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Gao JH, Liu YY, Xu HX, Wu K, Zhang LL, Cheng P, Peng XH, Cao JL, Hua R, Zhang YM. Divergent input patterns to the central lateral amygdala play a duet in fear memory formation. iScience 2024; 27:110886. [PMID: 39319272 PMCID: PMC11421289 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110886] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Somatostatin (SOM)-expressing neurons in the central lateral amygdala (CeL) are responsible for fear memory learning, but the circuit and molecular mechanisms underlying this biology remain elusive. Here, we found that glutamatergic neurons in the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPB) directly dominated the activity of CeLSOM neurons, and that selectively inhibiting the LPBGlu→CeLSOM pathway suppressed fear memory acquisition. By contrast, inhibiting CeL-projecting glutamatergic neurons in the paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT) interfered with consolidation-related processes. Notably, CeLSOM-innervating neurons in the LPB were modulated by presynaptic cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R), and knock down of CB1Rs in LPB glutamatergic neurons enhanced excitatory transmission to the CeL and partially rescued the impairment in fear memory induced by CB1R activation in the CeL. Overall, our study reveals the mechanisms by which CeLSOM neurons mediate the formation of fear memories during fear conditioning in mice, which may provide a new direction for the clinical research of fear-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Hua Gao
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Yancheng Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, The First People's Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng 224008, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yue-Ying Liu
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hui-Xiang Xu
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ke Wu
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Le-le Zhang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Peng Cheng
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao-Han Peng
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jun-Li Cao
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rong Hua
- Department of Emergency, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yong-Mei Zhang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
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2
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Sgobbi RF, Incrocci RM, Paliarin F, Nobre MJ. The modulatory role of serotonin-1A receptors of the basolateral amygdala and dorsal periaqueductal gray on the impact of hormonal variation on the conditioned fear response. Neuroscience 2024; 554:118-127. [PMID: 39019393 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.07.017] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Despite significant advances in the study of fear and fear memory formation, little is known about fear learning and expression in females. This omission has been proven surprising, as normal and pathological behaviors are highly influenced by ovarian hormones, particularly estradiol and progesterone. In the current study, we investigated the joint influence of serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission and estrous cycle phases (low or high levels of estradiol and progesterone) on the expression of conditioned fear in a group of female rats that were previously divided according to their response to stressful stimuli into low or high anxiety-like subjects. The baseline amplitude of the unconditioned acoustic startle responses was high in high-anxiety female rats, with no effect on the estrous cycle observed. Data collected during the proestrus-estrus phase revealed that low-anxiety rats had startle amplitudes similar to those of high-anxiety rats. It is supposed that high-anxiety female rats benefit from increased estradiol and progesterone levels to achieve comparable potentiated startle amplitudes. In contrast, female rats experienced a significant decrease in hormone levels during the Diestrus phase. This decrease is believed to play a role in preventing them from displaying a heightened startle response when faced with strongly aversive stimuli. Data collected after 5-HT and 8-OH-DPAT were administered into the basolateral nuclei and dorsal periaqueductal gray suggest that 5-HT neurotransmission works with progesterone and estrogen to reduce startle potentiation, most likely by activating the serotonin-1A receptor subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- R F Sgobbi
- Departamento de Psicologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - R M Incrocci
- Departamento de Psicologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - F Paliarin
- Departamento de Psicologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - M J Nobre
- Departamento de Psicologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil; Departamento de Psicologia, Uni-FACEF, 14401-135, Franca, SP, Brasil.
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Trevizan-Baú P, Hayes JA, Bolser DC, Reznikov LR. Amygdalar involvement in respiratory dysfunction. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1424889. [PMID: 39263625 PMCID: PMC11387172 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1424889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The brainstem has long been recognized as the major respiratory control center, but it has become increasingly appreciated that areas upstream of the brainstem modulate respiration and airway defensive behaviors. This review aims to define the role of the amygdala, a key temporal brain region essential for limbic function, in respiration and airway defenses. We summarize literature describing roles for the amygdala in control of respiration, swallow, cough, airway smooth muscle contraction, and mucus secretion. We emphasize the need to understand how the amygdala regulates these functions both at a local scale and network scale and identify knowledge gaps for current and future investigations. Lastly, we highlight literature suggesting that amygdala dysfunction may contribute to respiratory dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Trevizan-Baú
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - John A Hayes
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Donald C Bolser
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Leah R Reznikov
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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Wang SY, Xia ZX, Yang SW, Chen WK, Zhao YL, Li MD, Tian D, Pan Y, Lin XS, Zhu XQ, Huang Z, Liu JM, Lai ZM, Tao WC, Shen ZC. Regulation of depressive-like behaviours by palmitoylation: Role of AKAP150 in the basolateral amygdala. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:1897-1915. [PMID: 38413375 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16318] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Protein palmitoylation is involved in learning and memory, and in emotional disorders. Yet, the underlying mechanisms in these processes remain unclear. Herein, we describe that A-kinase anchoring protein 150 (AKAP150) is essential and sufficient for depressive-like behaviours in mice via a palmitoylation-dependent mechanism. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Depressive-like behaviours in mice were induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS) and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Palmitoylated proteins in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) were assessed by an acyl-biotin exchange assay. Genetic and pharmacological approaches were used to investigate the role of the DHHC2-mediated AKAP150 palmitoylation signalling pathway in depressive-like behaviours. Electrophysiological recording, western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation were performed to define the mechanistic pathway. KEY RESULTS Chronic stress successfully induced depressive-like behaviours in mice and enhanced AKAP150 palmitoylation in the BLA, and a palmitoylation inhibitor was enough to reverse these changes. Blocking the AKAP150-PKA interaction with the peptide Ht-31 abolished the CRS-induced AKAP150 palmitoylation signalling pathway. DHHC2 expression and palmitoylation levels were both increased after chronic stress. DHHC2 knockdown prevented CRS-induced depressive-like behaviours, as well as attenuating AKAP150 signalling and synaptic transmission in the BLA in CRS-treated mice. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS These results delineate that DHHC2 modulates chronic stress-induced depressive-like behaviours and synaptic transmission in the BLA via the AKAP150 palmitoylation signalling pathway, and this pathway may be considered as a promising novel therapeutic target for major depressive disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Ying Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Xuan Xia
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Shao-Wei Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wei-Kai Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yue-Ling Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Meng-Die Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Dan Tian
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yue Pan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Shan Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Qian Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhen Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jian-Min Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Wuhan No. 1 Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhong-Meng Lai
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wu-Cheng Tao
- Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zu-Cheng Shen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
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5
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Duggins P, Eliasmith C. A scalable spiking amygdala model that explains fear conditioning, extinction, renewal and generalization. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:3093-3116. [PMID: 38616566 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16338] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
The amygdala (AMY) is widely implicated in fear learning and fear behaviour, but it remains unclear how the many biological components present within AMY interact to achieve these abilities. Building on previous work, we hypothesize that individual AMY nuclei represent different quantities and that fear conditioning arises from error-driven learning on the synapses between AMY nuclei. We present a computational model of AMY that (a) recreates the divisions and connections between AMY nuclei and their constituent pyramidal and inhibitory neurons; (b) accommodates scalable high-dimensional representations of external stimuli; (c) learns to associate complex stimuli with the presence (or absence) of an aversive stimulus; (d) preserves feature information when mapping inputs to salience estimates, such that these estimates generalize to similar stimuli; and (e) induces a diverse profile of neural responses within each nucleus. Our model predicts (1) defensive responses and neural activities in several experimental conditions, (2) the consequence of artificially ablating particular nuclei and (3) the tendency to generalize defensive responses to novel stimuli. We test these predictions by comparing model outputs to neural and behavioural data from animals and humans. Despite the relative simplicity of our model, we find significant overlap between simulated and empirical data, which supports our claim that the model captures many of the neural mechanisms that support fear conditioning. We conclude by comparing our model to other computational models and by characterizing the theoretical relationship between pattern separation and fear generalization in healthy versus anxious individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Duggins
- Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chris Eliasmith
- Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Philosophy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Yildiz NG, Aydin HZ, Aydin K, Yildiz H, Sambo G, Mwamulima B, Zonda JM, Phiri D, Phiri YVA. Understanding adverse childhood experiences and the call for trauma-informed healthcare system in Turkey: a review. Health Res Policy Syst 2024; 22:63. [PMID: 38816817 PMCID: PMC11140905 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-024-01137-3] [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: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past four decades, research has underscored the significance of approaching and preventing trauma from a systemic standpoint. Trauma-informed care (TIC) methodologies offer a structure for healthcare practices, striving to convert organizations into trauma-informed systems that employ trauma-specific interventions. This review employs epidemiological and household data from Turkey to underscore the importance of integrating trauma-informed care as a means of prevention and intervention. Through a desk review, the study examines the role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), delving into their origin from family dynamics, migration, violence, exposure to violence, juvenile delinquency, and child maltreatment. The research highlights innovative healthcare approaches that leverage data to address complex patient health issues while considering mental health needs. In contemporary times, healthcare organizations acknowledge the value of a data-driven approach to make informed clinical decisions, enhance treatment procedures, and improve overall healthcare outcomes. The reviewed research and empirical data furnish proof of the importance of effective and efficient treatment methods that prioritize trauma prevention and treatment, integrating the role of ACEs. This paper seeks to contribute to discussions on transforming the healthcare system to meet the healthcare needs of Turkish households, all the while taking into account the evolving sociopolitical factors that shape Turkey's population characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadire Gülçin Yildiz
- Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Education, Boğaziçi University, Bebek, Istanbul, 34342, Turkey.
- Faculty of Education, Department of Guidance and Counseling, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Halide Z Aydin
- Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Kemal Aydin
- Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Amasya University, Amasya, Turkey
| | - Hatice Yildiz
- Health Sciences Institute, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Grace Sambo
- Chang Gung Medical Education Research Centre (CG-MERC), Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Bwanalori Mwamulima
- Directorate of Health and Social Services, Rumphi District Council, Rhumpi, Malawi
| | - Joe Maganga Zonda
- Department of Economics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Doreen Phiri
- School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yohane Vincent Abero Phiri
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health (EEH), University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
- Charis Professional and Academic Research Consultants (CPARC), C/O P.O. Box 132, Mchinji, Malawi.
- Malawi Environmental Health Association (MEHA), P.O. Box 381, Lilongwe 3, Malawi.
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7
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Borkar CD, Stelly CE, Fu X, Dorofeikova M, Le QSE, Vutukuri R, Vo C, Walker A, Basavanhalli S, Duong A, Bean E, Resendez A, Parker JG, Tasker JG, Fadok JP. Top-down control of flight by a non-canonical cortico-amygdala pathway. Nature 2024; 625:743-749. [PMID: 38233522 PMCID: PMC10878556 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06912-w] [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: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Survival requires the selection of appropriate behaviour in response to threats, and dysregulated defensive reactions are associated with psychiatric illnesses such as post-traumatic stress and panic disorder1. Threat-induced behaviours, including freezing and flight, are controlled by neuronal circuits in the central amygdala (CeA)2; however, the source of neuronal excitation of the CeA that contributes to high-intensity defensive responses is unknown. Here we used a combination of neuroanatomical mapping, in vivo calcium imaging, functional manipulations and electrophysiology to characterize a previously unknown projection from the dorsal peduncular (DP) prefrontal cortex to the CeA. DP-to-CeA neurons are glutamatergic and specifically target the medial CeA, the main amygdalar output nucleus mediating conditioned responses to threat. Using a behavioural paradigm that elicits both conditioned freezing and flight, we found that CeA-projecting DP neurons are activated by high-intensity threats in a context-dependent manner. Functional manipulations revealed that the DP-to-CeA pathway is necessary and sufficient for both avoidance behaviour and flight. Furthermore, we found that DP neurons synapse onto neurons within the medial CeA that project to midbrain flight centres. These results elucidate a non-canonical top-down pathway regulating defensive responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandrashekhar D Borkar
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Claire E Stelly
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Loyola University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Xin Fu
- Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Maria Dorofeikova
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Quan-Son Eric Le
- Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Rithvik Vutukuri
- Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Catherine Vo
- Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Alex Walker
- Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Samhita Basavanhalli
- Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Anh Duong
- Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Erin Bean
- Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Alexis Resendez
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Jones G Parker
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jeffrey G Tasker
- Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Jonathan P Fadok
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA.
- Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA.
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8
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Hammack RJ, Fischer VE, Andrade MA, Toney GM. Presence of a remote fear memory engram in the central amygdala. Learn Mem 2023; 30:250-259. [PMID: 37802546 PMCID: PMC10561632 DOI: 10.1101/lm.053833.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Fear memory formation and recall are highly regulated processes, with the central amygdala (CeA) contributing to fear memory-related behaviors. We recently reported that a remote fear memory engram is resident in the anterior basolateral amygdala (aBLA). However, the extent to which downstream neurons in the CeA participate in this engram is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that CeA neurons activated during fear memory formation are reactivated during remote memory retrieval such that a CeA engram participates in remote fear memory recall and its associated behavior. Using contextual fear conditioning in TRAP2;Ai14 mice, we identified, by persistent Cre-dependent tdTomato expression (i.e., "TRAPing"), CeA neurons that were c-fos-activated during memory formation. Twenty-one days later, we quantified neurons activated during remote memory recall using Fos immunohistochemistry. Dual labeling was used to identify the subpopulation of CeA neurons that was both activated during memory formation and reactivated during recall. Compared with their context-conditioned (no shock) controls, fear-conditioned (electric shock) mice (n = 5/group) exhibited more robust fear memory-related behavior (freezing) as well as larger populations of activated (tdTomato+) and reactivated (dual-labeled) CeA neurons. Most neurons in both groups were mainly located in the capsular CeA subdivision (CeAC). Notably, however, only the size of the TRAPed population distributed throughout the CeA was significantly correlated with time spent freezing during remote fear memory recall. Our findings indicate that fear memory formation robustly activates CeA neurons and that a subset located mainly in the CeAC may contribute to both remote fear memory storage/retrieval and the resulting fear-like behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Hammack
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA
- Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA
| | - Victoria E Fischer
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA
| | - Mary Ann Andrade
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA
| | - Glenn M Toney
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA
- Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA
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9
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Chan KL, Poller WC, Swirski FK, Russo SJ. Central regulation of stress-evoked peripheral immune responses. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:591-604. [PMID: 37626176 PMCID: PMC10848316 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00729-2] [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] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Stress-linked psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and major depressive disorder, are associated with systemic inflammation. Recent studies have reported stress-induced alterations in haematopoiesis that result in monocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphocytopenia and, consequently, in the upregulation of pro-inflammatory processes in immunologically relevant peripheral tissues. There is now evidence that this peripheral inflammation contributes to the development of psychiatric symptoms as well as to common co-morbidities of psychiatric disorders such as metabolic syndrome and immunosuppression. Here, we review the specific brain and spinal regions, and the neuronal populations within them, that respond to stress and transmit signals to peripheral tissues via the autonomic nervous system or neuroendocrine pathways to influence immunological function. We comprehensively summarize studies that have employed retrograde tracing to define neurocircuits linking the brain to the bone marrow, spleen, gut, adipose tissue and liver. Moreover, we highlight studies that have used chemogenetic or optogenetic manipulation or intracerebroventricular administration of peptide hormones to control somatic immune responses. Collectively, this growing body of literature illustrates potential mechanisms through which stress signals are conveyed from the CNS to immune cells to regulate stress-relevant behaviours and comorbid pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenny L Chan
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Brain and Body Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Wolfram C Poller
- Brain and Body Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Filip K Swirski
- Brain and Body Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Scott J Russo
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Brain and Body Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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10
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Silvas-Baltazar M, López-Oropeza G, Durán P, Martínez-Canabal A. Olfactory neurogenesis and its role in fear memory modulation. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1278324. [PMID: 37840547 PMCID: PMC10569173 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1278324] [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: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Olfaction is a critical sense that allows animals to navigate and understand their environment. In mammals, the critical brain structure to receive and process olfactory information is the olfactory bulb, a structure characterized by a laminated pattern with different types of neurons, some of which project to distant telencephalic structures, like the piriform cortex, the amygdala, and the hippocampal formation. Therefore, the olfactory bulb is the first structure of a complex cognitive network that relates olfaction to different types of memory, including episodic memories. The olfactory bulb continuously adds inhibitory newborn neurons throughout life; these cells locate both in the granule and glomerular layers and integrate into the olfactory circuits, inhibiting projection neurons. However, the roles of these cells modulating olfactory memories are unclear, particularly their role in fear memories. We consider that olfactory neurogenesis might modulate olfactory fear memories by a plastic process occurring in the olfactory bulb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monserrat Silvas-Baltazar
- Licenciatura en Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Grecia López-Oropeza
- Licenciatura en Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Pilar Durán
- Licenciatura en Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Alonso Martínez-Canabal
- Licenciatura en Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
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11
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Nagaeva E, Schäfer A, Linden AM, Elsilä LV, Egorova K, Umemori J, Ryazantseva M, Korpi ER. Somatostatin-Expressing Neurons in the Ventral Tegmental Area Innervate Specific Forebrain Regions and Are Involved in Stress Response. eNeuro 2023; 10:ENEURO.0149-23.2023. [PMID: 37553240 PMCID: PMC10464661 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0149-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Expanding knowledge about the cellular composition of subcortical brain regions demonstrates large heterogeneity and differences from the cortical architecture. Previously we described three subtypes of somatostatin-expressing (Sst) neurons in the mouse ventral tegmental area (VTA) and showed their local inhibitory action on the neighboring dopaminergic neurons (Nagaeva et al., 2020). Here, we report that Sst+ neurons especially from the anterolateral part of the mouse VTA also project far outside the VTA and innervate forebrain regions that are mainly involved in the regulation of emotional behavior, including the ventral pallidum, lateral hypothalamus, the medial part of the central amygdala, anterolateral division of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis, and paraventricular thalamic nucleus. Deletion of these VTASst neurons in mice affected several behaviors, such as home cage activity, sensitization of locomotor activity to morphine, fear conditioning responses, and reactions to the inescapable stress of forced swimming, often in a sex-dependent manner. Together, these data demonstrate that VTASst neurons have selective projection targets distinct from the main targets of VTA dopamine neurons. VTASst neurons are involved in the regulation of behaviors primarily associated with the stress response, making them a relevant addition to the efferent VTA pathways and stress-related neuronal network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elina Nagaeva
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Annika Schäfer
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anni-Maija Linden
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauri V. Elsilä
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ksenia Egorova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juzoh Umemori
- Gene and Cell Technology, A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Science, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Maria Ryazantseva
- HiLIFE Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Esa R. Korpi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
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12
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Lin FV, Zuo Y, Conwell Y, Wang KH. New horizons in emotional well-being and brain aging: Potential lessons from cross-species research. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2023; 38:e5936. [PMID: 37260057 PMCID: PMC10652707 DOI: 10.1002/gps.5936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Emotional wellbeing (EWB) is a multi-faceted concept of immediate relevance to human health. NIH recently initiated a series of research networks to advance understanding of EWB. Our network (NEW Brain Aging) focuses on mechanistic understanding of EWB in relation to brain aging. Here, by synthesizing the literature on emotional processing and the underlying brain circuit mechanisms in human and non-human animals, we propose a reactivity and reappraisal model for understanding EWB and its age-related changes. This model emphasizes the dynamic interactions between affective stimuli, behavioral/physiological responses, brain emotional states, and subjective feelings. It also aims to integrate the unique emotional processes involved in explaining EWB in aging humans with the emerging mechanistic insight of topologically conserved emotional brain networks from cross-species studies. We also highlight the research opportunities and challenges in EWB and brain aging research and the potential application of the model in addressing these issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Vankee Lin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Yi Zuo
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA
| | - Yeates Conwell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Kuan Hong Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
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13
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Yu Z, Kisner A, Bhatt A, Polter AM, Marvar PJ. Central amygdala angiotensin type 1 receptor (Agtr1) expressing neurons contribute to fear extinction. Neuropharmacology 2023; 229:109460. [PMID: 36801399 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been linked to the pathophysiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) however, the underlying neurobiological mechanism(s) remain elusive. Here we utilized angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1R) transgenic mice combined with neuroanatomical, behavioral, and electrophysiological approaches, to examine the role of the central amygdala (CeA) expressing AT1R neurons in fear and anxiety-related behavior. Within the major amygdala subdivisions, AT1R+ neurons were localized to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) expressing neurons in the lateral division of the central amygdala (CeL), and the majority of them were identified as protein kinase C-δ positive (PKCδ+) neurons. Following CeA-AT1R deletion using cre-expressing lentiviral delivery in AT1R-Flox mice, generalized anxiety and locomotor activity as well as the acquisition of conditioned fear were unaltered while the acquisition of extinction learning, as measured by percent freezing behavior, was significantly enhanced. During electrophysiological recordings of CeL-AT1R+ neurons, the application of angiotensin II (1 μm) increased the amplitude of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) and decreased the excitability of CeL-AT1R+ neurons. Overall, these findings demonstrate that CeL-AT1R-expressing neurons play a role in fear extinction, potentially through facilitated CeL-AT1R+ GABAergic inhibition. These results provide new evidence for mechanisms of angiotensinergic neuromodulation of the CeL and its role in fear extinction and may aid in further advancing targeted novel therapies for improving maladaptive fear learning processes associated with PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Yu
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Alexandre Kisner
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Amy Bhatt
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Abigail M Polter
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Paul J Marvar
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
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Filippone A, Cucinotta L, Bova V, Lanza M, Casili G, Paterniti I, Campolo M, Cuzzocrea S, Esposito E. Inhibition of LRRK2 Attenuates Depression-Related Symptoms in Mice with Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury. Cells 2023; 12:cells12071040. [PMID: 37048114 PMCID: PMC10093681 DOI: 10.3390/cells12071040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Moderate traumatic brain injury (mTBI) has been associated with emotional dysregulation such as loss of consciousness, post-traumatic amnesia and major depressive disorder. The gene Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is involved in protein synthesis and degradation, apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress, processes that trigger mTBI. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of LRRK2 in reducing depression-related symptoms after mTBI and to determine whether inhibition of LRRK2 mediated by PF-06447475 could have antidepressant effects. Moderate traumatic brain injury was induced by controlled cortical impact (CCI) and mice were treated with PF-06447475 at doses of 1, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg once daily for 14 days. We performed histological, immunohistochemical and molecular analyses of brain tissue 24 days after mTBI. Furthermore, the tissue changes found in the hippocampus and amygdala confirmed the depression-like behavior. PF-treatment with 06447475 significantly reduced the histological damage and behavioral disturbances. Thus, this study has shown that mTBI induction promotes the development of depression-like behavioral changes. LRRK2 inhibition showed an antidepressant effect and restored the changes in the copper/glutamate/N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (Cu/NMDAR) system.
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15
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Al Jowf GI, Ahmed ZT, Reijnders RA, de Nijs L, Eijssen LMT. To Predict, Prevent, and Manage Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Review of Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Biomarkers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065238. [PMID: 36982313 PMCID: PMC10049301 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can become a chronic and severely disabling condition resulting in a reduced quality of life and increased economic burden. The disorder is directly related to exposure to a traumatic event, e.g., a real or threatened injury, death, or sexual assault. Extensive research has been done on the neurobiological alterations underlying the disorder and its related phenotypes, revealing brain circuit disruption, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction. Psychotherapy remains the first-line treatment option for PTSD given its good efficacy, although pharmacotherapy can also be used as a stand-alone or in combination with psychotherapy. In order to reduce the prevalence and burden of the disorder, multilevel models of prevention have been developed to detect the disorder as early as possible and to reduce morbidity in those with established diseases. Despite the clinical grounds of diagnosis, attention is increasing to the discovery of reliable biomarkers that can predict susceptibility, aid diagnosis, or monitor treatment. Several potential biomarkers have been linked with pathophysiological changes related to PTSD, encouraging further research to identify actionable targets. This review highlights the current literature regarding the pathophysiology, disease development models, treatment modalities, and preventive models from a public health perspective, and discusses the current state of biomarker research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghazi I. Al Jowf
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Public Health, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
- European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: (G.I.A.J.); (L.M.T.E.)
| | - Ziyad T. Ahmed
- College of Medicine, Sulaiman Al Rajhi University, Al-Bukairyah 52726, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rick A. Reijnders
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Laurence de Nijs
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Lars M. T. Eijssen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Bioinformatics—BiGCaT, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: (G.I.A.J.); (L.M.T.E.)
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16
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Kaya B, Geha P, de Araujo I, Cioffi I, Moayedi M. Identification of central amygdala and trigeminal motor nucleus connectivity in humans: An ultra-high field diffusion MRI study. Hum Brain Mapp 2023; 44:1309-1319. [PMID: 36217737 PMCID: PMC9921240 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuroanatomical circuitry of jaw muscles has been mostly explored in non-human animals. A recent rodent study revealed a novel circuit from the central amygdala (CeA) to the trigeminal motor nucleus (5M), which controls biting attacks. This circuit has yet to be delineated in humans. Ultra-high diffusion-weighted imaging data from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) allow in vivo delineation of circuits identified in other species-for example, the CeA-5M pathway-in humans. We hypothesized that the CeA-5M circuit could be resolved in humans at both 7 and 3 T. We performed probabilistic tractography between the CeA and 5M in 30 healthy young adults from the HCP database. As a negative control, we performed tractography between the basolateral amygdala (BLAT) and 5M, as CeA is the only amygdalar nucleus with extensive projections to the brainstem. Connectivity strength was operationalized as the number of streamlines between each region of interest. Connectivity strength between CeA-5M and BLAT-5M within each hemisphere was compared, and CeA-5M circuit had significantly stronger connectivity than the BLAT-5M circuit, bilaterally at both 7 T (all p < .001) and 3 T (all p < .001). This study is the first to delineate the CeA-5M circuit in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Batu Kaya
- Faculty of Dentistry, Centre for Multimodal Sensorimotor and Pain ResearchUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
- University of Toronto Centre for the Study of PainTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Paul Geha
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of RochesterRochesterNew YorkUSA
- The Del Monte Institute of NeuroscienceRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | - Ivan de Araujo
- Nash Family Department of NeuroscienceIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Iacopo Cioffi
- Faculty of Dentistry, Centre for Multimodal Sensorimotor and Pain ResearchUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
- University of Toronto Centre for the Study of PainTorontoOntarioCanada
- Department of DentistryMount Sinai HospitalTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Massieh Moayedi
- Faculty of Dentistry, Centre for Multimodal Sensorimotor and Pain ResearchUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
- University of Toronto Centre for the Study of PainTorontoOntarioCanada
- Department of DentistryMount Sinai HospitalTorontoOntarioCanada
- Clinical & Computational Neuroscience, Krembil Research InstituteUniversity Health NetworkTorontoOntarioCanada
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17
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Stasiak JE, Mitchell WJ, Reisman SS, Gregory DF, Murty VP, Helion C. Physiological arousal guides situational appraisals and metacognitive recall for naturalistic experiences. Neuropsychologia 2023; 180:108467. [PMID: 36610494 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2023.108467] [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: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
As individuals navigate the world, they are bound to have emotionally intense experiences. These events not only influence momentary physiological and affective responses, but may also have a powerful impact on one's memory for their emotional experience. In this research, we used the naturalistic context of a haunted house to examine how physiological arousal is associated with metacognitive emotional memory (i.e., the extent to which an individual remembers having experienced a certain emotion). Participants first navigated the haunted house while heart rate and explicit situational appraisals were recorded, and then recalled specific events from the haunted house and the intensity of these affective events approximately one week later. We found that heart rate predicted both the intensity of reported scariness in the haunted house and meta-cognitive memory of affect during recall. Critically, we found evidence for malleability in metacognitive emotional memory based on how the event was initially labeled. Individuals tended to recall events that they explicitly labeled as fear-evoking as being more intense than they reported at the time of the event. We found the opposite relationship for events that they labeled as not fear-evoking. Taken together, this indicates that there are strong relationships between physiological arousal and emotional experiences in naturalistic contexts, but that affective labeling can modulate the relationship between these features when reflecting on the emotionality of that experience in memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne E Stasiak
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA
| | | | - Samantha S Reisman
- Department of Cognitive, Linguistics, and Psychological Sciences, Brown University, USA
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18
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Wang Y, Krabbe S, Eddison M, Henry FE, Fleishman G, Lemire AL, Wang L, Korff W, Tillberg PW, Lüthi A, Sternson SM. Multimodal mapping of cell types and projections in the central nucleus of the amygdala. eLife 2023; 12:e84262. [PMID: 36661218 PMCID: PMC9977318 DOI: 10.7554/elife.84262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The central nucleus of the amygdala (CEA) is a brain region that integrates external and internal sensory information and executes innate and adaptive behaviors through distinct output pathways. Despite its complex functions, the diversity of molecularly defined neuronal types in the CEA and their contributions to major axonal projection targets have not been examined systematically. Here, we performed single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) to classify molecularly defined cell types in the CEA and identified marker genes to map the location of these neuronal types using expansion-assisted iterative fluorescence in situ hybridization (EASI-FISH). We developed new methods to integrate EASI-FISH with 5-plex retrograde axonal labeling to determine the spatial, morphological, and connectivity properties of ~30,000 molecularly defined CEA neurons. Our study revealed spatiomolecular organization of the CEA, with medial and lateral CEA associated with distinct molecularly defined cell families. We also found a long-range axon projection network from the CEA, where target regions receive inputs from multiple molecularly defined cell types. Axon collateralization was found primarily among projections to hindbrain targets, which are distinct from forebrain projections. This resource reports marker gene combinations for molecularly defined cell types and axon-projection types, which will be useful for selective interrogation of these neuronal populations to study their contributions to the diverse functions of the CEA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Wang
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Sabine Krabbe
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical ResearchBaselSwitzerland
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)BonnGermany
| | - Mark Eddison
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Fredrick E Henry
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Greg Fleishman
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Andrew L Lemire
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Lihua Wang
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Wyatt Korff
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Paul W Tillberg
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Andreas Lüthi
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical ResearchBaselSwitzerland
| | - Scott M Sternson
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute & Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
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19
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Glavonic E, Mitic M, Francija E, Petrovic Z, Adzic M. Sex-specific role of hippocampal NMDA-Erk-mTOR signaling in fear extinction of adolescent mice. Brain Res Bull 2023; 192:156-167. [PMID: 36410566 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.11.011] [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: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is a key phase of development for perturbations in fear extinction, with inability to adequately manage fear a potent factor for developing psychiatric disorders in adulthood. However, while behavioral correlates of adolescent fear regulation are established to a degree, molecular mediators of extinction learning in adolescence remain largely unknown. In this study, we observed fear acquisition and fear extinction (across 4 and 7 days) of adolescent and adult mice of both sexes and investigated how hippocampal levels of different plasticity markers relate to extinction learning. While fear was acquired evenly in males and females of both ages, fear extinction was found to be impaired in adolescent males. We also observed lower levels of GluA1, GLUN2A and GLUN2B subunits in male adolescents following fear acquisition, with an increase in their expression, as well as the activity of Erk-mTOR pathway over subsequent extinction sessions, which was paralleled with improved extinction learning. On the other hand, we detected no changes in plasticity-related proteins after fear acquisition in females, with alterations in GluA1, GluA4 and GLUN2B levels across fear extinction sessions. Additionally, we did not discern any pattern regarding the Erk-mTOR activity in female mice associated with their extinction performance. Overall, our research identifies sex-specific synaptic properties in the hippocampus that underlie developmentally regulated differences in fear extinction learning. We also point out hippocampal NMDA-Erk-mTOR signaling as the driving force behind successful fear extinction in male adolescents, highlighting this pathway as a potential therapeutic target for fear-related disorders in the adolescent population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilija Glavonic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, "VINČA" Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of thе Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Milos Mitic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, "VINČA" Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of thе Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ester Francija
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, "VINČA" Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of thе Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zorica Petrovic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, "VINČA" Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of thе Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia; Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Miroslav Adzic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, "VINČA" Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of thе Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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20
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You Z, Liu B, Qi H. Neuronal regulation of B-cell immunity: Anticipatory immune posturing? Neuron 2022; 110:3582-3596. [PMID: 36327899 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The brain may sense, evaluate, modulate, and intervene in the operation of immune system, which would otherwise function autonomously in defense against pathogens. Antibody-mediated immunity is one arm of adaptive immunity that may achieve sterilizing protection against infection. Lymphoid organs are densely innervated. Immune cells supporting the antigen-specific antibody response express receptors for neurotransmitters and glucocorticoid hormones, and they are subjected to collective regulation by the neuroendocrine and the autonomic nervous system. Emerging evidence reveals a brain-spleen axis that regulates antigen-specific B cell responses and antibody-mediated immunity. In this article, we provide a synthesis of those studies as pertinent to neuronal regulation of B cell responses in secondary lymphoid organs. We propose the concept of defensive immune posturing as a brain-initiated top-down reaction in anticipation of potential tissue injury that requires immune protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei You
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China; Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology, Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China; Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology, Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Hai Qi
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China; Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology, Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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21
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Glucocorticoid-Regulated Kinase CAMKIγ in the Central Amygdala Controls Anxiety-like Behavior in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012328. [PMID: 36293185 PMCID: PMC9604347 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of the Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase I gamma (encoded by the Camk1g gene) depends on the activation of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) and is strongly regulated by stress. Since Camk1g is primarily expressed in neuronal cells of the limbic system in the brain, we hypothesized that it could be involved in signaling mechanisms that underlie the adaptive or maladaptive responses to stress. Here, we find that restraint-induced stress and the GR agonist dexamethasone robustly increase the expression of Camk1g in neurons of the amygdalar nuclei in the mouse brain. To assess the functional role of Camk1g expression, we performed a virally induced knock-down of the transcript. Mice with bilateral amygdala-specific Camk1g knock-down showed increased anxiety-like behaviors in the light-dark box, and an increase in freezing behavior after fear-conditioning, but normal spatial working memory during exploration of a Y-maze. Thus, we confirm that Camk1g is a neuron-specific GR-regulated transcript, and show that it is specifically involved in behaviors related to anxiety, as well as responses conditioned by aversive stimuli.
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22
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Hu P, Lu Y, Pan BX, Zhang WH. New Insights into the Pivotal Role of the Amygdala in Inflammation-Related Depression and Anxiety Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:11076. [PMID: 36232376 PMCID: PMC9570160 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression and anxiety disorders are the two most prevalent psychiatric diseases that affect hundreds of millions of individuals worldwide. Understanding the etiology and related mechanisms is of great importance and might yield new therapeutic strategies to treat these diseases effectively. During the past decades, a growing number of studies have pointed out the importance of the stress-induced inflammatory response in the amygdala, a kernel region for processing emotional stimuli, as a potentially critical contributor to the pathophysiology of depression and anxiety disorders. In this review, we first summarized the recent progress from both animal and human studies toward understanding the causal link between stress-induced inflammation and depression and anxiety disorders, with particular emphasis on findings showing the effect of inflammation on the functional changes in neurons in the amygdala, at levels ranging from molecular signaling, cellular function, synaptic plasticity, and the neural circuit to behavior, as well as their contributions to the pathology of inflammation-related depression and anxiety disorders. Finally, we concluded by discussing some of the difficulties surrounding the current research and propose some issues worth future study in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Hu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330001, China
| | - Ying Lu
- Department of Biological Science, School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institutes of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Bing-Xing Pan
- Department of Biological Science, School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institutes of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Wen-Hua Zhang
- Department of Biological Science, School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institutes of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
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23
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Lenschow C, Mendes ARP, Lima SQ. Hearing, touching, and multisensory integration during mate choice. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:943888. [PMID: 36247731 PMCID: PMC9559228 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.943888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mate choice is a potent generator of diversity and a fundamental pillar for sexual selection and evolution. Mate choice is a multistage affair, where complex sensory information and elaborate actions are used to identify, scrutinize, and evaluate potential mating partners. While widely accepted that communication during mate assessment relies on multimodal cues, most studies investigating the mechanisms controlling this fundamental behavior have restricted their focus to the dominant sensory modality used by the species under examination, such as vision in humans and smell in rodents. However, despite their undeniable importance for the initial recognition, attraction, and approach towards a potential mate, other modalities gain relevance as the interaction progresses, amongst which are touch and audition. In this review, we will: (1) focus on recent findings of how touch and audition can contribute to the evaluation and choice of mating partners, and (2) outline our current knowledge regarding the neuronal circuits processing touch and audition (amongst others) in the context of mate choice and ask (3) how these neural circuits are connected to areas that have been studied in the light of multisensory integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constanze Lenschow
- Champalimaud Foundation, Champalimaud Research, Neuroscience Program, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita P Mendes
- Champalimaud Foundation, Champalimaud Research, Neuroscience Program, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Q Lima
- Champalimaud Foundation, Champalimaud Research, Neuroscience Program, Lisbon, Portugal
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24
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Takayama K, Tobori S, Andoh C, Kakae M, Hagiwara M, Nagayasu K, Shirakawa H, Ago Y, Kaneko S. Autism Spectrum Disorder Model Mice Induced by Prenatal Exposure to Valproic Acid Exhibit Enhanced Empathy-Like Behavior <i>via</i> Oxytocinergic Signaling. Biol Pharm Bull 2022; 45:1124-1132. [DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b22-00200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kaito Takayama
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University
| | - Shota Tobori
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University
| | - Chihiro Andoh
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University
| | - Masashi Kakae
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University
| | - Masako Hagiwara
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University
| | - Kazuki Nagayasu
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University
| | - Hisashi Shirakawa
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University
| | - Yukio Ago
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University
| | - Shuji Kaneko
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University
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25
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Li JN, Chen K, Sheets PL. Topographic organization underlies intrinsic and morphological heterogeneity of central amygdala neurons expressing corticotropin-releasing hormone. J Comp Neurol 2022; 530:2286-2303. [PMID: 35579999 PMCID: PMC9283236 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25332] [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: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) network consists of a heterogeneous population of inhibitory GABAergic neurons distributed across distinct subregions. While the specific roles for molecularly defined CeA neurons have been extensively studied, our understanding of functional heterogeneity within classes of molecularly distinct CeA neurons remains incomplete. In addition, manipulation of genetically defined CeA neurons has produced inconsistent behavioral results potentially due to broad targeting across CeA subregions. Therefore, elucidating heterogeneity within molecularly defined neurons in subdivisions of the CeA is pivotal for gaining a complete understanding of how CeA circuits function. Here, we used a multifaceted approach involving transgenic reporter mice, brain slice electrophysiology, and neuronal morphology to dissect the heterogeneity of corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) neurons in topographically distinct subregions of the CeA. Our results revealed that intrinsic and morphological properties of CRH‐expressing (CRH+) neurons in the lateral (CeL) and medial (CeM) subdivisions of the CeA were significantly different. We found that CeL‐CRH+ neurons are relatively homogeneous in morphology and firing profile. Conversely, CeM‐CRH+ neurons displayed heterogeneous electrophysiological and morphological phenotypes. Overall, these results show phenotypic differences between CRH+ neurons in CeL and CeM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Nan Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Kevin Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Zionsville Community High School, Zionsville, Indiana, USA
| | - Patrick L Sheets
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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26
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Feinstein JS, Gould D, Khalsa SS. Amygdala-driven apnea and the chemoreceptive origin of anxiety. Biol Psychol 2022; 170:108305. [PMID: 35271957 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Although the amygdala plays an important part in the pathogenesis of anxiety and generation of exteroceptive fear, recent discoveries have challenged the directionality of this brain-behavior relationship with respect to interoceptive fear. Here we highlight several paradoxical findings including: (1) amygdala lesion patients who experience excessive fear and panic following inhalation of carbon dioxide (CO2), (2) clinically anxious patients who have significantly smaller (rather than larger) amygdalae and a pronounced hypersensitivity toward CO2, and (3) epilepsy patients who exhibit apnea immediately following stimulation of their amygdala yet have no awareness that their breathing has stopped. The above findings elucidate an entirely novel role for the amygdala in the induction of apnea and inhibition of CO2-induced fear. Such a role is plausible given the strong inhibitory connections linking the central nucleus of the amygdala with respiratory and chemoreceptive centers in the brainstem. Based on this anatomical arrangement, we propose a model of Apnea-induced Anxiety (AiA) which predicts that recurring episodes of apnea are being unconsciously elicited by amygdala activation, resulting in transient spikes in CO2 that provoke fear and anxiety, and lead to characteristic patterns of escape and avoidance behavior in patients spanning the spectrum of anxiety. If this new conception of AiA proves to be true, and activation of the amygdala can repeatedly trigger states of apnea outside of one's awareness, then it remains possible that the chronicity of anxiety disorders is being interoceptively driven by a chemoreceptive system struggling to maintain homeostasis in the midst of these breathless states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin S Feinstein
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, 74136; University of Tulsa, Oxley College of Health Sciences, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, 74104; University of Iowa, Department of Neurology, Iowa City, Iowa, USA, 52242.
| | - Dylan Gould
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, 74136
| | - Sahib S Khalsa
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, 74136; University of Tulsa, Oxley College of Health Sciences, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, 74104
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27
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Savage HS, Davey CG, Wager TD, Garfinkel SN, Moffat BA, Glarin RK, Harrison BJ. Neural mediators of subjective and autonomic responding during threat learning and regulation. Neuroimage 2021; 245:118643. [PMID: 34699966 PMCID: PMC9533324 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Threat learning elicits robust changes across multiple affective domains, including changes in autonomic indices and subjective reports of fear and anxiety. It has been argued that the underlying causes of such changes may be dissociable at a neural level, but there is currently limited evidence to support this notion. To address this, we examined the neural mediators of trial-by-trial skin conductance responses (SCR), and subjective reports of anxious arousal and valence in participants (n = 27; 17 females) performing a threat reversal task during ultra-high field functional magnetic resonance imaging. This allowed us to identify brain mediators during initial threat learning and subsequent threat reversal. Significant neural mediators of anxious arousal during threat learning included the dorsal anterior cingulate, anterior insula cortex (AIC), and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), subcortical regions including the amygdala, ventral striatum, caudate and putamen, and brain-stem regions including the pons and midbrain. By comparison, autonomic changes (SCR) were mediated by a subset of regions embedded within this broader circuitry that included the caudate, putamen and thalamus, and two distinct clusters within the vmPFC. The neural mediators of subjective negative valence showed prominent effects in posterior cortical regions and, with the exception of the AIC, did not overlap with threat learning task effects. During threat reversal, positive mediators of both subjective anxious arousal and valence mapped to the default mode network; this included the vmPFC, posterior cingulate, temporoparietal junction, and angular gyrus. Decreased SCR during threat reversal was positively mediated by regions including the mid cingulate, AIC, two sub-regions of vmPFC, the thalamus, and the hippocampus. Our findings add novel evidence to support distinct underlying neural processes facilitating autonomic and subjective responding during threat learning and threat reversal. The results suggest that the brain systems engaged in threat learning mostly capture the subjective (anxious arousal) nature of the learning process, and that appropriate responding during threat reversal is facilitated by participants engaging self- and valence-based processes. Autonomic changes (SCR) appear to involve distinct facilitatory and regulatory contributions of vmPFC sub-regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah S Savage
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Melbourne, Victoria 3053 Australia.
| | - Christopher G Davey
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3053 Australia
| | - Tor D Wager
- Department of Brain and Psychological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755 United States
| | - Sarah N Garfinkel
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London WC1N 3AZ United Kingdom
| | - Bradford A Moffat
- Melbourne Biomedical Centre Imaging Unit, Department of Radiology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Rebecca K Glarin
- Melbourne Biomedical Centre Imaging Unit, Department of Radiology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Ben J Harrison
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Melbourne, Victoria 3053 Australia.
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28
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K v1.1 channels mediate network excitability and feed-forward inhibition in local amygdala circuits. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15180. [PMID: 34312446 PMCID: PMC8313690 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94633-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Kv1.1 containing potassium channels play crucial roles towards dampening neuronal excitability. Mice lacking Kv1.1 subunits (Kcna1−/−) display recurrent spontaneous seizures and often exhibit sudden unexpected death. Seizures in Kcna1−/− mice resemble those in well-characterized models of temporal lobe epilepsy known to involve limbic brain regions and spontaneous seizures result in enhanced cFos expression and neuronal death in the amygdala. Yet, the functional alterations leading to amygdala hyperexcitability have not been identified. In this study, we used Kcna1−/− mice to examine the contributions of Kv1.1 subunits to excitability in neuronal subtypes from basolateral (BLA) and central lateral (CeL) amygdala known to exhibit distinct firing patterns. We also analyzed synaptic transmission properties in an amygdala local circuit predicted to be involved in epilepsy-related comorbidities. Our data implicate Kv1.1 subunits in controlling spontaneous excitatory synaptic activity in BLA pyramidal neurons. In the CeL, Kv1.1 loss enhances intrinsic excitability and impairs inhibitory synaptic transmission, notably resulting in dysfunction of feed-forward inhibition, a critical mechanism for controlling spike timing. Overall, we find inhibitory control of CeL interneurons is reduced in Kcna1−/− mice suggesting that basal inhibitory network functioning is less able to prevent recurrent hyperexcitation related to seizures.
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29
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Secretagogin marks amygdaloid PKCδ interneurons and modulates NMDA receptor availability. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:1921123118. [PMID: 33558223 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1921123118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The perception of and response to danger is critical for an individual's survival and is encoded by subcortical neurocircuits. The amygdaloid complex is the primary neuronal site that initiates bodily reactions upon external threat with local-circuit interneurons scaling output to effector pathways. Here, we categorize central amygdala neurons that express secretagogin (Scgn), a Ca2+-sensor protein, as a subset of protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ)+ interneurons, likely "off cells." Chemogenetic inactivation of Scgn+/PKCδ+ cells augmented conditioned response to perceived danger in vivo. While Ca2+-sensor proteins are typically implicated in shaping neurotransmitter release presynaptically, Scgn instead localized to postsynaptic compartments. Characterizing its role in the postsynapse, we found that Scgn regulates the cell-surface availability of NMDA receptor 2B subunits (GluN2B) with its genetic deletion leading to reduced cell membrane delivery of GluN2B, at least in vitro. Conclusively, we describe a select cell population, which gates danger avoidance behavior with secretagogin being both a selective marker and regulatory protein in their excitatory postsynaptic machinery.
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30
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Whittle N, Fadok J, MacPherson KP, Nguyen R, Botta P, Wolff SBE, Müller C, Herry C, Tovote P, Holmes A, Singewald N, Lüthi A, Ciocchi S. Central amygdala micro-circuits mediate fear extinction. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4156. [PMID: 34230461 PMCID: PMC8260764 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24068-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Fear extinction is an adaptive process whereby defensive responses are attenuated following repeated experience of prior fear-related stimuli without harm. The formation of extinction memories involves interactions between various corticolimbic structures, resulting in reduced central amygdala (CEA) output. Recent studies show, however, the CEA is not merely an output relay of fear responses but contains multiple neuronal subpopulations that interact to calibrate levels of fear responding. Here, by integrating behavioural, in vivo electrophysiological, anatomical and optogenetic approaches in mice we demonstrate that fear extinction produces reversible, stimulus- and context-specific changes in neuronal responses to conditioned stimuli in functionally and genetically defined cell types in the lateral (CEl) and medial (CEm) CEA. Moreover, we show these alterations are absent when extinction is deficient and that selective silencing of protein kinase C delta-expressing (PKCδ) CEl neurons impairs fear extinction. Our findings identify CEA inhibitory microcircuits that act as critical elements within the brain networks mediating fear extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel Whittle
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and CMBI, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jonathan Fadok
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Psychology and Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Kathryn P MacPherson
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Robin Nguyen
- Laboratory of Systems Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Botta
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.,Zuckerman Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Steffen B E Wolff
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christian Müller
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Cyril Herry
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.,INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, Bordeaux, France
| | - Philip Tovote
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.,Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andrew Holmes
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nicolas Singewald
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and CMBI, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Lüthi
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Stéphane Ciocchi
- Laboratory of Systems Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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31
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Kong MS, Zweifel LS. Central amygdala circuits in valence and salience processing. Behav Brain Res 2021; 410:113355. [PMID: 33989728 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral responses to environmental stimuli are dictated by the affective valence of the stimulus, good (positive valence) or bad (negative valence). These stimuli can innately elicit an affective response that promotes approach or avoidance behavior. In addition to innately valenced stimuli, valence can also be assigned to initially neutral stimuli through associative learning. A stimulus of a given valence can vary in salience depending on the strength of the stimulus, the underlying state of the animal, and the context of the stimulus presentation. Salience endows the stimulus with the ability to direct attention and elicit preparatory responses to mount an incentive-based motivated behavior. The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) has emerged as an early integration point for valence and salience detection to engage preparatory autonomic responses and behavioral posturing in response to both aversive and appetitive stimuli. There are numerous cell types in the CeA that are involved in valence and salience processing through a variety of connections, and we will review the recent progress that has been made in identifying these circuit elements and their roles in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Seon Kong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States
| | - Larry S Zweifel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States; Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States.
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32
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Lapointe T, Wolter M, Leri F. Analysis of memory modulation by conditioned stimuli. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 28:87-94. [PMID: 33593927 PMCID: PMC7888238 DOI: 10.1101/lm.052407.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Conditioned stimuli (CS) have multiple psychological functions that can potentially contribute to their effect on memory formation. It is generally believed that CS-induced memory modulation is primarily due to conditioned emotional responses, however, well-learned CSs not only generate the appropriate behavioral and physiological reactions required to best respond to an upcoming unconditioned stimulus (US), but they also serve as signals that the US is about to occur. Therefore, it is possible that CSs can impact memory consolidation even when their ability to elicit conditioned emotional arousal is significantly reduced. To test this, male Sprague–Dawley rats trained on a signaled active avoidance task were divided into “Avoider” and “Non-Avoider” subgroups on the basis of percentage avoidance after 6 d of training. Subgroup differences in responding to the CS complex were maintained during a test carried out in the absence of the US. Moreover, the subgroups displayed significant differences in stress-induced analgesia (hot-plate test) immediately after this test, suggesting significant subgroup differences in conditioned emotionality. Importantly, using the spontaneous object recognition task, it was found that immediate post-sample exposure to the avoidance CS complex had a similar enhancing effect on object memory in the two subgroups. Therefore, to our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that a significant conditioned emotional response is not necessary for the action of a predictive CS on modulation of memory consolidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Lapointe
- Department of Psychology, Collaborative Program in Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Michael Wolter
- Department of Psychology, Collaborative Program in Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Francesco Leri
- Department of Psychology, Collaborative Program in Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
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33
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Brain control of humoral immune responses amenable to behavioural modulation. Nature 2020; 581:204-208. [PMID: 32405000 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2235-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
It has been speculated that brain activities might directly control adaptive immune responses in lymphoid organs, although there is little evidence for this. Here we show that splenic denervation in mice specifically compromises the formation of plasma cells during a T cell-dependent but not T cell-independent immune response. Splenic nerve activity enhances plasma cell production in a manner that requires B-cell responsiveness to acetylcholine mediated by the α9 nicotinic receptor, and T cells that express choline acetyl transferase1,2 probably act as a relay between the noradrenergic nerve and acetylcholine-responding B cells. We show that neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) and the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) that express corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) are connected to the splenic nerve; ablation or pharmacogenetic inhibition of these neurons reduces plasma cell formation, whereas pharmacogenetic activation of these neurons increases plasma cell abundance after immunization. In a newly developed behaviour regimen, mice are made to stand on an elevated platform, leading to activation of CeA and PVN CRH neurons and increased plasma cell formation. In immunized mice, the elevated platform regimen induces an increase in antigen-specific IgG antibodies in a manner that depends on CRH neurons in the CeA and PVN, an intact splenic nerve, and B cell expression of the α9 acetylcholine receptor. By identifying a specific brain-spleen neural connection that autonomically enhances humoral responses and demonstrating immune stimulation by a bodily behaviour, our study reveals brain control of adaptive immunity and suggests the possibility to enhance immunocompetency by behavioural intervention.
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34
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Sperl MFJ, Panitz C, Rosso IM, Dillon DG, Kumar P, Hermann A, Whitton AE, Hermann C, Pizzagalli DA, Mueller EM. Fear Extinction Recall Modulates Human Frontomedial Theta and Amygdala Activity. Cereb Cortex 2020; 29:701-715. [PMID: 29373635 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhx353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Human functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) studies, as well as animal studies, indicate that the amygdala and frontomedial brain regions are critically involved in conditioned fear and that frontomedial oscillations in the theta range (4-8 Hz) may support communication between these brain regions. However, few studies have used a multimodal approach to probe interactions among these key regions in humans. Here, our goal was to bridge the gap between prior human fMRI, EEG, and animal findings. Using simultaneous EEG-fMRI recordings 24 h after fear conditioning and extinction, conditioned stimuli presented (CS+E, CS-E) and not presented during extinction (CS+N, CS-N) were compared to identify effects specific to extinction versus fear recall. Differential (CS+ vs. CS-) electrodermal, frontomedial theta (EEG) and amygdala responses (fMRI) were reduced for extinguished versus nonextinguished stimuli. Importantly, effects on theta power covaried with effects on amygdala activation. Fear and extinction recall as indicated by theta explained 60% of the variance for the analogous effect in the right amygdala. Our findings show for the first time the interplay of amygdala and frontomedial theta activity during fear and extinction recall in humans and provide insight into neural circuits consistently linked with top-down amygdala modulation in rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias F J Sperl
- Department of Psychology, Personality Psychology and Assessment, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Christian Panitz
- Department of Psychology, Personality Psychology and Assessment, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Isabelle M Rosso
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Daniel G Dillon
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Poornima Kumar
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Andrea Hermann
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Alexis E Whitton
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Christiane Hermann
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Diego A Pizzagalli
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Erik M Mueller
- Department of Psychology, Personality Psychology and Assessment, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Ryazantseva M, Englund J, Shintyapina A, Huupponen J, Shteinikov V, Pitkänen A, Partanen JM, Lauri SE. Kainate receptors regulate development of glutamatergic synaptic circuitry in the rodent amygdala. eLife 2020; 9:52798. [PMID: 32202495 PMCID: PMC7117908 DOI: 10.7554/elife.52798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Perturbed information processing in the amygdala has been implicated in developmentally originating neuropsychiatric disorders. However, little is known on the mechanisms that guide formation and refinement of intrinsic connections between amygdaloid nuclei. We demonstrate that in rodents the glutamatergic connection from basolateral to central amygdala (BLA-CeA) develops rapidly during the first 10 postnatal days, before external inputs underlying amygdala-dependent behaviors emerge. During this restricted period of synaptic development, kainate-type of ionotropic glutamate receptors (KARs) are highly expressed in the BLA and tonically activated to regulate glutamate release via a G-protein-dependent mechanism. Genetic manipulation of this endogenous KAR activity locally in the newborn LA perturbed development of glutamatergic input to CeA, identifying KARs as a physiological mechanism regulating formation of the glutamatergic circuitry in the amygdala.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ryazantseva
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jonas Englund
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Alexandra Shintyapina
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Johanna Huupponen
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vasilii Shteinikov
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Asla Pitkänen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Juha M Partanen
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sari E Lauri
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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36
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High Behavioral Sensitivity to Carbon Dioxide Associates with Enhanced Fear Memory and Altered Forebrain Neuronal Activation. Neuroscience 2020; 429:92-105. [PMID: 31930959 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
There is considerable interest in pre-trauma individual differences that may contribute to increased risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Identification of underlying vulnerability factors that predict differential responses to traumatic experiences is important. Recently, the relevance of homeostatic perturbations in shaping long-term behavior has been recognized. Sensitivity to CO2 inhalation, a homeostatic threat to survival, was shown to associate with the later development of PTSD symptoms in veterans. Here, we investigated whether behavioral sensitivity to CO2 associates with PTSD-relevant behaviors and alters forebrain fear circuitry in mice. Mice were exposed to 5% CO2 or air inhalation and tested one week later on acoustic startle and footshock contextual fear conditioning, extinction and reinstatement. CO2 inhalation evoked heterogenous freezing behaviors (high freezing CO2-H and low freezing CO2-L) that significantly associated with fear conditioning and extinction behaviors. CO2-H mice elicited potentiated conditioned fear and delayed extinction while behavioral responses in CO2-L mice were similar to the air group. Persistent neuronal activation marker ΔFosB immunostaining revealed altered regional neuronal activation within the hippocampus, amygdala and medial pre-frontal cortex that correlated with conditioned fear and extinction. Inter-regional co-activation mapping revealed disruptions in the coordinated activity of hippocampal dentate-amygdala-infralimbic regions and infralimbic-prelimbic associations in CO2-H mice that may explain their enhanced fear phenotype. In conclusion, our data support an association of behavioral sensitivity to interoceptive threats such as CO2 with altered fear responding to exteroceptive threats and suggest that "CO2-sensitive" individuals may be susceptible to developing PTSD.
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Abstract
Individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder avoid trauma-related stimuli and exhibit blunted hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis response at the time of trauma. Our laboratory uses predator odor (i.e. bobcat urine) stress to divide adult Wistar rats into groups that exhibit high (avoiders) or low (nonavoiders) avoidance of a predator odor-paired context, modeling the fact that not all humans exposed to traumatic events develop psychiatric conditions. Male avoiders exhibit lower body weight gain after stress, as well as extinction-resistant avoidance that persists after a second stress exposure. These animals also show attenuated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis response to predator odor that predicts subsequent avoidance of the odor-paired context. Avoiders exhibit unique brain activation profiles relative to nonavoiders and controls (as measured by Fos immunoreactivity), and higher corticotropin-releasing factor levels in multiple brain regions. Furthermore, avoider rats exhibit escalated and compulsive-like alcohol self-administration after traumatic stress. Here, we review the predator odor avoidance model of post-traumatic stress disorder and its utility for tracking behavior and measuring biological outcomes predicted by avoidance. The major strengths of this model are (i) etiological validity with exposure to a single intense stressor, (ii) established approach distinguishing individual differences in stress reactivity, and (iii) robust behavioral and biological phenotypes during and after trauma.
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38
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A brainstem-central amygdala circuit underlies defensive responses to learned threats. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:640-654. [PMID: 31758092 PMCID: PMC7042728 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0599-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Norepinephrine (NE) plays a central role in the acquisition of aversive learning via actions in the lateral nucleus of the amygdala (LA) [1, 2]. However, the function of NE in expression of aversively-conditioned responses has not been established. Given the role of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) in the expression of such behaviors [3-5], and the presence of NE axons projections in this brain nucleus [6], we assessed the effects of NE activity in the CeA on behavioral expression using receptor-specific pharmacology and cell- and projection-specific chemogenetic manipulations. We found that inhibition and activation of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons decreases and increases freezing to aversively conditioned cues, respectively. We then show that locally inhibiting or activating LC terminals in CeA is sufficient to achieve this bidirectional modulation of defensive reactions. These findings support the hypothesis that LC projections to CeA are critical for the expression of defensive responses elicited by conditioned threats.
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Reciprocal connectivity between secondary auditory cortical field and amygdala in mice. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19610. [PMID: 31873139 PMCID: PMC6928164 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56092-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have examined the feedback pathway from the amygdala to the auditory cortex in conjunction with the feedforward pathway from the auditory cortex to the amygdala. However, these connections have not been fully characterized. Here, to visualize the comprehensive connectivity between the auditory cortex and amygdala, we injected cholera toxin subunit b (CTB), a bidirectional tracer, into multiple subfields in the mouse auditory cortex after identifying the location of these subfields using flavoprotein fluorescence imaging. After injecting CTB into the secondary auditory field (A2), we found densely innervated CTB-positive axon terminals that were mainly located in the lateral amygdala (La), and slight innervations in other divisions such as the basal amygdala. Moreover, we found a large number of retrogradely-stained CTB-positive neurons in La after injecting CTB into A2. When injecting CTB into the primary auditory cortex (A1), a small number of CTB-positive neurons and axons were visualized in the amygdala. Finally, we found a near complete absence of connections between the other auditory cortical fields and the amygdala. These data suggest that reciprocal connections between A2 and La are main conduits for communication between the auditory cortex and amygdala in mice.
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40
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Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor-Expressing Neurons in the Central Amygdala Influence Fear-Related Behavior. Biol Psychiatry 2019; 86:899-909. [PMID: 31420088 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The renin-angiotensin system has been implicated in posttraumatic stress disorder; however, the mechanisms responsible for this connection and the therapeutic potential of targeting the renin-angiotensin system in posttraumatic stress disorder remain unknown. Using an angiotensin receptor bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) reporter mouse, combined with neuroanatomical, pharmacological, and behavioral approaches, we examined the role of angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) in fear-related behavior. METHODS Dual immunohistochemistry with retrograde labeling was used to characterize AT2R-eGFP+ cells in the amygdala of the AT2R-eGFP-BAC reporter mouse. Pavlovian fear conditioning and behavioral pharmacological analyses were used to demonstrate the effects of AT2R activation on fear memory in male C57BL/6 mice. RESULTS AT2R-eGFP+ neurons in the amygdala were predominantly expressed in the medial amygdala and the medial division of the central amygdala (CeM), with little AT2R-eGFP expression in the basolateral amygdala or lateral division of the central amygdala. Characterization of AT2R-eGFP+ neurons in the CeM demonstrated distinct localization to gamma-aminobutyric acidergic projection neurons. Mice receiving acute intra-central amygdala injections of the selective AT2R agonist compound 21 prior to tests for cued or contextual fear expression displayed less freezing. Retrograde labeling of AT2R-eGFP+ neurons projecting to the periaqueductal gray revealed AT2R-eGFP+ neuronal projections from the CeM to the periaqueductal gray, a key brain structure mediating fear-related freezing. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that CeM AT2R-expressing neurons can modulate central amygdala outputs that play a role in fear expression, providing new evidence for a novel angiotensinergic circuit in the regulation of fear.
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Wadowski PP, Litschauer B, Seitz T, Ertl S, Löffler-Stastka H. Case-based blended eLearning scenarios-adequate for competence development or more? NEUROPSYCHIATRIE : KLINIK, DIAGNOSTIK, THERAPIE UND REHABILITATION : ORGAN DER GESELLSCHAFT OSTERREICHISCHER NERVENARZTE UND PSYCHIATER 2019; 33:207-211. [PMID: 31696411 PMCID: PMC6901430 DOI: 10.1007/s40211-019-00322-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Learning, competence development and scientific thinking in medicine need several strategies to facilitate new diagnostic and therapeutic ways. The optimal collaboration between creative thinking and biomedical informatics provides innovation for the individual patient and for a medical school or society. Utilizing the flexibilities of an e‑learning platform, a case based blended learning (CBBL) framework consisting of A) case based textbook material, B) online e‑CBL with question driven learning scenarios and C) simulated patient (SP) contact seminars was developed and implemented in multiple medical fields. Real-life clinical cases were anonymized and transferred into an interactive and an interdisciplinary eLearning platform. METHODS As an example of the offered clinical teaching-case collection, an example of a psychiatric case for the disease "posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)" is presented: a 30-year-old man with a history of insomnia with difficulties in falling asleep and sleeping through, nightmares, nervousness and psychomotor restlessness. The students are challenged to identify possible differential diagnoses and further get to know the patient's personal history (loss of relatives due to war, torture and flight from home country). Further, the students are guided through the principles of fear conditioning including translational aspects like neurotransmitter signaling of PTSD pathomechanism (translational and research aspects like dopamine transporter gene polymorphism, long term potentiation and synaptic signaling). RESULTS/CONCLUSION The case presentation comprises different learning aspects: First, declarative knowledge has to be acquired and collected in basic medical sciences, knowledge that is in fact available and can be accessed on the conscious and preconscious level in long-term memory. Second, associative learning leads to the formation of neuronal connections and is an important way of learning and discovering, founded in neural associations. Third, polythematic-crosslinking thinking is needed as ability to link information in a meaningful way. These steps are a typical intellectual ability of gifted learners and researchers that combine previously seemingly unrelated areas to each other and drive innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Pia Wadowski
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Angiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Brigitte Litschauer
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tamara Seitz
- Department of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sebastian Ertl
- Department of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Henriette Löffler-Stastka
- Department of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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Hakim M, Battle AR, Belmer A, Bartlett SE, Johnson LR, Chehrehasa F. Pavlovian Olfactory Fear Conditioning: Its Neural Circuity and Importance for Understanding Clinical Fear-Based Disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:221. [PMID: 31607858 PMCID: PMC6761252 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Odors have proven to be the most resilient trigger for memories of high emotional saliency. Fear associated olfactory memories pose a detrimental threat of potentially transforming into severe mental illness such as fear and anxiety-related disorders. Many studies have deliberated on auditory, visual and general contextual fear memory (CFC) processes; however, fewer studies have investigated mechanisms of olfactory fear memory. Evidence strongly suggests that the neuroanatomical representation of olfactory fear memory differs from that of auditory and visual fear memory. The aim of this review article is to revisit the literature regarding the understanding of the neurobiological process of fear conditioning and to illustrate the circuitry of olfactory fear memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marziah Hakim
- School of Biomedical Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.,Mater Medical Research Institute and Queensland Health, Queensland University of Technology, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Andrew R Battle
- School of Biomedical Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.,Mater Medical Research Institute and Queensland Health, Queensland University of Technology, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.,The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Arnauld Belmer
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.,Mater Medical Research Institute and Queensland Health, Queensland University of Technology, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Selena E Bartlett
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.,Mater Medical Research Institute and Queensland Health, Queensland University of Technology, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.,School of Clinical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Luke R Johnson
- School of Biomedical Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Mater Medical Research Institute and Queensland Health, Queensland University of Technology, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.,Division of Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia.,Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Fatemeh Chehrehasa
- School of Biomedical Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.,Mater Medical Research Institute and Queensland Health, Queensland University of Technology, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.,Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
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43
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González-Sánchez H, Tovar-Díaz J, Morin JP, Roldán-Roldán G. NMDA receptor and nitric oxide synthase activity in the central amygdala is involved in the acquisition and consolidation of conditioned odor aversion. Neurosci Lett 2019; 707:134327. [PMID: 31200091 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.134327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Rats readily learn to avoid a tasteless odorized solution if they experience visceral malaise after consuming it. This phenomenon is referred to as conditioned odor aversion (COA). Several studies have shown that COA depends on the functional integrity of the amygdala, with most studies focusing on the basolateral nucleus. On the other hand, the role of the central amygdala (CeA) which is known to be involved in the consolidation of conditioned taste aversion (CTA) remains to be established. To address this issue, we evaluated the effect of inhibiting NMDA receptor activity in this structure on COA memory formation. Intra-CeA infusions of non-competitive NMDA receptor inhibitor MK-801 prevented memory formation both when administered before and up to 15 min after COA conditioning, while no effect of this drug was observed when given before long-term memory test. We next evaluated the role of one of the main downstream effectors of brain NMDA receptor signaling, nitric oxide synthase (NOS), known to play a key role in a wide variety learning tasks including some types of olfactory conditioning. Similar results were obtained with inhibition of either NOS or neuron-specific NOS; which proved to be required both during and after COA training, though for a shorter time span than NMDA receptors. Also, neither isoform showed to be required to memory retrieval. These results suggest that the US signaling during acquisition and the initial consolidation step of COA depends on glutamate-NO system activation in the CeA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor González-Sánchez
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jorge Tovar-Díaz
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico; Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Autonomous University of Baja California, Tijuana, BC, Mexico
| | - Jean-Pascal Morin
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gabriel Roldán-Roldán
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Abstract
Nobel laureate Nikolaas Tinbergen provided clear criteria for declaring a neuroscience problem solved, criteria which despite the passage of more than 50 years and vastly expanded neuroscience tool kits remain applicable today. Tinbergen said for neuroscientists to claim that a behavior is understood, they must correspondingly understand its (i) development and its (ii) mechanisms and its (iii) function and its (iv) evolution. Now, all four of these domains represent hotbeds of current experimental work, each using arrays of new techniques which overlap only partly. Thus, as new methodologies come online, from single-nerve-cell RNA sequencing, for example, to smart FISH, large-scale calcium imaging from cortex and deep brain structures, computational ethology, and so on, one person, however smart, cannot master everything. Our response to the likely “fracturing” of neuroscience recognizes the value of ever larger consortia. This response suggests new kinds of problems for (i) funding and (ii) the fair distribution of credit, especially for younger scientists.
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Belleau EL, Pedersen WS, Miskovich TA, Helmstetter FJ, Larson CL. Cortico-limbic connectivity changes following fear extinction and relationships with trait anxiety. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2019; 13:1037-1046. [PMID: 30137604 PMCID: PMC6204483 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsy073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Fear extinction is a powerful model of adaptive and anxiety-related maladaptive fear inhibition. This learning process is dependent upon plastic interactions between the amygdala, the anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC), the hippocampus, and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). With regard to the amygdala, the basolateral (BLA) and centromedial amygdala (CMA) serve unique roles in fear extinction. In a large sample (N = 91), the current study examined pre- to post-extinction changes in resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) of fear inhibition and expression pathways. We also examined how trait anxiety and extinction performance were associated with extinction-related changes within these neural pathways. We found stronger pre- to post-extinction RSFC in pathways known to play a role in the down-regulation of fear responses (BLA-hippocampus, aMCC-hippocampus, CMA-hippocampus, CMA-aMCC). We also found that trait anxiety was associated with strengthening of a BLA–aMCC circuit supporting fear expression following extinction learning. Furthermore, we found that physiological indices of poorer extinction learning were linked to weaker pre- to post-extinction RSFC of a BLA–hippocampus pathway important for fear extinction consolidation. Our results highlight the network changes that occur during extinction, the separable role of CMA and BLA-based circuitry and a key pathway linked to risk for anxiety pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Belleau
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Walker S Pedersen
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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Raber J, Arzy S, Bertolus JB, Depue B, Haas HE, Hofmann SG, Kangas M, Kensinger E, Lowry CA, Marusak HA, Minnier J, Mouly AM, Mühlberger A, Norrholm SD, Peltonen K, Pinna G, Rabinak C, Shiban Y, Soreq H, van der Kooij MA, Lowe L, Weingast LT, Yamashita P, Boutros SW. Current understanding of fear learning and memory in humans and animal models and the value of a linguistic approach for analyzing fear learning and memory in humans. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 105:136-177. [PMID: 30970272 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Fear is an emotion that serves as a driving factor in how organisms move through the world. In this review, we discuss the current understandings of the subjective experience of fear and the related biological processes involved in fear learning and memory. We first provide an overview of fear learning and memory in humans and animal models, encompassing the neurocircuitry and molecular mechanisms, the influence of genetic and environmental factors, and how fear learning paradigms have contributed to treatments for fear-related disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder. Current treatments as well as novel strategies, such as targeting the perisynaptic environment and use of virtual reality, are addressed. We review research on the subjective experience of fear and the role of autobiographical memory in fear-related disorders. We also discuss the gaps in our understanding of fear learning and memory, and the degree of consensus in the field. Lastly, the development of linguistic tools for assessments and treatment of fear learning and memory disorders is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Raber
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, ONPRC, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Departments of Neurology and Radiation Medicine, and Division of Neuroscience, ONPRC, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
| | - Shahar Arzy
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | | | - Brendan Depue
- Departments of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Haley E Haas
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stefan G Hofmann
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maria Kangas
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Christopher A Lowry
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Hilary A Marusak
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jessica Minnier
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Anne-Marie Mouly
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, CNRS-UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Université Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Andreas Mühlberger
- Department of Psychology (Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; PFH - Private University of Applied Sciences, Department of Psychology (Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Research), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Seth Davin Norrholm
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kirsi Peltonen
- Faculty of Social Sciences/Psychology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Graziano Pinna
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Christine Rabinak
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Youssef Shiban
- Department of Psychology (Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; PFH - Private University of Applied Sciences, Department of Psychology (Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Research), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hermona Soreq
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Edmond and Lily Safra Center of Brain Science and The Institute of Life Sciences, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Michael A van der Kooij
- Translational Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Universitatsmedizin der Johannes Guttenberg University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Leah T Weingast
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Paula Yamashita
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Sydney Weber Boutros
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, ONPRC, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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Matthews GA, Tye KM. Neural mechanisms of social homeostasis. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2019; 1457:5-25. [PMID: 30875095 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Social connections are vital to survival throughout the animal kingdom and are dynamic across the life span. There are debilitating consequences of social isolation and loneliness, and social support is increasingly a primary consideration in health care, disease prevention, and recovery. Considering social connection as an "innate need," it is hypothesized that evolutionarily conserved neural systems underlie the maintenance of social connections: alerting the individual to their absence and coordinating effector mechanisms to restore social contact. This is reminiscent of a homeostatic system designed to maintain social connection. Here, we explore the identity of neural systems regulating "social homeostasis." We review findings from rodent studies evaluating the rapid response to social deficit (in the form of acute social isolation) and propose that parallel, overlapping circuits are engaged to adapt to the vulnerabilities of isolation and restore social connection. By considering the neural systems regulating other homeostatic needs, such as energy and fluid balance, we discuss the potential attributes of social homeostatic circuitry. We reason that uncovering the identity of these circuits/mechanisms will facilitate our understanding of how loneliness perpetuates long-term disease states, which we speculate may result from sustained recruitment of social homeostatic circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian A Matthews
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Kay M Tye
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,The Salk Institute for Biological Sciences, La Jolla, California
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48
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Delaney AJ, Crane JW, Holmes NM, Fam J, Westbrook RF. Baclofen acts in the central amygdala to reduce synaptic transmission and impair context fear conditioning. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9908. [PMID: 29967489 PMCID: PMC6028433 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28321-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The two main sub-divisions of the Central amygdala (CeA), the lateral-capsular (CeA-LC) and the medial (CeA-M), contain extensive networks of inhibitory interneurons. We have previously shown that activation of GABAB-receptors reduces excitatory transmission between axons of the pontine parabrachial nucleus and neurons of the CeA-LC by inhibiting glutamate release from presynaptic terminals13. Here we have characterised GABAB-receptor activation on other excitatory and inhibitory projections within the CeA. Using whole-cell, patch-clamp recordings, we found that the GABAB-receptor agonist baclofen significantly reduced excitatory and inhibitory transmission from all tested inputs into the CeA-LC and CeA-M. In all but one of the inputs, reductions in transmission were accompanied by an increase in paired pulse ratio, indicating that presynaptic GABAB-receptors acted to reduce the release probability of synaptic vesicles. To examine the impact of GABAB-receptors in the CeA on contextual fear-conditioning, we infused baclofen into the CeA immediately prior to training. Compared to vehicle-infused rats, baclofen-infused rats displayed significantly less freezing both during the final stages of the training period and at test 24 hours later. The results of this study demonstrate that, by suppressing excitatory and inhibitory transmission, activation of presynaptic GABAB-receptors in the CeA inhibits the development of context conditioned fear.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Delaney
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Orange, NSW, 2800, Australia.
| | - J W Crane
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - N M Holmes
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - J Fam
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - R F Westbrook
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
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49
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Hennessey T, Andari E, Rainnie DG. RDoC-based categorization of amygdala functions and its implications in autism. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 90:115-129. [PMID: 29660417 PMCID: PMC6250055 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Confusion endures as to the exact role of the amygdala in relation to autism. To help resolve this we turned to the NIMH's Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) which provides a classification schema that identifies different categories of behaviors that can turn pathologic in mental health disorders, e.g. autism. While RDoC incorporates all the known neurobiological substrates for each domain, this review will focus primarily on the amygdala. We first consider the amygdala from an anatomical, historical, and developmental perspective. Next, we examine the different domains and constructs of RDoC that the amygdala is involved in: Negative Valence Systems, Positive Valence Systems, Cognitive Systems, Social Processes, and Arousal and Regulatory Systems. Then the evidence for a dysfunctional amygdala in autism is presented with a focus on alterations in development, prenatal valproic acid exposure as a model for ASD, and changes in the oxytocin system therein. Finally, a synthesis of RDoC, the amygdala, and autism is offered, emphasizing the task of disambiguation and suggestions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hennessey
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30329, United States
| | - Elissar Andari
- Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, United States
| | - Donald G Rainnie
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30329, United States.
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50
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Neuropeptide signalling in the central nucleus of the amygdala. Cell Tissue Res 2018; 375:93-101. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2862-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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