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Ma L, Yue L, Liu S, Zhang Y, Zhang M, Cui S, Liu FY, Yi M, Wan Y. Dynamic Changes of the Infralimbic Cortex and Its Regulation of the Prelimbic Cortex in Rats with Chronic Inflammatory Pain. Neurosci Bull 2024; 40:872-886. [PMID: 38180711 PMCID: PMC11250740 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01159-x] [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: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The prelimbic cortex (PL) is actively engaged in pain modulation. The infralimbic cortex (IL) has been reported to regulate the PL. However, how this regulation affects pain remains unclear. In the present study, we recorded temporary hyper-activity of PL pyramidal neurons responding to nociceptive stimuli, but a temporary hypo-function of the IL by in vivo electrophysiological recording in rats with peripheral inflammation. Manipulation of the PL or IL had opposite effects on thermal hyperalgesia. Furthermore, the functional connectivity and chemogenetic regulation between the subregions indicated an inhibitory influence of the IL on the PL. Activation of the pathway from the IL to the PL alleviated thermal hyperalgesia, whereas its inhibition exacerbated chronic pain. Overall, our results suggest a new mechanism underlying the role of the medial prefrontal cortex in chronic pain: hypo-function of the IL leads to hyperactivity of the PL, which regulates thermal hyperalgesia, and thus contributes to the chronicity of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longyu Ma
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Lupeng Yue
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, 100101, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Shuting Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, 100083, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, CAMS & PUMC, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, 100083, China
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, 100045, China
| | - Shuang Cui
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Feng-Yu Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Ming Yi
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, 100083, China.
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - You Wan
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, 100083, China.
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing, 100083, China.
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
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2
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Bertero A, Apicella AJ. Distinct electrophysiological properties of long-range GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons from the lateral amygdala to the auditory cortex of the mouse. J Physiol 2024; 602:1733-1757. [PMID: 38493320 DOI: 10.1113/jp286094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Differentiating between auditory signals of various emotional significance plays a crucial role in an individual's ability to thrive and excel in social interactions and in survival. Multiple approaches, including anatomical studies, electrophysiological investigations, imaging techniques, optogenetics and chemogenetics, have confirmed that the auditory cortex (AC) impacts fear-related behaviours driven by auditory stimuli by conveying auditory information to the lateral amygdala (LA) through long-range excitatory glutamatergic and GABAergic connections. In addition, the LA provides glutamatergic projections to the AC which are important to fear memory expression and are modified by associative fear learning. Here we test the hypothesis that the LA also sends long-range direct inhibitory inputs to the cortex. To address this fundamental question, we used anatomical and electrophysiological approaches, allowing us to directly assess the nature of GABAergic inputs from the LA to the AC in the mouse. Our findings elucidate the existence of a long-range inhibitory pathway from the LA to the AC (LAC) via parvalbumin-expressing (LAC-Parv) and somatostatin-expressing (LAC-SOM) neurons. This research identifies distinct electrophysiological properties for genetically defined long-range GABAergic neurons involved in the communication between the LA and the cortex (LAC-Parv inhibitory projections → AC neurons; LAC-Som inhibitory projections → AC neurons) within the lateral amygdala cortical network. KEY POINTS: The mouse auditory cortex receives inputs from the lateral amygdala. Retrograde viral tracing techniques allowed us to identify two previously undescribed lateral amygdala to auditory cortex (LAC) GABAergic projecting neurons. Extensive electrophysiological, morphological and anatomical characterization of LAC neurons is provided here, demonstrating key differences in the three populations. This study paves the way for a better understanding of the growing complexity of the cortico-amygdala-cortico circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Bertero
- Neuroscience Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Alfonso Junior Apicella
- Neuroscience Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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3
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Zhang Y, Chu G, Leng Y, Lin X, Zhou H, Lu Y, Liu B. Parvalbumin-positive neurons in the medial vestibular nucleus contribute to vestibular compensation through commissural inhibition. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1260243. [PMID: 38026699 PMCID: PMC10663245 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1260243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The commissural inhibitory system between the bilateral medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) plays a key role in vestibular compensation. Calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV) is expressed in MVN GABAergic neurons. Whether these neurons are involved in vestibular compensation is still unknown. Methods After unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL), we measured the activity of MVN PV neurons by in vivo calcium imaging, and observed the projection of MVN PV neurons by retrograde neural tracing. After regulating PV neurons' activity by chemogenetic technique, the effects on vestibular compensation were evaluated by behavior analysis. Results We found PV expression and the activity of PV neurons in contralateral but not ipsilateral MVN increased 6 h following UL. ErbB4 is required to maintain GABA release for PV neurons, conditional knockout ErbB4 from PV neurons promoted vestibular compensation. Further investigation showed that vestibular compensation could be promoted by chemogenetic inhibition of contralateral MVN or activation of ipsilateral MVN PV neurons. Additional neural tracing study revealed that considerable MVN PV neurons were projecting to the opposite side of MVN, and that activating the ipsilateral MVN PV neurons projecting to contralateral MVN can promote vestibular compensation. Conclusion Contralateral MVN PV neuron activation after UL is detrimental to vestibular compensation, and rebalancing bilateral MVN PV neuron activity can promote vestibular compensation, via commissural inhibition from the ipsilateral MVN PV neurons. Our findings provide a new understanding of vestibular compensation at the neural circuitry level and a novel potential therapeutic target for vestibular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuejin Zhang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Guangpin Chu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yangming Leng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xueling Lin
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong Zhou
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yisheng Lu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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4
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Li Y, Zhi W, Qi B, Wang L, Hu X. Update on neurobiological mechanisms of fear: illuminating the direction of mechanism exploration and treatment development of trauma and fear-related disorders. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1216524. [PMID: 37600761 PMCID: PMC10433239 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1216524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Fear refers to an adaptive response in the face of danger, and the formed fear memory acts as a warning when the individual faces a dangerous situation again, which is of great significance to the survival of humans and animals. Excessive fear response caused by abnormal fear memory can lead to neuropsychiatric disorders. Fear memory has been studied for a long time, which is of a certain guiding effect on the treatment of fear-related disorders. With continuous technological innovations, the study of fear has gradually shifted from the level of brain regions to deeper neural (micro) circuits between brain regions and even within single brain regions, as well as molecular mechanisms. This article briefly outlines the basic knowledge of fear memory and reviews the neurobiological mechanisms of fear extinction and relapse, which aims to provide new insights for future basic research on fear emotions and new ideas for treating trauma and fear-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- College of Education, Hebei University, Baoding, China
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Weijia Zhi
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Qi
- College of Education, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Lifeng Wang
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangjun Hu
- College of Education, Hebei University, Baoding, China
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
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Hosseinzadeh Sahafi O, Sardari M, Alijanpour S, Rezayof A. Shared Mechanisms of GABAergic and Opioidergic Transmission Regulate Corticolimbic Reward Systems and Cognitive Aspects of Motivational Behaviors. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13050815. [PMID: 37239287 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13050815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The functional interplay between the corticolimbic GABAergic and opioidergic systems plays a crucial role in regulating the reward system and cognitive aspects of motivational behaviors leading to the development of addictive behaviors and disorders. This review provides a summary of the shared mechanisms of GABAergic and opioidergic transmission, which modulate the activity of dopaminergic neurons located in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), the central hub of the reward mechanisms. This review comprehensively covers the neuroanatomical and neurobiological aspects of corticolimbic inhibitory neurons that express opioid receptors, which act as modulators of corticolimbic GABAergic transmission. The presence of opioid and GABA receptors on the same neurons allows for the modulation of the activity of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area, which plays a key role in the reward mechanisms of the brain. This colocalization of receptors and their immunochemical markers can provide a comprehensive understanding for clinicians and researchers, revealing the neuronal circuits that contribute to the reward system. Moreover, this review highlights the importance of GABAergic transmission-induced neuroplasticity under the modulation of opioid receptors. It discusses their interactive role in reinforcement learning, network oscillation, aversive behaviors, and local feedback or feedforward inhibitions in reward mechanisms. Understanding the shared mechanisms of these systems may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches for addiction, reward-related disorders, and drug-induced cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oveis Hosseinzadeh Sahafi
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 14155-6465, Iran
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Maryam Sardari
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 14155-6465, Iran
| | - Sakineh Alijanpour
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous 4971799151, Iran
| | - Ameneh Rezayof
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 14155-6465, Iran
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6
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Asim M, Wang H, Waris A. Altered neurotransmission in stress-induced depressive disorders: The underlying role of the amygdala in depression. Neuropeptides 2023; 98:102322. [PMID: 36702033 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2023.102322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Depression is the second leading cause of disability in the world population, for which currently available pharmacological therapies either have poor efficacy or have some adverse effects. Accumulating evidence from clinical and preclinical studies demonstrates that the amygdala is critically implicated in depressive disorders, though the underlying pathogenesis mechanism needs further investigation. In this literature review, we overviewed depression and the key role of Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and Glutamate neurotransmission in depression. Notably, we discussed a new cholecystokinin-dependent plastic changes mechanism under stress and a possible antidepressant response of cholecystokinin B receptor (CCKBR) antagonist. Moreover, we discussed the fundamental role of the amygdala in depression, to discuss and understand the pathophysiology of depression and the inclusive role of the amygdala in this devastating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Asim
- Department of Biomedical science, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong 0000, Hong Kong; City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen research institute, Shenzhen 518507, PR China; Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong 0000, Hong Kong.
| | - Huajie Wang
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen research institute, Shenzhen 518507, PR China; Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong 0000, Hong Kong
| | - Abdul Waris
- Department of Biomedical science, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong 0000, Hong Kong; City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen research institute, Shenzhen 518507, PR China
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7
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Asede D, Doddapaneni D, Bolton MM. Amygdala Intercalated Cells: Gate Keepers and Conveyors of Internal State to the Circuits of Emotion. J Neurosci 2022; 42:9098-9109. [PMID: 36639901 PMCID: PMC9761677 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1176-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Generating adaptive behavioral responses to emotionally salient stimuli requires evaluation of complex associations between multiple sensations, the surrounding context, and current internal state. Neural circuits within the amygdala parse this emotional information, undergo synaptic plasticity to reflect learned associations, and evoke appropriate responses through their projections to the brain regions orchestrating these behaviors. Information flow within the amygdala is regulated by the intercalated cells (ITCs), which are densely packed clusters of GABAergic neurons that encircle the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and provide contextually relevant feedforward inhibition of amygdala nuclei, including the central and BLA. Emerging studies have begun to delineate the unique contribution of each ITC cluster and establish ITCs as key loci of plasticity in emotional learning. In this review, we summarize the known connectivity and function of individual ITC clusters and explore how different neuromodulators conveying internal state act via ITC gates to shape emotionally motivated behavior. We propose that the behavioral state-dependent function of ITCs, their unique genetic profile, and rich expression of neuromodulator receptors make them potential therapeutic targets for disorders, such as anxiety, schizophrenia spectrum, and addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Asede
- Disorders of Neural Circuit Function, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, Florida 33458
| | - Divyesh Doddapaneni
- Disorders of Neural Circuit Function, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, Florida 33458
| | - M McLean Bolton
- Disorders of Neural Circuit Function, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, Florida 33458
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8
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Urrutia-Piñones J, Morales-Moraga C, Sanguinetti-González N, Escobar AP, Chiu CQ. Long-Range GABAergic Projections of Cortical Origin in Brain Function. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:841869. [PMID: 35392440 PMCID: PMC8981584 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.841869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of long-range GABAergic projections has traditionally been focused on those with subcortical origin. In the last few years, cortical GABAergic neurons have been shown to not only mediate local inhibition, but also extend long-range axons to remote cortical and subcortical areas. In this review, we delineate the different types of long-range GABAergic neurons (LRGNs) that have been reported to arise from the hippocampus and neocortex, paying attention to the anatomical and functional circuits they form to understand their role in behavior. Although cortical LRGNs are similar to their interneuron and subcortical counterparts, they comprise distinct populations that show specific patterns of cortico-cortical and cortico-fugal connectivity. Functionally, cortical LRGNs likely induce timed disinhibition in target regions to synchronize network activity. Thus, LRGNs are emerging as a new element of cortical output, acting in concert with long-range excitatory projections to shape brain function in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyn Urrutia-Piñones
- Ph.D. Program in Neuroscience, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Neurociencia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Camila Morales-Moraga
- Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Neurociencia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Nicole Sanguinetti-González
- Ph.D. Program in Neuroscience, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Neurociencia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Angelica P. Escobar
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Centro de Neurobiología y Fisiopatología Integrativa, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Chiayu Q. Chiu
- Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Neurociencia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
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9
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Seewald A, Schönherr S, Hörtnagl H, Ehrlich I, Schmuckermair C, Ferraguti F. Fear Memory Retrieval Is Associated With a Reduction in AMPA Receptor Density at Thalamic to Amygdala Intercalated Cell Synapses. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2021; 13:634558. [PMID: 34295235 PMCID: PMC8290482 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2021.634558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The amygdala plays a crucial role in attaching emotional significance to environmental cues. Its intercalated cell masses (ITC) are tight clusters of GABAergic neurons, which are distributed around the basolateral amygdala complex. Distinct ITC clusters are involved in the acquisition and extinction of conditioned fear responses. Previously, we have shown that fear memory retrieval reduces the AMPA/NMDA ratio at thalamic afferents to ITC neurons within the dorsal medio-paracapsular cluster. Here, we investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the fear-mediated reduction in the AMPA/NMDA ratio at these synapses and, in particular, whether specific changes in the synaptic density of AMPA receptors underlie the observed change. To this aim, we used a detergent-digested freeze-fracture replica immunolabeling technique (FRIL) approach that enables to visualize the spatial distribution of intrasynaptic AMPA receptors at high resolution. AMPA receptors were detected using an antibody raised against an epitope common to all AMPA subunits. To visualize thalamic inputs, we virally transduced the posterior thalamic complex with Channelrhodopsin 2-YFP, which is anterogradely transported along axons. Using face-matched replica, we confirmed that the postsynaptic elements were ITC neurons due to their prominent expression of μ-opioid receptors. With this approach, we show that, following auditory fear conditioning in mice, the formation and retrieval of fear memory is linked to a significant reduction in the density of AMPA receptors, particularly at spine synapses formed by inputs of the posterior intralaminar thalamic and medial geniculate nuclei onto identified ITC neurons. Our study is one of the few that has directly linked the regulation of AMPA receptor trafficking to memory processes in identified neuronal networks, by showing that fear-memory induced reduction in AMPA/NMDA ratio at thalamic-ITC synapses is associated with a reduced postsynaptic AMPA receptor density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Seewald
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sabine Schönherr
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Heide Hörtnagl
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ingrid Ehrlich
- Center for Integrative Neuroscience, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomolecular Systems, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | | | - Francesco Ferraguti
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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10
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Hájos N. Interneuron Types and Their Circuits in the Basolateral Amygdala. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:687257. [PMID: 34177472 PMCID: PMC8222668 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.687257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is a cortical structure based on its cell types, connectivity features, and developmental characteristics. This part of the amygdala is considered to be the main entry site of processed and multisensory information delivered via cortical and thalamic afferents. Although GABAergic inhibitory cells in the BLA comprise only 20% of the entire neuronal population, they provide essential control over proper network operation. Previous studies have uncovered that GABAergic cells in the basolateral amygdala are as diverse as those present in other cortical regions, including the hippocampus and neocortex. To understand the role of inhibitory cells in various amygdala functions, we need to reveal the connectivity and input-output features of the different types of GABAergic cells. Here, I review the recent achievements in uncovering the diversity of GABAergic cells in the basolateral amygdala with a specific focus on the microcircuit organization of these inhibitory cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Hájos
- Laboratory of Network Neurophysiology, ELRN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
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11
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Apical intercalated cell cluster: A distinct sensory regulator in the amygdala. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109151. [PMID: 34010641 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
GABAergic neurons regulate different aspects of information processing in the amygdala. Among these are clusters of intercalated cells (ITCs), which have been implicated in fear-related behaviors. Although a few of the ITC clusters have been studied, the functional role of apical ITCs (apITCs) is unknown. Here, we combine monosynaptic rabies tracing with optogenetics and demonstrate that apITCs receive synaptic input from medial geniculate nucleus (MGm), posterior intralaminar nucleus (PIN), and medial dorsal nucleus of the thalamus and from a diverse range of cortical areas including temporal association, entorhinal, insular, piriform, and somatosensory cortex. Upon fear learning, PIN/MGm inputs are strengthened, indicative of their involvement in fear behaviors. 3-D reconstruction of apITCs reveals local arborization and innervation of the dorsal striatum and lateral amygdala. We further show that apITCs provide sensory feedforward inhibition to LA principal cells, a putative mechanism for controlling plasticity during fear learning.
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12
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McDonald AJ. Immunohistochemical Identification of Interneuronal Subpopulations in the Basolateral Amygdala of the Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulatta). Neuroscience 2021; 455:113-127. [PMID: 33359654 PMCID: PMC7855802 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Inhibitory circuits in the basolateral nuclear complex of the amygdala (BNC) critical for controlling the acquisition, expression, and extinction of emotional responses are mediated by GABAergic interneurons (INs). Studies in rodents have demonstrated that separate IN subpopulations, identified by their expression of calcium-binding proteins and neuropeptides, play discrete roles in the intrinsic circuitry of the BNC. Far less is known about IN subpopulations in primates. In order to fill in this gap in our understanding of primate INs, the present investigation used dual-labeling immunohistochemistry for IN markers to identify subpopulations expressing cholecystokinin (CCK), calbindin (CB), calretinin (CR), and somatostatin (SOM) in somata and axon terminals in the monkey BNC. In general, colocalization patterns seen in somata and axon terminals were similar. It was found that there was virtually no colocalization of CB and CR, the two calcium-binding proteins investigated. Three subtypes of CCK-immunoreactive (CCK+) INs were identified on the basis of their expression of CR or CB: (1) CCK+/CR+; (2) CCK+/CB+); and (3) CCK+/CR-/CB-. Almost no colocalization of CCK with SOM was observed, but there was extensive colocalization of SOM and CB. CCK+, CR+, and CCK+/CR+ double-labeled axon terminals were seen surrounding pyramidal cell somata in basket-like plexuses, as well as in the neuropil. CB+, SOM+, and CB+/SOM+ terminals did not form baskets, suggesting that these IN subpopulations are mainly dendrite-targeting neurons. In general, the IN subpopulations in the monkey are not dissimilar to those seen in rodents but, unlike rodents, CB+ INs in the monkey are not basket cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J McDonald
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
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13
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Bagley EE, Ingram SL. Endogenous opioid peptides in the descending pain modulatory circuit. Neuropharmacology 2020; 173:108131. [PMID: 32422213 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The opioid epidemic has led to a serious examination of the use of opioids for the treatment of pain. Opioid drugs are effective due to the expression of opioid receptors throughout the body. These receptors respond to endogenous opioid peptides that are expressed as polypeptide hormones that are processed by proteolytic cleavage. Endogenous opioids are expressed throughout the peripheral and central nervous system and regulate many different neuronal circuits and functions. One of the key functions of endogenous opioid peptides is to modulate our responses to pain. This review will focus on the descending pain modulatory circuit which consists of the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (PAG) projections to the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM). RVM projections modulate incoming nociceptive afferents at the level of the spinal cord. Stimulation within either the PAG or RVM results in analgesia and this circuit has been studied in detail in terms of the actions of exogenous opioids, such as morphine and fentanyl. Further emphasis on understanding the complex regulation of endogenous opioids will help to make rational decisions with regard to the use of opioids for pain. We also include a discussion of the actions of endogenous opioids in the amygdala, an upstream brain structure that has reciprocal connections to the PAG that contribute to the brain's response to pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena E Bagley
- Discipline of Pharmacology and Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Susan L Ingram
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
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14
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McDonald AJ. Functional neuroanatomy of the basolateral amygdala: Neurons, neurotransmitters, and circuits. HANDBOOK OF BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2020; 26:1-38. [PMID: 34220399 PMCID: PMC8248694 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-815134-1.00001-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J McDonald
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, United States
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15
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Beyeler A, Dabrowska J. Neuronal diversity of the amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. HANDBOOK OF BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2020; 26:63-100. [PMID: 32792868 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-815134-1.00003-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Beyeler
- Neurocentre Magendie, French National Institutes of Health (INSERM) unit 1215, Neurocampus of Bordeaux University, Bordeaux, France
| | - Joanna Dabrowska
- Center for the Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Discipline of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
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16
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Sun Y, Blanco-Centurion C, Zou B, Bendell E, Shiromani PJ, Liu M. Amygdala GABA Neurons Project To vlPAG And mPFC. IBRO Rep 2019; 6:132-136. [PMID: 31193158 PMCID: PMC6520332 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibror.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Single amygdala GABA neuron projects to both brain stem and cortex. Bifurcating amygdala neurons may regulate emotions and muscle tone.
The amygdala regulates multiple behaviors and emotions by projecting to multiple brain regions. However, the topographical distribution of amygdala neurons projecting to specific brain areas is still unclear. In the present study, we focus on determining whether single amygdala neurons project to the brain stem ventrolateral periaqueductal grey (vlPAG) and to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The mPFC neurons are involved in detecting emotional content while the vlPAG neurons are involved in regulating muscle tone. In VGAT-Cre mice a cre-inducible retrograde AAV tracer expressing tdTomato was microinjected into the ventrolateral periaqueductal grey matter (vlPAG), while a second retrograde AAV tracer with generic expression of GFP was delivered into the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The results identified a subgroup of bifurcating GABAergic neurons in the central nucleus (CeA) and basolateral amygdala (BLA) that projects to vlPAG and mPFC. Based on these projections we suggest that amygdala GABA neurons may be involved in triggering emotionally-induced cataplexy in the sleep disorder, narcolepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Sun
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, United States
| | - Carlos Blanco-Centurion
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, United States
| | - Bingyu Zou
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, United States
| | - Emmaline Bendell
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, United States
| | - Priyattam J Shiromani
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, 29425, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, United States
| | - Meng Liu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, United States
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17
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Abstract
The neural mechanisms underlying emotional valence are at the interface between perception and action, integrating inputs from the external environment with past experiences to guide the behavior of an organism. Depending on the positive or negative valence assigned to an environmental stimulus, the organism will approach or avoid the source of the stimulus. Multiple convergent studies have demonstrated that the amygdala complex is a critical node of the circuits assigning valence. Here we examine the current progress in identifying valence coding properties of neural populations in different nuclei of the amygdala, based on their activity, connectivity, and gene expression profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Pignatelli
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, 02139 MA, USA
| | - Anna Beyeler
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM 1215, Université de Bordeaux, 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33000 Bordeaux, France
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18
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Zhou H, Zhang Q, Martinez E, Dale J, Hu S, Zhang E, Liu K, Huang D, Yang G, Chen Z, Wang J. Ketamine reduces aversion in rodent pain models by suppressing hyperactivity of the anterior cingulate cortex. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3751. [PMID: 30218052 PMCID: PMC6138720 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06295-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is known to induce an amplified aversive reaction to peripheral nociceptive inputs. This enhanced affective response constitutes a key pathologic feature of chronic pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia. However, the neural mechanisms that underlie this important aspect of pain processing remain poorly understood, hindering the development of treatments. Here, we show that a single dose of ketamine can produce a persistent reduction in the aversive response to noxious stimuli in rodent chronic pain models, long after the termination of its anti-nociceptive effects. Furthermore, we demonstrated that this anti-aversive property is mediated by prolonged suppression of the hyperactivity of neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a brain region well known to regulate pain affect. Therefore, our results indicate that it is feasible to dissociate the affective from the sensory component of pain, and demonstrate the potential for low-dose ketamine to be an important therapy for chronic pain syndromes. Ketamine is a short-acting analgesic that also has anti-depressant effects. Here the authors show in rat models of chronic pain that low-dose ketamine can induce an anti-aversive state that persists after the initial short term analgesia has ended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haocheng Zhou
- Department of Pain, The Third Xiangya Hospital and Institute of Pain Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, 10016, NY, USA
| | - Qiaosheng Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, 10016, NY, USA
| | - Erik Martinez
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, 10016, NY, USA
| | - Jahrane Dale
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, 10016, NY, USA
| | - Sile Hu
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, 10016, NY, USA
| | - Eric Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, 10016, NY, USA
| | - Kevin Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, 10016, NY, USA
| | - Dong Huang
- Department of Pain, The Third Xiangya Hospital and Institute of Pain Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, China
| | - Guang Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, 10016, NY, USA.,Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, 10016, NY, USA
| | - Zhe Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, 10016, NY, USA.,Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, 10016, NY, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, 10016, NY, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, 10016, NY, USA.
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19
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Lucas EK, Clem RL. GABAergic interneurons: The orchestra or the conductor in fear learning and memory? Brain Res Bull 2018; 141:13-19. [PMID: 29197563 PMCID: PMC6178932 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2017.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Fear conditioning is a form of associative learning that is fundamental to survival and involves potentiation of activity in excitatory projection neurons (PNs). Current models stipulate that the mechanisms underlying this process involve plasticity of PN synapses, which exhibit strengthening in response to fear conditioning. However, excitatory PNs are extensively modulated by a diverse array of GABAergic interneurons whose contributions to acquisition, storage, and expression of fear memory remain poorly understood. Here we review emerging evidence that genetically-defined interneurons play important subtype-specific roles in processing of fear-related stimuli and that these dynamics shape PN firing through both inhibition and disinhibition. Furthermore, interneurons exhibit structural, molecular, and electrophysiological evidence of fear learning-induced synaptic plasticity. These studies warrant discarding the notion of interneurons as passive bystanders in long-term memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth K Lucas
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and the Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States
| | - Roger L Clem
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and the Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States.
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20
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Krabbe S, Gründemann J, Lüthi A. Amygdala Inhibitory Circuits Regulate Associative Fear Conditioning. Biol Psychiatry 2018; 83:800-809. [PMID: 29174478 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Associative memory formation is essential for an animal's survival by ensuring adaptive behavioral responses in an ever-changing environment. This is particularly important under conditions of immediate threats such as in fear learning. One of the key brain regions involved in associative fear learning is the amygdala. The basolateral amygdala is the main entry site for sensory information to the amygdala complex, and local plasticity in excitatory basolateral amygdala principal neurons is considered to be crucial for learning of conditioned fear responses. However, activity and plasticity of excitatory circuits are tightly controlled by local inhibitory interneurons in a spatially and temporally defined manner. In this review, we provide an updated view on how distinct interneuron subtypes in the basolateral amygdala contribute to the acquisition and extinction of conditioned fear memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Krabbe
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jan Gründemann
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Lüthi
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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21
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Neural pathways in medial septal cholinergic modulation of chronic pain: distinct contribution of the anterior cingulate cortex and ventral hippocampus. Pain 2018; 159:1550-1561. [DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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22
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23
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Zussy C, Gómez-Santacana X, Rovira X, De Bundel D, Ferrazzo S, Bosch D, Asede D, Malhaire F, Acher F, Giraldo J, Valjent E, Ehrlich I, Ferraguti F, Pin JP, Llebaria A, Goudet C. Dynamic modulation of inflammatory pain-related affective and sensory symptoms by optical control of amygdala metabotropic glutamate receptor 4. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:509-520. [PMID: 27994221 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Contrary to acute pain, chronic pain does not serve as a warning signal and must be considered as a disease per se. This pathology presents a sensory and psychological dimension at the origin of affective and cognitive disorders. Being largely refractory to current pharmacotherapies, identification of endogenous systems involved in persistent and chronic pain is crucial. The amygdala is a key brain region linking pain sensation with negative emotions. Here, we show that activation of a specific intrinsic neuromodulatory system within the amygdala associated with type 4 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu4) abolishes sensory and affective symptoms of persistent pain such as hypersensitivity to pain, anxiety- and depression-related behaviors, and fear extinction impairment. Interestingly, neuroanatomical and synaptic analysis of the amygdala circuitry suggests that the effects of mGlu4 activation occur outside the central nucleus via modulation of multisensory thalamic inputs to lateral amygdala principal neurons and dorso-medial intercalated cells. Furthermore, we developed optogluram, a small diffusible photoswitchable positive allosteric modulator of mGlu4. This ligand allows the control of endogenous mGlu4 activity with light. Using this photopharmacological approach, we rapidly and reversibly inhibited behavioral symptoms associated with persistent pain through optical control of optogluram in the amygdala of freely behaving animals. Altogether, our data identify amygdala mGlu4 signaling as a mechanism that bypasses central sensitization processes to dynamically modulate persistent pain symptoms. Our findings help to define novel and more precise therapeutic interventions for chronic pain, and exemplify the potential of optopharmacology to study the dynamic activity of endogenous neuromodulatory mechanisms in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Zussy
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, UMR-5203, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,INSERM, U1191, Montpellier, France
| | - X Gómez-Santacana
- MCS, Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.,Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology and Bioinformatics, Institut de Neurociències and Unitat de Bioestadística, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - X Rovira
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, UMR-5203, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,INSERM, U1191, Montpellier, France
| | - D De Bundel
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, UMR-5203, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,INSERM, U1191, Montpellier, France
| | - S Ferrazzo
- Department of Pharmacology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - D Bosch
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - D Asede
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - F Malhaire
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, UMR-5203, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,INSERM, U1191, Montpellier, France
| | - F Acher
- Laboratoire de Chimie et Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques, CNRS UMR8601, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - J Giraldo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology and Bioinformatics, Institut de Neurociències and Unitat de Bioestadística, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Network Biomedical Research Center on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - E Valjent
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, UMR-5203, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,INSERM, U1191, Montpellier, France
| | - I Ehrlich
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - F Ferraguti
- Department of Pharmacology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - J-P Pin
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, UMR-5203, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,INSERM, U1191, Montpellier, France
| | - A Llebaria
- MCS, Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Goudet
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, UMR-5203, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,INSERM, U1191, Montpellier, France
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24
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Stefanits H, Milenkovic I, Mahr N, Pataraia E, Hainfellner JA, Kovacs GG, Sieghart W, Yilmazer-Hanke D, Czech T. GABAAreceptor subunits in the human amygdala and hippocampus: Immunohistochemical distribution of 7 subunits. J Comp Neurol 2017; 526:324-348. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.24337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Harald Stefanits
- Department of Neurosurgery; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
- Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | - Ivan Milenkovic
- Department of Clinical Neurology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | - Nina Mahr
- Department of Neurosurgery; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | - Ekaterina Pataraia
- Department of Clinical Neurology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | | | - Gabor G. Kovacs
- Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | - Werner Sieghart
- Center for Brain Research, Department of Molecular Neurosciences; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | - Deniz Yilmazer-Hanke
- Clinical Neuroanatomy, Neurology Department, Medical Faculty; Ulm University; Ulm Germany
| | - Thomas Czech
- Department of Neurosurgery; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
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25
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Garcia R. Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 24:462-471. [PMID: 28814472 PMCID: PMC5580526 DOI: 10.1101/lm.044115.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Fear, which can be expressed innately or after conditioning, is triggered when a danger or a stimulus predicting immediate danger is perceived. Its role is to prepare the body to face this danger. However, dysfunction in fear processing can lead to psychiatric disorders in which fear outweighs the danger or possibility of harm. Although recognized as highly debilitating, pathological fear remains insufficiently treated, indicating the importance of research on fear processing. The neurobiological basis of normal and pathological fear reactions is reviewed in this article. Innate and learned fear mechanisms, particularly those involving the amygdala, are considered. These fear mechanisms are also distinguished in specific phobias, which can indeed be nonexperiential (implicating innate, learning-independent mechanisms) or experiential (implicating learning-dependent mechanisms). Poor habituation and poor extinction are presented as dysfunctional mechanisms contributing to persistence of nonexperiential and experiential phobias, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Garcia
- Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, UMR7289, Aix Marseille Université & Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 13385 Marseille, France
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26
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[Oxytocin and the mechanisms of alcohol dependence]. NEUROPSYCHIATRIE : KLINIK, DIAGNOSTIK, THERAPIE UND REHABILITATION : ORGAN DER GESELLSCHAFT ÖSTERREICHISCHER NERVENÄRZTE UND PSYCHIATER 2017. [PMID: 28639210 DOI: 10.1007/s40211-017-0229-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
One of the crucial purposes of treating alcohol-dependent patients is to enhance their ability to stay abstinent after detoxification therapy. Anxiety and stress vulnerability are the main factors provoking alcohol craving and relapse. In the first months of abstinence, alcohol-dependent patients frequently show sleep disturbances, irritability and depression, indicating chronic activation of stress pathways. In addition, the loss of confidence in interpersonal interactions results in social withdrawal and reduced willingness to participate in therapeutic programs.Current research shows that the peptide hormone oxytocin exerts substantial anxiolytic effects and facilitates prosocial behavior. Oxytocin can be safely applied as intranasal preparation. Oxytocin acts by inhibiting the effects of the corticotropin-releasing factor on GABAergic interneurons in the amygdala and paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus.Recent research strongly suggests that application of oxytocin may beneficially influence the mechanisms of relapse and craving by reduction of anxiety, stress vulnerability and social withdrawal in abstinent alcohol-dependent patients.This article reviews neurobiological mechanisms of oxytocin effects on stress-related pathways and discusses the potential use of oxytocin in the treatment of alcohol addiction.
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27
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Rovira-Esteban L, Péterfi Z, Vikór A, Máté Z, Szabó G, Hájos N. Morphological and physiological properties of CCK/CB1R-expressing interneurons in the basal amygdala. Brain Struct Funct 2017; 222:3543-3565. [PMID: 28391401 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-017-1417-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Principal neurons in cortical regions including the basal nucleus of the amygdala (BA) are innervated by several types of inhibitory cells, one of which expresses the neuropeptide cholecystokinin (CCK) and the type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R). CCK/CB1R-expressing interneurons may have a profound impact on amygdalar function by controlling its output. However, very little is known about their properties, and therefore their role in circuit operation cannot be predicted. To characterize the CCK/CB1R-expressing interneurons in the BA, we combined in vitro electrophysiological recordings and neuroanatomical techniques in a transgenic mouse that expresses DsRed fluorescent protein under the control of the CCK promoter. We found that the majority of CCK/CB1R-positive interneurons expressed either the type 3 vesicular glutamate transporter (VGluT3) or the Ca2+ binding protein calbindin (Calb). VGluT3+ CCK/CB1R-expressing interneurons targeted the soma of principal neurons more often than Calb+ CCK/CB1R-expressing interneurons, but the dendritic morphology and membrane properties of these two neurochemically distinct interneuron types were not significantly different. The results of paired recordings showed that the unitary IPSC properties of VGluT3+ or Calb+ CCK/CB1R-expressing interneurons recorded in principal neurons were indistinguishable. We verified that endocannabinoids at the output synapses of CCK/CB1R-expressing interneurons could potently reduce the unitary IPSC magnitude. In summary, independent of the neurochemical content, CCK/CB1R-expressing interneurons have similar physiological and morphological properties, providing an endocannabinoid-sensitive synaptic inhibition onto the amygdalar principal neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Rovira-Esteban
- Lendület Laboratory of Network Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Péterfi
- Lendület Laboratory of Network Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Vikór
- Lendület Laboratory of Network Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Máté
- Division of Medical Gene Technology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Szabó
- Division of Medical Gene Technology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Norbert Hájos
- Lendület Laboratory of Network Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.
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28
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Zou D, Chen L, Deng D, Jiang D, Dong F, McSweeney C, Zhou Y, Liu L, Chen G, Wu Y, Mao Y. DREADD in parvalbumin interneurons of the dentate gyrus modulates anxiety, social interaction and memory extinction. Curr Mol Med 2016; 16:91-102. [PMID: 26733123 PMCID: PMC4997952 DOI: 10.2174/1566524016666151222150024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2015] [Revised: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Parvalbumin (PV)-positive interneurons in the hippocampus play a critical role in animal memory, such as spatial working memory. However, how PV-positive interneurons in the subregions of the hippocampus affect animal behaviors remains poorly defined. Here, we achieved specific and reversible activation of PV-positive interneurons using designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD) technology. Inducible DREADD expression was demonstrated in vitro in cultured neurons, in which co-transfection of the hM3D-Gq-mCherry vector with a Cre plasmid resulted in a cellular response to hM3Dq ligand clozapine-N-oxide (CNO) stimulation. In addition, the dentate gyrus (DG) of PV-Cre mice received bilateral injection of control lentivirus or lentivirus expressing double floxed hM3D-Gq-mCherry. Selective activation of PV-positive interneurons in the DG did not affect locomotor activity or depression-related behavior in mice. Interestingly, stimulation of PV-positive interneurons induced an anxiolytic effect. Activation of PVpositive interneurons appears to impair social interaction to novelty, but has no effect on social motivation. However, this defect is likely due to the anxiolytic effect as the exploratory behavior of mice expressing hM3DGq is significantly increased. Mice expressing hM3D-Gq did not affect novel object recognition. Activation of PV-positive interneurons in the DG maintains intact cued and contextual fear memory but facilitates fear extinction. Collectively, our results demonstrated that proper control of PV interneurons activity in the DG is critical for regulation of the anxiety, social interaction and fear extinction. These results improve our fundamental understanding of the physiological role of PV-positive interneurons in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Y Mao
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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Silva BA, Gross CT, Gräff J. The neural circuits of innate fear: detection, integration, action, and memorization. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 23:544-55. [PMID: 27634145 PMCID: PMC5026211 DOI: 10.1101/lm.042812.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
How fear is represented in the brain has generated a lot of research attention, not only because fear increases the chances for survival when appropriately expressed but also because it can lead to anxiety and stress-related disorders when inadequately processed. In this review, we summarize recent progress in the understanding of the neural circuits processing innate fear in rodents. We propose that these circuits are contained within three main functional units in the brain: a detection unit, responsible for gathering sensory information signaling the presence of a threat; an integration unit, responsible for incorporating the various sensory information and recruiting downstream effectors; and an output unit, in charge of initiating appropriate bodily and behavioral responses to the threatful stimulus. In parallel, the experience of innate fear also instructs a learning process leading to the memorization of the fearful event. Interestingly, while the detection, integration, and output units processing acute fear responses to different threats tend to be harbored in distinct brain circuits, memory encoding of these threats seems to rely on a shared learning system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca A Silva
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cornelius T Gross
- Mouse Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Johannes Gräff
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Wilcox SL, Veggeberg R, Lemme J, Hodkinson DJ, Scrivani S, Burstein R, Becerra L, Borsook D. Increased Functional Activation of Limbic Brain Regions during Negative Emotional Processing in Migraine. Front Hum Neurosci 2016; 10:366. [PMID: 27507939 PMCID: PMC4960233 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain is both an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience. This is highly relevant in migraine where cortical hyperexcitability in response to sensory stimuli (including pain, light, and sound) has been extensively reported. However, migraine may feature a more general enhanced response to aversive stimuli rather than being sensory-specific. To this end we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to assess neural activation in migraineurs interictaly in response to emotional visual stimuli from the International Affective Picture System. Migraineurs, compared to healthy controls, demonstrated increased neural activity in response to negative emotional stimuli. Most notably in regions overlapping in their involvement in both nociceptive and emotional processing including the posterior cingulate, caudate, amygdala, and thalamus (cluster corrected, p < 0.01). In contrast, migraineurs and healthy controls displayed no and minimal differences in response to positive and neutral emotional stimuli, respectively. These findings support the notion that migraine may feature more generalized altered cerebral processing of aversive/negative stimuli, rather than exclusively to sensory stimuli. A generalized hypersensitivity to aversive stimuli may be an inherent feature of migraine, or a consequential alteration developed over the duration of the disease. This proposed cortical-limbic hypersensitivity may form an important part of the migraine pathophysiology, including psychological comorbidity, and may represent an innate sensitivity to aversive stimuli that underpins attack triggers, attack persistence and (potentially) gradual headache chronification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie L Wilcox
- Center for Pain and the Brain (PAIN Research Group), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, BostonMA, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, BostonMA, USA
| | - Rosanna Veggeberg
- Center for Pain and the Brain (PAIN Research Group), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, BostonMA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, PAIN Research Group, Brain Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, BelmontMA, USA
| | - Jordan Lemme
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
| | - Duncan J Hodkinson
- Center for Pain and the Brain (PAIN Research Group), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, BostonMA, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, BostonMA, USA
| | - Steven Scrivani
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, USA
| | - Rami Burstein
- Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
| | - Lino Becerra
- Center for Pain and the Brain (PAIN Research Group), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, BostonMA, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, BostonMA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, PAIN Research Group, Brain Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, BelmontMA, USA
| | - David Borsook
- Center for Pain and the Brain (PAIN Research Group), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, BostonMA, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, BostonMA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, PAIN Research Group, Brain Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, BelmontMA, USA
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Zikopoulos B, John YJ, García-Cabezas MÁ, Bunce JG, Barbas H. The intercalated nuclear complex of the primate amygdala. Neuroscience 2016; 330:267-90. [PMID: 27256508 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.05.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The organization of the inhibitory intercalated cell masses (IM) of the primate amygdala is largely unknown despite their key role in emotional processes. We studied the structural, topographic, neurochemical and intrinsic connectional features of IM neurons in the rhesus monkey brain. We found that the intercalated neurons are not confined to discrete cell clusters, but form a neuronal net that is interposed between the basal nuclei and extends to the dorsally located anterior, central, and medial nuclei of the amygdala. Unlike the IM in rodents, which are prominent in the anterior half of the amygdala, the primate inhibitory net stretched throughout the antero-posterior axis of the amygdala, and was most prominent in the central and posterior extent of the amygdala. There were two morphologic types of intercalated neurons: spiny and aspiny. Spiny neurons were the most abundant; their somata were small or medium size, round or elongated, and their dendritic trees were round or bipolar, depending on location. The aspiny neurons were on average slightly larger and had varicose dendrites with no spines. There were three non-overlapping neurochemical populations of IM neurons, in descending order of abundance: (1) Spiny neurons that were positive for the striatal associated dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein (DARPP-32+); (2) Aspiny neurons that expressed the calcium-binding protein calbindin (CB+); and (3) Aspiny neurons that expressed nitric oxide synthase (NOS+). The unique combinations of structural and neurochemical features of the three classes of IM neurons suggest different physiological properties and function. The three types of IM neurons were intermingled and likely interconnected in distinct ways, and were innervated by intrinsic neurons within the amygdala, or by external sources, in pathways that underlie fear conditioning and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basilis Zikopoulos
- Human Systems Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States; Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University and School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - Yohan J John
- Neural Systems Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Jamie G Bunce
- Neural Systems Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Helen Barbas
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University and School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States; Neural Systems Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
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Schönherr S, Seewald A, Kasugai Y, Bosch D, Ehrlich I, Ferraguti F. Combined Optogenetic and Freeze-fracture Replica Immunolabeling to Examine Input-specific Arrangement of Glutamate Receptors in the Mouse Amygdala. J Vis Exp 2016. [PMID: 27167567 PMCID: PMC4941933 DOI: 10.3791/53853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Freeze-fracture electron microscopy has been a major technique in ultrastructural research for over 40 years. However, the lack of effective means to study the molecular composition of membranes produced a significant decline in its use. Recently, there has been a major revival in freeze-fracture electron microscopy thanks to the development of effective ways to reveal integral membrane proteins by immunogold labeling. One of these methods is known as detergent-solubilized Freeze-fracture Replica Immunolabeling (FRIL). The combination of the FRIL technique with optogenetics allows a correlated analysis of the structural and functional properties of central synapses. Using this approach it is possible to identify and characterize both pre- and postsynaptic neurons by their respective expression of a tagged channelrhodopsin and specific molecular markers. The distinctive appearance of the postsynaptic membrane specialization of glutamatergic synapses further allows, upon labeling of ionotropic glutamate receptors, to quantify and analyze the intrasynaptic distribution of these receptors. Here, we give a step-by-step description of the procedures required to prepare paired replicas and how to immunolabel them. We will also discuss the caveats and limitations of the FRIL technique, in particular those associated with potential sampling biases. The high reproducibility and versatility of the FRIL technique, when combined with optogenetics, offers a very powerful approach for the characterization of different aspects of synaptic transmission at identified neuronal microcircuits in the brain. Here, we provide an example how this approach was used to gain insights into structure-function relationships of excitatory synapses at neurons of the intercalated cell masses of the mouse amygdala. In particular, we have investigated the expression of ionotropic glutamate receptors at identified inputs originated from the thalamic posterior intralaminar and medial geniculate nuclei. These synapses were shown to relay sensory information relevant for fear learning and to undergo plastic changes upon fear conditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Seewald
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck
| | - Yu Kasugai
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck
| | - Daniel Bosch
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen
| | - Ingrid Ehrlich
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen
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33
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Santos FN, Pereira CW, Sánchez-Pérez AM, Otero-García M, Ma S, Gundlach AL, Olucha-Bordonau FE. Comparative Distribution of Relaxin-3 Inputs and Calcium-Binding Protein-Positive Neurons in Rat Amygdala. Front Neuroanat 2016; 10:36. [PMID: 27092060 PMCID: PMC4823275 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2016.00036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The neural circuits involved in mediating complex behaviors are being rapidly elucidated using various newly developed and powerful anatomical and molecular techniques, providing insights into the neural basis for anxiety disorders, depression, addiction, and dysfunctional social behaviors. Many of these behaviors and associated physiological processes involve the activation of the amygdala in conjunction with cortical and hippocampal circuits. Ascending subcortical projections provide modulatory inputs to the extended amygdala and its related nodes (or "hubs") within these key circuits. One such input arises from the nucleus incertus (NI) in the tegmentum, which sends amino acid- and peptide-containing projections throughout the forebrain. Notably, a distinct population of GABAergic NI neurons expresses the highly-conserved neuropeptide, relaxin-3, and relaxin-3 signaling has been implicated in the modulation of reward/motivation and anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors in rodents via actions within the extended amygdala. Thus, a detailed description of the relaxin-3 innervation of the extended amygdala would provide an anatomical framework for an improved understanding of NI and relaxin-3 modulation of these and other specific amygdala-related functions. Therefore, in this study, we examined the distribution of NI projections and relaxin-3-positive elements (axons/fibers/terminals) within the amygdala, relative to the distribution of neurons expressing the calcium-binding proteins, parvalbumin (PV), calretinin (CR) and/or calbindin. Anterograde tracer injections into the NI revealed a topographic distribution of NI efferents within the amygdala that was near identical to the distribution of relaxin-3-immunoreactive fibers. Highest densities of anterogradely-labeled elements and relaxin-3-immunoreactive fibers were observed in the medial nucleus of the amygdala, medial divisions of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) and in the endopiriform nucleus. In contrast, sparse anterogradely-labeled and relaxin-3-immunoreactive fibers were observed in other amygdala nuclei, including the lateral, central and basal nuclei, while the nucleus accumbens lacked any innervation. Using synaptophysin as a synaptic marker, we identified relaxin-3 positive synaptic terminals in the medial amygdala, BST and endopiriform nucleus of amygdala. Our findings demonstrate the existence of topographic NI and relaxin-3-containing projections to specific nuclei of the extended amygdala, consistent with a likely role for this putative integrative arousal system in the regulation of amygdala-dependent social and emotional behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio N Santos
- Departamento de Anatomía y Embriología Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universitat ValenciaValencia, Spain; Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade TiradentesAracaju, Brazil
| | - Celia W Pereira
- Departamento de Anatomía y Embriología Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universitat ValenciaValencia, Spain; Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade TiradentesAracaju, Brazil
| | | | - Marcos Otero-García
- Departamento de Anatomía y Embriología Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universitat Valencia Valencia, Spain
| | - Sherie Ma
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthParkville, VIC, Australia; Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of MelbourneMelbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Francisco E Olucha-Bordonau
- Departamento de Anatomía y Embriología Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universitat ValenciaValencia, Spain; Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Universitat Jaume ICastellón, Spain
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Zeitler A, Kamoun N, Goyon S, Wahis J, Charlet A, Poisbeau P, Darbon P. Favouring inhibitory synaptic drive mediated by GABA(A) receptors in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala efficiently reduces pain symptoms in neuropathic mice. Eur J Neurosci 2016; 43:1082-8. [PMID: 26913957 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Revised: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Pain is an emotion and neuropathic pain symptoms are modulated by supraspinal structures such as the amygdala. The central nucleus of the amygdala is often called the 'nociceptive amygdala', but little is known about the role of the basolateral amygdala. Here, we monitored the mechanical nociceptive thresholds in a mouse model of neuropathic pain and infused modulators of the glutamate/GABAergic transmission in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA) via chronically-implanted cannulas. We found that an N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptor antagonist (MK-801) exerted a potent antiallodynic effect, whereas a transient allodynia was induced after perfusion of bicuculline, a GABA(A) receptor antagonist. Potentiating GABA(A) receptor function using diazepam or etifoxine (a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic) fully but transiently alleviated mechanical allodynia. Interestingly, the antiallodynic effect of etifoxine disappeared in animals that were incapable of producing 3α-steroids. Diazepam had a similar effect but of shorter duration. As indicated by patch-clamp recordings of BLA neurons, these effects were mediated by a potentiation of GABA(A) receptor-mediated synaptic transmission. Together with a presynaptic elevation of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic current frequency, the duration and amplitude of GABA(A) miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents were also increased (postsynaptic effect). The analgesic contribution of endogenous neurosteroid seemed to be exclusively postsynaptic. This study highlights the importance of the BLA and the local inhibitory/excitatory neuronal network activity while setting the mechanical nociceptive threshold. Furthermore, it appears that promoting inhibition in this specific nucleus could fully alleviate pain symptoms. Therefore, the BLA could be a novel interesting target for the development of pharmacological or non-pharmacological therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Zeitler
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives (INCI), UPR 3212 CNRS, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, 5 rue Blaise Pascal, F-67084, Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Nisrine Kamoun
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives (INCI), UPR 3212 CNRS, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, 5 rue Blaise Pascal, F-67084, Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Stéphanie Goyon
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives (INCI), UPR 3212 CNRS, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, 5 rue Blaise Pascal, F-67084, Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Jérôme Wahis
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives (INCI), UPR 3212 CNRS, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, 5 rue Blaise Pascal, F-67084, Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Alexandre Charlet
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives (INCI), UPR 3212 CNRS, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, 5 rue Blaise Pascal, F-67084, Strasbourg Cedex, France.,University of Strasbourg Institute for Advanced Study (USIAS), Strasbourg, France
| | - Pierrick Poisbeau
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives (INCI), UPR 3212 CNRS, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, 5 rue Blaise Pascal, F-67084, Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Pascal Darbon
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives (INCI), UPR 3212 CNRS, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, 5 rue Blaise Pascal, F-67084, Strasbourg Cedex, France
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35
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Loss of inhibitory tone on spinal cord dorsal horn spontaneously and nonspontaneously active neurons in a mouse model of neuropathic pain. Pain 2016; 157:1432-1442. [DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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36
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Watson GDR, Smith JB, Alloway KD. Interhemispheric connections between the infralimbic and entorhinal cortices: The endopiriform nucleus has limbic connections that parallel the sensory and motor connections of the claustrum. J Comp Neurol 2016; 525:1363-1380. [PMID: 26860547 DOI: 10.1002/cne.23981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Revised: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
We have previously shown that the claustrum is part of an interhemispheric circuit that interconnects somesthetic-motor and visual-motor cortical regions. The role of the claustrum in processing limbic information, however, is poorly understood. Some evidence suggests that the dorsal endopiriform nucleus (DEn), which lies immediately ventral to the claustrum, has connections with limbic cortical areas and should be considered part of a claustrum-DEn complex. To determine whether DEn has similar patterns of cortical connections as the claustrum, we used anterograde and retrograde tracing techniques to elucidate the connectivity of DEn. Following injections of retrograde tracers into DEn, labeled neurons appeared bilaterally in the infralimbic (IL) cortex and ipsilaterally in the entorhinal and piriform cortices. Anterograde tracer injections in DEn revealed labeled terminals in the same cortical regions, but only in the ipsilateral hemisphere. These tracer injections also revealed extensive longitudinal projections throughout the rostrocaudal extent of the nucleus. Dual retrograde tracer injections into IL and lateral entorhinal cortex (LEnt) revealed intermingling of labeled neurons in ipsilateral DEn, including many double-labeled neurons. In other experiments, anterograde and retrograde tracers were separately injected into IL of each hemisphere of the same animal. This revealed an interhemispheric circuit in which IL projects bilaterally to DEn, with the densest terminal labeling appearing in the contralateral hemisphere around retrogradely labeled neurons that project to IL in that hemisphere. By showing that DEn and claustrum have parallel sets of connections, these results suggest that DEn and claustrum perform similar functions in processing limbic and sensorimotor information, respectively. J. Comp. Neurol. 525:1363-1380, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenn D R Watson
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033.,Center for Neural Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Jared B Smith
- Center for Neural Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802.,Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Kevin D Alloway
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033.,Center for Neural Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
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37
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Bazelot M, Bocchio M, Kasugai Y, Fischer D, Dodson PD, Ferraguti F, Capogna M. Hippocampal Theta Input to the Amygdala Shapes Feedforward Inhibition to Gate Heterosynaptic Plasticity. Neuron 2015; 87:1290-1303. [PMID: 26402610 PMCID: PMC4590554 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2015.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Revised: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The dynamic interactions between hippocampus and amygdala are critical for emotional memory. Theta synchrony between these structures occurs during fear memory retrieval and may facilitate synaptic plasticity, but the cellular mechanisms are unknown. We report that interneurons of the mouse basal amygdala are activated during theta network activity or optogenetic stimulation of ventral CA1 pyramidal cell axons, whereas principal neurons are inhibited. Interneurons provide feedforward inhibition that transiently hyperpolarizes principal neurons. However, synaptic inhibition attenuates during theta frequency stimulation of ventral CA1 fibers, and this broadens excitatory postsynaptic potentials. These effects are mediated by GABAB receptors and change in the Cl− driving force. Pairing theta frequency stimulation of ventral CA1 fibers with coincident stimuli of the lateral amygdala induces long-term potentiation of lateral-basal amygdala excitatory synapses. Hence, feedforward inhibition, known to enforce temporal fidelity of excitatory inputs, dominates hippocampus-amygdala interactions to gate heterosynaptic plasticity. Video Abstract
Theta stimulation of CA1 ventral hippocampal fibers activates amygdala interneurons Interneurons induce feedforward inhibition that hyperpolarizes principal neurons Theta-evoked inhibition attenuates to broaden excitation on principal neurons Feedforward inhibition gates heterosynaptic plasticity via GABAB receptors
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaël Bazelot
- MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TH, UK
| | - Marco Bocchio
- MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TH, UK
| | - Yu Kasugai
- Department of Pharmacology, Innsbruck Medical University, Peter Mayr Straße 1a, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - David Fischer
- Department of Pharmacology, Innsbruck Medical University, Peter Mayr Straße 1a, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Paul D Dodson
- MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TH, UK
| | - Francesco Ferraguti
- Department of Pharmacology, Innsbruck Medical University, Peter Mayr Straße 1a, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Marco Capogna
- MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TH, UK.
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38
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Prager EM, Bergstrom HC, Wynn GH, Braga MFM. The basolateral amygdala γ-aminobutyric acidergic system in health and disease. J Neurosci Res 2015; 94:548-67. [PMID: 26586374 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Revised: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The brain comprises an excitatory/inhibitory neuronal network that maintains a finely tuned balance of activity critical for normal functioning. Excitatory activity in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), a brain region that plays a central role in emotion and motivational processing, is tightly regulated by a relatively small population of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibitory neurons. Disruption in GABAergic inhibition in the BLA can occur when there is a loss of local GABAergic interneurons, an alteration in GABAA receptor activation, or a dysregulation of mechanisms that modulate BLA GABAergic inhibition. Disruptions in GABAergic control of the BLA emerge during development, in aging populations, or after trauma, ultimately resulting in hyperexcitability. BLA hyperexcitability manifests behaviorally as an increase in anxiety, emotional dysregulation, or development of seizure activity. This Review discusses the anatomy, development, and physiology of the GABAergic system in the BLA and circuits that modulate GABAergic inhibition, including the dopaminergic, serotonergic, noradrenergic, and cholinergic systems. We highlight how alterations in various neurotransmitter receptors, including the acid-sensing ion channel 1a, cannabinoid receptor 1, and glutamate receptor subtypes, expressed on BLA interneurons, modulate GABAergic transmission and how defects of these systems affect inhibitory tonus within the BLA. Finally, we discuss alterations in the BLA GABAergic system in neurodevelopmental (autism/fragile X syndrome) and neurodegenerative (Alzheimer's disease) diseases and after the development of epilepsy, anxiety, and traumatic brain injury. A more complete understanding of the intrinsic excitatory/inhibitory circuit balance of the amygdala and how imbalances in inhibitory control contribute to excessive BLA excitability will guide the development of novel therapeutic approaches in neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric M Prager
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services, University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | - Gary H Wynn
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.,Department of Psychiatry, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.,Program in Neuroscience, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Maria F M Braga
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services, University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.,Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.,Department of Psychiatry, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.,Program in Neuroscience, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
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39
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Han S, Soleiman MT, Soden ME, Zweifel LS, Palmiter RD. Elucidating an Affective Pain Circuit that Creates a Threat Memory. Cell 2015; 162:363-374. [PMID: 26186190 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.05.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 303] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Revised: 03/28/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Animals learn to avoid harmful situations by associating a neutral stimulus with a painful one, resulting in a stable threat memory. In mammals, this form of learning requires the amygdala. Although pain is the main driver of aversive learning, the mechanism that transmits pain signals to the amygdala is not well resolved. Here, we show that neurons expressing calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the parabrachial nucleus are critical for relaying pain signals to the central nucleus of amygdala and that this pathway may transduce the affective motivational aspects of pain. Genetic silencing of CGRP neurons blocks pain responses and memory formation, whereas their optogenetic stimulation produces defensive responses and a threat memory. The pain-recipient neurons in the central amygdala expressing CGRP receptors are also critical for establishing a threat memory. The identification of the neural circuit conveying affective pain signals may be pertinent for treating pain conditions with psychiatric comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Han
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Matthew T Soleiman
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Marta E Soden
- Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Larry S Zweifel
- Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Richard D Palmiter
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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40
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Hayes DJ. GABAergic circuits underpin valuative processing. Front Syst Neurosci 2015; 9:76. [PMID: 26029062 PMCID: PMC4428122 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2015.00076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 04/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dave J Hayes
- Division of Brain, Imaging and Behaviour-Systems Neuroscience, Toronto Western Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network Toronto, ON, Canada
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41
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McDonald AJ, Zaric V. Extrinsic origins of the somatostatin and neuropeptide Y innervation of the rat basolateral amygdala. Neuroscience 2015; 294:82-100. [PMID: 25769940 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Revised: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The amygdalar basolateral nuclear complex (BLC) is a cortex-like structure that receives inputs from many cortical areas. It has long been assumed that cortico-amygdalar projections, as well as inter-areal intracortical connections, arise from cortical pyramidal cells. However, recent studies have shown that GABAergic long-range nonpyramidal neurons (LRNP neurons) in the cortex also contribute to inter-areal connections. The present study combined Fluorogold (FG) retrograde tract tracing with immunohistochemistry for cortical nonpyramidal neuronal markers to determine if cortical LRNP neurons project to the BLC in the rat. Injections of FG into the BLC produced widespread retrograde labeling in the cerebral hemispheres and diencephalon. Triple-labeling for FG, somatostatin (SOM), and neuropeptide Y (NPY) revealed a small number of FG+/SOM+/NPY+ neurons and FG+/SOM+/NPY- neurons in the lateral entorhinal area, amygdalopiriform transition area, and piriform cortex, but not in the prefrontal and insular cortices, or in the diencephalon. In addition, FG+/SOM+/NPY+ neurons were observed in the amygdalostriatal transition area and in a zone surrounding the intercalated nuclei. About half of the SOM+ neurons in the lateral entorhinal area labeled by FG were GABA+. FG+ neurons containing parvalbumin were only seen in the basal forebrain, and no FG+ neurons containing vasoactive intestinal peptide were observed in any brain region. Since LRNP neurons involved in corticocortical connections are critical for synchronous oscillations that allow temporal coordination between distant cortical regions, the LRNP neurons identified in this study may play a role in the synchronous oscillations of the BLC and hippocampal region that are involved in the retrieval of fear memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J McDonald
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208, United States.
| | - V Zaric
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208, United States
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