1
|
Moallem BI, Wen Z, Hammoud MZ, Su W, Pace-Schott EF, Milad MR. Impact of trauma type on neural mechanisms of threat conditioning and its extinction. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 178:50-58. [PMID: 39121707 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.07.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Trauma type moderates the impact of trauma exposure on clinical symptomatology; however, the impact of trauma type on the neural correlates of emotion regulation is not as well understood. This study examines how violent and nonviolent trauma differentially influence the neural correlates of conditioned fear and extinction. We aggregated psychophysiological and fMRI data from three studies; we categorized reported trauma as violent or nonviolent, and subdivided violent trauma as sexual or nonsexual. We examined skin conductance responses (SCR) during a fear conditioning and extinction paradigm. For fMRI data analyses, we conducted region-specific and whole-brain analyses. We examined associations between beta weights from specific brain regions and CAPS scores. The group exposed to violent trauma showed significantly higher SCR during extinction recall. Those exposed to nonviolent trauma showed significantly higher functional activation during late extinction learning. The group exposed to violent trauma showed higher functional connectivity within the default mode network (DMN) and between the DMN and frontoparietal control network. For secondary analyses of sexual vs nonsexual trauma, we did not observe any between-group differences in SCR. During late extinction learning, the group exposed to sexual trauma showed significantly higher activation in the prefrontal cortex and precuneus. During extinction recall, the group exposed to nonsexual trauma showed significantly higher activation in the insular cortex. Violent trauma significantly impacts functional brain activations and connectivity in brain areas important for perception and attention with no significant impact on brain areas that modulate emotion regulation. Sexual trauma impacts brain areas important for internal perception.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Isabel Moallem
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, 10016, USA; Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, 77054, USA
| | - Zhenfu Wen
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, 10016, USA; Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, 77054, USA
| | - Mira Z Hammoud
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, 10016, USA; Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, 77054, USA
| | - Wenjun Su
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Edward F Pace-Schott
- Sleep and Anxiety Disorders Laboratory, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Mohammed R Milad
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, 10016, USA; Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, 77054, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Laing PAF, Vervliet B, Dunsmoor JE, Harrison BJ. Pavlovian safety learning: An integrative theoretical review. Psychon Bull Rev 2024:10.3758/s13423-024-02559-4. [PMID: 39167292 DOI: 10.3758/s13423-024-02559-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Safety learning involves associating stimuli with the absence of threats, enabling the inhibition of fear and anxiety. Despite growing interest in psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience, safety learning lacks a formal consensus definition, leading to inconsistent methodologies and varied results. Conceptualized as a form of inhibitory learning (conditioned inhibition), safety learning can be understood through formal learning theories, such as the Rescorla-Wagner and Pearce-Hall models. This review aims to establish a principled conceptualization of 'Pavlovian safety learning', identifying cognitive mechanisms that generate safety and the boundary conditions that constrain it. Based on these observations, we define Pavlovian safety learning as an active associative process, where surprising threat-omission (safety prediction error) acts as a salient reinforcing event. Instead of producing merely neutral or nonaversive states, safety learning endows stimuli with active positive associations to 'safety'. The resulting stimulus-safety memories counteract the influence of fear memories, promoting fear regulation, positive affect, and relief. We critically analyze traditional criteria of conditioned inhibition for their relevance to safety and propose areas for future innovation. A principled concept of Pavlovian safety learning may reduce methodological inconsistencies, stimulate translational research, and facilitate a comprehensive understanding of an indispensable psychological construct.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick A F Laing
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
- Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
| | - Bram Vervliet
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joseph E Dunsmoor
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Ben J Harrison
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Harnett NG, Fleming LL, Clancy KJ, Ressler KJ, Rosso IM. Affective Visual Circuit Dysfunction in Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders. Biol Psychiatry 2024:S0006-3223(24)01433-1. [PMID: 38996901 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is widely recognized as involving disruption of core neurocircuitry that underlies processing, regulation, and response to threat. In particular, the prefrontal cortex-hippocampal-amygdala circuit is a major contributor to posttraumatic dysfunction. However, the functioning of core threat neurocircuitry is partially dependent on sensorial inputs, and previous research has demonstrated that dense, reciprocal connections exist between threat circuits and the ventral visual stream. Furthermore, emergent evidence suggests that trauma exposure and resultant PTSD symptoms are associated with altered structure and function of the ventral visual stream. In the current review, we discuss evidence that both threat and visual circuitry together are an integral part of PTSD pathogenesis. An overview of the relevance of visual processing to PTSD is discussed in the context of both basic and translational research, highlighting the impact of stress on affective visual circuitry. This review further synthesizes emergent literature to suggest potential timing-dependent effects of traumatic stress on threat and visual circuits that may contribute to PTSD development. We conclude with recommendations for future research to move the field toward a more complete understanding of PTSD neurobiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel G Harnett
- Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Leland L Fleming
- Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kevin J Clancy
- Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Isabelle M Rosso
- Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hinojosa CA, George GC, Ben-Zion Z. Neuroimaging of posttraumatic stress disorder in adults and youth: progress over the last decade on three leading questions of the field. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02558-w. [PMID: 38632413 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02558-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Almost three decades have passed since the first posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) neuroimaging study was published. Since then, the field of clinical neuroscience has made advancements in understanding the neural correlates of PTSD to create more efficacious treatment strategies. While gold-standard psychotherapy options are available, many patients do not respond to them, prematurely drop out, or never initiate treatment. Therefore, elucidating the neurobiological mechanisms that define the disorder can help guide clinician decision-making and develop individualized mechanisms-based treatment options. To this end, this narrative review highlights progress made in the last decade in adult and youth samples on three outstanding questions in PTSD research: (1) Which neural alterations serve as predisposing (pre-exposure) risk factors for PTSD development, and which are acquired (post-exposure) alterations? (2) Which neural alterations can predict treatment outcomes and define clinical improvement? and (3) Can neuroimaging measures be used to define brain-based biotypes of PTSD? While the studies highlighted in this review have made progress in answering the three questions, the field still has much to do before implementing these findings into clinical practice. Overall, to better answer these questions, we suggest that future neuroimaging studies of PTSD should (A) utilize prospective longitudinal designs, collecting brain measures before experiencing trauma and at multiple follow-up time points post-trauma, taking advantage of multi-site collaborations/consortiums; (B) collect two scans to explore changes in brain alterations from pre-to-post treatment and compare changes in neural activation between treatment groups, including longitudinal follow up assessments; and (C) replicate brain-based biotypes of PTSD. By synthesizing recent findings, this narrative review will pave the way for personalized treatment approaches grounded in neurobiological evidence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia A Hinojosa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Grace C George
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Ziv Ben-Zion
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- US Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang Y, Olsson S, Lipp OV, Ney LJ. Renewal in human fear conditioning: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 159:105606. [PMID: 38431150 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Renewal is a 'return of fear' manipulation in human fear conditioning to investigate learning processes underlying anxiety and trauma. Even though renewal paradigms are widely used, no study has compared the strength of different renewal paradigms. We conduct a systematic review (N = 80) and meta-analysis (N = 23) of human fear conditioning studies assessing renewal. Our analysis shows that the classic ABA design is the most effective paradigm, compared to ABC and ABBA designs. We present evidence that conducting extinction in multiple contexts and increasing the similarity between acquisition and extinction contexts reduce renewal. Furthermore, we show that additional cues can be used as safety and 'protection from extinction' cues. The review shows that alcohol weakens the extinction process and that older adults appear less sensitive to context changes and thus show less renewal. The large variability in approaches to study renewal in humans suggests that standardisation of fear conditioning procedures across laboratories would be of great benefit to the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Australia.
| | - Sarah Olsson
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
| | - Ottmar V Lipp
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
| | - Luke J Ney
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cisler JM, Dunsmoor JE, Privratsky AA, James GA. Decoding neural reactivation of threat during fear learning, extinction, and recall in a randomized clinical trial of L-DOPA among women with PTSD. Psychol Med 2024; 54:1091-1101. [PMID: 37807886 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723002891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Laboratory paradigms are widely used to study fear learning in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recent basic science models demonstrate that, during fear learning, patterns of activity in large neuronal ensembles for the conditioned stimuli (CS) begin to reinstate neural activity patterns for the unconditioned stimuli (US), suggesting a direct way of quantifying fear memory strength for the CS. Here, we translate this concept to human neuroimaging and test the impact of post-learning dopaminergic neurotransmission on fear memory strength during fear acquisition, extinction, and recall among women with PTSD in a re-analysis of previously reported data. METHODS Participants (N = 79) completed a context-dependent fear acquisition and extinction task on day 1 and extinction recall tests 24 h later. We decoded activity patterns in large-scale functional networks for the US, then applied this decoder to activity patterns toward the CS on day 1 and day 2. RESULTS US decoder output for the CS+ increased during acquisition and decreased during extinction in networks traditionally implicated in human fear learning. The strength of US neural reactivation also predicted individuals skin conductance responses. Participants randomized to receive L-DOPA (n = 43) following extinction on day 1 demonstrated less US neural reactivation on day 2 relative to the placebo group (n = 28). CONCLUSION These results support neural reactivation as a measure of memory strength between competing memories of threat and safety and further demonstrate the role of dopaminergic neurotransmission in the consolidation of fear extinction memories.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Josh M Cisler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
- Institute for Early Life Adversity Research, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Joseph E Dunsmoor
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
- Institute for Early Life Adversity Research, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | - G Andrew James
- Brain Imaging Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Knox D, Parikh V. Basal forebrain cholinergic systems as circuits through which traumatic stress disrupts emotional memory regulation. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 159:105569. [PMID: 38309497 PMCID: PMC10948307 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Contextual and spatial systems facilitate changes in emotional memory regulation brought on by traumatic stress. Cholinergic basal forebrain (chBF) neurons provide input to contextual/spatial systems and although chBF neurons are important for emotional memory, it is unknown how they contribute to the traumatic stress effects on emotional memory. Clusters of chBF neurons that project to the prefrontal cortex (PFC) modulate fear conditioned suppression and passive avoidance, while clusters of chBF neurons that project to the hippocampus (Hipp) and PFC (i.e. cholinergic medial septum and diagonal bands of Broca (chMS/DBB neurons) are critical for fear extinction. Interestingly, neither Hipp nor PFC projecting chMS/DBB neurons are critical for fear extinction. The retrosplenial cortex (RSC) is a contextual/spatial memory system that receives input from chMS/DBB neurons, but whether this chMS/DBB-RSC circuit facilitates traumatic stress effects on emotional memory remain unexplored. Traumatic stress leads to neuroinflammation and the buildup of reactive oxygen species. These two molecular processes may converge to disrupt chBF circuits enhancing the impact of traumatic stress on emotional memory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dayan Knox
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Behavioral Neuroscience Program, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
| | - Vinay Parikh
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Turkson S, van Rooij SJ, Powers A, Ofotokun I, Norrholm SD, N. Neigh G, Jovanovic T, Michopoulos V. HIV Interacts with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder to Impact Fear Psychophysiology in Trauma-Exposed Black Women. WOMEN'S HEALTH REPORTS (NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.) 2024; 5:231-241. [PMID: 38523844 PMCID: PMC10960165 DOI: 10.1089/whr.2023.0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Background The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among people living with HIV (PLWH) is higher than in the general population and can impact health behaviors. The influence of HIV on PTSD psychophysiology requires further investigation due to implications for the treatment of PTSD in PLWH. Objective Utilizing fear-potentiated startle (FPS), we aimed to interrogate the influence of PTSD and HIV on fear responses. Materials and Methods Women (18-65 years of age) recruited from the Women's Interagency HIV Study in Atlanta, GA (n = 70, 26 without HIV and 44 with HIV), provided informed consent and completed a semistructured interview to assess trauma exposure and PTSD symptom severity. Participants also underwent an FPS paradigm to assess fear acquisition and extinction: Psychophysiological indices that measure how individuals learn new fear and then subsequently attempt to suppress this fear. Results Women with PTSD, who did not have HIV, exhibited a greater startle response compared to women without PTSD or HIV during late acquisition to both the danger cue, reinforced conditioned stimulus (CS+, p = 0.013)), and the safety cue, non-reinforced conditioned stimulus (CS-, p = 0.046)), whereas women living with HIV (WLH) and PTSD demonstrated blunted fear responses compared to women with PTSD only. During extinction, WLH comorbid with PTSD exhibited an increased fear response during the extinction period in comparison to all other groups (p = 0.023). Women without PTSD demonstrated a reduction in the fear response during extinction regardless of HIV status. Conclusion Our findings indicate that HIV further modifies fear psychophysiology in WLH with comorbid PTSD, highlighting the importance of considering HIV status in conjunction with PTSD treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susie Turkson
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Sanne J.H. van Rooij
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Abigail Powers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Ighovwerha Ofotokun
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Grady Health System, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Seth D. Norrholm
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Gretchen N. Neigh
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Vasiliki Michopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lissek S, Tegenthoff M. Dissimilarities of neural representations of extinction trials are associated with extinction learning performance and renewal level. Front Behav Neurosci 2024; 18:1307825. [PMID: 38468709 PMCID: PMC10925752 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1307825] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Renewal of extinguished responses is associated with higher activity in specific extinction-relevant brain regions, i.e., hippocampus (HC), inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), and ventromedial PFC (vmPFC). HC is involved in processing of context information, while IFG and vmPFC use such context information for selecting and deciding among competing response options. However, it is as yet unknown to what extent trials with changed versus unchanged outcome, or extinction trials that evoke renewal (i.e., extinction context differs from acquisition and test context: ABA trials) and trials that do not (i.e., same context in all phases: AAA trials) are represented differentially in extinction-relevant brain regions. Methods In this study, we applied representational similarity analysis (RSA) to determine differences in neural representations of these trial types and their relationship to extinction error rates and renewal level. Results Overall, individuals with renewal (REN) and those without (NoREN) did not differ significantly in their discrimination levels between ABA and AAA extinction trials, with the exception of right posterior HC, where REN exhibited more pronounced context-related discrimination. In addition, higher dissimilarity of representations in bilateral posterior HC, as well as in several IFG regions, during extinction learning was linked to lower ABA renewal rates. Both REN and NoREN benefitted from prediction error feedback from ABA extinction errors for context- and outcome-related discrimination of trials in IFG, vmPFC, and HC, but only the NoREN group also benefitted from error feedback from AAA extinction errors. Discussion Thus, while in both groups the presence of a novel context supported formation of distinct representations, only in NoREN the expectancy violation of the surprising change of outcome alone had a similar effect. In addition, only in NoREN context-related discrimination was linked to error feedback in vmPFC. In summary, the findings show that context- and outcome-related discrimination of trials in HC, vmPFC, and IFG is linked to extinction learning errors, regardless of renewal propensity, and at the same time point towards differential context processing strategies in REN and NoREN. Moreover, better discrimination of context-related trials during extinction learning promotes less renewal during extinction recall, suggesting that renewal may be related to suboptimal context-related trial discrimination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silke Lissek
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Martin Tegenthoff
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Krueger JN, Patel NN, Shim K, Ng K, Sangha S. Conditioned inhibition of fear and reward in male and female rats. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2024; 208:107881. [PMID: 38135111 PMCID: PMC10922191 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107881] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Stimuli in our environment are not always associated with an outcome. Some of these stimuli, depending on how they are presented, may gain inhibitory value or simply be ignored. If experienced in the presence of other cues predictive of appetitive or aversive outcomes, they typically gain inhibitory value and become predictive cues indicating the absence of appetitive or aversive outcomes. In this case, these cues are referred to as conditioned inhibitors. Here, male and female Long Evans rats underwent cue discrimination training where a reward cue was paired with sucrose, a fear cue with footshock, and an inhibitor cue resulted in neither sucrose or footshock. During a subsequent summation test for conditioned inhibition of fear and reward, the inhibitor cue was presented concurrently with the reward and fear cues without any outcome, intermixed with trials of reinforced reward and fear trials. Males showed significant conditioned inhibition of freezing, while females did not, which was not dependent on estrous. Both males and females showed significant conditioned inhibition of reward. During a retardation of fear acquisition test, the inhibitor was paired with footshock and both males and females showed delayed acquisition of fear. During a retardation of reward acquisition test, the inhibitor was paired with sucrose, and females showed delayed acquisition of reward, while males did not. In summary, males and females showed significant reward-fear-inhibitor cue discrimination, conditioned inhibition of reward, and retardation of fear acquisition. The main sex difference, which was not estrous-dependent, was the lack of conditioned inhibition of freezing in females. These data imply that while the inhibitor cue gained some inhibitory value in the females, the strength of this inhibitory value may not have been great enough to effectively downregulate freezing elicited by the fear cue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jamie N Krueger
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA 47907
| | - Nupur N Patel
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA 47907
| | - Kevin Shim
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA 47907
| | - Ka Ng
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA 47907
| | - Susan Sangha
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA 47907; Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA 46202.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Fricke S, Seinsche RJ, Neudert MK, Schäfer A, Zehtner RI, Stark R, Hermann A. Neural correlates of context-dependent extinction recall in social anxiety disorder: relevance of intrusions in response to aversive social experiences. Psychol Med 2024; 54:548-557. [PMID: 37553977 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723002179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are phenomenological similarities between social anxiety disorder (SAD) and posttraumatic stress disorder, such as a provoking aversive event, posttraumatic stress symptoms (e.g. intrusions) in response to these events and deficient (context-dependent) fear conditioning processes. This study investigated the neural correlates of context-dependent extinction recall and fear renewal in SAD, specifically in patients with intrusions in response to an etiologically relevant aversive social event. METHODS During functional magnetic resonance imaging a two-day context-dependent fear conditioning paradigm was conducted in 54 patients with SAD and 54 healthy controls (HC). This included fear acquisition (context A) and extinction learning (context B) on one day, and extinction recall (context B) as well as fear renewal (contexts C and A) one day later. The main outcome measures were blood oxygen level-dependent responses in regions of interest and skin conductance responses. RESULTS Patients with SAD showed reduced differential conditioned amygdala activation during extinction recall in the safe extinction context and during fear renewal in the acquisition context compared to HC. Patients with clinically relevant intrusions moreover exhibited hypoactivation of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) during extinction learning, extinction recall, and fear renewal in a novel context, while amygdala activation more strongly decreased during extinction learning and increased during fear renewal in the acquisition context compared with patients without intrusions. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides first evidence that intrusions in SAD are associated with similar deficits in context-dependent regulation of conditioned fear via the vmPFC as previously demonstrated in posttraumatic stress disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Fricke
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rosa J Seinsche
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Marie K Neudert
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Axel Schäfer
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Phillips University Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Raphaela I Zehtner
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rudolf Stark
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Phillips University Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andrea Hermann
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Phillips University Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Pearson-Leary J, Abramenko AP, Estela-Pro V, Feindt-Scott E, Yan J, Vigderman A, Luz S, Bangasser D, Ross R, Kubin L, Bhatnagar S. Differential recruitment of brain circuits during fear extinction in non-stressed compared to stress resilient animals. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2125. [PMID: 38267506 PMCID: PMC10808124 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50830-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Dysfunctional fear responses in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be partly explained by an inability to effectively extinguish fear responses elicited by trauma-related cues. However, only a subset of individuals exposed to traumatic stress develop PTSD. Therefore, studying fear extinction deficits in animal models of individual differences could help identify neural substrates underlying vulnerability or resilience to the effects of stress. We used a rat model of social defeat in which rats segregate into passively and actively coping rats. In previous work, we showed that passively coping rats exhibit disruptions in social interaction whereas actively coping rats do not display behaviors differently from controls, indicating their resilience. Here, adult male rats exposed to 7 days of social defeat were tested for fear extinction, retention of extinction, and persistence of retention using contextual fear and ethologically-relevant fear tests. Passively coping rats exhibited elevated freezing in response to the previously extinguished context. Analyses of cFos expressing cells across select brain regions showed high correlations within dorsal hippocampal subregions, while passively coping rats had high correlations between the dorsal hippocampus CA1 and the central and basolateral subregions of the amygdala. Importantly, although control and actively coping rats showed similar levels of behavioral extinction, there was little similarity between activated structures, suggesting stress resilience in response to chronic social defeat involves an adaptive differential recruitment of brain circuits to successfully extinguish fear memories.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiah Pearson-Leary
- Stress Neurobiology Center, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Valerie Estela-Pro
- Stress Neurobiology Center, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Feindt-Scott
- Stress Neurobiology Center, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jason Yan
- Stress Neurobiology Center, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Abigail Vigderman
- Stress Neurobiology Center, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sandra Luz
- Stress Neurobiology Center, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Debra Bangasser
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Richard Ross
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Leszek Kubin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Seema Bhatnagar
- Stress Neurobiology Center, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, The Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Battaglia S, Di Fazio C, Mazzà M, Tamietto M, Avenanti A. Targeting Human Glucocorticoid Receptors in Fear Learning: A Multiscale Integrated Approach to Study Functional Connectivity. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:864. [PMID: 38255937 PMCID: PMC10815285 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020864] [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: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Fear extinction is a phenomenon that involves a gradual reduction in conditioned fear responses through repeated exposure to fear-inducing cues. Functional brain connectivity assessments, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), provide valuable insights into how brain regions communicate during these processes. Stress, a ubiquitous aspect of life, influences fear learning and extinction by changing the activity of the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus, leading to enhanced fear responses and/or impaired extinction. Glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) are key to the stress response and show a dual function in fear regulation: while they enhance the consolidation of fear memories, they also facilitate extinction. Accordingly, GR dysregulation is associated with anxiety and mood disorders. Recent advancements in cognitive neuroscience underscore the need for a comprehensive understanding that integrates perspectives from the molecular, cellular, and systems levels. In particular, neuropharmacology provides valuable insights into neurotransmitter and receptor systems, aiding the investigation of mechanisms underlying fear regulation and potential therapeutic targets. A notable player in this context is cortisol, a key stress hormone, which significantly influences both fear memory reconsolidation and extinction processes. Gaining a thorough understanding of these intricate interactions has implications in terms of addressing psychiatric disorders related to stress. This review sheds light on the complex interactions between cognitive processes, emotions, and their neural bases. In this endeavor, our aim is to reshape the comprehension of fear, stress, and their implications for emotional well-being, ultimately aiding in the development of therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Battaglia
- Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, Cesena Campus, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Di Fazio
- Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, Cesena Campus, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
| | - Matteo Mazzà
- Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, Cesena Campus, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Marco Tamietto
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
| | - Alessio Avenanti
- Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, Cesena Campus, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
- Neuropsicology and Cognitive Neuroscience Research Center (CINPSI Neurocog), Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Neudert MK, Schäfer A, Zehtner RI, Fricke S, Seinsche RJ, Stark R, Hermann A. Decontextualized fear memories? Stronger conditioned fear responses during extinction learning and extinction recall in a safe context predict the development of long-term analog intrusions. Psychol Med 2024; 54:159-168. [PMID: 37129070 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723001125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Difficulties in the context-dependent modulation of conditioned fear are known for posttraumatic stress disorder and may explain the occurrence of intrusive memories in safe contexts. The current study therefore investigated if reduced context-dependent modulation of conditioned fear and its underlying neural circuitry constitute risk factors for the development of analog intrusions in response to an experimental trauma. METHODS Eighty-five healthy women participated in the trauma film paradigm to investigate the development of analog intrusions as well as explicit memory for an experimental trauma after one week and three months, respectively. Before, participants underwent a context-dependent fear conditioning paradigm during functional magnetic resonance imaging with fear acquisition in context A and extinction training in context B on a first day, as well as extinction recall in context B and fear renewal in a novel context C one day later. Skin conductance responses (SCRs) and blood oxygen level dependent responses were main outcome measures. RESULTS In addition to stronger fear acquisition in context A, stronger conditioned fear responses in the safe context B, as indicated by stronger conditioned SCRs or stronger activation of fear expressing regions during extinction learning and recall, predicted the development of long-term analog intrusions. CONCLUSIONS Stronger fear responses in safe and danger contexts were risk factors for the development of long-term analog intrusions and point to decontextualized fear memories and difficulties in the context-dependent modulation of conditioned fear. Altered fear conditioning processes and reduced storage of contextual information may cause the occurrence of fear independent of context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie K Neudert
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Axel Schäfer
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Phillips University Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Raphaela I Zehtner
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Susanne Fricke
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rosa J Seinsche
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rudolf Stark
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Phillips University Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andrea Hermann
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Phillips University Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Iqbal J, Huang GD, Xue YX, Yang M, Jia XJ. The neural circuits and molecular mechanisms underlying fear dysregulation in posttraumatic stress disorder. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1281401. [PMID: 38116070 PMCID: PMC10728304 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1281401] [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: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a stress-associated complex and debilitating psychiatric disorder due to an imbalance of neurotransmitters in response to traumatic events or fear. PTSD is characterized by re-experiencing, avoidance behavior, hyperarousal, negative emotions, insomnia, personality changes, and memory problems following exposure to severe trauma. However, the biological mechanisms and symptomatology underlying this disorder are still largely unknown or poorly understood. Considerable evidence shows that PTSD results from a dysfunction in highly conserved brain systems involved in regulating stress, anxiety, fear, and reward circuitry. This review provides a contemporary update about PTSD, including new data from the clinical and preclinical literature on stress, PTSD, and fear memory consolidation and extinction processes. First, we present an overview of well-established laboratory models of PTSD and discuss their clinical translational value for finding various treatments for PTSD. We then highlight the research progress on the neural circuits of fear and extinction-related behavior, including the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala. We further describe different molecular mechanisms, including GABAergic, glutamatergic, cholinergic, and neurotropic signaling, responsible for the structural and functional changes during fear acquisition and fear extinction processes in PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Javed Iqbal
- Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Engineering Research Center for Precision Psychiatric Technology, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital and Shenzhen Mental Health Center; Clinical College of Mental Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center; Affiliated Mental Health Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Geng-Di Huang
- Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Engineering Research Center for Precision Psychiatric Technology, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital and Shenzhen Mental Health Center; Clinical College of Mental Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center; Affiliated Mental Health Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan-Xue Xue
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Mei Yang
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Engineering Research Center for Precision Psychiatric Technology, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital and Shenzhen Mental Health Center; Clinical College of Mental Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center; Affiliated Mental Health Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao-Jian Jia
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Engineering Research Center for Precision Psychiatric Technology, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital and Shenzhen Mental Health Center; Clinical College of Mental Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center; Affiliated Mental Health Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Hemi A, Sopp MR, Perel A, Holmes EA, Levy-Gigi E. Cognitive flexibility moderates the efficacy of a visuospatial intervention following exposure to analog trauma. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2023; 81:101858. [PMID: 37075659 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2023.101858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Intrusive memories are the hallmark feature of Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder (PTSD). Recent studies show that a visuospatial intervention after viewing traumatic films reduces intrusive memories in healthy individuals. However, many individuals still exhibit high levels of symptoms following such an intervention, warranting continued investigation into specific characteristics moderating intervention effect. One such candidate is cognitive-flexibility, defined as the ability to update behavior according to contextual demands. The present study examined the interactive effect of cognitive-flexibility and a visuospatial intervention on intrusive memories, predicting that higher flexibility would be associated with stronger intervention effects. METHODS Sixty participants (Mage = 29.07, SD = 4.23) completed a performance-based paradigm evaluating cognitive-flexibility, watched traumatic films, and were allocated to either an intervention or a no-task control group. Intrusions were assessed by means of laboratory and ambulatory assessment, and the intrusion subscale of the Impact-of-Events-Scale-Revised (IES-R). RESULTS Participants in the intervention group experienced fewer laboratory intrusions than the control group. However, this effect was moderated by cognitive-flexibility: Whereas individuals with below-average cognitive-flexibility did not benefit from the intervention, it was significantly beneficial for individuals with average and above-average cognitive-flexibility. No group differences emerged in the number of ambulatory intrusions or IES-R scores. However, cognitive-flexibility was negatively correlated with IES-R scores across both groups. LIMITATIONS The analog design may limit the extent of generalization to real-world traumatic events. CONCLUSIONS These results point to a potentially beneficial effect of cognitive-flexibility on intrusion development, particularly in the context of visuospatial interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alla Hemi
- Faculty of Education, Bar Ilan University, Israel
| | | | - Ariel Perel
- Faculty of Education, Bar Ilan University, Israel
| | - Emily A Holmes
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Einat Levy-Gigi
- Faculty of Education, Bar Ilan University, Israel; The Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Popovich C, Grau AS, Shih CH, Chidiac NT, Zhou A, Wang X, Xie H. Changes in fear-associated learning task brain activation over the COVID-19 pandemic period: a preliminary longitudinal analysis. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1239697. [PMID: 38076693 PMCID: PMC10699136 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1239697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound impacts on people worldwide. Previous studies have shown that fear learning, extinction, recall, and contextual information processing involve the activation of emotion and sensory brain systems, which can be modified. However, it remains unclear whether brain functions associated with these processes have been altered over the pandemic period. Methods We compared pre- and peri-pandemic brain activation during a fear-associated learning task (FALT) using previously collected data. The participants were divided into two groups: the pandemic group (n = 16), who completed a baseline FALT before the pandemic and repeated the task during the pandemic, and the non-pandemic group (n = 77), who completed both sessions before the pandemic began. Results Compared with the non-pandemic group, the pandemic group exhibited significant decreases in brain activation from baseline to follow-up assessments, including activation in the brainstem during early fear learning, the posterior thalamus/hippocampus during late extinction, and the occipital pole during late recall phases for contextual processing. Furthermore, activations associated with retrieving safety cues were reduced in the posterior cingulate, premotor, and calcarine cortices during the early recall phase, and activations associated with retrieving dangerous cues decreased in the occipital pole during the late recall phase. Additionally, correlations between decreased activation and elevated posttraumatic stress symptoms were observed. Conclusion These findings suggest that activations associated with processing low arousal contextual information, safety cues, and extinguished fear cues decreased during the pandemic. These changes in brain activation may have contributed to the increase in mental health disturbances observed during this time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claire Popovich
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Aaron S. Grau
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Chia-Hao Shih
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Neejad T. Chidiac
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Adrian Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Hong Xie
- Department of Neurosciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Grizzell JA, Vanbaelinghem M, Westerman J, Saddoris MP. Voluntary alcohol consumption during distinct phases of adolescence differentially alters adult fear acquisition, extinction and renewal in male and female rats. Stress 2023; 26:2278315. [PMID: 37916300 PMCID: PMC11042498 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2023.2278315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use during adolescence coincides with elevated risks of stress-related impairment in adults, particularly via disrupted developmental trajectories of vulnerable corticolimbic and mesolimbic systems involved in fear processing. Prior work has investigated the impact of binge-like alcohol consumption on adult fear and stress, but less is known about whether voluntarily consumed alcohol imparts differential effects based on adolescence phases and biological sex. Here, adolescent male and female Long Evans rats were granted daily access to alcohol (15%) during either early (Early-EtOH; P25-45) or late adolescence (Late-EtOH; P45-55) using a modified drinking-in-the-dark design. Upon adulthood (P75-80), rats were exposed to a three-context (ABC) fear renewal procedure. We found that male and female Early-EtOH rats showed faster acquisition of fear but less freezing during early phases of extinction and throughout fear renewal. In the extinction period specifically, Early-EtOH rats showed normal levels of freezing in the presence of fear-associated cues, but abnormally low freezing immediately after cue offset, suggesting a key disruption in contextual processing and/or novelty seeking brought by early adolescent binge consumption. While the effects of alcohol were most pronounced in the Early-EtOH rats (particularly in females), Late-EtOH rats displayed some changes in fear behavior including slower fear acquisition, faster extinction, and reduced renewal compared with controls, but primarily in males. Our results suggest that early adolescence in males and females and, to a lesser extent, late adolescence in males is a particularly vulnerable period wherein alcohol use can promote stress-related dysfunction in adulthood. Furthermore, our results provide multiple bases for future research focused on developmental correlates of alcohol mediated disruption in the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Alex Grizzell
- Dept Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder CO, 80301
- Dept of Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, Emory University, Atlanta GA 30322
| | - Maryam Vanbaelinghem
- Dept Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder CO, 80301
| | - Jessica Westerman
- Dept Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder CO, 80301
| | - Michael P Saddoris
- Dept Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder CO, 80301
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Ratigan HC, Krishnan S, Smith S, Sheffield MEJ. A thalamic-hippocampal CA1 signal for contextual fear memory suppression, extinction, and discrimination. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6758. [PMID: 37875465 PMCID: PMC10598272 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42429-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The adaptive regulation of fear memories is a crucial neural function that prevents inappropriate fear expression. Fear memories can be acquired through contextual fear conditioning (CFC) which relies on the hippocampus. The thalamic nucleus reuniens (NR) is necessary to extinguish contextual fear and innervates hippocampal CA1. However, the role of the NR-CA1 pathway in contextual fear is unknown. We developed a head-restrained virtual reality CFC paradigm, and demonstrate that mice can acquire and extinguish context-dependent fear responses. We found that inhibiting the NR-CA1 pathway following CFC lengthens the duration of fearful freezing epochs, increases fear generalization, and delays fear extinction. Using in vivo imaging, we recorded NR-axons innervating CA1 and found that NR-axons become tuned to fearful freezing following CFC. We conclude that the NR-CA1 pathway actively suppresses fear by disrupting contextual fear memory retrieval in CA1 during fearful freezing behavior, a process that also reduces fear generalization and accelerates extinction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heather C Ratigan
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60615, USA
- Doctoral Program in Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60615, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60615, USA
| | - Seetha Krishnan
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60615, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60615, USA
| | - Shai Smith
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60615, USA
- Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60615, USA
| | - Mark E J Sheffield
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60615, USA.
- Doctoral Program in Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60615, USA.
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60615, USA.
- Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60615, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Cox WR, Woelk M, de Vries OT, Krypotos AM, Kindt M, Engelhard IM, Sevenster D, van Ast VA. Context reexposure to bolster contextual dependency of emotional episodic memory. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17792. [PMID: 37853027 PMCID: PMC10584942 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40982-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Contextual overgeneralization of emotional memory is a core aspect of anxiety disorders. Identifying methods to enhance contextual dependency of emotional memory is therefore of significant clinical interest. Animal research points to a promising approach: reexposure to the context in which fear is acquired reduces generalization to other contexts. However, the exact conditions for this effect are unknown, complicating translation to effective interventions. Most notably, exposure to a context that resembles-but is not identical to-the learning context may diminish contextual dependency of memory by integration of additional contextual cues. Here, we therefore assessed in a large-scale study (N = 180) whether context reexposure enhances contextual dependency of emotional episodic memory whereas exposure to a similar context impairs it. We also tested whether relatively strong memory retrieval during context (re)exposure amplifies these effects. We replicated prior research showing that correct recognition depends on context and contextual dependency is lower for emotional than neutral memories. However, exposure to the encoding context or a similar context did not affect contextual dependency of memory, and retrieval strength did not interact with such effects. Thorough insight into factors underlying the effects of context (re)exposure on contextual dependency seems key to eventually attain a memory recontextualization intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wouter R Cox
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Mandy Woelk
- Research Unit Behaviour, Health, and Psychopathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Olivier T de Vries
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Merel Kindt
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Iris M Engelhard
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dieuwke Sevenster
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Vanessa A van Ast
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Alex Grizzell J, Vanbaelinghem M, Westerman J, Saddoris MP. Voluntary alcohol consumption during distinct phases of adolescence differentially alters adult fear acquisition, extinction and renewal in male and female rats. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.03.560757. [PMID: 37873067 PMCID: PMC10592894 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.03.560757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use during adolescence coincides with elevated risks of stress-related impairment in adults, particularly via disrupted developmental trajectories of vulnerable corticolimbic and mesolimbic systems involved in fear processing. Prior work has investigated the impact of binge-like alcohol consumption on adult fear and stress, but less is known about whether voluntarily consumed alcohol imparts differential effects based on adolescence phases and biological sex. Here, adolescent male and female Long Evans rats were granted daily access to alcohol (15%) during either early (Early-EtOH; P25-45) or late adolescence (Late-EtOH; P45-55) using a modified drinking-in-the-dark design. Upon adulthood (P75-80), rats were exposed to a three-context (ABC) fear renewal procedure. We found that male and female Early-EtOH rats showed faster acquisition of fear but less freezing during early phases of extinction and throughout fear renewal. In the extinction period specifically, Early-EtOH rats showed normal levels of freezing in the presence of fear-associated cues, but abnormally low freezing immediately after cue offset, suggesting a key disruption in contextual processing and/or novelty seeking brought by early adolescent binge consumption. While the effects of alcohol were most pronounced in the Early-EtOH rats (particularly in females), Late-EtOH rats displayed some changes in fear behavior including slower fear acquisition, faster extinction, and reduced renewal compared with controls, but primarily in males. Our results suggest that early adolescence in males and females and, to a lesser extent, late adolescence in males is a particularly vulnerable period wherein alcohol use can promote stress-related dysfunction in adulthood. Furthermore, our results provide multiple bases for future research focused on developmental correlates of alcohol mediated disruption in the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Alex Grizzell
- Dept Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder CO, 80301
- Dept of Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, Emory University, Atlanta GA 30322
| | - Maryam Vanbaelinghem
- Dept Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder CO, 80301
| | - Jessica Westerman
- Dept Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder CO, 80301
| | - Michael P Saddoris
- Dept Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder CO, 80301
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Siehl S, Wicking M, Pohlack S, Winkelmann T, Zidda F, Steiger-White F, Nees F, Flor H. Altered frontolimbic activity during virtual reality-based contextual fear learning in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder. Psychol Med 2023; 53:6345-6355. [PMID: 36601857 PMCID: PMC10520602 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722003695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deficiency in contextual and enhanced responding in cued fear learning may contribute to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We examined the responses to aversive Pavlovian conditioning with an unpredictable spatial context as conditioned stimulus compared to a predictable context. We hypothesized that the PTSD group would demonstrate less hippocampal and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) activation during acquisition and extinction of unpredictable contexts and an over-reactive amygdala response in the predictable contexts compared to controls. METHODS A novel combined differential cue-context conditioning paradigm was applied using virtual reality with spatial contexts that required configural and cue processing. We assessed 20 patients with PTSD, 21 healthy trauma-exposed (TC) and 22 non-trauma-exposed (HC) participants using functional magnetic resonance imaging, skin conductance responses, and self-report measures. RESULTS During fear acquisition, patients with PTSD compared to TC showed lower activity in the hippocampi in the unpredictable and higher activity in the amygdalae in the predictable context. During fear extinction, TC compared to patients and HC showed higher brain activity in the vmPFC in the predictable context. There were no significant differences in self-report or skin conductance responses. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that patients with PTSD differ in brain activation from controls in regions such as the hippocampus, the amygdala, and the vmPFC in the processing of unpredictable and predictable contexts. Deficient encoding of more complex configurations might lead to a preponderance of cue-based predictions in PTSD. Exposure-based treatments need to focus on improving predictability of contextual processing and reducing enhanced cue reactivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Siehl
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Manon Wicking
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- Department of Pain Medicine, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil GmbH, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sebastian Pohlack
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Tobias Winkelmann
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Francesca Zidda
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Frauke Steiger-White
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Frauke Nees
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Herta Flor
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Scheer JR, Clark KA, McConocha E, Wang K, Pachankis JE. Toward Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Sexual Minority Women: Voices From Stakeholders and Community Members. COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL PRACTICE 2023; 30:471-494. [PMID: 37547128 PMCID: PMC10403251 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2022.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Sexual minority women (SMW) experience an elevated risk of mental health problems compared to heterosexual women. However, knowledge gaps remain regarding whether cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions meet SMW's mental health needs. Further, virtually no studies have integrated stakeholder (i.e., researchers with content expertise in SMW's health and clinical providers who work with SMW) and community member (i.e., SMW) perspectives to identify CBT approaches that address SMW-specific issues. This study used qualitative data gathered from 39 SMW who reported depression, anxiety, suicidality, and heavy drinking in the past 3 months and 16 content experts and clinical providers to obtain information relevant to enhancing CBT for SMW. In addition, we used thematic analysis to identify themes related to the adaptation and delivery of CBT for SMW. Building on prior literature, this study's findings revealed seven considerations for delivering mental health services to SMW: (1) attending to SMW's diverse gender identities and expressions; (2) focusing on SMW's nonbinary stressors; (3) formulating SMW's gender-based stressors within a feminist framework; (4) applying intersectionality frameworks; (5) incorporating issues of diversity, multiculturalism, and social justice; (6) addressing the role of trauma exposure; and (7) addressing the role of alcohol use in SMW's lives. These considerations are reviewed in terms of their implications for clinical practice, with a focus on enhancing applications of existing CBT interventions, to best respond to the unique needs of this population.
Collapse
|
24
|
Joshi SA, Aupperle RL, Khalsa SS. Interoception in Fear Learning and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. FOCUS (AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC PUBLISHING) 2023; 21:266-277. [PMID: 37404967 PMCID: PMC10316209 DOI: 10.1176/appi.focus.20230007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by sustained symptoms, including reexperiencing, hyperarousal, avoidance, and mood alterations, following exposure to a traumatic event. Although symptom presentations in PTSD are heterogeneous and incompletely understood, they likely involve interactions between neural circuits involved in memory and fear learning and multiple body systems involved in threat processing. PTSD differs from other psychiatric conditions in that it is a temporally specific disorder, triggered by a traumatic event that elicits heightened physiological arousal, and fear. Fear conditioning and fear extinction learning have been studied extensively in relation to PTSD, because of their central role in the development and maintenance of threat-related associations. Interoception, the process by which organisms sense, interpret, and integrate their internal body signals, may contribute to disrupted fear learning and to the varied symptom presentations of PTSD in humans. In this review, the authors discuss how interoceptive signals may serve as unconditioned responses to trauma that subsequently serve as conditioned stimuli, trigger avoidance and higher-order conditioning of other stimuli associated with these interoceptive signals, and constitute an important aspect of the fear learning context, thus influencing the specificity versus generalization of fear acquisition, consolidation, and extinction. The authors conclude by identifying avenues for future research to enhance understanding of PTSD and the role of interoceptive signals in fear learning and in the development, maintenance, and treatment of PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sonalee A Joshi
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, Oklahoma (all authors); Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Joshi); Oxley College of Health Sciences, School of Community Medicine, University of Tulsa, Tulsa (Aupperle, Khalsa)
| | - Robin L Aupperle
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, Oklahoma (all authors); Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Joshi); Oxley College of Health Sciences, School of Community Medicine, University of Tulsa, Tulsa (Aupperle, Khalsa)
| | - Sahib S Khalsa
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, Oklahoma (all authors); Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Joshi); Oxley College of Health Sciences, School of Community Medicine, University of Tulsa, Tulsa (Aupperle, Khalsa)
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Xiang G, Liu X, Wang J, Lu S, Yu M, Zhang Y, Sun B, Huang B, Lu XY, Li X, Zhang D. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α activation facilitates contextual fear extinction and modulates intrinsic excitability of dentate gyrus neurons. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:206. [PMID: 37322045 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02496-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus encodes contextual information associated with fear, and cell activity in the DG is required for acquisition and extinction of contextual fear. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Here we show that mice deficient for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) exhibited a slower rate of contextual fear extinction. Furthermore, selective deletion of PPARα in the DG attenuated, while activation of PPARα in the DG by local infusion of aspirin facilitated extinction of contextual fear. The intrinsic excitability of DG granule neurons was reduced by PPARα deficiency but increased by activation of PPARα with aspirin. Using RNA-Seq transcriptome we found that the transcription level of neuropeptide S receptor 1 (Npsr1) was tightly correlated with PPARα activation. Our results provide evidence that PPARα plays an important role in regulating DG neuronal excitability and contextual fear extinction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guo Xiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Jiangong Wang
- Institute of Metabolic and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, 256600, China
| | - Shunshun Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Meng Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Yuhan Zhang
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Bin Sun
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Bin Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Xin-Yun Lu
- Department of Neuroscience & Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Xingang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Di Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, 250012, China.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Hosseini L, Sadigh-Eteghad S, Farajdokht F, Salehi-Pourmehr H, Pasokh A, Ziaee M, Sandoghchian Shotorbani S, Hosseini MJ, Mahmoudi J. Synergistic effects of combined therapy with cerebrolysin and enriched environment on anxiety-like behavior and spatial cognitive deficits in posttraumatic stress disorder-like mouse model. Behav Pharmacol 2023; 34:197-205. [PMID: 36853847 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious neuropsychiatric disorder that occurs after exposure to stressful, fearful, or troubling events. Cerebrolysin (CBL), consists of low molecular weights neurotrophic factors and amino acids obtained from purified porcine brain proteins. This study aimed to evaluate the possible therapeutic effects of enriched environment (EE) and CBL alone or combined for reducing anxiety and cognitive deficits in PTSD-like mouse models. For this purpose, inescapable electric foot shocks were delivered to Balb/c mice for two consecutive days. Then mice were treated with CBL (2.5 mL/kg) and/or were kept in EE (2 h per day) or received their combination for 14 consecutive days. The hole-board test and Lashley III paradigm were used to assess anxiety and spatial learning and memory, respectively. Changes in the serum corticosterone level and expression of synaptic elements, including; growth-associated protein 43, post-synaptic density 95, and synaptophysin were assessed in the hippocampus. This model caused anxiety and spatial memory impairment associated with increased serum corticosterone levels and decreased synaptic elements. Nevertheless, CBL and/or combination treatment could reverse behavioral and molecular alterations. Our findings indicated that CBL, separately or in combination with EE, is effective in reducing anxiety and spatial memory impairment in PTSD-like mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hanieh Salehi-Pourmehr
- Research Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz
| | | | - Mojtaba Ziaee
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh
| | | | - Mir-Jamal Hosseini
- Zanjan Applied Pharmacology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Badarnee M, Wen Z, Nassar N, Milad MR. Gray matter associations with extinction-induced neural activation in patients with anxiety disorders. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 162:180-186. [PMID: 37167838 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The relationship between structural characteristics and extinction-induced brain activations in anxiety disorders (ANX) remains a space for greater exploration. In this study, we assessed gray matter volume (GMV) and its associated functional activations during fear extinction memory recall in an ANX cohort. We performed voxel-based morphometry analysis to examine GMVs from ANX (n = 92) and controls (n = 73). We further examined the correlation between GMVs and extinction-induced neural activations during recall across groups. In the patients' group, we observed decreased GMV in the anterior hippocampus and increased GMV in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). Hippocampal volume was positively correlated with ventromedial prefrontal cortex activation in healthy controls, while it was negatively correlated with dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) activation in ANX. The dlPFC volume was positively correlated with activations of dACC, pre- and post-central gyrus, and supramarginal gyrus only in healthy controls. Therefore, the link between structural and functional imbalance within the hippocampus and dlPFC might contribute to the pathophysiology of ANX. In the controls, the relationship between structural variance in the hippocampus and dlPFC and extinction-induced neural activations is consistent with a greater ability to regulate fear responding; associations that were absent in the ANX cohort. Furthermore, our findings of structure-function abnormalities within key nodes of emotional homeostasis in ANX point to dlPFC as a potential neural node to target using neuromodulation tools.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Badarnee
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zhenfu Wen
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Noor Nassar
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mohammed R Milad
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Rockland, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Chaposhloo M, Nicholson AA, Becker S, McKinnon MC, Lanius R, Shaw SB. Altered Resting-State functional connectivity in the anterior and posterior hippocampus in Post-traumatic stress disorder: The central role of the anterior hippocampus. Neuroimage Clin 2023; 38:103417. [PMID: 37148709 PMCID: PMC10193024 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2023.103417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-traumatic stress disorder can be viewed as a memory disorder, with trauma-related flashbacks being a core symptom. Given the central role of the hippocampus in autobiographical memory, surprisingly, there is mixed evidence concerning altered hippocampal functional connectivity in PTSD. We shed light on this discrepancy by considering the distinct roles of the anterior versus posterior hippocampus and examine how this distinction may map onto whole-brain resting-state functional connectivity patterns among those with and without PTSD. METHODS We first assessed whole-brain between-group differences in the functional connectivity profiles of the anterior and posterior hippocampus within a publicly available data set of resting-state fMRI data from 31 male Vietnam war veterans diagnosed with PTSD (mean age = 67.6 years, sd = 2.3) and 29 age-matched combat-exposed male controls (age = 69.1 years, sd = 3.5). Next, the connectivity patterns of each subject within the PTSD group were correlated with their PTSD symptom scores. Finally, the between-group differences in whole-brain functional connectivity profiles discovered for the anterior and posterior hippocampal seeds were used to prescribe post-hoc ROIs, which were then used to perform ROI-to-ROI functional connectivity and graph-theoretic analyses. RESULTS The PTSD group showed increased functional connectivity of the anterior hippocampus with affective brain regions (anterior/posterior insula, orbitofrontal cortex, temporal pole) and decreased functional connectivity of the anterior/posterior hippocampus with regions involved in processing bodily self-consciousness (supramarginal gyrus). Notably, decreased anterior hippocampus connectivity with the posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus was associated with increased PTSD symptom severity. The left anterior hippocampus also emerged as a central locus of abnormal functional connectivity, with graph-theoretic measures suggestive of a more central hub-like role for this region in those with PTSD compared to trauma-exposed controls. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight that the anterior hippocampus plays a critical role in the neurocircuitry underlying PTSD and underscore the importance of the differential roles of hippocampal sub-regions in serving as biomarkers of PTSD. Future studies should investigate whether the differential patterns of functional connectivity stemming from hippocampal sub-regions is observed in PTSD populations other than older war veterans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Chaposhloo
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew A Nicholson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Royal Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Suzanna Becker
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Margaret C McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Saurabh Bhaskar Shaw
- Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Hill A, Johnston C, Agranoff I, Gavade S, Spencer-Segal J. Corticosterone enhances formation of non-fear but not fear memory during infectious illness. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1144173. [PMID: 37091592 PMCID: PMC10118046 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1144173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Survivors of critical illness are at high risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but administration of glucocorticoids during the illness can lower that risk. The mechanism is not known but may involve glucocorticoid modulation of hippocampal- and amygdala-dependent memory formation. In this study, we sought to determine whether glucocorticoids given during an acute illness influence the formation and persistence of fear and non-fear memories from the time of the illness. Methods We performed cecal ligation and puncture in male and female mice to induce an acute infectious illness. During the illness, mice were introduced to a neutral object in their home cage and separately underwent contextual fear conditioning. We then tested the persistence of object and fear memories after recovery. Results Glucocorticoid treatment enhanced object discrimination but did not alter the expression of contextual fear memory. During context re-exposure, neural activity was elevated in the dentate gyrus irrespective of fear conditioning. Conclusions Our results suggest that glucocorticoids given during illness enhance hippocampal-dependent non-fear memory processes. This indicates that PTSD outcomes in critically ill patients may be improved by enhancing non-fear memories from the time of their illness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alice Hill
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Colin Johnston
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Isaac Agranoff
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Swapnil Gavade
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Joanna Spencer-Segal
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Neudert MK, Schäfer A, Zehtner RI, Fricke S, Seinsche RJ, Kruse O, Stark R, Hermann A. Behavioral pattern separation is associated with neural and electrodermal correlates of context-dependent fear conditioning. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5577. [PMID: 37019951 PMCID: PMC10076331 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31504-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hippocampus-dependent pattern separation is considered as a relevant factor for context discrimination and might therefore impact the contextual modulation of conditioned fear. However, the association between pattern separation and context-dependent fear conditioning has not been investigated so far. In the current study, 72 healthy female students completed the Mnemonic Similarity Task, a measure of behavioral pattern separation, in addition to a context-dependent fear conditioning paradigm during functional magnetic resonance imaging. The paradigm included fear acquisition in context A and extinction training in context B on a first day, as well as retrieval testing of the fear and extinction memories in the safe context B (extinction recall) and a novel context C (fear renewal) one day later. Main outcome measures comprised skin conductance responses (SCRs) and blood oxygen level-dependent responses in brain regions of the fear and extinction circuit. Regarding retrieval testing, pattern separation did not correlate with extinction recall, but with stronger dorsal anterior cingulate cortex activation and conditioned SCRs (trend) during fear renewal, indicating a stronger retrieval of the fear memory trace. Our findings suggest that behavioral pattern separation ability seems to be important for context-dependent fear modulation, which is impaired in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie K Neudert
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Axel Schäfer
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Phillips University Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Raphaela I Zehtner
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Susanne Fricke
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rosa J Seinsche
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Onno Kruse
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rudolf Stark
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Phillips University Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andrea Hermann
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Phillips University Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
On making (and turning adaptive to) maladaptive aversive memories in laboratory rodents. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 147:105101. [PMID: 36804263 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Fear conditioning and avoidance tasks usually elicit adaptive aversive memories. Traumatic memories are more intense, generalized, inflexible, and resistant to attenuation via extinction- and reconsolidation-based strategies. Inducing and assessing these dysfunctional, maladaptive features in the laboratory are crucial to interrogating posttraumatic stress disorder's neurobiology and exploring innovative treatments. Here we analyze over 350 studies addressing this question in adult rats and mice. There is a growing interest in modeling several qualitative and quantitative memory changes by exposing already stressed animals to freezing- and avoidance-related tests or using a relatively high aversive training magnitude. Other options combine aversive/fearful tasks with post-acquisition or post-retrieval administration of one or more drugs provoking neurochemical or epigenetic alterations reported in the trauma aftermath. It is potentially instructive to integrate these procedures and incorporate the measurement of autonomic and endocrine parameters. Factors to consider when defining the organismic and procedural variables, partially neglected aspects (sex-dependent differences and recent vs. remote data comparison) and suggestions for future research (identifying reliable individual risk and treatment-response predictors) are discussed.
Collapse
|
32
|
Kelley DP, Albrechet‐Souza L, Cruise S, Maiya R, Destouni A, Sakamuri SSVP, Duplooy A, Hibicke M, Nichols C, Katakam PVG, Gilpin NW, Francis J. Conditioned place avoidance is associated with a distinct hippocampal phenotype, partly preserved pattern separation, and reduced reactive oxygen species production after stress. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2023; 22:e12840. [PMID: 36807494 PMCID: PMC10067435 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
Stress is associated with contextual memory deficits, which may mediate avoidance of trauma-associated contexts in posttraumatic stress disorder. These deficits may emerge from impaired pattern separation, the independent representation of similar experiences by the dentate gyrus-Cornu Ammonis 3 (DG-CA3) circuit of the dorsal hippocampus, which allows for appropriate behavioral responses to specific environmental stimuli. Neurogenesis in the DG is controlled by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and may contribute to pattern separation. In Experiment 1, we performed RNA sequencing of the dorsal hippocampus 16 days after stress in rats that either develop conditioned place avoidance to a predator urine-associated context (Avoiders), or do not (Non-Avoiders). Weighted genome correlational network analysis showed that increased expression of oxidative phosphorylation-associated gene transcripts and decreased expression of gene transcripts for axon guidance and insulin signaling were associated with avoidance behavior. Based on these data, in Experiment 2, we hypothesized that Avoiders would exhibit elevated hippocampal (HPC) ROS production and degraded object pattern separation (OPS) compared with Nonavoiders. Stress impaired pattern separation performance in Non-Avoider and Avoider rats compared with nonstressed Controls, but surprisingly, Avoiders exhibited partly preserved pattern separation performance and significantly lower ROS production compared with Non-Avoiders. Lower ROS production was associated with better OPS performance in Stressed rats, but ROS production was not associated with OPS performance in Controls. These results suggest a strong negative association between HPC ROS production and pattern separation after stress, and that stress effects on these outcome variables may be associated with avoidance of a stress-paired context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D. Parker Kelley
- Comparative Biomedical SciencesLouisiana State University School of Veterinary MedicineBaton RougeLouisianaUSA
- Department of PhysiologyLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - Lucas Albrechet‐Souza
- Department of Cell Biology & AnatomyLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
- Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center of ExcellenceLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - Shealan Cruise
- Department of PhysiologyLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - Rajani Maiya
- Department of PhysiologyLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - Aspasia Destouni
- Comparative Biomedical SciencesLouisiana State University School of Veterinary MedicineBaton RougeLouisianaUSA
| | | | - Alexander Duplooy
- Comparative Biomedical SciencesLouisiana State University School of Veterinary MedicineBaton RougeLouisianaUSA
| | - Meghan Hibicke
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental TherapeuticsLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - Charles Nichols
- Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center of ExcellenceLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental TherapeuticsLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - Prasad V. G. Katakam
- Department of PharmacologyTulane University School of MedicineNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - Nicholas W. Gilpin
- Department of PhysiologyLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
- Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center of ExcellenceLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
- Neuroscience Center of ExcellenceLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
- Southeast Louisiana VA Healthcare System (SLVHCS)New OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - Joseph Francis
- Comparative Biomedical SciencesLouisiana State University School of Veterinary MedicineBaton RougeLouisianaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Ratigan HC, Krishnan S, Smith S, Sheffield MEJ. Direct Thalamic Inputs to Hippocampal CA1 Transmit a Signal That Suppresses Ongoing Contextual Fear Memory Retrieval. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2729263. [PMID: 37034716 PMCID: PMC10081386 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2729263/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Memory retrieval of fearful experiences is essential for survival but can be maladaptive if not appropriately suppressed. Fear memories can be acquired through contextual fear conditioning (CFC) which relies on the hippocampus. The thalamic subregion Nucleus Reuniens (NR) is necessary for contextual fear extinction and strongly projects to hippocampal subregion CA1. However, the NR-CA1 pathway has not been investigated during behavior, leaving unknown its role in contextual fear memory retrieval. We implement a novel head-restrained virtual reality CFC paradigm and show that inactivation of the NR-CA1 pathway prolongs fearful freezing epochs, induces fear generalization, and delays extinction. We use in vivo sub-cellular imaging to specifically record NR-axons innervating CA1 before and after CFC. We find NR-axons become selectively tuned to freezing only after CFC, and this activity is well-predicted by an encoding model. We conclude that the NR-CA1 pathway actively suppresses fear responses by disrupting ongoing hippocampal-dependent contextual fear memory retrieval.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heather C. Ratigan
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
- Doctoral Program in Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
| | - Seetha Krishnan
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
| | - Shai Smith
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
- Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
| | - Mark E. J. Sheffield
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
- Doctoral Program in Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
- Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Ratigan HC, Krishnan S, Smith S, Sheffield MEJ. Direct Thalamic Inputs to Hippocampal CA1 Transmit a Signal That Suppresses Ongoing Contextual Fear Memory Retrieval. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.27.534420. [PMID: 37034812 PMCID: PMC10081195 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.27.534420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Memory retrieval of fearful experiences is essential for survival but can be maladaptive if not appropriately suppressed. Fear memories can be acquired through contextual fear conditioning (CFC) which relies on the hippocampus. The thalamic subregion Nucleus Reuniens (NR) is necessary for contextual fear extinction and strongly projects to hippocampal subregion CA1. However, the NR-CA1 pathway has not been investigated during behavior, leaving unknown its role in contextual fear memory retrieval. We implement a novel head-restrained virtual reality CFC paradigm and show that inactivation of the NR-CA1 pathway prolongs fearful freezing epochs, induces fear generalization, and delays extinction. We use in vivo sub-cellular imaging to specifically record NR-axons innervating CA1 before and after CFC. We find NR-axons become selectively tuned to freezing only after CFC, and this activity is well-predicted by an encoding model. We conclude that the NR-CA1 pathway actively suppresses fear responses by disrupting ongoing hippocampal-dependent contextual fear memory retrieval.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heather C. Ratigan
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
- Doctoral Program in Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
| | - Seetha Krishnan
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
| | - Shai Smith
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
- Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
| | - Mark E. J. Sheffield
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
- Doctoral Program in Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
- Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Venkataraman A, Dias BG. Expanding the canon: An inclusive neurobiology of thalamic and subthalamic fear circuits. Neuropharmacology 2023; 226:109380. [PMID: 36572176 PMCID: PMC9984284 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Appropriate expression of fear in the face of threats in the environment is essential for survival. The sustained expression of fear in the absence of threat signals is a central pathological feature of trauma- and anxiety-related disorders. Our understanding of the neural circuitry that controls fear inhibition coalesces around the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. By discussing thalamic and sub-thalamic influences on fear-related learning and expression in this review, we suggest a more inclusive neurobiological framework that expands our canonical view of fear. First, we visit how fear-related learning and expression is influenced by the aforementioned canonical brain regions. Next, we review emerging data that shed light on new roles for thalamic and subthalamic nuclei in fear-related learning and expression. Then, we highlight how these neuroanatomical hubs can modulate fear via integration of sensory and salient stimuli, gating information flow and calibrating behavioral responses, as well as maintaining and updating memory representations. Finally, we propose that the presence of this thalamic and sub-thalamic neuroanatomy in parallel with the tripartite prefrontal cortex-amygdala-hippocampus circuit allows for dynamic modulation of information based on interoceptive and exteroceptive signals. This article is part of the Special Issue on "Fear, Anxiety and PTSD".
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Archana Venkataraman
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Pharmacology, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Brian George Dias
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Division of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Crombie KM, Azar A, Botsford C, Heilicher M, Moughrabi N, Gruichich TS, Schomaker CM, Dunsmoor JE, Cisler JM. Aerobic exercise after extinction learning reduces return of fear and enhances memory of items encoded during extinction learning. Ment Health Phys Act 2023; 24:100510. [PMID: 37065640 PMCID: PMC10104454 DOI: 10.1016/j.mhpa.2023.100510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Fear conditioning paradigms are widely used in laboratory settings to discover treatments that enhance memory consolidation and various fear processes (extinction learning, limit return of fear) that are relevant targets of exposure-based therapies. However, traditional lab-based paradigms often use the exact same conditioned stimuli for acquisition and extinction (typically differentiated with a context manipulation), whereas the opposite is true in clinical settings, as exposure therapy rarely (if ever) uses precisely the exact same stimuli from an individual's learning history. Accordingly, this study utilized a novel three-day category-based fear conditioning protocol (that uses categories of non-repeating objects [animals and tools] as conditioned stimuli during fear conditioning and extinction) to determine if aerobic exercise enhances the consolidation of extinction learning (reduces return of fear) and memory (for items encoded during extinction) during subsequent tests of extinction recall. Participants (n=40) completed a fear acquisition (day 1), fear extinction (day 2), and extinction recall (day 3) protocol. On day 1, participants completed a fear acquisition task in which they were trained to associate a category of conditioned stimuli (CS+) with the occurrence of an unconditioned stimulus (US). On day 2, participants were administered a fear extinction procedure during which CS+ and CS- categorical stimuli were presented in absence of the occurrence of the US. After completing the task, participants were randomly assigned to either receive moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (EX) or a light-intensity control (CON) condition. On day 3, participants completed fear recall tests (during which day 1, day 2, and novel CS+ and CS- stimuli were presented). Fear responding was assessed via threat expectancy ratings and skin conductance responses (SCR). During the fear recall tests, the EX group reported significantly lower threat expectancy ratings to the CS+ and CS- and exhibited greater memory of CS+ and CS- stimuli that were previously presented during day 2. There were no significant group differences for SCR. These results suggests that administration of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise following extinction learning contributes to reduced threat expectancies during tests of fear recall and enhanced memory of items encoded during extinction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M. Crombie
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, Texas, United States of America 78712
| | - Ameera Azar
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, Texas, United States of America 78712
| | - Chloe Botsford
- University of Wisconsin – Madison, Department of Psychiatry, 6001 Research Park Boulevard, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America, 53719
| | - Mickela Heilicher
- University of Wisconsin – Madison, Department of Psychiatry, 6001 Research Park Boulevard, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America, 53719
| | - Nicole Moughrabi
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, Texas, United States of America 78712
| | - Tijana Sagorac Gruichich
- University of Wisconsin – Madison, Department of Psychiatry, 6001 Research Park Boulevard, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America, 53719
| | - Chloe M. Schomaker
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, Texas, United States of America 78712
| | - Joseph E. Dunsmoor
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, Texas, United States of America 78712
| | - Josh M. Cisler
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, Texas, United States of America 78712
- Institute for Early Life Adversity Research, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, Texas, United States of America 78712
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Reardon S. Anxiety can be created by the body, mouse heart study suggests. Nature 2023:10.1038/d41586-023-00584-2. [PMID: 36859676 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-00584-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
|
38
|
Beckers T, Hermans D, Lange I, Luyten L, Scheveneels S, Vervliet B. Understanding clinical fear and anxiety through the lens of human fear conditioning. NATURE REVIEWS PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 2:233-245. [PMID: 36811021 PMCID: PMC9933844 DOI: 10.1038/s44159-023-00156-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Fear is an adaptive emotion that mobilizes defensive resources upon confrontation with danger. However, fear becomes maladaptive and can give rise to the development of clinical anxiety when it exceeds the degree of threat, generalizes broadly across stimuli and contexts, persists after the danger is gone or promotes excessive avoidance behaviour. Pavlovian fear conditioning has been the prime research instrument that has led to substantial progress in understanding the multi-faceted psychological and neurobiological mechanisms of fear in past decades. In this Perspective, we suggest that fruitful use of Pavlovian fear conditioning as a laboratory model of clinical anxiety requires moving beyond the study of fear acquisition to associated fear conditioning phenomena: fear extinction, generalization of conditioned fear and fearful avoidance. Understanding individual differences in each of these phenomena, not only in isolation but also in how they interact, will further strengthen the external validity of the fear conditioning model as a tool with which to study maladaptive fear as it manifests in clinical anxiety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tom Beckers
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium ,grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk Hermans
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Iris Lange
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium ,grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Luyten
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium ,grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sara Scheveneels
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bram Vervliet
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium ,grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Glucocorticoid-based pharmacotherapies preventing PTSD. Neuropharmacology 2023; 224:109344. [PMID: 36402246 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly disabling psychiatric condition that may arise after exposure to acute and severe trauma. It is a highly prevalent mental disorder worldwide, and the current treatment options for these patients remain limited due to low effectiveness. The time window right after traumatic events provides clinicians with a unique opportunity for preventive interventions against potential deleterious alterations in brain function that lead to PTSD. Some studies pointed out that PTSD patients present an abnormal function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis that may contribute to a vulnerability toward PTSD. Moreover, glucocorticoids have arisen as a promising option for preventing the disorder's development when administered in the aftermath of trauma. The present work compiles the recent findings of glucocorticoid administration for the prevention of a PTSD phenotype, from human studies to animal models of PTSD. Overall, glucocorticoid-based therapies for preventing PTSD demonstrated moderate evidence in terms of efficacy in both clinical and preclinical studies. Although clinical studies point out that glucocorticoids may not be effective for all patients' subpopulations, those with adequate traits might greatly benefit from them. Preclinical studies provide precise insight into the mechanisms mediating this preventive effect, showing glucocorticoid-based prevention to reduce long-lasting behavioral and neurobiological abnormalities caused by traumatic stress. However, further research is needed to delineate the precise mechanisms and the extent to which these interventions can translate into lower PTSD rates and morbidity. This article is part of the Special Issue on 'Fear, Anxiety and PTSD'.
Collapse
|
40
|
Corticosterone enhances formation of non-fear but not fear memory during infectious illness. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.07.526836. [PMID: 36798285 PMCID: PMC9934541 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.07.526836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Survivors of critical illness are at high risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but administration of glucocorticoids during the illness can lower that risk. The mechanism is not known but may involve glucocorticoid modulation of hippocampal- and amygdalar-dependent memory formation. In this study, we sought to determine whether glucocorticoids given during an acute illness influence the formation and persistence of fear and non-fear memories from the time of the illness. We performed cecal ligation and puncture in male and female mice to induce an acute infectious illness. During the illness, mice were introduced to a neutral object in their home cage and separately underwent contextual fear conditioning. We then tested the persistence of object and fear memories after recovery. Glucocorticoid treatment enhanced object discrimination but did not alter the expression of contextual fear memory. During context re-exposure, neural activity was elevated in the dentate gyrus irrespective of fear conditioning. Our results suggest that glucocorticoids given during illness enhance hippocampal-dependent non-fear memory processes. This indicates that PTSD outcomes in critically ill patients may be improved by enhancing non-fear memories from the time of their illness.
Collapse
|
41
|
Lokshina Y, Sheynin J, Vogt GS, Liberzon I. Fear Extinction Learning in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2023; 64:257-270. [PMID: 37535308 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2023_436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Impairments in fear extinction processes have been implicated in the genesis and maintenance of debilitating psychopathologies, including Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD, classified as a trauma- and stressor-related disorder, is characterized by four symptom clusters: intrusive recollections of trauma, avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, alterations in cognition and mood, and hyperarousal. One of the key pathological feature associated with the persistence of these symptoms is impaired fear extinction, as delineated in multiple studies employing Pavlovian fear-conditioning paradigms. These paradigms, comprising fear acquisition, extinction, extinction recall, and fear renewal phases, have illuminated the neurobiological substrates of PTSD. Dysfunctions in the neural circuits that mediate these fear learning and extinction processes can result in failure to extinguish fear responses and retain extinction memory, giving rise to enduring experience of fear and anxiety. The protective avoidance behaviors observed in individuals with PTSD further exacerbate intrusive symptoms and pose challenges to effective treatment strategies. A comprehensive analysis of fear conditioning and extinction processes, along with the underlying neurobiology, could significantly enhance our understanding of PTSD pathophysiology. This chapter delineates the role of fear extinction processes in PTSD, investigates the underlying neurobiological substrates, and underscores the therapeutic implications, while also identifying future research directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yana Lokshina
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Jony Sheynin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Gregory S Vogt
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Israel Liberzon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA.
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Bryant RA. Is Fear Extinction Impairment Central to Psychopathology? Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2023; 64:195-212. [PMID: 37668874 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2023_439] [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] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
As discussed in this chapter, there have been enormous advances in our understanding of how anxiety disorders develop, are maintained, and can be treated. Many of these advances have been the result of translational studies using fear conditioning and extinction models. Despite these successes, we recognize, as a field, that there are important limitations in the extent to which extinction can explain how anxiety disorders and behaviors remit. Clinically speaking, the outstanding challenge for treatment of anxiety disorders is to improve the current suboptimal success rates. Over the past 30 years, we have not improved our treatment success rates despite employing many pharmacological and pharmacological strategies. While extinction and related fear circuitry mechanisms most certainly appear to play a role in treatment of anxiety disorders, they are also apparently insufficient to fully accommodate the varied responses individuals exhibit with this treatment approach. Increasingly diverse and innovative approaches are needed that accommodate the multitude of change mechanisms involved in treating anxiety. However, this is not to suggest ignoring the key role that extinction and memory updating processes play in overcoming anxiety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Bryant
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Webler RD, Oathes DJ, van Rooij SJH, Gewirtz JC, Nahas Z, Lissek SM, Widge AS. Causally mapping human threat extinction relevant circuits with depolarizing brain stimulation methods. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 144:105005. [PMID: 36549377 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.105005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Laboratory threat extinction paradigms and exposure-based therapy both involve repeated, safe confrontation with stimuli previously experienced as threatening. This fundamental procedural overlap supports laboratory threat extinction as a compelling analogue of exposure-based therapy. Threat extinction impairments have been detected in clinical anxiety and may contribute to exposure-based therapy non-response and relapse. However, efforts to improve exposure outcomes using techniques that boost extinction - primarily rodent extinction - have largely failed to date, potentially due to fundamental differences between rodent and human neurobiology. In this review, we articulate a comprehensive pre-clinical human research agenda designed to overcome these failures. We describe how connectivity guided depolarizing brain stimulation methods (i.e., TMS and DBS) can be applied concurrently with threat extinction and dual threat reconsolidation-extinction paradigms to causally map human extinction relevant circuits and inform the optimal integration of these methods with exposure-based therapy. We highlight candidate targets including the amygdala, hippocampus, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, and mesolimbic structures, and propose hypotheses about how stimulation delivered at specific learning phases could strengthen threat extinction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan D Webler
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| | - Desmond J Oathes
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sanne J H van Rooij
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jonathan C Gewirtz
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, AZ, USA
| | - Ziad Nahas
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, AZ, USA
| | - Shmuel M Lissek
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Alik S Widge
- Department of Psychiatry and Medical Discovery Team on Addictions, University of Minnesota Medical School, MN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Zhan B, Zhu Y, Xia J, Li W, Tang Y, Beesetty A, Ye JH, Fu R. Comorbidity of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder: Animal Models and Associated Neurocircuitry. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010388. [PMID: 36613829 PMCID: PMC9820348 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are prevalent neuropsychiatric disorders and frequently co-occur concomitantly. Individuals suffering from this dual diagnosis often exhibit increased symptom severity and poorer treatment outcomes than those with only one of these diseases. Lacking standard preclinical models limited the exploration of neurobiological mechanisms underlying PTSD and AUD comorbidity. In this review, we summarize well-accepted preclinical model paradigms and criteria for developing successful models of comorbidity. We also outline how PTSD and AUD affect each other bidirectionally in the nervous nuclei have been heatedly discussed recently. We hope to provide potential recommendations for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhan
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Yingxin Zhu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Jianxun Xia
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Yunkang School of Medicine and Health, Nanfang College, Guangzhou 510970, China
| | - Wenfu Li
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Ying Tang
- Department of Biology, School of Life Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Anju Beesetty
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Jiang-Hong Ye
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
- Correspondence: (J.-H.Y.); (R.F.)
| | - Rao Fu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
- Correspondence: (J.-H.Y.); (R.F.)
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Schenker MT, Ince S, Ney LJ, Hsu CMK, Zuj DV, Jordan AS, Nicholas CL, Felmingham KL. Sex differences in the effect of subjective sleep on fear conditioning, extinction learning, and extinction recall in individuals with a range of PTSD symptom severity. Behav Res Ther 2022; 159:104222. [PMID: 36327524 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2022.104222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sleep has been found to play a key role in fear conditioning, extinction learning and extinction recall, and sleep disturbances are linked to many mental disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous studies examining associations between sleep and fear or extinction processes primarily focused on objectively measured sleep architecture. Little research has so far focused on subjective sleep measures and particularly in clinical populations, which often experience subjectively poor sleep, including PTSD. Here we investigated whether subjective sleep disturbance, sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset or sleep efficiency were related to fear conditioning, extinction learning or extinction recall in a large sample of individuals with a range of PTSD symptom severity (n = 248). Overall, we did not find that subjective sleep was associated with fear conditioning or extinction processes. However, exploratory analyses examining the moderating effect of sex found that shorter sleep onset latency and greater sleep efficiency were associated with improved extinction recall in women with higher PTSD symptom severity. This suggests that less time falling asleep and longer time asleep while in bed may be protective in highly symptomatic women against the commonly observed impaired extinction recall in PTSD. More studies are needed to explore sex-specific effects further.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maya T Schenker
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Sevil Ince
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Luke J Ney
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia; School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Chia-Ming K Hsu
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.
| | - Daniel V Zuj
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.
| | - Amy S Jordan
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Christian L Nicholas
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Kim L Felmingham
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Roeckner AR, Sogani S, Michopoulos V, Hinrichs R, van Rooij SJH, Rothbaum BO, Jovanovic T, Ressler KJ, Stevens JS. Sex-dependent risk factors for PTSD: a prospective structural MRI study. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:2213-2220. [PMID: 36114284 PMCID: PMC9630503 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01452-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Female individuals are more likely to be diagnosed with PTSD following trauma exposure than males, potentially due, in part, to underlying neurobiological factors. Several brain regions underlying fear learning and expression have previously been associated with PTSD, with the hippocampus, amygdala, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), and rostral ACC (rACC) showing altered volume and function in those with PTSD. However, few studies have examined how sex impacts the predictive value of subcortical volumes and cortical thickness in longitudinal PTSD studies. As part of an emergency department study completed at the Grady Trauma Project in Atlanta, GA, N = 93 (40 Female) participants were enrolled within 24 h following a traumatic event. Multi-echo T1-weighted MRI images were collected one-month post-trauma exposure. Bilateral amygdala and hippocampal volumes and rACC and dACC cortical thickness were segmented. To assess the longitudinal course of PTSD, the PTSD Symptom Scale (PSS) was collected 6 months post-trauma. We investigated whether regional volume/thickness interacted with sex to predict later PTSD symptom severity, controlling for PSS score at time of scan, age, race, and trauma type, as well as intracranial volume (ICV) for subcortical volumes. There was a significant interaction between sex and rACC for 6-month PSS, such that right rACC thickness was positively correlated with 6-month PSS scores in females, but not in males. In examining PTSD symptom subtypes and depression symptoms, greater rACC thickness in females predicted greater avoidance symptoms, while smaller rACC thickness in males predicted greater depression symptoms. Amygdala and hippocampus volume and dACC thickness showed no main effect or interaction with sex. The current findings provide evidence for sex-based differences in how brain volume predicts future PTSD severity and symptoms and supports the rACC as being a vital region regarding PTSD. Gender differences should be assessed in future longitudinal PTSD MRI studies for more accurate identification of future PTSD risk following trauma.
Collapse
|
47
|
Birch JN, Vanderheyden WM. The Molecular Relationship between Stress and Insomnia. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2022; 6:e2101203. [PMID: 35822937 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202101203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The bi-directional relationship between sleep and stress has been actively researched as sleep disturbances and stress have become increasingly common in society. Interestingly, the brain and underlying neural circuits important for sleep regulation may respond uniquely to stress that leads to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and stress that does not. In stress that does not lead to PTSD, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) pathway is activated normally that results in sympathetic nervous system activation that allows the brain and body to return to baseline functioning. However, exposure to stress that leads to PTSD, causes enhanced negative feedback of this same pathway and results in long-term physiological and psychological changes. In this review, how stress regulates glucocorticoid signaling pathways in brain glial cells called astrocytes, and then mediates stress-induced insomnia are examined. Astrocytes are critical sleep regulatory cells and their connections to sleep and stress due to disturbed glucocorticoid signaling provide a novel mechanism to explain how stress leads to insomnia. This review will examine the interactions of stress neurobiology, astrocytes, sleep, and glucocorticoid signaling pathways and will examine the how stress that leads to PTSD and stress that does not impacts sleep-regulatory processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine N Birch
- WSU Health Sciences Spokane, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Department of Translational Medicine and Physiology, 412 E. Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA, 99 202, USA
| | - William M Vanderheyden
- WSU Health Sciences Spokane, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Department of Translational Medicine and Physiology, Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences Building, Room 213/Lab 230, 412 E. Spokane Falls Blvd, (Lab) 509-368-6809, Spokane, WA, 99 202, USA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Laing PAF, Felmingham KL, Davey CG, Harrison BJ. The neurobiology of Pavlovian safety learning: Towards an acquisition-expression framework. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 142:104882. [PMID: 36150453 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Safety learning creates associations between conditional stimuli and the absence of threat. Studies of human fear conditioning have accumulated evidence for the neural signatures of safety over various paradigms, aligning on several common brain systems. While these systems are often interpreted as underlying safety learning in a generic sense, they may instead reflect the expression of learned safety, pertaining to processes of fear inhibition, positive affect, and memory. Animal models strongly suggest these can be separable from neural circuits implicated in the conditioning process itself (or safety acquisition). While acquisition-expression distinctions are ubiquitous in behavioural science, this lens has not been applied to safety learning, which remains a novel area in the field. In this mini-review, we overview findings from prevalent safety paradigms in humans, and synthesise these with insights from animal models to propose that the neurobiology of safety learning be conceptualised along an acquisition-expression model, with the aim of stimulating richer brain-based characterisations of this important process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick A F Laing
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Kim L Felmingham
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Christopher G Davey
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ben J Harrison
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Sun CF, Chang CH. Aberrant orbitofrontal cortical activation interferes with encoding of Pavlovian fear conditioning. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:981041. [PMID: 36072088 PMCID: PMC9442050 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.981041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients were usually found with the hyper-activation of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and a deficit in fear extinction learning. The OFC can be subdivided into the lateral OFC (lOFC) and the medial OFC (mOFC). Previous studies have suggested that both subregions are involved in the modulation of negative emotions. However, how aberrant activation of the OFC interacts with the encoding of Pavlovian fear remains unknown. In this study, the lOFC or the mOFC was pharmacologically activated or inactivated before the fear conditioning on Day 1, followed by a context test on Day 2 and a tone test on Day 3 in male Long-Evans rats. We found that for the animals that underwent fear conditioning under aberrant activation of either the lOFC or the mOFC, they showed normal within-session fear expression. However, the acquisition/consolidation of contextual fear was impaired under mOFC activation, while the acquisition/consolidation of cued fear was impaired under either the lOFC or the mOFC activation, in that these animals showed lower freezing compared to controls during the retrieval test. On the other hand, for the animals that underwent fear conditioning under inactivation of either the lOFC or the mOFC, they showed normal within-session fear expression, as well as intact encoding of both the contextual and cued fear. Together, our results suggested that the OFC was not actively engaged in the acquisition of Pavlovian fear conditioning, but aberrant activation of the OFC impaired fear learning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Fu Sun
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chun-hui Chang
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Brain Research Center, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Chun-hui Chang,
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Toledo F, Carson F. Neurobiological Features of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Their Role in Understanding Adaptive Behavior and Stress Resilience. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:10258. [PMID: 36011896 PMCID: PMC9407950 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191610258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been impacting the functioning of a large number of people in military activities and victims of violence for many generations. However, investments in research aiming to understand the neurobiological aspects of the disorder started relatively late, around the last third of the 20th century. The development of neuroimaging methods has greatly supported further understanding of the structural and functional changes in the re-organization processes of brains with PTSD. This helps to better explain the severity and evolution of behavioral symptoms, and opens the possibilities for identifying individual preexisting structural characteristics that could increase symptom severity and the risk of development. Here, we review the advances in neuroanatomical research on these adaptations in PTSD and discuss how those modifications in prefrontal and anterior cingulate circuitry impact the severity and development of the disorder, detaching the research from an amygdalocentric perspective. In addition, we investigate existing and contradictory evidence regarding the preexisting neurobiological features found mostly in twin studies and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) reports.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felippe Toledo
- LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, 50 Avenue du Parc des Sports, L-4671 Differdange, Luxembourg
- Luxembourg Health and Sport Sciences Research Institute ASBL, 50 Avenue du Parc des Sports, L-4671 Differdange, Luxembourg
| | - Fraser Carson
- LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, 50 Avenue du Parc des Sports, L-4671 Differdange, Luxembourg
- Luxembourg Health and Sport Sciences Research Institute ASBL, 50 Avenue du Parc des Sports, L-4671 Differdange, Luxembourg
| |
Collapse
|