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Kummer K, Sheets PL. Targeting Prefrontal Cortex Dysfunction in Pain. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 389:268-276. [PMID: 38702195 PMCID: PMC11125798 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.002046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) has justifiably become a significant focus of chronic pain research. Collectively, decades of rodent and human research have provided strong rationale for studying the dysfunction of the PFC as a contributing factor in the development and persistence of chronic pain and as a key supraspinal mechanism for pain-induced comorbidities such as anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline. Chronic pain alters the structure, chemistry, and connectivity of PFC in both humans and rodents. In this review, we broadly summarize the complexities of reported changes within both rodent and human PFC caused by pain and offer insight into potential pharmacological and nonpharmacological approaches for targeting PFC to treat chronic pain and pain-associated comorbidities. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Chronic pain is a significant unresolved medical problem causing detrimental changes to physiological, psychological, and behavioral aspects of life. Drawbacks of currently approved pain therapeutics include incomplete efficacy and potential for abuse producing a critical need for novel approaches to treat pain and comorbid disorders. This review provides insight into how manipulation of prefrontal cortex circuits could address this unmet need of more efficacious and safer pain therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Kummer
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria (K.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (P.L.S.), Medical Neurosciences Graduate Program (P.L.S.), and Stark Neurosciences Research Institute (P.L.S.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Patrick L Sheets
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria (K.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (P.L.S.), Medical Neurosciences Graduate Program (P.L.S.), and Stark Neurosciences Research Institute (P.L.S.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
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2
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Wang W, Yuan M, Xu Y, Yang J, Wang X, Zhou Y, Yu Z, Lu Z, Wang Y, Hu C, Bai Q, Li Z. Prokineticin-2 Participates in Chronic Constriction Injury-Triggered Neuropathic Pain and Anxiety via Regulated by NF-κB in Nucleus Accumbens Shell in Rats. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:2764-2783. [PMID: 37934398 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03680-6] [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: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain (NP) is an intractable pain that results from primary nervous system injury and dysfunction. Herein, we demonstrated in animal models that peripheral nerve injury induced enhanced pain perception and anxiety-like behaviors. According to previous reports, nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell is required for complete expression of neuropathic pain behaviors and mood alternations, we found the elevated mRNA and protein level of Prokineticin-2 (Prok2) in the NAc shell after Chronic Constriction Injury (CCI). Prok2 knockdown in the NAc shell reversed NP and anxiety-like behaviors in rats, indicating that Prok2 might play a fundamental role in NP and anxiety co-morbidity. CCI significantly enhanced Prok2 co-expression with NF-κB P-p65 in comparison with control animals. In addition to reversing the established nociceptive hypersensitivities and anxiety simultaneously, NAc microinjection of NF-κB siRNA or specific inhibitor PDTC reversed Prok2 upregulation. Besides, Prok2 was significantly decreased in vitro when co-transfected with si-NF-κB. Dual-Luciferase assay showed NF-κB directly activated Prok2 gene transcriptional activity. Overall, these findings provide new insights into the neurobiological mechanisms behind NP and comorbid anxiety. The NF-κB/Prok2 pathway could be a potential therapeutic target for NP and anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No.2, Jingba Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Meng Yuan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No.2, Jingba Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yaowei Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jingjie Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No.2, Jingba Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xiaoling Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yifan Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No.2, Jingba Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhixiang Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No.2, Jingba Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhongyuan Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yiming Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No.2, Jingba Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Chenge Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No.2, Jingba Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qian Bai
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No.2, Jingba Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Zhisong Li
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No.2, Jingba Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
- Institute of Neuroscience, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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Han S, Ren J, Li Z, Wen J, Jiang B, Wei X. Deactivation of dorsal CA1 pyramidal neurons projecting to medial prefrontal cortex contributes to neuropathic pain and short-term memory impairment. Pain 2024; 165:1044-1059. [PMID: 37889600 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury is a multidimensional experience that includes sensory, affective, and cognitive components that interact with one another. Hypoexcitation of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was observed in mice with peripheral nerve injury, but the changes in neural inputs onto the mPFC have not been completely explored. Here, we report that the neural terminals from the dorsal hippocampus CA1 (dCA1) form excitatory connection with layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the prelimbic area (PrL) of the mPFC. Spared nerve injury (SNI) induced a reduction in the intrinsic excitability of dCA1 pyramidal neurons innervating the PrL and impairment in excitatory synaptic transmission onto dCA1 pyramidal cells. Specifically, activating the neural circuit from dCA1 to mPFC alleviated neuropathic pain behaviors and improved novel object recognition ability in SNI mice, whereas deactivating this pathway in naïve animals recapitulated tactile allodynia and memory deficits. These results indicated that hypoactivity in dCA1 pyramidal cells after SNI in turn deactivated layer 5 pyramidal neurons in PrL and ultimately caused pain hypersensitivity and memory deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Han
- Department of Physiology and Pain Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiale Ren
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziming Li
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junjian Wen
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Jiang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuhong Wei
- Department of Physiology and Pain Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Notaj A, Erfanparast A, Tamaddonfard E, Soltanalinejad-Taghiabad F. Exogenous histamine and H 2 receptor activation and H 3 receptor inhibition in nucleus accumbens modulate formalin-induced orofacial nociception through opioid receptors. Behav Pharmacol 2024; 35:66-78. [PMID: 37578392 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000746] [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: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
It has been demonstrated that the nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays an important role in modulation of nociception due to its extensive connections with different regions of the brain. In addition, this nucleus receives histaminergic projections from tuberomammillary nucleus. Considering the role of the central histaminergic system in nociception, the effect of histamine and its H 2 and H 3 receptors agonist and antagonist microinjections into the NAc on orofacial formalin nociception was investigated. In male Wistar rats, using stereotaxic surgery, two guide cannulas were bilaterally implanted into the right and left sides of the NAc. Diluted formalin solution (1.5%, 50 µl) injection into the vibrissa pad led to orofacial nociception. Immediately after injection, face rubbing was observed at 3-min blocks for 45 min. Orofacial formalin nociception was characterized by a biphasic nociceptive response (first phase: 0-3 min and second phase: 15-33 min). Microinjections of histamine (0.5 and 1 μg/site), dimaprit (1 μg/site, H 2 receptor agonist) and thioperamide (2 μg/site, H 3 receptor antagonist) attenuated both phases of formalin orofacial nociception. Prior microinjection of famotidine (2 μg/site) inhibited the antinociceptive effects of dimaprit (1 μg/site). Furthermore, comicroinjection of thioperamide (2 μg/site) and immepip (1 μg/site) prevented thioperamide (2 μg/site)-induced antinociception. Naloxone (2 μg/site) also prevented histamine, dimaprit- and thioperamide-induced antinociception. The results of this study demonstrate that at the level of the NAc, histamine and its H 2 and H 3 receptors are probably involved in the modulation of orofacial nociception with an opioid system-dependent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azam Notaj
- Division of Physiology, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Serow Highway, Urmia
| | - Amir Erfanparast
- Division of Physiology, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Serow Highway, Urmia
| | - Esmaeal Tamaddonfard
- Division of Physiology, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Serow Highway, Urmia
| | - Farhad Soltanalinejad-Taghiabad
- Division of Anatomy, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Serow highway, Urmia, Iran
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Luo Q, Luo J, Wang X, Gan S. Restoration of the Activity of the Prefrontal Cortex to the Nucleus Accumbens Core Pathway Relieves Fentanyl-Induced Hyperalgesia in Male Rats. J Pain Res 2024; 17:1243-1256. [PMID: 38524691 PMCID: PMC10961020 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s442765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Functional connectivity between the prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex (PL-mPFC) and the core of the nucleus accumbens (NAc core) predicts pain chronification. Inhibiting the apoptosis of oligodendrocytes in the PL-mPFC prevents fentanyl-induced hyperalgesia in rats. However, the role of prefrontal cortex (PFC)-NAc projections in opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) remains unclear. Herein, we explored the role of the PL-NAc core circuit in fentanyl-induced hyperalgesia. Methods An OIH rat model was established, and patch-clamp recording, immunofluorescence, optogenetics, and chemogenetic methods were employed for neuron excitability detection and nociceptive behavioral assessment. Results Our results showed decreased activity of the right PL-mPFC layer V output neurons in rats with OIH. Similarly, the excitability of the NAc core neurons receiving glutamatergic projections from the PL-mPFC decreased in OIH rats, observed by the light-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents/light-excited inhibitory postsynaptic currents ratio (eEPSC/eIPSC ratio). Fentanyl-induced hyperalgesia was reversed by optogenetic activation of the PL-NAc core pathway, and chemogenetic suppression of this pathway induced hyperalgesia in control (saline-treated) rats. However, behavioral hyperalgesia was not aggravated by this chemogenetic suppression in OIH (fentanyl-treated) rats. Conclusion Our findings indicate that inactivation of the PL-NAc core pathway may be a cause of OIH and restoring the activity of this pathway may provide a strategy for OIH treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xixi Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Sifei Gan
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Hospital of Nanchang, Nanchang, Jiangxi, People’s Republic of China
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Ma J, Huang X, Li Z, Wang S, Yan X, Huang D, Zhou H. Photic sensitization is mediated by cortico-accumbens pathway in rats with trigeminal neuropathic pain. Prog Neurobiol 2023; 231:102533. [PMID: 37776970 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2023.102533] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to light stimuli may trigger or exacerbate perception of pain, also known as a common yet debilitating symptom of photophobia in patient with chronic orofacial pain. Mechanism underlying this phenomenon of photic sensitization in neuropathic condition remains elusive. Here, we found that rats developed hypersensitivity to normal light illumination after establishment of chronic constriction injury of infraorbital nerve (ION-CCI) model, which can be attenuated by blocking the exposure of photic stimulation. Additionally, this behavioral phenotype of light-sensitivity impairment was associated with overexpression of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) c-fos positive neurons, enhancement of neural excitability in the ACC neurons and its excitatory synaptic transmission between nucleus accumbens (NAc). Optogenetic and chemogenic silencing of ACC-NAc pathway improved trigeminal sensitization in responses to light stimuli by decreasing spontaneous pain-like episodes in ION-CCI animals. In contrast, selective activation of ACC-to-NAc circuits enhanced photic hypersensitivity in dark environment. Thus, our data provided novel role of ACC and its projection to NAc in bidirectional modulation of photic sensation, which may contribute to the understanding of photic allodynia in trigeminal neuropathic pain status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Ma
- Department of Pain, The Third Xiangya Hospital and Institute of Pain Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Xiaoling Huang
- Department of Pain, The Third Xiangya Hospital and Institute of Pain Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology of ERAS in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Zhenxing Li
- Department of Pain, The Third Xiangya Hospital and Institute of Pain Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Saiying Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Xuebin Yan
- Department of Pain, The Third Xiangya Hospital and Institute of Pain Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Dong Huang
- Department of Pain, The Third Xiangya Hospital and Institute of Pain Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Brain Homeostasis, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Haocheng Zhou
- Department of Pain, The Third Xiangya Hospital and Institute of Pain Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Brain Homeostasis, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China.
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7
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Ghosal S, Gebara E, Ramos-Fernández E, Chioino A, Grosse J, Guillot de Suduiraut I, Zanoletti O, Schneider B, Zorzano A, Astori S, Sandi C. Mitofusin-2 in nucleus accumbens D2-MSNs regulates social dominance and neuronal function. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112776. [PMID: 37440411 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a brain hub regulating motivated behaviors, including social competitiveness. Mitochondrial function in the NAc links anxiety with social competitiveness, and the mitochondrial fusion protein mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) in NAc neurons regulates anxiety-related behaviors. However, it remains unexplored whether accumbal Mfn2 levels also affect social behavior and whether Mfn2 actions in the emotional and social domain are driven by distinct cell types. Here, we found that subordinate-prone highly anxious rats show decreased accumbal Mfn2 levels and that Mfn2 overexpression promotes dominant behavior. In mice, selective Mfn2 downregulation in NAc dopamine D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) induced social subordination, accompanied by decreased accumbal mitochondrial functions and decreased excitability in D2-MSNs. Instead, D1-MSN-targeted Mfn2 downregulation affected competitive ability only transiently and likely because of an increase in anxiety-like behaviors. Our results assign dissociable cell-type specific roles to Mfn2 in the NAc in modulating social dominance and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sriparna Ghosal
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elias Gebara
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eva Ramos-Fernández
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Chioino
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jocelyn Grosse
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Guillot de Suduiraut
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivia Zanoletti
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bernard Schneider
- Bertarelli Platform for Gene Therapy, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Antonio Zorzano
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Bioquímica i Biomedicina Molecular, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Simone Astori
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Pryce KD, Serafini RA, Ramakrishnan A, Nicolais A, Giosan IM, Polizu C, Torres-Berrío A, Vuppala S, Kronman H, Ruiz A, Gaspari S, Peña CJ, Sakloth F, Mitsi V, van Duzer J, Mazitschek R, Jarpe M, Shen L, Nestler EJ, Zachariou V. Oxycodone withdrawal induces HDAC1/HDAC2-dependent transcriptional maladaptations in the reward pathway in a mouse model of peripheral nerve injury. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:1229-1244. [PMID: 37291337 PMCID: PMC10752505 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01350-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The development of physical dependence and addiction disorders due to misuse of opioid analgesics is a major concern with pain therapeutics. We developed a mouse model of oxycodone exposure and subsequent withdrawal in the presence or absence of chronic neuropathic pain. Oxycodone withdrawal alone triggered robust gene expression adaptations in the nucleus accumbens, medial prefrontal cortex and ventral tegmental area, with numerous genes and pathways selectively affected by oxycodone withdrawal in mice with peripheral nerve injury. Pathway analysis predicted that histone deacetylase (HDAC) 1 is a top upstream regulator in opioid withdrawal in nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex. The novel HDAC1/HDAC2 inhibitor, Regenacy Brain Class I HDAC Inhibitor (RBC1HI), attenuated behavioral manifestations of oxycodone withdrawal, especially in mice with neuropathic pain. These findings suggest that inhibition of HDAC1/HDAC2 may provide an avenue for patients with chronic pain who are dependent on opioids to transition to non-opioid analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerri D Pryce
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Randal A Serafini
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aarthi Ramakrishnan
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew Nicolais
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ilinca M Giosan
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Claire Polizu
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Angélica Torres-Berrío
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sreeya Vuppala
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hope Kronman
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anne Ruiz
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sevasti Gaspari
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Farhana Sakloth
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vasiliki Mitsi
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Ralph Mazitschek
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Venetia Zachariou
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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9
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Liu Y, Li A, Bair-Marshall C, Xu H, Jee HJ, Zhu E, Sun M, Zhang Q, Lefevre A, Chen ZS, Grinevich V, Froemke RC, Wang J. Oxytocin promotes prefrontal population activity via the PVN-PFC pathway to regulate pain. Neuron 2023; 111:1795-1811.e7. [PMID: 37023755 PMCID: PMC10272109 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Neurons in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) can provide top-down regulation of sensory-affective experiences such as pain. Bottom-up modulation of sensory coding in the PFC, however, remains poorly understood. Here, we examined how oxytocin (OT) signaling from the hypothalamus regulates nociceptive coding in the PFC. In vivo time-lapse endoscopic calcium imaging in freely behaving rats showed that OT selectively enhanced population activity in the prelimbic PFC in response to nociceptive inputs. This population response resulted from the reduction of evoked GABAergic inhibition and manifested as elevated functional connectivity involving pain-responsive neurons. Direct inputs from OT-releasing neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus are crucial to maintaining this prefrontal nociceptive response. Activation of the prelimbic PFC by OT or direct optogenetic stimulation of oxytocinergic PVN projections reduced acute and chronic pain. These results suggest that oxytocinergic signaling in the PVN-PFC circuit constitutes a key mechanism to regulate cortical sensory processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaling Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anna Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Interdisciplinary Pain Research Program, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chloe Bair-Marshall
- Skirball Institute for Biomolecular Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Otolaryngology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Helen Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Interdisciplinary Pain Research Program, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hyun Jung Jee
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Interdisciplinary Pain Research Program, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elaine Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Interdisciplinary Pain Research Program, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mengqi Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Qiaosheng Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Interdisciplinary Pain Research Program, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arthur Lefevre
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Zhe Sage Chen
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Robert C Froemke
- Skirball Institute for Biomolecular Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Otolaryngology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Interdisciplinary Pain Research Program, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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10
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Wu XB, Zhu Q, Gao MH, Yan SX, Gu PY, Zhang PF, Xu ML, Gao YJ. Excitatory Projections from the Prefrontal Cortex to Nucleus Accumbens Core D1-MSNs and κ Opioid Receptor Modulate Itch-Related Scratching Behaviors. J Neurosci 2023; 43:1334-1347. [PMID: 36653189 PMCID: PMC9987576 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1359-22.2023] [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: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Itch is an uncomfortable and complex sensation that elicits the desire to scratch. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) activity is important in driving sensation, motivation, and emotion. Excitatory afferents from the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), amygdala, and hippocampus are crucial in tuning the activity of dopamine receptor D1-expressing and D2-expressing medium spiny neurons (Drd1-MSN and Drd2-MSN) in the NAc. However, a cell-type and neural circuity-based mechanism of the NAc underlying acute itch remains unclear. We found that acute itch induced by compound 48/80 (C48/80) decreased the intrinsic membrane excitability in Drd1-MSNs, but not in Drd2-MSNs, in the NAc core of male mice. Chemogenetic activation of Drd1-MSNs alleviated C48/80-induced scratching behaviors but not itch-related anxiety-like behaviors. In addition, C48/80 enhanced the frequency of spontaneous EPSCs (sEPSCs) and reduced the paired-pulse ratio (PPR) of electrical stimulation-evoked EPSCs in Drd1-MSNs. Furthermore, C48/80 increased excitatory synaptic afferents to Drd1-MSNs from the mPFC, not from the basolateral amygdala (BLA) or ventral hippocampus (vHipp). Consistently, the intrinsic excitability of mPFC-NAc projecting pyramidal neurons was increased after C48/80 treatment. Chemogenetic inhibition of mPFC-NAc excitatory synaptic afferents relieved the scratching behaviors. Moreover, pharmacological activation of κ opioid receptor (KOR) in the NAc core suppressed C48/80-induced scratching behaviors, and the modulation of KOR activity in the NAc resulted in the changes of presynaptic excitatory inputs to Drd1-MSNs in C48/80-treated mice. Together, these results reveal the neural plasticity in synapses of NAc Drd1-MSNs from the mPFC underlying acute itch and indicate the modulatory role of the KOR in itch-related scratching behaviors.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Itch stimuli cause strongly scratching desire and anxiety in patients. However, the related neural mechanisms remain largely unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that the pruritogen compound 48/80 (C48/80) shapes the excitability of dopamine receptor D1-expressing medium spiny neurons (Drd1-MSNs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core and the glutamatergic synaptic afferents from medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to these neurons. Chemogenetic activation of Drd1-MSNs or inhibition of mPFC-NAc excitatory synaptic afferents relieves the scratching behaviors. In addition, pharmacological activation of κ opioid receptor (KOR) in the NAc core alleviates C48/80-induced itch. Thus, targeting mPFC-NAc Drd1-MSNs or KOR may provide effective treatments for itch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Bo Wu
- Institute of Pain Medicine and Special Environmental Medicine, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu 226019, China
| | - Qian Zhu
- Institute of Pain Medicine and Special Environmental Medicine, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu 226019, China
| | - Ming-Hui Gao
- Institute of Pain Medicine and Special Environmental Medicine, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu 226019, China
| | - Sheng-Xiang Yan
- Institute of Pain Medicine and Special Environmental Medicine, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu 226019, China
| | - Pan-Yang Gu
- Institute of Pain Medicine and Special Environmental Medicine, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu 226019, China
| | - Peng-Fei Zhang
- Institute of Pain Medicine and Special Environmental Medicine, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu 226019, China
| | - Meng-Lin Xu
- Institute of Pain Medicine and Special Environmental Medicine, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu 226019, China
| | - Yong-Jing Gao
- Institute of Pain Medicine and Special Environmental Medicine, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu 226019, China
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11
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Zhou S, Yin Y, Sheets PL. Mouse models of surgical and neuropathic pain produce distinct functional alterations to prodynorphin expressing neurons in the prelimbic cortex. NEUROBIOLOGY OF PAIN (CAMBRIDGE, MASS.) 2023; 13:100121. [PMID: 36864928 PMCID: PMC9971546 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynpai.2023.100121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) consists of a heterogeneous population of neurons that respond to painful stimuli, and our understanding of how different pain models alter these specific mPFC cell types remains incomplete. A distinct subpopulation of mPFC neurons express prodynorphin (Pdyn+), the endogenous peptide agonist for kappa opioid receptors (KORs). Here, we used whole cell patch clamp for studying excitability changes to Pdyn expressing neurons in the prelimbic region of the mPFC (PLPdyn+ neurons) in mouse models of surgical and neuropathic pain. Our recordings revealed that PLPdyn+ neurons consist of both pyramidal and inhibitory cell types. We find that the plantar incision model (PIM) of surgical pain increases intrinsic excitability only in pyramidal PLPdyn+ neurons one day after incision. Following recovery from incision, excitability of pyramidal PLPdyn+ neurons did not differ between male PIM and sham mice, but was decreased in PIM female mice. Moreover, the excitability of inhibitory PLPdyn+ neurons was increased in male PIM mice, but was with no difference between female sham and PIM mice. In the spared nerve injury model (SNI), pyramidal PLPdyn+ neurons were hyperexcitable at both 3 days and 14 days after SNI. However, inhibitory PLPdyn+ neurons were hypoexcitable at 3 days but hyperexcitable at 14 days after SNI. Our findings suggest different subtypes of PLPdyn+ neurons manifest distinct alterations in the development of different pain modalities and are regulated by surgical pain in a sex-specific manner. Our study provides information on a specific neuronal population that is affected by surgical and neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shudi Zhou
- Medical Neurosciences Graduate Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Yuexi Yin
- Medical Neurosciences Graduate Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Patrick L. Sheets
- Medical Neurosciences Graduate Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA,Corresponding author at: Indiana University School of Medicine, Neuroscience Research Building 400 D, 320 West 15th St, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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12
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Yu XL, Wu MR, Abdul M, Liu X, Zhang S, Xu Z, Zhang G, Cao JL. Comparison of two methods for extracting exosomes from the nucleus accumbens in mice. Neurosci Lett 2023; 796:137017. [PMID: 36529387 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.137017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exosomes bind to and are endocytosed by neurons of various brain regions. Methods for isolating and extracting exosomes from specific brain samples are critical. At present, the most important extractive methods for exosomes are Ultracentrifugation and exosome isolation kit extraction. Both of these extraction methods have applications in neuroscience. We compare these methods to reveal the differences. METHODS We sectioned the nucleus accumbens of mice, and isolated exosomes. A culture medium containing exosomes was extracted using ultracentrifugation (UC) and a total exosome isolation kit (TEI). The exosomes were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), measurement regarding the diameter of the exosomes was done, and the thermal allodynia and western blotting analysis were also conducted, respectively. RESULTS Transmission electron microscopy observations showed that the ultracentrifugation samples had higher purity and fewer impurities than the kit samples. The results from the two methods were then compared with a number ratio regarding the percentage was not statistically significant. Marker protein tests showed that proteins were expressed under both methods. The thermal allodynia testing observed that the two extraction methods did not affect pain behavior regarding the detection. After the kit extraction method, there were substantial white subjects suspended by PBS. CONCLUSION Our study compared the different protocols regarding exosome extraction from the nucleus accumbens and compared the quality of two principal methods for exosome extraction from a culture medium containing exosomes. It was found that the extraction quality of exosomes by ultracentrifugation was better, but the technical difficulty was greater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Lu Yu
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Biodesign and Modeling of Complex Systems, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119019, Russian Federation.
| | - Meng-Ru Wu
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Mannan Abdul
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
| | - Xian Liu
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Zheng Xu
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Guangchao Zhang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Jun-Li Cao
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China.
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13
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Natsubori A, Miyazawa M, Kojima T, Honda M. Region-specific involvement of ventral striatal dopamine D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons in nociception. Neurosci Res 2022; 191:48-56. [PMID: 36549387 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2022.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The ventrolateral striatum (VLS), a subregion of the ventral striatum (VS), possesses distinct neuronal Ca2+ activities and functions in reward-oriented behavior, compared with the ventromedial striatum (VMS) based on the anatomical feature. We hypothesized that the VLS exhibits unique neuronal activity and function in nociceptive processing, a part of aversive processing. Using fiber photometry to monitor the neuronal Ca2+ activities, we demonstrated that acute noxious mechanical stimuli like tail-pinch increased the Ca2+ activity of dopamine D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) in the VLS in correlation with the stimulus intensities in mice, whereas mechanical stimuli increased the VMS D2-MSN activity independent of the stimulus intensities. Likewise, thermal stimuli decreased the VLS and VMS D2-MSN Ca2+ activities during nociceptive behaviors in the hot plate test. Furthermore, the VLS D2-MSNs increased their Ca2+ activity accompanied by formalin-induced nociceptive behaviors in mice, whereas the VMS D2-MSNs decreased it. The optogenetic inhibition of VLS D2-MSN activity increased the formalin-induced pain-related behavior in mice, thus suggesting the inhibitory effect of VLS D2-MSN activity on chemical nociceptive behavior, in contrast to previous reports that the VMS D2-MSNs could not involve the behavior. Therefore, the VLS D2-MSNs exhibited region-specific roles in nociception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiyo Natsubori
- Sleep Disorders Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan.
| | - Momoka Miyazawa
- Sleep Disorders Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan; Faculty of Science Division Ⅱ, Tokyo University of Science, 1-3, Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8601, Japan
| | - Takashi Kojima
- Sleep Disorders Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Makoto Honda
- Sleep Disorders Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
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14
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Abstract
Pain is driven by sensation and emotion, and in turn, it motivates decisions and actions. To fully appreciate the multidimensional nature of pain, we formulate the study of pain within a closed-loop framework of sensory-motor prediction. In this closed-loop cycle, prediction plays an important role, as the interaction between prediction and actual sensory experience shapes pain perception and subsequently, action. In this Perspective, we describe the roles of two prominent computational theories-Bayesian inference and reinforcement learning-in modeling adaptive pain behaviors. We show that prediction serves as a common theme between these two theories, and that each of these theories can explain unique aspects of the pain perception-action cycle. We discuss how these computational theories and models can improve our mechanistic understandings of pain-centered processes such as anticipation, attention, placebo hypoalgesia, and pain chronification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Sage Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA,Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA,Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA,Interdisciplinary Pain Research Program, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA,Corresponding author
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA,Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA,Interdisciplinary Pain Research Program, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA,Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA,Corresponding author
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15
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Huang X, Li Z, Ma J, Huang D, Yan X, Zhou H. A novel implantable device for sensory and affective assessment of orofacial pain in rats. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1028147. [DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1028147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and objectiveOrofacial pain, in particular, chronic orofacial pain remains a great challenge in clinical practice. To better understand the underlying mechanism of disease, it is essential to apply a feasible and stable preclinical measurement of facial pain. Here, we introduced a novel electrical noxious stimulator in freely behavioral rodents and examined its validation in both naïve and chronic orofacial pain animals.MethodsOne subcutaneous device of electrical stimulator was implanted in the facial region for delivery of the nociceptive input. The sensory component of orofacial pain was assessed by response scoring tool, and conditioned place aversion (CPA) paradigm for pain affect respectively. To confirm its usage in chronic pain state, the chronic constriction injury of the infraorbital nerve (ION-CCI) model was then applied.ResultsWe found that responsive scores increased with stimulation intensity, and acted in a dosage-dependent manner, which can be attenuated by the administration of morphine intraperitoneally. Naïve rats displayed significant aversive reaction to the noxious electrical stimulation (25V) in the CPA testing. In addition, an obvious sensory hypersensitivity to electrical stimulation was confirmed by the increased response scores in ION-CCI rats. Furthermore, ION-CCI animal showed significant avoidance to electrical stimulation at relatively low intensity (10V), which was innoxious to naïve rats.ConclusionOur findings may provide an alternative pre-clinical measurement of orofacial pain, to quantitively assess both sensory and affective component of orofacial pain.
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16
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Zhao F, Cheng Z, Piao J, Cui R, Li B. Dopamine Receptors: Is It Possible to Become a Therapeutic Target for Depression? Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:947785. [PMID: 36059987 PMCID: PMC9428607 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.947785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine and its receptors are currently recognized targets for the treatment of several neuropsychiatric disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, some drug use addictions, as well as depression. Dopamine receptors are widely distributed in various regions of the brain, but their role and exact contribution to neuropsychiatric diseases has not yet been thoroughly studied. Based on the types of dopamine receptors and their distribution in different brain regions, this paper reviews the current research status of the molecular, cellular and circuit mechanisms of dopamine and its receptors involved in depression. Multiple lines of investigation of these mechanisms provide a new future direction for understanding the etiology and treatment of depression and potential new targets for antidepressant treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyi Zhao
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory on Molecular and Chemical Genetic, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Engineering Laboratory for Screening of Antidepressant Drugs, Jilin Province Development and Reform Commission, Changchun, China
| | - Ziqian Cheng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory on Molecular and Chemical Genetic, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Engineering Laboratory for Screening of Antidepressant Drugs, Jilin Province Development and Reform Commission, Changchun, China
| | - Jingjing Piao
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory on Molecular and Chemical Genetic, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Engineering Laboratory for Screening of Antidepressant Drugs, Jilin Province Development and Reform Commission, Changchun, China
| | - Ranji Cui
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory on Molecular and Chemical Genetic, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Engineering Laboratory for Screening of Antidepressant Drugs, Jilin Province Development and Reform Commission, Changchun, China
| | - Bingjin Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory on Molecular and Chemical Genetic, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Engineering Laboratory for Screening of Antidepressant Drugs, Jilin Province Development and Reform Commission, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Bingjin Li,
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Guida F, Iannotta M, Misso G, Ricciardi F, Boccella S, Tirino V, Falco M, Desiderio V, Infantino R, Pieretti G, de Novellis V, Papaccio G, Luongo L, Caraglia M, Maione S. Long-term neuropathic pain behaviors correlate with synaptic plasticity and limbic circuit alteration: a comparative observational study in mice. Pain 2022; 163:1590-1602. [PMID: 34862336 PMCID: PMC9341227 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Neuropathic pain has long-term consequences in affective and cognitive disturbances, suggesting the involvement of supraspinal mechanisms. In this study, we used the spared nerve injury (SNI) model to characterize the development of sensory and aversive components of neuropathic pain and to determine their electrophysiological impact across prefrontal cortex and limbic regions. Moreover, we evaluated the regulation of several genes involved in immune response and inflammation triggered by SNI. We showed that SNI led to sensorial hypersensitivity (cold and mechanical stimuli) and depressive-like behavior lasting 12 months after nerve injury. Of interest, changes in nonemotional cognitive tasks (novel object recognition and Y maze) showed in 1-month SNI mice were not evident normal in the 12-month SNI animals. In vivo electrophysiology revealed an impaired long-term potentiation at prefrontal cortex-nucleus accumbens core pathway in both the 1-month and 12-month SNI mice. On the other hand, a reduced neural activity was recorded in the lateral entorhinal cortex-dentate gyrus pathway in the 1-month SNI mice, but not in the 12-month SNI mice. Finally, we observed the upregulation of specific genes involved in immune response in the hippocampus of 1-month SNI mice, but not in the 12-month SNI mice, suggesting a neuroinflammatory response that may contribute to the SNI phenotype. These data suggest that distinct brain circuits may drive the psychiatric components of neuropathic pain and pave the way for better investigation of the long-term consequences of peripheral nerve injury for which most of the available drugs are to date unsatisfactory.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gorizio Pieretti
- Plastic Surgery, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Livio Luongo
- Departments of Experimental Medicine
- IRCSS, Neuromed, Neuropharmacology Division, Pozzilli, Italy
| | | | - Sabatino Maione
- Departments of Experimental Medicine
- IRCSS, Neuromed, Neuropharmacology Division, Pozzilli, Italy
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Brain Structural and Functional Alterations in Multiple Sclerosis-Related Fatigue: A Systematic Review. Neurol Int 2022; 14:506-535. [PMID: 35736623 PMCID: PMC9228847 DOI: 10.3390/neurolint14020042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Fatigue is one of the most disabling symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS); it influences patients’ quality of life. The etiology of fatigue is complex, and its pathogenesis is still unclear and debated. The objective of this review was to describe potential brain structural and functional dysfunctions underlying fatigue symptoms in patients with MS. To reach this purpose, a systematic review was conducted of published studies comparing functional brain activation and structural brain in MS patients with and without fatigue. Electronic databases were searched until 24 February 2021. The structural and functional outcomes were extracted from eligible studies and tabulated. Fifty studies were included: 32 reported structural brain differences between patients with and without fatigue; 14 studies described functional alterations in patients with fatigue compared to patients without it; and four studies showed structural and functional brain alterations in patients. The results revealed structural and functional abnormalities that could correlate to the symptom of fatigue in patients with MS. Several studies reported the differences between patients with fatigue and patients without fatigue in terms of conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes and brain atrophy, specifically in the thalamus. Functional studies showed abnormal activation in the thalamus and in some regions of the sensorimotor network in patients with fatigue compared to patients without it. Patients with fatigue present more structural and functional alterations compared to patients without fatigue. Specifically, abnormal activation and atrophy of the thalamus and some regions of the sensorimotor network seem linked to fatigue.
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Cardoso-Cruz H, Laranjeira I, Monteiro C, Galhardo V. Altered prefrontal-striatal theta-band oscillatory dynamics underlie working memory deficits in neuropathic pain rats. Eur J Pain 2022; 26:1546-1568. [PMID: 35603472 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex (PL-mPFC) and nucleus accumbens core region (NAcc) play an important role in supporting several executive cognitive mechanisms, such as spatial working-memory (WM). Recently, this circuit has been also associated with both sensory and affective components of pain. However, it is still unclear whether this circuit is endogenously engaged in neuropathic pain-related cognitive dysfunctions. METHODS To answer this question, we induced the expression of halorhodopsin in local PL-mPFC neurons projecting to NAcc, and then selectively inhibited the terminals of these neurons in the NAcc while recording neural activity during the performance of a delayed non-match to sample (DNMS) spatial WM task. Within-subject behavioral performance and PL-mPFC to NAcc circuit neural activity was assessed after the onset of a persistent rodent neuropathic pain model - spared nerve injury (SNI). RESULTS Our results revealed that the induction of the neuropathy reduced WM performance, and altered the interplay between PL-mPFC and NAcc neurons namely in increasing the functional connectivity from NAcc to PL-mPFC, particularly in the theta-band spontaneous oscillations; in addition, these behavioral and functional perturbations were partially reversed by selective optogenetic inhibition of PL-mPFC neuron terminals into the NAcc during the DNMS task delay-period, without significant antinociceptive effects. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, these results strongly suggest that the PL-mPFC excitatory output into the NAcc plays an important role in the deregulation of WM under pain conditions. SIGNIFICANCE Selective optogenetic inhibition of prefrontal-striatal microcircuit reverses pain-related working memory deficits, but has no significant impact on pain responses. Neuropathic pain underlies an increase of functional connectivity between the nucleus accumbens core area and the prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex mediated by theta-band activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helder Cardoso-Cruz
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Pain Neurobiology Group; Universidade do Porto, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,Faculdade de Medicina (FMUP), Departamento de Biomedicina - Unidade de Biologia Experimental; Universidade do Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - Inês Laranjeira
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Pain Neurobiology Group; Universidade do Porto, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,Faculdade de Medicina (FMUP), Departamento de Biomedicina - Unidade de Biologia Experimental; Universidade do Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.,Mestrado em Neurobiologia da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto. 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - Clara Monteiro
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Pain Neurobiology Group; Universidade do Porto, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,Faculdade de Medicina (FMUP), Departamento de Biomedicina - Unidade de Biologia Experimental; Universidade do Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - Vasco Galhardo
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Pain Neurobiology Group; Universidade do Porto, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,Faculdade de Medicina (FMUP), Departamento de Biomedicina - Unidade de Biologia Experimental; Universidade do Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
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20
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Lee JY, You T, Lee CH, Im GH, Seo H, Woo CW, Kim SG. Role of anterior cingulate cortex inputs to periaqueductal gray for pain avoidance. Curr Biol 2022; 32:2834-2847.e5. [PMID: 35609604 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.04.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Although pain-related excessive fear is known to be a key factor in chronic pain disability, which involves the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), little is known about the downstream circuits of the ACC for fear avoidance in pain processing. Using behavioral experiments and functional magnetic resonance imaging with optogenetics at 15.2 T, we demonstrate that the ACC is a part of the abnormal circuit changes in chronic pain and its downstream circuits are closely related to modulating sensorimotor integration and generating active movement rather than carrying sensory information. The projection from the ACC to the dorsolateral and lateral parts of the periaqueductal gray (dl/lPAG) especially enhances both reflexive and active avoidance behavior toward pain. Collectively, our results indicate that increased signals from the ACC to the dl/lPAG might be critical for excessive fear avoidance in chronic pain disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong-Yun Lee
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea.
| | - Taeyi You
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea; Department of Intelligent Precision Healthcare Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Choong-Hee Lee
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Geun Ho Im
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Heewon Seo
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH 44704, USA
| | - Choong-Wan Woo
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea; Department of Intelligent Precision Healthcare Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Gi Kim
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea; Department of Intelligent Precision Healthcare Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea.
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21
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Dai D, Li W, Chen A, Gao XF, Xiong L. Lateral Habenula and Its Potential Roles in Pain and Related Behaviors. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:1108-1118. [PMID: 35412792 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00067] [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] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The lateral habenula (LHb) is a tiny structure that acts as a hub, relaying signals from the limbic forebrain structures and basal ganglia to the brainstem modulatory area. Facilitated by updated knowledge and more precise manipulation of circuits, the progress in figuring out the neural circuits and functions of the LHb has increased dramatically over the past decade. Importantly, LHb is found to play an integrative role and has profound effects on a variety of behaviors associated with pain, including depression-like and anxiety-like behaviors, antireward or aversion, aggression, defensive behavior, and substance use disorder. Thus, LHb is a potential target for improving pain management and related disorders. In this review, we focused on the functions, related circuits, and neurotransmissions of the LHb in pain processing and related behaviors. A comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the LHb and pain will help to find new pain treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danqing Dai
- Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1481, Xinshi North Road, Shanghai 200434, China
- Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1279, Sanmen Road, Shanghai 200434, China
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1279, Sanmen Road, Shanghai 200434, China
| | - Wanrong Li
- Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1481, Xinshi North Road, Shanghai 200434, China
- Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1279, Sanmen Road, Shanghai 200434, China
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1279, Sanmen Road, Shanghai 200434, China
| | - Aiwen Chen
- Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1481, Xinshi North Road, Shanghai 200434, China
- Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1279, Sanmen Road, Shanghai 200434, China
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1279, Sanmen Road, Shanghai 200434, China
| | - Xiao-Fei Gao
- Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1481, Xinshi North Road, Shanghai 200434, China
- Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1279, Sanmen Road, Shanghai 200434, China
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1279, Sanmen Road, Shanghai 200434, China
| | - Lize Xiong
- Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1481, Xinshi North Road, Shanghai 200434, China
- Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1279, Sanmen Road, Shanghai 200434, China
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 1279, Sanmen Road, Shanghai 200434, China
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22
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Current Understanding of the Neural Circuitry in the Comorbidity of Chronic Pain and Anxiety. Neural Plast 2022; 2022:4217593. [PMID: 35211169 PMCID: PMC8863453 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4217593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain patients often develop mental disorders, and anxiety disorders are common. We hypothesize that the comorbid anxiety results from an imbalance between the reward and antireward system due to persistent pain, which leads to the dysfunction of the pain and anxiety regulatory system. In this review, we will focus on changes in neuroplasticity, especially in neural circuits, during chronic pain and anxiety as observed in animal studies. Several neural circuits within specific regions of the brain, including the nucleus accumbens, lateral habenular, parabrachial nucleus, medial septum, anterior cingulate cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex, and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, will be discussed based on novel findings after chemogenetic or optogenetic manipulation. We believe that these animal studies provide novel insights into human conditions and can guide clinical practice.
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23
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Jefferson T, Kelly CJ, Martina M. Differential Rearrangement of Excitatory Inputs to the Medial Prefrontal Cortex in Chronic Pain Models. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 15:791043. [PMID: 35002635 PMCID: PMC8738091 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.791043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain patients suffer a disrupted quality of life not only from the experience of pain itself, but also from comorbid symptoms such as depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, and sleep disturbances. The heterogeneity of these symptoms support the idea of a major involvement of the cerebral cortex in the chronic pain condition. Accordingly, abundant evidence shows that in chronic pain the activity of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a brain region that is critical for executive function and working memory, is severely impaired. Excitability of the mPFC depends on the integrated effects of intrinsic excitability and excitatory and inhibitory inputs. The main extracortical sources of excitatory input to the mPFC originate in the thalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala, which allow the mPFC to integrate multiple information streams necessary for cognitive control of pain including sensory information, context, and emotional salience. Recent techniques, such as optogenetic methods of circuit dissection, have made it possible to tease apart the contributions of individual circuit components. Here we review the synaptic properties of these main glutamatergic inputs to the rodent mPFC, how each is altered in animal models of chronic pain, and how these alterations contribute to pain-associated mPFC deactivation. By understanding the contributions of these individual circuit components, we strive to understand the broad spectrum of chronic pain and comorbid pathologies, how they are generated, and how they might be alleviated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Jefferson
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | | | - Marco Martina
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
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24
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Alter BJ, Santosa H, Nguyen QH, Huppert TJ, Wasan AD. Offset analgesia is associated with opposing modulation of medial versus dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activations: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy study. Mol Pain 2022; 18:17448069221074991. [PMID: 35083928 PMCID: PMC9047820 DOI: 10.1177/17448069221074991] [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: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Offset analgesia is defined by a dramatic drop in perceived pain intensity with a relatively small decrease in noxious input. Although functional magnetic resonance imaging studies implicate subcortical descending inhibitory circuits during offset analgesia, the role of cortical areas remains unclear. The current study identifies cortical correlates of offset analgesia using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Twenty-four healthy volunteers underwent fNIRS scanning during offset (OS) and control (Con) heat stimuli applied to the forearm. After controlling for non-neural hemodynamic responses in superficial tissues, widespread increases in cortical oxygenated hemoglobin concentration were observed, reflecting cortical activation during heat pain. OS-Con contrasts revealed deactivations in bilateral medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and bilateral somatosensory cortex (SSC) associated with offset analgesia. Right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) showed activation only during OS. These data demonstrate opposing cortical activation patterns during offset analgesia and support a model in which right dlPFC underlies ongoing evaluation of pain intensity change. With predictions of decreasing pain intensity, right dlPFC activation likely inhibits ascending noxious input via subcortical pathways resulting in SSC and mPFC deactivation. This study identifies cortical circuitry underlying offset analgesia and introduces the use of fNIRS to study pain modulation in an outpatient clinical environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedict J. Alter
- Department of Anesthesiology and
Perioperative Medicine, University of
Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Hendrik Santosa
- Department of Radiology, University of
Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Quynh H. Nguyen
- Department of Anesthesiology and
Perioperative Medicine, University of
Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Theodore J. Huppert
- Department of Electrical and
Computer Engineering, University of
Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ajay D. Wasan
- Department of Anesthesiology and
Perioperative Medicine, University of
Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of
Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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25
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Lubejko ST, Graham RD, Livrizzi G, Schaefer R, Banghart MR, Creed MC. The role of endogenous opioid neuropeptides in neurostimulation-driven analgesia. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:1044686. [PMID: 36591324 PMCID: PMC9794630 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.1044686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the prevalence of chronic pain worldwide, there is an urgent need to improve pain management strategies. While opioid drugs have long been used to treat chronic pain, their use is severely limited by adverse effects and abuse liability. Neurostimulation techniques have emerged as a promising option for chronic pain that is refractory to other treatments. While different neurostimulation strategies have been applied to many neural structures implicated in pain processing, there is variability in efficacy between patients, underscoring the need to optimize neurostimulation techniques for use in pain management. This optimization requires a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying neurostimulation-induced pain relief. Here, we discuss the most commonly used neurostimulation techniques for treating chronic pain. We present evidence that neurostimulation-induced analgesia is in part driven by the release of endogenous opioids and that this endogenous opioid release is a common endpoint between different methods of neurostimulation. Finally, we introduce technological and clinical innovations that are being explored to optimize neurostimulation techniques for the treatment of pain, including multidisciplinary efforts between neuroscience research and clinical treatment that may refine the efficacy of neurostimulation based on its underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan T. Lubejko
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Robert D. Graham
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Center, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Giulia Livrizzi
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Robert Schaefer
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Center, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Matthew R. Banghart
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Matthew R. Banghart,
| | - Meaghan C. Creed
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Center, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Meaghan C. Creed,
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26
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Buckhalter S, Soubeyrand E, Ferrone SAE, Rasmussen DJ, Manduca JD, Al-Abdul-Wahid MS, Frie JA, Khokhar JY, Akhtar TA, Perreault ML. The Antidepressant-Like and Analgesic Effects of Kratom Alkaloids are accompanied by Changes in Low Frequency Oscillations but not ΔFosB Accumulation. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:696461. [PMID: 34413776 PMCID: PMC8369573 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.696461] [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: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitragyna speciosa (“kratom”), employed as a traditional medicine to improve mood and relieve pain, has shown increased use in Europe and North America. Here, the dose-dependent effects of a purified alkaloid kratom extract on neuronal oscillatory systems function, analgesia, and antidepressant-like behaviour were evaluated and kratom-induced changes in ΔFosB expression determined. Male rats were administered a low or high dose of kratom (containing 0.5 or 1 mg/kg of mitragynine, respectively) for seven days. Acute or repeated low dose kratom suppressed ventral tegmental area (VTA) theta oscillatory power whereas acute or repeated high dose kratom increased delta power, and reduced theta power, in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), prefrontal cortex (PFC), cingulate cortex (Cg) and VTA. The repeated administration of low dose kratom additionally elevated delta power in PFC, decreased theta power in NAc and PFC, and suppressed beta and low gamma power in Cg. Suppressed high gamma power in NAc and PFC was seen selectively following repeated high dose kratom. Both doses of kratom elevated NAc-PFC, VTA-NAc, and VTA-Cg coherence. Low dose kratom had antidepressant-like properties whereas both doses produced analgesia. No kratom-induced changes in ΔFosB expression were evident. These results support a role for kratom as having both antidepressant and analgesic properties that are accompanied by specific changes in neuronal circuit function. However, the absence of drug-induced changes in ΔFosB expression suggest that the drug may circumvent this cellular signaling pathway, a pathway known for its significant role in addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoshana Buckhalter
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Eric Soubeyrand
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah A E Ferrone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Duncan J Rasmussen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Joshua D Manduca
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - Jude A Frie
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Collaborative Program in Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Jibran Y Khokhar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Collaborative Program in Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Tariq A Akhtar
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Melissa L Perreault
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Collaborative Program in Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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27
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Circulating Level of Myelin Basic Protein Predicts Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Prospective Study. Clin J Pain 2021; 37:429-436. [PMID: 33883415 DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000000937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Patients with herpes zoster (HZ) would benefit from accurate prediction of whether they are likely to develop postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). We investigated whether a circulating biomarker of neuronal damage could be a predictor of PHN in this nonmatched prospective, nested, case-control study. MATERIALS AND METHODS We included patients with HZ who were within 90 days after rash onset. Volunteers without a history of HZ were recruited as controls. We evaluated epidemiologic factors and circulating neuronal damage biomarkers, including cell-free DNA, myelin basic protein (MBP), and soluble protein-100B (S100B). We conducted logistic regression analyses to develop a prediction model of PHN. RESULTS We found that cell-free DNA and MBP levels were higher in patients with HZ (n=71) than in controls (n=37). However, only MBP level was higher in patients who developed PHN (n=25), in comparison with those who did not (n=46). MBP level and 3 clinical factors, age, acute pain severity, and response to treatment drugs were identified as independent predictors of PHN. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the prediction made using a combination of MBP level and clinical factors had an area under ROC curve of 0.853 (95% confidence interval: 0.764 to 0.943), which was better than prediction using clinical factors alone (area under ROC curve: 0.823, 95% confidence interval: 0.728 to 0.917). DISCUSSION Our results indicate that circulating MBP level in patients with HZ is a predictor for PHN. The combination of clinical predictors and MBP level enhanced the prediction performance.
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28
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Tan LL, Kuner R. Neocortical circuits in pain and pain relief. Nat Rev Neurosci 2021; 22:458-471. [PMID: 34127843 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-021-00468-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The sensory, associative and limbic neocortical structures play a critical role in shaping incoming noxious inputs to generate variable pain perceptions. Technological advances in tracing circuitry and interrogation of pathways and complex behaviours are now yielding critical knowledge of neocortical circuits, cellular contributions and causal relationships between pain perception and its abnormalities in chronic pain. Emerging insights into neocortical pain processing suggest the existence of neocortical causality and specificity for pain at the level of subdomains, circuits and cellular entities and the activity patterns they encode. These mechanisms provide opportunities for therapeutic intervention for improved pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linette Liqi Tan
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Rohini Kuner
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
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29
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Lawn T, Aman Y, Rukavina K, Sideris-Lampretsas G, Howard M, Ballard C, Ray Chaudhuri K, Malcangio M. Pain in the neurodegenerating brain: insights into pharmacotherapy for Alzheimer disease and Parkinson disease. Pain 2021; 162:999-1006. [PMID: 33239526 PMCID: PMC7977618 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Lawn
- Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yahyah Aman
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Katarina Rukavina
- The Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Parkinson Foundation Centre of Excellence, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - George Sideris-Lampretsas
- Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Howard
- Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Kallol Ray Chaudhuri
- The Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Parkinson Foundation Centre of Excellence, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marzia Malcangio
- Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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30
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Zeng F, Zhang Q, Liu Y, Sun G, Li A, Talay RS, Wang J. AMPAkines potentiate the corticostriatal pathway to reduce acute and chronic pain. Mol Brain 2021; 14:45. [PMID: 33653395 PMCID: PMC7923831 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-021-00757-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The corticostriatal circuit plays an important role in the regulation of reward- and aversion-types of behaviors. Specifically, the projection from the prelimbic cortex (PL) to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) has been shown to regulate sensory and affective aspects of pain in a number of rodent models. Previous studies have shown that enhancement of glutamate signaling through the NAc by AMPAkines, a class of agents that specifically potentiate the function of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, reduces acute and persistent pain. However, it is not known whether postsynaptic potentiation of the NAc with these agents can achieve the full anti-nociceptive effects of PL activation. Here we compared the impact of AMPAkine treatment in the NAc with optogenetic activation of the PL on pain behaviors in rats. We found that not only does AMPAkine treatment partially reconstitute the PL inhibition of sensory withdrawals, it fully occludes the effect of the PL on reducing the aversive component of pain. These results indicate that the NAc is likely one of the key targets for the PL, especially in the regulation of pain aversion. Furthermore, our results lend support for neuromodulation or pharmacological activation of the corticostriatal circuit as an important analgesic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Zeng
- Department of Pain, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Qiaosheng Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yaling Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Guanghao Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anna Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert S Talay
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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31
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Talay RS, Liu Y, Michael M, Li A, Friesner ID, Zeng F, Sun G, Chen ZS, Zhang Q, Wang J. Pharmacological restoration of anti-nociceptive functions in the prefrontal cortex relieves chronic pain. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 201:102001. [PMID: 33545233 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain affects one in four adults, and effective non-sedating and non-addictive treatments are urgently needed. Chronic pain causes maladaptive changes in the cerebral cortex, which can lead to impaired endogenous nociceptive processing. However, it is not yet clear if drugs that restore endogenous cortical regulation could provide an effective therapeutic strategy for chronic pain. Here, we studied the nociceptive response of neurons in the prelimbic region of the prefrontal cortex (PL-PFC) in freely behaving rats using a spared nerve injury (SNI) model of chronic pain, and the impact of AMPAkines, a class of drugs that increase central glutamate signaling, on such response. We found that neurons in the PL-PFC increase their firing rates in response to noxious stimulations; chronic neuropathic pain, however, suppressed this important cortical pain response. Meanwhile, CX546, a well-known AMPAkine, restored the anti-nociceptive response of PL-PFC neurons in the chronic pain condition. In addition, both systemic administration and direct delivery of CX546 into the PL-PFC inhibited symptoms of chronic pain, whereas optogenetic inactivation of the PFC neurons or administration of AMPA receptor antagonists in the PL-PFC blocked the anti-nociceptive effects of CX546. These results indicate that restoration of the endogenous anti-nociceptive functions in the PL-PFC by pharmacological agents such as AMPAkines constitutes a successful strategy to treat chronic neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert S Talay
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Yaling Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States; Department of Pain, The Third Xiangya Hospital and Institute of Pain Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, China
| | - Matthew Michael
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Anna Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Isabel D Friesner
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Fei Zeng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Guanghao Sun
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Zhe Sage Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States; Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Qiaosheng Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States.
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States; Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States; Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, United States.
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Abstract
The prefrontal cortex undergoes functional and structural reorganization in chronic pain conditions in both rodents and humans. We provide an illustrated overview of the molecular, functional, and connectivity pathology occurring in the prefrontal cortex in chronic pain states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Shiers
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, Richardson, TX, United States
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Kuner R, Kuner T. Cellular Circuits in the Brain and Their Modulation in Acute and Chronic Pain. Physiol Rev 2020; 101:213-258. [PMID: 32525759 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00040.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic, pathological pain remains a global health problem and a challenge to basic and clinical sciences. A major obstacle to preventing, treating, or reverting chronic pain has been that the nature of neural circuits underlying the diverse components of the complex, multidimensional experience of pain is not well understood. Moreover, chronic pain involves diverse maladaptive plasticity processes, which have not been decoded mechanistically in terms of involvement of specific circuits and cause-effect relationships. This review aims to discuss recent advances in our understanding of circuit connectivity in the mammalian brain at the level of regional contributions and specific cell types in acute and chronic pain. A major focus is placed on functional dissection of sub-neocortical brain circuits using optogenetics, chemogenetics, and imaging technological tools in rodent models with a view towards decoding sensory, affective, and motivational-cognitive dimensions of pain. The review summarizes recent breakthroughs and insights on structure-function properties in nociceptive circuits and higher order sub-neocortical modulatory circuits involved in aversion, learning, reward, and mood and their modulation by endogenous GABAergic inhibition, noradrenergic, cholinergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, and peptidergic pathways. The knowledge of neural circuits and their dynamic regulation via functional and structural plasticity will be beneficial towards designing and improving targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohini Kuner
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; and Department of Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Kuner
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; and Department of Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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Kummer KK, Mitrić M, Kalpachidou T, Kress M. The Medial Prefrontal Cortex as a Central Hub for Mental Comorbidities Associated with Chronic Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3440. [PMID: 32414089 PMCID: PMC7279227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain patients frequently develop and suffer from mental comorbidities such as depressive mood, impaired cognition, and other significant constraints of daily life, which can only insufficiently be overcome by medication. The emotional and cognitive components of pain are processed by the medial prefrontal cortex, which comprises the anterior cingulate cortex, the prelimbic, and the infralimbic cortex. All three subregions are significantly affected by chronic pain: magnetic resonance imaging has revealed gray matter loss in all these areas in chronic pain conditions. While the anterior cingulate cortex appears hyperactive, prelimbic, and infralimbic regions show reduced activity. The medial prefrontal cortex receives ascending, nociceptive input, but also exerts important top-down control of pain sensation: its projections are the main cortical input of the periaqueductal gray, which is part of the descending inhibitory pain control system at the spinal level. A multitude of neurotransmitter systems contributes to the fine-tuning of the local circuitry, of which cholinergic and GABAergic signaling are particularly emerging as relevant components of affective pain processing within the prefrontal cortex. Accordingly, factors such as distraction, positive mood, and anticipation of pain relief such as placebo can ameliorate pain by affecting mPFC function, making this cortical area a promising target region for medical as well as psychosocial interventions for pain therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Michaela Kress
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (K.K.K.); (M.M.); (T.K.)
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Guida F, De Gregorio D, Palazzo E, Ricciardi F, Boccella S, Belardo C, Iannotta M, Infantino R, Formato F, Marabese I, Luongo L, de Novellis V, Maione S. Behavioral, Biochemical and Electrophysiological Changes in Spared Nerve Injury Model of Neuropathic Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21093396. [PMID: 32403385 PMCID: PMC7246983 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is a pathological condition induced by a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system, with symptoms like allodynia and hyperalgesia. It has a multifaceted pathogenesis as it implicates several molecular signaling pathways involving peripheral and central nervous systems. Affective and cognitive dysfunctions have been reported as comorbidities of neuropathic pain states, supporting the notion that pain and mood disorders share some common pathogenetic mechanisms. The understanding of these pathophysiological mechanisms requires the development of animal models mimicking, as far as possible, clinical neuropathic pain symptoms. Among them, the Spared Nerve Injury (SNI) model has been largely characterized in terms of behavioral and functional alterations. This model is associated with changes in neuronal firing activity at spinal and supraspinal levels, and induces late neuropsychiatric disorders (such as anxious-like and depressive-like behaviors, and cognitive impairments) comparable to an advanced phase of neuropathy. The goal of this review is to summarize current findings in preclinical research, employing the SNI model as a tool for identifying pathophysiological mechanisms of neuropathic pain and testing pharmacological agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Guida
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Campania Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (F.R.); (S.B.); (C.B.); (M.I.); (R.I.); (F.F.); (I.M.); (L.L.); (V.d.N.)
- Correspondence: (F.G.); (S.M.)
| | - Danilo De Gregorio
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A1A1, Canada;
| | - Enza Palazzo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Campania Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (F.R.); (S.B.); (C.B.); (M.I.); (R.I.); (F.F.); (I.M.); (L.L.); (V.d.N.)
| | - Flavia Ricciardi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Campania Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (F.R.); (S.B.); (C.B.); (M.I.); (R.I.); (F.F.); (I.M.); (L.L.); (V.d.N.)
| | - Serena Boccella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Campania Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (F.R.); (S.B.); (C.B.); (M.I.); (R.I.); (F.F.); (I.M.); (L.L.); (V.d.N.)
| | - Carmela Belardo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Campania Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (F.R.); (S.B.); (C.B.); (M.I.); (R.I.); (F.F.); (I.M.); (L.L.); (V.d.N.)
| | - Monica Iannotta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Campania Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (F.R.); (S.B.); (C.B.); (M.I.); (R.I.); (F.F.); (I.M.); (L.L.); (V.d.N.)
| | - Rosmara Infantino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Campania Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (F.R.); (S.B.); (C.B.); (M.I.); (R.I.); (F.F.); (I.M.); (L.L.); (V.d.N.)
| | - Federica Formato
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Campania Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (F.R.); (S.B.); (C.B.); (M.I.); (R.I.); (F.F.); (I.M.); (L.L.); (V.d.N.)
| | - Ida Marabese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Campania Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (F.R.); (S.B.); (C.B.); (M.I.); (R.I.); (F.F.); (I.M.); (L.L.); (V.d.N.)
| | - Livio Luongo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Campania Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (F.R.); (S.B.); (C.B.); (M.I.); (R.I.); (F.F.); (I.M.); (L.L.); (V.d.N.)
| | - Vito de Novellis
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Campania Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (F.R.); (S.B.); (C.B.); (M.I.); (R.I.); (F.F.); (I.M.); (L.L.); (V.d.N.)
| | - Sabatino Maione
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Campania Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (F.R.); (S.B.); (C.B.); (M.I.); (R.I.); (F.F.); (I.M.); (L.L.); (V.d.N.)
- Correspondence: (F.G.); (S.M.)
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Singh A, Patel D, Li A, Hu L, Zhang Q, Liu Y, Guo X, Robinson E, Martinez E, Doan L, Rudy B, Chen ZS, Wang J. Mapping Cortical Integration of Sensory and Affective Pain Pathways. Curr Biol 2020; 30:1703-1715.e5. [PMID: 32220320 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.02.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Pain is an integrated sensory and affective experience. Cortical mechanisms of sensory and affective integration, however, remain poorly defined. Here, we investigate the projection from the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), which encodes the sensory pain information, to the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a key area for processing pain affect, in freely behaving rats. By using a combination of optogenetics, in vivo electrophysiology, and machine learning analysis, we find that a subset of neurons in the ACC receives S1 inputs, and activation of the S1 axon terminals increases the response to noxious stimuli in ACC neurons. Chronic pain enhances this cortico-cortical connection, as manifested by an increased number of ACC neurons that respond to S1 inputs and the magnified contribution of these neurons to the nociceptive response in the ACC. Furthermore, modulation of this S1→ACC projection regulates aversive responses to pain. Our results thus define a cortical circuit that plays a potentially important role in integrating sensory and affective pain signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Singh
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Divya Patel
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Anna Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Lizbeth Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Qiaosheng Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Yaling Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Xinling Guo
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Eric Robinson
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Erik Martinez
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Lisa Doan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Bernardo Rudy
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Zhe S Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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Yu X, Abdul M, Fan BQ, Zhang L, Lin X, Wu Y, Fu H, Lin Q, Meng H. The release of exosomes in the medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens brain regions of chronic constriction injury (CCI) model mice could elevate the pain sensation. Neurosci Lett 2020; 723:134774. [PMID: 31981720 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.134774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain function relies on the capacity of neurons to locally modulate each other at the level of synapses. Therefore, the exosomal pathway may constitute a well-designed mechanism for local and systemic interneuronal transfer of information within functional brain networks. Exosomes bind to and are endocytosed by neurons of different brain regions to play a definite role. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) brain regions are known to involve in pain modulation. Our study observes the roles of exosomal activity in these two dominant regions of the pain-related pathway, and there influence on the analgesic effects in CCI mice. METHODS We induced pain exosomes in the mPFC and NAc in the mice of chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve model to produce neuropathic pain, and assessed changes that might affect analgesic behaviors. These changes were measured through a combination of behavioral, surgical, and other cellular testings. RESULTS Our study found that pain expression was elevated in mice given exogenous exosomes isolated from CCI mice, especially at the 2 h and 4 h time interval, in mice given exosomes at the mPFC and NAc, respectively. We also found that inhibiting formation of pain exosomes through GW4869 within the mPFC and NAc can elevate the pain threshold. CONCLUSION Results from our study supported the idea that the release of mPFC and NAc exosomes of CCI model has elevated the pain sensations in the subjected mice. This study will further help in designing new clinical trials, and will revolutionize the drug-induced anesthetic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolu Yu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China.
| | - Mannan Abdul
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China.
| | - Bing-Qian Fan
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China.
| | - Lilu Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China.
| | - Xing Lin
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China.
| | - Yan Wu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China.
| | - Hui Fu
- Department of Neurology, Zibo Municipal First Hospital, Zibo, Shandong 255200, China.
| | - Qisi Lin
- School of Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China.
| | - Hao Meng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221000, China.
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Serafini RA, Pryce KD, Zachariou V. The Mesolimbic Dopamine System in Chronic Pain and Associated Affective Comorbidities. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 87:64-73. [PMID: 31806085 PMCID: PMC6954000 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by sensory, cognitive, and affective symptoms. Over the past 2 decades, researchers have made significant progress toward understanding the impact of mesolimbic dopamine circuitry in acute and chronic pain. These efforts have provided insights into the circuits and intracellular pathways in the brain reward center that are implicated in sensory and affective manifestations of chronic pain. Studies have also identified novel therapeutic targets as well as factors that affect treatment responsiveness. Dysregulation of dopamine function in the brain reward center may further promote comorbid mood disorders and vulnerability to addiction. This review discusses recent clinical and preclinical findings on the neuroanatomical and neurochemical adaptations triggered by prolonged pain states in the brain reward pathway. Furthermore, this discussion highlights evidence of mechanisms underlying comorbidities among pain, depression, and addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randal A Serafini
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Kerri D Pryce
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Venetia Zachariou
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
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KC E, Moon HC, Kim S, Kim HK, Won SY, Hyun S, Park YS. Optical Modulation on the Nucleus Accumbens Core in the Alleviation of Neuropathic Pain in Chronic Dorsal Root Ganglion Compression Rat Model. Neuromodulation 2019; 23:167-176. [DOI: 10.1111/ner.13059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elina KC
- Department of NeuroscienceCollege of Medicine, Chungbuk National University Cheongju South Korea
| | - Hyeong Cheol Moon
- Department of NeuroscienceCollege of Medicine, Chungbuk National University Cheongju South Korea
- Department of NeurosurgeryChungbuk National University Hospital Cheongju South Korea
| | - Soochong Kim
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology and Platelets Signaling, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University Cheongju South Korea
| | - Hyong Kyu Kim
- Department of Medicine and MicrobiologyChungbuk National University Cheongju South Korea
| | - So Yoon Won
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Research CenterChungbuk National University Cheongju South Korea
| | - Sang‐Hwan Hyun
- Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University Cheongju South Korea
- Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Chungbuk National University Cheongju South Korea
| | - Young Seok Park
- Department of NeuroscienceCollege of Medicine, Chungbuk National University Cheongju South Korea
- Department of NeurosurgeryChungbuk National University Hospital Cheongju South Korea
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Jarrin S, Finn DP. Optogenetics and its application in pain and anxiety research. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 105:200-211. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Modulation of the Negative Affective Dimension of Pain: Focus on Selected Neuropeptidergic System Contributions. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20164010. [PMID: 31426473 PMCID: PMC6720937 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20164010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well known that emotions can interfere with the perception of physical pain, as well as with the development and maintenance of painful conditions. On the other hand, somatic pain can have significant consequences on an individual’s affective behavior. Indeed, pain is defined as a complex and multidimensional experience, which includes both sensory and emotional components, thus exhibiting the features of a highly subjective experience. Over the years, neural pathways involved in the modulation of the different components of pain have been identified, indicating the existence of medial and lateral pain systems, which, respectively, project from medial or lateral thalamic nuclei to reach distinct cortex regions relating to specific functions. However, owing to the limited information concerning how mood state and painful input affect each other, pain treatment is frequently unsatisfactory. Different neuromodulators, including endogenous neuropeptides, appear to be involved in pain-related emotion and in its affective influence on pain perception, thus playing key roles in vulnerability and clinical outcome. Hence, this review article focuses on evidence concerning the modulation of the sensory and affective dimensions of pain, with particular attention given to some selected neuropeptidergic system contributions.
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Bidirectional optogenetic modulation of prefrontal-hippocampal connectivity in pain-related working memory deficits. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10980. [PMID: 31358862 PMCID: PMC6662802 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47555-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction of the prefrontal-hippocampal circuit has been identified as a leading cause to pain-related working-memory (WM) deficits. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly determined. To address this issue, we implanted multichannel arrays of electrodes in the prelimbic cortex (PL-mPFC), and in the dorsal hippocampal CA1 field (dCA1) to record the neural activity during the performance of a delayed non-match to sample (DNMS) task. The prefrontal-hippocampal connectivity was selectively modulated by bidirectional optogenetic inhibition or stimulation of local PL-mPFC glutamatergic calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-II alpha (CaMKIIα) expressing neurons during the DNMS task delay-period. The within-subject behavioral performance was assessed using a persistent neuropathic pain model – spared nerve injury (SNI). Our results showed that the induction of the neuropathic pain condition affects the interplay between PL-mPFC and dCA1 regions in a frequency-dependent manner, and that occurs particularly across theta oscillations while rats performed the task. In SNI-treated rats, this disruption was reversed by the selective optogenetic inhibition of PL-mPFC CaMKIIα-expressing neurons during the last portion of the delay-period, but without any significant effect on pain responses. Finally, we found that prefrontal-hippocampal theta connectivity is strictly associated with higher performance levels. Together, our findings suggest that PL-mPFC CaMKIIα-expressing neurons could be modulated by painful conditions and their activity may be critical for prefrontal-hippocampal connectivity during WM processing.
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Schneider ML, Moore CF, Ahlers EO, Barnhart TE, Christian BT, DeJesus OT, Engle JW, Holden JE, Larson JA, Moirano JM, Murali D, Nickles RJ, Resch LM, Converse AK. PET Measures of D1, D2, and DAT Binding Are Associated With Heightened Tactile Responsivity in Rhesus Macaques: Implications for Sensory Processing Disorder. Front Integr Neurosci 2019; 13:29. [PMID: 31379528 PMCID: PMC6652150 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2019.00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensory processing disorder (SPD), a developmental regulatory condition characterized by marked under- or over-responsivity to non-noxious sensory stimulation, is a common but poorly understood disorder that can profoundly affect mood, cognition, social behavior and adaptive life skills. Little is known about the etiology and neural underpinnings. Clinical research indicates that children with SPD show greater prevalence of difficulties in complex cognitive behavior including working memory, behavioral flexibility, and regulation of sensory and affective functions, which are related to prefrontal cortex (PFC), striatal, and midbrain regions. Neuroimaging may provide insight into mechanisms underlying SPD, and animal experiments provide important evidence that is not available in human studies. Rhesus monkeys (N = 73) were followed over a 20-year period from birth into old age. We focused on a single sensory modality, the tactile system, measured at 5-7 years, because of its critical importance for nourishment, attachment, and social reward in development. Positron emission tomography imaging was conducted at ages 12-18 years to quantify the availability of the D1 and D2 subtypes of the DA receptor (D1R and D2R), and the DA transporter (DAT). Heightened tactile responsivity was related to (a) elevated D1R in PFC overall, including lateral, ventrolateral, medial, anterior cingulate (aCg), frontopolar, and orbitofrontal (OFC) subregions, as well as nucleus accumbens (Acb), (b) reduced D2R in aCg, OFC, and substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area, and (c) elevated DAT in putamen. These findings suggest a mechanism by which DA pathways may be altered in SPD. These pathways are associated with reward processing and pain regulation, providing top-down regulation of sensory and affective processes. The balance between top-down cognitive control in the PFC-Acb pathway and bottom-up motivational function of the VTA-Acb-PFC pathway is critical for successful adaptive function. An imbalance in these two systems might explain DA-related symptoms in children with SPD, including reduced top-down regulatory function and exaggerated responsivity to stimuli. These results provide more direct evidence that SPD may involve altered DA receptor and transporter function in PFC, striatal, and midbrain regions. More work is needed to extend these results to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary L Schneider
- Occupational Therapy Program, Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.,Harlow Center for Biological Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Colleen F Moore
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.,Department of Psychology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Elizabeth O Ahlers
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Todd E Barnhart
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Bradley T Christian
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Onofre T DeJesus
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Jonathan W Engle
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - James E Holden
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Julie A Larson
- Occupational Therapy Program, Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.,Harlow Center for Biological Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Jeffrey M Moirano
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Dhanabalan Murali
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Robert J Nickles
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Leslie M Resch
- Occupational Therapy Program, Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.,Harlow Center for Biological Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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Robakiewicz I, Polak M, Rawska M, Alberski D, Polowy R, Wytrychiewicz K, Syperek M, Matysiak J, Filipkowski RK. Stimulus-seeking in rats is accompanied by increased c-Fos expression in hippocampal CA1 as well as short 22 kHz and flat 50 kHz calls. Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars) 2019. [DOI: 10.21307/ane-2019-029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Zhou H, Zhang Q, Martinez E, Dale J, Robinson E, Huang D, Wang J. A novel neuromodulation strategy to enhance the prefrontal control to treat pain. Mol Pain 2019; 15:1744806919845739. [PMID: 31012383 PMCID: PMC6495436 DOI: 10.1177/1744806919845739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective pharmacological treatment options for chronic pain remain very limited, and continued reliance on opioid analgesics has contributed to an epidemic in the United States. On the other hand, nonpharmacologic neuromodulatory interventions provide a promising avenue for relief of chronic pain without the complications of dependence and addiction. An especially attractive neuromodulation strategy is to optimize endogenous pain regulatory circuits. The prefrontal cortex is known to provide top-down control of pain, and hence neuromodulation methods that selectively enhance the activities in this brain region during pain episodes have the potential to provide analgesia. In this study, we designed a low-frequency (2 Hz) electrical stimulation protocol to provide temporally and spatially specific enhancement of the prefrontal control of pain in rats. We showed that low-frequency electrical stimulation of the prelimbic region of the prefrontal cortex relieved both sensory and affective responses to acute pain in naive rats. Furthermore, we found that low-frequency electrical stimulation of the prefrontal cortex also attenuated mechanical allodynia in a rat model of chronic pain. Together, our findings demonstrated that low-frequency electrical stimulation of the prefrontal cortex represents a promising new method of neuromodulation to inhibit pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haocheng Zhou
- Department of Pain, The Third Xiangya Hospital and Institute of Pain Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Qiaosheng Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Erik Martinez
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jahrane Dale
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eric Robinson
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dong Huang
- Department of Pain, The Third Xiangya Hospital and Institute of Pain Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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