. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 192:106424. [PMID: 38290566 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106424] [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: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Managing refractory epilepsy presents a significant a substantial clinical challenge. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has emerged as a promising avenue for addressing refractory epilepsy. However, the optimal stimulation targets and effective parameters of DBS to reduce seizures remian unidentified. OBJECTIVES This study endeavors to scrutinize the therapeutic potential of DBS within the zona incerta (ZI) across diverse seizure models and elucidate the associated underlying mechanisms. METHODS We evaluated the therapeutic potential of DBS with different frequencies in the ZI on kainic acid (KA)-induced TLE model or M1-cortical seizures model, pilocarpine-induced M1-cortical seizure models, and KA-induced epilepsy model. Further, employing calcium fiber photometry combined with cell-specific ablation, we sought to clarified the causal role of ZI GABAergic neurons in mediating the therapeutic effects of DBS. RESULTS Our findings reveal that DBS in the ZI alleviated the severity of seizure activities in the KA-induced TLE model. Meanwhile, DBS attenuated seizure activities in KA- or pilocarpine-induced M1-cortical seizure model. In addition, DBS exerts a mitigating influence on KA induced epilepsy model. DBS in the ZI showed anti-seizure effects at low frequency spectrum, with 5 Hz exhibiting optimal efficacy. The low-frequency DBS significantly increased the calcium activities of ZI GABAergic neurons. Furthermore, selective ablation of ZI GABAergic neurons with taCasp3 blocked the anti-seizure effect of low-frequency DBS, indicating the anti-seizure effect of DBS is mediated by the activation of ZI GABAergic neurons. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate that low-frequency DBS in the ZI attenuates seizure via driving GABAergic neuronal activity. This suggests that the ZI represents a potential DBS target for treating both hippocampal and cortical seizure through the activation of GABAergic neurons, thereby holding therapeutic significance for seizure treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengdi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China; Zhejiang Rehabilitation Medical Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Lin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China; First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Zhongxia Li
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China
| | - Fan Fei
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China
| | - Dongxiao Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China
| | - Yuyi Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China
| | - Hui Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China
| | - Yu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China
| | - Cenglin Xu
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China
| | - Jiajia Fang
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital & Forth Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital & Forth Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China; Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital & Forth Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Yi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, PR China; Zhejiang Rehabilitation Medical Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, PR China; Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital & Forth Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Saluja S, Qiu L, Wang AR, Campos G, Seilheimer R, McNab JA, Haber SN, Barbosa DAN, Halpern CH. Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging Tractography Guides Investigation of the Zona Incerta: A Novel Target for Deep Brain Stimulation. Biol Psychiatry 2024:S0006-3223(24)01105-3. [PMID: 38401802 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.02.1004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The zona incerta (ZI) is a subcortical structure primarily investigated in rodents that is implicated in various behaviors, ranging from motor control to survival-associated activities, partly due to its integration in multiple neural circuits. In the current study, we used diffusion magnetic resonance imaging tractography to segment the ZI and gain insight into its connectivity in various circuits in humans. METHODS We performed probabilistic tractography in 7T diffusion MRI on 178 participants from the Human Connectome Project to validate the ZI's anatomical subdivisions and their respective tracts. K-means clustering segmented the ZI based on each voxel's connectivity profile. We further characterized the connections of each ZI subregion using probabilistic tractography with each subregion as a seed. RESULTS We identified 2 dominant clusters that delineated the whole ZI into rostral and caudal subregions. The caudal ZI primarily connected with motor regions, while the rostral ZI received a topographic distribution of projections from prefrontal areas, notably the anterior cingulate and medial prefrontal cortices. We generated a probabilistic ZI atlas that was registered to a patient-participant's magnetic resonance imaging scan for placement of stereoencephalographic leads for electrophysiology-guided deep brain stimulation to treat their obsessive-compulsive disorder. Rostral ZI stimulation improved the patient's core symptoms (mean improvement 21%). CONCLUSIONS We present a tractography-based atlas of the rostral and caudal ZI subregions constructed using high-resolution diffusion magnetic resonance imaging from 178 healthy participants. Our work provides an anatomical foundation to explore the rostral ZI as a novel target for deep brain stimulation to treat refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder and other disorders associated with dysfunctional reward circuitry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabir Saluja
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Liming Qiu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Allan R Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Gustavo Campos
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Robert Seilheimer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jennifer A McNab
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Suzanne N Haber
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York; Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Daniel A N Barbosa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Casey H Halpern
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Surgery, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Jiang S, Song B, Liu Z, Shen S, Qian W, Sun J, Chen G, Zhu Y. Neuronal activity in the anterior paraventricular nucleus of thalamus positively correlated with sweetener consumption in mice. Neurosci Res 2024:S0168-0102(24)00026-9. [PMID: 38364907 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2024.02.002] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Although the brain can discriminate between various sweet substances, the underlying neural mechanisms of this complex behavior remain elusive. This study examines the role of the anterior paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (aPVT) in governing sweet preference in mice. We fed the mice six different diets with equal sweetness for six weeks: control diet (CD), high sucrose diet (HSD), high stevioside diet (HSSD), high xylitol diet (HXD), high glycyrrhizin diet (HGD), and high mogroside diet (HMD). The mice exhibited a marked preference specifically for the HSD and HSSD. Following consumption of these diets, c-Fos expression levels in the aPVT were significantly higher in these two groups compared to the others. Utilizing fiber photometry calcium imaging, we observed rapid activation of aPVT neurons in response to sucrose and stevioside intake, but not to xylitol or water. Our findings suggest that aPVT activity aligns with sweet preference in mice, and notably, stevioside is the sole plant-based sweetener that elicits an aPVT response comparable to that of sucrose.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaolei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Optical Technology and Instrument for Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Optical-Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China; The Brain Cognition and Brain Diseases Institute of Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Bo Song
- Key Laboratory of Optical Technology and Instrument for Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Optical-Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Zhongdong Liu
- Grain College, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Instituto de Física da Universidade de São Paulo, Sã o Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Shuifa Shen
- Hefei lnstitutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, China; School of Intelligent Manufacturing, Zhejiang Guangsha Vocational and Technical University of Construction, Jinhua 322100, China
| | - Weiliang Qian
- Instituto de Física da Universidade de São Paulo, Sã o Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Jing Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, No.2004 Hongli Road, Shenzhen 518028, China
| | - Gaowei Chen
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Diseases Institute of Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Yingjie Zhu
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Diseases Institute of Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenzhen 518055, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Sharma S, Badenhorst CA, Ashby DM, Di Vito SA, Tran MA, Ghavasieh Z, Grewal GK, Belway CR, McGirr A, Whelan PJ. Inhibitory medial zona incerta pathway drives exploratory behavior by inhibiting glutamatergic cuneiform neurons. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1160. [PMID: 38326327 PMCID: PMC10850156 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45288-x] [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: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The cuneiform nucleus (CnF) regulates locomotor activity, which is canonically viewed as being primarily involved in initiating locomotion and regulating speed. Recent research shows greater context dependency in the locomotor functions of this nucleus. Glutamatergic neurons, which contain vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (vGLUT2), regulate context-dependent locomotor speed in the CnF and play a role in defensive behavior. Here, we identify projections from the medial zona incerta (mZI) to CnF vGLUT2 neurons that promote exploratory behavior. Using fiber photometry recordings in male mice, we find that mZI gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons increase activity during periods of exploration. Activation of mZI GABAergic neurons is associated with reduced spiking of CnF neurons. Additionally, activating both retrogradely labeled mZI-CnF GABAergic projection neurons and their terminals in the CnF increase exploratory behavior. Inhibiting CnF vGLUT2 neuronal activity also increases exploratory behavior. These findings provide evidence for the context-dependent dynamic regulation of CnF vGLUT2 neurons, with the mZI-CnF circuit shaping exploratory behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Sharma
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Cecilia A Badenhorst
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Donovan M Ashby
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Stephanie A Di Vito
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Michelle A Tran
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Zahra Ghavasieh
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Gurleen K Grewal
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Cole R Belway
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Alexander McGirr
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Patrick J Whelan
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
McDevitt DS, Wade QW, McKendrick GE, Nelsen J, Starostina M, Tran N, Blendy JA, Graziane NM. The Paraventricular Thalamic Nucleus and Its Projections in Regulating Reward and Context Associations. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0524-23.2024. [PMID: 38351131 PMCID: PMC10883411 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0524-23.2024] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT) is a brain region that mediates aversive and reward-related behaviors as shown in animals exposed to fear conditioning, natural rewards, or drugs of abuse. However, it is unknown whether manipulations of the PVT, in the absence of external factors or stimuli (e.g., fear, natural rewards, or drugs of abuse), are sufficient to drive reward-related behaviors. Additionally, it is unknown whether drugs of abuse administered directly into the PVT are sufficient to drive reward-related behaviors. Here, using behavioral as well as pathway and cell-type specific approaches, we manipulate PVT activity as well as the PVT-to-nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) neurocircuit to explore reward phenotypes. First, we show that bath perfusion of morphine (10 µM) caused hyperpolarization of the resting membrane potential, increased rheobase, and decreased intrinsic membrane excitability in PVT neurons that project to the NAcSh. Additionally, we found that direct injections of morphine (50 ng) in the PVT of mice were sufficient to generate conditioned place preference (CPP) for the morphine-paired chamber. Mimicking the inhibitory effect of morphine, we employed a chemogenetic approach to inhibit PVT neurons that projected to the NAcSh and found that pairing the inhibition of these PVT neurons with a specific context evoked the acquisition of CPP. Lastly, using brain slice electrophysiology, we found that bath-perfused morphine (10 µM) significantly reduced PVT excitatory synaptic transmission on both dopamine D1 and D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons in the NAcSh, but that inhibiting PVT afferents in the NAcSh was not sufficient to evoke CPP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dillon S McDevitt
- Neuroscience Program, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
| | - Quinn W Wade
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
| | - Greer E McKendrick
- Neuroscience Program, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
| | - Jacob Nelsen
- Doctor of Medicine Program, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
| | - Mariya Starostina
- Doctor of Medicine Program, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
| | - Nam Tran
- Doctor of Medicine Program, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
| | - Julie A Blendy
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Nicholas M Graziane
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Beas S, Khan I, Gao C, Loewinger G, Macdonald E, Bashford A, Rodriguez-Gonzalez S, Pereira F, Penzo MA. Dissociable encoding of motivated behavior by parallel thalamo-striatal projections. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.07.07.548113. [PMID: 37781624 PMCID: PMC10541145 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.07.548113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
The successful pursuit of goals requires the coordinated execution and termination of actions that lead to positive outcomes. This process is thought to rely on motivational states that are guided by internal drivers, such as hunger or fear. However, the mechanisms by which the brain tracks motivational states to shape instrumental actions are not fully understood. The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) is a midline thalamic nucleus that shapes motivated behaviors via its projections to the nucleus accumbens (NAc)1-8 and monitors internal state via interoceptive inputs from the hypothalamus and brainstem3,9-14. Recent studies indicate that the PVT can be subdivided into two major neuronal subpopulations, namely PVTD2(+) and PVTD2(-), which differ in genetic identity, functionality, and anatomical connectivity to other brain regions, including the NAc4,15,16. In this study, we used fiber photometry to investigate the in vivo dynamics of these two distinct PVT neuronal types in mice performing a reward foraging-like behavioral task. We discovered that PVTD2(+) and PVTD2(-) neurons encode the execution and termination of goal-oriented actions, respectively. Furthermore, activity in the PVTD2(+) neuronal population mirrored motivation parameters such as vigor and satiety. Similarly, PVTD2(-) neurons, also mirrored some of these parameters but to a much lesser extent. Importantly, these features were largely preserved when activity in PVT projections to the NAc was selectively assessed. Collectively, our results highlight the existence of two parallel thalamo-striatal projections that participate in the dynamic regulation of goal pursuits and provide insight into the mechanisms by which the brain tracks motivational states to shape instrumental actions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Beas
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Isbah Khan
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Claire Gao
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gabriel Loewinger
- Machine Learning Team, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Emma Macdonald
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alison Bashford
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Francisco Pereira
- Machine Learning Team, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mario A. Penzo
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Guo W, Xiong W. From gut microbiota to brain: implications on binge eating disorders. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2357177. [PMID: 38781112 PMCID: PMC11123470 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2357177] [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] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of eating disorders has been increasing over the last 50 years. Binge eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa (BN) are two typical disabling, costly and life-threatening eating disorders that substantially compromise the physical well-being of individuals while undermining their psychological functioning. The distressing and recurrent episodes of binge eating are commonly observed in both BED and BN; however, they diverge as BN often involves the adoption of inappropriate compensatory behaviors aimed at averting weight gain. Normal eating behavior is coordinated by a well-regulated trade-off between intestinal and central ingestive mechanism. Conversely, despite the fact that the etiology of BED and BN remains incompletely resolved, emerging evidence corroborates the notion that dysbiosis of gastrointestinal microbiome and its metabolites, alteration of gut-brain axis, as well as malfunctioning central circuitry regulating motivation, execution and reward all contribute to the pathology of binge eating. In this review, we aim to outline the current state of knowledge pertaining to the potential mechanisms through which each component of the gut-brain axis participates in binge eating behaviors, and provide insight for the development of microbiome-based therapeutic interventions that hold promise in ameliorating patients afflicted with binge eating disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Guo
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Intelligent Processing, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Hefei, China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Arena G, Londei F, Ceccarelli F, Ferrucci L, Borra E, Genovesio A. Disentangling the identity of the zona incerta: a review of the known connections and latest implications. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 93:102140. [PMID: 38008404 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
The zona incerta (ZI) is a subthalamic region composed by loosely packed neurochemically mixed neurons, juxtaposed to the main ascending and descending bundles. The extreme neurochemical diversity that characterizes this area, together with the diffuseness of its connections with the entire neuraxis and its hard-to-reach positioning in the brain caused the ZI to keep its halo of mystery for over a century. However, in the last decades, a rich albeit fragmentary body of knowledge regarding both the incertal anatomical connections and functional implications has been built mostly based on rodent studies and its lack of cohesion makes difficult to depict an integrated, exhaustive picture regarding the ZI and its roles. This review aims to provide a unified resource that summarizes the current knowledge regarding the anatomical profile of interactions of the ZI in rodents and non-human primates and the functional significance of its connections, highlighting the aspects still unbeknown to research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Arena
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; PhD program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Londei
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; PhD program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Ceccarelli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Ferrucci
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Borra
- University of Parma, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Neuroscience Unit, Italy
| | - Aldo Genovesio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Hormigo S, Zhou J, Chabbert D, Sajid S, Busel N, Castro-Alamancos M. Zona incerta distributes a broad movement signal that modulates behavior. eLife 2023; 12:RP89366. [PMID: 38048270 PMCID: PMC10695563 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89366] [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: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The zona incerta is a subthalamic nucleus made up mostly of GABAergic neurons. It has wide-ranging inputs and outputs and is believed to have many integrative functions that link sensory stimuli with motor responses to guide behavior. However, its role is not well established perhaps because few studies have measured the activity of zona incerta neurons in behaving animals under different conditions. To record the activity of zona incerta neurons during exploratory and cue-driven goal-directed behaviors, we used electrophysiology in head-fixed mice moving on a spherical treadmill and fiber photometry in freely moving mice. We found two groups of neurons based on their sensitivity to movement, with a minority of neurons responding to whisker stimuli. Furthermore, zona incerta GABAergic neurons robustly code the occurrence of exploratory and goal-directed movements, but not their direction. To understand the function of these activations, we performed genetically targeted lesions and optogenetic manipulations of zona incerta GABAergic neurons during exploratory and goal-directed behaviors. The results showed that the zona incerta has a role in modulating the movement associated with these behaviors, but this has little impact on overall performance. Zona incerta neurons distribute a broad corollary signal of movement occurrence to their diverse projection sites, which regulates behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Hormigo
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut School of MedicineFarmingtonUnited States
| | - Ji Zhou
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut School of MedicineFarmingtonUnited States
| | - Dorian Chabbert
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut School of MedicineFarmingtonUnited States
| | - Sarmad Sajid
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut School of MedicineFarmingtonUnited States
| | - Natan Busel
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut School of MedicineFarmingtonUnited States
| | - Manuel Castro-Alamancos
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut School of MedicineFarmingtonUnited States
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Ho PC, Hsiao FY, Chiu SH, Lee SR, Yau HJ. A nigroincertal projection mediates aversion and enhances coping responses to potential threat. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23322. [PMID: 37983662 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201989rr] [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: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that the non-DA neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra (SN) not only modulate motivational behaviors but also regulate defensive behaviors. While zona incerta (ZI) is a threat-responsive substrate and receives innervations from the ventral midbrain, the function of the ventral midbrain-to-ZI connection remains poorly defined. Here, we demonstrate that the ZI receives heterogenous innervations from the ventral midbrain. By utilizing a retrograde AAV preferentially labeling non-DA neurons in the ventral midbrain, we found that ZI-projecting non-DA cells in the ventral midbrain are activated by restraint stress. We focused on the SN and found that SN-to-ZI GABAergic input is engaged by a predatory odor. Sustained pan-neuronal SN-to-ZI activation results in aversion and enhances defensive behaviors, likely through a disinhibition mechanism to recruit downstream brain regions that regulate defensive behaviors. Collectively, our results reveal a novel role of nigroincertal projection in mediating negative valence and regulating defensive behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Chen Ho
- The Laboratory for Neural Circuits and Behaviors, Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Yun Hsiao
- The Laboratory for Neural Circuits and Behaviors, Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shi-Hong Chiu
- School of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Syun-Ruei Lee
- The Laboratory for Neural Circuits and Behaviors, Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hau-Jie Yau
- The Laboratory for Neural Circuits and Behaviors, Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Neurobiology and Cognitive Science Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Taiwan International Graduate Program in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, National Taiwan University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, National Taiwan University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Serra GP, Guillaumin A, Vlcek B, Delgado-Zabalza L, Ricci A, Rubino E, Dumas S, Baufreton J, Georges F, Wallén-Mackenzie Å. A role for the subthalamic nucleus in aversive learning. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113328. [PMID: 37925641 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is critical for behavioral control; its dysregulation consequently correlated with neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, including Parkinson's disease. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) targeting the STN successfully alleviates parkinsonian motor symptoms. However, low mood and depression are affective side effects. STN is adjoined with para-STN, associated with appetitive and aversive behavior. DBS aimed at STN might unintentionally modulate para-STN, causing aversion. Alternatively, the STN mediates aversion. To investigate causality between STN and aversion, affective behavior is addressed using optogenetics in mice. Selective promoters allow dissociation of STN (e.g., Pitx2) vs. para-STN (Tac1). Acute photostimulation results in aversion via both STN and para-STN. However, only STN stimulation-paired cues cause conditioned avoidance and only STN stimulation interrupts on-going sugar self-administration. Electrophysiological recordings identify post-synaptic responses in pallidal neurons, and selective photostimulation of STN terminals in the ventral pallidum replicates STN-induced aversion. Identifying STN as a source of aversive learning contributes neurobiological underpinnings to emotional affect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gian Pietro Serra
- Uppsala University, Department of Organism Biology, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Adriane Guillaumin
- Uppsala University, Department of Organism Biology, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden; University of Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Bianca Vlcek
- Uppsala University, Department of Organism Biology, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Alessia Ricci
- Uppsala University, Department of Organism Biology, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Eleonora Rubino
- Uppsala University, Department of Organism Biology, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Jérôme Baufreton
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - François Georges
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Li SY, Cao JJ, Tan K, Fan L, Wang YQ, Shen ZX, Li SS, Wu C, Zhou H, Xu HT. CRH neurons in the lateral hypothalamic area regulate feeding behavior of mice. Curr Biol 2023; 33:4827-4843.e7. [PMID: 37848038 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.09.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Food cues serve as pivotal triggers for eliciting physiological responses that subsequently influence food consumption. The magnitude of response induced by these cues stands as a critical determinant in the context of obesity risk. Nonetheless, the underlying neural mechanism that underpins how cues associated with edible food potentiate feeding behaviors remains uncertain. In this study, we revealed that corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-expressing neurons in the lateral hypothalamic area played a crucial role in promoting consummatory behaviors in mice, shedding light on this intricate process. By employing an array of diverse assays, we initially established the activation of these neurons during feeding. Manipulations using optogenetic and chemogenetic assays revealed that their activation amplified appetite and promoted feeding behaviors, whereas inhibition decreased them. Additionally, our investigation identified downstream targets, including the ventral tegmental area, and underscored the pivotal involvement of the CRH neuropeptide itself in orchestrating this regulatory network. This research casts a clarifying light on the neural mechanism underlying the augmentation of appetite and the facilitation of feeding behaviors in response to food cues. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Song-Yun Li
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China; Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, 555 Qiangye Road, Shanghai 201210, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jing-Juan Cao
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China; Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, 555 Qiangye Road, Shanghai 201210, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Kang Tan
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China; Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, 555 Qiangye Road, Shanghai 201210, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liu Fan
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, 555 Qiangye Road, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Ya-Qian Wang
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, 555 Qiangye Road, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Zi-Xuan Shen
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China; Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, 555 Qiangye Road, Shanghai 201210, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shuai-Shuai Li
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chao Wu
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hui Zhou
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, 555 Qiangye Road, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Hua-Tai Xu
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, 555 Qiangye Road, Shanghai 201210, China.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Ye Q, Nunez J, Zhang X. Zona incerta dopamine neurons encode motivational vigor in food seeking. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadi5326. [PMID: 37976360 PMCID: PMC10656063 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi5326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Energy deprivation triggers food seeking to ensure homeostatic consumption, but the neural coding of motivational vigor in food seeking during physical hunger remains unknown. Here, we report that ablation of dopamine (DA) neurons in zona incerta (ZI) but not ventral tegmental area potently impaired food seeking after fasting. ZI DA neurons and their projections to paraventricular thalamus (PVT) were quickly activated for food approach but inhibited during food consumption. Chemogenetic manipulation of ZI DA neurons bidirectionally regulated feeding motivation to control meal frequency but not meal size for food intake. Activation of ZI DA neurons promoted, but silencing of these neurons blocked, contextual memory associate with food reward. In addition, selective activation of ZI DA projections to PVT promoted food seeking for food consumption and transited positive-valence signals. Together, these findings reveal that ZI DA neurons encode motivational vigor in food seeking for food consumption through their projections to PVT.
Collapse
|
26
|
Fan S, Guo W, Xiao D, Guan M, Liao T, Peng S, Feng A, Wang Z, Yin H, Li M, Chen J, Xiong W. Microbiota-gut-brain axis drives overeating disorders. Cell Metab 2023; 35:2011-2027.e7. [PMID: 37794596 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Overeating disorders (ODs), usually stemming from dieting history and stress, remain a pervasive issue in contemporary society, with the pathological mechanisms largely unresolved. Here, we show that alterations in intestinal microbiota are responsible for the excessive intake of palatable foods in OD mice and patients with bulimia nervosa (BN). Stress combined with a history of dieting causes significant changes in the microbiota and the intestinal metabolism, which disinhibit the vagus nerve terminals in the gut and thereby lead to a subsequent hyperactivation of the gut-brain axis passing through the vagus, the solitary tract nucleus, and the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus. The transplantation of a probiotic Faecalibacterium prausnitzii or dietary supplement of key metabolites restores the activity of the gut-to-brain pathway and thereby alleviates the OD symptoms. Thus, our study delineates how the microbiota-gut-brain axis mediates energy balance, unveils the underlying pathogenesis of the OD, and provides potential therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sijia Fan
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Weiwei Guo
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Dan Xiao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Mengyuan Guan
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Tiepeng Liao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Intelligent Processing, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei 230088, China
| | - Sufang Peng
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Airong Feng
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Ziyi Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Hao Yin
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230026, China.
| | - Jue Chen
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China.
| | - Wei Xiong
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Intelligent Processing, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei 230088, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Aging Research, Hefei 230026, China.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Mirabella PN, Fenselau H. Advanced neurobiological tools to interrogate metabolism. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2023; 19:639-654. [PMID: 37674015 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-023-00885-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Engineered neurobiological tools for the manipulation of cellular activity, such as chemogenetics and optogenetics, have become a cornerstone of modern neuroscience research. These tools are invaluable for the interrogation of the central control of metabolism as they provide a direct means to establish a causal relationship between brain activity and biological processes at the cellular, tissue and organismal levels. The utility of these methods has grown substantially due to advances in cellular-targeting strategies, alongside improvements in the resolution and potency of such tools. Furthermore, the potential to recapitulate endogenous cellular signalling has been enriched by insights into the molecular signatures and activity dynamics of discrete brain cell types. However, each modulatory tool has a specific set of advantages and limitations; therefore, tool selection and suitability are of paramount importance to optimally interrogate the cellular and circuit-based underpinnings of metabolic outcomes within the organism. Here, we describe the key principles and uses of engineered neurobiological tools. We also highlight inspiring applications and outline critical considerations to be made when using these tools within the field of metabolism research. We contend that the appropriate application of these biotechnological advances will enable the delineation of the central circuitry regulating systemic metabolism with unprecedented potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul Nicholas Mirabella
- Synaptic Transmission in Energy Homeostasis Group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Henning Fenselau
- Synaptic Transmission in Energy Homeostasis Group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany.
- Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
- Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Shima Y, Skibbe H, Sasagawa Y, Fujimori N, Iwayama Y, Isomura-Matoba A, Yano M, Ichikawa T, Nikaido I, Hattori N, Kato T. Distinctiveness and continuity in transcriptome and connectivity in the anterior-posterior axis of the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113309. [PMID: 37862168 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) projects axons to multiple areas, mediates a wide range of behaviors, and exhibits regional heterogeneity in both functions and axonal projections. Still, questions regarding the cell types present in the PVT and the extent of their differences remain inadequately addressed. We applied single-cell RNA sequencing to depict the transcriptomic characteristics of mouse PVT neurons. We found that one of the most significant variances in the PVT transcriptome corresponded to the anterior-posterior axis. While the single-cell transcriptome classified PVT neurons into five types, our transcriptomic and histological analyses showed continuity among the cell types. We discovered that anterior and posterior subpopulations had nearly non-overlapping projection patterns, while another population showed intermediate patterns. In addition, these subpopulations responded differently to appetite-related neuropeptides, with their activation showing opposing effects on food consumption. Our studies unveiled the contrasts and the continuity of PVT neurons that underpin their function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasuyuki Shima
- Neurodegenerative Disorders Collaborative Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Laboratory of Molecular Dynamics of Mental Disorders, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Henrik Skibbe
- Brain Image Analysis Unit, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Yohei Sasagawa
- Laboratory for Bioinformatics Research, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Department of Functional Genome Informatics, Division of Biological Data Science, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
| | - Noriko Fujimori
- Laboratory of Molecular Dynamics of Mental Disorders, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Support Unit for Bio-Material Analysis, Research Resource Division, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Iwayama
- Laboratory for Bioinformatics Research, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Department of Functional Genome Informatics, Division of Biological Data Science, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
| | - Ayako Isomura-Matoba
- Laboratory for Bioinformatics Research, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Minoru Yano
- Department of Functional Genome Informatics, Division of Biological Data Science, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
| | - Takumi Ichikawa
- Laboratory for Bioinformatics Research, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Department of Functional Genome Informatics, Division of Biological Data Science, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
| | - Itoshi Nikaido
- Laboratory for Bioinformatics Research, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Department of Functional Genome Informatics, Division of Biological Data Science, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
| | - Nobutaka Hattori
- Neurodegenerative Disorders Collaborative Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Department of Neurology, Juntendo University, Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Tadafumi Kato
- Laboratory of Molecular Dynamics of Mental Disorders, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University, Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; Department of Molecular Pathology of Mood Disorders, Juntendo University, Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Cho D, O'Berry K, Possa-Paranhos IC, Butts J, Palanikumar N, Sweeney P. Paraventricular Thalamic MC3R Circuits Link Energy Homeostasis with Anxiety-Related Behavior. J Neurosci 2023; 43:6280-6296. [PMID: 37591737 PMCID: PMC10490510 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0704-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamic melanocortin system is critically involved in sensing stored energy and communicating this information throughout the brain, including to brain regions controlling motivation and emotion. This system consists of first-order agouti-related peptide (AgRP) and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons located in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and downstream neurons containing the melanocortin-3 (MC3R) and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R). Although extensive work has characterized the function of downstream MC4R neurons, the identity and function of MC3R-containing neurons are poorly understood. Here, we used neuroanatomical and circuit manipulation approaches in mice to identify a novel pathway linking hypothalamic melanocortin neurons to melanocortin-3 receptor neurons located in the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) in male and female mice. MC3R neurons in PVT are innervated by hypothalamic AgRP and POMC neurons and are activated by anorexigenic and aversive stimuli. Consistently, chemogenetic activation of PVT MC3R neurons increases anxiety-related behavior and reduces feeding in hungry mice, whereas inhibition of PVT MC3R neurons reduces anxiety-related behavior. These studies position PVT MC3R neurons as important cellular substrates linking energy status with neural circuitry regulating anxiety-related behavior and represent a promising potential target for diseases at the intersection of metabolism and anxiety-related behavior such as anorexia nervosa.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Animals must constantly adapt their behavior to changing internal and external challenges, and impairments in appropriately responding to these challenges are a hallmark of many neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we demonstrate that paraventricular thalamic neurons containing the melanocortin-3 receptor respond to energy-state-related information and external challenges to regulate anxiety-related behavior in mice. Thus, these neurons represent a potential target for understanding the neurobiology of disorders at the intersection of metabolism and psychiatry such as anorexia nervosa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dajin Cho
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Kyle O'Berry
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Ingrid Camila Possa-Paranhos
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Jared Butts
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Naraen Palanikumar
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Patrick Sweeney
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Feng B, Harms J, Chen E, Gao P, Xu P, He Y. Current Discoveries and Future Implications of Eating Disorders. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6325. [PMID: 37510558 PMCID: PMC10379623 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20146325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Eating disorders (EDs) are characterized by severe disturbances in eating behaviors and can sometimes be fatal. Eating disorders are also associated with distressing thoughts and emotions. They can be severe conditions affecting physical, psychological, and social functions. Preoccupation with food, body weight, and shape may also play an important role in the regulation of eating disorders. Common eating disorders have three major types: anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED). In some cases, EDs can have serious consequences for an individual's physical and mental health. These disorders often develop during adolescence or early adulthood and affect both males and females, although they are more commonly diagnosed in young adult females. Treatment for EDs typically involves a combination of therapy, nutrition counseling, and medical care. In this narrative review, the authors summarized what is known of EDs and discussed the future directions that may be worth exploring in this emerging area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bing Feng
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA
| | - Jerney Harms
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA
- Biology Department, Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport, LA 71104, USA
| | - Emily Chen
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA
| | - Peiyu Gao
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA
| | - Pingwen Xu
- The Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Yanlin He
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Ye Q, Nunez J, Zhang X. Zona incerta dopamine neurons encode motivational vigor in food seeking. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.29.547060. [PMID: 37425830 PMCID: PMC10327402 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.29.547060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Energy deprivation triggers food seeking to ensure homeostatic consumption, but the neural coding of motivational vigor in food seeking during physical hunger remains unknown. Here, we report that ablation of dopamine (DA) neurons in zona incerta (ZI) but not ventral tegmental area potently impaired food seeking after fasting. ZI DA neurons were quickly activated for food approach but inhibited during food consumption. Chemogenetic manipulation of ZI DA neurons bidirectionally regulated feeding motivation to control meal frequency but not meal size for food intake. In addition, activation of ZI DA neurons and their projections to paraventricular thalamus transited positive-valence signals to promote acquisition and expression of contextual food memory. Together, these findings reveal that ZI DA neurons encode motivational vigor in food seeking for homeostatic eating. One Sentence Summary Activation of ZI DA neurons vigorously drives and maintains food-seeking behaviors to ensure food consumption triggered by energy deprivation through inhibitory DA ZI-PVT transmissions that transit positive-valence signals associated with contextual food memory.
Collapse
|
32
|
Takemoto M, Kato S, Kobayashi K, Song WJ. Dissection of insular cortex layer 5 reveals two sublayers with opposing modulatory roles in appetitive drinking behavior. iScience 2023; 26:106985. [PMID: 37378339 PMCID: PMC10291511 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The insular cortex (insula) is known to play a modulatory role in feeding and drinking. Previous studies have revealed anterior-posterior differences of subcortical projections and roles for the insula, yet the anatomical and functional heterogeneity among the cortical layers remains poorly understood. Here, we show that layer 5 of the mouse dysgranular insula has two distinct neuronal subpopulations along the entire anterior-posterior axis: The L5a population, expressing NECAB1, projects bilaterally to the lateral and capsular divisions of the central amygdala, and the L5b population, expressing CTIP2, projects ipsilaterally to the parasubthalamic nucleus and the medial division of the central amygdala. Optogenetically activating L5a and L5b neuronal populations in thirsty male mice led to suppressed and facilitated water spout licking, respectively, without avoidance against or preference for the spout paired with the opto-stimulation. Our results suggest sublayer-specific bidirectional modulatory roles of insula layer 5 in the motivational aspect of appetitive behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Takemoto
- Department of Sensory and Cognitive Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Shigeki Kato
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Kazuto Kobayashi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Wen-Jie Song
- Department of Sensory and Cognitive Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
- Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Zhu J, Lu J, Shen X, He Y, Xia H, Li W, Guo H, Zhang J, Fan X. SCN1A Polymorphisms and Haplotypes Are Associated With Valproic Acid Treatment Outcomes in Chinese Children With Epilepsy. Pediatr Neurol 2023; 146:55-64. [PMID: 37451178 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2023.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sodium channel genes, especially SCN1A, were reported to play an important role in the treatment outcomes of antiseizure medications. The aim of this study was to explore the association of SCN1A polymorphisms with efficacy and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) related to valproic acid (VPA) among Chinese children with epilepsy. METHODS A total of 126 children with epilepsy treated with VPA for at least 12 months were enrolled in this study. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of SCN1A including rs2298771, rs10167228, and rs3812718 were genotyped using Sequenom MassArray system. Bioinformatics tools were used to explore the potential targets and pathways of SCN1A in VPA-related ADRs. RESULTS The three SNPs in this study were found to be closely associated with treatment outcomes for VPA. Carriers of SCN1A rs3812718 TT genotype tended to be seizure-free with VPA treatment (P = 0.007). AA genotype of rs10167228 and TT genotype of rs2298771 might be protective factors for weight gain induced by VPA, whereas TA genotype of rs10167228 and CT genotype of rs2298771 increased the risk. TAT haplotype carriers were found to respond better to VPA treatment (P = 0.017), whereas CTC haplotype might be a risk factor for VPA-induced weight gain (P = 0.035). Bioinformatics analysis suggested that SCN1A might play a role in VPA-induced weight gain by regulating gated channel activity and GABAergic synapse pathway. CONCLUSION This study revealed that SCN1A rs2298771, rs10167228, and rs3812718 polymorphisms and haplotypes might affect the treatment outcomes of VPA in Chinese children with epilepsy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiahao Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jieluan Lu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xianhuan Shen
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yaodong He
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hanbing Xia
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenzhou Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Huijuan Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianping Zhang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Xiaomei Fan
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Zhao ZD, Zhang L, Xiang X, Kim D, Li H, Cao P, Shen WL. Neurocircuitry of Predatory Hunting. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:817-831. [PMID: 36705845 PMCID: PMC10170020 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-01018-1] [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: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Predatory hunting is an important type of innate behavior evolutionarily conserved across the animal kingdom. It is typically composed of a set of sequential actions, including prey search, pursuit, attack, and consumption. This behavior is subject to control by the nervous system. Early studies used toads as a model to probe the neuroethology of hunting, which led to the proposal of a sensory-triggered release mechanism for hunting actions. More recent studies have used genetically-trackable zebrafish and rodents and have made breakthrough discoveries in the neuroethology and neurocircuits underlying this behavior. Here, we review the sophisticated neurocircuitry involved in hunting and summarize the detailed mechanism for the circuitry to encode various aspects of hunting neuroethology, including sensory processing, sensorimotor transformation, motivation, and sequential encoding of hunting actions. We also discuss the overlapping brain circuits for hunting and feeding and point out the limitations of current studies. We propose that hunting is an ideal behavioral paradigm in which to study the neuroethology of motivated behaviors, which may shed new light on epidemic disorders, including binge-eating, obesity, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Dong Zhao
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
- Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS), Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Xinkuan Xiang
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
- MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Daesoo Kim
- Department of Cognitive Brain Science, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology, Daejeon, 34141, South Korea.
| | - Haohong Li
- MOE Frontier Research Center of Brain & Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Affiliated Mental Health Centre and Hangzhou Seventh People`s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310013, China.
| | - Peng Cao
- National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS), Beijing, 102206, China.
| | - Wei L Shen
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Guo H, Jiang JB, Xu W, Zhang MT, Chen H, Shi HY, Wang L, He M, Lazarus M, Li SQ, Huang ZL, Qu WM. Parasubthalamic calretinin neurons modulate wakefulness associated with exploration in male mice. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2346. [PMID: 37095092 PMCID: PMC10126000 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37797-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The parasubthalamic nucleus (PSTN) is considered to be involved in motivation, feeding and hunting, all of which are highly depending on wakefulness. However, the roles and underlying neural circuits of the PSTN in wakefulness remain unclear. Neurons expressing calretinin (CR) account for the majority of PSTN neurons. In this study in male mice, fiber photometry recordings showed that the activity of PSTNCR neurons increased at the transitions from non-rapid eye movement (non-REM, NREM) sleep to either wakefulness or REM sleep, as well as exploratory behavior. Chemogenetic and optogenetic experiments demonstrated that PSTNCR neurons were necessary for initiating and/or maintaining arousal associated with exploration. Photoactivation of projections of PSTNCR neurons revealed that they regulated exploration-related wakefulness by innervating the ventral tegmental area. Collectively, our findings indicate that PSTNCR circuitry is essential for the induction and maintenance of the awake state associated with exploration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Han Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian-Bo Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Mu-Tian Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Huan-Ying Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Miao He
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Michael Lazarus
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPIIIIS), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Shan-Qun Li
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Zhi-Li Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Wei-Min Qu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Hou G, Jiang S, Chen G, Deng X, Li F, Xu H, Chen B, Zhu Y. Opioid Receptors Modulate Firing and Synaptic Transmission in the Paraventricular Nucleus of the Thalamus. J Neurosci 2023; 43:2682-2695. [PMID: 36898836 PMCID: PMC10089236 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1766-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) is involved in drug addiction-related behaviors, and morphine is a widely used opioid for the relief of severe pain. Morphine acts via opioid receptors, but the function of opioid receptors in the PVT has not been fully elucidated. Here, we used in vitro electrophysiology to study neuronal activity and synaptic transmission in the PVT of male and female mice. Activation of opioid receptors suppresses the firing and inhibitory synaptic transmission of PVT neurons in brain slices. On the other hand, the involvement of opioid modulation is reduced after chronic morphine exposure, probably because of desensitization and internalization of opioid receptors in the PVT. Overall, the opioid system is essential for the modulation of PVT activities.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Opioid receptors modulate the activities and synaptic transmission in the PVT by suppressing the firing rate and inhibitory synaptic inputs. These modulations were largely diminished after chronic morphine exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guoqiang Hou
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shaolei Jiang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Gaowei Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaofei Deng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Fengling Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Hua Xu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Bo Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yingjie Zhu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Venkataraman A, Dias BG. Expanding the canon: An inclusive neurobiology of thalamic and subthalamic fear circuits. Neuropharmacology 2023; 226:109380. [PMID: 36572176 PMCID: PMC9984284 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Appropriate expression of fear in the face of threats in the environment is essential for survival. The sustained expression of fear in the absence of threat signals is a central pathological feature of trauma- and anxiety-related disorders. Our understanding of the neural circuitry that controls fear inhibition coalesces around the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. By discussing thalamic and sub-thalamic influences on fear-related learning and expression in this review, we suggest a more inclusive neurobiological framework that expands our canonical view of fear. First, we visit how fear-related learning and expression is influenced by the aforementioned canonical brain regions. Next, we review emerging data that shed light on new roles for thalamic and subthalamic nuclei in fear-related learning and expression. Then, we highlight how these neuroanatomical hubs can modulate fear via integration of sensory and salient stimuli, gating information flow and calibrating behavioral responses, as well as maintaining and updating memory representations. Finally, we propose that the presence of this thalamic and sub-thalamic neuroanatomy in parallel with the tripartite prefrontal cortex-amygdala-hippocampus circuit allows for dynamic modulation of information based on interoceptive and exteroceptive signals. This article is part of the Special Issue on "Fear, Anxiety and PTSD".
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Archana Venkataraman
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Pharmacology, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Brian George Dias
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Division of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Schroeder A, Pardi MB, Keijser J, Dalmay T, Groisman AI, Schuman EM, Sprekeler H, Letzkus JJ. Inhibitory top-down projections from zona incerta mediate neocortical memory. Neuron 2023; 111:727-738.e8. [PMID: 36610397 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Top-down projections convey a family of signals encoding previous experiences and current aims to the sensory neocortex, where they converge with external bottom-up information to enable perception and memory. Whereas top-down control has been attributed to excitatory pathways, the existence, connectivity, and information content of inhibitory top-down projections remain elusive. Here, we combine synaptic two-photon calcium imaging, circuit mapping, cortex-dependent learning, and chemogenetics in mice to identify GABAergic afferents from the subthalamic zona incerta as a major source of top-down input to the neocortex. Incertocortical transmission undergoes robust plasticity during learning that improves information transfer and mediates behavioral memory. Unlike excitatory pathways, incertocortical afferents form a disinhibitory circuit that encodes learned top-down relevance in a bidirectional manner where the rapid appearance of negative responses serves as the main driver of changes in stimulus representation. Our results therefore reveal the distinctive contribution of long-range (dis)inhibitory afferents to the computational flexibility of neocortical circuits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Schroeder
- Institute for Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79108 Freiburg, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - M Belén Pardi
- Institute for Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79108 Freiburg, Germany; Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM U1266, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Joram Keijser
- Modelling of Cognitive Processes, Institute of Software Engineering and Theoretical Computer Science, Technische Universität Berlin, 10587 Berlin, Germany; Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Einstein Center for Neurosciences Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Tamas Dalmay
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ayelén I Groisman
- Institute for Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79108 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Erin M Schuman
- Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Henning Sprekeler
- Modelling of Cognitive Processes, Institute of Software Engineering and Theoretical Computer Science, Technische Universität Berlin, 10587 Berlin, Germany; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Science of Intelligence, Research Cluster of Excellence, 10587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes J Letzkus
- Institute for Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79108 Freiburg, Germany; Center for Basics in NeuroModulation (NeuroModul Basics), University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; IMBIT//BrainLinks-BrainTools, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Feng B, Liu H, Mishra I, Duerrschmid C, Gao P, Xu P, Wang C, He Y. Asprosin promotes feeding through SK channel-dependent activation of AgRP neurons. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eabq6718. [PMID: 36812308 PMCID: PMC9946352 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq6718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Asprosin, a recently identified adipokine, activates agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARH) via binding to protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor δ (Ptprd) to increase food intake. However, the intracellular mechanisms responsible for asprosin/Ptprd-mediated activation of AgRPARH neurons remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the small-conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channel is required for the stimulatory effects of asprosin/Ptprd on AgRPARH neurons. Specifically, we found that deficiency or elevation of circulating asprosin increased or decreased the SK current in AgRPARH neurons, respectively. AgRPARH-specific deletion of SK3 (an SK channel subtype highly expressed in AgRPARH neurons) blocked asprosin-induced AgRPARH activation and overeating. Furthermore, pharmacological blockade, genetic knockdown, or knockout of Ptprd abolished asprosin's effects on the SK current and AgRPARH neuronal activity. Therefore, our results demonstrated an essential asprosin-Ptprd-SK3 mechanism in asprosin-induced AgRPARH activation and hyperphagia, which is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bing Feng
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Hesong Liu
- USDA-ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ila Mishra
- Harrington Discovery Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Clemens Duerrschmid
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Peiyu Gao
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Pingwen Xu
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Chunmei Wang
- USDA-ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yanlin He
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Wu FL, Chen SH, Li JN, Zhao LJ, Wu XM, Hong J, Zhu KH, Sun HX, Shi SJ, Mao E, Zang WD, Cao J, Kou ZZ, Li YQ. Projections from the Rostral Zona Incerta to the Thalamic Paraventricular Nucleus Mediate Nociceptive Neurotransmission in Mice. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13020226. [PMID: 36837844 PMCID: PMC9966812 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13020226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Zona incerta (ZI) is an integrative subthalamic region in nociceptive neurotransmission. Previous studies demonstrated that the rostral ZI (ZIR) is an important gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) source to the thalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVT), but whether the ZIR-PVT pathway participates in nociceptive modulation is still unclear. Therefore, our investigation utilized anatomical tracing, fiber photometry, chemogenetic, optogenetic and local pharmacological approaches to investigate the roles of the ZIRGABA+-PVT pathway in nociceptive neurotransmission in mice. We found that projections from the GABAergic neurons in ZIR to PVT were involved in nociceptive neurotransmission. Furthermore, chemogenetic and optogenetic activation of the ZIRGABA+-PVT pathway alleviates pain, whereas inhibiting the activities of the ZIRGABA+-PVT circuit induces mechanical hypersensitivity and partial heat hyperalgesia. Importantly, in vivo pharmacology combined with optogenetics revealed that the GABA-A receptor (GABAAR) is crucial for GABAergic inhibition from ZIR to PVT. Our data suggest that the ZIRGABA+-PVT pathway acts through GABAAR-expressing glutamatergic neurons in PVT mediates nociceptive neurotransmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Ling Wu
- Department of Human Anatomy, College of Preclinical Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Si-Hai Chen
- Department of Human Anatomy, College of Preclinical Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Jia-Ni Li
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Liu-Jie Zhao
- Department of Human Anatomy, College of Preclinical Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Xue-Mei Wu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
- Department of Human Anatomy, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Jie Hong
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
- Department of Human Anatomy, Baotou Medical College Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014040, China
| | - Ke-Hua Zhu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Han-Xue Sun
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
- Department of Human Anatomy, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Su-Juan Shi
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - E Mao
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Wei-Dong Zang
- Department of Human Anatomy, College of Preclinical Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Jing Cao
- Department of Human Anatomy, College of Preclinical Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Zhen-Zhen Kou
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
- Correspondence: (Z.-Z.K.); (Y.-Q.L.); Tel.: +86-29-8477-2706; Fax: +86-29-8328-3229 (Y.-Q.L.)
| | - Yun-Qing Li
- Department of Human Anatomy, College of Preclinical Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
- Department of Geriatrics, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710038, China
- Key Laboratory of Brain Science Research and Transformation in Tropical Environment of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China
- Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medicine, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
- Correspondence: (Z.-Z.K.); (Y.-Q.L.); Tel.: +86-29-8477-2706; Fax: +86-29-8328-3229 (Y.-Q.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Haber SN, Lehman J, Maffei C, Yendiki A. The rostral zona incerta: a subcortical integrative hub and potential DBS target for OCD. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 93:1010-1022. [PMID: 37055285 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The zona incerta (ZI) is involved in mediating survival behaviors and is connected to a wide range of cortical and subcortical structures, including key basal ganglia nuclei. Based on these connections and their links to behavioral modulation, we propose that the ZI is a connectional hub for mediating between top-down and bottom-up control and a possible target for deep brain stimulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder. METHODS We analyzed the trajectory of cortical fibers to the ZI in nonhuman and human primates based on tracer injections in monkeys and high-resolution diffusion magnetic resonance imaging in humans. The organization of cortical and subcortical connections within the ZI were identified in the nonhuman primate studies. RESULTS Monkey anatomical data and human diffusion magnetic resonance imaging data showed a similar trajectory of fibers/streamlines to the ZI. Prefrontal cortex/anterior cingulate cortex terminals all converged within the rostral ZI, with dorsal and lateral areas being most prominent. Motor areas terminated caudally. Dense subcortical reciprocal connections included the thalamus, medial hypothalamus, substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area, reticular formation, and pedunculopontine nucleus and a dense nonreciprocal projection to the lateral habenula. Additional connections included the amygdala, dorsal raphe nucleus, and periaqueductal gray. CONCLUSIONS Dense connections with dorsal and lateral prefrontal cortex/anterior cingulate cortex cognitive control areas and the lateral habenula and the substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area, coupled with inputs from the amygdala, hypothalamus, and brainstem, suggest that the rostral ZI is a subcortical hub positioned to modulate between top-down and bottom-up control. A deep brain stimulation electrode placed in the rostral ZI would not only involve connections common to other deep brain stimulation sites but also capture several critically distinctive connections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne N Haber
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York; Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts.
| | - Julia Lehman
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York
| | - Chiara Maffei
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Anastasia Yendiki
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Gan Z, Gangadharan V, Liu S, Körber C, Tan LL, Li H, Oswald MJ, Kang J, Martin-Cortecero J, Männich D, Groh A, Kuner T, Wieland S, Kuner R. Layer-specific pain relief pathways originating from primary motor cortex. Science 2022; 378:1336-1343. [PMID: 36548429 DOI: 10.1126/science.add4391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The primary motor cortex (M1) is involved in the control of voluntary movements and is extensively mapped in this capacity. Although the M1 is implicated in modulation of pain, the underlying circuitry and causal underpinnings remain elusive. We unexpectedly unraveled a connection from the M1 to the nucleus accumbens reward circuitry through a M1 layer 6-mediodorsal thalamus pathway, which specifically suppresses negative emotional valence and associated coping behaviors in neuropathic pain. By contrast, layer 5 M1 neurons connect with specific cell populations in zona incerta and periaqueductal gray to suppress sensory hypersensitivity without altering pain affect. Thus, the M1 employs distinct, layer-specific pathways to attune sensory and aversive-emotional components of neuropathic pain, which can be exploited for purposes of pain relief.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Gan
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Vijayan Gangadharan
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sheng Liu
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Körber
- Department of Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Linette Liqi Tan
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Han Li
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Manfred Josef Oswald
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Juhyun Kang
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jesus Martin-Cortecero
- Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Deepitha Männich
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Groh
- Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Kuner
- Department of Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wieland
- Department of Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty Heidelberg and University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rohini Kuner
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Chen Z, Sun Y, Chen L, Zhang Y, Wang J, Li H, Yan X, Xia L, Yao G. Differences in meat quality between Angus cattle and Xinjiang brown cattle in association with gut microbiota and its lipid metabolism. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:988984. [PMID: 36560955 PMCID: PMC9763702 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.988984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gut microbiota plays important roles in mediating fat metabolic events in humans and animals. However, the differences of meat quality traits related to the lipid metabolism (MQT-LM) in association with gut microbiota involving in lipid metabolism have not been well explored between Angus cattle (AG) and Xinjiang brown cattle (BC). Ten heads of 18-month-old uncastrated male AG and BC (5 in each group) raised under the identical conditions were selected to test MQT-LM, i.e., the backfat thickness (BFT), the intramuscular fat (IMF) content, the intramuscular adipocyte areas (IAA), the eye muscle area (EMA), the muscle fiber sectional area (MFSA) and the muscle shear force after sacrifice. The gut microbiota composition and structure with its metabolic function were analyzed by means of metagenomics and metabolomics with rectal feces. The correlation of MQT-LM with the gut microbiota and its metabolites was analyzed. In comparison with AG, BC had significant lower EMA, IMF content and IAA but higher BFT and MFSA. Chao1 and ACE indexes of α-diversity were lower. β-diversity between AG and BC were significantly different. The relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Prevotella and Blautia and Prevotella copri, Blautia wexlerae, and Ruminococcus gnavus was lower. The lipid metabolism related metabolites, i.e., succinate, oxoglutaric acid, L-aspartic acid and L-glutamic acid were lower, while GABA, L-asparagine and fumaric acid were higher. IMF was positively correlated with Prevotella copri, Blautia wexlerae and Ruminococcus gnavus, and the metabolites succinate, oxoglutaric acid, L-aspartic acid and L-glutamic acid, while negatively with GABA, L-asparagine and fumaric acid. BFT was negatively correlated with Blautia wexlerae and the metabolites succinate, L-aspartic acid and L-glutamic acid, while positively with GABA, L-asparagine and fumaric acid. Prevotella Copri, Blautia wexlerae, and Ruminococcus gnavus was all positively correlated with succinate, oxoglutaric acid, while negatively with L-asparagine and fumaric acid. In conclusion, Prevotella copri, Prevotella intermedia, Blautia wexlerae, and Ruminococcus gnavus may serve as the potential differentiated bacterial species in association with MQT-LM via their metabolites of oxoglutaric acid, succinate, fumaric acid, L-aspartic acid, L-asparagine, L-glutamic acid and GABA between BC and AG.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Yawei Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Lijing Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Institute of Animal Science, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Sciences, Urumqi, China
| | - Jinquan Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Hongbo Li
- Institute of Animal Science, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Sciences, Urumqi, China
| | - Xiangming Yan
- Institute of Animal Science, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Sciences, Urumqi, China
| | - Lining Xia
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China,Xinjiang Key Laboratory of New Drug Study and Creation for Herbivorous Animals (XJKLNDSCHA), Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China,*Correspondence: Lining Xia,
| | - Gang Yao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China,Xinjiang Key Laboratory of New Drug Study and Creation for Herbivorous Animals (XJKLNDSCHA), Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China,Gang Yao,
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Monosov IE, Ogasawara T, Haber SN, Heimel JA, Ahmadlou M. The zona incerta in control of novelty seeking and investigation across species. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2022; 77:102650. [PMID: 36399897 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Many organisms rely on a capacity to rapidly replicate, disperse, and evolve when faced with uncertainty and novelty. But mammals do not evolve and replicate quickly. They rely on a sophisticated nervous system to generate predictions and select responses when confronted with these challenges. An important component of their behavioral repertoire is the adaptive context-dependent seeking or avoiding of perceptually novel objects, even when their values have not yet been learned. Here, we outline recent cross-species breakthroughs that shed light on how the zona incerta (ZI), a relatively evolutionarily conserved brain area, supports novelty-seeking and novelty-related investigations. We then conjecture how the architecture of the ZI's anatomical connectivity - the wide-ranging top-down cortical inputs to the ZI, and its specifically strong outputs to both the brainstem action controllers and to brain areas involved in action value learning - place the ZI in a unique role at the intersection of cognitive control and learning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilya E Monosov
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Takaya Ogasawara
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Suzanne N Haber
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA; Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - J Alexander Heimel
- Circuits Structure and Function Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mehran Ahmadlou
- Circuits Structure and Function Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University College London, 25 Howland St., W1T4JG London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Chen Y, Li Q, Li X, Liu H, Li P, Hai R, Guo Y, Wang S, Wang K, Du C. Amylin regulates testosterone levels via steroidogenesis-related enzymes in the central nervous system of male mice. Neuropeptides 2022; 96:102288. [PMID: 36279616 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2022.102288] [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] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Amylin is a peripheral satiation signal polypeptide co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic β-cells in response to nutrient ingestion. Amylin participates in the eating-inhibitory effect and regulates energy metabolism by acting on the central nervous system (CNS). However, the role of amylin in regulating the biosynthesis of steroid hormones, such as testosterone, through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG) remains unexplored. However, only limited evidence is available on the involvement of amylin in steroid synthesis, we hypothesize that amylin regulates testosterone levels via steroidogenesis-related enzymes in the CNS. In this study, we elucidated the effect of intraperitoneal injection of amylin on the protein expression of steroidogenesis-related enzymes, including 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1), and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), and phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK). Additionally, the effect of amylin on testosterone levels in male mice was examined. Our results suggested that 3β-HSD and CYP17A1 neurons were widely expressed in the CNS of male mice, whereas StAR neurons were mainly expressed in the zona incerta (ZI) and locus coeruleus (LC) regions. Intraperitoneal injection of amylin significantly reduced (p < 0.01) the expression of 3β-HSD, CYP17A1, and StAR in ZI and other areas near the third ventricle (3 V) but increased (p < 0.01) pERK expression, brain testosterone levels, serum FSH, serum LH, and decreased (p < 0.01) serum testosterone levels in mice. In conclusion, amylin regulates testosterone levels via steroidogenesis-related enzymes in the central nervous system of male mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Chen
- Vocational and Technical College, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Baotou 014109, China
| | - Qiang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Xiaojing Li
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Haodong Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Penghui Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Rihan Hai
- Vocational and Technical College, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Baotou 014109, China
| | - Yongqing Guo
- Vocational and Technical College, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Baotou 014109, China
| | - Siwei Wang
- Institute of Cereal and Oil Crops, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation Physiology and Green Production in Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Institute of Cereal and Oil Crops, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation Physiology and Green Production in Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Chenguang Du
- Vocational and Technical College, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Baotou 014109, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Raphe serotonin projections dynamically regulate feeding behavior through targeting inhibitory circuits from rostral zona incerta to paraventricular thalamus. Mol Metab 2022; 66:101634. [PMID: 36351530 PMCID: PMC9672487 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2022.101634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Rostral zona incerta (ZIR) evokes feeding by sending GABA transmission to paraventricular thalamus (PVT). Although central serotonin (5-HT) signaling is known to play critical roles in the regulation of food intake and eating disorders, it remains unknown whether raphe 5-HT neurons functionally innervate ZIR-PVT neural pathway for feeding control. Here, we sought to reveal how raphe 5-HT signaling regulates both ZIR and PVT for feeding control. METHODS We used retrograde neural tracers to map 5-HT projections in Sert-Cre mice and slice electrophysiology to examine the mechanism by which 5-HT modulates ZIR GABA neurons. We also used optogenetics to test the effects of raphe-ZIR and raphe-PVT 5-HT projections on feeding motivation and food intake in mice regularly fed, 24 h fasted, and with intermittent high-fat high-sugar (HFHS) diet. In addition, we applied RNAscope in situ hybridization to identify 5-HT receptor subtype mRNA in ZIR. RESULTS We show raphe 5-HT neurons sent projections to both ZIR and PVT with partial collateral axons. Photostimulation of 5-HT projections inhibited ZIR but excited PVT neurons to decrease motivated food consumption. However, both acute food deprivation and intermittent HFHS diet downregulated 5-HT inhibition on ZIR GABA neurons, abolishing the inhibitory regulation of raphe-ZIR 5-HT projections on feeding motivation and food intake. Furthermore, we found high-level 5-HT1a and 5-HT2c as well as low-level 5-HT7 mRNA expression in ZIR. Intermittent HFHS diet increased 5-HT7 but not 5-HT1a or 5-HT2c mRNA levels in the ZIR. CONCLUSIONS Our results reveal that raphe-ZIR 5-HT projections dynamically regulate ZIR GABA neurons for feeding control, supporting that a dynamic fluctuation of ZIR 5-HT inhibition authorizes daily food intake but a sustained change of ZIR 5-HT signaling leads to overeating induced by HFHS diet.
Collapse
|
47
|
Gaziano I, Corneliussen S, Biglari N, Neuhaus R, Shen L, Sotelo-Hitschfeld T, Klemm P, Steuernagel L, De Solis AJ, Chen W, Wunderlich FT, Kloppenburg P, Brüning JC. Dopamine-inhibited POMCDrd2+ neurons in the ARC acutely regulate feeding and body temperature. JCI Insight 2022; 7:162753. [PMID: 36345942 PMCID: PMC9675440 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.162753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine acts on neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus, which controls homeostatic feeding responses. Here we demonstrate a differential enrichment of dopamine receptor 1 (Drd1) expression in food intake-promoting agouti related peptide (AgRP)/neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons and a large proportion of Drd2-expressing anorexigenic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons. Owing to the nature of these receptors, this translates into a predominant activation of AgRP/NPY neurons upon dopamine stimulation and a larger proportion of dopamine-inhibited POMC neurons. Employing intersectional targeting of Drd2-expressing POMC neurons, we reveal that dopamine-mediated POMC neuron inhibition is Drd2 dependent and that POMCDrd2+ neurons exhibit differential expression of neuropeptide signaling mediators compared with the global POMC neuron population, which manifests in enhanced somatostatin responsiveness of POMCDrd2+ neurons. Selective chemogenetic activation of POMCDrd2+ neurons uncovered their ability to acutely suppress feeding and to preserve body temperature in fasted mice. Collectively, the present study provides the molecular and functional characterization of POMCDrd2+ neurons and aids our understanding of dopamine-dependent control of homeostatic energy-regulatory neurocircuits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Gaziano
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and
| | - Svenja Corneliussen
- Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and,Institute for Zoology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Cologne, Germany
| | - Nasim Biglari
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and
| | - René Neuhaus
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and
| | - Linyan Shen
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and
| | - Tamara Sotelo-Hitschfeld
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and
| | - Paul Klemm
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and
| | - Lukas Steuernagel
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and
| | - Alain J. De Solis
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and
| | - Weiyi Chen
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and
| | - F. Thomas Wunderlich
- Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and,Obesity and Cancer group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Peter Kloppenburg
- Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and,Institute for Zoology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Cologne, Germany
| | - Jens C. Brüning
- Neuronal Control of Metabolism group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and,National Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Furlan A, Corona A, Boyle S, Sharma R, Rubino R, Habel J, Gablenz EC, Giovanniello J, Beyaz S, Janowitz T, Shea SD, Li B. Neurotensin neurons in the extended amygdala control dietary choice and energy homeostasis. Nat Neurosci 2022; 25:1470-1480. [PMID: 36266470 PMCID: PMC9682790 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01178-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is a global pandemic that is causally linked to many life-threatening diseases. Apart from some rare genetic conditions, the biological drivers of overeating and reduced activity are unclear. Here, we show that neurotensin-expressing neurons in the mouse interstitial nucleus of the posterior limb of the anterior commissure (IPAC), a nucleus of the central extended amygdala, encode dietary preference for unhealthy energy-dense foods. Optogenetic activation of IPACNts neurons promotes obesogenic behaviors, such as hedonic eating, and modulates food preference. Conversely, acute inhibition of IPACNts neurons reduces feeding and decreases hedonic eating. Chronic inactivation of IPACNts neurons recapitulates these effects, reduces preference for sweet, non-caloric tastants and, furthermore, enhances locomotion and energy expenditure; as a result, mice display long-term weight loss and improved metabolic health and are protected from obesity. Thus, the activity of a single neuronal population bidirectionally regulates energy homeostasis. Our findings could lead to new therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Furlan
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA,Correspondence: (A.F.); (B.L.)
| | - Alberto Corona
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA,School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA,These authors contributed equally
| | - Sara Boyle
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA,School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA,These authors contributed equally
| | | | - Rachel Rubino
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Jill Habel
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Eva Carlotta Gablenz
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA,Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jacqueline Giovanniello
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA,School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Semir Beyaz
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Tobias Janowitz
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | | | - Bo Li
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA,Correspondence: (A.F.); (B.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Somatostatin-Positive Neurons in the Rostral Zona Incerta Modulate Innate Fear-Induced Defensive Response in Mice. Neurosci Bull 2022; 39:245-260. [PMID: 36260252 PMCID: PMC9905479 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-00958-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Defensive behaviors induced by innate fear or Pavlovian fear conditioning are crucial for animals to avoid threats and ensure survival. The zona incerta (ZI) has been demonstrated to play important roles in fear learning and fear memory, as well as modulating auditory-induced innate defensive behavior. However, whether the neuronal subtypes in the ZI and specific circuits can mediate the innate fear response is largely unknown. Here, we found that somatostatin (SST)-positive neurons in the rostral ZI of mice were activated by a visual innate fear stimulus. Optogenetic inhibition of SST-positive neurons in the rostral ZI resulted in reduced flight responses to an overhead looming stimulus. Optogenetic activation of SST-positive neurons in the rostral ZI induced fear-like defensive behavior including increased immobility and bradycardia. In addition, we demonstrated that manipulation of the GABAergic projections from SST-positive neurons in the rostral ZI to the downstream nucleus reuniens (Re) mediated fear-like defensive behavior. Retrograde trans-synaptic tracing also revealed looming stimulus-activated neurons in the superior colliculus (SC) that projected to the Re-projecting SST-positive neurons in the rostral ZI (SC-ZIrSST-Re pathway). Together, our study elucidates the function of SST-positive neurons in the rostral ZI and the SC-ZIrSST-Re tri-synaptic circuit in mediating the innate fear response.
Collapse
|
50
|
Wang X, Xing K, He M, He T, Xiang X, Chen T, Zhang L, Li H. Time-restricted feeding is an intervention against excessive dark-phase sleepiness induced by obesogenic diet. Natl Sci Rev 2022; 10:nwac222. [PMID: 36825118 PMCID: PMC9942665 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwac222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity is a growing epidemic and major health concern. While excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a common symptom of HFD-induced obesity, preliminary findings suggest that reduced wakefulness could be improved with time-restricted feeding (TRF). At present, however, the underlying neural mechanisms remain largely unknown. The paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT) plays a role in maintaining wakefulness. We found that chronic HFD impaired the activity of PVT neurons. Notably, inactivation of the PVT was sufficient to reduce and fragment wakefulness during the active phase in lean mice, similar to the sleep-wake alterations observed in obese mice with HFD-induced obesity. On the other hand, enhancing PVT neuronal activity consolidated wakefulness in mice with HFD-induced obesity. We observed that the fragmented wakefulness could be eliminated and reversed by TRF. Furthermore, TRF prevented the HFD-induced disruptions on synaptic transmission in the PVT, in a feeding duration-dependent manner. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that ad libitum access to a HFD results in inactivation of the PVT, which is critical to impaired nocturnal wakefulness and increased sleep, while TRF can prevent and reverse diet-induced PVT dysfunction and excessive sleepiness. We establish a link between TRF and neural activity, through which TRF can potentially serve as a lifestyle intervention against diet/obesity-related EDS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xu Wang
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China,MOE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Keke Xing
- Department of Anatomy, Histology & Embryology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Mengge He
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China,MOE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Ting He
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China,MOE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Xinkuan Xiang
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China,MOE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Department of Anatomy, Histology & Embryology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | | | | |
Collapse
|