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Ndiaye NA, Shamleh SA, Casale D, Castaneda-Ouellet S, Laplante I, Robinson MJF, Samaha AN. Relapse after intermittent access to cocaine: Discriminative cues more effectively trigger drug seeking than do conditioned cues. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024:10.1007/s00213-024-06614-9. [PMID: 38767684 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06614-9] [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: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE When people with drug addiction encounter cues associated with drug use, this can trigger cravings and relapse. These cues can include conditioned stimuli (CSs) signaling drug delivery and discriminative stimuli (DSs) signaling drug availability. Compared to CS effects, DS effects are less explored in preclinical studies on cue-induced relapse. OBJECTIVE We compared CS and DS effects on reward seeking following abstinence from intermittent-access cocaine (or sucrose) self-administration. METHODS During 15-20 intermittent-access sessions, rats self-administered i.v. cocaine or sucrose pellets paired with a light-tone CS. Cocaine/sucrose was available for 5-min (signalled by a light; DS+) and unavailable for 25 min (signalled by different lighting conditions; DS-), and this cycled for 4 h/session. Following abstinence, we measured cocaine/sucrose seeking under extinction triggered by CS and DS presentation, and instrumental responding reinforced by these cues. RESULTS Across intermittent-access sessions, rats increased lever pressing for cocaine or sucrose during DS+ periods and decreased responding during DS- periods. On days 2 and 21 of abstinence, only presentation of the DS+ or DS+ and CS combined elicited increased cocaine/sucrose-seeking behaviour (i.e., increased active lever presses). Presenting the DS- alongside the DS+ suppressed the increased cocaine-seeking behaviour otherwise produced by the DS+ . Finally, on day 21 of abstinence, rats showed equivalent levels of lever pressing reinforced by the DS+ , CS and by the DS+ and CS combined, suggesting comparable conditioned reinforcing value. CONCLUSIONS After intermittent self-administration, cocaine-associated DSs and CSs acquire similar conditioned reinforcing properties, but DSs more effectively trigger increases in drug seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ndeye Aissatou Ndiaye
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Sema Abu Shamleh
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Domiziana Casale
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | | | - Isabel Laplante
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville Montréal, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Mike J F Robinson
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, H3G 1M8, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville Montréal, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Anne-Noël Samaha
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville Montréal, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3J7, Canada.
- Neural Signaling and Circuitry Research Group (SNC), Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada.
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research On the Brain and Learning (CIRCA), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada.
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, H3G 1M8, Canada.
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2
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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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3
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Ortiz-Guzman J, Swanson JL, Tantry EK, Kochukov M, Ung K, Addison AP, Srivastava S, Belfort BD, Ji E, Dooling SW, Chen SA, Tong Q, Arenkiel BR. Cholinergic Basal Forebrain Connectivity to the Basolateral Amygdala Modulates Food Intake. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0369-23.2024. [PMID: 38383587 PMCID: PMC10915460 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0369-23.2024] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Obesity results from excessive caloric input associated with overeating and presents a major public health challenge. The hypothalamus has received significant attention for its role in governing feeding behavior and body weight homeostasis. However, extrahypothalamic brain circuits also regulate appetite and consumption by altering sensory perception, motivation, and reward. We recently discovered a population of basal forebrain cholinergic (BFc) neurons that regulate appetite suppression. Through viral tracing methods in the mouse model, we found that BFc neurons densely innervate the basolateral amygdala (BLA), a limbic structure involved in motivated behaviors. Using channelrhodopsin-assisted circuit mapping, we identified cholinergic responses in BLA neurons following BFc circuit manipulations. Furthermore, in vivo acetylcholine sensor and genetically encoded calcium indicator imaging within the BLA (using GACh3 and GCaMP, respectively) revealed selective response patterns of activity during feeding. Finally, through optogenetic manipulations in vivo, we found that increased cholinergic signaling from the BFc to the BLA suppresses appetite and food intake. Together, these data support a model in which cholinergic signaling from the BFc to the BLA directly influences appetite and feeding behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Ortiz-Guzman
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Jessica L Swanson
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Evelyne K Tantry
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Mikhail Kochukov
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Kevin Ung
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Angela P Addison
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Snigdha Srivastava
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Benjamin D Belfort
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Emily Ji
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Sean W Dooling
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Sarah A Chen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Qingchun Tong
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy of McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030
- Brown Foundation of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases of McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Benjamin R Arenkiel
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
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4
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He Y, Huang YH, Schlüter OM, Dong Y. Cue- versus reward-encoding basolateral amygdala projections to nucleus accumbens. eLife 2023; 12:e89766. [PMID: 37963179 PMCID: PMC10645419 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89766] [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: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In substance use disorders, drug use as unconditioned stimulus (US) reinforces drug taking. Meanwhile, drug-associated cues (conditioned stimulus [CS]) also gain incentive salience to promote drug seeking. The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is implicated in both US- and CS-mediated responses. Here, we show that two genetically distinct BLA neuronal types, expressing Rspo2 versus Ppp1r1b, respectively, project to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and form monosynaptic connections with both dopamine D1 and D2 receptor-expressing neurons. While intra-NAc stimulation of Rspo2 or Ppp1r1b presynaptic terminals establishes intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS), only Ppp1r1b-stimulated mice exhibit cue-induced ICSS seeking. Furthermore, increasing versus decreasing the Ppp1r1b-to-NAc, but not Rspo2-to-NAc, subprojection increases versus decreases cue-induced cocaine seeking after cocaine withdrawal. Thus, while both BLA-to-NAc subprojections contribute to US-mediated responses, the Ppp1r1b subprojection selectively encodes CS-mediated reward and drug reinforcement. Such differential circuit representations may provide insights into precise understanding and manipulation of drug- versus cue-induced drug seeking and relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi He
- Departments of Neuroscience, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Yanhua H Huang
- Departments of Psychiatry, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Oliver M Schlüter
- Departments of Neuroscience, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Yan Dong
- Departments of Neuroscience, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
- Departments of Psychiatry, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
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5
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Kondev V, Najeed M, Yasmin F, Morgan A, Loomba N, Johnson K, Adank DN, Dong A, Delpire E, Li Y, Winder D, Grueter BA, Patel S. Endocannabinoid release at ventral hippocampal-amygdala synapses regulates stress-induced behavioral adaptation. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113027. [PMID: 37703881 PMCID: PMC10846613 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid (eCB) system is a key modulator of glutamate release within limbic neurocircuitry and thus heavily modulates stress responsivity and adaptation. The ventral hippocampus (vHPC)-basolateral amygdala (BLA) circuit has been implicated in the expression of negative affective states following stress exposure and is modulated by retrograde eCB signaling. However, the mechanisms governing eCB release and the causal relationship between vHPC-BLA eCB signaling and stress-induced behavioral adaptations are not known. Here, we utilized in vivo optogenetic- and biosensor-based approaches to determine the temporal dynamics of activity-dependent and stress-induced eCB release at vHPC-BLA synapses. Furthermore, we demonstrate that genetic deletion of cannabinoid type-1 receptors selectively at vHPC-BLA synapses decreases active stress coping and exacerbates stress-induced avoidance and anhedonia phenotypes. These data establish the in vivo determinants of eCB release at limbic synapses and demonstrate that eCB signaling within vHPC-BLA circuitry serves to counteract adverse behavioral consequences of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Kondev
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Mustafa Najeed
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Farhana Yasmin
- Northwestern Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Amanda Morgan
- Northwestern Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Niharika Loomba
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Keenan Johnson
- Northwestern Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Danielle N Adank
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Ao Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China; PKU-IDG/McGoverrn Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Eric Delpire
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Yulong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China; PKU-IDG/McGoverrn Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Danny Winder
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Brad A Grueter
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Sachin Patel
- Northwestern Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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6
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Grogans SE, Bliss-Moreau E, Buss KA, Clark LA, Fox AS, Keltner D, Cowen AS, Kim JJ, Kragel PA, MacLeod C, Mobbs D, Naragon-Gainey K, Fullana MA, Shackman AJ. The nature and neurobiology of fear and anxiety: State of the science and opportunities for accelerating discovery. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 151:105237. [PMID: 37209932 PMCID: PMC10330657 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Fear and anxiety play a central role in mammalian life, and there is considerable interest in clarifying their nature, identifying their biological underpinnings, and determining their consequences for health and disease. Here we provide a roundtable discussion on the nature and biological bases of fear- and anxiety-related states, traits, and disorders. The discussants include scientists familiar with a wide variety of populations and a broad spectrum of techniques. The goal of the roundtable was to take stock of the state of the science and provide a roadmap to the next generation of fear and anxiety research. Much of the discussion centered on the key challenges facing the field, the most fruitful avenues for future research, and emerging opportunities for accelerating discovery, with implications for scientists, funders, and other stakeholders. Understanding fear and anxiety is a matter of practical importance. Anxiety disorders are a leading burden on public health and existing treatments are far from curative, underscoring the urgency of developing a deeper understanding of the factors governing threat-related emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon E Grogans
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Eliza Bliss-Moreau
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Kristin A Buss
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 USA
| | - Lee Anna Clark
- Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Andrew S Fox
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Dacher Keltner
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | | | - Jeansok J Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Philip A Kragel
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Colin MacLeod
- Centre for the Advancement of Research on Emotion, School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Dean Mobbs
- Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA; Computation and Neural Systems Program, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Kristin Naragon-Gainey
- School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Miquel A Fullana
- Adult Psychiatry and Psychology Department, Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain; Imaging of Mood, and Anxiety-Related Disorders Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, CIBERSAM, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alexander J Shackman
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; Maryland Neuroimaging Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
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7
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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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8
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Servonnet A, Rompré PP, Samaha AN. Optogenetic activation of basolateral amygdala-to-nucleus accumbens core neurons promotes Pavlovian approach responses but not instrumental pursuit of reward cues. Behav Brain Res 2023; 440:114254. [PMID: 36516942 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114254] [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: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Reward-associated conditioned stimuli (CSs) can acquire predictive value, evoking conditioned approach behaviours that prepare animals to engage with forthcoming rewards. Such CSs can also acquire conditioned reinforcing value, becoming attractive and pursued. Through their conditioned effects, CSs can promote adaptive (e.g., locating food) but also maladaptive behaviours (e.g., drug use). Basolateral amygdala neurons projecting to the nucleus accumbens core (BLA→NAc core neurons) mediate the response to appetitive CSs, but the extent to which this involves effects on the predictive and/or conditioned reinforcing properties of CSs is unclear. Thus, we examined the effects of optogenetic stimulation of BLA→NAc core neurons on i) CS-triggered approach to the site of reward delivery, a Pavlovian conditioned approach response and ii) the instrumental pursuit of a CS, a measure of conditioned reinforcement. Water-restricted, adult male rats learned that a light-tone compound cue (the CS) predicts water delivery into a receptacle. Pairing optogenetic stimulation of BLA→NAc core neurons with CS presentation potentiated CS-triggered water receptacle visits. This suggests that activity in BLA→NAc core neurons promotes Pavlovian goal-approach behaviour. Next, rats could lever press for CS presentations, without water delivery. Optogenetic stimulation of BLA→NAc core neurons either during instrumental test sessions or during prior CS-water conditioning did not influence lever responding for the CS. This suggests that activity in BLA→NAc core neurons does not influence the instrumental pursuit of a water-paired CS. We conclude that activation of BLA→NAc core neurons promotes cue-induced control over behaviour by increasing conditioned goal-approach responses, without affecting the operant pursuit of reward cues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anne-Noël Samaha
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology (Faculty of Medicine), Canada; Groupe de recherche sur le système nerveux central, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Edouard-Montpetit Boulevard, Montreal H3T 1J4, Quebec, Canada.
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9
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Calabro R, Lyu Y, Leong YC. Trial-by-trial fluctuations in amygdala activity track motivational enhancement of desirable sensory evidence during perceptual decision-making. Cereb Cortex 2022; 33:5690-5703. [PMID: 36398723 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
People are biased toward seeing outcomes that they are motivated to see. For example, wanting their favored team to prevail biases sports fans to perceive an ambiguous foul in a manner that is favorable to the team they support. Here, we test the hypothesis that such motivational biases in perceptual decision-making are associated with amygdala activity. We used monetary incentives to experimentally manipulate participants to want to see one percept over another while they performed a categorization task involving ambiguous images. Participants were more likely to categorize an image as the category we motivated them to see, suggesting that wanting to see a particular percept biased their perceptual decisions. Heightened amygdala activity was associated with motivation consistent categorizations and tracked trial-by-trial enhancement of neural activity in sensory cortices encoding the desirable category. Analyses using a drift diffusion model further suggest that trial-by-trial amygdala activity was specifically associated with biases in the accumulation of sensory evidence. In contrast, frontoparietal regions commonly associated with biases in perceptual decision-making were not associated with motivational bias. Altogether, our results suggest that wanting to see an outcome biases perceptual decisions via distinct mechanisms and may depend on dynamic fluctuations in amygdala activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren Calabro
- 5848 S University Avenue, Department of Psychology, University of Chicago , Chicago, IL 60637 , USA
| | - Yizhou Lyu
- 5848 S University Avenue, Department of Psychology, University of Chicago , Chicago, IL 60637 , USA
| | - Yuan Chang Leong
- 5848 S University Avenue, Department of Psychology, University of Chicago , Chicago, IL 60637 , USA
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10
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Murray RM, Bora E, Modinos G, Vernon A. Schizophrenia: A developmental disorder with a risk of non-specific but avoidable decline. Schizophr Res 2022; 243:181-186. [PMID: 35390609 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2022.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The onset of schizophrenia is determined by biological and social risk factors operating predominantly during development. These result in subtle deviations in brain structure and cognitive function. Striatal dopamine dysregulation follows, causing abnormal salience and resultant psychotic symptoms. Most people diagnosed as having schizophrenia do not progressively deteriorate; many improve or recover. However, poor care can allow a cycle of deterioration to be established, stress increasing dopamine dysregulation, leading to more stress consequent on continuing psychotic experiences, and so further dopamine release. Additionally, long-term antipsychotics can induce dopamine supersensitivity with resultant relapse and eventually treatment resistance. Some patients suffer loss of social and cognitive function, but this is a consequence of the hazards that afflict the person with schizophrenia, not a direct consequence of genetic predisposition. Thus, brain health and cognition can be further impaired by chronic medication effects, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise; drug use, especially of tobacco and cannabis, are likely to contribute. Poverty, homelessness and poor nutrition which become the lot of some people with schizophrenia, can also affect cognition. Regrettably, the model of progressive deterioration provides psychiatry and its funders with an alibi for the effects of poor care.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Murray
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom.
| | - E Bora
- Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi, Izmir, Izmir, Turkey
| | - G Modinos
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - A Vernon
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
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11
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Courtin J, Bitterman Y, Müller S, Hinz J, Hagihara KM, Müller C, Lüthi A. A neuronal mechanism for motivational control of behavior. Science 2022; 375:eabg7277. [PMID: 34990249 DOI: 10.1126/science.abg7277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Acting to achieve goals depends on the ability to motivate specific behaviors based on their predicted consequences given an individual’s internal state. However, the underlying neuronal mechanisms that encode and maintain such specific motivational control of behavior are poorly understood. Here, we used Ca2+ imaging and optogenetic manipulations in the basolateral amygdala of freely moving mice performing noncued, self-paced instrumental goal-directed actions to receive and consume rewards. We found that distinct neuronal activity patterns sequentially represent the entire action-consumption behavioral sequence. Whereas action-associated patterns integrated the identity, value, and expectancy of pursued goals, consumption-associated patterns reflected the identity and value of experienced outcomes. Thus, the interplay between these patterns allows the maintenance of specific motivational states necessary to adaptively direct behavior toward prospective rewards.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Courtin
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Y Bitterman
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - S Müller
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - J Hinz
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, CH-4000 Basel, Switzerland
| | - K M Hagihara
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, CH-4000 Basel, Switzerland
| | - C Müller
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - A Lüthi
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, CH-4000 Basel, Switzerland
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12
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Garceau C, Samaha AN, Cordahi T, Servonnet A, Khoo SYS. Metabotropic group II glutamate receptors in the basolateral amygdala mediate cue-triggered increases in incentive motivation. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:2905-2917. [PMID: 34223950 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05907-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Reward-associated cues can trigger incentive motivation for reward and invigorate reward-seeking behaviour via Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT). Glutamate signaling within the basolateral amygdala (BLA) modulates cue-triggered increases in incentive motivation. However, the role of BLA metabotropic group II glutamate (mGlu2/3) receptors is largely unknown. OBJECTIVES In Experiment 1, we characterized cue-triggered increases in incentive motivation for water reward using the PIT paradigm. In Experiment 2, we assessed the influence of intra-BLA microinjections of the mGlu2/3 receptor agonist LY379268 on this effect. METHODS Water-restricted male Sprague-Dawley rats learned to press a lever for water. Separately, they learned to associate one of two auditory cues with free water. On test days, rats could lever press under extinction conditions (no water), with intermittent, non-contingent CS+ and CS- presentations. In Experiment 1, rats were tested under baseline conditions. In Experiment 2, rats received intra-BLA microinjections of LY379268 (0, 3 and 6 [Formula: see text]g/hemisphere) before testing. RESULTS Across experiments, CS+, but not CS-, presentations increased water-associated lever pressing during testing, even though responding was reinforced neither by water nor the CS+. Intra-BLA LY379268 abolished both CS+ potentiated pressing on the water-associated lever and CS+ evoked conditioned approach to the site of water delivery. LY379268 did not influence locomotion or instrumental and Pavlovian response rates during intervals between CS presentations or during the CS-, indicating no motor effects. CONCLUSIONS mGlu2/3 receptor activity in the BLA mediates cue-triggered potentiation of incentive motivation for reward, suppressing both cue-induced increases in instrumental pursuit of the reward and anticipatory approach behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Garceau
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Anne-Noël Samaha
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada. .,CNS Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
| | - Thomas Cordahi
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Alice Servonnet
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Shaun Yon-Seng Khoo
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
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13
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Hoang IB, Sharpe MJ. The basolateral amygdala and lateral hypothalamus bias learning towards motivationally significant events. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2021.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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14
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Golec K, Draps M, Stark R, Pluta A, Gola M. Aberrant orbitofrontal cortex reactivity to erotic cues in Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder. J Behav Addict 2021; 10:646-656. [PMID: 34437297 PMCID: PMC8997235 DOI: 10.1556/2006.2021.00051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) is characterized by increased reactivity to erotic reward cues. Cue-encoded reward parameters, such as type (e.g. erotic or monetary) or probability of anticipated reward, shape reward-related motivational processes, increase the attractiveness of cues and therefore might enhance maladaptive behavioral patterns in CSBD. Studies on the neural patterns of cue processing in individuals with CSBD have been limited mainly to ventral striatal responses. Therefore, here we aimed to examine the cue reactivity of multiple key structures in the brain's reward system, taking into account not only the type of predicted reward but also its probability. METHODS Twenty Nine men seeking professional help due to CSBD and 24 healthy volunteers took part in an fMRI study with a modified Incentive Delay Task with erotic and monetary rewards preceded by cues indicating a 25%, 50%, or 75% chance of reward. Analyses of functional patterns of activity related to cue type and probability were conducted on the whole-brain and ROI levels. RESULTS Increased anticipatory response to cues predictive of erotic rewards was observed among CSBD participants when compared to controls, in the ventral striatum and anterior orbitofrontal cortex (aOFC). The activity in aOFC was modulated by reward probability. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Type of anticipated reward (erotic vs monetary) affects reward-related behavioral motivation in CSBD more strongly than reward probability. We present evidence of abnormal aOFC function in CSBD by demonstrating the recruitment of additional subsections of this region by erotic reward cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Golec
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland,Corresponding author. E-mail:
| | - Małgorzata Draps
- Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rudolf Stark
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany,Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Mateusz Gola
- Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland,Swartz Center for Computational Neuroscience, Institute for Neural Computations, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
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15
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Keefer SE, Gyawali U, Calu DJ. Choose your path: Divergent basolateral amygdala efferents differentially mediate incentive motivation, flexibility and decision-making. Behav Brain Res 2021; 409:113306. [PMID: 33887310 PMCID: PMC8189324 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
To survive in a complex environment, individuals form associations between environmental stimuli and rewards to organize and optimize reward seeking behaviors. The basolateral amygdala (BLA) uses these learned associations to inform decision-making processes. In this review, we describe functional projections between BLA and its cortical and striatal targets that promote learning and motivational processes central to decision-making. Specifically, we compare and contrast divergent projections from the BLA to the orbitofrontal (OFC) and to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and examine the roles of these pathways in associative learning, value-guided decision-making, choice behaviors, as well as cue and context-driven drug seeking. Finally, we consider how these projections are involved in disorders of motivation, with a focus on Substance Use Disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara E Keefer
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Utsav Gyawali
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Donna J Calu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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16
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Sias AC, Morse AK, Wang S, Greenfield VY, Goodpaster CM, Wrenn TM, Wikenheiser AM, Holley SM, Cepeda C, Levine MS, Wassum KM. A bidirectional corticoamygdala circuit for the encoding and retrieval of detailed reward memories. eLife 2021; 10:e68617. [PMID: 34142660 PMCID: PMC8266390 DOI: 10.7554/elife.68617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptive reward-related decision making often requires accurate and detailed representation of potential available rewards. Environmental reward-predictive stimuli can facilitate these representations, allowing one to infer which specific rewards might be available and choose accordingly. This process relies on encoded relationships between the cues and the sensory-specific details of the rewards they predict. Here, we interrogated the function of the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and its interaction with the lateral orbitofrontal cortex (lOFC) in the ability to learn such stimulus-outcome associations and use these memories to guide decision making. Using optical recording and inhibition approaches, Pavlovian cue-reward conditioning, and the outcome-selective Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT) test in male rats, we found that the BLA is robustly activated at the time of stimulus-outcome learning and that this activity is necessary for sensory-specific stimulus-outcome memories to be encoded, so they can subsequently influence reward choices. Direct input from the lOFC was found to support the BLA in this function. Based on prior work, activity in BLA projections back to the lOFC was known to support the use of stimulus-outcome memories to influence decision making. By multiplexing optogenetic and chemogenetic inhibition we performed a serial circuit disconnection and found that the lOFC→BLA and BLA→lOFC pathways form a functional circuit regulating the encoding (lOFC→BLA) and subsequent use (BLA→lOFC) of the stimulus-dependent, sensory-specific reward memories that are critical for adaptive, appetitive decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C Sias
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Ashleigh K Morse
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Sherry Wang
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Venuz Y Greenfield
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Caitlin M Goodpaster
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Tyler M Wrenn
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Andrew M Wikenheiser
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Integrative Center for Learning and Memory, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Sandra M Holley
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Carlos Cepeda
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Michael S Levine
- Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Kate M Wassum
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Integrative Center for Learning and Memory, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Integrative Center for Addictive Disorders, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
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17
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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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18
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Spectral power and theta-gamma coupling in the basolateral amygdala related with methamphetamine conditioned place preference in mice. Neurosci Lett 2021; 756:135939. [PMID: 33945805 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.135939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The basolateral amygdala (BLA) plays a crucial role in conditioned place preference (CPP) for addictive drugs. However, neural signaling associated with methamphetamine (METH) craving and seeking remained to be investigated. This study characterized local field potential (LFP) oscillatory patterns in the BLA and conditioned place preference induced by METH-related context. Male Swiss albino ICR mice were deeply anesthetized for LFP intracranial electrode implantation in the BLA. Control and METH groups received sessions to learn to associate saline-paired and METH-paired compartments of the CPP apparatus with saline and METH injections, respectively, for 10 days. LFP signals and exploring behavior were recorded simultaneously during pre- and post-conditioning phases. Time spent in METH-paired compartment was normalized and expressed as CPP scores. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm was used to analyze LFP powers of 8 discrete frequency ranges (delta, theta, alpha, beta, gamma I-IV). During post-conditioning phase of METH CPP with METH cues, statistical analysis revealed that METH group significantly increased time spent in METH-paired compartment. Significant suppressions of theta and alpha powers were observed. Phase-amplitude cross frequency coupling analyses confirmed significant increases in maximal modulation index (MI), frequency for phase of slow wave and MI of theta-gamma II coupling. Taken together, LFP oscillation in the BLA was sensitive in association with METH CPP. These research findings might suggest the underlying mechanisms of drug reward learning and adaptive changes in the BLA in acquisition of METH CPP and dependence.
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19
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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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20
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Haaranen M, Schäfer A, Järvi V, Hyytiä P. Chemogenetic Stimulation and Silencing of the Insula, Amygdala, Nucleus Accumbens, and Their Connections Differentially Modulate Alcohol Drinking in Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:580849. [PMID: 33328918 PMCID: PMC7671963 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.580849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The anterior insular cortex is hypothesized to represent interoceptive effects of drug reward in the service of goal-directed behavior. The insula is richly connected, but the insula circuitry in addiction remains poorly characterized. We examined the involvement of the anterior insula, amygdala, and nucleus accumbens, as well as the projections of the anterior insula to the central amygdala, basolateral amygdala (BLA), and nucleus accumbens core in voluntary alcohol drinking. We trained alcohol-preferring Alko Alcohol (AA) rats to drink alcohol during intermittent 2-h sessions. We then expressed excitatory or inhibitory designer receptors [designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs)] in the anterior insula, nucleus accumbens, or amygdala by means of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer and activated the DREADDs with clozapine-N-oxide (CNO) prior to the drinking sessions. Next, to examine the role of specific insula projections, we expressed FLEX-DREADDs in the efferent insula → nucleus accumbens core, insula → central amygdala, and insula → BLA projections by means of a retrograde AAV-Cre vector injected into the insula projection areas. In the anterior insula and amygdala, excitatory Gq-DREADDs significantly attenuated alcohol consumption. In contrast, in the nucleus accumbens, the Gq-DREADD stimulation increased alcohol drinking, and the inhibitory Gi-DREADDs suppressed it. The Gq-DREADDs expressed in the insula → nucleus accumbens core and insula → central amygdala projections increased alcohol intake, whereas inhibition of these projections had no effect. These data demonstrate that the anterior insula, along with the amygdala and nucleus accumbens, has a key role in controlling alcohol drinking by providing excitatory input to the central amygdala and nucleus accumbens to enhance alcohol reward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Haaranen
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Annika Schäfer
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vilja Järvi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Petri Hyytiä
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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21
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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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