1
|
Koh W, Kwak H, Cheong E, Lee CJ. GABA tone regulation and its cognitive functions in the brain. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:523-539. [PMID: 37495761 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00724-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter released at GABAergic synapses, mediating fast-acting phasic inhibition. Emerging lines of evidence unequivocally indicate that a small amount of extracellular GABA - GABA tone - exists in the brain and induces a tonic GABA current that controls neuronal activity on a slow timescale relative to that of phasic inhibition. Surprisingly, studies indicate that glial cells that synthesize GABA, such as astrocytes, release GABA through non-vesicular mechanisms, such as channel-mediated release, and thereby act as the source of GABA tone in the brain. In this Review, we first provide an overview of major advances in our understanding of the cell-specific molecular and cellular mechanisms of GABA synthesis, release and clearance that regulate GABA tone in various brain regions. We next examine the diverse ways in which the tonic GABA current regulates synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity through extrasynaptic GABAA-receptor-mediated mechanisms. Last, we discuss the physiological mechanisms through which tonic inhibition modulates cognitive function on a slow timescale. In this Review, we emphasize that the cognitive functions of tonic GABA current extend beyond mere inhibition, laying a foundation for future research on the physiological and pathophysiological roles of GABA tone regulation in normal and abnormal psychiatric conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wuhyun Koh
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hankyul Kwak
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eunji Cheong
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - C Justin Lee
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Urrutia Desmaison JD, Sala RW, Ayyaz A, Nondhalee P, Popa D, Léna C. Cerebellar control of fear learning via the cerebellar nuclei-Multiple pathways, multiple mechanisms? Front Syst Neurosci 2023; 17:1176668. [PMID: 37229350 PMCID: PMC10203220 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2023.1176668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Fear learning is mediated by a large network of brain structures and the understanding of their roles and interactions is constantly progressing. There is a multitude of anatomical and behavioral evidence on the interconnection of the cerebellar nuclei to other structures in the fear network. Regarding the cerebellar nuclei, we focus on the coupling of the cerebellar fastigial nucleus to the fear network and the relation of the cerebellar dentate nucleus to the ventral tegmental area. Many of the fear network structures that receive direct projections from the cerebellar nuclei are playing a role in fear expression or in fear learning and fear extinction learning. We propose that the cerebellum, via its projections to the limbic system, acts as a modulator of fear learning and extinction learning, using prediction-error signaling and regulation of fear related thalamo-cortical oscillations.
Collapse
|
3
|
Frontera JL, Sala RW, Georgescu IA, Baba Aissa H, d'Almeida MN, Popa D, Léna C. The cerebellum regulates fear extinction through thalamo-prefrontal cortex interactions in male mice. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1508. [PMID: 36932068 PMCID: PMC10023697 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36943-w] [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: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Fear extinction is a form of inhibitory learning that suppresses the expression of aversive memories and plays a key role in the recovery of anxiety and trauma-related disorders. Here, using male mice, we identify a cerebello-thalamo-cortical pathway regulating fear extinction. The cerebellar fastigial nucleus (FN) projects to the lateral subregion of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MD), which is reciprocally connected with the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC). The inhibition of FN inputs to MD in male mice impairs fear extinction in animals with high fear responses and increases the bursting of MD neurons, a firing pattern known to prevent extinction learning. Indeed, this MD bursting is followed by high levels of the dmPFC 4 Hz oscillations causally associated with fear responses during fear extinction, and the inhibition of FN-MD neurons increases the coherence of MD bursts and oscillations with dmPFC 4 Hz oscillations. Overall, these findings reveal a regulation of fear-related thalamo-cortical dynamics by the cerebellum and its contribution to fear extinction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jimena L Frontera
- Neurophysiology of Brain Circuits Team, Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Romain W Sala
- Neurophysiology of Brain Circuits Team, Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Ioana A Georgescu
- Neurophysiology of Brain Circuits Team, Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Hind Baba Aissa
- Neurophysiology of Brain Circuits Team, Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Marion N d'Almeida
- Neurophysiology of Brain Circuits Team, Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Daniela Popa
- Neurophysiology of Brain Circuits Team, Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Clément Léna
- Neurophysiology of Brain Circuits Team, Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005, Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lee J, Kim N, Jeong H, Jun JY, Yoo SY, Lee SH, Lee J, Lee YJ, Kim SJ. Gray Matter Volume of Thalamic Nuclei in Traumatized North Korean Refugees. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:756202. [PMID: 35573348 PMCID: PMC9095986 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.756202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study investigated differences in the regional gray matter (GM) volume of specific thalamic nuclei between North Korean (NK) refugees and South Korean (SK) residents. It also investigated associations between thalamic GM volume changes and psychological symptoms. Psychological evaluations and magnetic resonance imaging were conducted on 50 traumatized NK refugees and 55 non-traumatized SK residents. The regional GM volume ratios in the bilateral thalami were calculated for all participants using voxel-based morphometry. NK refugees showed greater GM volume ratios in the right medial-posterior nuclei and left medial nuclei compared with SK residents. NK refugees also exhibited more depressive symptoms than SK residents. However, increased GM volume ratios in both right medial-posterior nuclei and left medial nuclei were correlated with fewer depressive symptoms in NK refugees, but not in SK residents. The findings indicate that traumatized NK refugees had increased GM volumes in the right medial-posterior nuclei and left medial nuclei, which were associated with fewer depressive symptoms. The enlarged specific thalamic nuclei presented among refugees in the current study might be associated with a neurobiological compensatory mechanism that prevents the development or progression of depression in refugees after repetitive traumatic experiences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiye Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Nambeom Kim
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Hyunwoo Jeong
- Geumsan-gun Public Health Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jin Yong Jun
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - So Young Yoo
- Department of Psychiatry, National Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - So Hee Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, National Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jooyoung Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yu Jin Lee
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Sleep and Chronobiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seog Ju Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Qing X, Xu YL, Liu H, Liu XS. The influence of anesthesia and surgery on fear extinction. Neurosci Lett 2022; 766:136347. [PMID: 34808271 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136347] [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: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence has demonstrated significant clinical post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after anesthesia or surgery. Fear extinction dysfunction is a notable feature of PTSD. Although anesthetics and surgery profoundly affect memory processes, their designated effects on fear extinction have not been dissertated. Previous studies have suggested that innate immune system activation disrupts fear extinction, and surgery has been shown to increase the inflammatory response. Thus, in the current study, we examined the effects of propofol, sevoflurane, dexmedetomidine and surgery on fear extinction in adolescent mice, and further tested whether dexmedetomidine could reverse the injury effect of surgery on fear extinction through its anti-inflammatory effects. Our results showed that propofol (200 mg/kg) impaired the acquisition and recall of cued fear extinction, and surgery disrupted cued fear extinction acquisition/recall and consolidation. In contrast to cued fear extinction, contextual fear extinction was not affected by propofol or surgery. Moreover, dexmedetomidine prevented surgery-induced impairment of cued extinction acquisition and recall but not consolidation. Finally, TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex were not necessary for the dexmedetomidine treatment effect of surgery-induced fear extinction dysfunction. The study results showed that propofol and surgery selective impaired the cued fear extinction stage in adolescent mice, and dexmedetomidine may unleash a protective effect in preventing postoperative PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Qing
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, China
| | - Yuan-Ling Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, China
| | - Hu Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, China.
| | - Xue-Sheng Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhou K, Zhu L, Hou G, Chen X, Chen B, Yang C, Zhu Y. The Contribution of Thalamic Nuclei in Salience Processing. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:634618. [PMID: 33664657 PMCID: PMC7920982 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.634618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The brain continuously receives diverse information about the external environment and changes in the homeostatic state. The attribution of salience determines which stimuli capture attention and, therefore, plays an essential role in regulating emotions and guiding behaviors. Although the thalamus is included in the salience network, the neural mechanism of how the thalamus contributes to salience processing remains elusive. In this mini-review, we will focus on recent advances in understanding the specific roles of distinct thalamic nuclei in salience processing. We will summarize the functional connections between thalamus nuclei and other key nodes in the salience network. We will highlight the convergence of neural circuits involved in reward and pain processing, arousal, and attention control in thalamic structures. We will discuss how thalamic activities represent salience information in associative learning and how thalamic neurons modulate adaptive behaviors. Lastly, we will review recent studies which investigate the contribution of thalamic dysfunction to aberrant salience processing in neuropsychiatric disorders, such as drug addiction, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia. Based on emerging evidence from both human and rodent research, we propose that the thalamus, different from previous studies that as an information relay, has a broader role in coordinating the cognitive process and regulating emotions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kuikui Zhou
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lin Zhu
- Department of Neonatology, Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Guoqiang Hou
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xueyu Chen
- Department of Neonatology, Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bo Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chuanzhong Yang
- Department of Neonatology, Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yingjie Zhu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
The Role of the Thalamus in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041730. [PMID: 33572198 PMCID: PMC7915053 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has a high lifetime prevalence and is one of the more serious challenges in mental health care. Fear-conditioned learning involving the amygdala has been thought to be one of the main causative factors; however, recent studies have reported abnormalities in the thalamus of PTSD patients, which may explain the mechanism of interventions such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Therefore, I conducted a miniature literature review on the potential contribution of the thalamus to the pathogenesis of PTSD and the validation of therapeutic approaches. As a result, we noticed the importance of the retinotectal pathway (superior colliculus−pulvinar−amygdala connection) and discussed therapeutic indicators.
Collapse
|
8
|
Bruno F, Splendiani A, Tommasino E, Conson M, Quarantelli M, Saporito G, Carolei A, Sacco S, Di Cesare E, Barile A, Masciocchi C, Pistoia F. Multimodal MRI Assessment of Thalamic Structural Changes in Earthquake Survivors. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11010070. [PMID: 33406665 PMCID: PMC7824088 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11010070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Moving from the central role of the thalamus in the integration of inner and external stimuli and in the implementation of a stress-related response, the objective of the present study was to investigate the presence of any MRI structural and volumetric changes of the thalamic structures in earthquake witnesses. Forty-one subjects were included, namely 18 university students belonging to the experimental earthquake-exposed group (8 males and 10 females, mean age 24.5 ± 1.8 years) and a control group of 23 students not living in any earthquake-affected areas at the time of the earthquake (14 males and 9 females, mean age 23.7 ± 2.0 years). Instrumental MRI evaluation was performed using a 3-Tesla scanner, by acquiring a three-dimensional fast spoiled gradient-echo (FSPGR) sequence for volumetric analysis and an EPI (echoplanar imaging) sequence to extract fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. As compared to the control one, the experimental group showed significantly lower gray matter volume in the mediodorsal nucleus of the left thalamus (p < 0.001). The dominant hemisphere thalamus in the experimental group showed higher mean ADC values and lower mean FA values as compared to the control group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Bruno
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.S.); (E.T.); (G.S.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (E.D.C.); (A.B.); (C.M.); (F.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Alessandra Splendiani
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.S.); (E.T.); (G.S.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (E.D.C.); (A.B.); (C.M.); (F.P.)
| | - Emanuele Tommasino
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.S.); (E.T.); (G.S.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (E.D.C.); (A.B.); (C.M.); (F.P.)
| | - Massimiliano Conson
- Laboratory of Developmental Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy;
| | - Mario Quarantelli
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council, 80100 Naples, Italy;
| | - Gennaro Saporito
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.S.); (E.T.); (G.S.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (E.D.C.); (A.B.); (C.M.); (F.P.)
| | - Antonio Carolei
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.S.); (E.T.); (G.S.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (E.D.C.); (A.B.); (C.M.); (F.P.)
| | - Simona Sacco
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.S.); (E.T.); (G.S.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (E.D.C.); (A.B.); (C.M.); (F.P.)
| | - Ernesto Di Cesare
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.S.); (E.T.); (G.S.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (E.D.C.); (A.B.); (C.M.); (F.P.)
| | - Antonio Barile
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.S.); (E.T.); (G.S.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (E.D.C.); (A.B.); (C.M.); (F.P.)
| | - Carlo Masciocchi
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.S.); (E.T.); (G.S.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (E.D.C.); (A.B.); (C.M.); (F.P.)
| | - Francesca Pistoia
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.S.); (E.T.); (G.S.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (E.D.C.); (A.B.); (C.M.); (F.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Astrocyte-derived Wnt growth factors are required for endothelial blood-brain barrier maintenance. Prog Neurobiol 2020; 199:101937. [PMID: 33383106 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Maintenance of the endothelial blood-brain-barrier (BBB) through Wnt/β-catenin signalling is essential for neuronal function. The cells however, providing Wnt growth factors at the adult neurovascular unit (NVU) are poorly explored. Here we show by conditionally knocking out the evenness interrupted (Evi) gene in astrocytes (EviΔAC) that astrocytic Wnt release is crucial for BBB and NVU integrity. EviΔAC mice developed brain oedema and increased vascular tracer leakage. While brain vascularization and endothelial junctions were not altered in 10 and 40 week-old mice, endothelial caveolin(Cav)-1-mediated vesicle formation was increased in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, astrocytic end-feet were swollen, and aquaporin-4 distribution was disturbed, coinciding with decreased astrocytic Wnt activity. Vascular permeability correlated with increased neuronal activation by c-fos staining, indicative of altered neuronal function. Astrocyte-derived Wnts thus serve to maintain Wnt/β-catenin activity in endothelia and in astrocytes, thereby controlling Cav-1 expression, vesicular abundance, and end-feet integrity at the NVU.
Collapse
|
10
|
Ramanathan KR, Maren S. Nucleus reuniens mediates the extinction of contextual fear conditioning. Behav Brain Res 2019; 374:112114. [PMID: 31351844 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Learning and remembering the context in which events occur requires interactions between the hippocampus (HPC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The nucleus reuniens (RE) is a ventral midline thalamic nucleus that coordinates activity in the mPFC and HPC and is involved in spatial and contextual memory. We recently found that the RE is critical for contextual fear conditioning in rats, a form of learning that involves interactions between the HPC and mPFC. Here we examined whether the RE mediates the extinction of contextual fear. After contextual fear conditioning, rats underwent an extinction procedure in which they were merely exposed to the conditioning context; freezing behavior during the extinction procedure and during a retrieval test 24 h later served as an index of conditioned fear. Muscimol inactivation of the RE prior to extinction impaired the acquisition of both short- and long-term extinction memories. Similarly, inactivation of the RE prior to the extinction retrieval test also impaired the expression of extinction; this effect was not state-dependent. Taken together, these results reveal that the extinction of contextual fear memories requires the RE, which is consistent with a broader role for the RE in forms of learning that require HPC-mPFC interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karthik R Ramanathan
- Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Stephen Maren
- Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
An Emerging Circuit Pharmacology of GABA A Receptors. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2018; 39:710-732. [PMID: 29903580 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2018.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Revised: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In the past 20 years we have learned a great deal about GABAA receptor (GABAAR) subtypes, and which behaviors are regulated or which drug effects are mediated by each subtype. However, the question of where GABAARs involved in specific drug effects and behaviors are located in the brain remains largely unanswered. We review here recent studies taking a circuit pharmacology approach to investigate the functions of GABAAR subtypes in specific brain circuits controlling fear, anxiety, learning, memory, reward, addiction, and stress-related behaviors. The findings of these studies highlight the complexity of brain inhibitory systems and the importance of taking a subtype-, circuit-, and neuronal population-specific approach to develop future therapeutic strategies using cell type-specific drug delivery.
Collapse
|
12
|
Palmitoylation as a Functional Regulator of Neurotransmitter Receptors. Neural Plast 2018; 2018:5701348. [PMID: 29849559 PMCID: PMC5903346 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5701348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of neuronal proteins involved in cellular signaling undergo different posttranslational modifications significantly affecting their functions. One of these modifications is a covalent attachment of a 16-C palmitic acid to one or more cysteine residues (S-palmitoylation) within the target protein. Palmitoylation is a reversible modification, and repeated cycles of palmitoylation/depalmitoylation might be critically involved in the regulation of multiple signaling processes. Palmitoylation also represents a common posttranslational modification of the neurotransmitter receptors, including G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and ligand-gated ion channels (LICs). From the functional point of view, palmitoylation affects a wide span of neurotransmitter receptors activities including their trafficking, sorting, stability, residence lifetime at the cell surface, endocytosis, recycling, and synaptic clustering. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the palmitoylation of neurotransmitter receptors and its role in the regulation of receptors functions as well as in the control of different kinds of physiological and pathological behavior.
Collapse
|
13
|
Liu M, Fitzgibbon M, Wang Y, Reilly J, Qian X, O'Brien T, Clapcote S, Shen S, Roche M. Ulk4 regulates GABAergic signaling and anxiety-related behavior. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:43. [PMID: 29391390 PMCID: PMC5804027 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-017-0091-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Excitation/inhibition imbalance has been proposed as a fundamental mechanism in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, in which copy number variations of the Unc-51 like kinase 4 (ULK4) gene encoding a putative Serine/Threonine kinase have been reported in approximately 1/1000 of patients suffering pleiotropic clinical conditions of schizophrenia, depression, autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delay, language delay, intellectual disability, or behavioral disorder. The current study characterized behavior of heterozygous Ulk4 +/tm1a mice, demonstrating that Ulk4 +/tm1a mice displayed no schizophrenia-like behavior in acoustic startle reactivity and prepulse inhibition tests or depressive-like behavior in the Porsolt swim or tail suspension tests. However, Ulk4 +/tm1a mice exhibited an anxiety-like behavioral phenotype in several tests. Previously identified hypo-anxious (Atp1a2, Ptn, and Mdk) and hyper-anxious (Gria1, Syngap1, and Npy2r) genes were found to be dysregulated accordingly in Ulk4 mutants. Ulk4 was found to be expressed in GABAergic neurons and the Gad67+ interneurons were significantly reduced in the hippocampus and basolateral amygdala of Ulk4 +/tm1a mice. Transcriptome analyses revealed a marked reduction of GABAergic neuronal subtypes, including Pvalb, Sst, Cck, Npy, and Nos3, as well as significant upregulation of GABA receptors, including Gabra1, Gabra3, Gabra4, Gabra5, and Gabrb3. This is the first evidence that Ulk4 plays a major role in regulating GABAergic signaling and anxiety-like behavior, which may have implications for the development of novel anxiolytic treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min Liu
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Marie Fitzgibbon
- Physiology, School of Medicine, Galway Neuroscience Centre and Centre for Pain Research, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Yanqin Wang
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Department of Physiology, College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jamie Reilly
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Xiaohong Qian
- National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Engineering Research Center for Protein Drugs, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Timothy O'Brien
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Steve Clapcote
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Sanbing Shen
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
| | - Michelle Roche
- Physiology, School of Medicine, Galway Neuroscience Centre and Centre for Pain Research, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Varma A, Moore MB, Miller CWT, Himelhoch S. Topiramate as Monotherapy or Adjunctive Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Meta-Analysis. J Trauma Stress 2018; 31:125-133. [PMID: 29388709 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2016] [Revised: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic and debilitating condition for which clinicians sometimes turn to anticonvulsants as a treatment for symptoms. This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) that have assessed the efficacy of topiramate as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy, compared to placebo, for the treatment of PTSD in adults. Prescribers may be reluctant to turn to topiramate, given the commonly reported side effects of impaired cognition, sedation, fatigue, and headache. We searched PubMed, PsycInfo, and Cochrane Central databases for relevant trials. Five studies were identified as RCTs and thus met inclusion criteria; one additional nonpublished study was identified via phone contact with its authors. Of these six studies, one was excluded from the statistical meta-analysis due to its high dropout rate (16 of 40 participants). One of these studies was excluded from a stratified analysis of symptom types because this subscale data were unavailable. For overall symptomatology, topiramate showed a medium, but not significant effect, standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.55, p = .082. Topiramate showed a small and significant reduction of hyperarousal symptoms, SMD = 0.35, 95% CI [0.029, 0.689], p = .033. Topiramate did not significantly reduce reexperiencing symptoms, SMD = 0.29, 95% CI [-0.019, 0.597], p = .067, or avoidance symptoms, SMD = 0.20, 95% CI [-0.105, 0.509], p = .198. Results did not differ significantly between veteran and nonveteran subjects, or between topiramate as monotherapy and adjunctive therapy. Further studies on topiramate will clarify its role in PTSD treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Archana Varma
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael B Moore
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher W T Miller
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Seth Himelhoch
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Gadd45β ameliorates L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia in a Parkinson's disease mouse model. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 89:169-79. [PMID: 26875664 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2015] [Revised: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The dopamine precursor 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-l-alanine (L-DOPA) is currently the most efficacious pharmacotherapy for Parkinson's disease (PD). However, long-term L-DOPA treatment leads to the development of abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) in patients and animal models of PD. Recently, involvement of growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible 45β (Gadd45β) was reported in neurological and neurobehavioral dysfunctions. However, little is known about the role of Gadd45β in the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway or L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID). To address this issue, we prepared an animal model of PD using unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions in the substantia nigra of Gadd45β(+/+) and Gadd45β(-/-) mice. Dyskinetic symptoms were triggered by repetitive administration of L-DOPA in these 6-OHDA-lesioned mice. Whereas dopamine denervation in the dorsal striatum decreased Gadd45β mRNA, chronic L-DOPA treatment significantly increased Gadd45β mRNA expression in the 6-OHDA-lesioned striatum of wild-type mice. Using unilaterally 6-OHDA-lesioned Gadd45β(+/+) and Gadd45β(-/-) mice, we found that mice lacking Gadd45β exhibited long-lasting increases in AIMs following repeated administration of L-DOPA. By contrast, adeno-associated virus-mediated expression of Gadd45β in the striatum reduced AIMs in Gadd45β knockout mice. The deficiency of Gadd45β in LID increased expression of ΔFosB and c-Fos in the lesioned striatum 90 min after the last administration of L-DOPA following 11days of daily L-DOPA treatments. These data suggest that the increased expression of Gadd45β induced by repeated administration of L-DOPA may be beneficial in patients with PD.
Collapse
|
16
|
Hellsten K, Linden AM, Korpi E. Paradoxical widespread c-Fos expression induced by a GABA agonist in the forebrain of transgenic mice with ectopic expression of the GABAA α6 subunit. Neuroscience 2015; 293:123-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.02.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Revised: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/28/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
17
|
George SA, Rodriguez-Santiago M, Riley J, Abelson JL, Floresco SB, Liberzon I. Alterations in cognitive flexibility in a rat model of post-traumatic stress disorder. Behav Brain Res 2015; 286:256-64. [PMID: 25746511 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.02.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Revised: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to stressful or traumatic events is associated with increased vulnerability to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This vulnerability may be partly mediated by effects of stress on the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and associated circuitry. The PFC mediates critical cognitive functions, including cognitive flexibility, which reflects an organism's ability to adaptively alter behavior in light of changing contingencies. Prior work suggests that chronic or acute stress exerts complex effects on different forms of cognitive flexibility, via actions on the PFC. Similarly, PFC dysfunction is reported in PTSD, as are executive function deficits. Animal models that permit study of the effects of stress/trauma on cognitive flexibility may be useful in illuminating ways in which stress-linked cognitive changes contribute to PTSD. Here, we examined the behavioral effects of a rodent model of PTSD - single prolonged stress (SPS) - on performance of two forms of cognitive flexibility: reversal learning and strategy set-shifting. SPS did not impair acquisition of either a response or visual-cue discrimination but did cause slight impairments in the retrieval of the visual-cue rule. During response discrimination reversal, SPS rats made more perseverative errors. In comparison, during set-shifting from the visual-cue to response discrimination, SPS rats did not show enhanced perseveration, but did display increased never-reinforced errors, indicative of impairment in selecting a novel strategy. These data demonstrate that SPS leads to a complex and intriguing pattern of deficits in flexible responding and suggest that impairments in executive functioning associated with PTSD could, in part, be a neuro-cognitive consequence of trauma exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie A George
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA; Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Hospital, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 49105, USA.
| | | | - John Riley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - James L Abelson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Stan B Floresco
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Israel Liberzon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA; Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Hospital, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 49105, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Altered expression of δGABAA receptors in health and disease. Neuropharmacology 2014; 88:24-35. [PMID: 25128850 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2014] [Revised: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 08/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
γ-Aminobutyric acid type A receptors that contain the δ subunit (δGABAA receptors) are expressed in multiple types of neurons throughout the central nervous system, where they generate a tonic conductance that shapes neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity. These receptors regulate a variety of important behavioral functions, including memory, nociception and anxiety, and may also modulate neurogenesis. Given their functional significance, δGABAA receptors are considered to be novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of memory dysfunction, pain, insomnia and mood disorders. These receptors are highly responsive to sedative-hypnotic drugs, general anesthetics and neuroactive steroids. A further remarkable feature of δGABAA receptors is that their expression levels are highly dynamic and fluctuate substantially during development and in response to physiological changes including stress and the reproductive cycle. Furthermore, the expression of these receptors varies in pathological conditions such as alcoholism, fragile X syndrome, epilepsy, depression, schizophrenia, mood disorders and traumatic brain injury. Such fluctuations in receptor expression have significant consequences for behavior and may alter responsiveness to therapeutic drugs. This review considers the alterations in the expression of δGABAA receptors associated with various states of health and disease and the implications of these changes.
Collapse
|