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Gonzalez D, Bensing PC, Dixon KN, Leong KC. Cocaine diminishes consolidation of cued fear memory in female rats through interactions with ventral hippocampal D2 receptors. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2024; 244:173863. [PMID: 39186953 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2024.173863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2024] [Revised: 08/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
In addition to cocaine's addictive properties, cocaine use may lead to heightened risk-taking behavior. The disruptive effects of cocaine on aversive memory formation may underlie this behavior. The present study investigated the effects of cocaine on fear memory using a cued fear conditioning paradigm in female Sprague Dawley rats, and further determined the role of D2 receptors in modulating the effect of cocaine on cued fear expression. Animals received six evenly spaced shocks preceded by a tone. The following day, rats were returned to the fear chamber where tones, but no shocks, were delivered. In Experiment 1, separate or concurrent administrations of cocaine (15 mg/kg; i.p.) and the D2 receptor antagonist eticlopride (0.1 mg/kg; i.p.) were given immediately after conditioning trials. It was determined that cocaine administration during the consolidation period diminished the expression of cued fear during the subsequent test day. Concurrent eticlopride administration attenuated this effect, indicating the involvement of D2 receptors in the deleterious effects of cocaine on fear memory consolidation. In Experiment 2, eticlopride (0.05 μg) was infused directly into the ventral hippocampus (VH) after fear conditioning and before cocaine administration. Cocaine continued to disrupt consolidation of cued and contextual fear memory, and concurrent intra-VH eticlopride blocked this effect, thereby demonstrating that VH D2 receptors mediate cocaine-induced impairment of fear memory consolidation. Overall, the present study provides evidence that acute cocaine administration impairs aversive memory formation and establishes a potential circuit through which cocaine induces its detrimental effects on fear memory consolidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gonzalez
- Neuroscience Program, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Paige C Bensing
- Neuroscience Program, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Katherine N Dixon
- Neuroscience Program, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Kah-Chung Leong
- Neuroscience Program, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, United States of America.
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2
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Hwang EK, Wunsch AM, Wolf ME. Retinoic acid-mediated homeostatic plasticity drives cell type-specific CP-AMPAR accumulation in nucleus accumbens core and incubation of cocaine craving. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.12.611703. [PMID: 39314388 PMCID: PMC11419102 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.12.611703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Incubation of cocaine craving, a translationally relevant model for the persistence of drug craving during abstinence, ultimately depends on strengthening of nucleus accumbens core (NAcc) synapses through synaptic insertion of homomeric GluA1 Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors (CP-AMPARs). Here we tested the hypothesis that CP-AMPAR upregulation results from a form of homeostatic plasticity, previously characterized in vitro and in other brain regions, that depends on retinoic acid (RA) signaling in dendrites. Under normal conditions, ongoing synaptic transmission maintains intracellular Ca2+ at levels sufficient to suppress RA synthesis. Prolonged blockade of neuronal activity results in disinhibition of RA synthesis, leading to increased GluA1 translation and synaptic insertion of homomeric GluA1 CP-AMPARs. Using slice recordings, we found that increasing RA signaling in NAcc medium spiny neurons (MSN) from drug-naïve rats rapidly upregulates CP-AMPARs, and that this pathway is operative only in MSN expressing the D1 dopamine receptor. In MSN recorded from rats that have undergone incubation of craving, this effect of RA is occluded; instead, interruption of RA signaling in the slice normalizes the incubation-associated elevation of synaptic CP-AMPARs. Paralleling this in vitro finding, interruption of RA signaling in the NAcc of 'incubated rats' normalizes the incubation-associated elevation of cue-induced cocaine seeking. These results suggest that RA signaling becomes tonically active in the NAcc during cocaine withdrawal and, by maintaining elevated CP-AMPAR levels, contributes to the incubation of cocaine craving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Kyung Hwang
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, U.S.A. 97212
| | - Amanda M Wunsch
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, U.S.A. 97212
| | - Marina E Wolf
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, U.S.A. 97212
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3
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Harder EV, Franklin JP, VanRyzin JW, Reissner KJ. Astrocyte-Neuron Interactions in Substance Use Disorders. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 39:165-191. [PMID: 39190075 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-64839-7_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
Engagement of astrocytes within the brain's reward circuitry has been apparent for approximately 30 years, when noncontingent drug administration was observed to lead to cytological markers of reactive astrocytes. Since that time, advanced approaches in rodent behavior and astrocyte monitoring have revealed complex interactions between astrocytes with drug type, animal sex, brain region, and dose and duration of drug administration. A number of studies now collectively reveal that rodent drug self-administration followed by prolonged abstinence results in decreased features of structure and synaptic colocalization of astrocytes. In addition, stimulation of astrocytes in the nucleus accumbens with DREADD receptors or pharmacological compounds opposes drug-seeking behavior. These findings provide a clear path for ongoing investigation into astrocytes as mediators of drug action in the brain and underscore the potential therapeutic utility of astrocytes in the regulation of drug craving and relapse vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eden V Harder
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Neuroscience Center, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Janay P Franklin
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Neuroscience Center, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jonathan W VanRyzin
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Neuroscience Center, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kathryn J Reissner
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Neuroscience Center, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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Caban Rivera C, Price R, Fortuna RP, Li C, Do C, Shinkle J, Ghilotti MG, Shi X, Kirby LG, Smith GM, Unterwald EM. The ventral hippocampus and nucleus accumbens as neural substrates for cocaine contextual memory reconsolidation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.29.569314. [PMID: 38076811 PMCID: PMC10705494 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.29.569314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Drug craving triggered by cues that were once associated with drug intoxication is a major contributor to continued drug-seeking behaviors. Addictive drugs engage molecular pathways of associative learning and memory. Reactivated memories are vulnerable to disruption by interference with the process of reconsolidation, hence targeting reconsolidation could be a strategy to reduce cue-induced drug craving and relapse. Here we examined the circuitry of cocaine contextual memory reconsolidation and explored neuroplasticity following memory reactivation. Mice underwent chemogenetic inhibition of either nucleus accumbens (NA) neurons or the glutamatergic projection neurons from the ventral hippocampus (vHPC) to NA using inhibitory designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (iDREADD). Mice underwent cocaine conditioned place preference followed by reactivation of the cocaine contextual memory. Clozapine-N-oxide (CNO) was administered after memory reactivation to inhibit either NA neurons or the accumbens-projecting vHPC neurons during the reconsolidation period. When retested 3 days later, a significant reduction in the previously established preference for the cocaine context was found in both conditions. FosTRAP2-Ai14 mice were used to identify neurons activated by cocaine memory recall and to evaluate plasticity in NA medium spiny neurons (MSNs) and vHPC pyramidal neurons upon recall of cocaine memories. Results indicate a significant increase in dendritic spine density in NA MSNs activated by cocaine memory recall, particularly of the thin spine type. Sholl analysis indicated longer dendritic length and more branching of NA MSNs after cocaine memory recall than without memory reactivation. vHPC neurons showed increased spine density, with the most robust change in stubby spines. These results implicate a circuit involving glutamatergic projections from the vHPC onto NA neurons which is necessary for the reconsolidation of cocaine memories. Interruption of cocaine memory reconsolidation reduced drug-seeking behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Caban Rivera
- Center for Substance Abuse Research and Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Rachael Price
- Center for Substance Abuse Research and Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ricardo P. Fortuna
- Center for Substance Abuse Research and Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Chen Li
- Center for Substance Abuse Research and Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Chau Do
- Center for Substance Abuse Research and Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Justin Shinkle
- Center for Substance Abuse Research and Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Marco G. Ghilotti
- Center for Substance Abuse Research and Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Xiangdang Shi
- Center for Substance Abuse Research and Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Lynn G. Kirby
- Center for Substance Abuse Research and Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - George M. Smith
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center and Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ellen M. Unterwald
- Center for Substance Abuse Research and Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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5
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He Y, Wang J, Li KL, Wang YQ, Freyberg Z, Dong Y. Membrane excitability of nucleus accumbens neurons gates the incubation of cocaine craving. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1318-1327. [PMID: 37041207 PMCID: PMC10354025 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01580-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
After drug withdrawal, a key factor triggering relapse is progressively intensified cue-associated drug craving, termed incubation of drug craving. After withdrawal from cocaine self-administration, incubation of cocaine craving develops more reliably in rats compared to mice. This species difference provides an opportunity to determine rat-specific cellular adaptations, which may constitute the critical mechanisms that contribute to incubated cocaine craving in humans. Expression of incubated cocaine seeking is mediated, in part, by cocaine-induced cellular adaptations in medium spiny neurons (MSNs) within the nucleus accumbens (NAc). In rats, decreased membrane excitability in NAc MSNs is a prominent cellular adaptation, which is induced after cocaine self-administration and lasts throughout prolonged drug withdrawal. Here, we show that, similar to rats, mice exhibit decreased membrane excitability of dopamine D1 receptor (D1)-, but not D2 (D2)-, expressing MSNs within the NAc shell (NAcSh) after 1 d withdrawal from cocaine self-administration. However, in contrast to rats, this membrane adaptation does not persist in mice, diminishing after 45-d withdrawal. We also find that restoring the membrane excitability of NAcSh MSNs after cocaine withdrawal decreases cocaine seeking in rats. This suggests that drug-induced membrane adaptations are essential for behavioral expression of incubated cocaine craving. In mice, however, experimentally inducing hypoactivity of D1 NAcSh MSNs after cocaine withdrawal does not alter cocaine seeking, suggesting that MSN hypo-excitability alone is insufficient to increase cocaine seeking. Together, our results demonstrate an overall permissive role of cocaine-induced hypoactivity of NAcSh MSNs in gating increased cocaine seeking after prolonged cocaine withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi He
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Junshi Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - King-Lun Li
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Yao Q Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Zachary Freyberg
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Yan Dong
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA.
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6
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Bijoch Ł, Klos J, Pawłowska M, Wiśniewska J, Legutko D, Szachowicz U, Kaczmarek L, Beroun A. Whole-brain tracking of cocaine and sugar rewards processing. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:20. [PMID: 36683039 PMCID: PMC9868126 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02318-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural rewards, such as food, and sex are appetitive stimuli available for animals in their natural environment. Similarly, addictive rewards such as drugs of abuse possess strong, positive valence, but their action relies on their pharmacological properties. Nevertheless, it is believed that both of these kinds of rewards activate similar brain circuitry. The present study aimed to discover which parts of the brain process the experience of natural and addictive rewards. To holistically address this question, we used a single-cell whole-brain imaging approach to find patterns of activation for acute and prolonged sucrose and cocaine exposure. We analyzed almost 400 brain structures and created a brain-wide map of specific, c-Fos-positive neurons engaged by these rewards. Acute but not prolonged sucrose exposure triggered a massive c-Fos expression throughout the brain. Cocaine exposure on the other hand potentiated c-Fos expression with prolonged use, engaging more structures than sucrose treatment. The functional connectivity analysis unraveled an increase in brain modularity after the initial exposure to both types of rewards. This modularity was increased after repeated cocaine, but not sucrose, intake. To check whether discrepancies between the processing of both types of rewards can be found on a cellular level, we further studied the nucleus accumbens, one of the most strongly activated brain structures by both sucrose and cocaine experience. We found a high overlap between natural and addictive rewards on the level of c-Fos expression. Electrophysiological measurements of cellular correlates of synaptic plasticity revealed that natural and addictive rewards alike induce the accumulation of silent synapses. These results strengthen the hypothesis that in the nucleus accumbens drugs of abuse cause maladaptive neuronal plasticity in the circuitry that typically processes natural rewards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Bijoch
- grid.419305.a0000 0001 1943 2944Laboratory of Neuronal Plasticity, Nencki-EMBL Center of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders: BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Klos
- grid.419305.a0000 0001 1943 2944Laboratory of Neuronal Plasticity, Nencki-EMBL Center of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders: BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Monika Pawłowska
- grid.419305.a0000 0001 1943 2944Laboratory of Neurobiology, Nencki-EMBL Center of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders: BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland ,grid.12847.380000 0004 1937 1290Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Justyna Wiśniewska
- grid.419305.a0000 0001 1943 2944Laboratory of Neuronal Plasticity, Nencki-EMBL Center of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders: BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Diana Legutko
- grid.419305.a0000 0001 1943 2944Laboratory of Neurobiology, Nencki-EMBL Center of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders: BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Urszula Szachowicz
- grid.419305.a0000 0001 1943 2944Laboratory of Neuronal Plasticity, Nencki-EMBL Center of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders: BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Leszek Kaczmarek
- grid.419305.a0000 0001 1943 2944Laboratory of Neurobiology, Nencki-EMBL Center of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders: BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Beroun
- Laboratory of Neuronal Plasticity, Nencki-EMBL Center of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders: BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
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Gupta SC, Ghobbeh A, Taugher-Hebl RJ, Fan R, Hardie JB, LaLumiere RT, Wemmie JA. Carbonic anhydrase 4 disruption decreases synaptic and behavioral adaptations induced by cocaine withdrawal. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabq5058. [PMID: 36383659 PMCID: PMC9668291 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq5058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cocaine use followed by withdrawal induces synaptic changes in nucleus accumbens (NAc), which are thought to underlie subsequent drug-seeking behaviors and relapse. Previous studies suggest that cocaine-induced synaptic changes depend on acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs). Here, we investigated potential involvement of carbonic anhydrase 4 (CA4), an extracellular pH-buffering enzyme. We examined effects of CA4 in mice on ASIC-mediated synaptic transmission in medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in NAc, as well as on cocaine-induced synaptic changes and behavior. We found that CA4 is expressed in the NAc and present in synaptosomes. Disrupting CA4 either globally, or locally, increased ASIC-mediated synaptic currents in NAc MSNs and protected against cocaine withdrawal-induced changes in synapses and cocaine-seeking behavior. These findings raise the possibility that CA4 might be a previously unidentified therapeutic target for addiction and relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhash C. Gupta
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Ali Ghobbeh
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Rebecca J. Taugher-Hebl
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Rong Fan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Jason B. Hardie
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Ryan T. LaLumiere
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - John A. Wemmie
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Linders LE, Supiot LF, Du W, D’Angelo R, Adan RAH, Riga D, Meye FJ. Studying Synaptic Connectivity and Strength with Optogenetics and Patch-Clamp Electrophysiology. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911612. [PMID: 36232917 PMCID: PMC9570045 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last two decades the combination of brain slice patch clamp electrophysiology with optogenetic stimulation has proven to be a powerful approach to analyze the architecture of neural circuits and (experience-dependent) synaptic plasticity in such networks. Using this combination of methods, originally termed channelrhodopsin-assisted circuit mapping (CRACM), a multitude of measures of synaptic functioning can be taken. The current review discusses their rationale, current applications in the field, and their associated caveats. Specifically, the review addresses: (1) How to assess the presence of synaptic connections, both in terms of ionotropic versus metabotropic receptor signaling, and in terms of mono- versus polysynaptic connectivity. (2) How to acquire and interpret measures for synaptic strength and function, like AMPAR/NMDAR, AMPAR rectification, paired-pulse ratio (PPR), coefficient of variance and input-specific quantal sizes. We also address how synaptic modulation by G protein-coupled receptors can be studied with pharmacological approaches and advanced technology. (3) Finally, we elaborate on advances on the use of dual color optogenetics in concurrent investigation of multiple synaptic pathways. Overall, with this review we seek to provide practical insights into the methods used to study neural circuits and synapses, by combining optogenetics and patch-clamp electrophysiology.
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Yu J, Sesack SR, Huang Y, Schlüter OM, Grace AA, Dong Y. Contingent Amygdala Inputs Trigger Heterosynaptic LTP at Hippocampus-To-Accumbens Synapses. J Neurosci 2022; 42:6581-6592. [PMID: 35840324 PMCID: PMC9410749 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0838-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) is a key brain region where environmental cues acquire incentive salience to reinforce motivated behaviors. Principal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the NAcSh receive extensive glutamatergic projections from limbic regions, among which, the ventral hippocampus (vH) transmits information enriched in contextual cues, and the basolateral amygdala (BLA) encodes real-time arousing states. The vH and BLA project convergently to NAcSh MSNs, both activated in a time-locked manner on a cue-conditioned motivational action. In brain slices prepared from male and female mice, we show that co-activation of the two projections induces long-term potentiation (LTP) at vH-to-NAcSh synapses without affecting BLA-to-NAcSh synapses, revealing a heterosynaptic mechanism through which BLA signals persistently increase the temporally contingent vH-to-NAcSh transmission. Furthermore, this LTP is more prominent in dopamine D1 receptor-expressing (D1) MSNs than D2 MSNs and can be prevented by inhibition of either D1 receptors or dopaminergic terminals in NAcSh. This heterosynaptic LTP may provide a dopamine-guided mechanism through which vH-encoded cue inputs that are contingent to BLA activation acquire increased circuit representation to reinforce behavior.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In motivated behaviors, environmental cues associated with arousing stimuli acquire increased incentive salience, processes mediated in part by the nucleus accumbens (NAc). NAc principal neurons receive glutamatergic projections from the ventral hippocampus (vH) and basolateral amygdala (BLA), which transmit information encoding contextual cues and affective states, respectively. Our results show that co-activation of the two projections induces long-term potentiation (LTP) at vH-to-NAc synapses without affecting BLA-to-NAc synapses, revealing a heterosynaptic mechanism through which BLA signals potentiate the temporally contingent vH-to-NAc transmission. Furthermore, this LTP is prevented by inhibition of either D1 receptors or dopaminergic axons. This heterosynaptic LTP may provide a dopamine-guided mechanism through which vH-encoded cue inputs that are contingent to BLA activation acquire increased circuit representation to reinforce behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yu
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
| | - Susan R Sesack
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
| | - Yanhua Huang
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
| | - Oliver M Schlüter
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
| | - Anthony A Grace
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
| | - Yan Dong
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
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