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Li J, Yang F, Zhan F, Estin J, Iyer A, Zhao M, Niemeyer JE, Luo P, Li D, Lin W, Liou JY, Ma H, Schwartz TH. Mesoscopic mapping of hemodynamic responses and neuronal activity during pharmacologically induced interictal spikes in awake and anesthetized mice. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2024; 44:911-924. [PMID: 38230631 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x241226742] [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] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Imaging hemodynamic responses to interictal spikes holds promise for presurgical epilepsy evaluations. Understanding the hemodynamic response function is crucial for accurate interpretation. Prior interictal neurovascular coupling data primarily come from anesthetized animals, impacting reliability. We simultaneously monitored calcium fluctuations in excitatory neurons, hemodynamics, and local field potentials (LFP) during bicuculline-induced interictal events in both isoflurane-anesthetized and awake mice. Isoflurane significantly affected LFP amplitude but had little impact on the amplitude and area of the calcium signal. Anesthesia also dramatically blunted the amplitude and latency of the hemodynamic response, although not its area of spread. Cerebral blood volume change provided the best spatial estimation of excitatory neuronal activity in both states. Targeted silencing of the thalamus in awake mice failed to recapitulate the impact of anesthesia on hemodynamic responses suggesting that isoflurane's interruption of the thalamocortical loop did not contribute either to the dissociation between the LFP and the calcium signal nor to the alterations in interictal neurovascular coupling. The blood volume increase associated with interictal spikes represents a promising mapping signal in both the awake and anesthetized states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, USA
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, USA
| | - Fengrui Zhan
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, USA
| | - Joshua Estin
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, USA
| | - Aditya Iyer
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Mingrui Zhao
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, USA
| | - James E Niemeyer
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, USA
| | - Peijuan Luo
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, USA
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Weihong Lin
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jyun-You Liou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Hongtao Ma
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, USA
| | - Theodore H Schwartz
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, USA
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Concina G, Gurgone A, Boggio EM, Raspanti A, Pizzo R, Morello N, Castroflorio E, Pizzorusso T, Sacchetti B, Giustetto M. Stabilizing Immature Dendritic Spines in the Auditory Cortex: A Key Mechanism for mTORC1-Mediated Enhancement of Long-Term Fear Memories. J Neurosci 2023; 43:8744-8755. [PMID: 37857485 PMCID: PMC10727119 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0204-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway has emerged as a key molecular mechanism underlying memory processes. Although mTOR inhibition is known to block memory processes, it remains elusive whether and how an enhancement of mTOR signaling may improve memory processes. Here we found in male mice that the administration of VO-OHpic, an inhibitor of the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) that negatively modulates AKT-mTOR pathway, enhanced auditory fear memory for days and weeks, while it left short-term memory unchanged. Memory enhancement was associated with a long-lasting increase in immature-type dendritic spines of pyramidal neurons into the auditory cortex. The persistence of spine remodeling over time arose by the interplay between PTEN inhibition and memory processes, as VO-OHpic induced only a transient immature spine growth in the somatosensory cortex, a region not involved in long-term auditory memory. Both the potentiation of fear memories and increase in immature spines were hampered by rapamycin, a selective inhibitor of mTORC1. These data revealed that memory can be potentiated over time by the administration of a selective PTEN inhibitor. In addition to disclosing new information on the cellular mechanisms underlying long-term memory maintenance, our study provides new insights on the molecular processes that aid enhancing memories over time.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The neuronal mechanisms that may help improve the maintenance of long-term memories are still elusive. The inhibition of mammalian-target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling shows that this pathway plays a crucial role in synaptic plasticity and memory formation. However, whether its activation may strengthen long-term memory storage is unclear. We assessed the consequences of positive modulation of AKT-mTOR pathway obtained by VO-OHpic administration, a phosphatase and tensin homolog inhibitor, on memory retention and underlying synaptic modifications. We found that mTOR activation greatly enhanced memory maintenance for weeks by producing a long-lasting increase of immature-type dendritic spines in pyramidal neurons of the auditory cortex. These results offer new insights on the cellular and molecular mechanisms that can aid enhancing memories over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Concina
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, 10125, Italy
| | - Antonia Gurgone
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, 10125, Italy
| | - Elena M Boggio
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Pisa, 56124, Italy
| | | | - Riccardo Pizzo
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, 10125, Italy
| | - Noemi Morello
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, 10125, Italy
| | | | - Tommaso Pizzorusso
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Pisa, 56124, Italy
- Scuola Normale Superiore, Biology Laboratory BIO@SNS, Pisa, 56124, Italy
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Melo MBD, Favaro VM, Oliveira MGM. The contextual fear conditioning consolidation depends on the functional interaction of the dorsal subiculum and basolateral amygdala in rats. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2023; 205:107827. [PMID: 37678544 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107827] [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: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Fear conditioning tasks enable us to explore the neural basis of adaptative and maladaptive behaviors related to aversive memories. Recently, we provided the first evidence of the dorsal subiculum (DSub) involvement in contextual fear conditioning (CFC) consolidation by showing that the post-training bilateral NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor blockade in DSub impaired the performance of animals in the test session. As the memory consolidation process depends on the coordinated engagement of different brain regions, and the DSub share reciprocal projections with the basolateral amygdala (BLA), which is also involved in CFC, it is possible that the functional interaction between these sites can be relevant for the consolidation of this task. In this sense, the present study aimed to explore the effects of the functional disconnection of the DSub and BLA in the CFC consolidation after NMDA post-training blockade. In addition, to verify if the observed effects were due to spatial representation processes mediated by the DSub, we employed a hippocampal-independent procedure: tone fear conditioning (TFC). Results showed that the functional disconnection of these regions by post-training NMDA blockade impaired CFC consolidation, whereas there was no impairment in TFC. Altogether, the present data suggest that the DSub and BLA would functionally interact through NMDA-related synaptic plasticity to support CFC consolidation probably due to DSub-related spatial processing showing that the TFC consolidation was not disrupted. This work contributes to filling a gap of studies exploring the DSub involvement in fear conditioning by providing a broad framework of the subicular-amygdaloid connection functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márcio Braga de Melo
- Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Vanessa Manchim Favaro
- Setor de Investigação de Doenças Neuromusculares, Departamento de Neurologia e Neurocirurgia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Conte C, Baldi E, Bucherelli C, di Vito R, Petri D, Traina G. Modulation of synapse-related gene expression in the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex of rats subjected to the contextual fear conditioning paradigm. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2023:107776. [PMID: 37236300 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The contextual fear conditioning (CFC) paradigm is the most productive approach for understanding the neurobiology of learning and memory as it allows to follow the evolution of memory traces of a conditioned stimulus and a specific context. The formation of long-term memory involves alterations in synaptic efficacy and neural transmission. It is known that the prefrontal cortex (PFC) exerts top-down control over subcortical structures to regulate behavioural responses. Moreover, cerebellar structures are involved in storing conditioned responses. The purpose of this research was to determine if the response to conditioning and stressful challenge is associated with alterations in synapse-related genes mRNA levels in the PFC, cerebellar vermis (V), and hemispheres (H) of young adult male rats. Four groups of Wistar rats were examined: naïve, CFC, shock only (SO), and exploration (EXPL). The behavioural response was evaluated by measuring the total freezing duration. Real-Time PCR was employed to quantify mRNA levels of some genes involved in synaptic plasticity. The results obtained from this study showed alterations in gene expression in different synapse-related genes after exposure to stressful stimuli and positioning to new environment. In conclusion, conditioning behavioural stimuli change the expression profile of molecules involved in neural transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Conte
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Via Romana, 06126, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Baldi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Università di Firenze, Viale G.B. Morgagni, 63, 50134, Firenze, Italy.
| | - Corrado Bucherelli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Università di Firenze, Viale G.B. Morgagni, 63, 50134, Firenze, Italy.
| | - Raffaella di Vito
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Via Romana, 06126, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Davide Petri
- Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale e delle Nuove Tecnologie in Medicina e Chirurgia, via San Zeno 37, 56123 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Giovanna Traina
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Via Romana, 06126, Perugia, Italy.
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Modeling integrated stress, sleep, fear and neuroimmune responses: Relevance for understanding trauma and stress-related disorders. Neurobiol Stress 2023; 23:100517. [PMID: 36793998 PMCID: PMC9923229 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Sleep and stress have complex interactions that are implicated in both physical diseases and psychiatric disorders. These interactions can be modulated by learning and memory, and involve additional interactions with the neuroimmune system. In this paper, we propose that stressful challenges induce integrated responses across multiple systems that can vary depending on situational variables in which the initial stress was experienced, and with the ability of the individual to cope with stress- and fear-inducing challenges. Differences in coping may involve differences in resilience and vulnerability and/or whether the stressful context allows adaptive learning and responses. We provide data demonstrating both common (corticosterone, SIH and fear behaviors) and distinguishing (sleep and neuroimmune) responses that are associated with an individual's ability to respond and relative resilience and vulnerability. We discuss neurocircuitry regulating integrated stress, sleep, neuroimmune and fear responses, and show that responses can be modulated at the neural level. Finally, we discuss factors that need to be considered in models of integrated stress responses and their relevance for understanding stress-related disorders in humans.
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Prior fear learning enables the rapid assimilation of new fear memories directly into cortical networks. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001789. [PMID: 36178983 PMCID: PMC9555644 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term memory formation involves the reorganization of brain circuits, termed system consolidation. Whether and how a prior fear experience influences system consolidation of new memories is poorly understood. In rats, we found that prior auditory fear learning allows the secondary auditory cortex to immediately encode new auditory memories, with these new memories purely requiring the activation of cellular mechanisms of synaptic consolidation within secondary auditory cortex. Similar results were obtained in the anterior cingulate cortex for contextual fear memories. Moreover, prior learning enabled connections from these cortices to the basolateral amygdala (BLA) to support recent memory retention. We propose that the reorganization of circuits that characterizes system consolidation occurs only in the first instance that an event is learned, subsequently allowing the immediate assimilation of new analogous events in final storage sites.
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Effects of Intra-BLA Administration of PPAR Antagonists on Formalin-Evoked Nociceptive Behaviour, Fear-Conditioned Analgesia, and Conditioned Fear in the Presence or Absence of Nociceptive Tone in Rats. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27062021. [PMID: 35335382 PMCID: PMC8949000 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27062021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
There is evidence for the involvement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in pain, cognition, and anxiety. However, their role in pain–fear interactions is unknown. The amygdala plays a key role in pain, conditioned fear, and fear-conditioned analgesia (FCA). We investigated the effects of intra-basolateral amygdala (BLA) administration of PPARα, PPARβ/δ, and PPARγ antagonists on nociceptive behaviour, FCA, and conditioned fear in the presence or absence of nociceptive tone. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats received footshock (FC) or no footshock (NFC) in a conditioning arena. Twenty-three and a half hours later, rats received an intraplantar injection of formalin or saline and, 15 min later, intra-BLA microinjections of vehicle, PPARα (GW6471) PPARβ/δ (GSK0660), or PPARγ (GW9662) antagonists before arena re-exposure. Pain and fear-related behaviour were assessed, and neurotransmitters/endocannabinoids measured post-mortem. Intra-BLA administration of PPARα or PPARγ antagonists potentiated freezing in the presence of nociceptive tone. Blockade of all PPAR subtypes in the BLA increased freezing and BLA dopamine levels in NFC rats in the absence of nociceptive tone. Administration of intra-BLA PPARα and PPARγ antagonists increased levels of dopamine in the BLA compared with the vehicle-treated counterparts. In conclusion, PPARα and PPARγ in the BLA play a role in the expression or extinction of conditioned fear in the presence or absence of nociceptive tone.
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Shepherd EH, Fournier NM, Sutherland RJ, Lehmann H. Distributed learning episodes create a context fear memory outside the hippocampus that depends on perirhinal and anterior cingulate cortices. Learn Mem 2021; 28:405-413. [PMID: 34663693 PMCID: PMC8525424 DOI: 10.1101/lm.053396.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Damage to the hippocampus (HPC) typically causes retrograde amnesia for contextual fear conditioning. Repeating the conditioning over several sessions, however, can eliminate the retrograde amnesic effects. This form of reinstatement thus permits modifications to networks that can support context memory retrieval in the absence of the HPC. The present study aims to identify cortical regions that support the nonHPC context memory. Specifically, the contribution of the perirhinal cortex (PRH) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) were examined because of their established importance to context memory. The findings show that context memories established through distributed reinstatement survive damage limited only to the HPC, PRH, or ACC. Combined lesions of the HPC and PRH, as well as the HPC and ACC, caused retrograde amnesia, suggesting that network modifications in the PRH and ACC enable context fear memories to become resistant to HPC damage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Neil M Fournier
- Psychology Department, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8, Canada
| | - Robert J Sutherland
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, The University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Hugo Lehmann
- Psychology Department, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8, Canada
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9
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Baldi E, Costa A, Rani B, Passani MB, Blandina P, Romano A, Provensi G. Oxytocin and Fear Memory Extinction: Possible Implications for the Therapy of Fear Disorders? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10000. [PMID: 34576161 PMCID: PMC8467761 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Several psychiatric conditions such as phobias, generalized anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are characterized by pathological fear and anxiety. The main therapeutic approach used in the management of these disorders is exposure-based therapy, which is conceptually based upon fear extinction with the formation of a new safe memory association, allowing the reduction in behavioral conditioned fear responses. Nevertheless, this approach is only partially resolutive, since many patients have difficulty following the demanding and long process, and relapses are frequently observed over time. One strategy to improve the efficacy of the cognitive therapy is the combination with pharmacological agents. Therefore, the identification of compounds able to strengthen the formation and persistence of the inhibitory associations is a key goal. Recently, growing interest has been aroused by the neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT), which has been shown to have anxiolytic effects. Furthermore, OXT receptors and binding sites have been found in the critical brain structures involved in fear extinction. In this review, the recent literature addressing the complex effects of OXT on fear extinction at preclinical and clinical levels is discussed. These studies suggest that the OXT roles in fear behavior are due to its local effects in several brain regions, most notably, distinct amygdaloid regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Baldi
- Section of Physiological Sciences, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Alessia Costa
- Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, Department of Health Sciences (DSS), University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (A.C.); (B.R.); (M.B.P.)
| | - Barbara Rani
- Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, Department of Health Sciences (DSS), University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (A.C.); (B.R.); (M.B.P.)
| | - Maria Beatrice Passani
- Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, Department of Health Sciences (DSS), University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (A.C.); (B.R.); (M.B.P.)
| | - Patrizio Blandina
- Section of Pharmacology of Toxicology, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy;
| | - Adele Romano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology ‘V. Erspamer’, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Gustavo Provensi
- Section of Pharmacology of Toxicology, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy;
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10
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Gostolupce D, Iordanova MD, Lay BPP. Mechanisms of higher-order learning in the amygdala. Behav Brain Res 2021; 414:113435. [PMID: 34197867 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Adaptive behaviour is under the potent control of environmental cues. Such cues can acquire value by virtue of their associations with outcomes of motivational significance, be they appetitive or aversive. There are at least two ways through which an environmental cue can acquire value, through first-order and higher-order conditioning. In first-order conditioning, a neutral cue is directly paired with an outcome of motivational significance. In higher-order conditioning, a cue is indirectly associated with motivational events via a directly conditioned first-order stimulus. The present article reviews some of the associations that support learning in first- and higher-order conditioning, as well as the role of the BLA and the molecular mechanisms involved in these two types of learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilara Gostolupce
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mihaela D Iordanova
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Belinda P P Lay
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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11
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Balakathiresan NS, Bhomia M, Zhai M, Sweeten BLW, Wellman LL, Sanford LD, Knollmann-Ritschel B. MicroRNAs in Basolateral Amygdala Associated with Stress and Fear Memories Regulate Rapid Eye Movement Sleep in Rats. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11040489. [PMID: 33921465 PMCID: PMC8069888 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11040489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress-related sleep disturbances are distressing clinical symptoms in posttraumatic stress disorder patients. Intensely stressful events and their memories change rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in animal models. REM sleep varies with individual differences of stress resilience or vulnerability. The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is a primary mediator of the effects of stress and fear memories on sleep. However, the molecular mechanisms in BLA regulating the effects of fear conditioning, shock training (ST) and context re-exposure (CTX) on REM sleep are not well known. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs and posttranscriptional gene regulators of diverse biological processes. The aim of this study is to investigate ST- and CTX-altered miRNAs in the BLA of resilience and vulnerable animals and on REM sleep regulation. MiRNAs expression profiles in BLA were generated following ST and CTX using the Taqman Low Density rodent microRNA array. The altered BLA miRNAs expression and REM sleep reduction observed in ST and CTX vulnerable animals. AntagomiR-221 microinjection into BLA for one of the upregulated miRNAs, miR-221 in BLA, attenuated the REM sleep reduction. This study suggests that miRNAs in the BLA may play a significant role in mediating the effects of stress and fear memories on REM sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagaraja S. Balakathiresan
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (M.B.); (M.Z.); (B.K.-R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Manish Bhomia
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (M.B.); (M.Z.); (B.K.-R.)
| | - Min Zhai
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (M.B.); (M.Z.); (B.K.-R.)
| | - Brook L. W. Sweeten
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA; (B.L.W.S.); (L.L.W.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Laurie L. Wellman
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA; (B.L.W.S.); (L.L.W.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Larry D. Sanford
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA; (B.L.W.S.); (L.L.W.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Barbara Knollmann-Ritschel
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (M.B.); (M.Z.); (B.K.-R.)
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Acutain MF, Griebler Luft J, Vazquez CA, Popik B, Cercato MC, Epstein A, Salvetti A, Jerusalinsky DA, de Oliveira Alvares L, Baez MV. Reduced Expression of Hippocampal GluN2A-NMDAR Increases Seizure Susceptibility and Causes Deficits in Contextual Memory. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:644100. [PMID: 33897358 PMCID: PMC8064689 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.644100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors are heterotetramers composed of two GluN1 obligatory subunits and two regulatory subunits. In cognitive-related brain structures, GluN2A and GluN2B are the most abundant regulatory subunits, and their expression is subjected to tight regulation. During development, GluN2B expression is characteristic of immature synapses, whereas GluN2A is present in mature ones. This change in expression induces a shift in GluN2A/GluN2B ratio known as developmental switch. Moreover, modifications in this relationship have been associated with learning and memory, as well as different pathologies. In this work, we used a specific shRNA to induce a reduction in GluN2A expression after the developmental switch, both in vitro in primary cultured hippocampal neurons and in vivo in adult male Wistar rats. After in vitro characterization, we performed a cognitive profile and evaluated seizure susceptibility in vivo. Our in vitro results showed that the decrease in the expression of GluN2A changes GluN2A/GluN2B ratio without altering the expression of other regulatory subunits. Moreover, rats expressing the anti-GluN2A shRNA in vivo displayed an impaired contextual fear-conditioning memory. In addition, these animals showed increased seizure susceptibility, in terms of both time and intensity, which led us to conclude that deregulation in GluN2A expression at the hippocampus is associated with seizure susceptibility and learning–memory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Florencia Acutain
- Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. E. De Robertis" (IBCN, CONICET-UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jordana Griebler Luft
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Cecila Alejandra Vazquez
- Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. E. De Robertis" (IBCN, CONICET-UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Bruno Popik
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Magalí C Cercato
- Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. E. De Robertis" (IBCN, CONICET-UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Anna Salvetti
- International Center for Infectiology Research (CIRI), INSERM U1111, CNRS UMR5308, Université de Lyon (UCBL1), Lyon, France
| | - Diana A Jerusalinsky
- Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. E. De Robertis" (IBCN, CONICET-UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Maria Verónica Baez
- Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. E. De Robertis" (IBCN, CONICET-UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,1° U.A. Departamento de Histologia, Embriología, Biologia Celular y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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13
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Blandina P, Provensi G, Passsani MB, Capasso C, Supuran CT. Carbonic anhydrase modulation of emotional memory. Implications for the treatment of cognitive disorders. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2021; 35:1206-1214. [PMID: 32401069 PMCID: PMC7269066 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2020.1766455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) are metalloenzymes which use CO2 as substrate, catalysing its interconversion to bicarbonate and a proton. In humans 15 CAs are expressed, 12 of which are catalytically active: the cytosolic CA I-III, VII, XIII, the membrane-bound CA IV, the mitochondrial CA VA and VB, the secreted CA VI, and the transmembrane CA IX, XII, XIV. Nine isoforms are present in the mammalian brain. Evidence supporting that CA inhibitors impair memory in humans has come from studies on topiramate and acetazolamide during acute high-altitude exposure. In contrast, administration of CA activators in animal models enhances memory and learning. Here we review the involvement of selective CA inhibition/activation in cognition-related disorders. CAs may represent a crucial family of new targets for improving cognition as well as in therapeutic areas, such as phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalised anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorders, for which few efficient therapies are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizio Blandina
- Department of Neurofarba, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Gustavo Provensi
- Department of Neurofarba, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Maria Beatrice Passsani
- Department of Health Science, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Clemente Capasso
- Department of Biology, Agriculture and Food Sciences, CNR, Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources, Napoli, Italy
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- Department of Neurofarba, University of Florence, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, Firenze, Italy
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14
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Ming Q, Liou JY, Yang F, Li J, Chu C, Zhou Q, Wu D, Xu S, Luo P, Liang J, Li D, Pryor KO, Lin W, Schwartz TH, Ma H. Isoflurane-Induced Burst Suppression Is a Thalamus-Modulated, Focal-Onset Rhythm With Persistent Local Asynchrony and Variable Propagation Patterns in Rats. Front Syst Neurosci 2021; 14:599781. [PMID: 33510621 PMCID: PMC7835516 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2020.599781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Inhalational anesthetic-induced burst suppression (BS) is classically considered a bilaterally synchronous rhythm. However, local asynchrony has been predicted in theoretical studies and reported in patients with pre-existing focal pathology. Method: We used high-speed widefield calcium imaging to study the spatiotemporal dynamics of isoflurane-induced BS in rats. Results: We found that isoflurane-induced BS is not a globally synchronous rhythm. In the neocortex, neural activity first emerged in a spatially shifting, variably localized focus. Subsequent propagation across the whole cortex was rapid, typically within <100 milliseconds, giving the superficial resemblance to global synchrony. Neural activity remained locally asynchronous during the bursts, forming complex recurrent propagating waves. Despite propagation variability, spatial sequences of burst propagation were largely preserved between the hemispheres, and neural activity was highly correlated between the homotopic areas. The critical role of the thalamus in cortical burst initiation was demonstrated by using unilateral thalamic tetrodotoxin injection. Conclusion: The classical impression that anesthetics-induced BS is a state of global brain synchrony is inaccurate. Bursts are a series of shifting local cortical events facilitated by thalamic projection that unfold as rapid, bilaterally asynchronous propagating waves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianwen Ming
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jyun-You Liou
- Department of Anesthesiology, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chaojia Chu
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Qingchen Zhou
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Dan Wu
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shujia Xu
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Peijuan Luo
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jianmin Liang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Kane O Pryor
- Department of Anesthesiology, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Weihong Lin
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Theodore H Schwartz
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, United States
| | - Hongtao Ma
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Department of Neurological Surgery and Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, United States
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15
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Oh JP, Han JH. A critical role of hippocampus for formation of remote cued fear memory. Mol Brain 2020; 13:112. [PMID: 32799906 PMCID: PMC7429722 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-020-00652-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
A unique feature of fear memory is its persistence that is highly relevant to fear and anxiety-related mental disorders. Recurrent reactivation of neural representations acquired from a traumatic event is thought to contribute to the indelibility of fear memory. Given a well-established role of hippocampus for memory reactivation, hippocampus is likely involved in consolidation process of fear memory. However, evidence suggests that formation of fear memory to a discrete sensory cue is hippocampus-independent. Here, using a pharmacological reversible inactivation of dorsal hippocampus in auditory cued fear conditioning by local infusion of muscimol, we demonstrate in mice that hippocampus is critical for remote memory formation of learned fear to the discrete sensory cue. Muscimol infusion before conditioning did not affect formation of recent auditory fear memory as previously reported. Same muscimol infusion, however, impaired remote auditory fear memory. Muscimol infusion before remote test of auditory fear memory did not affect memory retrieval, indicating hippocampus is not a brain site for storage of remote cued fear memory. Moreover, memory reactivation enforced by re-exposure to the conditioned tone could compensate for hippocampal inactivation, as memory-reactivated mice showed normal remote auditory fear memory despite hippocampal inactivation. Our findings support that hippocampus may have a general role for consolidation of remote associative memory through reactivation of memory trace, giving an insight into how learned fear persists over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Pyo Oh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.,KAIST Institute for the BioCentury (KIB), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Hee Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea. .,KAIST Institute for the BioCentury (KIB), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
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16
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The role of carbonic anhydrases in extinction of contextual fear memory. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:16000-16008. [PMID: 32571910 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1910690117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbonic anhydrases (CAs; EC 4.2.1.1) are metalloenzymes present in mammals with 16 isoforms that differ in terms of catalytic activity as well as cellular and tissue distribution. CAs catalyze the conversion of CO2 to bicarbonate and protons and are involved in various physiological processes, including learning and memory. Here we report that the integrity of CA activity in the brain is necessary for the consolidation of fear extinction memory. We found that systemic administration of acetazolamide, a CA inhibitor, immediately after the extinction session dose-dependently impaired the consolidation of fear extinction memory of rats trained in contextual fear conditioning. d-phenylalanine, a CA activator, displayed an opposite action, whereas C18, a membrane-impermeable CA inhibitor that is unable to reach the brain tissue, had no effect. Simultaneous administration of acetazolamide fully prevented the procognitive effects of d-phenylalanine. Whereas d-phenylalanine potentiated extinction, acetazolamide impaired extinction also when infused locally into the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, basolateral amygdala, or hippocampal CA1 region. No effects were observed when acetazolamide or d-phenylalanine was infused locally into the substantia nigra pars compacta. Moreover, systemic administration of acetazolamide immediately after the extinction training session modulated c-Fos expression on a retention test in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex of rats trained in contextual fear conditioning. These findings reveal that the engagement of CAs in some brain regions is essential for providing the brain with the resilience necessary to ensure the consolidation of extinction of emotionally salient events.
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17
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Liou JY, Baird-Daniel E, Zhao M, Daniel A, Schevon CA, Ma H, Schwartz TH. Burst suppression uncovers rapid widespread alterations in network excitability caused by an acute seizure focus. Brain 2020; 142:3045-3058. [PMID: 31436790 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awz246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Burst suppression is an electroencephalogram pattern of globally symmetric alternating high amplitude activity and isoelectricity that can be induced by general anaesthetics. There is scattered evidence that burst suppression may become spatially non-uniform in the setting of underlying pathology. Here, we induced burst suppression with isoflurane in rodents and then created a neocortical acute seizure focus with injection of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) in somatosensory cortex. Burst suppression events were recorded before and after creation of the focus using bihemispheric wide-field calcium imaging and multielectrode arrays. We find that the seizure focus elicits a rapid alteration in triggering, initiation, and propagation of burst suppression events. Compared with the non-seizing brain, bursts are triggered from the thalamus, initiate in regions uniquely outside the epileptic focus, elicit marked increases of multiunit activity and propagate towards the seizure focus. These findings support the rapid, widespread impact of focal epilepsy on the extended brain network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyun-You Liou
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eliza Baird-Daniel
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Sackler Brain and Spine Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mingrui Zhao
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Sackler Brain and Spine Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andy Daniel
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Sackler Brain and Spine Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Catherine A Schevon
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hongtao Ma
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Sackler Brain and Spine Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Theodore H Schwartz
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Sackler Brain and Spine Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
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18
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Provensi G, Passani MB, Costa A, Izquierdo I, Blandina P. Neuronal histamine and the memory of emotionally salient events. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:557-569. [PMID: 30110713 PMCID: PMC7012950 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In this review, we describe the experimental paradigms used in preclinical studies to unravel the histaminergic brain circuits that modulate the formation and retrieval of memories associated with aversive events. Emotionally arousing events, especially bad ones, are remembered more accurately, clearly and for longer periods of time than neutral ones. Maladaptive elaborations of these memories may eventually constitute the basis of psychiatric disorders such as generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. A better understanding of the role of the histaminergic system in learning and memory has not only a theoretical significance but also a translational value. Ligands of histamine receptors are among the most used drugs worldwide; hence, understanding the impact of these compounds on learning and memory may help improve their pharmacological profile and unravel unexplored therapeutic applications. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on New Uses for 21st Century. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v177.3/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Provensi
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del BambinoUniversità degli Studi di FirenzeFlorenceItaly
| | | | - Alessia Costa
- Dipartimento di Scienze della SaluteUniversità degli Studi di FirenzeFlorenceItaly
| | - Ivan Izquierdo
- Memory Center, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do SulPontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS)Porto AlegreRSBrazil
- National Institute of Translational Neuroscience (INNT)National Research Council of BrazilBrasíliaBrazil
| | - Patrizio Blandina
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del BambinoUniversità degli Studi di FirenzeFlorenceItaly
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19
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Kozanian OO, Rohac DJ, Bavadian N, Corches A, Korzus E, Huffman KJ. Long-Lasting Effects of Prenatal Ethanol Exposure on Fear Learning and Development of the Amygdala. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:200. [PMID: 30233337 PMCID: PMC6131196 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal ethanol exposure (PrEE) produces developmental abnormalities in brain and behavior that often persist into adulthood. We have previously reported abnormal cortical gene expression, disorganized neural circuitry along with deficits in sensorimotor function and anxiety in our CD-1 murine model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, or FASD (El Shawa et al., 2013; Abbott et al., 2016). We have proposed that these phenotypes may underlie learning, memory, and behavioral deficits in humans with FASD. Here, we evaluate the impact of PrEE on fear memory learning, recall and amygdala development at two adult timepoints. PrEE alters learning and memory of aversive stimuli; specifically, PrEE mice, fear conditioned at postnatal day (P) 50, showed deficits in fear acquisition and memory retrieval when tested at P52 and later at P70–P72. Interestingly, this deficit in fear acquisition observed during young adulthood was not present when PrEE mice were conditioned later, at P80. These mice displayed similar levels of fear expression as controls when tested on fear memory recall. To test whether PrEE alters development of brain circuitry associated with fear conditioning and fear memory recall, we histologically examined subdivisions of the amygdala in PrEE and control mice and found long-term effects of PrEE on fear memory circuitry. Thus, results from this study will provide insight on the neurobiological and behavioral effects of PrEE and provide new information on developmental trajectories of brain dysfunction in people prenatally exposed to ethanol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga O Kozanian
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - David J Rohac
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Niusha Bavadian
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Alex Corches
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Edward Korzus
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States.,Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Kelly J Huffman
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States.,Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States.,Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
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20
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Chaaya N, Battle AR, Johnson LR. An update on contextual fear memory mechanisms: Transition between Amygdala and Hippocampus. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 92:43-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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21
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Davis P, Reijmers LG. The dynamic nature of fear engrams in the basolateral amygdala. Brain Res Bull 2018; 141:44-49. [PMID: 29269319 PMCID: PMC6005719 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2017.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Great progress has been made in our understanding of how so-called memory engrams in the brain enable the storage and retrieval of memories. This has led to the realization that across the lifetime of an animal, the spatial and temporal properties of a memory engram are not fixed, but instead are subjected to dynamic modifications that can be both dependent and independent on additional experiences. The dynamic nature of engrams is especially relevant in the case of fear memories, whose contributions to an animal's evolutionary fitness depend on a delicate balance of stability and flexibility. Though fear memories have the potential to last a lifetime, their expression also needs to be properly tuned to prevent maladaptive behavior, such as seen in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. To achieve this balance, fear engrams are subjected to complex spatiotemporal dynamics, making them informative examples of the "dynamic engram". In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the dynamic nature of fear engrams in the basolateral amygdala, a brain region that plays a central role in fear memory encoding and expression. We propose that this understanding can be further advanced by studying how fast dynamics, such as oscillatory circuit activity, support the storage and retrieval of fear engrams that can be stable over long time intervals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Davis
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States; Medical Scientist Training Program and Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Leon G Reijmers
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.
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22
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Xiao C, Liu Y, Xu J, Gan X, Xiao Z. Septal and Hippocampal Neurons Contribute to Auditory Relay and Fear Conditioning. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:102. [PMID: 29713265 PMCID: PMC5911473 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The hippocampus has been thought to process auditory information. However, the properties, pathway, and role of hippocampal auditory responses are unclear. With loose-patch recordings, we found that hippocampal neurons are mainly responsive to noise and are not tonotopically organized. Their latencies are shorter than those of primary auditory cortical (A1) neurons but longer than those of medial septal (MS) neurons, suggesting that hippocampal auditory information comes from MS neurons rather than from A1 neurons. Silencing the MS blocks both hippocampal auditory responses and memory of auditory fear conditioning trained with noise and tone. Auditory fear conditioning was associated with some cues but not with a specific frequency of sound, as demonstrated by animals trained with noise, 2.5-, 5-, 10-, 15-, or 30-kHz tones, and tested with these sounds. Therefore, the noise responses of hippocampal neurons have identified a population of neurons that can be associated with auditory fear conditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuiyu Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Xu
- Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiong Gan
- Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhongju Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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23
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Kerfoot EC, Williams CL. Contributions of the Nucleus Accumbens Shell in Mediating the Enhancement in Memory Following Noradrenergic Activation of Either the Amygdala or Hippocampus. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:47. [PMID: 29472857 PMCID: PMC5810250 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens shell is a site of converging inputs during memory processing for emotional events. The accumbens receives input from the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) regarding changes in peripheral autonomic functioning following emotional arousal. The shell also receives input from the amygdala and hippocampus regarding affective and contextual attributes of new learning experiences. The successful encoding of affect or context is facilitated by activating noradrenergic systems in either the amygdala or hippocampus. Recent findings indicate that memory enhancement produced by activating NTS neurons, is attenuated by suppressing accumbens functioning after learning. This finding illustrates the significance of the shell in integrating information from the periphery to modulate memory for arousing events. However, it is not known if the accumbens shell plays an equally important role in consolidating information that is initially processed in the amygdala and hippocampus. The present study determined if the convergence of inputs from these limbic regions within the nucleus accumbens contributes to successful encoding of emotional events into memory. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received bilateral cannula implants 2 mm above the accumbens shell and a second bilateral implant 2 mm above either the amygdala or hippocampus. The subjects were trained for 6 days to drink from a water spout. On day 7, a 0.35 mA footshock was initiated as the rat approached the spout and was terminated once the rat escaped into a white compartment. Subjects were then given intra-amygdala or hippocampal infusions of PBS or a dose of norepinephrine (0.2 μg) previously shown to enhance memory. Later, all subjects were given intra-accumbens infusion of muscimol to functionally inactivate the shell. Muscimol inactivation of the accumbens shell was delayed to allow sufficient time for norepinephrine to activate intracellular cascades that lead to long-term synaptic modifications involved in forming new memories. Results show that memory improvement produced by infusing norepinephrine in either the amygdala or hippocampus is attenuated by interrupting neuronal activity in the shell 1 or 7 7 h following amygdala or hippocampus activation. These findings suggest that the accumbens shell plays an integral role modulating information initially processed by the amygdala and hippocampus following exposure to emotionally arousing events. Additionally, results demonstrate that the accumbens is involved in the long-term consolidation processes lasting over 7 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin C Kerfoot
- Division of Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Cedric L Williams
- Division of Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
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24
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Kotak VC, Mirallave A, Mowery TM, Sanes DH. GABAergic inhibition gates excitatory LTP in perirhinal cortex. Hippocampus 2017; 27:1217-1223. [PMID: 28881444 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.22799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The perirhinal cortex (PRh) is a key region downstream of auditory cortex (ACx) that processes familiarity linked mnemonic signaling. In gerbils, ACx-driven EPSPs recorded in PRh neurons are largely shunted by GABAergic inhibition (Kotak et al., 2015, Frontiers in Neural Circuits, 9). To determine whether inhibitory shunting prevents the induction of excitatory long-term potentiation (e-LTP), we stimulated ACx-recipient PRh in a brain slice preparation using theta burst stimulation (TBS). Under control conditions, without GABA blockers, the majority of PRh neurons exhibited long-term depression. A very low concentration of bicuculline increased EPSP amplitude, but under this condition TBS did not significantly increase e-LTP induction. Since PRh synaptic inhibition included a GABAB receptor-mediated component, we added a GABAB receptor antagonist. When both GABAA and GABAB receptors were blocked, TBS reliably induced e-LTP in a majority of PRh neurons. We conclude that GABAergic transmission is a vital mechanism regulating e-LTP induction in the PRh, and may be associated with auditory learning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Dan H Sanes
- Center for Neural Science, New York, New York 10003.,Department of Psychology, Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York University, New York, New York 10003.,Department of Biology, Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York University, New York, New York 10003.,Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York University, New York, New York 10003
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25
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Li Y, Kim J. Distinct roles of neuronal and microglial CB2 cannabinoid receptors in the mouse hippocampus. Neuroscience 2017; 363:11-25. [PMID: 28888955 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.08.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Revised: 08/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The effects of cannabinoids are primarily mediated by type-1 cannabinoid receptors in the brain and type-2 cannabinoid receptors (CB2Rs) in the peripheral immune system. However, recent evidence demonstrates that CB2Rs are also expressed in the brain and implicated in neuropsychiatric effects. Diverse types of cells in various regions in the brain express CB2Rs but the cellular loci of CB2Rs that induce specific behavioral effects have not been determined. To manipulate CB2R expression in specific types of cells in the dorsal hippocampus of adult mice, we used Cre-dependent overexpression and CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing techniques in combination with adeno-associated viruses and transgenic mice. Elevation and disruption of CB2R expression in microglia in the CA1 area increased and decreased, respectively, contextual fear memory. In CA1 pyramidal neurons, disruption of CB2R expression enhanced spatial working memory, whereas their overexpression reduced anxiety levels assessed asan increase in the exploration time in the central area of open field. Interneuronal CB2Rs were not involved in the modulation of cognitive or emotional behaviors tested in this study. The targeted manipulation of CB2R expression in pyramidal neurons and microglia suggests that CB2Rs in different types of cells in the mature hippocampus play distinct roles in the regulation of memory and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Li
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
| | - Jimok Kim
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; Department of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
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Cambiaghi M, Renna A, Milano L, Sacchetti B. Reversible Inactivation of the Higher Order Auditory Cortex during Fear Memory Consolidation Prevents Memory-Related Activity in the Basolateral Amygdala during Remote Memory Retrieval. Front Behav Neurosci 2017; 11:138. [PMID: 28790901 PMCID: PMC5524669 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent findings have shown that the auditory cortex, and specifically the higher order Te2 area, is necessary for the consolidation of long-term fearful memories and that it interacts with the amygdala during the retrieval of long-term fearful memories. Here, we tested whether the reversible blockade of Te2 during memory consolidation may affect the activity changes occurring in the amygdala during the retrieval of fearful memories. To address this issue, we blocked Te2 in a reversible manner during memory consolidation processes. After 4 weeks, we assessed the activity of Te2 and individual nuclei of the amygdala during the retrieval of long-term memories. Rats in which Te2 was inactivated upon memory encoding showed a decreased freezing and failed to show Te2-to-basolateral amygdala (BLA) synchrony during memory retrieval. In addition, the expression of the immediate early gene zif268 in the lateral, basal and central amygdala nuclei did not show memory-related enhancement. As all sites were intact upon memory retrieval, we propose that the auditory cortex represents a key node in the consolidation of fear memories and it is essential for amygdala nuclei to support memory retrieval process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Cambiaghi
- Rita Levi-Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of TurinTurin, Italy
| | - Annamaria Renna
- Rita Levi-Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of TurinTurin, Italy
| | - Luisella Milano
- Rita Levi-Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of TurinTurin, Italy
| | - Benedetto Sacchetti
- Rita Levi-Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of TurinTurin, Italy.,Institute of NeuroscienceTurin, Italy
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27
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Kinnavane L, Amin E, Olarte-Sánchez CM, Aggleton JP. Medial temporal pathways for contextual learning: Network c- fos mapping in rats with or without perirhinal cortex lesions. Brain Neurosci Adv 2017; 1. [PMID: 28685167 PMCID: PMC5496664 DOI: 10.1177/2398212817694167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In the rat brain, context information is thought to engage network interactions between the postrhinal cortex, medial entorhinal cortex, and the hippocampus. In contrast, object information is thought to be more reliant on perirhinal cortex and lateral entorhinal cortex interactions with the hippocampus. Method: The ‘context network’ was explored by mapping expression of the immediate-early gene, c-fos, after exposure to a new spatial environment. Results: Structural equation modelling of Fos counts produced networks of good fit that closely matched prior predictions based on anatomically grounded functional models. These same models did not, however, fit the Fos data from home-cage controls nor did they fit the corresponding data from a previous study exploring object recognition. These additional analyses highlight the specificity of the context network. The home-cage controls, meanwhile, showed raised levels of inter-area Fos correlations between the many sites examined, that is, their changes in Fos levels lacked anatomical specificity. A total of two additional groups of rats received perirhinal cortex lesions. While the loss of perirhinal cortex reduced lateral entorhinal c-fos expression, it did not affect mean levels of hippocampal c-fos expression. Similarly, overall c-fos expression in the prelimbic cortex, retrosplenial cortex, and nucleus reuniens of the thalamus appeared unaffected by the perirhinal cortex lesions. Conclusion: The perirhinal cortex lesions disrupted network interactions involving the medial entorhinal cortex and the hippocampus, highlighting ways in which perirhinal cortex might affect specific aspects of context learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Kinnavane
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, Wales, U.K
| | - Eman Amin
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, Wales, U.K
| | | | - John P Aggleton
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, Wales, U.K
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28
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Mohammadian Z, Sahraei H, Meftahi GH, Ali-Beik H. Effects of unilatral- and bilateral inhibition of rostral ventral tegmental area and central nucleus of amygdala on morphine-induced place conditioning in male Wistar rat. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2017; 44:403-412. [DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.12715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Mohammadian
- Department of Biology; School of Science, North Branch of Tehran; Azad University; Tehran Iran
| | - Hedayat Sahraei
- Neuroscience Research Center; Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences; Tehran Iran
| | | | - Hengameh Ali-Beik
- Department of Biology; School of Science, North Branch of Tehran; Azad University; Tehran Iran
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29
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Endocannabinoid System: the Direct and Indirect Involvement in the Memory and Learning Processes-a Short Review. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:8332-8347. [PMID: 27924524 PMCID: PMC5684264 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-0313-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system via cannabinoid (CB: CB1 and CB2) receptors and their endogenous ligands is directly and indirectly involved in many physiological functions, especially in memory and learning processes. Extensive studies reported that this system strictly modulates cognition-related processes evaluated in various animal models. However, the effects of cannabinoids on the cognition have been contradictory. The cannabinoid compounds were able to both impair or improve different phases of memory processes through direct (receptor related) or indirect (non-receptor related) mechanism. The memory-related effects induced by the cannabinoids can be depended on the kind of cannabinoid compound used, dosage, and route of administration as well as on the memory task chosen. Therefore, the objectives of this paper are to review and summarize the results describing the role of endocannabinoid system in cognition, including various stages of memory.
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30
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Wellman LL, Fitzpatrick ME, Hallum OY, Sutton AM, Williams BL, Sanford LD. The basolateral amygdala can mediate the effects of fear memory on sleep independently of fear behavior and the peripheral stress response. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2016; 137:27-35. [PMID: 27818268 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2016.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Revised: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Fear conditioning associated with inescapable shock training (ST) and fearful context re-exposure (CR) alone can produce significant behavioral fear, a stress response and alterations in subsequent REM sleep. These alterations may vary among animals and are mediated by the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA). Here, we used the GABAA agonist, muscimol (Mus), to inactivate BLA prior to CR and examined the effects on sleep, freezing and stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH). Wistar rats (n=28) were implanted with electrodes for recording sleep, data loggers for recording core body temperature, and with cannulae aimed bilaterally into BLA. After recovery, the animals were habituated to the injection procedure and baseline sleep was recorded. On experimental day 1, rats received ST (20 footshocks, 0.8mA, 0.5s duration, 60s interstimulus interval). On experimental day 7, the rats received microinjections (0.5μl) into BLA of either Mus (1.0μM; n=13) or vehicle (Veh; n=15) prior to CR (CR1). On experimental day 21, the animals experienced a second CR (CR2) without Mus. For analysis, the rats were separated into 4 groups: (Veh-vulnerable (Veh-Vul; n=8), Veh-resilient (Veh-Res; n=7), Mus-vulnerable (Mus-Vul; n=7), and Mus-resilient (Mus-Res; n=6)) based on whether or not REM was decreased, compared to baseline, during the first 4h following ST. Pre-CR1 inactivation of BLA did not alter freezing or SIH, but did block the reduction in REM in the Mus-Vul group compared to the Veh-Vul group. These data indicate that BLA is an important region for mediating the effects of fearful memories on sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie L Wellman
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Mairen E Fitzpatrick
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Olga Y Hallum
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Amy M Sutton
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Brook L Williams
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Larry D Sanford
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA.
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31
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Liu C, Li Y, Edwards TJ, Kurniawan ND, Richards LJ, Jiang T. Altered structural connectome in adolescent socially isolated mice. Neuroimage 2016; 139:259-270. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Revised: 06/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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32
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Endres K, Reinhardt S, Geladaris A, Knies J, Grimm M, Hartmann T, Schmitt U. Transnasal delivery of human A-beta peptides elicits impaired learning and memory performance in wild type mice. BMC Neurosci 2016; 17:44. [PMID: 27377996 PMCID: PMC4932715 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-016-0280-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Murine models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are mainly based on overexpression of pathologic amyloid precursor protein and/or presenilins. Those genes resemble underlying cause of early onset type of AD while about 99 % of all human cases are to be characterized as sporadic, late onset. Appropriate animal models for this type of AD are still missing. We here investigated, if transnasal delivery of A-beta 42 peptides might serve to mimic pathological effects in mice. RESULTS A-beta 42 peptides, used for the behavioral study, showed the expected dose-dependent toxicity in neur oblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y and were able to form higher molecular weight species in vitro. Upon delivery into nostrils of wild type mice, protein bands that might represent aggregation products of the exogenously applied human A-beta 42 were only observed in total brain homogenates from mice pre-treated with mannitol. By using TAMRA-labeled A-beta 42 peptides we demonstrated, that transport throughout the brain was achieved already 1 h after administration. FVB/N mice treated with A-beta 42 for 3 days were significantly impaired in the cue-retention condition of the fear conditioning task as compared to controls whereas A-beta-treated C57B6/J mice were impaired in the context condition. In the Morris water maze test, these mice also displayed a delayed learning performance, indicated by significantly longer time to find the platform. Those deficits were also seen for memory performance in the probe trial as measured by number of crossings of the former platform position and time spent in the goal quadrant. CONCLUSIONS Existing AD mouse models are of genetic origin and need prolonged housing time before onset of pathology. Our short-term treatment induced learning and memory deficits via exogenous application of A-beta peptides comparable to those observed for the transgenic animals. With the transnasal A-beta 42 treatment we present an approach to investigate purely A-beta related changes suitable as a model for symptoms of Alzheimer's dementia (AD). Resulting behavioral deficits were indicative for familial type of Alzheimer's disease as well as for the late onset variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Endres
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Untere Zahlbacher Straße 8, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Sven Reinhardt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Untere Zahlbacher Straße 8, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anastasia Geladaris
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Untere Zahlbacher Straße 8, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Julia Knies
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Untere Zahlbacher Straße 8, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Marcus Grimm
- Deutsches Institut für DemenzPrävention (DIDP), Neurodegeneration and Neurobiology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany.,Experimental Neurology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Tobias Hartmann
- Deutsches Institut für DemenzPrävention (DIDP), Neurodegeneration and Neurobiology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany.,Experimental Neurology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schmitt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Untere Zahlbacher Straße 8, 55131, Mainz, Germany
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Abstract
In addition to coordinating movement, the cerebellum participates in motor learning, emotional behavior, and fear memory. Fear learning is reflected in a change of autonomic and somatic responses, such as heart rate and freezing, elicited by a neutral stimulus that has been previously paired with a painful one. Manipulation of the vermis affects these responses, and its reversible inactivation during the consolidation period impairs fear memory. The neural correlate of cerebellar involvement in fear consolidation is provided by a behaviorally induced long-term increase of synaptic efficacy between parallel fibers and a Purkinje cell. Similar synaptic changes after fear conditioning are well documented in the amygdala and hippocampus, providing a link between emotional experiences and changes in neural activity. In addition, in hotfoot mice, with a primary deficiency of parallel fiber to Purkinje cell synapse, short- and long-term fear memories are affected. All these data support the idea that the cerebellum participates in fear learning. The functional interconnection of the vermis with hypothalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus suggests a more complex role of the cerebellum as part of an integrated network regulating emotional behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetto Sacchetti
- Rita Levi-Montalcini Center for Brain Repair, Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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34
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Wellman LL, Fitzpatrick ME, Hallum OY, Sutton AM, Williams BL, Sanford LD. Individual Differences in Animal Stress Models: Considering Resilience, Vulnerability, and the Amygdala in Mediating the Effects of Stress and Conditioned Fear on Sleep. Sleep 2016; 39:1293-303. [PMID: 27091518 DOI: 10.5665/sleep.5856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES To examine the REM sleep response to stress and fearful memories as a potential marker of stress resilience and vulnerability and to assess the role of the basolateral amygdala (BLA) in mediating the effects of fear memory on sleep. METHODS Outbred Wistar rats were surgically implanted with electrodes for recording EEG and EMG and with bilateral guide cannulae directed at the BLA. Data loggers were placed intraperitoneally to record core body temperature. After recovery from surgery, the rats received shock training (ST: 20 footshocks, 0.8 mA, 0.5-s duration, 60-s interstimulus interval) and afterwards received microinjections of the GABAA agonist muscimol (MUS; 1.0 μM) to inactivate BLA or microinjections of vehicle (VEH) alone. Subsequently, the rats were separated into 4 groups (VEH-vulnerable (VEH-Vul; n = 14), VEH-resilient (VEH-Res; n = 13), MUS-vulnerable (MUS-Vul; n = 8), and MUS-resilient (MUS-Res; n = 11) based on whether or not REM was decreased, compared to baseline, during the first 4 h following ST. We then compared sleep, freezing, and the stress response (stress-induced hyperthermia, SIH) across groups to determine the effects of ST and fearful context re-exposure alone (CTX). RESULTS REM was significantly reduced on the ST day in both VEH-Vul and MUS-Vul rats; however, post-ST MUS blocked the reduction in REM on the CTX day in the MUS-Vul group. The VEH-Res and MUS-Res rats showed similar levels of REM on both ST and CTX days. The effects of post-ST inactivation of BLA on freezing and SIH were minimal. CONCLUSIONS Outbred Wistar rats can show significant individual differences in the effects of stress on REM that are mediated by BLA. These differences in REM can be independent of behavioral fear and the peripheral stress response, and may be an important biomarker of stress resilience and vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie L Wellman
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA
| | - Mairen E Fitzpatrick
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA
| | - Olga Y Hallum
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA
| | - Amy M Sutton
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA
| | - Brook L Williams
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA
| | - Larry D Sanford
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA
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Abstract
Fear memory is the best-studied form of memory. It was thoroughly investigated in the past 60 years mostly using two classical conditioning procedures (contextual fear conditioning and fear conditioning to a tone) and one instrumental procedure (one-trial inhibitory avoidance). Fear memory is formed in the hippocampus (contextual conditioning and inhibitory avoidance), in the basolateral amygdala (inhibitory avoidance), and in the lateral amygdala (conditioning to a tone). The circuitry involves, in addition, the pre- and infralimbic ventromedial prefrontal cortex, the central amygdala subnuclei, and the dentate gyrus. Fear learning models, notably inhibitory avoidance, have also been very useful for the analysis of the biochemical mechanisms of memory consolidation as a whole. These studies have capitalized on in vitro observations on long-term potentiation and other kinds of plasticity. The effect of a very large number of drugs on fear learning has been intensively studied, often as a prelude to the investigation of effects on anxiety. The extinction of fear learning involves to an extent a reversal of the flow of information in the mentioned structures and is used in the therapy of posttraumatic stress disorder and fear memories in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Izquierdo
- National Institute of Translational Neuroscience, National Research Council of Brazil, and Memory Center, Brain Institute, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Cristiane R. G. Furini
- National Institute of Translational Neuroscience, National Research Council of Brazil, and Memory Center, Brain Institute, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jociane C. Myskiw
- National Institute of Translational Neuroscience, National Research Council of Brazil, and Memory Center, Brain Institute, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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CB2 Cannabinoid Receptor Knockout in Mice Impairs Contextual Long-Term Memory and Enhances Spatial Working Memory. Neural Plast 2015; 2016:9817089. [PMID: 26819779 PMCID: PMC4706977 DOI: 10.1155/2016/9817089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Revised: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurocognitive effects of cannabinoids have been extensively studied with a focus on CB1 cannabinoid receptors because CB1 receptors have been considered the major cannabinoid receptor in the nervous system. However, recent discoveries of CB2 cannabinoid receptors in the brain demand accurate determination of whether and how CB2 receptors are involved in the cognitive effects of cannabinoids. CB2 cannabinoid receptors are primarily involved in immune functions, but also implicated in psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and depression. Here, we examined the effects of CB2 receptor knockout in mice on memory to determine the roles of CB2 receptors in modulating cognitive function. Behavioral assays revealed that hippocampus-dependent, long-term contextual fear memory was impaired whereas hippocampus-independent, cued fear memory was normal in CB2 receptor knockout mice. These mice also displayed enhanced spatial working memory when tested in a Y-maze. Motor activity and anxiety of CB2 receptor knockout mice were intact when assessed in an open field arena and an elevated zero maze. In contrast to the knockout of CB2 receptors, acute blockade of CB2 receptors by AM603 in C57BL/6J mice had no effect on memory, motor activity, or anxiety. Our results suggest that CB2 cannabinoid receptors play diverse roles in regulating memory depending on memory types and/or brain areas.
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37
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The higher order auditory cortex is involved in the assignment of affective value to sensory stimuli. Nat Commun 2015; 6:8886. [PMID: 26619940 PMCID: PMC5482717 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The sensory cortex participates in emotional memory but its role is poorly understood. Here we show that inactivation of the higher order auditory cortex Te2 in rats during early memory consolidation impairs remote first- and second-order fear memories but not the association between two neutral cues. Furthermore, Te2 inactivation prevents changes in the valence of such information. Following the presentation of two auditory cues previously paired with either pleasant or painful stimuli, a large percentage of cells responds to both experiences but also a small fraction of neurons responds exclusively to one of them. The latter type of neurons signals the valence rather than the salience or the motor responses associated with the stimuli, and reflects selective associative processes. Pharmacogenetic silencing of memory-activated neurons causes amnesia. Thus, Te2 represents a crucial node for the assignment of the affective value to sensory stimuli and for the storage of such information. The auditory cortex Te2 represents a key node for the assignment of the affective value to sensory stimuli in rodents. Using pharmacogenetic manipulations, this study shows that in Te2 there are neurons which respond to the emotional valence of sounds and their inactivation impairs emotional memories retrieval.
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Cambiaghi M, Grosso A, Renna A, Concina G, Sacchetti B. Acute administration of nicotine into the higher order auditory Te2 cortex specifically decreases the fear-related charge of remote emotional memories. Neuropharmacology 2015; 99:577-88. [PMID: 26319210 PMCID: PMC4710760 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.08.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Revised: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Nicotine elicits several behavioural effects on mood as well as on stress and anxiety processes. Recently, it was found that the higher order components of the sensory cortex, such as the secondary auditory cortex Te2, are essential for the long-term storage of remote fear memories. Therefore, in the present study, we examined the effects of acute nicotine injection into the higher order auditory cortex Te2, on the remote emotional memories of either threat or incentive experiences in rats. We found that intra-Te2 nicotine injection decreased the fear-evoked responses to a tone previously paired with footshock. This effect was cue- and dose-specific and was not due to any interference with auditory stimuli processing, innate anxiety and fear processes, or with motor responses. Nicotine acts acutely in the presence of threat stimuli but it did not determine the permanent degradation of the fear-memory trace, since memories tested one week after nicotine injection were unaffected. Remarkably, nicotine did not affect the memory of a similar tone that was paired to incentive stimuli. We conclude from our results that nicotine, when acting acutely in the auditory cortex, relieves the fear charge embedded by learned stimuli. Nicotine reliefs fear memories. Nicotine acts on long-term memories. Nicotine modulates memory in auditory cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Cambiaghi
- Rita Levi-Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Corso Raffaello 30, I-10125 Turin, Italy.
| | - Anna Grosso
- Rita Levi-Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Corso Raffaello 30, I-10125 Turin, Italy.
| | - Annamaria Renna
- Rita Levi-Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Corso Raffaello 30, I-10125 Turin, Italy.
| | - Giulia Concina
- Rita Levi-Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Corso Raffaello 30, I-10125 Turin, Italy.
| | - Benedetto Sacchetti
- Rita Levi-Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Corso Raffaello 30, I-10125 Turin, Italy; National Institute of Neuroscience, Italy.
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Kotak VC, Mowery TM, Sanes DH. Characterization of auditory synaptic inputs to gerbil perirhinal cortex. Front Neural Circuits 2015; 9:40. [PMID: 26321918 PMCID: PMC4536390 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2015.00040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The representation of acoustic cues involves regions downstream from the auditory cortex (ACx). One such area, the perirhinal cortex (PRh), processes sensory signals containing mnemonic information. Therefore, our goal was to assess whether PRh receives auditory inputs from the auditory thalamus (MG) and ACx in an auditory thalamocortical brain slice preparation and characterize these afferent-driven synaptic properties. When the MG or ACx was electrically stimulated, synaptic responses were recorded from the PRh neurons. Blockade of type A gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA-A) receptors dramatically increased the amplitude of evoked excitatory potentials. Stimulation of the MG or ACx also evoked calcium transients in most PRh neurons. Separately, when fluoro ruby was injected in ACx in vivo, anterogradely labeled axons and terminals were observed in the PRh. Collectively, these data show that the PRh integrates auditory information from the MG and ACx and that auditory driven inhibition dominates the postsynaptic responses in a non-sensory cortical region downstream from the ACx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vibhakar C Kotak
- Center for Neural Science, New York University New York, NY, USA
| | - Todd M Mowery
- Center for Neural Science, New York University New York, NY, USA
| | - Dan H Sanes
- Center for Neural Science, New York University New York, NY, USA
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Harris AP, Lennen RJ, Marshall I, Jansen MA, Pernet CR, Brydges NM, Duguid IC, Holmes MC. Imaging learned fear circuitry in awake mice using fMRI. Eur J Neurosci 2015; 42:2125-34. [PMID: 25943794 PMCID: PMC4744695 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.12939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Revised: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of learned behaviour in ‘awake rodents’ provides the opportunity for translational preclinical studies into the influence of pharmacological and genetic manipulations on brain function. fMRI has recently been employed to investigate learned behaviour in awake rats. Here, this methodology is translated to mice, so that future fMRI studies may exploit the vast number of genetically modified mouse lines that are available. One group of mice was conditioned to associate a flashing light (conditioned stimulus, CS) with foot shock (PG; paired group), and another group of mice received foot shock and flashing light explicitly unpaired (UG; unpaired group). The blood oxygen level‐dependent signal (proxy for neuronal activation) in response to the CS was measured 24 h later in awake mice from the PG and UG using fMRI. The amygdala, implicated in fear processing, was activated to a greater degree in the PG than in the UG in response to the CS. Additionally, the nucleus accumbens was activated in the UG in response to the CS. Because the CS signalled an absence of foot shock in the UG, it is possible that this region is involved in processing the safety aspect of the CS. To conclude, the first use of fMRI to visualise brain activation in awake mice that are completing a learned emotional task is reported. This work paves the way for future preclinical fMRI studies to investigate genetic and environmental influences on brain function in transgenic mouse models of disease and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjanette P Harris
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, QMRI, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK.,Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, QMRI, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ross J Lennen
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, QMRI, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Ian Marshall
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, QMRI, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Maurits A Jansen
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, QMRI, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Cyril R Pernet
- Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Nichola M Brydges
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Ian C Duguid
- Integrative Physics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Megan C Holmes
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, QMRI, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK.,Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, QMRI, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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41
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Baldi E, Bucherelli C. Brain sites involved in fear memory reconsolidation and extinction of rodents. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2015; 53:160-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Revised: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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42
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Katz IK, Lamprecht R. Fear conditioning leads to alteration in specific genes expression in cortical and thalamic neurons that project to the lateral amygdala. J Neurochem 2015; 132:313-26. [PMID: 25352022 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 10/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
RNA transcription is needed for memory formation. However, the ability to identify genes whose expression is altered by learning is greatly impaired because of methodological difficulties in profiling gene expression in specific neurons involved in memory formation. Here, we report a novel approach to monitor the expression of genes after learning in neurons in specific brain pathways needed for memory formation. In this study, we aimed to monitor gene expression after fear learning. We retrogradely labeled discrete thalamic neurons that project to the lateral amygdala (LA) of rats. The labeled neurons were dissected, using laser microdissection microscopy, after fear conditioning learning or unpaired training. The RNAs from the dissected neurons were subjected to microarray analysis. The levels of selected RNAs detected by the microarray analysis to be altered by fear conditioning were also assessed by nanostring analysis. We observed that the expression of genes involved in the regulation of translation, maturation and degradation of proteins was increased 6 h after fear conditioning compared to unpaired or naïve trained rats. These genes were not expressed 24 h after training or in cortical neurons that project to the LA. The expression of genes involved in transcription regulation and neuronal development was altered after fear conditioning learning in the cortical-LA pathway. The present study provides key information on the identity of genes expressed in discrete thalamic and cortical neurons that project to the LA after fear conditioning. Such an approach could also serve to identify gene products as targets for the development of a new generation of therapeutic agents that could be aimed to functionally identified brain circuits to treat memory-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ira K Katz
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel
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43
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Nakayama D, Baraki Z, Onoue K, Ikegaya Y, Matsuki N, Nomura H. Frontal association cortex is engaged in stimulus integration during associative learning. Curr Biol 2014; 25:117-23. [PMID: 25496961 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2014.10.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Revised: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 10/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The frontal association cortex (FrA) is implicated in higher brain function. Aberrant FrA activity is likely to be involved in dementia pathology. However, the functional circuits both within the FrA and with other regions are unclear. A recent study showed that inactivation of the FrA impairs memory consolidation of an auditory fear conditioning in young mice. In addition, dendritic spine remodeling of FrA neurons is sensitive to paired sensory stimuli that produce associative memory. These findings suggest that the FrA is engaged in neural processes critical to associative learning. Here we characterize stimulus integration in the mouse FrA during associative learning. We experimentally separated contextual fear conditioning into context exposure and shock, and found that memory formation requires protein synthesis associated with both context exposure and shock in the FrA. Both context exposure and shock trigger Arc, an activity-dependent immediate-early gene, expression in the FrA, and a subset of FrA neurons was dually activated by both stimuli. In addition, we found that the FrA receives projections from the perirhinal (PRh) and insular (IC) cortices and basolateral amygdala (BLA), which are implicated in context and shock encoding. PRh and IC neurons projecting to the FrA were activated by context exposure and shock, respectively. Arc expression in the FrA associated with context exposure and shock depended on PRh activity and both IC and BLA activities, respectively. These findings indicate that the FrA is engaged in stimulus integration and contributes to memory formation in associative learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Nakayama
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Zohal Baraki
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kousuke Onoue
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yuji Ikegaya
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Center for Information and Neural Networks, Suita City, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Norio Matsuki
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nomura
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
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44
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Wu P, Ding ZB, Meng SQ, Shen HW, Sun SC, Luo YX, Liu JF, Lu L, Zhu WL, Shi J. Differential role of Rac in the basolateral amygdala and cornu ammonis 1 in the reconsolidation of auditory and contextual Pavlovian fear memory in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:2909-19. [PMID: 24553575 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3462-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2013] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES A conditioned stimulus (CS) is associated with a fearful unconditioned stimulus (US) in the traditional fear conditioning model. After fear conditioning, the CS-US association memory undergoes the consolidation process to become stable. Consolidated memory enters an unstable state after retrieval and requires the reconsolidation process to stabilize again. Evidence indicates the important role of Rac (Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate) in the acquisition and extinction of fear memory. In the present study, we hypothesized that Rac in the amygdala is crucial for the reconsolidation of auditory and contextual Pavlovian fear memory. METHODS Auditory and contextual fear conditioning and microinjections of the Rac inhibitor NSC23766 were used to explore the role of Rac in the reconsolidation of auditory and contextual Pavlovian fear memory in rats. RESULTS A microinjection of NSC23766 into the basolateral amygdala (BLA) but not central amygdala (CeA) or cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) immediately after memory retrieval disrupted the reconsolidation of auditory Pavlovian fear memory. A microinjection of NSC23766 into the CA1 but not BLA or CeA after memory retrieval disrupted the reconsolidation of contextual Pavlovian fear memory. CONCLUSIONS Our experiments demonstrate that Rac in the BLA is crucial for the reconsolidation of auditory Pavlovian fear memory, whereas Rac in the CA1 is critical for the reconsolidation of contextual Pavlovian fear memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wu
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, 38, Xue Yuan Road, Beijing, 100191, China
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45
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Puzzo D, Lee L, Palmeri A, Calabrese G, Arancio O. Behavioral assays with mouse models of Alzheimer's disease: practical considerations and guidelines. Biochem Pharmacol 2014; 88:450-67. [PMID: 24462904 PMCID: PMC4014001 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2014.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Revised: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 01/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease (AD) basic research and drug discovery, mouse models are essential resources for uncovering biological mechanisms, validating molecular targets and screening potential compounds. Both transgenic and non-genetically modified mouse models enable access to different types of AD-like pathology in vivo. Although there is a wealth of genetic and biochemical studies on proposed AD pathogenic pathways, as a disease that centrally features cognitive failure, the ultimate readout for any interventions should be measures of learning and memory. This is particularly important given the lack of knowledge on disease etiology - assessment by cognitive assays offers the advantage of targeting relevant memory systems without requiring assumptions about pathogenesis. A multitude of behavioral assays are available for assessing cognitive functioning in mouse models, including ones specific for hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. Here we review the basics of available transgenic and non-transgenic AD mouse models and detail three well-established behavioral tasks commonly used for testing hippocampal-dependent cognition in mice - contextual fear conditioning, radial arm water maze and Morris water maze. In particular, we discuss the practical considerations, requirements and caveats of these behavioral testing paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Puzzo
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences - Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, Catania 95125, Italy
| | - Linda Lee
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, P&S #12-420D, 630W 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Agostino Palmeri
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences - Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, Catania 95125, Italy
| | - Giorgio Calabrese
- Department of Pharmacy, Federico II University, Via D. Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, P&S #12-420D, 630W 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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46
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Hermans EJ, Battaglia FP, Atsak P, de Voogd LD, Fernández G, Roozendaal B. How the amygdala affects emotional memory by altering brain network properties. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2014; 112:2-16. [PMID: 24583373 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2014.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2013] [Revised: 02/17/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The amygdala has long been known to play a key role in supporting memory for emotionally arousing experiences. For example, classical fear conditioning depends on neural plasticity within this anterior medial temporal lobe region. Beneficial effects of emotional arousal on memory, however, are not restricted to simple associative learning. Our recollection of emotional experiences often includes rich representations of, e.g., spatiotemporal context, visceral states, and stimulus-response associations. Critically, such memory features are known to bear heavily on regions elsewhere in the brain. These observations led to the modulation account of amygdala function, which postulates that amygdala activation enhances memory consolidation by facilitating neural plasticity and information storage processes in its target regions. Rodent work in past decades has identified the most important brain regions and neurochemical processes involved in these modulatory actions, and neuropsychological and neuroimaging work in humans has produced a large body of convergent data. Importantly, recent methodological developments make it increasingly realistic to monitor neural interactions underlying such modulatory effects as they unfold. For instance, functional connectivity network modeling in humans has demonstrated how information exchanges between the amygdala and specific target regions occur within the context of large-scale neural network interactions. Furthermore, electrophysiological and optogenetic techniques in rodents are beginning to make it possible to quantify and even manipulate such interactions with millisecond precision. In this paper we will discuss that these developments will likely lead to an updated view of the amygdala as a critical nexus within large-scale networks supporting different aspects of memory processing for emotionally arousing experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erno J Hermans
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, The Netherlands; Department for Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, 6525 EZ, The Netherlands.
| | - Francesco P Battaglia
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, The Netherlands; Department for Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, 6525 EZ, The Netherlands; Departments for Neuroinformatics and Neurophysiology, Faculty of Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Piray Atsak
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, The Netherlands; Department for Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, 6525 EZ, The Netherlands
| | - Lycia D de Voogd
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, The Netherlands; Department for Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, 6525 EZ, The Netherlands
| | - Guillén Fernández
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, The Netherlands; Department for Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, 6525 EZ, The Netherlands
| | - Benno Roozendaal
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, The Netherlands; Department for Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, 6525 EZ, The Netherlands
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47
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Baldi E, Bucherelli C. Entorhinal cortex contribution to contextual fear conditioning extinction and reconsolidation in rats. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2014; 110:64-71. [PMID: 24569052 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2014.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2013] [Revised: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
During contextual fear conditioning a rat learns a temporal contiguity association between the exposition to a previously neutral context (CS) and an aversive unconditioned stimulus (US) as a footshock. This condition determines in the rat the freezing reaction during the subsequent re-exposition to the context. Potentially the re-exposition without US presentation initiates two opposing and competing processes: reconsolidation and extinction. Reconsolidation process re-stabilizes and strengthens the original memory and it is initiated by a brief re-exposure to context. Instead the extinction process leads to the decrease of the expression of the original memory and it is triggered by prolonged re-exposure to the context. Here we analyzed the entorhinal cortex (ENT) participation in contextual fear conditioning reconsolidation and extinction. The rats were trained in contextual fear conditioning and 24h later they were subjected either to a brief (2 min) reactivation session or to a prolonged (120 min) re-exposition to context to induce extinction of the contextual fear memory. Immediately after the reactivation or the extinction session, the animals were submitted to bilateral ENT TTX inactivation. Memory retention was assessed as conditioned freezing duration measured 72 h after TTX administration. The results showed that ENT inactivation both after reactivation and extinction session was followed by contextual freezing retention impairment. Thus, the present findings point out that ENT is involved in contextual fear memory reconsolidation and extinction. This neural structure might be part of parallel circuits underlying two phases of contextual fear memory processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Baldi
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Sperimentale e Clinica, Sezione di Fisiologia, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Viale G.B. Morgagni 63, I-50134 Firenze, Italy
| | - Corrado Bucherelli
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Sperimentale e Clinica, Sezione di Fisiologia, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Viale G.B. Morgagni 63, I-50134 Firenze, Italy.
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48
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Wellman LL, Fitzpatrick ME, Machida M, Sanford LD. The basolateral amygdala determines the effects of fear memory on sleep in an animal model of PTSD. Exp Brain Res 2014; 232:1555-65. [PMID: 24519098 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-014-3850-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2013] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Fear conditioning [inescapable shock training (ST)] and fearful context re-exposure (CR) alone can produce significant fear indicated by increased freezing and reductions in subsequent rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Damage to or inactivation of the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA) prior to or after ST or prior to CR generally has been found to attenuate freezing in the shock training context. However, no one has examined the impact of BLA inactivation on fear-induced changes in sleep. Here, we used the GABAA agonist, muscimol (MUS), to inactivate BLA prior to ST, the period when fear is learned, and assessed sleep after ST and sleep and freezing after two CR sessions. Wistar rats (n = 14) were implanted with electrodes for recording sleep and with cannulae aimed bilaterally into BLA. After recovery, the animals were habituated to the injection procedure (handling) over 2 consecutive days and baseline sleep following handling was recorded. On experimental day 1, the rats were injected (0.5 μl) into BLA with either MUS (1.0 μM; n = 7) or vehicle (distilled water, n = 7) 30 min prior to ST (20 footshocks, 0.8 mA, 0.5-s duration, 60-s interstimulus interval). On experimental days 7 and 21, the animals experienced CR (CR1 and CR2, respectively) alone. Electroencephalogram and electromyogram were recorded for 8 h on each day, and the recording was scored for non-rapid eye movement sleep, REM sleep, and wakefulness. Freezing was examined during CR1 and CR2. MUS microinjections into BLA prior to ST blocked the post-training reduction in REM sleep seen in vehicle-treated rats. Furthermore, in MUS-treated rats, REM sleep after CR1 and CR2 was at baseline levels and freezing was significantly attenuated. Thus, BLA inactivation prior to ST blocks the effects of footshock stress on sleep and reduces fear memory, as indicated by the lack of freezing and changes in sleep after CR. These data indicate that BLA is an important regulator of stress-induced alterations in sleep and an important site for forming fear memories that can alter sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie L Wellman
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, P. O. Box 1980, Norfolk, VA, 23507, USA
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Calipari ES, Beveridge TJR, Jones SR, Porrino LJ. Withdrawal from extended-access cocaine self-administration results in dysregulated functional activity and altered locomotor activity in rats. Eur J Neurosci 2013; 38:3749-57. [PMID: 24118121 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.12381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2013] [Revised: 08/23/2013] [Accepted: 09/04/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Much work has focused on determining the consequences of cocaine self-administration on specific neurotransmitter systems, thus neglecting the global changes that occur. Previous imaging studies have focused on the effects of cocaine self-administration in the presence of high blood levels of cocaine, but have not determined the functional effects of cocaine self-administration after cocaine has cleared. Extended-access cocaine self-administration, where animals administer cocaine for 6 h each day, results in escalation in the rate of cocaine intake and is believed to model the transition from recreational use to addiction in humans. We aimed to determine the functional changes following acute (48 h) withdrawal from an extended-access, defined-intake self-administration paradigm (5 days, 40 injections/day, 6 h/day), a time point when behavioral changes are present. Using the 2-[(14) C]deoxyglucose method to measure rates of local cerebral glucose metabolism, an indicator of functional activity, we found reductions in circuits related to learning and memory, attention, sleep, and reward processing, which have important clinical implications for cocaine addiction. Additionally, lower levels of functional activity were found in the dorsal raphe and locus coeruleus, suggesting that cocaine self-administration may have broader effects on brain function than previously noted. These widespread neurochemical reductions were concomitant with substantial behavioral differences in these animals, highlighted by increased vertical activity and decreased stereotypy. These data demonstrate that behavioral and neurochemical impairments following cocaine self-administration are present in the absence of drug and persist after cocaine has been cleared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin S Calipari
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA
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50
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The prototypical histamine H3 receptor inverse agonist thioperamide improves multiple aspects of memory processing in an inhibitory avoidance task. Behav Brain Res 2013; 253:121-7. [PMID: 23867149 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2013] [Revised: 07/05/2013] [Accepted: 07/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Numerous studies have found that histamine plays a major role in memory and that the histamine H3 receptor (H3R) inverse agonist thioperamide improves cognitive performance in various animal models. However, little is known about the stages of memory that are specifically affected by thioperamide. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of thioperamide on acquisition, consolidation and retrieval processes in a one-trial inhibitory avoidance task in female C57BL/6J mice. In addition, potential state-dependency effects were studied by injecting thioperamide before the training and the test sessions in order to induce similar physiological states during acquisition and retrieval. Our results indicate that post-training systemic administration of thioperamide facilitated consolidation. Moreover, the administration of thioperamide before the training session had no effect on latency to enter the black compartment during training but enhanced memory during the retention test. The administration of thioperamide before the retention test also increased performance, which indicates that this compound ameliorates memory retrieval. Finally, when animals received thioperamide before the training session and before the retention test, the cognitive enhancing effects of thioperamide were not significantly changed. Together, our results show that thioperamide improves cognitive performance in an inhibitory avoidance task through actions on different memory stages. Furthermore, inducing a similar physiological state with thioperamide during acquisition and retrieval do not significantly affect cognitive enhancement. Our results suggest that the blockade of H3R can be helpful for the treatment of neuropsychiatric conditions characterized by deficits affecting several stages of memory processing.
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