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Vantomme G, Devienne G, Hull JM, Huguenard JR. Reuniens thalamus recruits recurrent excitation in medial prefrontal cortex. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.31.596906. [PMID: 38854099 PMCID: PMC11160760 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.31.596906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus are critical for memory retrieval, decision making and emotional regulation. While ventral CA1 (vCA1) shows direct and reciprocal connections with mPFC, dorsal CA1 (dCA1) forms indirect pathways to mPFC, notably via the thalamic Reuniens nucleus (Re). Neuroanatomical tracing has documented structural connectivity of this indirect pathway through Re however, its functional operation is largely unexplored. Here we used in vivo and in vitro electrophysiology along with optogenetics to address this question. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in acute mouse brain slices revealed both monosynaptic excitatory responses and disynaptic feedforward inhibition for both Re-mPFC and Re-dCA1 pathways. However, we also identified a novel biphasic excitation of mPFC by Re, but not dCA1. These early monosynaptic and late recurrent components are in marked contrast to the primarily feedforward inhibition characteristic of thalamic inputs to neocortex. Local field potential recordings in mPFC brain slices revealed that this biphasic excitation propagates throughout all cortical lamina, with the late excitation specifically enhanced by GABAAR blockade. In vivo Neuropixels recordings in head-fixed awake mice revealed a similar biphasic excitation of mPFC units by Re activation. In summary, Re output produces recurrent feed-forward excitation within mPFC suggesting a potent amplification system in the Re-mPFC network. This may facilitate amplification of dCA1->mPFC signals for which Re acts as the primary conduit, as there is little direct connectivity. In addition, the capacity of mPFC neurons to fire bursts of action potentials in response to Re input suggests that these synapses have a high gain. Significance statement The interactions between medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus are crucial for memory formation and retrieval. Yet, it is still poorly understood how the functional connectivity of direct and indirect pathways underlies these functions. This research explores the synaptic connectivity of the indirect pathway through the Reuniens nucleus of the thalamus using electrophysiological recordings and optogenetic manipulations. The study found that Reuniens stimulation recruits recurrent and long-lasting activity in mPFC - a phenomenon not previously recorded. This recurrent activity might create a temporal window ideal for coincidence detection and be an underlying mechanism for memory formation and retrieval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gil Vantomme
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Gabrielle Devienne
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jacob M Hull
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - John R Huguenard
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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Mercier O, Quilichini PP, Magalon K, Gil F, Ghestem A, Richard F, Boudier T, Cayre M, Durbec P. Transient demyelination causes long-term cognitive impairment, myelin alteration and network synchrony defects. Glia 2024; 72:960-981. [PMID: 38363046 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24513] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
In the adult brain, activity-dependent myelin plasticity is required for proper learning and memory consolidation. Myelin loss, alteration, or even subtle structural modifications can therefore compromise the network activity, leading to functional impairment. In multiple sclerosis, spontaneous myelin repair process is possible, but it is heterogeneous among patients, sometimes leading to functional recovery, often more visible at the motor level than at the cognitive level. In cuprizone-treated mouse model, massive brain demyelination is followed by spontaneous and robust remyelination. However, reformed myelin, although functional, may not exhibit the same morphological characteristics as developmental myelin, which can have an impact on the activity of neural networks. In this context, we used the cuprizone-treated mouse model to analyze the structural, functional, and cognitive long-term effects of transient demyelination. Our results show that an episode of demyelination induces despite remyelination long-term cognitive impairment, such as deficits in spatial working memory, social memory, cognitive flexibility, and hyperactivity. These deficits were associated with a reduction in myelin content in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus (HPC), as well as structural myelin modifications, suggesting that the remyelination process may be imperfect in these structures. In vivo electrophysiological recordings showed that the demyelination episode altered the synchronization of HPC-mPFC activity, which is crucial for memory processes. Altogether, our data indicate that the myelin repair process following transient demyelination does not allow the complete recovery of the initial myelin properties in cortical structures. These subtle modifications alter network features, leading to prolonged cognitive deficits in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Océane Mercier
- UMR7288 after IBDM, Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IBDM, Marseille, France
| | - Pascale P Quilichini
- U1106 after INS, Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Marseille, France
| | - Karine Magalon
- UMR7288 after IBDM, Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IBDM, Marseille, France
| | - Florian Gil
- UMR7288 after IBDM, Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IBDM, Marseille, France
| | - Antoine Ghestem
- U1106 after INS, Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Marseille, France
| | - Fabrice Richard
- UMR7288 after IBDM, Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IBDM, Marseille, France
| | - Thomas Boudier
- Aix Marseille Univ, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Myriam Cayre
- UMR7288 after IBDM, Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IBDM, Marseille, France
| | - Pascale Durbec
- UMR7288 after IBDM, Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IBDM, Marseille, France
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Plas SL, Tuna T, Bayer H, Juliano VAL, Sweck SO, Arellano Perez AD, Hassell JE, Maren S. Neural circuits for the adaptive regulation of fear and extinction memory. Front Behav Neurosci 2024; 18:1352797. [PMID: 38370858 PMCID: PMC10869525 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1352797] [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: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The regulation of fear memories is critical for adaptive behaviors and dysregulation of these processes is implicated in trauma- and stress-related disorders. Treatments for these disorders include pharmacological interventions as well as exposure-based therapies, which rely upon extinction learning. Considerable attention has been directed toward elucidating the neural mechanisms underlying fear and extinction learning. In this review, we will discuss historic discoveries and emerging evidence on the neural mechanisms of the adaptive regulation of fear and extinction memories. We will focus on neural circuits regulating the acquisition and extinction of Pavlovian fear conditioning in rodent models, particularly the role of the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in the contextual control of extinguished fear memories. We will also consider new work revealing an important role for the thalamic nucleus reuniens in the modulation of prefrontal-hippocampal interactions in extinction learning and memory. Finally, we will explore the effects of stress on this circuit and the clinical implications of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L. Plas
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Tuğçe Tuna
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Hugo Bayer
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Vitor A. L. Juliano
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Samantha O. Sweck
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Angel D. Arellano Perez
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - James E. Hassell
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Stephen Maren
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
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Censi S, Sestieri C, Punzi M, Delli Pizzi A, Ferretti A, Gambi F, Tomassini V, Delli Pizzi S, Sensi SL. "Back to Braak": Role of Nucleus Reuniens and Subcortical Pathways in Alzheimer's Disease Progression. J Prev Alzheimers Dis 2024; 11:1030-1040. [PMID: 39044514 PMCID: PMC11266379 DOI: 10.14283/jpad.2024.42] [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: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) exhibit structural alterations of the thalamus that correlate with clinical symptoms. However, given the anatomical complexity of this brain structure, it is still unclear whether atrophy affects specific thalamic nuclei and modulates the clinical progression from a prodromal stage, known as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), to full-fledged AD. OBJECTIVES To characterize the structural integrity of distinct thalamic nuclei across the AD spectrum, testing whether MCI patients who convert to AD (c-MCI) show a distinctive pattern of thalamic structural alterations compared to patients who remain stable (s-MCI). DESIGN Investigating between-group differences in the volumetric features of distinct thalamic nuclei across the AD spectrum. SETTING Prodromal and clinical stages of AD. PARTICIPANTS We analyzed data from 84 healthy control subjects (HC), 58 individuals with MCI, and 102 AD patients. The dataset was obtained from the AD Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI-3) database. The MCI group was further divided into two subgroups depending on whether patients remained stable (s-MCI, n=22) or progressed to AD (s-MCI, n=36) in the 48 months following the diagnosis. MEASUREMENTS A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) assessed group differences in the volumetric features of distinct thalamic nuclei obtained from magnetic resonance (MR) images. A stepwise discriminant function analysis identified which feature most effectively predicted the conversion to AD. The corresponding predictive performance was evaluated through a Receiver Operating Characteristic approach. RESULTS AD and c-MCI patients showed generalized atrophy of thalamic nuclei compared to HC. In contrast, no significant structural differences were observed between s-MCI and HC subjects. Compared to s-MCI, c-MCI individuals displayed significant atrophy of the nucleus reuniens and a trend toward significant atrophy in the anteroventral and laterodorsal nuclei. The discriminant function analysis confirmed the nucleus reuniens as a significant predictor of AD conversion, with a sensitivity of 0.73 and a specificity of 0.69. CONCLUSIONS In line with the pathophysiological relevance of the nucleus reuniens proposed by seminal post-mortem studies on patients with AD, we confirm the pivotal role of this nucleus as a critical hub in the clinical progression to AD. We also propose a theoretical model to explain the evolving dysfunction of subcortical brain networks in the disease process.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Censi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University «G. d’Annunzio» of Chieti-Pescara, Via Polacchi, 11, Chieti, 66100 Italy
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), “G. d’Annunzio” University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - C. Sestieri
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University «G. d’Annunzio» of Chieti-Pescara, Via Polacchi, 11, Chieti, 66100 Italy
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), “G. d’Annunzio” University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - M. Punzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University «G. d’Annunzio» of Chieti-Pescara, Via Polacchi, 11, Chieti, 66100 Italy
| | - A. Delli Pizzi
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), “G. d’Annunzio” University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, «G. d’Annunzio» University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - A. Ferretti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University «G. d’Annunzio» of Chieti-Pescara, Via Polacchi, 11, Chieti, 66100 Italy
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), “G. d’Annunzio” University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
- UdA-TechLab, Research Center, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - F. Gambi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University «G. d’Annunzio» of Chieti-Pescara, Via Polacchi, 11, Chieti, 66100 Italy
| | - V. Tomassini
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University «G. d’Annunzio» of Chieti-Pescara, Via Polacchi, 11, Chieti, 66100 Italy
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), “G. d’Annunzio” University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
- MS Centre, Institute of Neurology, SS Annunziata University Hospital, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefano Delli Pizzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University «G. d’Annunzio» of Chieti-Pescara, Via Polacchi, 11, Chieti, 66100 Italy
- Molecular Neurology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University «G. d’Annunzio» of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Stefano L. Sensi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University «G. d’Annunzio» of Chieti-Pescara, Via Polacchi, 11, Chieti, 66100 Italy
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), “G. d’Annunzio” University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
- MS Centre, Institute of Neurology, SS Annunziata University Hospital, Chieti, Italy
- Molecular Neurology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University «G. d’Annunzio» of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University «G. d’Annunzio» of Chieti-Pescara, Via Polacchi, 11, Chieti, 66100 Italy
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), “G. d’Annunzio” University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, «G. d’Annunzio» University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- UdA-TechLab, Research Center, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- MS Centre, Institute of Neurology, SS Annunziata University Hospital, Chieti, Italy
- Molecular Neurology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University «G. d’Annunzio» of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
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Clawson W, Waked B, Madec T, Ghestem A, Quilichini PP, Battaglia D, Bernard C. Perturbed Information Processing Complexity in Experimental Epilepsy. J Neurosci 2023; 43:6573-6587. [PMID: 37550052 PMCID: PMC10513075 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0383-23.2023] [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: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Comorbidities, such as cognitive deficits, which often accompany epilepsies, constitute a basal state, while seizures are rare and transient events. This suggests that neural dynamics, in particular those supporting cognitive function, are altered in a permanent manner in epilepsy. Here, we test the hypothesis that primitive processes of information processing at the core of cognitive function (i.e., storage and sharing of information) are altered in the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex in experimental epilepsy in adult, male Wistar rats. We find that information storage and sharing are organized into substates across the stereotypic states of slow and theta oscillations in both epilepsy and control conditions. However, their internal composition and organization through time are disrupted in epilepsy, partially losing brain state selectivity compared with controls, and shifting toward a regimen of disorder. We propose that the alteration of information processing at this algorithmic level of computation, the theoretical intermediate level between structure and function, may be a mechanism behind the emergent and widespread comorbidities associated with epilepsy, and perhaps other disorders.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Comorbidities, such as cognitive deficits, which often accompany epilepsies, constitute a basal state, while seizures are rare and transient events. This suggests that neural dynamics, in particular those supporting cognitive function, are altered in a permanent manner in epilepsy. Here, we show that basic processes of information processing at the core of cognitive function (i.e., storage and sharing of information) are altered in the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex (two regions involved in memory processes) in experimental epilepsy. Such disruption of information processing at the algorithmic level itself could underlie the general performance impairments in epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley Clawson
- Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, INS, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Marseille, France
- Allen Discovery Center, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts
| | - Benjamin Waked
- Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, INS, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Marseille, France
| | - Tanguy Madec
- Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, INS, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Marseille, France
| | - Antoine Ghestem
- Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, INS, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Marseille, France
| | - Pascale P Quilichini
- Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, INS, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Marseille, France
| | - Demian Battaglia
- Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, INS, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Marseille, France
- University of Strasbourg Institute for Advanced Studies, Strasbourg, France
| | - Christophe Bernard
- Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, INS, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Marseille, France
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de Mooij-van Malsen JG, Röhrdanz N, Buschhoff AS, Schiffelholz T, Sigurdsson T, Wulff P. Task-specific oscillatory synchronization of prefrontal cortex, nucleus reuniens, and hippocampus during working memory. iScience 2023; 26:107532. [PMID: 37636046 PMCID: PMC10450413 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107532] [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: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Working memory requires maintenance of and executive control over task-relevant information on a timescale of seconds. Spatial working memory depends on interactions between hippocampus, for the representation of space, and prefrontal cortex, for executive control. A monosynaptic hippocampal projection to the prefrontal cortex has been proposed to serve this interaction. However, connectivity and inactivation experiments indicate a critical role of the nucleus reuniens in hippocampal-prefrontal communication. We have investigated the dynamics of oscillatory coherence throughout the prefrontal-hippocampal-reuniens network in a touchscreen-based working memory task. We found that coherence at distinct frequencies evolved depending on phase and difficulty of the task. During choice, the reuniens did not participate in enhanced prefrontal-hippocampal theta but in gamma coherence. Strikingly, the reuniens was strongly embedded in performance-related increases in beta coherence, suggesting the execution of top-down control. In addition, we show that during working memory maintenance the prefrontal-hippocampal-reuniens network displays performance-related delay activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Niels Röhrdanz
- Institute of Physiology, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Schiffelholz
- Center of Integrative Psychiatry, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Torfi Sigurdsson
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Peer Wulff
- Institute of Physiology, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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7
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Basha D, Chauvette S, Sheroziya M, Timofeev I. Respiration organizes gamma synchrony in the prefronto-thalamic network. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8529. [PMID: 37237017 PMCID: PMC10219931 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35516-7] [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: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple cognitive operations are associated with the emergence of gamma oscillations in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) although little is known about the mechanisms that control this rhythm. Using local field potential recordings from cats, we show that periodic bursts of gamma recur with 1 Hz regularity in the wake mPFC and are locked to the exhalation phase of the respiratory cycle. Respiration organizes long-range coherence in the gamma band between the mPFC and the nucleus reuniens the thalamus (Reu), linking the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. In vivo intracellular recordings of the mouse thalamus reveal that respiration timing is propagated by synaptic activity in Reu and likely underlies the emergence of gamma bursts in the prefrontal cortex. Our findings highlight breathing as an important substrate for long-range neuronal synchronization across the prefrontal circuit, a key network for cognitive operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diellor Basha
- Département de Psychiatrie Et de Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
- CERVO Centre de Recherche, Université Laval, 2301 Av. D'Estimauville, Québec, QC, G1E 1T2, Canada
| | - Sylvain Chauvette
- CERVO Centre de Recherche, Université Laval, 2301 Av. D'Estimauville, Québec, QC, G1E 1T2, Canada
| | - Maxim Sheroziya
- Département de Psychiatrie Et de Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
- CERVO Centre de Recherche, Université Laval, 2301 Av. D'Estimauville, Québec, QC, G1E 1T2, Canada
| | - Igor Timofeev
- Département de Psychiatrie Et de Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
- CERVO Centre de Recherche, Université Laval, 2301 Av. D'Estimauville, Québec, QC, G1E 1T2, Canada.
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8
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Ajaz R, Mousavi SR, Mirsattari SM, Leung LS. Paroxysmal slow-wave discharges in a model of absence seizure are coupled to gamma oscillations in the thalamocortical and limbic systems. Epilepsy Res 2023; 191:107103. [PMID: 36841021 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2023.107103] [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: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Using the gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) model of absence seizures in Long-Evans rats, this study investigated if gamma (30-160 Hz) activity were cross-frequency modulated by the 2-6 Hz slow-wave discharges induced by GBL in the limbic system. We hypothesized that inactivation of the nucleus reuniens (RE), which projects to frontal cortex (FC) and hippocampus, would affect the cross-frequency coupling of gamma (γ) in different brain regions. METHODS Local field potentials were recorded by electrodes implanted in the FC, ventrolateral thalamus (TH), basolateral amygdala (BLA), nucleus accumbens (NAC), and dorsal hippocampus (CA1) of behaving rats. At each electrode, the coupling between the γ amplitude envelope to the phase of the 2-6 Hz slow-waves (SW) was measured by modulation index (MI) or cross-frequency coherence (CFC) of γ amplitude with SW. In separate experiments, the RE was infused with saline or GABAA receptor agonist, muscimol, before the injection of GBL. RESULTS Following GBL injection, an increase in MI and CFC of SW to γ1 (30-58 Hz), γ2 (62-100 Hz) and γ3 (100-160 Hz) bands was observed at the FC, hippocampus and BLA, with significant increase in SW-γ1 and SW-γ3 coupling at TH, and increase in peak SW-γ1 CFC at NAC. Strong SW-γ modulation was also found during baseline immobility high-voltage spindles. Muscimol inactivation of RE, as compared to saline infusion, significantly decreased SW-γ1 CFC in the FC, and peak frequency of the SW-γ1 CFC in the thalamus, but did not significantly alter SW-γ CFCs in the hippocampus, BLA or NAC. SIGNIFICANCE The paroxysmal 2-6 Hz SW discharges, a hallmark of absence seizure, significantly modulate γ activity in the hippocampus, BLA and NAC, suggesting a modulation of limbic functions. RE inactivation disrupted the SW modulation of FC and TH, partly supporting our hypothesis that RE participates in the modulation of SW discharges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rukham Ajaz
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Seyed Reza Mousavi
- Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Seyed M Mirsattari
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - L Stan Leung
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
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9
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Bozic I, Rusterholz T, Mikutta C, Del Rio-Bermudez C, Nissen C, Adamantidis A. Coupling between the prelimbic cortex, nucleus reuniens, and hippocampus during NREM sleep remains stable under cognitive and homeostatic demands. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 57:106-128. [PMID: 36310348 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15853] [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: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The interplay between the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep contributes to the consolidation of contextual memories. To assess the role of the thalamic nucleus reuniens (Nre) in this interaction, we investigated the coupling of neuro-oscillatory activities among prelimbic cortex, Nre, and hippocampus across sleep states and their role in the consolidation of contextual memories using multi-site electrophysiological recordings and optogenetic manipulations. We showed that ripples are time-locked to the Up state of cortical slow waves, the transition from UP to DOWN state in thalamic slow waves, the troughs of cortical spindles, and the peaks of thalamic spindles during spontaneous sleep, rebound sleep and sleep following a fear conditioning task. In addition, spiking activity in Nre increased before hippocampal ripples, and the phase-locking of hippocampal ripples and thalamic spindles during NREM sleep was stronger after acquisition of a fear memory. We showed that optogenetic inhibition of Nre neurons reduced phase-locking of ripples to cortical slow waves in the ventral hippocampus whilst their activation altered the preferred phase of ripples to slow waves in ventral and dorsal hippocampi. However, none of these optogenetic manipulations of Nre during sleep after acquisition of fear conditioning did alter sleep-dependent memory consolidation. Collectively, these results showed that Nre is central in modulating hippocampus and cortical rhythms during NREM sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Bozic
- Zentrum für Experimentelle Neurologie, Department of Neurology, Inselspital University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Rusterholz
- Zentrum für Experimentelle Neurologie, Department of Neurology, Inselspital University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christian Mikutta
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Privatklinik Meiringen, Meiringen, Switzerland.,Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Carlos Del Rio-Bermudez
- Zentrum für Experimentelle Neurologie, Department of Neurology, Inselspital University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Nissen
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Antoine Adamantidis
- Zentrum für Experimentelle Neurologie, Department of Neurology, Inselspital University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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10
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Chao OY, Nikolaus S, Yang YM, Huston JP. Neuronal circuitry for recognition memory of object and place in rodent models. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 141:104855. [PMID: 36089106 PMCID: PMC10542956 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Rats and mice are used for studying neuronal circuits underlying recognition memory due to their ability to spontaneously remember the occurrence of an object, its place and an association of the object and place in a particular environment. A joint employment of lesions, pharmacological interventions, optogenetics and chemogenetics is constantly expanding our knowledge of the neural basis for recognition memory of object, place, and their association. In this review, we summarize current studies on recognition memory in rodents with a focus on the novel object preference, novel location preference and object-in-place paradigms. The evidence suggests that the medial prefrontal cortex- and hippocampus-connected circuits contribute to recognition memory for object and place. Under certain conditions, the striatum, medial septum, amygdala, locus coeruleus and cerebellum are also involved. We propose that the neuronal circuitry for recognition memory of object and place is hierarchically connected and constructed by different cortical (perirhinal, entorhinal and retrosplenial cortices), thalamic (nucleus reuniens, mediodorsal and anterior thalamic nuclei) and primeval (hypothalamus and interpeduncular nucleus) modules interacting with the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owen Y Chao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN 55812, USA
| | - Susanne Nikolaus
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Yi-Mei Yang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN 55812, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Joseph P Huston
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
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11
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Yu X, Jembere F, Takehara-Nishiuchi K. Prefrontal projections to the nucleus reuniens signal behavioral relevance of stimuli during associative learning. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11995. [PMID: 35835794 PMCID: PMC9283438 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15886-0] [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: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleus reuniens (RE) is necessary for memories dependent on the interaction between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus (HPC). One example is trace eyeblink conditioning, in which the mPFC exhibits differential activity to neutral conditioned stimuli (CS) depending on their contingency with an aversive unconditioned stimulus (US). To test if this relevancy signal is routed to the RE, we photometrically recorded mPFC axon terminals within the RE and tracked their changes with learning. As a comparison, we measured prefrontal terminal activity in the mediodorsal thalamus (MD), which lacks connectivity with the HPC. In naïve male rats, prefrontal terminals within the RE were not strongly activated by tone or light. As the rats associated one of the stimuli (CS+) with the US, terminals gradually increased their response to the CS+ but not the other stimulus (CS-). In contrast, stimulus-evoked responses of prefrontal terminals within the MD were strong even before conditioning. They also became augmented only to the CS+ in the first conditioning session; however, the degree of activity differentiation did not improve with learning. These findings suggest that associative learning selectively increased mPFC output to the RE, signaling the behavioral relevance of sensory stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Yu
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Collaborative Program in Neuroscience, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Fasika Jembere
- Human Biology Program, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kaori Takehara-Nishiuchi
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Collaborative Program in Neuroscience, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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12
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Totty MS, Maren S. Neural Oscillations in Aversively Motivated Behavior. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:936036. [PMID: 35846784 PMCID: PMC9284508 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.936036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fear and anxiety-based disorders are highly debilitating and among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders. These disorders are associated with abnormal network oscillations in the brain, yet a comprehensive understanding of the role of network oscillations in the regulation of aversively motivated behavior is lacking. In this review, we examine the oscillatory correlates of fear and anxiety with a particular focus on rhythms in the theta and gamma-range. First, we describe neural oscillations and their link to neural function by detailing the role of well-studied theta and gamma rhythms to spatial and memory functions of the hippocampus. We then describe how theta and gamma oscillations act to synchronize brain structures to guide adaptive fear and anxiety-like behavior. In short, that hippocampal network oscillations act to integrate spatial information with motivationally salient information from the amygdala during states of anxiety before routing this information via theta oscillations to appropriate target regions, such as the prefrontal cortex. Moreover, theta and gamma oscillations develop in the amygdala and neocortical areas during the encoding of fear memories, and interregional synchronization reflects the retrieval of both recent and remotely encoded fear memories. Finally, we argue that the thalamic nucleus reuniens represents a key node synchronizing prefrontal-hippocampal theta dynamics for the retrieval of episodic extinction memories in the hippocampus.
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13
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The ventral midline thalamus coordinates prefrontal-hippocampal neural synchrony during vicarious trial and error. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10940. [PMID: 35768454 PMCID: PMC9243057 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14707-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
When faced with difficult choices, the possible outcomes are considered through a process known as deliberation. In rats, deliberation is thought to be reflected by pause-and-reorienting behaviors, better known as vicarious trial and errors (VTEs). While VTEs are thought to require medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and dorsal hippocampal (dHPC) interactions, no empirical evidence has yet demonstrated such a dual requirement. The nucleus reuniens (Re) of the ventral midline thalamus is anatomically connected with both the mPFC and dHPC, is required for HPC-dependent spatial memory tasks, and is critical for mPFC-dHPC neural synchronization. Currently, it is unclear if, or how, the Re is involved in deliberation. Therefore, by examining the role of the Re on VTE behaviors, we can better understand the anatomical and physiological mechanisms supporting deliberation. Here, we examined the impact of Re suppression on VTE behaviors and mPFC-dHPC theta synchrony during asymptotic performance of a HPC-dependent delayed alternation (DA) task. Pharmacological suppression of the Re increased VTE behaviors that occurred with repetitive choice errors. These errors were best characterized as perseverative behaviors, in which some rats repeatedly selected a goal arm that previously yielded no reward. We then examined the impact of Re suppression on mPFC-dHPC theta synchrony during VTEs. We found that during VTEs, Re inactivation was associated with a reduction in mPFC-dHPC theta coherence and mPFC-to-dHPC theta directionality. Our findings suggest that the Re contributes to deliberation by coordinating mPFC-dHPC neural interactions.
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14
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Viena TD, Rasch GE, Allen TA. Dual medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus projecting neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus. Brain Struct Funct 2022; 227:1857-1869. [PMID: 35279742 PMCID: PMC11229420 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-022-02478-x] [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: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The paraventricular nucleus (PVT) of the midline thalamus is a critical higher-order cortico-thalamo-cortical integration site that plays a critical role in various behaviors including reward seeking, cue saliency, and emotional memory. Anatomical studies have shown that PVT projects to both medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus (HC). However, dual mPFC-HC projecting neurons which could serve a role in synchronizing mPFC and HC activity during PVT-dependent behaviors, have not been explored. Here we used a dual retrograde adenoassociated virus (AAV) tracing approach to characterize the location and proportion of different projection populations that send collaterals to mPFC and/or ventral hippocampus (vHC) in rats. Additionally, we examined the distribution of calcium binding proteins calretinin (CR) and calbindin (CB) with respect to these projection populations in PVT. We found that PVT contains separate populations of cells that project to mPFC, vHC, and those that innervate both regions. Interestingly, dual mPFC-HC projecting cells expressed neither CR nor CB. Topographically, CB+ and CR+ containing cells clustered around dual projecting neurons in PVT. These results are consistent with the features of dual mPFC-vHC projecting cells in the nucleus reuniens (RE) and suggestive of a functional mPFC-PVT-vHC system that may support mPFC-vHC interactions in PVT-dependent behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana D Viena
- Department of Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Gabriela E Rasch
- Department of Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Timothy A Allen
- Department of Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
- Deparment of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
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15
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Hauer BE, Pagliardini S, Dickson CT. Tonic excitation of nucleus reuniens decreases prefrontal-hippocampal coordination during slow-wave states. Hippocampus 2022; 32:466-477. [PMID: 35522233 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23420] [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: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The nucleus reuniens of the thalamus (RE) is an important node between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the hippocampus (HPC). Previously, we have shown that its mode of activity and its influence in mPFC-HPC communication is dependent upon brain state. During slow-wave states, RE units are closely and rhythmically coupled to the ongoing mPFC-slow oscillation (SO), while during activated (theta) states, RE neurons fire in an arrhythmic and tonically active manner. Inactivating the RE selectively impoverishes coordination of the SO between mPFC and HPC and interestingly, both mPFC and RE stimulation during the SO cause larger responses in the HPC than during theta. It is unclear if the activity patterns within the RE across states may play a role in both phenomena. Here, we optogenetically excited RE neurons in a tonic fashion to assess the impact on mPFC-HPC coupling. This stimulation decreased the influence of mPFC stimulation in the HPC during SO states, in a manner similar to what is observed across state changes into theta. Importantly, this type of stimulation had no effect on evoked responses during theta. Perhaps more interestingly, tonic optogenetic excitation of the RE also decreased mPFC-HPC SO coherence. Thus, it may not be the integrity of the RE per se that is responsible for efficient communication between mPFC and HPC, but rather the particular state in which RE neurons find themselves. Our results have direct implications for how distant brain regions can communicate most effectively, an issue that is ultimately important for activity-dependent processes occurring during slow-wave sleep-dependent memory consolidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon E Hauer
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Silvia Pagliardini
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Clayton T Dickson
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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16
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Goswamee P, Rice R, Leggett E, Zhang F, Manicka S, Porter JH, McQuiston AR. Effects of subanesthetic ketamine and (2R,6R) hydroxynorketamine on working memory and synaptic transmission in the nucleus reuniens in mice. Neuropharmacology 2022; 208:108965. [PMID: 35065945 PMCID: PMC8885971 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.108965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Acute cognitive impairment and abuse potential of ketamine incentivizes the search for alternatives to ketamine for clinical management of treatment-resistant depression. Recently, (2R,6R) hydroxynorketamine ((2R,6R)-HNK), a metabolite of ketamine, has shown promise due to its reported lack of ketamine-like reinforcing properties. Nonetheless, the effect of (2R,6R)-HNK on cognition has not been reported. METHOD Adult male mice were placed in a Y-maze to measure spatial working memory (SWM) 24 h after treatment with either a single or repeated subanesthetic dose of (2R,6R)-HNK or ketamine. To determine the effect of the drug regimens on synaptic mechanisms in neural circuits deemed critical for SWM, we conducted patch-clamp electrophysiological recordings from neurons in the midline thalamic nucleus reuniens (RE) in response to optogenetic stimulation of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) inputs in acutely prepared brain slices. RESULTS Single or repeated treatment with a 10 mg/kg dose of either drug did not impact performance in a Y-maze. However, single administration of a ½-log higher dose (32 mg/kg) of ketamine significantly reduced SWM. The same dose of (2R,6R)-HNK did not produce SWM deficits. Interestingly, repeated administration of either drugs at the 32 mg/kg had no effect on SWM performances. Concomitant to these effects on SWM, only single injection of 32 mg/kg of ketamine was found to increase the mPFC-driven action potential firing activity in the RE neurons. Conversely, both single and repeated administration of the 32 mg/kg dose of (2R,6R)-HNK but not ketamine, increased the input resistance of the RE neurons. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that acute treatment of ketamine at 32 mg/kg increases mPFC-driven firing activity of RE neurons, and this contributes to the ketamine-mediated cognitive deficit. Secondly, sub-chronic treatment with the same dose of ketamine likely induces tolerance. Although single or repeated administration of the 32 mg/kg dose of (2R,6R)-HNK can alter intrinsic properties of RE neurons, this dose does not produce cognitive deficit or changes in synaptic mechanism in the RE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyodarshan Goswamee
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Remington Rice
- Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Elizabeth Leggett
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Sofia Manicka
- Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Joseph H Porter
- Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - A Rory McQuiston
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States.
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17
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Robinson JC, Brandon MP. Skipping ahead: A circuit for representing the past, present, and future. eLife 2021; 10:e68795. [PMID: 34647521 PMCID: PMC8516414 DOI: 10.7554/elife.68795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Envisioning the future is intuitively linked to our ability to remember the past. Within the memory system, substantial work has demonstrated the involvement of the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus in representing the past and present. Recent data shows that both the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus encode future trajectories, which are segregated in time by alternating cycles of the theta rhythm. Here, we discuss how information is temporally organized by these brain regions supported by the medial septum, nucleus reuniens, and parahippocampal regions. Finally, we highlight a brain circuit that we predict is essential for the temporal segregation of future scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer C Robinson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Rajen Kilachand Center for Integrated Life Sciences and Engineering, Boston UniversityBostonUnited States
| | - Mark P Brandon
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Hospital Research Centre, McGill UniversityMontrealCanada
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18
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Cassel JC, Ferraris M, Quilichini P, Cholvin T, Boch L, Stephan A, Pereira de Vasconcelos A. The reuniens and rhomboid nuclei of the thalamus: A crossroads for cognition-relevant information processing? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 126:338-360. [PMID: 33766671 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Over the past twenty years, the reuniens and rhomboid (ReRh) nuclei, which constitute the ventral midline thalamus, have received constantly growing attention. Since our first review article about the functional contributions of ReRh nuclei (Cassel et al., 2013), numerous (>80) important papers have extended anatomical knowledge, including at a developmental level, introduced new and very original electrophysiological insights on ReRh functions, and brought novel results on cognitive and non-cognitive implications of the ReRh. The current review will cover these recent articles, more on Re than on Rh, and their contribution will be approached according to their affiliation with work before 2013. These neuroanatomical, electrophysiological or behavioral findings appear coherent and point to the ReRh nuclei as two major components of a multistructural system supporting numerous cognitive (and non-cognitive) functions. They gate the flow of information, perhaps especially from the medial prefrontal cortex to the hippocampus and back, and coordinate activity and processing across these two (and possibly other) brain regions of major cognitive relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Christophe Cassel
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, F-67000 Strasbourg, France.
| | - Maëva Ferraris
- Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Marseille, France
| | - Pascale Quilichini
- Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Marseille, France
| | - Thibault Cholvin
- Institute for Physiology I, University Clinics Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Laurine Boch
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Aline Stephan
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Anne Pereira de Vasconcelos
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
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19
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Ferraris M, Cassel JC, Pereira de Vasconcelos A, Stephan A, Quilichini PP. The nucleus reuniens, a thalamic relay for cortico-hippocampal interaction in recent and remote memory consolidation. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 125:339-354. [PMID: 33631314 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The consolidation of declarative memories is believed to occur mostly during sleep and involves a dialogue between two brain regions, the hippocampus and the medial prefrontal cortex. The information encoded during experience by neuronal assemblies is replayed during sleep leading to the progressive strengthening and integration of the memory trace in the prefrontal cortex. The gradual transfer of information from the hippocampus to the medial prefrontal cortex for long-term storage requires the synchronization of cortico-hippocampal networks by different oscillations, like ripples, spindles, and slow oscillations. Recent studies suggest the involvement of a third partner, the nucleus reuniens, in memory consolidation. Its bidirectional connections with the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex place the reuniens in a key position to relay information between the two structures. Indeed, many topical works reveal the original role that the nucleus reuniens occupies in different recent and remote memories consolidation. This review aimed to examine these contributions, as well as its functional embedment in this complex memory network, and provide some insights on the possible mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maëva Ferraris
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Cassel
- Laboratoire De Neurosciences Cognitives Et Adaptatives, Université De Strasbourg, F-67000, Strasbourg, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, F-67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Anne Pereira de Vasconcelos
- Laboratoire De Neurosciences Cognitives Et Adaptatives, Université De Strasbourg, F-67000, Strasbourg, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, F-67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Aline Stephan
- Laboratoire De Neurosciences Cognitives Et Adaptatives, Université De Strasbourg, F-67000, Strasbourg, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, F-67000, Strasbourg, France
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20
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Thammasan N, Miyakoshi M. Cross-Frequency Power-Power Coupling Analysis: A Useful Cross-Frequency Measure to Classify ICA-Decomposed EEG. SENSORS 2020; 20:s20247040. [PMID: 33316928 PMCID: PMC7763560 DOI: 10.3390/s20247040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Magneto-/Electro-encephalography (M/EEG) commonly uses (fast) Fourier transformation to compute power spectral density (PSD). However, the resulting PSD plot lacks temporal information, making interpretation sometimes equivocal. For example, consider two different PSDs: a central parietal EEG PSD with twin peaks at 10 Hz and 20 Hz and a central parietal PSD with twin peaks at 10 Hz and 50 Hz. We can assume the first PSD shows a mu rhythm and the second harmonic; however, the latter PSD likely shows an alpha peak and an independent line noise. Without prior knowledge, however, the PSD alone cannot distinguish between the two cases. To address this limitation of PSD, we propose using cross-frequency power-power coupling (PPC) as a post-processing of independent component (IC) analysis (ICA) to distinguish brain components from muscle and environmental artifact sources. We conclude that post-ICA PPC analysis could serve as a new data-driven EEG classifier in M/EEG studies. For the reader's convenience, we offer a brief literature overview on the disparate use of PPC. The proposed cross-frequency power-power coupling analysis toolbox (PowPowCAT) is a free, open-source toolbox, which works as an EEGLAB extension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nattapong Thammasan
- Human Media Interaction, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands;
| | - Makoto Miyakoshi
- Swartz Center for Computational Neuroscience, Institute for Neural Computation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-858-822-7534
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21
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Troyner F, Bertoglio LJ. Nucleus reuniens of the thalamus controls fear memory reconsolidation. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2020; 177:107343. [PMID: 33242589 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2020.107343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The nucleus reuniens has been shown to support the acquisition, consolidation, maintenance, destabilization upon retrieval, and extinction of aversive memories. However, the direct participation of this thalamic subregion in memory reconsolidation is yet to be examined. The present study addressed this question in contextually fear-conditioned rats. Post-reactivation infusion of the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol, the glutamate N2A-containing NMDA receptor antagonist TCN-201, or the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin into the NR induced significant impairments in memory reconsolidation. Administering muscimol or TCN-201 and anisomycin locally, or associating locally infused muscimol or TCN-201 with systemically administered clonidine, an α2-receptor adrenergic agonist that attenuates the noradrenergic tonus associated with memory reconsolidation, produced no further reduction in freezing times when compared with the muscimol-vehicle, TCN-201-vehicle, vehicle-anisomycin, and vehicle-clonidine groups. This pattern of results indicates that such treatment combinations produced no additive/synergistic effects on reconsolidation. It is plausible that NR inactivation and antagonism of glutamate N2A-containing NMDA receptors weakened/prevented the subsequent action of anisomycin and clonidine because they disrupted the early stages of signal transduction pathways involved in memory reconsolidation. It is noteworthy that these pharmacological interventions, either alone or combined, induced no contextual memory specificity changes, as assessed in a later test in a novel and unpaired context. Besides, omitting memory reactivation precluded the impairing effects of muscimol, TCN-201, anisomycin, and clonidine on reconsolidation. Together, the present findings demonstrate interacting mechanisms through which the NR can regulate contextual fear memory restabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Troyner
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Leandro Jose Bertoglio
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil.
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22
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Thalamic nucleus reuniens regulates fear memory destabilization upon retrieval. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2020; 175:107313. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2020.107313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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23
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Viena TD, Rasch GE, Silva D, Allen TA. Calretinin and calbindin architecture of the midline thalamus associated with prefrontal–hippocampal circuitry. Hippocampus 2020; 31:770-789. [DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana D. Viena
- Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology Florida International University Miami Florida USA
| | - Gabriela E. Rasch
- Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology Florida International University Miami Florida USA
| | - Daniela Silva
- Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology Florida International University Miami Florida USA
| | - Timothy A. Allen
- Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology Florida International University Miami Florida USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences Robert Stempel College of Public Health, Florida International University Miami Florida USA
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Dolleman-van der Weel MJ, Witter MP. The thalamic midline nucleus reuniens: potential relevance for schizophrenia and epilepsy. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 119:422-439. [PMID: 33031816 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Anatomical, electrophysiological and behavioral studies in rodents have shown that the thalamic midline nucleus reuniens (RE) is a crucial link in the communication between hippocampal formation (HIP, i.e., CA1, subiculum) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), important structures for cognitive and executive functions. A common feature in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative brain diseases is a dysfunctional connectivity/communication between HIP and mPFC, and disturbances in the cognitive domain. Therefore, it is assumed that aberrant functioning of RE may contribute to behavioral/cognitive impairments in brain diseases characterized by cortico-thalamo-hippocampal circuit dysfunctions. In the human brain the connections of RE are largely unknown. Yet, recent studies have found important similarities in the functional connectivity of HIP-mPFC-RE in humans and rodents, making cautious extrapolating experimental findings from animal models to humans justifiable. The focus of this review is on a potential involvement of RE in schizophrenia and epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Dolleman-van der Weel
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience and Centre for Neural Computation, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim NO-7491, Norway.
| | - M P Witter
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience and Centre for Neural Computation, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim NO-7491, Norway.
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Cell Assemblies in the Cortico-Hippocampal-Reuniens Network during Slow Oscillations. J Neurosci 2020; 40:8343-8354. [PMID: 32994338 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0571-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleus reuniens (NR) is an important anatomic and functional relay between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the hippocampus (HPC). Whether the NR controls neuronal assemblies, a hallmark of information exchange between the HPC and mPFC for memory transfer/consolidation, is not known. Using simultaneous local field potential and unit recordings in NR, HPC, and mPFC in male rats during slow oscillations under anesthesia, we identified a reliable sequential activation of NR neurons at the beginning of UP states, which preceded mPFC ones. NR sequences were spatially organized, from dorsal to ventral NR. Chemical inactivation of the NR disrupted mPFC sequences at the onset of UP states as well as HPC sequences present during sharp-wave ripples. We conclude that the NR contributes to the coordination and stabilization of mPFC and HPC neuronal sequences during slow oscillations, possibly via the early activation of its own sequences.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Neuronal assemblies are believed to be instrumental to code/encode/store information. They can be recorded in different brain regions, suggesting that widely distributed networks of networks are involved in such information processing. The medial prefrontal cortex, the hippocampus, and the thalamic nucleus reuniens constitute a typical example of a complex network involved in memory consolidation. In this study, we show that spatially organized cells assemblies are recruited in the nucleus reuniens at the UP state onset during slow oscillations. Nucleus reuniens activity appears to be necessary to the stability of medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampal cell assembly formation during slow oscillations. This result further highlights the role of the nucleus reuniens as a functional hub for exchanging and processing memories.
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Varela C, Wilson MA. mPFC spindle cycles organize sparse thalamic activation and recently active CA1 cells during non-REM sleep. eLife 2020; 9:48881. [PMID: 32525480 PMCID: PMC7319772 DOI: 10.7554/elife.48881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sleep oscillations in the neocortex and hippocampus are critical for the integration of new memories into stable generalized representations in neocortex. However, the role of the thalamus in this process is poorly understood. To determine the thalamic contribution to non-REM oscillations (sharp-wave ripples, SWRs; slow/delta; spindles), we recorded units and local field potentials (LFPs) simultaneously in the limbic thalamus, mPFC, and CA1 in rats. We report that the cycles of neocortical spindles provide a key temporal window that coordinates CA1 SWRs with sparse but consistent activation of thalamic units. Thalamic units were phase-locked to delta and spindles in mPFC, and fired at consistent lags with other thalamic units within spindles, while CA1 units that were active during spatial exploration were engaged in SWR-coupled spindles after behavior. The sparse thalamic firing could promote an incremental integration of recently acquired memory traces into neocortical schemas through the interleaved activation of thalamocortical cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Varela
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States.,Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, United States
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27
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Vicente AF, Slézia A, Ghestem A, Bernard C, Quilichini PP. In Vivo Characterization of Neurophysiological Diversity in the Lateral Supramammillary Nucleus during Hippocampal Sharp-wave Ripples of Adult Rats. Neuroscience 2020; 435:95-111. [PMID: 32222556 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The extent of the networks that control the genesis and modulation of hippocampal sharp-wave ripples (SPW-Rs), which are involved in memory consolidation, remains incompletely understood. Here, we performed a detailed in vivo analysis of single cell firing in the lateral supramammillary nucleus (lSuM) during theta and slow oscillations, including SPW-Rs, in anesthetized rats. We classified neurons as SPW-R-active and SPW-R-unchanged according to whether or not they increased their firing during SPW-Rs. We show that lSuM SPW-R-active neurons increase their firing prior to SPW-Rs peak power and prior to hippocampal excitatory cell activation. Moreover, lSuM SPW-R-active neurons show increased firing activity during theta and slow oscillations as compared to unchanged neurons. These results suggest that a sub-population of lSuM neurons can interact with the hippocampus during SPW-Rs, raising the possibility that the lSuM may modulate memory consolidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana F Vicente
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Marseille, France.
| | - Andrea Slézia
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Marseille, France
| | - Antoine Ghestem
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Marseille, France
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28
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Quet E, Majchrzak M, Cosquer B, Morvan T, Wolff M, Cassel JC, Pereira de Vasconcelos A, Stéphan A. The reuniens and rhomboid nuclei are necessary for contextual fear memory persistence in rats. Brain Struct Funct 2020; 225:955-968. [PMID: 32146556 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-020-02048-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Memory persistence refers to the process by which a temporary, labile memory is transformed into a stable and long-lasting state. This process involves a reorganization of brain networks at systems level, which requires functional interactions between the hippocampus (HP) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The reuniens (Re) and rhomboid (Rh) nuclei of the ventral midline thalamus are bidirectionally connected with both regions, and we previously demonstrated their crucial role in spatial memory persistence. We now investigated, in male rats, whether specific manipulations of ReRh activity also affected contextual and cued fear memory persistence. We showed that the permanent ReRh lesion impaired remote, but not recent contextual fear memory. Tone-cued recent and remote fear memory were spared by the lesion. In intact rats, acute chemogenetic ReRh inhibition conducted before recall of either recent or remote contextual fear memories produced no effect, indicating that the ReRh nuclei are not required for retrieval of such memories. This was also suggested by a functional cellular imaging approach, as retrieval did not alter c-fos expression in the ReRh. Collectively, these data are compatible with a role for the ReRh in 'off-line' consolidation of a contextual fear memory and support the crucial importance of ventral midline thalamic nuclei in systems consolidation of memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Quet
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, LNCA, UMR7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, LNCA UMR 7364, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Monique Majchrzak
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, LNCA, UMR7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, LNCA UMR 7364, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Brigitte Cosquer
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, LNCA, UMR7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, LNCA UMR 7364, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas Morvan
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, LNCA, UMR7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, LNCA UMR 7364, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Mathieu Wolff
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, INCIA, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5287, Bordeaux, France
- Université de Bordeaux, INCIA, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5287, Bordeaux, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Cassel
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, LNCA, UMR7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, LNCA UMR 7364, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Anne Pereira de Vasconcelos
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, LNCA, UMR7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, LNCA UMR 7364, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Aline Stéphan
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, LNCA, UMR7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, LNCA UMR 7364, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
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Alonso A, van der Meij J, Tse D, Genzel L. Naïve to expert: Considering the role of previous knowledge in memory. Brain Neurosci Adv 2020; 4:2398212820948686. [PMID: 32954007 PMCID: PMC7479862 DOI: 10.1177/2398212820948686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, most of our new memories are in some way or another related to what we have already experienced. However, in memory research, especially in non-human animal research, subjects are often mostly naïve to the world. But we know that previous knowledge will change how memories are processed and which brain areas are critical at which time point. Each process from encoding, consolidation, to memory retrieval will be affected. Here, we summarise previous knowledge effects on the neurobiology of memory in both humans and non-human animals, with a special focus on schemas - associative network structures. Furthermore, we propose a new theory on how there may be a continuous gradient from naïve to expert, which would modulate the importance and role of brain areas, such as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Alonso
- Donders Centre for Brain,
Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline van der Meij
- Donders Centre for Brain,
Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Dorothy Tse
- Center for Discovery Brain
Sciences, Edinburgh Neuroscience, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh,
UK
| | - Lisa Genzel
- Donders Centre for Brain,
Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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30
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Afferent connections of the thalamic nucleus reuniens in the mouse. J Comp Neurol 2019; 528:1189-1202. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.24811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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31
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Hauer BE, Pagliardini S, Dickson CT. The Reuniens Nucleus of the Thalamus Has an Essential Role in Coordinating Slow-Wave Activity between Neocortex and Hippocampus. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0365-19.2019. [PMID: 31548369 PMCID: PMC6800294 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0365-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Sleep is a period of profound neural synchrony throughout the brain, a phenomenon involved in various physiological functions. The coordination between neocortex and hippocampus, in particular, appears to be critical for episodic memory, and, indeed, enhanced synchrony in this circuit is a hallmark of slow-wave sleep. However, it is unclear how this coordination is mediated. To this end, we examined the role of the thalamic nucleus reuniens (RE), a midline body with reciprocal connections to both prefrontal and hippocampal cortices. Using a combination of electrophysiological, optogenetic, and chemogenetic techniques in the urethane-anesthetized rat (a model of forebrain sleep activity), we directly assessed the role of the RE in mediating slow oscillatory synchrony. Using unit recording techniques, we confirmed that RE neurons showed slow rhythmic activity patterns during deactivated forebrain states that were coupled to ongoing slow oscillations. Optogenetic activation of RE neurons or their projection fibers in the cingulum bundle caused an evoked potential in hippocampus that was maximal at the level of stratum lacunosum-moleculare of CA1. A similar but longer-latency response could be evoked by stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex that was then abolished by chemogenetic inhibition of the RE. Inactivation of the RE also severely reduced the coherence of the slow oscillation across cortical and hippocampal sites, suggesting that its activity is necessary to couple slow-wave activity across these regions. These results indicate an essential role of the RE in coordinating neocortico-hippocampal slow oscillatory activity, which may be fundamental for slow-wave sleep-related episodic memory consolidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon E Hauer
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Silvia Pagliardini
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Clayton T Dickson
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada
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32
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Ramanathan KR, Maren S. Nucleus reuniens mediates the extinction of contextual fear conditioning. Behav Brain Res 2019; 374:112114. [PMID: 31351844 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Learning and remembering the context in which events occur requires interactions between the hippocampus (HPC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The nucleus reuniens (RE) is a ventral midline thalamic nucleus that coordinates activity in the mPFC and HPC and is involved in spatial and contextual memory. We recently found that the RE is critical for contextual fear conditioning in rats, a form of learning that involves interactions between the HPC and mPFC. Here we examined whether the RE mediates the extinction of contextual fear. After contextual fear conditioning, rats underwent an extinction procedure in which they were merely exposed to the conditioning context; freezing behavior during the extinction procedure and during a retrieval test 24 h later served as an index of conditioned fear. Muscimol inactivation of the RE prior to extinction impaired the acquisition of both short- and long-term extinction memories. Similarly, inactivation of the RE prior to the extinction retrieval test also impaired the expression of extinction; this effect was not state-dependent. Taken together, these results reveal that the extinction of contextual fear memories requires the RE, which is consistent with a broader role for the RE in forms of learning that require HPC-mPFC interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthik R Ramanathan
- Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Stephen Maren
- Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
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33
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Troyner F, Bicca MA, Bertoglio LJ. Nucleus reuniens of the thalamus controls fear memory intensity, specificity and long-term maintenance during consolidation. Hippocampus 2019; 28:602-616. [PMID: 29747244 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.22964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The thalamic nucleus reuniens (NR) has been shown to support bidirectional medial prefrontal cortex-hippocampus communication and synchronization relevant for cognitive processing. Using non-selective or prolonged inactivation of the NR, previous studies reported its activity positively modulates aversive memory consolidation. Here we examined the NR's role in consolidating contextual fear memories with varied strength, at both recent and more remote time points, using muscimol-induced temporary inactivation in rats. Results indicate the NR negatively modulates fear memory intensity, specificity, and long-term maintenance. The more intense, generalized, and enduring fear memory induced by NR inactivation during consolidation was less prone to behavioral suppression by extinction or reconsolidation disruption induced by clonidine, an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist. Lastly, we used immunohistochemistry for Arc protein, which is involved in synaptic modifications underlying memory consolidation, to investigate whether treatment condition and/or conditioning status could change its levels not only in the NR, but also in the hippocampus (dorsal and ventral CA1 subregions) and the medial prefrontal cortex (anterior cingulate, prelimbic and infralimbic subregions). Results indicate a significant imbalance in the number of Arc-expressing neurons in the brain areas investigated in muscimol fear conditioned animals when compared with controls. Collectively, present results provide convergent evidence for the NR's role as a hub regulating quantitative and qualitative aspects of a contextual fear memory during its consolidation that seem to influence the subsequent susceptibility to experimental interventions aiming at attenuating its expression. They also indicate the selectivity and duration of a given inactivation approach may influence its outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Troyner
- Departmento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Maíra A Bicca
- Departmento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Leandro J Bertoglio
- Departmento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil
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Dolleman-van der Weel MJ, Griffin AL, Ito HT, Shapiro ML, Witter MP, Vertes RP, Allen TA. The nucleus reuniens of the thalamus sits at the nexus of a hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex circuit enabling memory and behavior. Learn Mem 2019; 26:191-205. [PMID: 31209114 PMCID: PMC6581009 DOI: 10.1101/lm.048389.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The nucleus reuniens of the thalamus (RE) is a key component of an extensive network of hippocampal and cortical structures and is a fundamental substrate for cognition. A common misconception is that RE is a simple relay structure. Instead, a better conceptualization is that RE is a critical component of a canonical higher-order cortico-thalamo-cortical circuit that supports communication between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the hippocampus (HC). RE dysfunction is implicated in several clinical disorders including, but not limited to Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. Here, we review key anatomical and physiological features of the RE based primarily on studies in rodents. We present a conceptual model of RE circuitry within the mPFC-RE-HC system and speculate on the computations RE enables. We review the rapidly growing literature demonstrating that RE is critical to, and its neurons represent, aspects of behavioral tasks that place demands on memory focusing on its role in navigation, spatial working memory, the temporal organization of memory, and executive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margriet J Dolleman-van der Weel
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam NL-1007MB, The Netherlands
- Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam NL-1098XH, The Netherlands
| | - Amy L Griffin
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, USA
| | - Hiroshi T Ito
- Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Matthew L Shapiro
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York 12208, USA
| | - Menno P Witter
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience and Centre for Neural Computation, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim NO-7491, Norway
| | - Robert P Vertes
- Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, USA
| | - Timothy A Allen
- Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, USA
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35
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Clawson W, Vicente AF, Ferraris M, Bernard C, Battaglia D, Quilichini PP. Computing hubs in the hippocampus and cortex. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaax4843. [PMID: 31249875 PMCID: PMC6594769 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aax4843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Neural computation occurs within large neuron networks in the dynamic context of varying brain states. Whether functions are performed by specific subsets of neurons and whether they occur in specific dynamical regimes remain poorly understood. Using high-density recordings in the hippocampus, medial entorhinal, and medial prefrontal cortex of the rat, we identify computing substates where specific computing hub neurons perform well-defined storage and sharing operations in a brain state-dependent manner. We retrieve distinct computing substates within each global brain state, such as REM and nonREM sleep. Half of recorded neurons act as computing hubs in at least one substate, suggesting that functional roles are not hardwired but reassigned at the second time scale. We identify sequences of substates whose temporal organization is dynamic and stands between order and disorder. We propose that global brain states constrain the language of neuronal computations by regulating the syntactic complexity of substate sequences.
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Abstract
RATIONALE The experience of strong traumata leads to the formation of enduring fear memories that may degenerate into post-traumatic stress disorder. One of the most successful treatments for this condition consists of extinction training during which the repeated exposure to trauma-inducing stimuli in a safe environment results in an attenuation of the fearful component of trauma-related memories. While numerous studies have investigated the neural substrates of recent (e.g., 1-day-old) fear memory attenuation, much less is known about the neural networks mediating the attenuation of remote (e.g., 30-day-old) fear memories. Since extinction training becomes less effective when applied long after the original encoding of the traumatic memory, this represents an important gap in memory research. OBJECTIVES Here, we aimed to generate a comprehensive map of brain activation upon effective remote fear memory attenuation in the mouse. METHODS We developed an efficient extinction training paradigm for 1-month-old contextual fear memory attenuation and performed cFos immunohistochemistry and network connectivity analyses on a set of cortical, amygdalar, thalamic, and hippocampal regions. RESULTS Remote fear memory attenuation induced cFos in the prelimbic cortex, the basolateral amygdala, the nucleus reuniens of the thalamus, and the ventral fields of the hippocampal CA1 and CA3. All these structures were equally recruited by remote fear memory recall, but not by the recall of a familiar neutral context. CONCLUSION These results suggest that progressive fear attenuation mediated by repetitive exposure is accompanied by sustained neuronal activation and not reverted to a pre-conditioning brain state. These findings contribute to the identification of brain areas as targets for therapeutic approaches against traumatic memories.
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37
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Delli Pizzi S, Punzi M, Sensi SL. Functional signature of conversion of patients with mild cognitive impairment. Neurobiol Aging 2018; 74:21-37. [PMID: 30408719 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The entorhinal-hippocampal circuit is a strategic hub for cognition and the first site affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD). We investigated magnetic resonance imaging patterns of brain atrophy and functional connectivity in an Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative data set that included healthy controls, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and patients with AD. Individuals with MCI were clinically evaluated 24 months after the first magnetic resonance imaging scan, and the cohort subdivided into sets of individuals who either did or did not convert to AD. The MCI group was also divided into patients who did show or not the presence of AD-related alterations in the cerebrospinal fluid. Patients with AD exhibited the collapse of the long-range hippocampal/entorhinal connectivity, pronounced cortical/subcortical atrophy, and a dramatic decline in cognitive performances. Patients with MCI who converted to AD or patients with MCI who showed the presence of AD-related alterations in the cerebrospinal fluid showed memory deficits, entorhinal/hippocampal hypoconnectivity, and concomitant atrophy of the two regions. Patients with MCI who did not convert to AD or patients with MCI who did not show the presence of AD-related alterations in the cerebrospinal fluid had no atrophy but showed hippocampal/entorhinal hyperconnectivity with selected neocortical/subcortical regions involved in memory processing and brain metastability. This hyperconnectivity may represent a compensatory strategy against the progression of cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Delli Pizzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy; Center for excellence on Aging and Translational Medicine - Ce.S.I. - Me.T., "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Miriam Punzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy; Center for excellence on Aging and Translational Medicine - Ce.S.I. - Me.T., "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefano L Sensi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy; Center for excellence on Aging and Translational Medicine - Ce.S.I. - Me.T., "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy; Departments of Neurology and Pharmacology, Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
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