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Sandoval-Caballero C, Jara J, Luarte L, Jiménez Y, Teske JA, Perez-Leighton C. Control of motivation for sucrose in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus by dynorphin peptides and the kappa opioid receptor. Appetite 2024; 200:107504. [PMID: 38768926 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107504] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The dynorphin peptides are the endogenous ligands for the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) and regulate food intake. Administration of dynorphin-A1-13 (DYN) in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) increases palatable food intake, and this effect is blocked by co-administration of the orexin-A neuropeptide, which is co-released with DYN in PVN from neurons located in the lateral hypothalamus. While PVN administration of DYN increases palatable food intake, whether it increases food-seeking behaviors has yet to be examined. We tested the effects of DYN and norBNI (a KOR antagonist) on the seeking and consumption of sucrose using a progressive ratio (PR) and demand curve (DC) tasks. In PVN, DYN did not alter the sucrose breaking point (BP) in the PR task nor the elasticity or intensity of demand for sucrose in the DC task. Still, DYN reduced the delay in obtaining sucrose and increased licks during sucrose intake in the PR task, irrespective of the co-administration of orexin-A. In PVN, norBNI increased the delay in obtaining sucrose and reduced licks during sucrose intake in the PR task while increasing elasticity without altering intensity of demand in the DC task. However, subcutaneous norBNI reduced the BP for sucrose and increased the delay in obtaining sucrose in the PR task while reducing the elasticity of demand. Together, these data show different effects of systemic and PVN blockade of KOR on food-seeking, consummatory behaviors, and incentive motivation for sucrose and suggest that KOR activity in PVN is necessary but not sufficient to drive seeking behaviors for palatable food.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sandoval-Caballero
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - J Jara
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - L Luarte
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Y Jiménez
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - J A Teske
- School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - C Perez-Leighton
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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2
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Toivainen S, Petrella M, Xu L, Visser E, Weiss T, Vellere S, Zeier Z, Wahlestedt C, Barbier E, Domi E, Heilig M. Generation and Characterization of a Novel Prkcd-Cre Rat Model. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e0528242024. [PMID: 38977300 PMCID: PMC11308323 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0528-24.2024] [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: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Activity of central amygdala (CeA) PKCδ expressing neurons has been linked to appetite regulation, anxiety-like behaviors, pain sensitivity, and addiction-related behaviors. Studies of the role that CeA PKCδ+ neurons play in these behaviors have largely been carried out in mice, and genetic tools that would allow selective manipulation of PKCδ+ cells in rats have been lacking. Here, we used a CRISPR/Cas9 strategy to generate a transgenic Prkcd-cre knock-in rat and characterized this model using anatomical, electrophysiological, and behavioral approaches in both sexes. In the CeA, Cre was selectively expressed in PKCδ+ cells. Anterograde projections of PKCδ+ neurons to cortical regions, subcortical regions, several hypothalamic nuclei, the amygdala complex, and midbrain dopaminergic regions were largely consistent with published mouse data. In a behavioral screen, we found no differences between Cre+ rats and Cre- wild-type littermates. Optogenetic stimulation of CeA PKCδ+ neurons in a palatable food intake assay resulted in an increased latency to first feeding and decreased total food intake, once again replicating published mouse findings. Lastly, using a real-time place preference task, we found that stimulation of PKCδ+ neurons promoted aversion, without affecting locomotor activity. Collectively, these findings establish the novel Prkcd-Cre rat line as a valuable tool that complements available mouse lines for investigating the functional role of PKCδ+ neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne Toivainen
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linkoping University, Linkoping 58225, Sweden
| | - Michele Petrella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linkoping University, Linkoping 58225, Sweden
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linkoping University, Linkoping 58225, Sweden
| | - Esther Visser
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linkoping University, Linkoping 58225, Sweden
| | - Tamina Weiss
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linkoping University, Linkoping 58225, Sweden
| | - Sofia Vellere
- School of Pharmacy, Center for Neuroscience, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino 62032, Italy
| | - Zane Zeier
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136
| | - Claes Wahlestedt
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136
| | - Estelle Barbier
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linkoping University, Linkoping 58225, Sweden
| | - Esi Domi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linkoping University, Linkoping 58225, Sweden
- School of Pharmacy, Center for Neuroscience, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino 62032, Italy
| | - Markus Heilig
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linkoping University, Linkoping 58225, Sweden
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3
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Fraser KM, Kim TH, Castro M, Drieu C, Padovan-Hernandez Y, Chen B, Pat F, Ottenheimer DJ, Janak PH. Encoding and context-dependent control of reward consumption within the central nucleus of the amygdala. iScience 2024; 27:109652. [PMID: 38650988 PMCID: PMC11033178 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of the central amygdala is thought to underlie aberrant choice in alcohol use disorder, but the role of central amygdala neural activity during reward choice and consumption is unclear. We recorded central amygdala neurons in male rats as they consumed alcohol or sucrose. We observed activity changes at the time of reward approach, as well as lick-entrained activity during ongoing consumption of both rewards. In choice scenarios where rats could drink sucrose, alcohol, or quinine-adulterated alcohol with or without central amygdala optogenetic stimulation, rats drank more of stimulation-paired options when the two bottles contained identical options. Given a choice among different options, central amygdala stimulation usually enhanced consumption of stimulation-paired rewards. However, optogenetic stimulation during consumption of the less-preferred option, alcohol, was unable to enhance alcohol intake while sucrose was available. These findings indicate that the central amygdala contributes to refining motivated pursuit toward the preferred available option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt M. Fraser
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore 21218, MD, USA
| | - Tabitha H. Kim
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore 21218, MD, USA
| | - Matilde Castro
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore 21205, MD, USA
| | - Céline Drieu
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore 21218, MD, USA
| | - Yasmin Padovan-Hernandez
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore 21205, MD, USA
| | - Bridget Chen
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore 21218, MD, USA
| | - Fiona Pat
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore 21218, MD, USA
| | - David J. Ottenheimer
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore 21205, MD, USA
| | - Patricia H. Janak
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore 21218, MD, USA
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore 21205, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins University Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore 21205, MD, USA
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4
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Hur KH, Meisler SL, Yassin W, Frederick BB, Kohut SJ. Prefrontal-Limbic Circuitry Is Associated With Reward Sensitivity in Nonhuman Primates. Biol Psychiatry 2024:S0006-3223(24)01131-4. [PMID: 38432521 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.02.1011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormal reward sensitivity is a risk factor for psychiatric disorders, including eating disorders such as overeating and binge-eating disorder, but the brain structural mechanisms that underlie it are not completely understood. Here, we sought to investigate the relationship between multimodal whole-brain structural features and reward sensitivity in nonhuman primates. METHODS Reward sensitivity was evaluated through behavioral economic analysis in which monkeys (adult rhesus macaques; 7 female, 5 male) responded for sweetened condensed milk (10%, 30%, 56%), Gatorade, or water using an operant procedure in which the response requirement increased incrementally across sessions (i.e., fixed ratio 1, 3, 10). Animals were divided into high (n = 6) or low (n = 6) reward sensitivity groups based on essential value for 30% milk. Multimodal magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure gray matter volume and white matter microstructure. Brain structural features were compared between groups, and their correlations with reward sensitivity for various stimuli was investigated. RESULTS Animals in the high sensitivity group had greater dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, centromedial amygdaloid complex, and middle cingulate cortex volumes than animals in the low sensitivity group. Furthermore, compared with monkeys in the low sensitivity group, high sensitivity monkeys had lower fractional anisotropy in the left dorsal cingulate bundle connecting the centromedial amygdaloid complex and middle cingulate cortex to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and in the left superior longitudinal fasciculus 1 connecting the middle cingulate cortex to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that neuroanatomical variation in prefrontal-limbic circuitry is associated with reward sensitivity. These brain structural features may serve as predictive biomarkers for vulnerability to food-based and other reward-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwang-Hyun Hur
- Behavioral Neuroimaging Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Steven L Meisler
- Program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Walid Yassin
- Behavioral Neuroimaging Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Blaise B Frederick
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; McLean Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Stephen J Kohut
- Behavioral Neuroimaging Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; McLean Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts.
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5
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Rojek-Sito K, Meyza K, Ziegart-Sadowska K, Nazaruk K, Puścian A, Hamed A, Kiełbiński M, Solecki W, Knapska E. Optogenetic and chemogenetic approaches reveal differences in neuronal circuits that mediate initiation and maintenance of social interaction. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002343. [PMID: 38029342 PMCID: PMC10686636 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
For social interaction to be successful, two conditions must be met: the motivation to initiate it and the ability to maintain it. This study uses both optogenetic and chemogenetic approaches to reveal the specific neural pathways that selectively influence those two social interaction components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Rojek-Sito
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, BRAINCITY—Centre of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ksenia Meyza
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, BRAINCITY—Centre of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Karolina Ziegart-Sadowska
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, BRAINCITY—Centre of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kinga Nazaruk
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, BRAINCITY—Centre of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Alicja Puścian
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, BRAINCITY—Centre of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adam Hamed
- Laboratory of Spatial Memory, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Kiełbiński
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Applied Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Wojciech Solecki
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Applied Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ewelina Knapska
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, BRAINCITY—Centre of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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6
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Shih CC, Chang CH. Activation of the basolateral or the central amygdala dampened the incentive motivation for food reward on high fixed-ratio schedules. Behav Brain Res 2023; 455:114682. [PMID: 37742807 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114682] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The amygdala plays crucial roles in emotional processing, motivated behaviors, and stress responses. It receives sensory information and modulates fear- and anxiety-related behaviors. Neuronal activations are induced in the basolateral complex of the amygdala (BLA) and the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) when exposing to acute stress, leading to increased alertness and proper behavioral adaptation. Previous studies have shown that animals displayed a decrease in appetitive motivated behaviors under stress conditions. However, whether the hyperactive amygdala is responsible for the decrease in appetitive motivated behaviors remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to examine the role of BLA or CeA activation in effort-based motivated behavior. We pharmacologically activated the BLA or the CeA with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) before the lever-pressing for food reward test on different fixed-ratio (FR) schedules (FR1, FR16, or FR32) in male Long-Evans rats. Our data showed that activation of either the BLA or the CeA with NMDA (0.05 μg in 0.5 μl per site) decreased the lever-pressing behavior on higher FR schedules of FR16 and FR32, but not on the FR1 test. Importantly, locomotor activity and free-feeding food intake were intact under amygdala activation, suggesting that the decrease in lever-pressing behavior was not due to motor disablement or decreased appetite. These results suggested that activation of the BLA or the CeA negatively impaired the effort-based motivated behavior that the animals were less willing to work for food reward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Chia Shih
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hui Chang
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan; Brain Research Center, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan.
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7
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Berridge KC. Separating desire from prediction of outcome value. Trends Cogn Sci 2023; 27:932-946. [PMID: 37543439 PMCID: PMC10527990 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2023.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Individuals typically want what they expect to like, often based on memories of previous positive experiences. However, in some situations desire can decouple completely from memories and from learned predictions of outcome value. The potential for desire to separate from prediction arises from independent operating rules that control motivational incentive salience. Incentive salience, or 'wanting', is a type of mesolimbic desire that evolved for adaptive goals, but can also generate maladaptive addictions. Two proof-of-principle examples are presented here to show how motivational 'wanting' can soar above memory-based predictions of outcome value: (i) 'wanting what is remembered to be disgusting', and (ii) 'wanting what is predicted to hurt'. Consequently, even outcomes remembered and predicted to be negatively aversive can become positively 'wanted'. Similarly, in human addictions, people may experience powerful cue-triggered cravings for outcomes that are not predicted to be enjoyable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kent C Berridge
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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8
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Pagano R, Salamian A, Skonieczna E, Wojtas B, Gielniewski B, Harda Z, Cały A, Havekes R, Abel T, Radwanska K. Molecular fingerprints in the hippocampus of alcohol seeking during withdrawal. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.24.554622. [PMID: 37662388 PMCID: PMC10473700 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.24.554622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by excessive alcohol seeking and use. Here, we investigated the molecular correlates of impaired extinction of alcohol seeking using a multidimentional mouse model of AUD. We distinguished AUD-prone and AUD-resistant mice, based on the presence of ≥ 2 or < 2 criteria of AUD and utilized RNA sequencing to identify genes that were differentially expressed in the hippocampus and amygdala of mice meeting ≥ 2 or < 2 criteria, as these brain regions are implicated in alcohol motivation, seeking, consumption and the cognitive inflexibility characteristic of AUD. Our findings revealed dysregulation of the genes associated with the actin cytoskeleton, including actin binding molecule cofilin, and impaired synaptic transmission in the hippocampi of mice meeting ≥ 2 criteria. Overexpression of cofilin in the polymorphic layer of the dentate gyrus (PoDG) inhibited ML-DG synapses, increased motivation to seek alcohol and impaired extinction of alcohol seeking, resembling the phenotype observed in mice meeting ≥ 2 criteria. Overall, our study uncovers a novel mechanism linking increased hippocampal cofilin expression with the AUD phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Pagano
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | - Ahmad Salamian
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | - Edyta Skonieczna
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | - Bartosz Wojtas
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | - Bartek Gielniewski
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | - Zofia Harda
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., Warsaw 02-093, Poland
- current address: Department Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Cały
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | - Robbert Havekes
- Neurobiology expertise group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ted Abel
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Kasia Radwanska
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., Warsaw 02-093, Poland
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9
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Devoght J, Comhair J, Morelli G, Rigo JM, D'Hooge R, Touma C, Palme R, Dewachter I, vandeVen M, Harvey RJ, Schiffmann SN, Piccart E, Brône B. Dopamine-mediated striatal activity and function is enhanced in GlyRα2 knockout animals. iScience 2023; 26:107400. [PMID: 37554441 PMCID: PMC10404725 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The glycine receptor alpha 2 (GlyRα2) is a ligand-gated ion channel which upon activation induces a chloride conductance. Here, we investigated the role of GlyRα2 in dopamine-stimulated striatal cell activity and behavior. We show that depletion of GlyRα2 enhances dopamine-induced increases in the activity of putative dopamine D1 receptor-expressing striatal projection neurons, but does not alter midbrain dopamine neuron activity. We next show that the locomotor response to d-amphetamine is enhanced in GlyRα2 knockout animals, and that this increase correlates with c-fos expression in the dorsal striatum. 3-D modeling revealed an increase in the neuronal ensemble size in the striatum in response to D-amphetamine in GlyRα2 KO mice. Finally, we show enhanced appetitive conditioning in GlyRα2 KO animals that is likely due to increased motivation, but not changes in associative learning or hedonic response. Taken together, we show that GlyRα2 is an important regulator of dopamine-stimulated striatal activity and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Devoght
- Department of Neuroscience, UHasselt, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Joris Comhair
- Department of Neuroscience, UHasselt, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Giovanni Morelli
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Instituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Rudi D'Hooge
- Laboratory for Biological Psychology, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Chadi Touma
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Osnabrück, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna A-1210, Austria
| | - Ilse Dewachter
- Department of Neuroscience, UHasselt, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
| | | | - Robert J. Harvey
- School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
- Sunshine Coast Health Institute, Birtinya, QLD, Australia
| | - Serge N. Schiffmann
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Université libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Bert Brône
- Department of Neuroscience, UHasselt, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
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10
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Glickman B, LaLumiere RT. Theoretical Considerations for Optimizing the Use of Optogenetics with Complex Behavior. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e836. [PMID: 37439512 PMCID: PMC10406170 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.836] [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] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetic approaches have allowed researchers to address complex questions about behavior that were previously unanswerable. However, as optogenetic procedures involve a large parameter space across multiple dimensions, it is crucial to consider such parameters in conjunction with the behaviors under study. Here, we discuss strategies to optimize optogenetic approaches with complex behavior by identifying critical experimental design considerations, including frequency specificity, temporal precision, activity-controlled optogenetics, stimulation pattern, and cell-type specificity. We highlight potential limitations or theoretical considerations to be made when manipulating each of these factors of optogenetic experiments. This overview emphasizes the importance of optimizing optogenetic study design to enhance the conclusions that can be drawn about the neuroscience of behavior. © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bess Glickman
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Ryan T. LaLumiere
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
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11
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Fraser KM, Kim TH, Castro M, Drieu C, Padovan-Hernandez Y, Chen B, Pat F, Ottenheimer DJ, Janak PH. Encoding and context-dependent control of reward consumption within the central nucleus of the amygdala. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.28.546936. [PMID: 37425773 PMCID: PMC10327036 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.28.546936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The ability to evaluate and select a preferred option among a variety of available offers is an essential aspect of goal-directed behavior. Dysregulation of this valuation process is characteristic of alcohol use disorder, with the central amygdala being implicated in persistent alcohol pursuit. However, the mechanism by which the central amygdala encodes and promotes the motivation to seek and consume alcohol remains unclear. We recorded single-unit activity in male Long-Evans rats as they consumed 10% ethanol or 14.2% sucrose. We observed significant activity at the time of approach to alcohol or sucrose, as well as lick-entrained activity during the ongoing consumption of both alcohol and sucrose. We then evaluated the ability of central amygdala optogenetic manipulation time-locked to consumption to alter ongoing intake of alcohol or sucrose, a preferred non-drug reward. In closed two-choice scenarios where rats could drink only sucrose, alcohol, or quinine-adulterated alcohol with or without central amygdala stimulation, rats drank more of stimulation-paired options. Microstructural analysis of licking patterns suggests these effects were mediated by changes in motivation, not palatability. Given a choice among different options, central amygdala stimulation enhanced consumption if the stimulation was associated with the preferred reward while closed-loop inhibition only decreased consumption if the options were equally valued. However, optogenetic stimulation during consumption of the less-preferred option, alcohol, was unable to enhance overall alcohol intake while sucrose was available. Collectively, these findings indicate that the central amygdala processes the motivational value of available offers to promote pursuit of the most preferred available option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt M Fraser
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Tabitha H Kim
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Matilde Castro
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Céline Drieu
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Yasmin Padovan-Hernandez
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Bridget Chen
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Fiona Pat
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - David J Ottenheimer
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Patricia H Janak
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Johns Hopkins Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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12
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de Araujo AM, Braga I, Leme G, Singh A, McDougle M, Smith J, Vergara M, Yang M, Lin M, Khoshbouei H, Krause E, de Oliveira AG, de Lartigue G. Asymmetric control of food intake by left and right vagal sensory neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.08.539627. [PMID: 37214924 PMCID: PMC10197596 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.08.539627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the lateralization of gut-innervating vagal sensory neurons and their roles in feeding behavior. Using genetic, anatomical, and behavioral analyses, we discovered a subset of highly lateralized vagal sensory neurons with distinct sensory responses to intestinal stimuli. Our results demonstrated that left vagal sensory neurons (LNG) are crucial for distension-induced satiety, while right vagal sensory neurons (RNG) mediate preference for nutritive foods. Furthermore, these lateralized neurons engage different central circuits, with LNG neurons recruiting brain regions associated with energy balance and RNG neurons activating areas related to salience, memory, and reward. Altogether, our findings unveil the diverse roles of asymmetrical gut-vagal-brain circuits in feeding behavior, offering new insights for potential therapeutic interventions targeting vagal nerve stimulation in metabolic and neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Moreira de Araujo
- Monell Chemical Sense Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
- Dept of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
- Center for Integrative Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Isadora Braga
- Monell Chemical Sense Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
- Dept of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
- Center for Integrative Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Gabriel Leme
- Dept of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
- Center for Integrative Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Arashdeep Singh
- Monell Chemical Sense Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
- Dept of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
- Center for Integrative Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Molly McDougle
- Monell Chemical Sense Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
- Dept of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
- Center for Integrative Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Justin Smith
- Dept of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
- Center for Integrative Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Macarena Vergara
- Dept of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
- Center for Integrative Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Mingxing Yang
- Monell Chemical Sense Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
- Dept of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
- Center for Integrative Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - M Lin
- Dept of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - H Khoshbouei
- Dept of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Eric Krause
- Dept of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
- Center for Integrative Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Andre G de Oliveira
- Dept of Physiology and Biophysics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Guillaume de Lartigue
- Monell Chemical Sense Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
- Dept of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
- Center for Integrative Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
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13
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Pagano R, Salamian A, Zielinski J, Beroun A, Nalberczak-Skóra M, Skonieczna E, Cały A, Tay N, Banaschewski T, Desrivières S, Grigis A, Garavan H, Heinz A, Brühl R, Martinot JL, Martinot MLP, Artiges E, Nees F, Orfanos DP, Poustka L, Hohmann S, Fröhner JH, Smolka MN, Vaidya N, Walter H, Whelan R, Kalita K, Bito H, Müller CP, Schumann G, Okuno H, Radwanska K. Arc controls alcohol cue relapse by a central amygdala mechanism. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:733-745. [PMID: 36357670 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01849-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic and fatal disease. The main impediment of the AUD therapy is a high probability of relapse to alcohol abuse even after prolonged abstinence. The molecular mechanisms of cue-induced relapse are not well established, despite the fact that they may offer new targets for the treatment of AUD. Using a comprehensive animal model of AUD, virally-mediated and amygdala-targeted genetic manipulations by CRISPR/Cas9 technology and ex vivo electrophysiology, we identify a mechanism that selectively controls cue-induced alcohol relapse and AUD symptom severity. This mechanism is based on activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc)/ARG3.1-dependent plasticity of the amygdala synapses. In humans, we identified single nucleotide polymorphisms in the ARC gene and their methylation predicting not only amygdala size, but also frequency of alcohol use, even at the onset of regular consumption. Targeting Arc during alcohol cue exposure may thus be a selective new mechanism for relapse prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Pagano
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Behavior, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ahmad Salamian
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Behavior, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Janusz Zielinski
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anna Beroun
- Laboratory of Neuronal Plasticity, BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maria Nalberczak-Skóra
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Behavior, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Edyta Skonieczna
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Behavior, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Cały
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Behavior, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Nicole Tay
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Tobias Banaschewski
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sylvane Desrivières
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Precision Medicine (PONS), Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, SGDP Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Antoine Grigis
- NeuroSpin, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Hugh Garavan
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Andreas Heinz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Brühl
- Braunschweig and Berlin, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jean-Luc Martinot
- INSERM U1299 "Trajectoires développementales en psychiatrie, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- AP-HP. Sorbonne Université, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
- Psychiatry Department, EPS Barthélémy Durand, Etampes, France
- Ecole Normale supérieure Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Centre Borelli, Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Marie-Laure Paillère Martinot
- INSERM U1299 "Trajectoires développementales en psychiatrie, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- AP-HP. Sorbonne Université, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
- Psychiatry Department, EPS Barthélémy Durand, Etampes, France
- Ecole Normale supérieure Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Centre Borelli, Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Eric Artiges
- INSERM U1299 "Trajectoires développementales en psychiatrie, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- AP-HP. Sorbonne Université, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
- Psychiatry Department, EPS Barthélémy Durand, Etampes, France
- Ecole Normale supérieure Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Centre Borelli, Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Frauke Nees
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Luise Poustka
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sarah Hohmann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Juliane H Fröhner
- Department of Psychiatry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael N Smolka
- Department of Psychiatry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nilakshi Vaidya
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Precision Medicine (PONS), Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, SGDP Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Henrik Walter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Whelan
- School of Psychology and Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Katarzyna Kalita
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Haruhiko Bito
- Department of Neurochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Christian P Müller
- Section of Addiction Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Gunter Schumann
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Stratified Medicine (PONS), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Precision Medicine (PONS), Institute for Science and Technology of Brain-inspired Intelligence (ISTBI), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hiroyuki Okuno
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Kasia Radwanska
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Behavior, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
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14
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Wang Y, Krabbe S, Eddison M, Henry FE, Fleishman G, Lemire AL, Wang L, Korff W, Tillberg PW, Lüthi A, Sternson SM. Multimodal mapping of cell types and projections in the central nucleus of the amygdala. eLife 2023; 12:84262. [PMID: 36661218 PMCID: PMC9977318 DOI: 10.7554/elife.84262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The central nucleus of the amygdala (CEA) is a brain region that integrates external and internal sensory information and executes innate and adaptive behaviors through distinct output pathways. Despite its complex functions, the diversity of molecularly defined neuronal types in the CEA and their contributions to major axonal projection targets have not been examined systematically. Here, we performed single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) to classify molecularly defined cell types in the CEA and identified marker genes to map the location of these neuronal types using expansion-assisted iterative fluorescence in situ hybridization (EASI-FISH). We developed new methods to integrate EASI-FISH with 5-plex retrograde axonal labeling to determine the spatial, morphological, and connectivity properties of ~30,000 molecularly defined CEA neurons. Our study revealed spatiomolecular organization of the CEA, with medial and lateral CEA associated with distinct molecularly defined cell families. We also found a long-range axon projection network from the CEA, where target regions receive inputs from multiple molecularly defined cell types. Axon collateralization was found primarily among projections to hindbrain targets, which are distinct from forebrain projections. This resource reports marker gene combinations for molecularly defined cell types and axon-projection types, which will be useful for selective interrogation of these neuronal populations to study their contributions to the diverse functions of the CEA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Wang
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Sabine Krabbe
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical ResearchBaselSwitzerland
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)BonnGermany
| | - Mark Eddison
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Fredrick E Henry
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Greg Fleishman
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Andrew L Lemire
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Lihua Wang
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Wyatt Korff
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Paul W Tillberg
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Andreas Lüthi
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical ResearchBaselSwitzerland
| | - Scott M Sternson
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute & Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
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15
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Hilz EN, Lee HJ. Estradiol and progesterone in female reward-learning, addiction, and therapeutic interventions. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 68:101043. [PMID: 36356909 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Sex steroid hormones like estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) guide the sexual organization and activation of the developing brain and control female reproductive behavior throughout the lifecycle; importantly, these hormones modulate functional activity of not just the endocrine system, but most of the nervous system including the brain reward system. The effects of E2 and P4 can be seen in the processing of and memory for rewarding stimuli and in the development of compulsive reward-seeking behaviors like those seen in substance use disorders. Women are at increased risk of developing substance use disorders; however, the origins of this sex difference are not well understood and therapeutic interventions targeting ovarian hormones have produced conflicting results. This article reviews the contribution of the E2 and P4 in females to functional modulation of the brain reward system, their possible roles in origins of addiction vulnerability, and the development and treatment of compulsive reward-seeking behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily N Hilz
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Pharmacology, USA.
| | - Hongjoo J Lee
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychology, USA; The University of Texas at Austin, Institute for Neuroscience, USA
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16
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Shields CN, Gremel CM. Effects of central amygdala chemogenetic manipulation and prior chronic alcohol exposure on Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2022; 46:1967-1979. [PMID: 36117381 PMCID: PMC9722516 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent work suggests that a history of chronic alcohol exposure can enhance the influence of nondrug reward cues on ongoing actions. This is often modeled in Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT) tasks that examine the interaction between Pavlovian and instrumental learning processes, usually reflected as an increase in action vigor during the presentation of a reward-associated cue. Though prior chronic alcohol exposure strengthens this type of cue-guided behavior, the neural mechanisms underlying such enhancements are not known. METHODS In the present work, we examined the contribution of the central amygdala (CeA), a region strongly implicated in PIT behaviors and functionally altered by chronic alcohol exposure. We utilized Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) to examine the impact of inhibitory and excitatory CeA manipulation on PIT behaviors in alcohol-naïve mice and mice with a history of chronic intermittent ethano vapor exposure and withdrawal (CIE). RESULTS Replicating previous work, we found that a history of CIE strengthened baseline PIT, in the absence of any CeA manipulation. We also found that activation of both inhibitory and excitatory DREADDs expressed in CeA enhanced PIT in alcohol-naïve mice, though the latter markedly reduced response rates. However, in mice exposed to CIE, activation of excitatory DREADD receptors expressed in CeA appeared to weaken PIT. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that alcohol-induced disruptions in amygdala function may contribute to changes in appetitive behaviors, such as cue-guided responding, following chronic exposure to alcohol. Better elucidating the neural mechanisms that underlie disrupted cue-guided behavior following chronic alcohol exposure may help to understand and treat deficits in adaptive behavior associated with chronic alcohol use in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe N. Shields
- Department of Psychology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Christina M. Gremel
- Department of Psychology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- The Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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17
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Morales I. Brain regulation of hunger and motivation: The case for integrating homeostatic and hedonic concepts and its implications for obesity and addiction. Appetite 2022; 177:106146. [PMID: 35753443 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Obesity and other eating disorders are marked by dysregulations to brain metabolic, hedonic, motivational, and sensory systems that control food intake. Classic approaches in hunger research have distinguished between hedonic and homeostatic processes, and have mostly treated these systems as independent. Hindbrain structures and a complex network of interconnected hypothalamic nuclei control metabolic processes, energy expenditure, and food intake while mesocorticolimbic structures are though to control hedonic and motivational processes associated with food reward. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that hedonic and homeostatic brain systems do not function in isolation, but rather interact as part of a larger network that regulates food intake. Incentive theories of motivation provide a useful route to explore these interactions. Adapting incentive theories of motivation can enable researchers to better how motivational systems dysfunction during disease. Obesity and addiction are associated with profound alterations to both hedonic and homeostatic brain systems that result in maladaptive patterns of consumption. A subset of individuals with obesity may experience pathological cravings for food due to incentive sensitization of brain systems that generate excessive 'wanting' to eat. Further progress in understanding how the brain regulates hunger and appetite may depend on merging traditional hedonic and homeostatic concepts of food reward and motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ileana Morales
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, 530 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1043, USA.
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18
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Differential and long-lasting changes in neurotransmission in the amygdala of male Wistar rats during extended amphetamine abstinence. Neuropharmacology 2022; 210:109041. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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19
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Baumgartner HM, Granillo M, Schulkin J, Berridge KC. Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) systems: Promoting cocaine pursuit without distress via incentive motivation. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267345. [PMID: 35503756 PMCID: PMC9064096 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) systems in limbic structures are posited to mediate stress-induced relapse in addiction, traditionally by generating distress states that spur drug consumption as attempts at hedonic self-medication. Yet evidence suggests that activating CRF-expressing neurons in the central amygdala (CeA) or nucleus accumbens (NAc) can magnify incentive motivation in absence of distress, at least for sucrose rewards. However, traditional CRF hypotheses in addiction neuroscience are primarily directed toward drug rewards. The question remains open whether CRF systems can similarly act via incentive motivation mechanisms to promote pursuit of drug rewards, such as cocaine. Here we tested whether optogenetic excitation of CRF-containing neurons in either NAc medial shell, lateral CeA, or dorsolateral BNST of transgenic Crh-Cre+ rats would spur preference and pursuit of a particular laser-paired cocaine reward over an alternative cocaine reward, and whether excitation served as a positively-valenced incentive itself, through laser self-stimulation tests. We report that excitation of CRF-containing neurons in either NAc or CeA recruited mesocorticolimbic circuitry to amplify incentive motivation to pursue the laser-paired cocaine: focusing preference on the laser-paired cocaine reward in a two-choice task, and spurred pursuit as doubled breakpoint in a progressive ratio task. Crucially indicating positive-valence, excitation of CRF neurons in NAc and CeA also was actively sought after by most rats in self-stimulation tasks. Conversely, CRF neuronal activation in BNST was never self-stimulated, but failed to enhance cocaine consumption. Collectively, we find that NAc and CeA CRF-containing neurons can amplify pursuit and consumption of cocaine by positively-valenced incentive mechanisms, without any aversive distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M. Baumgartner
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United Started of America
| | - Madeliene Granillo
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United Started of America
| | - Jay Schulkin
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Kent C. Berridge
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United Started of America
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20
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Keel PK, Kennedy GA, Rogers ML, Joyner KJ, Bodell LP, Forney KJ, Duffy ME. Reliability and validity of a transdiagnostic measure of reward valuation effort. Psychol Assess 2022; 34:419-430. [PMID: 35025580 PMCID: PMC10026017 DOI: 10.1037/pas0001107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
To identify biobehavioral mechanisms underlying excessive reward consumption, reward valuation-effort (RV-E) assessments should (a) parallel measures in basic science to permit translation from preclinical to clinical studies; (b) quantify constructs dimensionally from healthy to disease states; and (c) hold relevance across different diagnostic categories. To address these aims, we developed a progressive ratio (PR) task whereby RV-E is measured as breakpoint when participants worked for access to playing a game. We evaluated test-retest reliability of breakpoint and convergent and discriminant validity of interpretations of this score against an established PR task for food. In Study 1, female undergraduates (N = 71; 33% racial minority; 28% ethnic minority) completed the game and food tasks in fasted and fed states. In Study 2, women (N = 189; 29% racial minority; 27% ethnic minority) with eating disorders (n = 158) were compared to controls (n = 31) on tasks. Game task breakpoint demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = .91, 95% CI [.80, -.96], over 2 weeks and convergent validity with the fasted food task (r = .51, p < .001). Consistent with animal models, breakpoint was lower in fed compared to fasted states across tasks, B (SE) = 321.01 (552.40), p < .001. Finally, the game task demonstrated discriminant validity from measurement of satiation. In Study 2, women with eating disorders demonstrated higher breakpoint on both tasks compared to controls, and game PR task breakpoint decreased from a fasted to fed state. The game PR task offers a novel approach for translating results from animal models of RV-E into testable hypotheses in nonclinical and clinical samples. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela K. Keel
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, 1107 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32304, USA
- Denotes co-first authorship. Corresponding author: Pamela K. Keel, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, Florida State University, 1107 W. Call Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32306. ; 850-645-9140
| | - Grace A. Kennedy
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, 1107 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32304, USA
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 4494 Palmer Road N, Bethesda, MD 20814
- Denotes co-first authorship. Corresponding author: Pamela K. Keel, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, Florida State University, 1107 W. Call Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32306. ; 850-645-9140
| | - Megan L. Rogers
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, New York NY, 10003, USA
| | - Keanan J. Joyner
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, 1107 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32304, USA
| | - Lindsay P. Bodell
- Department of Psychology, Western University, 361 Windermere Road, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - K. Jean Forney
- Department of Psychology, Ohio University; 22 Richland Ave, Athens, OH 45701, USA
| | - Mary E. Duffy
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, 1107 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32304, USA
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21
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Soares-Cunha C, Domingues AV, Correia R, Coimbra B, Vieitas-Gaspar N, de Vasconcelos NAP, Pinto L, Sousa N, Rodrigues AJ. Distinct role of nucleus accumbens D2-MSN projections to ventral pallidum in different phases of motivated behavior. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110380. [PMID: 35172164 PMCID: PMC8864463 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a key region in motivated behaviors. NAc medium spiny neurons (MSNs) are divided into those expressing dopamine receptor D1 or D2. Classically, D1- and D2-MSNs have been described as having opposing roles in reinforcement, but recent evidence suggests a more complex role for D2-MSNs. Here, we show that optogenetic modulation of D2-MSN to ventral pallidum (VP) projections during different stages of motivated behavior has contrasting effects in motivation. Activation of D2-MSN-VP projections during a reward-predicting cue results in increased motivational drive, whereas activation at reward delivery decreases motivation; optical inhibition triggers the opposite behavioral effect. In addition, in a free-choice instrumental task, animals prefer the lever that originates one pellet in opposition to pellet plus D2-MSN-VP optogenetic activation and vice versa for optogenetic inhibition. In summary, D2-MSN-VP projections play different, and even opposing, roles in distinct phases of motivated behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Soares-Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.
| | - Ana Verónica Domingues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Raquel Correia
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Coimbra
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Natacha Vieitas-Gaspar
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Nivaldo A P de Vasconcelos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal; Physics Department, Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, Pernambuco 50670-901, Brazil; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, Pernambuco 50670-901, Brazil
| | - Luísa Pinto
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center-Braga (2CA), Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana João Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.
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22
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Yan Y, Aierken A, Wang C, Jin W, Quan Z, Wang Z, Qing H, Ni J, Zhao J. Neuronal Circuits Associated with Fear Memory: Potential Therapeutic Targets for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Neuroscientist 2022; 29:332-351. [PMID: 35057666 DOI: 10.1177/10738584211069977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that is associated with long-lasting memories of traumatic experiences. Extinction and discrimination of fear memory have become therapeutic targets for PTSD. Newly developed optogenetics and advanced in vivo imaging techniques have provided unprecedented spatiotemporal tools to characterize the activity, connectivity, and functionality of specific cell types in complicated neuronal circuits. The use of such tools has offered mechanistic insights into the exquisite organization of the circuitry underlying the extinction and discrimination of fear memory. This review focuses on the acquisition of more detailed, comprehensive, and integrated neural circuits to understand how the brain regulates the extinction and discrimination of fear memory. A future challenge is to translate these researches into effective therapeutic treatment for PTSD from the perspective of precise regulation of the neural circuits associated with the extinction and discrimination of fear memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Ailikemu Aierken
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Chunjian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Jin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenzhen Quan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disease, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Qing
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Junjun Ni
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Zhao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
- Aerospace Medical Center, Aerospace Center Hospital, Beijing, China
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23
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The Basolateral Amygdala Mediates the Role of Rapid Eye Movement Sleep in Integrating Fear Memory Responses. Life (Basel) 2021; 12:life12010017. [PMID: 35054410 PMCID: PMC8781875 DOI: 10.3390/life12010017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The basolateral amygdala (BLA) mediates the effects of stress and fear on rapid eye movement sleep (REM) and on REM-related theta (θ) oscillatory activity in the electroencephalograph (EEG), which is implicated in fear memory consolidation. We used optogenetics to assess the potential role of BLA glutamate neurons (BLAGlu) in regulating behavioral, stress and sleep indices of fear memory, and their relationship to altered θ. An excitatory optogenetic construct targeting glutamatergic cells (AAV-CaMKIIα-hChR2-eYFP) was injected into the BLA of mice. Telemetry was used for real-time monitoring of EEG, activity, and body temperature to determine sleep states and stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH). For 3 h following shock training (ST: 20 footshocks, 0.5 mA, 0.5 s, 1 min interval), BLA was optogenetically stimulated only during REM (REM + L) or NREM (NREM + L). Mice were then re-exposed to the fear context at 24 h, 48 h, and 1 week after ST and assessed for behavior, SIH, sleep and θ activity. Control mice were infected with a construct without ChR2 (eYFP) and studied under the same conditions. REM + L significantly reduced freezing and facilitated immediate recovery of REM tested at 24 h and 48 h post-ST during contextual re-exposures, whereas NREM + L had no significant effect. REM + L significantly reduced post-ST REM-θ, but attenuated REM-θ reductions at 24 h compared to those found in NREM + L and control mice. Fear-conditioned SIH persisted regardless of treatment. The results demonstrate that BLAGlu activity during post-ST REM mediates the integration of behavioral and sleep indices of fear memory by processes that are associated with θ oscillations within the amygdalo-hippocampal pathway. They also demonstrate that fear memories can remain stressful (as indicated by SIH) even when fear conditioned behavior (freezing) and changes in sleep are attenuated.
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24
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Pomrenze MB, Marinelli M. Love it or Leave it: Differential Modulation of Incentive Motivation by Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Neurons. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 89:1113-1115. [PMID: 34082887 PMCID: PMC8380042 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Michela Marinelli
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Natural Sciences, Austin, Texas; Department of Neurology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dell Medical School, Austin, Texas; Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.
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25
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Baumgartner HM, Schulkin J, Berridge KC. Activating Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Systems in the Nucleus Accumbens, Amygdala, and Bed Nucleus of Stria Terminalis: Incentive Motivation or Aversive Motivation? Biol Psychiatry 2021; 89:1162-1175. [PMID: 33726937 PMCID: PMC8178165 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neural systems are important stress mechanisms in the central amygdala (CeA), bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST), nucleus accumbens (NAc), and related structures. CRF-containing neural systems are traditionally posited to generate aversive distress states that motivate overconsumption of rewards and relapse in addiction. However, CRF-containing systems may alternatively promote incentive motivation to increase reward pursuit and consumption without requiring aversive states. METHODS We optogenetically stimulated CRF-expressing neurons in the CeA, BNST, or NAc using Crh-Cre+ rats (n = 37 female, n = 34 male) to investigate roles in incentive motivation versus aversive motivation. We paired CRF-expressing neuronal stimulations with earning sucrose rewards in two-choice and progressive ratio tasks and investigated recruitment of distributed limbic circuitry. We further assessed valence with CRF-containing neuron laser self-stimulation tasks. RESULTS Channelrhodopsin excitation of CRF-containing neurons in the CeA and NAc amplified and focused incentive motivation and recruited activation of mesocorticolimbic reward circuitry. CRF systems in both the CeA and NAc supported laser self-stimulation, amplified incentive motivation for sucrose in a breakpoint test, and focused "wanting" on laser-paired sucrose over a sucrose alternative in a two-choice test. Conversely, stimulation of CRF-containing neurons in the BNST produced negative valence or aversive effects and recruited distress-related circuitry, as stimulation was avoided and suppressed motivation for sucrose. CONCLUSIONS CRF-containing systems in the NAc and CeA can promote reward consumption by increasing incentive motivation without involving aversion. In contrast, stimulation of CRF-containing systems in the BNST is aversive but suppresses sucrose reward pursuit and consumption rather than increase, as predicted by traditional hedonic self-medication hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jay Schulkin
- Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | - Kent C Berridge
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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26
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Samineni VK, Grajales-Reyes JG, Grajales-Reyes GE, Tycksen E, Copits BA, Pedersen C, Ankudey ES, Sackey JN, Sewell SB, Bruchas MR, Gereau RW. Cellular, circuit and transcriptional framework for modulation of itch in the central amygdala. eLife 2021; 10:e68130. [PMID: 34032210 PMCID: PMC8172243 DOI: 10.7554/elife.68130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Itch is an unpleasant sensation that elicits robust scratching and aversive experience. However, the identity of the cells and neural circuits that organize this information remains elusive. Here, we show the necessity and sufficiency of chloroquine-activated neurons in the central amygdala (CeA) for both itch sensation and associated aversion. Further, we show that chloroquine-activated CeA neurons play important roles in itch-related comorbidities, including anxiety-like behaviors, but not in some aversive and appetitive behaviors previously ascribed to CeA neurons. RNA-sequencing of chloroquine-activated CeA neurons identified several differentially expressed genes as well as potential key signaling pathways in regulating pruritis. Finally, viral tracing experiments demonstrate that these neurons send projections to the ventral periaqueductal gray that are critical in modulation of itch. These findings reveal a cellular and circuit signature of CeA neurons orchestrating behavioral and affective responses to pruritus in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay K Samineni
- Washington University Pain Center and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Jose G Grajales-Reyes
- Washington University Pain Center and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
- Neuroscience Program, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Gary E Grajales-Reyes
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Eric Tycksen
- Genome Technology Access Center, Washington University School of MedicineSeattleUnited States
| | - Bryan A Copits
- Washington University Pain Center and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Christian Pedersen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Edem S Ankudey
- Washington University Pain Center and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Julian N Sackey
- Washington University Pain Center and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Sienna B Sewell
- Washington University Pain Center and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Washington University Pain Center and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
- Departmentsof Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of MedicineSt.LouisUnited States
| | - Robert W Gereau
- Washington University Pain Center and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
- Departmentsof Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of MedicineSt.LouisUnited States
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27
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Warlow SM, Berridge KC. Incentive motivation: 'wanting' roles of central amygdala circuitry. Behav Brain Res 2021; 411:113376. [PMID: 34023307 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The central nucleus of amygdala (CeA) mediates positively-valenced reward motivation as well as negatively-valenced fear. Optogenetic or neurochemical stimulation of CeA circuitry can generate intense incentive motivation to pursue and consume a paired natural food, sex, or addictive drug reward, and even create maladaptive 'wanting what hurts' such as attraction to a shock rod. Evidence indicates CeA stimulations selectively amplify incentive motivation ('wanting') but not hedonic impact ('liking') of the same reward. Further, valence flips can occur for CeA contributions to motivational salience. That is, CeA stimulation can promote either incentive motivation or fearful motivation, even in the same individual, depending on situation. These findings may carry implications for understanding CeA roles in neuropsychiatric disorders involving aberrant motivational salience, ranging from addiction to paranoia and anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley M Warlow
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Kent C Berridge
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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28
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Kong MS, Zweifel LS. Central amygdala circuits in valence and salience processing. Behav Brain Res 2021; 410:113355. [PMID: 33989728 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral responses to environmental stimuli are dictated by the affective valence of the stimulus, good (positive valence) or bad (negative valence). These stimuli can innately elicit an affective response that promotes approach or avoidance behavior. In addition to innately valenced stimuli, valence can also be assigned to initially neutral stimuli through associative learning. A stimulus of a given valence can vary in salience depending on the strength of the stimulus, the underlying state of the animal, and the context of the stimulus presentation. Salience endows the stimulus with the ability to direct attention and elicit preparatory responses to mount an incentive-based motivated behavior. The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) has emerged as an early integration point for valence and salience detection to engage preparatory autonomic responses and behavioral posturing in response to both aversive and appetitive stimuli. There are numerous cell types in the CeA that are involved in valence and salience processing through a variety of connections, and we will review the recent progress that has been made in identifying these circuit elements and their roles in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Seon Kong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States
| | - Larry S Zweifel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States; Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States.
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29
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Nguyen D, Naffziger EE, Berridge KC. Positive Affect: Nature and brain bases of liking and wanting. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2021; 39:72-78. [PMID: 33748351 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2021.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The positive affect of rewards is an important contributor to well-being. Reward involves components of pleasure 'liking', motivation 'wanting', and learning. 'Liking' refers to the hedonic impact of positive events, with underlying mechanisms that include hedonic hotspots in limbic brain structures that amplify 'liking' reactions. 'Wanting' refers to incentive salience, a motivational process that makes reward cues attractive and able to trigger craving for their reward, mediated by larger dopamine-related mesocorticolimbic networks. Under normal conditions, 'liking' and 'wanting' cohere. However, 'liking' and 'wanting' can be dissociated by alterations in neural signaling, either induced in animal neuroscience laboratories or arising spontaneously in addictions and other affective disorders, which can be detrimental to positive well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Nguyen
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Erin E Naffziger
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Kent C Berridge
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
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30
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Motivational competition and the paraventricular thalamus. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 125:193-207. [PMID: 33609570 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Although significant progress has been made in understanding the behavioral and brain mechanisms for motivational systems, much less is known about competition between motivational states or motivational conflict (e.g., approach - avoidance conflict). Despite being produced under diverse conditions, behavior during motivational competition has two signatures: bistability and metastability. These signatures reveal the operation of positive feedback mechanisms in behavioral selection. Different neuronal architectures can instantiate this selection to achieve bistability and metastability in behavior, but each relies on circuit-level inhibition to achieve rapid and stable selection between competing tendencies. Paraventricular thalamus (PVT) is identified as critical to this circuit level inhibition, resolving motivational competition via its extensive projections to local inhibitory networks in the ventral striatum and extended amygdala, enabling adaptive responding under motivational conflict.
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31
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Brockett AT, Vázquez D, Roesch MR. Prediction errors and valence: From single units to multidimensional encoding in the amygdala. Behav Brain Res 2021; 404:113176. [PMID: 33596433 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The amygdala-one of the primary structures of the limbic system-is comprised of interconnected nuclei situated within the temporal lobe. It has a well-established role in the modulation of negative affective states, as well as in fear processing. However, its vast projections with diverse brain regions-ranging from the cortex to the brainstem-are suggestive of its more complex involvement in affective or motivational aspects of cognitive processing. The amygdala can play an invaluable role in context-dependent associative learning, unsigned prediction error learning, influencing outcome selection, and multidimensional encoding. In this review, we delve into the amygdala's role in associative learning and outcome selection, emphasizing its intrinsic involvement in the appropriate context-dependent modulation of motivated behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam T Brockett
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, United States; Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, United States.
| | - Daniela Vázquez
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, United States; Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, United States
| | - Matthew R Roesch
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, United States; Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, United States
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32
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Walker LC. A balancing act: the role of pro- and anti-stress peptides within the central amygdala in anxiety and alcohol use disorders. J Neurochem 2021; 157:1615-1643. [PMID: 33450069 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is widely implicated as a structure that integrates both appetitive and aversive stimuli. While intrinsic CeA microcircuits primarily consist of GABAergic neurons that regulate amygdala output, a notable feature of the CeA is the heterogeneity of neuropeptides and neuropeptide/neuromodulator receptors that it expresses. There is growing interest in the role of the CeA in mediating psychopathologies, including stress and anxiety states and their interactions with alcohol use disorders. Within the CeA, neuropeptides and neuromodulators often exert pro- or anti- stress actions, which can influence anxiety and alcohol associated behaviours. In turn, alcohol use can cause adaptions within the CeA, which may render an individual more vulnerable to stress which is a major trigger of relapse to alcohol seeking. This review examines the neurocircuitry, neurochemical phenotypes and how pro- and anti-stress peptide systems act within the CeA to regulate anxiety and alcohol seeking, focusing on preclinical observations from animal models. Furthermore, literature exploring the targeting of genetically defined populations or neuronal ensembles and the role of the CeA in mediating sex differences in stress x alcohol interactions are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh C Walker
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Vic, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia
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33
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Puścian A, Winiarski M, Łęski S, Charzewski Ł, Nikolaev T, Borowska J, Dzik JM, Bijata M, Lipp HP, Dziembowska M, Knapska E. Chronic fluoxetine treatment impairs motivation and reward learning by affecting neuronal plasticity in the central amygdala. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:672-688. [PMID: 33171527 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The therapeutic effects of fluoxetine are believed to be due to increasing neuronal plasticity and reversing some learning deficits. Nevertheless, a growing amount of evidence shows adverse effects of this drug on cognition and some forms of neuronal plasticity. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH To study the effects of chronic fluoxetine treatment, we combine an automated assessment of motivation and learning in mice with an investigation of neuronal plasticity in the central amygdala and basolateral amygdala. We use immunohistochemistry to visualize neuronal types and perineuronal nets, along with DI staining to assess dendritic spine morphology. Gel zymography is used to test fluoxetine's impact on matrix metalloproteinase-9, an enzyme involved in synaptic plasticity. KEY RESULTS We show that chronic fluoxetine treatment in non-stressed mice increases perineuronal nets-dependent plasticity in the basolateral amygdala, while impairing MMP-9-dependent plasticity in the central amygdala. Further, we illustrate how the latter contributes to anhedonia and deficits of reward learning. Behavioural impairments are accompanied by alterations in morphology of dendritic spines in the central amygdala towards an immature state, most likely reflecting animals' inability to adapt. We strengthen the link between the adverse effects of fluoxetine and its influence on MMP-9 by showing that behaviour of MMP-9 knockout animals remains unaffected by the drug. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Chronic fluoxetine treatment differentially affects various forms of neuronal plasticity, possibly explaining its opposing effects on brain and behaviour. These findings are of immediate clinical relevance since reported side effects of fluoxetine pose a potential threat to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicja Puścian
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, BRAINCITY - Centre of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Winiarski
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, BRAINCITY - Centre of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Szymon Łęski
- Laboratory of Neuroinformatics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Łukasz Charzewski
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, BRAINCITY - Centre of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Nikolaev
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, BRAINCITY - Centre of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Borowska
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, BRAINCITY - Centre of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jakub M Dzik
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, BRAINCITY - Centre of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Monika Bijata
- Laboratory of Cell Biophysics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Hans-Peter Lipp
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, CH-8057, Switzerland
| | | | - Ewelina Knapska
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, BRAINCITY - Centre of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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34
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Devoto F, Zapparoli L, Spinelli G, Scotti G, Paulesu E. How the harm of drugs and their availability affect brain reactions to drug cues: a meta-analysis of 64 neuroimaging activation studies. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:429. [PMID: 33318467 PMCID: PMC7736294 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01115-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Visual drug cues are powerful triggers of craving in drug abusers contributing to enduring addiction. According to previous qualitative reviews, the response of the orbitofrontal cortex to such cues is sensitive to whether subjects are seeking treatment. Here we re-evaluate this proposal and assessed whether the nature of the drug matters. To this end, we performed a quantitative meta-analysis of 64 neuroimaging studies on drug-cue reactivity across legal (nicotine, alcohol) or illegal substances (cocaine, heroin). We used the ALE algorithm and a hierarchical clustering analysis followed by a cluster composition statistical analysis to assess the association of brain clusters with the nature of the substance, treatment status, and their interaction. Visual drug cues activate the mesocorticolimbic system and more so in abusers of illegal substances, suggesting that the illegal substances considered induce a deeper sensitization of the reward circuitry. Treatment status had a different modulatory role for legal and illegal substance abusers in anterior cingulate and orbitofrontal areas involved in inter-temporal decision making. The class of the substance and the treatment status are crucial and interacting factors that modulate the neural reactivity to drug cues. The orbitofrontal cortex is not sensitive to the treatment status per se, rather to the interaction of these factors. We discuss that these varying effects might be mediated by internal predispositions such as the intention to quit from drugs and external contingencies such as the daily life environmental availability of the drugs, the ease of getting them and the time frame of potential reward through drug consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Devoto
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754Department of Psychology and PhD Program in Neuroscience of the School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - L. Zapparoli
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - G. Spinelli
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - G. Scotti
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - E. Paulesu
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy ,fMRI Unit, IRCCS Orthopedic Institute Galeazzi, Milan, Italy
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35
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Morales I, Berridge KC. 'Liking' and 'wanting' in eating and food reward: Brain mechanisms and clinical implications. Physiol Behav 2020; 227:113152. [PMID: 32846152 PMCID: PMC7655589 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
It is becoming clearer how neurobiological mechanisms generate 'liking' and 'wanting' components of food reward. Mesocorticolimbic mechanisms that enhance 'liking' include brain hedonic hotspots, which are specialized subregions that are uniquely able to causally amplify the hedonic impact of palatable tastes. Hedonic hotspots are found in nucleus accumbens medial shell, ventral pallidum, orbitofrontal cortex, insula cortex, and brainstem. In turn, a much larger mesocorticolimbic circuitry generates 'wanting' or incentive motivation to obtain and consume food rewards. Hedonic and motivational circuitry interact together and with hypothalamic homeostatic circuitry, allowing relevant physiological hunger and satiety states to modulate 'liking' and 'wanting' for food rewards. In some conditions such as drug addiction, 'wanting' is known to dramatically detach from 'liking' for the same reward, and this may also occur in over-eating disorders. Via incentive sensitization, 'wanting' selectively becomes higher, especially when triggered by reward cues when encountered in vulnerable states of stress, etc. Emerging evidence suggests that some cases of obesity and binge eating disorders may reflect an incentive-sensitization brain signature of cue hyper-reactivity, causing excessive 'wanting' to eat. Future findings on the neurobiological bases of 'liking' and 'wanting' can continue to improve understanding of both normal food reward and causes of clinical eating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ileana Morales
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1043, United States.
| | - Kent C Berridge
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1043, United States
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36
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Optogenetic Stimulation of the Central Amygdala Using Channelrhodopsin. Methods Mol Biol 2020. [PMID: 32865754 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0830-2_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Optogenetics allows for the targeted temporary inhibition or stimulation of specific brain regions in vivo with precise temporal resolution. Here, we describe the steps to perform intracranial optogenetic surgery in rodents as well as instructions to build an optogenetic headcap and set up an optogenetic testing environment to conduct experiments. Behavioral studies have implemented these methods to stimulate the central amygdala (CeA) to create an addictive-like preference for reward.
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Elorette C, Aguilar BL, Novak V, Forcelli PA, Malkova L. Dysregulation of behavioral and autonomic responses to emotional and social stimuli following bidirectional pharmacological manipulation of the basolateral amygdala in macaques. Neuropharmacology 2020; 179:108275. [PMID: 32835765 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The amygdala is a key component of the neural circuits mediating the processing and response to emotionally salient stimuli. Amygdala lesions dysregulate social interactions, responses to fearful stimuli, and autonomic functions. In rodents, the basolateral and central nuclei of the amygdala have divergent roles in behavioral control. However, few studies have selectively examined these nuclei in the primate brain. Moreover, the majority of non-human primate studies have employed lesions, which only allow for unidirectional manipulation of amygdala activity. Thus, the effects of amygdala disinhibition on behavior in the primate are unknown. To address this gap, we pharmacologically inhibited by muscimol or disinhibited by bicuculline methiodide the basolateral complex of the amygdala (BLA; lateral, basal, and accessory basal) in nine awake, behaving male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). We examined the effects of amygdala manipulation on: (1) behavioral responses to taxidermy snakes and social stimuli, (2) food competition and social interaction in dyads, (3) autonomic arousal as measured by cardiovascular response, and (4) prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle (PPI) response. All modalities were impacted by pharmacological inhibition and/or disinhibition. Amygdala inhibition decreased fear responses to snake stimuli, increased examination of social stimuli, reduced competitive reward-seeking in dominant animals, decreased heart rate, and increased PPI response. Amygdala disinhibition restored fearful response after habituation to snakes, reduced competitive reward-seeking behavior in dominant animals, and lowered heart rate. Thus, both hypoactivity and hyperactivity of the basolateral amygdala can lead to dysregulated behavior, suggesting that a narrow range of activity is necessary for normal functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Elorette
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, USA
| | - Brittany L Aguilar
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, USA
| | - Vera Novak
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Patrick A Forcelli
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, USA.
| | - Ludise Malkova
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, USA.
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38
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Distributed amylin receptor signaling and its influence on motivated behavior. Physiol Behav 2020; 222:112958. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.112958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Keyes PC, Adams EL, Chen Z, Bi L, Nachtrab G, Wang VJ, Tessier-Lavigne M, Zhu Y, Chen X. Orchestrating Opiate-Associated Memories in Thalamic Circuits. Neuron 2020; 107:1113-1123.e4. [PMID: 32679036 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Disrupting memories that associate environmental cues with drug experiences holds promise for treating addiction, yet accessing the distributed neural network that stores such memories is challenging. Here, we show that the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) orchestrates the acquisition and maintenance of opiate-associated memories via projections to the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc). PVT→CeA activity associates morphine reward to the environment, whereas transient inhibition of the PVT→NAc pathway during retrieval causes enduring protection against opiate-primed relapse. Using brain-wide activity mapping, we revealed distributed network activities that are altered in non-relapsing mice, which enabled us to find that activating the downstream NAc→lateral hypothalamus (LH) pathway also prevents relapse. These findings establish the PVT as a key node in the opiate-associated memory network and demonstrate the potential of targeting the PVT→NAc→LH pathway for treating opioid addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piper C Keyes
- Neurosciences Graduate Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Eliza L Adams
- Neurosciences Graduate Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Zijun Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Linlin Bi
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Gregory Nachtrab
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Vickie J Wang
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Yingjie Zhu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Xiaoke Chen
- Neurosciences Graduate Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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Fu O, Iwai Y, Kondoh K, Misaka T, Minokoshi Y, Nakajima KI. SatB2-Expressing Neurons in the Parabrachial Nucleus Encode Sweet Taste. Cell Rep 2020; 27:1650-1656.e4. [PMID: 31067452 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The gustatory system plays an important role in sensing appetitive and aversive tastes for evaluating food quality. In mice, taste signals are relayed by multiple brain regions, including the parabrachial nucleus (PBN) of the pons, before reaching the gustatory cortex via the gustatory thalamus. Recent studies show that taste information at the periphery is encoded in a labeled-line manner, such that each taste modality has its own receptors and neuronal pathway. In contrast, the molecular identity of gustatory neurons in the CNS remains unknown. Here, we show that SatB2-expressing neurons in the PBN play a pivotal role in sweet taste transduction. With cell ablation, in vivo calcium imaging, and optogenetics, we reveal that SatB2PBN neurons encode positive valance and selectively transmit sweet taste signals to the gustatory thalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ou Fu
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yuu Iwai
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kunio Kondoh
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan; Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Takumi Misaka
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Minokoshi
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan; Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichiro Nakajima
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan; Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Aichi, Japan.
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41
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Warlow SM, Naffziger EE, Berridge KC. The central amygdala recruits mesocorticolimbic circuitry for pursuit of reward or pain. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2716. [PMID: 32483118 PMCID: PMC7264246 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16407-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
How do brain mechanisms create maladaptive attractions? Here intense maladaptive attractions are created in laboratory rats by pairing optogenetic channelrhodopsin (ChR2) stimulation of central nucleus of amygdala (CeA) in rats with encountering either sucrose, cocaine, or a painful shock-delivering object. We find that pairings make the respective rats pursue either sucrose exclusively, or cocaine exclusively, or repeatedly self-inflict shocks. CeA-induced maladaptive attractions, even to the painful shock-rod, recruit mesocorticolimbic incentive-related circuitry. Shock-associated cues also gain positive incentive value and are pursued. Yet the motivational effects of paired CeA stimulation can be reversed to negative valence in a Pavlovian fear learning situation, where CeA ChR2 pairing increases defensive reactions. Finally, CeA ChR2 valence can be switched to neutral by pairing with innocuous stimuli. These results reveal valence plasticity and multiple modes for motivation via mesocorticolimbic circuitry under the control of CeA activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley M Warlow
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, 530 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| | - Erin E Naffziger
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, 530 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Kent C Berridge
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, 530 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
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42
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Steinberg EE, Gore F, Heifets BD, Taylor MD, Norville ZC, Beier KT, Földy C, Lerner TN, Luo L, Deisseroth K, Malenka RC. Amygdala-Midbrain Connections Modulate Appetitive and Aversive Learning. Neuron 2020; 106:1026-1043.e9. [PMID: 32294466 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The central amygdala (CeA) orchestrates adaptive responses to emotional events. While CeA substrates for defensive behaviors have been studied extensively, CeA circuits for appetitive behaviors and their relationship to threat-responsive circuits remain poorly defined. Here, we demonstrate that the CeA sends robust inhibitory projections to the lateral substantia nigra (SNL) that contribute to appetitive and aversive learning in mice. CeA→SNL neural responses to appetitive and aversive stimuli were modulated by expectation and magnitude consistent with a population-level salience signal, which was required for Pavlovian conditioned reward-seeking and defensive behaviors. CeA→SNL terminal activation elicited reinforcement when linked to voluntary actions but failed to support Pavlovian associations that rely on incentive value signals. Consistent with a disinhibitory mechanism, CeA inputs preferentially target SNL GABA neurons, and CeA→SNL and SNL dopamine neurons respond similarly to salient stimuli. Collectively, our results suggest that amygdala-nigra interactions represent a previously unappreciated mechanism for influencing emotional behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth E Steinberg
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Felicity Gore
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Departments of Bioengineering and Psychiatry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Boris D Heifets
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Madison D Taylor
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Zane C Norville
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kevin T Beier
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Csaba Földy
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Talia N Lerner
- Departments of Bioengineering and Psychiatry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Liqun Luo
- Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Karl Deisseroth
- Departments of Bioengineering and Psychiatry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Robert C Malenka
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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43
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Abstinence-dependent dissociable central amygdala microcircuits control drug craving. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:8126-8134. [PMID: 32205443 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2001615117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently reported that social choice-induced voluntary abstinence prevents incubation of methamphetamine craving in rats. This inhibitory effect was associated with activation of protein kinase-Cδ (PKCδ)-expressing neurons in central amygdala lateral division (CeL). In contrast, incubation of craving after forced abstinence was associated with activation of CeL-expressing somatostatin (SOM) neurons. Here we determined the causal role of CeL PKCδ and SOM in incubation using short-hairpin RNAs against PKCδ or SOM that we developed and validated. We injected two groups with shPKCδ or shCtrlPKCδ into CeL and trained them to lever press for social interaction (6 d) and then for methamphetamine infusions (12 d). We injected two other groups with shSOM or shCtrlSOM into CeL and trained them to lever press for methamphetamine infusions (12 d). We then assessed relapse to methamphetamine seeking after 1 and 15 abstinence days. Between tests, the rats underwent either social choice-induced abstinence (shPKCδ groups) or homecage forced abstinence (shSOM groups). After test day 15, we assessed PKCδ and SOM, Fos, and double-labeled expression in CeL and central amygdala medial division (CeM). shPKCδ CeL injections decreased Fos in CeL PKCδ-expressing neurons, increased Fos in CeM output neurons, and reversed the inhibitory effect of social choice-induced abstinence on incubated drug seeking on day 15. In contrast, shSOM CeL injections decreased Fos in CeL SOM-expressing neurons, decreased Fos in CeM output neurons, and decreased incubated drug seeking after 15 forced abstinence days. Our results identify dissociable central amygdala mechanisms of abstinence-dependent expression or inhibition of incubation of craving.
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44
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Servonnet A, Hernandez G, El Hage C, Rompré PP, Samaha AN. Optogenetic Activation of the Basolateral Amygdala Promotes Both Appetitive Conditioning and the Instrumental Pursuit of Reward Cues. J Neurosci 2020; 40:1732-1743. [PMID: 31953370 PMCID: PMC7046336 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2196-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Reward-associated stimuli can both evoke conditioned responses and acquire reinforcing properties in their own right, becoming avidly pursued. Such conditioned stimuli (CS) can guide reward-seeking behavior in adaptive (e.g., locating food) and maladaptive (e.g., binge eating) ways. The basolateral amygdala (BLA) regulates conditioned responses evoked by appetitive CS, but less is known about how the BLA contributes to the instrumental pursuit of CS. Here we studied the influence of BLA neuron activity on both behavioral effects. Water-restricted male rats learned to associate a light-tone cue (CS) with water delivery into a port. During these Pavlovian conditioning sessions, we paired CS presentations with photo-stimulation of channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2)-expressing BLA neurons. BLA photo-stimulation potentiated CS-evoked port entries during conditioning, indicating enhanced conditioned approach and appetitive conditioning. Next, new rats received Pavlovian conditioning without photo-stimulation. These rats then received instrumental conditioning sessions where they could press an inactive lever or an active lever that produced CS presentation, without water delivery. Rats pressed more on the active versus inactive lever, and pairing CS presentation with BLA-ChR2 photo-stimulation intensified responding for the CS. This suggests that BLA-ChR2 photo-stimulation enhanced CS incentive value. In a separate experiment, rats did not reliably self-administer BLA-ChR2 stimulations, suggesting that BLA neurons do not carry a primary reward signal. Last, intra-BLA infusions of d-amphetamine also intensified lever-pressing for the CS. The findings suggest that BLA-mediated activity facilitates CS control over behavior by enhancing both appetitive Pavlovian conditioning and instrumental pursuit of CS.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Cues paired with rewards can guide animals to valuable resources such as food. Cues can also promote dysfunctional reward-seeking behavior, as in overeating. Reward-paired cues influence reward seeking through two major mechanisms. First, reward-paired cues evoke conditioned anticipatory behaviors to prepare for impending rewards. Second, reward-paired cues are powerful motivators and they can evoke pursuit in their own right. Here we show that increasing neural activity in the basolateral amygdala enhances both conditioned anticipatory behaviors and pursuit of reward-paired cues. The basolateral amygdala therefore facilitates cue-induced control over behavior by both increasing anticipation of impending rewards and making reward cues more attractive.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giovanni Hernandez
- Department of Neurosciences
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal H4H 1R3, Quebec, Canada
| | | | | | - Anne-Noël Samaha
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology,
- Groupe de recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal H3T 1J4, Quebec, Canada, and
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45
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Urstadt KR, Berridge KC. Optogenetic mapping of feeding and self-stimulation within the lateral hypothalamus of the rat. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0224301. [PMID: 31986148 PMCID: PMC6984703 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The lateral hypothalamus (LH) includes several anatomical subregions involved in eating and reward motivation. This study explored localization of function across different LH subregions in controlling food intake stimulated by optogenetic channelrhodopsin excitation, and in supporting laser self-stimulation. We particularly compared the tuberal LH subregion, the posterior LH subregion, and the lateral preoptic area. Local diameters of tissue optogenetically stimulated within the LH were assessed by measuring laser-induced Fos plumes and Jun plumes via immunofluorescence surrounding optic fiber tips. Those plume diameters were used to map localization of function for behavioral effects elicited by LH optogenetic stimulation. Optogenetic stimulation of the tuberal subsection of the LH produced the most robust eating behavior and food intake initially, but produced only mild laser self-stimulation in the same rats. However, after repeated exposures to optogenetic stimulation, tuberal LH behavioral profiles shifted toward more self-stimulation and less food intake. By contrast, stimulation of the lateral preoptic area produced relatively little food intake or self-stimulation, either initially or after extended stimulation experience. Stimulation in the posterior LH subregion supported moderate self-stimulation, but not food intake, and at higher laser intensity shifted valence to evoke escape behaviors. We conclude that the tuberal LH subregion may best mediate stimulation-bound increases in food intake stimulated by optogenetic excitation. However, incentive motivational effects of tuberal LH stimulation may shift toward self-stimulation behavior after repeated stimulation. By contrast, the lateral preoptic area and posterior LH do not as readily elicit either eating behavior or laser self-stimulation, and may be more prone to higher-intensity aversive effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin R. Urstadt
- Psychology Dept., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Kent C. Berridge
- Psychology Dept., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
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46
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Torruella-Suárez ML, Vandenberg JR, Cogan ES, Tipton GJ, Teklezghi A, Dange K, Patel GK, McHenry JA, Hardaway JA, Kantak PA, Crowley NA, DiBerto JF, Faccidomo SP, Hodge CW, Stuber GD, McElligott ZA. Manipulations of Central Amygdala Neurotensin Neurons Alter the Consumption of Ethanol and Sweet Fluids in Mice. J Neurosci 2020; 40:632-647. [PMID: 31744862 PMCID: PMC6961987 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1466-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The central nucleus of the amygdala plays a significant role in alcohol use and other affective disorders; however, the genetically-defined neuronal subtypes and projections that govern these behaviors are not well known. Here we show that neurotensin neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala of male mice are activated by in vivo ethanol consumption and that genetic ablation of these neurons decreases ethanol consumption and preference in non-ethanol-dependent animals. This ablation did not impact preference for sucrose, saccharin, or quinine. We found that the most robust projection of the central amygdala neurotensin neurons was to the parabrachial nucleus, a brain region known to be important in feeding behaviors, conditioned taste aversion, and alarm. Optogenetic stimulation of projections from these neurons to the parabrachial nucleus is reinforcing, and increases ethanol drinking as well as consumption of sucrose and saccharin solutions. These data suggest that this central amygdala to parabrachial nucleus projection influences the expression of reward-related phenotypes and is a novel circuit promoting consumption of ethanol and palatable fluids.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major health burden worldwide. Although ethanol consumption is required for the development of AUD, much remains unknown regarding the underlying neural circuits that govern initial ethanol intake. Here we show that ablation of a population of neurotensin-expressing neurons in the central amygdala decreases intake of and preference for ethanol in non-dependent animals, whereas the projection of these neurons to the parabrachial nucleus promotes consumption of ethanol as well as other palatable fluids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - J Andrew Hardaway
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599
| | | | | | - Jeffrey F DiBerto
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599
| | | | - Clyde W Hodge
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies
- Department of Psychiatry
| | - Garret D Stuber
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies
- Department of Psychiatry
- Neuroscience Center, and
| | - Zoé A McElligott
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies,
- Department of Psychiatry
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599
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Porter B, Hillman KL. A Novel Weight Lifting Task for Investigating Effort and Persistence in Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:275. [PMID: 31920582 PMCID: PMC6930902 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we present a novel effort-based task for laboratory rats: the weight lifting task (WLT). Studies of effort expenditure in rodents have typically involved climbing barriers within T-mazes or operant lever pressing paradigms. These task designs have been successful for neuropharmacological and neurophysiological investigations, but both tasks involve simple action patterns. High climbing barriers may also present risk of injury to animals and/or issues with tethered recording equipment. In the WLT, a rat is placed in a large rectangular arena and tasked with pulling a rope 30 cm to trigger food delivery at a nearby spout; weights can be added to the rope in 45 g increments to increase the intensity of effort. As compared to lever pressing and barrier jumping, 30 cm of rope pulling is a multi-step action sequence requiring sustained effort. The actions are carried out on the single plane of the arena floor, making it safer for the animal and more suitable for tethered equipment and video tracking. A microcontroller and associated sensors enable precise timestamping of specific behaviors to synchronize with electrophysiological recordings. The rope and reward spout are spatially segregated to allow for spatial discrimination of the effort zone and the reward zone. We validated the task across five cohorts of rats (total n = 35) and report consistent behavioral metrics. The WLT is well-suited for neuropharmacological and/or in vivo neurophysiological investigations surrounding effortful behaviors, particularly when wanting to probe different aspects of effort expenditure (intensity vs. duration).
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake Porter
- Department of Psychology, Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Kristin L Hillman
- Department of Psychology, Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Abstract
How do brain systems evaluate the affective valence of a stimulus - that is, its quality of being good or bad? One possibility is that a neural subsystem, or 'module' (such as a subregion of the brain, a projection pathway, a neuronal population or an individual neuron), is permanently dedicated to mediate only one affective function, or at least only one specific valence - an idea that is termed here the 'affective modules' hypothesis. An alternative possibility is that a given neural module can exist in multiple neurobiological states that give it different affective functions - an idea termed here the 'affective modes' hypothesis. This suggests that the affective function or valence mediated by a neural module need not remain permanently stable but rather can change dynamically across different situations. An evaluation of evidence for the 'affective modules' versus 'affective modes' hypotheses may be useful for advancing understanding of the affective organization of limbic circuitry.
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Simon MJ, Zafra MA, Puerto A. Differential rewarding effects of electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus and parabrachial complex: Functional characterization and the relevance of opioid systems and dopamine. J Psychopharmacol 2019; 33:1475-1490. [PMID: 31282233 DOI: 10.1177/0269881119855982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the discovery of rewarding intracranial self-stimulation by Olds and Milner, extensive data have been published on the biological basis of reward. Although participation of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system is well documented, its precise role has not been fully elucidated, and some authors have proposed the involvement of other neural systems in processing specific aspects of reinforced behaviour. AIMS AND METHODS We reviewed published data, including our own findings, on the rewarding effects induced by electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) and of the external lateral parabrachial area (LPBe) - a brainstem region involved in processing the rewarding properties of natural and artificial substances - and compared its functional characteristics as observed in operant and non-operant behavioural procedures. RESULTS Brain circuits involved in the induction of preferences for stimuli associated with electrical stimulation of the LBPe appear to functionally and neurochemically differ from those activated by electrical stimulation of the LH. INTERPRETATION We discuss the possible involvement of the LPBe in processing emotional-affective aspects of the brain reward system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria J Simon
- Department of Psychobiology, Mind, Brain and Behaviour Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Maria A Zafra
- Department of Psychobiology, Mind, Brain and Behaviour Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Amadeo Puerto
- Department of Psychobiology, Mind, Brain and Behaviour Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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Armstrong LE, Kavouras SA. Thirst and Drinking Paradigms: Evolution from Single Factor Effects to Brainwide Dynamic Networks. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11122864. [PMID: 31766680 PMCID: PMC6950074 DOI: 10.3390/nu11122864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The motivation to seek and consume water is an essential component of human fluid–electrolyte homeostasis, optimal function, and health. This review describes the evolution of concepts regarding thirst and drinking behavior, made possible by magnetic resonance imaging, animal models, and novel laboratory techniques. The earliest thirst paradigms focused on single factors such as dry mouth and loss of water from tissues. By the end of the 19th century, physiologists proposed a thirst center in the brain that was verified in animals 60 years later. During the early- and mid-1900s, the influences of gastric distention, neuroendocrine responses, circulatory properties (i.e., blood pressure, volume, concentration), and the distinct effects of intracellular dehydration and extracellular hypovolemia were recognized. The majority of these studies relied on animal models and laboratory methods such as microinjection or lesioning/oblation of specific brain loci. Following a quarter century (1994–2019) of human brain imaging, current research focuses on networks of networks, with thirst and satiety conceived as hemispheric waves of neuronal activations that traverse the brain in milliseconds. Novel technologies such as chemogenetics, optogenetics, and neuropixel microelectrode arrays reveal the dynamic complexity of human thirst, as well as the roles of motivation and learning in drinking behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence E. Armstrong
- Human Performance Laboratory and Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-1110, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Stavros A. Kavouras
- Arizona State University, College of Health Solutions, Hydration Science Lab, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA;
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