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Beacher NJ, Washington KA, Werner CT, Zhang Y, Barbera G, Li Y, Lin DT. Circuit Investigation of Social Interaction and Substance Use Disorder Using Miniscopes. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:762441. [PMID: 34675782 PMCID: PMC8523886 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.762441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Substance use disorder (SUD) is comorbid with devastating health issues, social withdrawal, and isolation. Successful clinical treatments for SUD have used social interventions. Neurons can encode drug cues, and drug cues can trigger relapse. It is important to study how the activity in circuits and embedded cell types that encode drug cues develop in SUD. Exploring shared neurobiology between social interaction (SI) and SUD may explain why humans with access to social treatments still experience relapse. However, circuitry remains poorly characterized due to technical challenges in studying the complicated nature of SI and SUD. To understand the neural correlates of SI and SUD, it is important to: (1) identify cell types and circuits associated with SI and SUD, (2) record and manipulate neural activity encoding drug and social rewards over time, (3) monitor unrestrained animal behavior that allows reliable drug self-administration (SA) and SI. Miniaturized fluorescence microscopes (miniscopes) are ideally suited to meet these requirements. They can be used with gradient index (GRIN) lenses to image from deep brain structures implicated in SUD. Miniscopes can be combined with genetically encoded reporters to extract cell-type specific information. In this mini-review, we explore how miniscopes can be leveraged to uncover neural components of SI and SUD and advance potential therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J. Beacher
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kayden A. Washington
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Craig T. Werner
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, United States
| | - Yan Zhang
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Giovanni Barbera
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United States
| | - Da-Ting Lin
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Engi SA, Beebe EJ, Ayvazian VM, Cruz FC, Cheer JF, Wenzel JM, Zlebnik NE. Cocaine-induced increases in motivation require 2-arachidonoylglycerol mobilization and CB1 receptor activation in the ventral tegmental area. Neuropharmacology 2021; 193:108625. [PMID: 34058192 PMCID: PMC8312311 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108625] [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: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A wide body of evidence supports an integral role for mesolimbic dopamine (DA) in motivated behavior. In brief, drugs that increase DA in mesolimbic terminal regions, like cocaine, enhance motivation, while drugs that decrease DA concentration reduce motivation. Data from our laboratory and others shows that phasic activation of mesolimbic DA requires signaling at cannabinoid type-1 (CB1) receptors in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), and systemic delivery of CB1 receptor antagonists reduces DA cell activity and attenuates motivated behaviors. Recent findings demonstrate that cocaine mobilizes the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in the VTA to cause phasic activation of DA neurons and terminal DA release. It remains unclear, however, if cocaine-induced midbrain 2-AG signaling contributes to the motivation-enhancing effects of cocaine. To examine this, we trained male and female rats on a progressive ratio (PR) task for a food reinforcer. Each rat underwent a series of tests in which they were pretreated with cocaine alone or in combination with systemic or intra-VTA administration of the CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant or the 2-AG synthesis inhibitor tetrahydrolipstatin (THL). Cocaine increased motivation, measured by augmented PR breakpoints, while rimonabant dose-dependently decreased motivation. Importantly, intra-VTA administration of rimonabant or THL, at doses that did not decrease breakpoints on their own, blocked systemic cocaine administration from increasing breakpoints in male and female rats. These data suggest that cocaine-induced increases in motivation require 2-AG signaling at CB1 receptors in the VTA and may provide critical insight into cannabinoid-based pharmacotherapeutic targets for the successful treatment of substance abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila A Engi
- Dept. of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Dept. of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Erin J Beebe
- Dept. of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Victoria M Ayvazian
- Dept. of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Fabio C Cruz
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Joseph F Cheer
- Dept. of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Dept. of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer M Wenzel
- Dept. of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Natalie E Zlebnik
- Dept. of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Bhimani RV, Vik M, Wakabayashi KT, Szalkowski C, Bass CE, Park J. Distinct dose-dependent effects of methamphetamine on real-time dopamine transmission in the rat nucleus accumbens and behaviors. J Neurochem 2021; 158:865-879. [PMID: 34265079 PMCID: PMC8376794 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is a potent psychostimulant that exerts many of its physiological and psychomotor effects by increasing extracellular dopamine (DA) concentrations in limbic brain regions. While several studies have focused on how potent, neurotoxic doses of METH augment or attenuate DA transmission, the acute effects of lower and behaviorally activating doses of METH on modulating DA regulation (release and clearance) through DA D2 autoreceptors and transporters remain to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated how systemic administration of escalating, subneurotoxic doses of METH (0.5-5 mg/kg, IP) alter extracellular DA regulation in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), in both anesthetized and awake-behaving rats through the use of in vivo fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. Pharmacological, electrochemical, and behavioral evidence show that lower doses (≤2.0 mg/kg, IP) of METH enhance extracellular phasic DA concentrations and locomotion as well as stereotypies. In contrast, higher doses (≥5.0 mg/kg) further increase both phasic and baseline DA concentrations and stereotypies but decrease horizontal locomotion. Importantly, our results suggest that acute METH-induced enhancement of extracellular DA concentrations dose dependently activates D2 autoreceptors. Therefore, these different METH dose-dependent effects on mesolimbic DA transmission may distinctly impact METH-induced behavioral changes. This study provides valuable insights regarding how low METH doses alter DA transmission and paves the way for future clinical studies on the reinforcing effects of METH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan V. Bhimani
- Neuroscience Program, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14214-3005, USA
| | - Megan Vik
- Department of Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14214-3005, USA
| | - Ken T. Wakabayashi
- Department of Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14214-3005, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14214-3005, USA
| | - Caitlin Szalkowski
- Department of Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14214-3005, USA
| | - Caroline E. Bass
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14214-3005, USA
| | - Jinwoo Park
- Neuroscience Program, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14214-3005, USA
- Department of Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14214-3005, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14214-3005, USA
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Fartootzadeh R, Alaei H, Reisi P. Mutual assistance of nucleus accumbens cannabinoid receptor-1 and orexin receptor-2 in response to nicotine: a single-unit study. Res Pharm Sci 2021; 16:173-181. [PMID: 34084204 PMCID: PMC8102922 DOI: 10.4103/1735-5362.310524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose: The nucleus accumbens (NAc) express both orexin-2 receptor (OX2R) and cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R). Orexin and cannabinoid regulate the addictive properties of nicotine. In this study, the effect of the CB1R blockade on the electrical activity of NAc neurons in response to nicotine, and its probable interaction with the OX2R in this event, within this area, were examined via the single-unit recording. Experimental approach: The spontaneous firing rate of NAc was initially recorded for 15 min, and then 5 min before subcutaneous injection of nicotine (0.5 mg/kg)/saline, AM251 and TCS-OX2-29 were injected into the NAc. Neuronal responses were recorded for 70 min, after nicotine administration. Findings/Results: Nicotine excited the NAc neurons significantly and intra-NAc microinjection of AM251 (25 and 125 ng/rat), as a selective CB1R antagonist, prevented the nicotine-induced increases of NAc neuronal responses. Moreover, microinjection of AM251 (125 ng/rat), before saline injection, could not affect the percentage of change of the neuronal response. Finally, simultaneous intra-NAc administration of the effective or ineffective doses of AM251 and TCS-OX2-29 (a selective antagonist of OX2R) prevented the nicotine- induced increases of NAc neuronal responses, so that there was a significant difference between the group received ineffective doses of both antagonists and the AM251 ineffective dose. Conclusion and implications: The results suggest that the CB1R can modulate the NAc reaction to the nicotine, and it can be concluded that there is a potential interplay between the OX2R and CB1R in the NAc, in relation to nicotine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Fartootzadeh
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, I.R. Iran
| | - Hojjatallah Alaei
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, I.R. Iran
| | - Parham Reisi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, I.R. Iran
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Quessy F, Bittar T, Blanchette LJ, Lévesque M, Labonté B. Stress-induced alterations of mesocortical and mesolimbic dopaminergic pathways. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11000. [PMID: 34040100 PMCID: PMC8154906 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90521-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Our ability to develop the cognitive strategies required to deal with daily-life stress is regulated by region-specific neuronal networks. Experimental evidence suggests that prolonged stress in mice induces depressive-like behaviors via morphological, functional and molecular changes affecting the mesolimbic and mesocortical dopaminergic pathways. Yet, the molecular interactions underlying these changes are still poorly understood, and whether they affect males and females similarly is unknown. Here, we used chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) to induce depressive-like behaviors in male and female mice. Density of the mesolimbic and mesocortical projections was assessed via immuno-histochemistry combined with Sholl analysis along with the staining of activity-dependent markers pERK and c-fos in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (NAc) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Our results show that social stress decreases the density of TH+ dopaminergic axonal projections in the deep layers of the mPFC in susceptible but not resilient male and female mice. Consistently, our analyses suggest that pERK expression is decreased in the mPFC but increased in the NAc following CSDS in males and females, with no change in c-fos expression in both sexes. Overall, our findings indicate that social defeat stress impacts the mesolimbic and mesocortical pathways by altering the molecular interactions regulating somatic and axonal plasticity in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Quessy
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Quebec, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - T Bittar
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Quebec, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - L J Blanchette
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Quebec, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - M Lévesque
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Quebec, QC, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada.
| | - B Labonté
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Quebec, QC, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada.
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6
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Hudson R, Green M, Wright DJ, Renard J, Jobson CEL, Jung T, Rushlow W, Laviolette SR. Adolescent nicotine induces depressive and anxiogenic effects through ERK 1-2 and Akt-GSK-3 pathways and neuronal dysregulation in the nucleus accumbens. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12891. [PMID: 32135573 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Long-term tobacco dependence typically develops during adolescence and neurodevelopmental nicotine exposure is associated with affective disturbances that manifest as a variety of neuropsychiatric comorbidities in clinical and preclinical studies, including mood and anxiety-related disorders. The nucleus accumbens shell (NASh) is critically involved in regulating emotional processing, and both molecular and neuronal disturbances in this structure are associated with mood and anxiety-related pathologies. In the present study, we used a rodent model of adolescent neurodevelopmental nicotine exposure to examine the expression of several molecular biomarkers associated with mood/anxiety-related phenotypes. We report that nicotine exposure during adolescence (but not adulthood) induces profound upregulation of the ERK 1-2 and Akt-GSK-3 signalling pathways directly within the NASh, as well as downregulation of local D1R expression that persists into adulthood. These adaptations were accompanied by decreases in τ, α, β, and γ-band oscillatory states, hyperactive medium spiny neuron activity with depressed bursting rates, and anxiety and depressive-like behavioural abnormalities. Pharmacologically targeting these molecular and neuronal adaptations revealed that selective inhibition of local ERK 1-2 and Akt-GSK-3 signalling cascades rescued nicotine-induced high-γ-band oscillatory signatures and phasic bursting rates in the NASh, suggesting that they are involved in mediating adolescent nicotine-induced depressive and anxiety-like neuropathological trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Hudson
- Addiction Research Group, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario London, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthew Green
- Addiction Research Group, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario London, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel J Wright
- Addiction Research Group, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario London, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Justine Renard
- Addiction Research Group, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario London, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christina E L Jobson
- Addiction Research Group, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario London, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tony Jung
- Addiction Research Group, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario London, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Walter Rushlow
- Addiction Research Group, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario London, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario London, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Steven R Laviolette
- Addiction Research Group, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario London, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario London, London, Ontario, Canada
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7
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Hu B, Chomiak T. Wearable technological platform for multidomain diagnostic and exercise interventions in Parkinson's disease. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2019; 147:75-93. [PMID: 31607363 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2019.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Physical activity and exercise have become a central component of medical management of chronic illness, particular for the elderly who suffer from neurodegenerative disorders that impair their cognition and mobility. This chapter summarizes our recent research showing that a new generation of wearable technology can be adopted as diagnostic and rehabilitation tools for people living with Parkinson's disease. For example, wearable device-enabled 6-min walking test can be automated to eliminate human supervision and many other technical factors that confound the results with conventional testing. With reduced cost and increased test standardization, the technology can be adopted for population-based screening of cardiovascular fitness and gait rehabilitation training efficacy associated with many medical conditions. The Ambulosono platform for multidomain exercise intervention, in particular, has the potential to deliver lasting clinical benefits in slowing PD progression. The platform, through the integration of brisk walking with behavioral shaping strategies such as contingency reinforcement, anticipatory motor control and musical motivational stimulation, creates a home exercise regime that can transform monotonous walking into a pleasurable daily activity and habit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Hu
- Division of Translational Neuroscience, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Taylor Chomiak
- Division of Translational Neuroscience, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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8
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Norris C, Szkudlarek HJ, Pereira B, Rushlow W, Laviolette SR. The Bivalent Rewarding and Aversive properties of Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol are Mediated Through Dissociable Opioid Receptor Substrates and Neuronal Modulation Mechanisms in Distinct Striatal Sub-Regions. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9760. [PMID: 31278333 PMCID: PMC6611878 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46215-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is capable of producing bivalent rewarding and aversive affective states through interactions with the mesolimbic system. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the dissociable effects of THC are not currently understood. In the present study, we identify anatomically dissociable effects of THC within the rat nucleus accumbens (NAc), using an integrative combination of behavioral pharmacology and in vivo neuronal electrophysiology. We report that the rewarding vs. aversive stimulus properties of THC are both anatomically and pharmacologically dissociable within distinct anterior vs. posterior sub-regions of the NAc. While the rewarding effects of THC were dependent upon local μ-opioid receptor signaling, the aversive effects of THC were processed via a κ-opioid receptor substrate. Behaviorally, THC in the posterior NASh induced deficits in social reward and cognition whereas THC in the anterior NAc, potentiated opioid-related reward salience. In vivo neuronal recordings demonstrated that THC decreased medium spiny neuron (MSN) activity in the anterior NAc and increased the power of gamma (γ) oscillations. In contrast, THC increased MSN activity states in the posterior NASh and decreased γ-oscillation power. These findings reveal critical new insights into the bi-directional neuronal and pharmacological mechanisms controlling the dissociable effects of THC in mesolimbic-mediated affective processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Norris
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada.
- Dept. of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada.
| | - Hanna J Szkudlarek
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Dept. of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Brian Pereira
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Dept. of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Walter Rushlow
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Dept. of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Steven R Laviolette
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Dept. of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada
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Li Y, Xie X, Xing H, Yuan X, Wang Y, Jin Y, Wang J, Vreugdenhil M, Zhao Y, Zhang R, Lu C. The Modulation of Gamma Oscillations by Methamphetamine in Rat Hippocampal Slices. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:277. [PMID: 31281244 PMCID: PMC6598082 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Gamma frequency oscillations (γ, 30–100 Hz) have been suggested to underlie various cognitive and motor functions. The psychotomimetic drug methamphetamine (MA) enhances brain γ oscillations associated with changes in psychomotor state. Little is known about the cellular mechanisms of MA modulation on γ oscillations. We explored the effects of multiple intracellular kinases on MA modulation of γ induced by kainate in area CA3 of rat ventral hippocampal slices. We found that dopamine receptor type 1 and 2 (DR1 and DR2) antagonists, the serine/threonine kinase PKB/Akt inhibitor and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists prevented the enhancing effect of MA on γ oscillations, whereas none of them affected baseline γ strength. Protein kinase A, phosphoinositide 3-kinase and extracellular signal-related kinases inhibitors had no effect on MA. We propose that the DR1/DR2-Akt-NMDAR pathway plays a critical role for the MA enhancement of γ oscillations. Our study provides an new insight into the mechanisms of acute MA on MA-induced psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China.,Key Laboratory for the Brain Research of Henan Province, Department of Physiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Xin'e Xie
- Key Laboratory for the Brain Research of Henan Province, Department of Physiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Hang Xing
- Key Laboratory for the Brain Research of Henan Province, Department of Physiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China.,Department of Neurology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiang Yuan
- The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Key Laboratory for the Brain Research of Henan Province, Department of Physiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yikai Jin
- Key Laboratory for the Brain Research of Henan Province, Department of Physiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jiangang Wang
- Key Laboratory for the Brain Research of Henan Province, Department of Physiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Martin Vreugdenhil
- Department of Health Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ying Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Psychopharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Ruiling Zhang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Chengbiao Lu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China.,Key Laboratory for the Brain Research of Henan Province, Department of Physiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
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10
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Siciliano CA, Tye KM. Leveraging calcium imaging to illuminate circuit dysfunction in addiction. Alcohol 2019; 74:47-63. [PMID: 30470589 PMCID: PMC7575247 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2018.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol and drug use can dysregulate neural circuit function to produce a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders, including addiction. To understand the neural circuit computations that mediate behavior, and how substances of abuse may transform them, we must first be able to observe the activity of circuits. While many techniques have been utilized to measure activity in specific brain regions, these regions are made up of heterogeneous sub-populations, and assessing activity from neuronal populations of interest has been an ongoing challenge. To fully understand how neural circuits mediate addiction-related behavior, we must be able to reveal the cellular granularity within brain regions and circuits by overlaying functional information with the genetic and anatomical identity of the cells involved. The development of genetically encoded calcium indicators, which can be targeted to populations of interest, allows for in vivo visualization of calcium dynamics, a proxy for neuronal activity, thus providing an avenue for real-time assessment of activity in genetically and anatomically defined populations during behavior. Here, we highlight recent advances in calcium imaging technology, compare the current technology with other state-of-the-art approaches for in vivo monitoring of neural activity, and discuss the strengths, limitations, and practical concerns for observing neural circuit activity in preclinical addiction models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody A Siciliano
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States.
| | - Kay M Tye
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States; The Salk Institute for Biological Sciences, 10010 N Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States.
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11
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Wenzel JM, Oleson EB, Gove WN, Cole AB, Gyawali U, Dantrassy HM, Bluett RJ, Dryanovski DI, Stuber GD, Deisseroth K, Mathur BN, Patel S, Lupica CR, Cheer JF. Phasic Dopamine Signals in the Nucleus Accumbens that Cause Active Avoidance Require Endocannabinoid Mobilization in the Midbrain. Curr Biol 2018; 28:1392-1404.e5. [PMID: 29681476 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.03.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Phasic dopamine (DA) release accompanies approach toward appetitive cues. However, a role for DA in the active avoidance of negative events remains undetermined. Warning signals informing footshock avoidance are associated with accumbal DA release, whereas depression of DA is observed with unavoidable footshock. Here, we reveal a causal role of phasic DA in active avoidance learning; specifically, optogenetic activation of DA neurons facilitates avoidance, whereas optical inhibition of these cells attenuates it. Furthermore, stimulation of DA neurons during presentation of a fear-conditioned cue accelerates the extinction of a passive defensive behavior (i.e., freezing). Dopaminergic control of avoidance requires endocannabinoids (eCBs), as perturbing eCB signaling in the midbrain disrupts avoidance, which is rescued by optical stimulation of DA neurons. Interestingly, once the avoidance task is learned, neither DA nor eCB manipulations affect performance, suggesting that once acquisition occurs, expression of this behavior is subserved by other anatomical frameworks. Our findings establish an instrumental role for DA release in learning active responses to aversive stimuli and its control by eCB signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Wenzel
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Erik B Oleson
- Department of Psychology, University of Colorado, Denver, CO 80204, USA
| | - Willard N Gove
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Anthony B Cole
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Utsav Gyawali
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Hannah M Dantrassy
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Rebecca J Bluett
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Dilyan I Dryanovski
- Electrophysiology Research Section, Cellular Neurobiology Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Garret D Stuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Karl Deisseroth
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Brian N Mathur
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Sachin Patel
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Vanderbilt School of Medicine and Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Carl R Lupica
- Electrophysiology Research Section, Cellular Neurobiology Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Joseph F Cheer
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
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12
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Ahmad T, Sun N, Lyons D, Laviolette SR. Bi-directional cannabinoid signalling in the basolateral amygdala controls rewarding and aversive emotional processing via functional regulation of the nucleus accumbens. Addict Biol 2017; 22:1218-1231. [PMID: 27230434 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Revised: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Functional connections between the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) are involved critically in opiate-reward processing. In the BLA, inhibitory GABAergic substrates are inhibited by cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R) activation and can modulate BLA projections to various limbic regions, including the NAc. However, the potential role of CB1R transmission in the regulation of opiate-related memory formation via the BLA → NAc circuit is not understood. Using an unbiased conditioned place preference paradigm in rats, we examined the effects of intra-BLA CB1R modulation by either direct pharmacological activation or blockade of CB1R transmission. We report that intra-BLA CB1R activation switches normally rewarding effects of morphine into strongly aversive effects. In contrast, CB1R blockade strongly potentiates normally subreward threshold effects of morphine. Next, using targeted microinfusions of an NMDA receptor antagonist to either the core or shell (NASh) subdivisions of the NAc, we found that selective blockade of NMDA transmission in the NA shell, but not core, prevented both intra-BLA CB1 blockade-mediated opiate reward potentiation and CB1 activation-mediated aversion effects. Finally, using multi-unit, in vivo electrophysiological recordings in the NASh, we report that the ability of intra-BLA CB1R modulation to control opiate reward salience and motivational valence is associated with distinct reward or aversion neuronal activity patterns and bi-directional regulation of intra-NASh fast-spiking interneurons versus medium spiny neurons. These findings identify a unique mechanism whereby bi-directional BLA CB1R transmission can regulate opiate-related motivational processing and control affective states through functional modulation of mesolimbic neuronal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasha Ahmad
- Addiction Research Group; The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario; Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario; Canada
| | - Ninglei Sun
- Addiction Research Group; The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario; Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario; Canada
| | - Danika Lyons
- Addiction Research Group; The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario; Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario; Canada
| | - Steven R. Laviolette
- Addiction Research Group; The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario; Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario; Canada
- Department of Psychiatry; The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario; Canada
- Department of Psychology; The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario; Canada
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13
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Gutman AL, Taha SA. Acute ethanol effects on neural encoding of reward size and delay in the nucleus accumbens. J Neurophysiol 2016; 116:1175-88. [PMID: 27169507 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00204.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute ethanol administration can cause impulsivity, resulting in increased preference for immediately available rewards over delayed but more valuable alternatives. The manner in which reward size and delay are represented in neural firing is not fully understood, and very little is known about ethanol effects on this encoding. To address this issue, we used in vivo electrophysiology to characterize neural firing in the core of the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) in rats responding for rewards that varied in size or delay after vehicle or ethanol administration. The NAcc is a central element in the circuit that governs decision-making and importantly, promotes choice of delayed rewards. We found that NAcc firing in response to reward-predictive cues encoded anticipated reward value after vehicle administration, but ethanol administration disrupted this encoding, resulting in a loss of discrimination between immediate and delayed rewards in cue-evoked neural responses. In addition, NAcc firing occurring at the time of the operant response (lever pressing) was inversely correlated with behavioral response latency, such that increased firing rates were associated with decreased latencies to lever press. Ethanol administration selectively attenuated this lever press-evoked firing when delayed but not immediate rewards were expected. These effects on neural firing were accompanied by increased behavioral latencies to respond for delayed rewards. Our results suggest that ethanol effects on NAcc cue- and lever press-evoked encoding may contribute to ethanol-induced impulsivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L Gutman
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Sharif A Taha
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
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14
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Zhang H, Li L, Sun Y, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Xu S, Zhao P, Liu T. Sevoflurane prevents stroke-induced depressive and anxiety behaviors by promoting cannabinoid receptor subtype I-dependent interaction between β-arrestin 2 and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 in the rat hippocampus. J Neurochem 2016; 137:618-29. [PMID: 26991409 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
One of the most frequent psychological consequences of stroke is depression. Previous animal studies have demonstrated that post-conditioning with sevoflurane protects against focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury. Thus, we hypothesized that repeated exposure to sevoflurane after transient ischemia can prevent the development of depressive-like behavior. To test this hypothesis, we induced transient cerebral ischemia via transient occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries and examined the effects of subsequent repeated exposure to sevoflurane on sucrose preference, locomotor activity, and rearing activity in rats. To explore the putative neurobiological mechanisms, we further investigated the roles of hippocampal CB1 receptor in the behavioral effects of sevoflurane. We found that repeated sevoflurane exposures reversed ischemia-induced depressive-like behaviors. Furthermore, CB1 receptor inhibition in the dorsal hippocampus (DH) abolished the effects of sevoflurane exposures on ischemia-induced depressive-like behaviors. In addition, repeated sevoflurane exposures increased CB1 receptor expression and endocannabinoids levels in the DH of ischemic rats. Moreover, repeated sevoflurane exposures enhanced the expression of β-arrestin 2, increased the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2, and promoted the interaction of β-arrestin 2 and ERK1/2 in the DH, and such effects were reversed by CB1 receptor antagonism in the DH. Finally, β-arrestin 2 expression and ERK1/2 activation in the DH were critical for the preventative effects of sevoflurane exposures on ischemia-induced depressive-like behaviors. Taken together, our results suggested that sevoflurane exposure after brain ischemia may prevent the development of depression, and such preventative effects of sevoflurane are likely ascribed to the activation of CB1 receptor-mediated β-arrestin 2-ERK1/2 signaling pathways. We propose that the following mechanisms are critical for the preventative effects of sevoflurane against post-stroke depressive and anxiety behaviors: repeated sevoflurane exposure after transient brain ischemia enhances N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) levels and normalize cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) receptor expression in the dorsal hippocampus, which results in enhanced interaction of β-arrestin 2 and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) and increased ERK1/2 activation, leading to decreased depressive and anxiety behaviors. We think these findings should provide a new strategy for treatment of post-stroke depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houzhong Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Changchun, Changchun, China
| | - Yanli Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, The People's Hospital of Changchun City, Changchun, China
| | - Xingyi Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yifan Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shuang Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Peng Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Tiecheng Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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15
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Yazdi F, Jahangirvand M, Pirasteh AH, Moradi M, Haghparast A. Functional interaction between OX2 and CB1 receptors in the ventral tegmental area and the nucleus accumbens in response to place preference induced by chemical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2015; 139:39-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2015.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Revised: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/17/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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16
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Ruda-Kucerova J, Amchova P, Havlickova T, Jerabek P, Babinska Z, Kacer P, Syslova K, Sulcova A, Sustkova-Fiserova M. Reward related neurotransmitter changes in a model of depression: An in vivo microdialysis study. World J Biol Psychiatry 2015; 16:521-35. [PMID: 26444572 DOI: 10.3109/15622975.2015.1077991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The self-medication hypothesis assumes that symptoms related to potential monoaminergic deficits in depression may be relieved by drug abuse. The aim of this study was to elucidate the neurotransmitter changes in a rat model of depression by measuring their levels in the nucleus accumbens shell, which is typically involved in the drug of abuse acquisition mechanism. METHODS Depression was modelled by the olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) in Wistar male rats. In vivo microdialysis was performed, starting from the baseline and following after a single methamphetamine injection and behaviour was monitored. The determination of neurotransmitters and their metabolites was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. RESULTS OBX animals had lower basal levels of dopamine and serotonin and their metabolites. However, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate levels were increased. The methamphetamine injection induced stronger dopamine and serotonin release in the OBX rats and lower release of glutamate in comparison with sham-operated rats; GABA levels did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS This study provides an evidence of mesolimbic neurotransmitter changes in the rat model of depression which may elucidate mechanisms underlying intravenous self-administration studies in which OBX rats were demonstrated to have higher drug intake in comparison to intact controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Ruda-Kucerova
- a Experimental and Applied Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group , CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University , Brno , Czech Republic .,b Department of Pharmacology , Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University , Brno , Czech Republic
| | - Petra Amchova
- a Experimental and Applied Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group , CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University , Brno , Czech Republic .,b Department of Pharmacology , Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University , Brno , Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Havlickova
- c Department of Pharmacology , Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic , and
| | - Pavel Jerabek
- c Department of Pharmacology , Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic , and
| | - Zuzana Babinska
- a Experimental and Applied Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group , CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University , Brno , Czech Republic .,b Department of Pharmacology , Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University , Brno , Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kacer
- d Laboratory of Medicinal Diagnostics, Department of Organic Technology ICT , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Kamila Syslova
- d Laboratory of Medicinal Diagnostics, Department of Organic Technology ICT , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Alexandra Sulcova
- a Experimental and Applied Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group , CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University , Brno , Czech Republic
| | - Magdalena Sustkova-Fiserova
- c Department of Pharmacology , Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic , and
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17
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Sun N, Laviolette SR. Dopamine receptor blockade modulates the rewarding and aversive properties of nicotine via dissociable neuronal activity patterns in the nucleus accumbens. Neuropsychopharmacology 2014; 39:2799-815. [PMID: 24896614 PMCID: PMC4200490 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2014.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Revised: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 05/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The mesolimbic pathway comprising the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and projection terminals in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) has been identified as a critical neural system involved in processing both the rewarding and aversive behavioral effects of nicotine. Transmission through dopamine (DA) receptors functionally modulates these effects directly within the NAc. Nevertheless, the neuronal mechanisms within the NAc responsible for these bivalent behavioral effects are presently not known. Using an unbiased conditioned place preference procedure combined with in vivo neuronal recordings, we examined the effects of nicotine reward and aversion conditioning on intra-NAc neuronal sub-population activity patterns. We report that intra-VTA doses of nicotine that differentially produce rewarding or aversive behavioral effects produce opposite effects on sub-populations of fast-spiking interneurons (FSIs) or medium spiny neurons (MSNs) within the shell region of the NAc (NAshell). Thus, while the rewarding effects of intra-VTA nicotine were associated with inhibition of FSI and activation of MSNs, the aversive effects of nicotine produced the opposite pattern of NAshell neuronal population activity. Blockade of DA transmission with a broad-spectrum DA receptor antagonist, α-flupenthixol, strongly inhibited the spontaneous activity of NAshell FSIs, and reversed the conditioning properties of intra-VTA nicotine, switching nicotine-conditioned responses from aversive to rewarding. Remarkably, DA receptor blockade switched intra-NAshell neuronal population activity from an aversion to a reward pattern, concomitant with the observed switch in behavioral conditioning effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ninglei Sun
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Steven R Laviolette
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada,Department of Psychology, The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, 468 Medical Science Building, London, ON, Canada N6A 5C1, Tel: +1 519 661 2111 ext. 80302, Fax: +1 519 661 3936, E-mail:
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Cannabinoid receptor activation prevents the effects of chronic mild stress on emotional learning and LTP in a rat model of depression. Neuropsychopharmacology 2014; 39:919-33. [PMID: 24141570 PMCID: PMC3924526 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2013.292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2013] [Revised: 10/08/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Most psychiatric disorders are characterized by emotional memory or learning disturbances. Chronic mild stress (CMS) is a common animal model for stress-induced depression. Here we examined whether 3 days of treatment using the CB1/2 receptor agonist WIN55,212-2 could ameliorate the effects of CMS on emotional learning (ie, conditioned avoidance and extinction), long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampal-accumbens pathway, and depression-like symptoms (ie, coping with stress behavior, anhedonia, and weight changes). We also examined whether the ameliorating effects of WIN55,212-2 on behavior and physiology after CMS are mediated by CB1 and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs). Rats were exposed to CMS or handled on days 1-21. The agonist WIN55,212-2 or vehicle were administered on days 19-21 (IP; 0.5 mg/kg) and behavioral and electrophysiological measures were taken on days 23 and 28. The CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 (IP; 0.3 mg/kg) or the GR antagonist RU-38486 (IP; 10 mg/kg) were co-administered with WIN55,212-2. Our results show that CMS significantly modified physiological and behavioral reactions, as observed by the impairment in avoidance extinction and LTP in the hippocampal-accumbens pathway, and the alterations in depression-like symptoms, such as coping with stress behavior, weight gain, and sucrose consumption. The most significant effect observed in this study was that 3 days of WIN55,212-2 administration prevented the CMS-induced alterations in emotional memory (ie, extinction) and plasticity. This effect was mediated by CB1 receptors as the CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 prevented the ameliorating effects of WIN55,212-2 on extinction and LTP. The GR antagonist RU-38486 also prevented the CMS-induced alterations in extinction and plasticity, and when co-administered with WIN55,212-2, the preventive effects after CMS were maintained. The findings suggest that enhancing cannabinoid signaling could represent a novel approach to the treatment of cognitive deficits that accompany stress-related depression.
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Abstract
The dorsal striatum, with its functional microcircuits galore, serves as the primary gateway of the basal ganglia and is known to play a key role in implicit learning. Initially, excitatory inputs from the cortex and thalamus arrive on the direct and indirect pathways, where the precise flow of information is then regulated by local GABAergic interneurons. The balance of excitatory and inhibitory transmission in the dorsal striatum is modulated by neuromodulators such as dopamine and acetylcholine. Under pathophysiological states in the dorsal striatum, an alteration in excitatory and inhibitory transmission may underlie dysfunctional motor control. Here, we review the cellular connections and modulation of striatal microcircuits and propose that modulating the excitatory and inhibitory balance in synaptic transmission of the dorsal striatum is important for regulating locomotion.
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Effect of CB1 receptor blockade on food-reinforced responding and associated nucleus accumbens neuronal activity in rats. J Neurosci 2012; 32:11467-77. [PMID: 22895729 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1833-12.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies have shown that disruption of cannabinoid receptor signaling reduces operant responses for rewards; yet it is unknown whether changes in neural activity at dopamine terminal regions such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc) underlie these behavioral effects. To study the neural correlates that accompany the disruption of endogenous cannabinoid (eCB) signaling in a food-motivated task, we recorded the neural activity and local field potentials (LFPs) from the NAc. A within-subject design was used for recordings as rats engaged in lever-pressing behavior for sucrose chocolate-flavored pellets delivered during responding in a progressive ratio (PR) schedule of reinforcement. Rats were food restricted to 85 ± 5% of their free body weight and trained under a PR until a stable breakpoint was observed (12 sessions ± 3). Once performance was stable, recordings were made under baseline, vehicle, and following administration of the cannabinoid inverse agonist rimonabant (150 μg/kg, i.v). NAc neurons encoded reward-predictive cues as well as food reward delivery. Rimonabant administration robustly reduced breakpoints in all rats tested, as previously reported. We found that this reduction is accompanied by a profound attenuation in the strength and coordination of specific event-related spiking activity. Moreover, rimonabant decreased LFP gamma power at 80 Hz (high gamma) at reward delivery and gamma power at 50 Hz (low gamma) at cue onset. Together the present results indicate that the eCB system sculpts neural activity patterns that accompany PR performance and reward consumption.
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21
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Cannabinoid receptor 1-expressing neurons in the nucleus accumbens. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:E2717-25. [PMID: 23012412 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1206303109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocannabinoid signaling critically regulates emotional and motivational states via activation of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) in the brain. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) functions to gate emotional and motivational responses. Although expression of CB1 in the NAc is low, manipulation of CB1 signaling within the NAc triggers robust emotional/motivational alterations related to drug addiction and other psychiatric disorders, and these effects cannot be exclusively attributed to CB1 located at afferents to the NAc. Rather, CB1-expressing neurons in the NAc, although sparse, appear to be critical for emotional and motivational responses. However, the cellular properties of these neurons remain largely unknown. Here, we generated a knock-in mouse line in which CB1-expressing neurons expressed the fluorescent protein td-Tomato (tdT). Using these mice, we demonstrated that tdT-positive neurons within the NAc were exclusively fast-spiking interneurons (FSIs). These FSIs were electrically coupled with each other, and thus may help synchronize populations/ensembles of NAc neurons. CB1-expressing FSIs also form GABAergic synapses on adjacent medium spiny neurons (MSNs), providing feed-forward inhibition of NAc output. Furthermore, the membrane excitability of tdT-positive FSIs in the NAc was up-regulated after withdrawal from cocaine exposure, an effect that might increase FSI-to-MSN inhibition. Taken together with our previous findings that the membrane excitability of NAc MSNs is decreased during cocaine withdrawal, the present findings suggest that the basal functional output of the NAc is inhibited during cocaine withdrawal by multiple mechanisms. As such, CB1-expressing FSIs are targeted by cocaine exposure to influence the overall functional output of the NAc.
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Kleijn J, Wiskerke J, Cremers T, Schoffelmeer A, Westerink B, Pattij T. Effects of amphetamine on dopamine release in the rat nucleus accumbens shell region depend on cannabinoid CB1 receptor activation. Neurochem Int 2012; 60:791-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2012.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2011] [Revised: 02/29/2012] [Accepted: 03/01/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Cannabinoid receptors mediate methamphetamine induction of high frequency gamma oscillations in the nucleus accumbens. Neuropharmacology 2012; 63:565-74. [PMID: 22609048 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2011] [Revised: 04/25/2012] [Accepted: 04/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Patients suffering from amphetamine-induced psychosis display repetitive behaviors, partially alleviated by antipsychotics, which are reminiscent of rodent stereotypies. Due to recent evidence implicating endocannabinoid involvement in brain disorders, including psychosis, we studied the effects of endocannabinoid signaling on neuronal oscillations of rats exhibiting methamphetamine stereotypy. Neuronal network oscillations were recorded with multiple single electrode arrays aimed at the nucleus accumbens of freely-moving rats. During the experiments, animals were dosed intravenously with the CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant (0.3 mg/kg) or vehicle followed by an ascending dose regimen of methamphetamine (0.01, 0.1, 1, and 3 mg/kg; cumulative dosing). The effects of drug administration on stereotypy and local gamma oscillations were evaluated. Methamphetamine treatment significantly increased high frequency gamma oscillations (∼80 Hz). Entrainment of a subpopulation of nucleus accumbens neurons to high frequency gamma was associated with stereotypy encoding in putative fast-spiking interneurons, but not in putative medium spiny neurons. The observed ability of methamphetamine to induce both stereotypy and high frequency gamma power was potently disrupted following CB1 receptor blockade. The present data suggest that CB1 receptor-dependent mechanisms are recruited by methamphetamine to modify striatal interneuron oscillations that accompany changes in psychomotor state, further supporting the link between endocannabinoids and schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
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Loewinger GC, Beckert MV, Tejeda HA, Cheer JF. Methamphetamine-induced dopamine terminal deficits in the nucleus accumbens are exacerbated by reward-associated cues and attenuated by CB1 receptor antagonism. Neuropharmacology 2012; 62:2192-201. [PMID: 22306525 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2011] [Revised: 12/24/2011] [Accepted: 01/18/2012] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) exposure is primarily associated with deleterious effects to dopaminergic neurons. While several studies have implicated the endocannabinoid system in METH's locomotor, rewarding and neurochemical effects, a role for this signaling system in METH's effects on dopamine terminal dynamics has not been elucidated. Given that CB1 receptor blockade reduces the acute potentiation of phasic extracellular dopamine release from other psychomotor stimulant drugs and that the degree of acute METH-induced increases in extracellular dopamine levels is related to the severity of dopamine depletion, we predicted that pretreatment with the CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant would reduce METH-induced alterations at dopamine terminals. Furthermore, we hypothesized that administration of METH in environments where reward associated-cues were present would potentiate METH's acute effects on dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens and exacerbate changes in dopamine terminal activity. Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry was used to measure electrically-evoked dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens and revealed markers of compromised dopamine terminal integrity nine days after a single dose of METH. These were exacerbated in animals that received METH in the presence of reward-associated cues, and attenuated in rimonabant-pretreated animals. While these deficits in dopamine dynamics were associated with reduced operant responding on days following METH administration in animals treated with only METH, rimonabant-pretreated animals exhibited levels of operant responding comparable to control. Moreover, dopamine release correlated significantly with changes in lever pressing behavior that occurred on days following METH administration. Together these data suggest that the endocannabinoid system is involved in the subsecond dopaminergic response to METH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel C Loewinger
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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Seif T, Makriyannis A, Kunos G, Bonci A, Hopf FW. The endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol mediates D1 and D2 receptor cooperative enhancement of rat nucleus accumbens core neuron firing. Neuroscience 2011; 193:21-33. [PMID: 21821098 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.07.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2011] [Revised: 07/14/2011] [Accepted: 07/22/2011] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Many motivated and addiction-related behaviors are sustained by activity of both dopamine D1- and D2-type receptors (D1Rs and D2Rs) as well as CB1 receptors (CB1Rs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Here, we use in vitro whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology to describe an endocannabinoid (eCB)-dopamine receptor interaction in adult rat NAc core neurons. D1R and D2R agonists in combination enhanced firing, with no effect of a D1R or D2R agonist alone. This D1R+D2R-mediated firing increase required CB1Rs, since it was prevented by the CB1R antagonists AM251 and Rimonabant. The D1R+D2R firing increase also required phospholipase C (PLC), the major synthesis pathway for the eCB 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and one of several pathways for anandamide. Further, inhibition of 2-AG hydrolysis with the monoglyceride lipase (MGL) inhibitor JZL184 allowed subthreshold levels of D1R+D2R receptor agonists to enhance firing, while inhibition of anandamide hydrolysis with the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors URB597 or AM3506 did not. Filling the postsynaptic neuron with 2-AG enabled subthreshold D1R+D2R agonists to increase firing, and the 2AG+D1R+D2R increase in firing was prevented by a CB1R antagonist. Also, the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) blocker MPEP prevented the ability of JZL184 to promote subthreshold D1R+D2R enhancement of firing, while the 2-AG+D1R+D2R increase in firing was not prevented by the mGluR5 blocker, suggesting that mGluR5s acted upstream of 2-AG production. Thus, our results taken together are consistent with the hypothesis that NAc core eCBs mediate dopamine receptor (DAR) enhancement of firing, perhaps providing a cellular mechanism underlying the central role of NAc core D1Rs, D2Rs, CB1Rs, and mGluR5s during many drug-seeking behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Seif
- Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, Department of Neurology, 5858 Horton Street, Suite 200, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
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Berke JD. Functional properties of striatal fast-spiking interneurons. Front Syst Neurosci 2011; 5:45. [PMID: 21743805 PMCID: PMC3121016 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2011.00045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2011] [Accepted: 06/03/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Striatal fast-spiking interneurons (FSIs) have a major influence over behavioral output, and a deficit in these cells has been observed in dystonia and Tourette syndrome. FSIs receive cortical input, are coupled together by gap junctions, and make perisomatic GABAergic synapses onto many nearby projection neurons. Despite being critical components of striatal microcircuits, until recently little was known about FSI activity in behaving animals. Striatal FSIs are near-continuously active in awake rodents, but even neighboring FSIs show uncorrelated activity most of the time. A coordinated "pulse" of increased FSI firing occurs throughout striatum when rats initiate one chosen action while suppressing a highly trained alternative. This pulse coincides with a drop in globus pallidus population activity, suggesting that pallidostriatal disinhibition may have a important role in timing or coordinating action execution. In addition to changes in firing rate, FSIs show behavior-linked modulation of spike timing. The variability of inter-spike intervals decreases markedly following instruction cues, and FSIs also participate in fast striatal oscillations that are linked to rewarding events and dopaminergic drugs. These studies have revealed novel and unexpected properties of FSIs, that should help inform new models of striatal information processing in both normal and aberrant conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D. Berke
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, University of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI, USA
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