1
|
Ng THJ, Sarikahya MH, Hudson R, Szkudlarek HJ, Pérez-Valenzuela E, Uzuneser TC, Proud E, Gummerson D, Youssef M, Machado M, Zhaksylyk K, DeVuono MV, Chen C, Yeung KKC, Rushlow WJ, Laviolette SR. Adolescent nicotine exposure induces long-term, sex-specific disturbances in mood and anxiety-related behavioral, neuronal and molecular phenotypes in the mesocorticolimbic system. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:1171-1182. [PMID: 38521861 PMCID: PMC11109238 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01853-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
The majority of lifetime smokers begin using nicotine during adolescence, a critical period of brain development wherein neural circuits critical for mood, affect and cognition are vulnerable to drug-related insults. Specifically, brain regions such as the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), the ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (NAc) and hippocampus, are implicated in both nicotine dependence and pathological phenotypes linked to mood and anxiety disorders. Clinical studies report that females experience higher rates of mood/anxiety disorders and are more resistant to smoking cessation therapies, suggesting potential sex-specific responses to nicotine exposure and later-life neuropsychiatric risk. However, the potential neural and molecular mechanisms underlying such sex differences are not clear. In the present study, we compared the impacts of adolescent nicotine exposure in male vs. female rat cohorts. We performed a combination of behavioral, electrophysiological and targeted protein expression analyses along with matrix assisted laser deionization imaging (MALDI) immediately post-adolescent exposure and later in early adulthood. We report that adolescent nicotine exposure induced long-lasting anxiety/depressive-like behaviors, disrupted neuronal activity patterns in the mPFC-VTA network and molecular alterations in various neural regions linked to affect, anxiety and cognition. Remarkably, these phenotypes were only observed in males and/or were expressed in the opposite direction in females. These findings identify a series of novel, sex-selective biomarkers for adolescent nicotine-induced neuropsychiatric risk, persisting into adulthood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tsun Hay Jason Ng
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Mohammed H Sarikahya
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Roger Hudson
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Hanna J Szkudlarek
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Enzo Pérez-Valenzuela
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Taygun C Uzuneser
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Emma Proud
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Dana Gummerson
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Miray Youssef
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Madeline Machado
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Kuralay Zhaksylyk
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Marieka V DeVuono
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Chaochao Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Ken K-C Yeung
- Department of Chemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Walter J Rushlow
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Steven R Laviolette
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada.
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada.
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, N6C 2R5, Canada.
- Division of Maternal, Fetal and Newborn Health, Children's Health Research Institute (CHRI), London, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abbondanza A, Urushadze A, Alves-Barboza AR, Janickova H. Expression and function of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in specific neuronal populations: Focus on striatal and prefrontal circuits. Pharmacol Res 2024; 204:107190. [PMID: 38704107 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are widely expressed in the central nervous system and play an important role in the control of neural functions including neuronal activity, transmitter release and synaptic plasticity. Although the common subtypes of nAChRs are abundantly expressed throughout the brain, their expression in different brain regions and by individual neuronal types is not homogeneous or incidental. In recent years, several studies have emerged showing that particular subtypes of nAChRs are expressed by specific neuronal populations in which they have major influence on the activity of local circuits and behavior. It has been demonstrated that even nAChRs expressed by relatively rare neuronal types can induce significant changes in behavior and contribute to pathological processes. Depending on the identity and connectivity of the particular nAChRs-expressing neuronal populations, the activation of nAChRs can have distinct or even opposing effects on local neuronal signaling. In this review, we will summarize the available literature describing the expression of individual nicotinic subunits by different neuronal types in two crucial brain regions, the striatum and the prefrontal cortex. The review will also briefly discuss nicotinic expression in non-neuronal, glial cells, as they cannot be ignored as potential targets of nAChRs-modulating drugs. The final section will discuss options that could allow us to target nAChRs in a neuronal-type-specific manner, not only in the experimental field, but also eventually in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alice Abbondanza
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 14200, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Urushadze
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 14200, Czech Republic
| | - Amanda Rosanna Alves-Barboza
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 14200, Czech Republic
| | - Helena Janickova
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 14200, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pastor V, Medina JH. α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in memory processing. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:2138-2154. [PMID: 36634032 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Information storage in the brain involves different memory types and stages that are processed by several brain regions. Cholinergic pathways through acetylcholine receptors actively participate on memory modulation, and their disfunction is associated with cognitive decline in several neurological disorders. During the last decade, the role of α7 subtype of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in different memory stages has been studied. However, the information about their role in memory processing is still scarce. In this review, we attempt to identify brain areas where α7 nicotinic receptors have an essential role in different memory types and stages. In addition, we discuss recent work implicating-or not-α7 nicotinic receptors as promising pharmacological targets for memory impairment associated with neurological disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Pastor
- Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo De Robertis" (IBCN), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jorge H Medina
- Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo De Robertis" (IBCN), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ihnatovych I, Saddler RA, Sule N, Szigeti K. Translational implications of CHRFAM7A, an elusive human-restricted fusion gene. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:1020-1032. [PMID: 38200291 PMCID: PMC11176066 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02389-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Genes restricted to humans may contribute to human-specific traits and provide a different context for diseases. CHRFAM7A is a uniquely human fusion gene and a negative regulator of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR). The α7 nAChR has been a promising target for diseases affecting cognition and higher cortical functions, however, the treatment effect observed in animal models failed to translate into human clinical trials. As CHRFAM7A was not accounted for in preclinical drug screens it may have contributed to the translational gap. Understanding the complex genetic architecture of the locus, deciphering the functional impact of CHRFAM7A on α7 nAChR neurobiology and utilizing human-relevant models may offer novel approaches to explore α7 nAChR as a drug target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivanna Ihnatovych
- Department of Neurology, State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Ruth-Ann Saddler
- Department of Neurology, State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Norbert Sule
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm St, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Kinga Szigeti
- Department of Neurology, State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nagori K, Pradhan M, Sharma M, Ajazuddin, Badwaik HR, Nakhate KT. Current Progress on Central Cholinergic Receptors as Therapeutic Targets for Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Alzheimer Res 2024; 21:50-68. [PMID: 38529600 DOI: 10.2174/0115672050306008240321034006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Acetylcholine (ACh) is ubiquitously present in the nervous system and has been involved in the regulation of various brain functions. By modulating synaptic transmission and promoting synaptic plasticity, particularly in the hippocampus and cortex, ACh plays a pivotal role in the regulation of learning and memory. These procognitive actions of ACh are mediated by the neuronal muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic receptors. The impairment of cholinergic transmission leads to cognitive decline associated with aging and dementia. Therefore, the cholinergic system has been of prime focus when concerned with Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia. In AD, the extensive destruction of cholinergic neurons occurs by amyloid-β plaques and tau protein-rich neurofibrillary tangles. Amyloid-β also blocks cholinergic receptors and obstructs neuronal signaling. This makes the central cholinergic system an important target for the development of drugs for AD. In fact, centrally acting cholinesterase inhibitors like donepezil and rivastigmine are approved for the treatment of AD, although the outcome is not satisfactory. Therefore, identification of specific subtypes of cholinergic receptors involved in the pathogenesis of AD is essential to develop future drugs. Also, the identification of endogenous rescue mechanisms to the cholinergic system can pave the way for new drug development. In this article, we discussed the neuroanatomy of the central cholinergic system. Further, various subtypes of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors involved in the cognition and pathophysiology of AD are described in detail. The article also reviewed primary neurotransmitters that regulate cognitive processes by modulating basal forebrain cholinergic projection neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kushagra Nagori
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Kurud Road, Kohka, Bhilai 490024, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Madhulika Pradhan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Gracious College of Pharmacy, Abhanpur 493661, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Mukesh Sharma
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Kurud Road, Kohka, Bhilai 490024, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Ajazuddin
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Kurud Road, Kohka, Bhilai 490024, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Hemant R Badwaik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shri Shankaracharya Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Junwani, Bhilai 490020, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Kartik T Nakhate
- Department of Pharmacology, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Palumbo TB, Miwa JM. Lynx1 and the family of endogenous mammalian neurotoxin-like proteins and their roles in modulating nAChR function. Pharmacol Res 2023; 194:106845. [PMID: 37437646 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The promise of nicotinic receptors as a therapeutic target has yet to be fully realized, despite solid data supporting their involvement in neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases. The reasons for this are likely complex and manifold, having to do with the widespread action of the cholinergic system and the biophysical mechanism of action of nicotinic receptors leading to fast desensitization and down-regulation. Conventional drug development strategies tend to focus on receptor subtype-specific action of candidate therapeutics, although the broad agonist, nicotine, is being explored in the clinic. The potential negative effects of nicotine make the search for alternate strategies warranted. Prototoxins are a promising yet little-explored avenue of nicotinic receptor drug development. Nicotinic receptors in the brain belong to a complex of proteins, including those that bind to the extracellular face of the receptor, as well as chaperones that bind the intracellular domain, etc. Lynx prototoxins have allosteric modularity effects on receptor function and number and have been implicated in complex in vivo processes such as neuroplasticity, learning, and memory. Their mechanism of action and binding specificity on sets of nAChR subtypes present intriguing possibilities for more efficacious and nuanced therapeutic targeting than nicotinic receptor subtypes alone. An allosteric drug may restrict its actions to physiologically relevant time points, which tend to be correlated with salient events which would be encoded into long-term memory storage. Rather than blanketing the brain with a steady and prolonged elevation of agonist, an allosteric nAChR compound could avoid side effects and loss of efficacy over time. This review details the potential strengths and challenges of prototoxin proteins as therapeutic targets, and some of the utility of such therapeutics based on the emerging understanding of cholinergic signaling in a growing number of complex neural processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Talulla B Palumbo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, 111 Research Dr., Iacocca Hall, B-217, Bethlehem PA, USA.
| | - Julie M Miwa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, 111 Research Dr., Iacocca Hall, B-217, Bethlehem PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hosseinzadeh Sahafi O, Sardari M, Alijanpour S, Rezayof A. Shared Mechanisms of GABAergic and Opioidergic Transmission Regulate Corticolimbic Reward Systems and Cognitive Aspects of Motivational Behaviors. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13050815. [PMID: 37239287 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13050815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The functional interplay between the corticolimbic GABAergic and opioidergic systems plays a crucial role in regulating the reward system and cognitive aspects of motivational behaviors leading to the development of addictive behaviors and disorders. This review provides a summary of the shared mechanisms of GABAergic and opioidergic transmission, which modulate the activity of dopaminergic neurons located in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), the central hub of the reward mechanisms. This review comprehensively covers the neuroanatomical and neurobiological aspects of corticolimbic inhibitory neurons that express opioid receptors, which act as modulators of corticolimbic GABAergic transmission. The presence of opioid and GABA receptors on the same neurons allows for the modulation of the activity of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area, which plays a key role in the reward mechanisms of the brain. This colocalization of receptors and their immunochemical markers can provide a comprehensive understanding for clinicians and researchers, revealing the neuronal circuits that contribute to the reward system. Moreover, this review highlights the importance of GABAergic transmission-induced neuroplasticity under the modulation of opioid receptors. It discusses their interactive role in reinforcement learning, network oscillation, aversive behaviors, and local feedback or feedforward inhibitions in reward mechanisms. Understanding the shared mechanisms of these systems may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches for addiction, reward-related disorders, and drug-induced cognitive impairment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oveis Hosseinzadeh Sahafi
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 14155-6465, Iran
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Maryam Sardari
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 14155-6465, Iran
| | - Sakineh Alijanpour
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous 4971799151, Iran
| | - Ameneh Rezayof
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 14155-6465, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Differential Regulation of Prelimbic and Thalamic Transmission to the Basolateral Amygdala by Acetylcholine Receptors. J Neurosci 2023; 43:722-735. [PMID: 36535767 PMCID: PMC9899087 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2545-21.2022] [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: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The amygdalar anterior basolateral nucleus (BLa) plays a vital role in emotional behaviors. This region receives dense cholinergic projections from basal forebrain which are critical in regulating neuronal activity in BLa. Cholinergic signaling in BLa has also been shown to modulate afferent glutamatergic inputs to this region. However, these studies, which have used cholinergic agonists or prolonged optogenetic stimulation of cholinergic fibers, may not reflect the effect of physiological acetylcholine release in the BLa. To better understand these effects of acetylcholine, we have used electrophysiology and optogenetics in male and female mouse brain slices to examine cholinergic regulation of afferent BLa input from cortex and midline thalamic nuclei. Phasic ACh release evoked by single pulse stimulation of cholinergic terminals had a biphasic effect on transmission at cortical input, producing rapid nicotinic receptor-mediated facilitation followed by slower mAChR-mediated depression. In contrast, at this same input, sustained ACh elevation through application of the cholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine suppressed glutamatergic transmission through mAChRs only. This suppression was not observed at midline thalamic nuclei inputs to BLa. In agreement with this pathway specificity, the mAChR agonist, muscarine more potently suppressed transmission at inputs from prelimbic cortex than thalamus. Muscarinic inhibition at prelimbic cortex input required presynaptic M4 mAChRs, while at thalamic input it depended on M3 mAChR-mediated stimulation of retrograde endocannabinoid signaling. Muscarinic inhibition at both pathways was frequency-dependent, allowing only high-frequency activity to pass. These findings demonstrate complex cholinergic regulation of afferent input to BLa that is pathway-specific and frequency-dependent.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Cholinergic modulation of the basolateral amygdala regulates formation of emotional memories, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we show, using mouse brain slices, that ACh differentially regulates afferent transmission to the BLa from cortex and midline thalamic nuclei. Fast, phasic ACh release from a single optical stimulation biphasically regulates glutamatergic transmission at cortical inputs through nicotinic and muscarinic receptors, suggesting that cholinergic neuromodulation can serve precise, computational roles in the BLa. In contrast, sustained ACh elevation regulates cortical input through muscarinic receptors only. This muscarinic regulation is pathway-specific with cortical input inhibited more strongly than midline thalamic nuclei input. Specific targeting of these cholinergic receptors may thus provide a therapeutic strategy to bias amygdalar processing and regulate emotional memory.
Collapse
|
9
|
Rapanelli M, Wang W, Hurley E, Feltri ML, Pittenger C, Frick LR, Yan Z. Cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain are involved in behavioral abnormalities associated with Cul3 deficiency: Role of prefrontal cortex projections in cognitive deficits. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:22. [PMID: 36693858 PMCID: PMC9873627 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02306-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss-of-function mutations of the gene Cul3 have been identified as a risk factor for autism-spectrum disorder (ASD), but the pathogenic mechanisms are not well understood. Conditional Cul3 ablation in cholinergic neurons of mice (ChatCRECul3F/+) recapitulated ASD-like social and sensory gating phenotypes and caused significant cognitive impairments, with diminished activity of cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain (BF). Chemogenetic inhibition of BF cholinergic neurons in healthy mice induced similar social and cognitive deficits. Conversely, chemogenetic stimulation of BF cholinergic neurons in ChatCRECul3F/+ mice reversed abnormalities in sensory gating and cognition. Cortical hypofunction was also found after ChAT-specific Cul3 ablation and stimulation of cholinergic projections from the BF to the prefrontal cortex (PFC) mitigated cognitive deficits. Overall, we demonstrate that cholinergic dysfunction due to Cul3 deficiency is involved in ASD-like behavioral abnormalities, and that BF cholinergic neurons are particularly critical for cognitive component through their projections to the PFC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maximiliano Rapanelli
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA
| | - Edward Hurley
- Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA
- Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA
| | - Maria Laura Feltri
- Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA
- Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program. Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA
| | - Christopher Pittenger
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, Yale Child Study Center, and Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University School of Medicine, Buffalo, USA
| | - Luciana Romina Frick
- Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA.
- Neuroscience Graduate Program. Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA.
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA.
| | - Zhen Yan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA.
- Neuroscience Graduate Program. Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
McFalls AJ, Imperio CG, Woodward E, Krikorian C, Stoltsfus B, Wronowski B, Grigson PS, Freeman WM, Vrana KE. An RNA-seq study of the mPFC of rats with different addiction phenotypes. Brain Res Bull 2022; 191:107-120. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
|
11
|
Okada K, Hashimoto K, Kobayashi K. Cholinergic regulation of object recognition memory. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:996089. [PMID: 36248033 PMCID: PMC9557046 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.996089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Object recognition memory refers to a basic memory mechanism to identify and recall various features of objects. This memory has been investigated by numerous studies in human, primates and rodents to elucidate the neuropsychological underpinnings in mammalian memory, as well as provide the diagnosis of dementia in some neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Since Alzheimer's disease at the early stage is reported to be accompanied with cholinergic cell loss and impairment in recognition memory, the central cholinergic system has been studied to investigate the neural mechanism underlying recognition memory. Previous studies have suggested an important role of cholinergic neurons in the acquisition of some variants of object recognition memory in rodents. Cholinergic neurons in the medial septum and ventral diagonal band of Broca that project mainly to the hippocampus and parahippocampal area are related to recognition memory for object location. Cholinergic projections from the nucleus basalis magnocellularis innervating the entire cortex are associated with recognition memory for object identification. Especially, the brain regions that receive cholinergic projections, such as the perirhinal cortex and prefrontal cortex, are involved in recognition memory for object-in-place memory and object recency. In addition, experimental studies using rodent models for Alzheimer's disease have reported that neurodegeneration within the central cholinergic system causes a deficit in object recognition memory. Elucidating how various types of object recognition memory are regulated by distinct cholinergic cell groups is necessary to clarify the neuronal mechanism for recognition memory and the development of therapeutic treatments for dementia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kana Okada
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kouichi Hashimoto
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kazuto Kobayashi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Conley AC, Albert KM, McDonald BC, Saykin AJ, Dumas JA, Newhouse PA. Estradiol treatment in young postmenopausal women with self-reported cognitive complaints: Effects on cholinergic-mediated cognitive performance. Hum Psychopharmacol 2022; 37:e2838. [PMID: 35212023 PMCID: PMC9399322 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Older women are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to men. One proposed reason is that following menopause there is a decline in estrogens. Estrogens are important for cholinergic functioning and attenuate the impact of cholinergic antagonists on cognitive performance in postmenopausal women. Self-reported or subjective cognitive complaints in middle or older age may represent a harbinger of cognitive decline and those who endorse cognitive complaints appear more likely to develop future cognitive impairment. However, the response of individuals with cognitive complaints after menopause to estrogen and the relationship to cholinergic functioning has not been investigated. This study investigated the effect of estrogen treatment using 17β-estradiol on cognitive performance following anticholinergic blockade in postmenopausal women and the relationship of this interaction with the level of self-reported (subjective) postmenopausal cognitive complaints. METHODS Forty postmenopausal women (aged 50-60 years) completed a 3-month treatment regimen of either 1 mg oral estradiol or placebo. Participants then completed four challenge days in which they completed cognitive and behavioral tasks after one of four cholinergic antagonist drug conditions (oral mecamylamine (MECA), intravenous scopolamine, combined MECA and scopolamine, or PLC). RESULTS Compared to PLC, the estradiol treated group performed worse on attention tasks under cholinergic challenge including the choice reaction time task and the critical flicker fusion task. In addition, participants who endorsed greater cognitive complaints showed reduced performance on the N-back working memory task, regardless of whether they received estradiol treatment. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study indicate that estradiol treatment was unable to mitigate anticholinergic blockade in postmenopausal women with subjective cognitive complaints, and worsened performance on attention tasks. Moreover, the present study suggests that greater levels of cognitive complaints following menopause may be associated with an underlying decline in cholinergic function that may manifest as an inability to compensate during working memory tasks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander C. Conley
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Cognitive Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Kimberly M. Albert
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Cognitive Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Brenna C. McDonald
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Center for Neuroimaging, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Andrew J. Saykin
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Center for Neuroimaging, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Julie A. Dumas
- Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Paul A. Newhouse
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Cognitive Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA,Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Health System, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Characterization of social behavior in young and middle-aged ChAT-IRES-Cre mouse. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272141. [PMID: 35925937 PMCID: PMC9352053 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The cholinergic system is an important modulator of brain processes. It contributes to the regulation of several cognitive functions and emotional states, hence altering behaviors. Previous works showed that cholinergic (nicotinic) receptors of the prefrontal cortex are needed for adapted social behaviors. However, these data were obtained in mutant mice that also present alterations of several neurotransmitter systems, in addition to the cholinergic system. ChAT-IRES-Cre mice, that express the Cre recombinase specifically in cholinergic neurons, are useful tools to investigate the role of the cholinergic circuits in behavior. However, their own behavioral phenotype has not yet been fully characterized, in particular social behavior. In addition, the consequences of aging on the cholinergic system of ChAT-IRES-Cre mice has never been studied, despite the fact that aging is known to compromise the cholinergic system efficiency. The aim of the current study was thus to characterize the social phenotype of ChAT-IRES-Cre mice both at young (2–3 months) and middle (10–11 months) ages. Our results reveal an alteration of the cholinergic system, evidenced by a decrease of ChAT, CHT and VAChT gene expression in the striatum of the mice, that was accompanied by mild social disturbances and a tendency towards anxiety. Aging decreased social dominance, without being amplified by the cholinergic alterations. Altogether, this study shows that ChAT-IRES-Cre mice are useful models for studying the cholinergic system‘s role in social behavior using appropriate modulating technics (optogenetic or DREADD).
Collapse
|
14
|
Souza R, Bueno D, Lima LB, Muchon MJ, Gonçalves L, Donato J, Shammah-Lagnado SJ, Metzger M. Top-down projections of the prefrontal cortex to the ventral tegmental area, laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, and median raphe nucleus. Brain Struct Funct 2022; 227:2465-2487. [DOI: 10.1007/s00429-022-02538-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
15
|
Arboit A, Krautwald K, Angenstein F. The cholinergic system modulates negative BOLD responses in the prefrontal cortex once electrical perforant pathway stimulation triggers neuronal afterdischarges in the hippocampus. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2022; 42:364-380. [PMID: 34590894 PMCID: PMC8795231 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x211049820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Repeated high-frequency pulse-burst stimulations of the rat perforant pathway elicited positive BOLD responses in the right hippocampus, septum and prefrontal cortex. However, when the first stimulation period also triggered neuronal afterdischarges in the hippocampus, then a delayed negative BOLD response in the prefrontal cortex was generated. While neuronal activity and cerebral blood volume (CBV) increased in the hippocampus during the period of hippocampal neuronal afterdischarges (h-nAD), CBV decreased in the prefrontal cortex, although neuronal activity did not decrease. Only after termination of h-nAD did CBV in the prefrontal cortex increase again. Thus, h-nAD triggered neuronal activity in the prefrontal cortex that counteracted the usual neuronal activity-related functional hyperemia. This process was significantly enhanced by pilocarpine, a mACh receptor agonist, and completely blocked when pilocarpine was co-administered with scopolamine, a mACh receptor antagonist. Scopolamine did not prevent the formation of the negative BOLD response, thus mACh receptors modulate the strength of the negative BOLD response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Arboit
- Functional Imaging Group, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Karla Krautwald
- Functional Imaging Group, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Frank Angenstein
- Functional Imaging Group, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany.,Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg, Germany.,Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Oliveira LA, Carvalho II, Kurokawa RY, Duarte JDO, Busnardo C, Crestani CC. Differential roles of prelimbic and infralimbic cholinergic neurotransmissions in control of cardiovascular responses to restraint stress in rats. Brain Res Bull 2022; 181:175-182. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
|
17
|
Lin CP, Frigerio I, Boon BDC, Zhou Z, Rozemuller AJM, Bouwman FH, Schoonheim MM, van de Berg WDJ, Jonkman LE. OUP accepted manuscript. Brain 2022; 145:2869-2881. [PMID: 35259207 PMCID: PMC9420016 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive deficits in Alzheimer’s disease, specifically amnestic (memory dominant) deficits, are associated with cholinergic degeneration in the basal forebrain. The cholinergic nucleus within the basal forebrain, the nucleus basalis of Meynert, exhibits local atrophy and reduced cortical tract integrity on MRI, and reveals amyloid-β and phosphorylated-tau pathology at autopsy. To understand the pathophysiology of nucleus basalis of Meynert atrophy and its neocortical projections in Alzheimer’s disease, we used a combined post-mortem in situ MRI and histopathology approach. A total of 19 Alzheimer’s disease (10 amnestic and nine non-amnestic) and nine non-neurological control donors underwent 3 T T1-weighted MRI for anatomical delineation and volume assessment of the nucleus basalis of Meynert, and diffusion-weighted imaging for microstructural assessment of the nucleus and its projections. At subsequent brain autopsy, tissue dissection and immunohistochemistry were performed for amyloid-β, phosphorylated-tau and choline acetyltransferase. Compared to controls, we observed an MRI-derived volume reduction and altered microstructural integrity of the nucleus basalis of Meynert in Alzheimer’s disease donors. Furthermore, decreased cholinergic cell density was associated with reduced integrity of the nucleus and its tracts to the temporal lobe, specifically to the temporal pole of the superior temporal gyrus, and the parahippocampal gyrus. Exploratory post hoc subgroup analyses indicated that cholinergic cell density could be associated with cortical tract alterations in amnestic Alzheimer’s disease donors only. Our study illustrates that in Alzheimer’s disease, cholinergic degeneration in the nucleus basalis of Meynert may contribute to damaged cortical projections, specifically to the temporal lobe, leading to cognitive deterioration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Pei Lin
- Correspondence to: Chen-Pei Lin De Boelelaan 1117 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands E-mail:
| | - Irene Frigerio
- Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Baayla D C Boon
- Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Alzheimer centrum Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Zihan Zhou
- Zhejiang University, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang, China
| | - Annemieke J M Rozemuller
- Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Femke H Bouwman
- Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Alzheimer centrum Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Menno M Schoonheim
- Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wilma D J van de Berg
- Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Laura E Jonkman
- Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Qiu T, Zeng Q, Luo X, Xu T, Shen Z, Xu X, Wang C, Li K, Huang P, Li X, Xie F, Dai S, Zhang M. Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Resting-State Functional Connectivity of the Nucleus Basalis of Meynert in Mild Cognitive Impairment. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:755630. [PMID: 34867281 PMCID: PMC8638702 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.755630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the prodromal phase of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and has a high risk of progression to AD. Cigarette smoking is one of the important modifiable risk factors in AD progression. Cholinergic dysfunction, especially the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM), is the converging target connecting smoking and AD. However, how cigarette smoking affects NBM connectivity in MCI remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the interaction effects of condition (non-smoking vs. smoking) and diagnosis [cognitively normal (CN) vs. MCI] based on the resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the NBM. Methods: After propensity score matching, we included 86 non-smoking CN, 44 smoking CN, 62 non-smoking MCI, and 32 smoking MCI. All subjects underwent structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging scans and neuropsychological tests. The seed-based rsFC of the NBM with the whole-brain voxel was calculated. Furthermore, the mixed effect analysis was performed to explore the interaction effects between condition and diagnosis on rsFC of the NBM. Results: The interaction effects of condition × diagnosis on rsFC of the NBM were observed in the bilateral prefrontal cortex (PFC), bilateral supplementary motor area (SMA), and right precuneus/middle occipital gyrus (MOG). Specifically, the smoking CN showed decreased rsFC between left NBM and PFC and increased rsFC between left NBM and SMA compared with non-smoking CN and smoking MCI. The smoking MCI showed reduced rsFC between right NBM and precuneus/MOG compared with non-smoking MCI. Additionally, rsFC between the NBM and SMA showed a significant negative correlation with Wechsler Memory Scale-Logical Memory (WMS-LM) immediate recall in smoking CN (r = −0.321, p = 0.041). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that chronic nicotine exposure through smoking may lead to functional connectivity disruption between the NBM and precuneus in MCI patients. The distinct alteration patterns on NBM connectivity in CN smokers and MCI smokers suggest that cigarette smoking has different influences on normal and impaired cognition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Qiu
- Department of Radiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Qingze Zeng
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Luo
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tongcheng Xu
- Department of Radiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Zhujing Shen
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaopei Xu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kaicheng Li
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peiyu Huang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Department of Radiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Fei Xie
- Department of Equipment and Medical Engineering, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Shouping Dai
- Department of Radiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Minming Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Patel AV, Codeluppi SA, Ervin KSJ, St-Denis MB, Choleris E, Bailey CDC. Developmental Age and Biological Sex Influence Muscarinic Receptor Function and Neuron Morphology within Layer VI of the Medial Prefrontal Cortex. Cereb Cortex 2021; 32:3137-3158. [PMID: 34864929 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Acetylcholine (ACh) neurotransmission within the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) plays an important modulatory role to support mPFC-dependent cognitive functions. This role is mediated by ACh activation of its nicotinic (nAChR) and muscarinic (mAChR) classes of receptors, which are both present on mPFC layer VI pyramidal neurons. While the expression and function of nAChRs have been characterized thoroughly for rodent mPFC layer VI neurons during postnatal development, mAChRs have not been characterized in detail. We employed whole-cell electrophysiology with biocytin filling to demonstrate that mAChR function is greater during the juvenile period of development than in adulthood for both sexes. Pharmacological experiments suggest that each of the M1, M2, and M3 mAChR subtypes contributes to ACh responses in these neurons in a sex-dependent manner. Analysis of dendrite morphology identified effects of age more often in males, as the amount of dendrite matter was greatest during the juvenile period. Interestingly, a number of positive correlations were identified between the magnitude of ACh/mAChR responses and dendrite morphology in juvenile mice that were not present in adulthood. To our knowledge, this work describes the first detailed characterization of mAChR function and its correlation with neuron morphology within layer VI of the mPFC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh V Patel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Sierra A Codeluppi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Kelsy S J Ervin
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Myles B St-Denis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Craig D C Bailey
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Rooy M, Lazarevich I, Koukouli F, Maskos U, Gutkin B. Cholinergic modulation of hierarchical inhibitory control over cortical resting state dynamics: Local circuit modeling of schizophrenia-related hypofrontality. CURRENT RESEARCH IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 2:100018. [PMID: 34820636 PMCID: PMC8591733 DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2021.100018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) modulate the cholinergic drive to a hierarchy of inhibitory neurons in the superficial layers of the PFC, critical to cognitive processes. It has been shown that genetic deletions of the various types of nAChRs impact the properties of ultra-slow transitions between high and low PFC activity states in mice during quiet wakefulness. The impact characteristics depend on specific interneuron populations expressing the manipulated receptor subtype. In addition, recent data indicate that a genetic mutation of the α5 nAChR subunit, located on vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) inhibitory neurons, the rs16969968 single nucleotide polymorphism (α5 SNP), plays a key role in the hypofrontality observed in schizophrenia patients carrying the SNP. Data also indicate that chronic nicotine application to α5 SNP mice relieves the hypofrontality. We developed a computational model to show that the activity patterns recorded in the genetically modified mice can be explained by changes in the dynamics of the local PFC circuit. Notably, our model shows that these altered PFC circuit dynamics are due to changes in the stability structure of the activity states. We identify how this stability structure is differentially modulated by cholinergic inputs to the parvalbumin (PV), somatostatin (SOM) or the VIP inhibitory populations. Our model uncovers that a change in amplitude, but not duration of the high activity states can account for the lowered pyramidal (PYR) population firing rates recorded in α5 SNP mice. We demonstrate how nicotine-induced desensitization and upregulation of the β2 nAChRs located on SOM interneurons, as opposed to the activation of α5 nAChRs located on VIP interneurons, is sufficient to explain the nicotine-induced activity normalization in α5 SNP mice. The model further implies that subsequent nicotine withdrawal may exacerbate the hypofrontality over and beyond one caused by the SNP mutation. Prefrontal cortex shows ultra-slow alterations between low and high activity states at rest. This activity is characteristically decreased in schizophrenia patients. Model identifies local circuit origin of hypofrontality associated with schizophrenia and a5 nicotinic receptor malfunction. Decrease in PFC VIP-interneuron excitability drives decrease in high-activity-state stability and overall hypofrontality. Model shows desensitization/upregulation of SOM-expressed β2-NAChRs drive nicotine-induced renormalization of PFC activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie Rooy
- Ecole Normale Sup'erieure PSL Univeristy, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives INSERM U960, Group for Neural Theory, Paris, France.,Center for Cognition and Decision Making, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ivan Lazarevich
- Ecole Normale Sup'erieure PSL Univeristy, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives INSERM U960, Group for Neural Theory, Paris, France.,Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Fani Koukouli
- Institut Pasteur, Neurobiologie integrative des systemes cholinergiques, Paris, France.,CNRS UMR 3571, Paris, France
| | - Uwe Maskos
- Institut Pasteur, Neurobiologie integrative des systemes cholinergiques, Paris, France.,CNRS UMR 3571, Paris, France
| | - Boris Gutkin
- Ecole Normale Sup'erieure PSL Univeristy, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives INSERM U960, Group for Neural Theory, Paris, France.,Center for Cognition and Decision Making, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Castillo Díaz F, Caffino L, Fumagalli F. Bidirectional role of dopamine in learning and memory-active forgetting. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 131:953-963. [PMID: 34655655 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Dopaminergic neurons projecting from the Substantia Nigra to the Striatum play a critical role in motor functions while dopaminergic neurons originating in the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) and projecting to the Nucleus Accumbens, Hippocampus and other cortical structures regulate rewarding learning. While VTA mainly consists of dopaminergic neurons, excitatory (glutamate) and inhibitory (GABA) VTA-neurons have also been described: these neurons may also modulate and contribute to shape the final dopaminergic response, which is critical for memory formation. However, given the large amount of information that is handled daily by our brain, it is essential that irrelevant information be deleted. Recently, apart from the well-established role of dopamine (DA) in learning, it has been shown that DA plays a critical role in the intrinsic active forgetting mechanisms that control storage information, contributing to the deletion of a consolidated memory. These new insights may be instrumental to identify therapies for those disorders that involve memory alterations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Castillo Díaz
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Lucia Caffino
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Fabio Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Cholinergic modulation of sensory processing in awake mouse cortex. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17525. [PMID: 34471145 PMCID: PMC8410938 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96696-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholinergic modulation of brain activity is fundamental for awareness and conscious sensorimotor behaviours, but deciphering the timing and significance of acetylcholine actions for these behaviours is challenging. The widespread nature of cholinergic projections to the cortex means that new insights require access to specific neuronal populations, and on a time-scale that matches behaviourally relevant cholinergic actions. Here, we use fast, voltage imaging of L2/3 cortical pyramidal neurons exclusively expressing the genetically-encoded voltage indicator Butterfly 1.2, in awake, head-fixed mice, receiving sensory stimulation, whilst manipulating the cholinergic system. Altering muscarinic acetylcholine function re-shaped sensory-evoked fast depolarisation and subsequent slow hyperpolarisation of L2/3 pyramidal neurons. A consequence of this re-shaping was disrupted adaptation of the sensory-evoked responses, suggesting a critical role for acetylcholine during sensory discrimination behaviour. Our findings provide new insights into how the cortex processes sensory information and how loss of acetylcholine, for example in Alzheimer's Disease, disrupts sensory behaviours.
Collapse
|
23
|
Ogando MB, Pedroncini O, Federman N, Romano SA, Brum LA, Lanuza GM, Refojo D, Marin-Burgin A. Cholinergic modulation of dentate gyrus processing through dynamic reconfiguration of inhibitory circuits. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109572. [PMID: 34433032 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus plays a key role in memory formation, and it is known to be modulated by septal projections. By performing electrophysiology and optogenetics, we evaluated the role of cholinergic modulation in the processing of afferent inputs in the DG. We show that mature granule cells (GCs), but not adult-born immature neurons, have increased responses to afferent perforant path stimuli upon cholinergic modulation. This is due to a highly precise reconfiguration of inhibitory circuits, differentially affecting Parvalbumin and Somatostatin interneurons, resulting in a nicotinic-dependent perisomatic disinhibition of GCs. This circuit reorganization provides a mechanism by which mature GCs could escape the strong inhibition they receive, creating a window of opportunity for plasticity. Indeed, coincident activation of perforant path inputs with optogenetic release of acetylcholine produces a long-term potentiated response in GCs, essential for memory formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mora B Ogando
- Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires (IBioBA) - CONICET - Partner Institute of the Max Planck Society Godoy Cruz 2390, C1425FQD Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Olivia Pedroncini
- Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires (IBioBA) - CONICET - Partner Institute of the Max Planck Society Godoy Cruz 2390, C1425FQD Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Noel Federman
- Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires (IBioBA) - CONICET - Partner Institute of the Max Planck Society Godoy Cruz 2390, C1425FQD Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sebastián A Romano
- Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires (IBioBA) - CONICET - Partner Institute of the Max Planck Society Godoy Cruz 2390, C1425FQD Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luciano A Brum
- Fundación Instituto Leloir-Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Patricias Argentinas 435, Buenos Aires C1405BWE, Argentina
| | - Guillermo M Lanuza
- Fundación Instituto Leloir-Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Patricias Argentinas 435, Buenos Aires C1405BWE, Argentina
| | - Damian Refojo
- Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires (IBioBA) - CONICET - Partner Institute of the Max Planck Society Godoy Cruz 2390, C1425FQD Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Antonia Marin-Burgin
- Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires (IBioBA) - CONICET - Partner Institute of the Max Planck Society Godoy Cruz 2390, C1425FQD Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Kljakic O, Al-Onaizi M, Janíčková H, Chen KS, Guzman MS, Prado MAM, Prado VF. Cholinergic transmission from the basal forebrain modulates social memory in male mice. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 54:6075-6092. [PMID: 34308559 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Disruptions in social behaviour are prevalent in many neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism spectrum disorders. However, the underlying neurochemical regulation of social behaviour is still not well understood. The central cholinergic system has been proposed to contribute to the regulation of social behaviour. For instance, decreased global levels of acetylcholine release in the brain leads to decreased social interaction and an impairment of social memory in mice. Nonetheless, it has been difficult to ascertain the specific brain areas where cholinergic signalling influences social preference and social memory. In this study, we investigated the impact of different forebrain cholinergic regions on social behaviour by examining mouse lines that differ in their regional expression level of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter-the protein that regulates acetylcholine secretion. We found that when cholinergic signalling is highly disrupted in the striatum, hippocampus, cortex and amygdala mice have intact social preference but are impaired in social memory, as they cannot remember a familiar conspecific nor recognize a novel one. A similar pattern emerges when acetylcholine release is disrupted mainly in the striatum, cortex, and amygdala; however, the ability to recognize novel conspecifics is retained. In contrast, cholinergic signalling of the striatum and amygdala does not appear to significantly contribute to the modulation of social memory and social preference. Furthermore, we demonstrated that increasing global cholinergic tone does not increase social behaviours. Together, these data suggest that cholinergic transmission from the hippocampus and cortex are important for regulating social memory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ornela Kljakic
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mohammed Al-Onaizi
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Helena Janíčková
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kevin S Chen
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Monica S Guzman
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vania F Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Modulation of prefrontal cortex function by basal forebrain cholinergic and GABAergic neurons at the behavioral and molecular level. Neuroreport 2021; 32:882-887. [PMID: 34029291 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The present research aimed to study the effects of selective immunolesions of cholinergic or gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons in the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) on memory function as well as cholinergic activity and the level of expression of glutamatergic [NR2B subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA)] receptors in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus of behaviorally characterized rats. In behavioral experiments, working memory was assessed by a spatial alternation testing procedure in a plus-maze, and acquisition and retention of spatial memory was evaluated in a Morris water maze. The rats were divided into three groups: the NBM cholinergic, GABAergic immunolesioned groups and the normal control group. Cholin acetyltransferase or parvalbumin staining of the NBM and acetylcholinesterase staining of the mPFC and hippocampal sections were performed to visualize the effects of immunotoxins. The electrophoresis and immunoblotting were run to evaluate the effect of NBM lesions on the amount of the NR2B subunit of NMDA receptors. The results indicate that the immunolesion of cholinergic NBM neurons impair spatial working memory, as well as long-term spatial memory which is accompanied by significant changes in glutamatergic (the NR2B subunit of NMDA receptor) and cholinergic markers in the mPFC, whereas immunolesion of GABAergic NBM neurons does not affect long-term spatial memory, it does though cause the impairment of working memory with a reduction of the NMDA NR2B receptor signaling in the mPFC. The present results demonstrate that the cholinergic and GABAergic NBM cell groups play diverse and complementary roles and are integrated in distinct NBM-mPFC networks that may play different roles in mPFC memory function.
Collapse
|
26
|
Costanzi M, Cianfanelli B, Santirocchi A, Lasaponara S, Spataro P, Rossi-Arnaud C, Cestari V. Forgetting Unwanted Memories: Active Forgetting and Implications for the Development of Psychological Disorders. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11040241. [PMID: 33810436 PMCID: PMC8066077 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11040241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrusive memories are a common feature of many psychopathologies, and suppression-induced forgetting of unwanted memories appears as a critical ability to preserve mental health. In recent years, biological and cognitive studies converged in revealing that forgetting is due to active processes. Recent neurobiological studies provide evidence on the active role of main neurotransmitter systems in forgetting, suggesting that the brain actively works to suppress retrieval of unwanted memories. On the cognitive side, there is evidence that voluntary and involuntary processes (here termed "intentional" and "incidental" forgetting, respectively) contribute to active forgetting. In intentional forgetting, an inhibitory control mechanism suppresses awareness of unwanted memories at encoding or retrieval. In incidental forgetting, retrieval practice of some memories involuntarily suppresses the retrieval of other related memories. In this review we describe recent findings on deficits in active forgetting observed in psychopathologies, like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Moreover, we report studies in which the role of neurotransmitter systems, known to be involved in the pathogenesis of mental disorders, has been investigated in active forgetting paradigms. The possibility that biological and cognitive mechanisms of active forgetting could be considered as hallmarks of the early onset of psychopathologies is also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Costanzi
- Department of Human Sciences, Lumsa University, 00193 Rome, Italy; (B.C.); (S.L.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Beatrice Cianfanelli
- Department of Human Sciences, Lumsa University, 00193 Rome, Italy; (B.C.); (S.L.)
| | - Alessandro Santirocchi
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.S.); (C.R.-A.); (V.C.)
| | - Stefano Lasaponara
- Department of Human Sciences, Lumsa University, 00193 Rome, Italy; (B.C.); (S.L.)
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.S.); (C.R.-A.); (V.C.)
| | - Pietro Spataro
- Department of Economy, Universitas Mercatorum, 00100 Rome, Italy;
| | - Clelia Rossi-Arnaud
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.S.); (C.R.-A.); (V.C.)
| | - Vincenzo Cestari
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.S.); (C.R.-A.); (V.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Pastor V, Medina JH. Medial prefrontal cortical control of reward- and aversion-based behavioral output: Bottom-up modulation. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 53:3039-3062. [PMID: 33660363 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
How does the brain guide our actions? This is a complex issue, where the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) plays a crucial role. The mPFC is essential for cognitive flexibility and decision making. These functions are related to reward- and aversion-based learning, which ultimately drive behavior. Though, cortical projections and modulatory systems that may regulate those processes in the mPFC are less understood. How does the mPFC regulate approach-avoidance behavior in the case of conflicting aversive and appetitive stimuli? This is likely dependent on the bottom-up neuromodulation of the mPFC projection neurons. In this review, we integrate behavioral-, pharmacological-, and viral-based circuit manipulation data showing the involvement of mPFC dopaminergic, noradrenergic, cholinergic, and serotoninergic inputs in reward and aversion processing. Given that an incorrect balance of reward and aversion value could be a key problem in mental diseases such as substance use disorders, we discuss outstanding questions for future research on the role of mPFC modulation in reward and aversion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Pastor
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo De Robertis" (IBCN), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jorge Horacio Medina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo De Robertis" (IBCN), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Abstract
Electronic cigarettes are the most common form of nicotine delivery used by youth and young adults, and in 2018, the US Surgeon General declared this to be an epidemic. The developing adolescent brain is vulnerable to nicotine exposure, which can lead to long-lasting cognitive and mood disorders. Screening rates for vaping are low and lack of knowledge by adolescents, clinicians, parents, and caregivers is high. This article reviews the components of vaping, prevalence, adverse reactions, regulation, treatment, and prevention strategies related to vaping in youth and young adults.
Collapse
|
29
|
Prefrontal cortex nicotinic receptor inhibition by methyllycaconitine impaired cocaine-associated memory acquisition and retrieval. Behav Brain Res 2021; 406:113212. [PMID: 33657437 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine administration has been shown to induce plastic changes in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which could represent a mechanism by which cocaine facilitates the association between cocaine rewarding effects with contextual cues. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the mPFC have critical roles in cognitive function including attention and memory and are key players in plasticity processes. However, whether nAChRs in the mPFC are required for the acquisition and maintenance of cocaine-associated memories is still unknown. To assess this question, we used the conditioning place preference (CPP) model to study the effect of intra-mPFC infusion of methyllycaconitine, a selective antagonist of α7 nAChRs, on the acquisition, consolidation and expression of cocaine-associated memory in adult rats. Our findings reveal that mPFC α7 nAChRs activation is necessary for the acquisition and retrieval, but not consolidation, of cocaine induced CPP. Moreover, cocaine-induced sensitization during CPP conditioning sessions was abolished by methyllycaconitine infusion in the mPFC. Together, these results identify mPFC α7 nAChRs as critical players involved in both acquiring and retrieving cocaine-associated memories. Considering that drug seeking often depends on the association between drug-paired cues and the rewarding effects of the drug, α7 nAChRs in the mPFC could be considered as potential targets for the prevention or treatment of cocaine use disorder.
Collapse
|
30
|
Venkatesan S, Jeoung HS, Chen T, Power SK, Liu Y, Lambe EK. Endogenous Acetylcholine and Its Modulation of Cortical Microcircuits to Enhance Cognition. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2020; 45:47-69. [PMID: 32601996 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2020_138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Acetylcholine regulates the cerebral cortex to sharpen sensory perception and enhance attentional focus. The cellular and circuit mechanisms of this cholinergic modulation are under active investigation in sensory and prefrontal cortex, but the universality of these mechanisms across the cerebral cortex is not clear. Anatomical maps suggest that the sensory and prefrontal cortices receive distinct cholinergic projections and have subtle differences in the expression of cholinergic receptors and the metabolic enzyme acetylcholinesterase. First, we briefly review this anatomical literature and the recent progress in the field. Next, we discuss in detail the electrophysiological effects of cholinergic receptor subtypes and the cell and circuit consequences of their stimulation by endogenous acetylcholine as established by recent optogenetic work. Finally, we explore the behavioral ramifications of in vivo manipulations of endogenous acetylcholine. We find broader similarities than we expected between the cholinergic regulation of sensory and prefrontal cortex, but there are some differences and some gaps in knowledge. In visual, auditory, and somatosensory cortex, the cell and circuit mechanisms of cholinergic sharpening of sensory perception have been probed in vivo with calcium imaging and optogenetic experiments to simultaneously test mechanism and measure the consequences of manipulation. By contrast, ascertaining the links between attentional performance and cholinergic modulation of specific prefrontal microcircuits is more complicated due to the nature of the required tasks. However, ex vivo optogenetic manipulations point to differences in the cholinergic modulation of sensory and prefrontal cortex. Understanding how and where acetylcholine acts within the cerebral cortex to shape cognition is essential to pinpoint novel treatment targets for the perceptual and attention deficits found in multiple psychiatric and neurological disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ha-Seul Jeoung
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tianhui Chen
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Saige K Power
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yupeng Liu
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Evelyn K Lambe
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Measuring attention in rats with a visual signal detection task: Signal intensity vs. signal duration. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2020; 199:173069. [PMID: 33144207 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2020.173069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Measurement of attentional performance in animal behavioral research allows us to investigate neural mechanisms underlying attentional processes and translate results to better understand human attentional function, dysfunction and drug treatments to reverse dysfunction. One useful method to measure attention in experimental animal studies is to use an operant visual signal detection paradigm, consisting of two levers and the rapid flashing of a cue lamp to signal a reward. In this study, we tested the relative sensitivity of this task when using different variants of the stimulus signal, varying brightness or duration of the light cue. To investigate roles of different neural systems underlying attentional processes, we assessed the sensitivity of attentional performance with these two different cue variations with blockade of muscarinic acetylcholine and NMDA glutamate receptors with scopolamine and MK-801 (dizocilpine). Operant signal detection was tested using a signal light that varied in intensity (0.027, 0.269, 1.22 lx) of the signal light or in a paradigm which varied the duration (0.5 s, 1 s, 2 s) of the signal light. Both methods of assessing attention showed construct validity for producing gradients of accuracy for signal detection; the dimmest cue led to less accurate responding compared to the brighter cues, and the shortest duration led to less accuracy compared to the longer durations. However, the tests differed in their sensitivity to pharmacological disruption. With the duration test, the high dose of MK-801 along with co-exposure of scopolamine and MK-801 caused a significant reduction of hit and rejection accuracy. Conversely, the intensity variation test did not show significant differences as a function of drug exposures. These data suggest that changes in signal duration, rather than signal intensity, during operant signal detection may have higher sensitivity to detecting drug effects and be a more useful technique for examining pharmacological interventions on attentional behavior and performance.
Collapse
|
32
|
Marchese E, Valentini M, Di Sante G, Cesari E, Adinolfi A, Corvino V, Ria F, Sette C, Geloso MC. Alternative splicing of neurexins 1-3 is modulated by neuroinflammation in the prefrontal cortex of a murine model of multiple sclerosis. Exp Neurol 2020; 335:113497. [PMID: 33058888 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2020.113497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Mounting evidence points to immune-mediated synaptopathy and impaired plasticity as early pathogenic events underlying cognitive decline (CD) in Multiple sclerosis (MS) and in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of the disease. However, knowledge of the neurobiology of synaptic dysfunction is still incomplete. Splicing regulation represents a flexible and powerful mechanism involved in dynamic remodeling of the synapse, which allows the expression of synaptic protein variants that dynamically control the specificity of contacts between neurons. The pre-synaptic adhesion molecules neurexins (NRXNs) 1-3 play a relevant role in cognition and are alternatively spliced to yield variants that differentially cluster specific ligands in the postsynaptic compartment and modulate functional properties of the synaptic contact. Notably, mutations in these genes or disruption of their splicing program are associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Herein, we have investigated how inflammatory changes imposed by EAE impact on alternative splicing of the Nrxn 1-3 mouse genes in the acute phase of disease. Due to its relevance in cognition, we focused on the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of SJL/J mice, in which EAE-induced inflammatory lesions extend to the rostral forebrain. We found that inclusion of the Nrxn 1-3 AS4 exon is significantly increased in the PFC of EAE mice and that splicing changes are correlated with local Il1β-expression levels. This correlation is sustained by the concomitant downregulation of SLM2, the main splicing factor involved in skipping of the AS4 exon, in EAE mice displaying high levels of Il1β- expression. We also observed that Il1β-expression levels correlate with changes in parvalbumin (PV)-positive interneuron connectivity. Moreover, exposure to environmental enrichment (EE), a condition known to stimulate neuronal connectivity and to improve cognitive functions in mice and humans, modified PFC phenotypes of EAE mice with respect to Il1β-, Slm2-expression, Nrxn AS4 splicing and PV-expression, by limiting changes associated with high levels of inflammation. Our results reveal that local inflammation results in early splicing modulation of key synaptic proteins and in remodeling of GABAergic circuitry in the PFC of SJL/J mice. We also suggest EE as a tool to counteract these inflammation-associated events, thus highlighting potential therapeutic targets for limiting the progressive CD occurring in MS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Marchese
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | - Mariagrazia Valentini
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Section of General Pathology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Di Sante
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Section of General Pathology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 1-8, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Cesari
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy; IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 65, 00143 Rome, Italy.
| | - Annalisa Adinolfi
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | - Valentina Corvino
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesco Ria
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Section of General Pathology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 1-8, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | - Claudio Sette
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | - Maria Concetta Geloso
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Yuan R, Biswal BB, Zaborszky L. Functional Subdivisions of Magnocellular Cell Groups in Human Basal Forebrain: Test-Retest Resting-State Study at Ultra-high Field, and Meta-analysis. Cereb Cortex 2020; 29:2844-2858. [PMID: 30137295 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhy150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The heterogeneous neuronal subgroups of the basal forebrain corticopetal system (BFcs) have been shown to modulate cortical functions through their cholinergic, gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic, and glutamatergic projections to the entire cortex. Although previous studies suggested that the basalo-cortical projection system influences various cognitive functions, particularly via its cholinergic component, these studies only focused on certain parts of the BFcs or nearby structures, leaving aside a more systematic picture of the functional connectivity of BFcs subcompartments. Moreover, these studies lacked the high-spatial resolution and the probability maps needed to identify specific subcompartments. Recent advances in the ultra-high field 7T functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) provided potentially unprecedented spatial resolution of functional MRI images to study the subdivision of the BFcs. In this study, the BF space containing corticopetal cells was divided into 3 functionally distinct subdivisions based on functional connection to cortical regions derived from fMRI. The overall functional connection of each BFcs subdivision was examined with a test-retest study. Finally, a meta-analysis was used to study the related functional topics of each BF subdivision. Our results demonstrate distinct functional connectivity patterns of these subdivisions along the rostrocaudal axis of the BF. All three compartments have shown consistent segregation and overlap at specific target regions including the hippocampus, insula, thalamus, and the cingulate gyrus, suggesting functional integration and separation in BFcs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Yuan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Bharat B Biswal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA.,The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Laszlo Zaborszky
- Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Ramírez-Santana M, Zúñiga-Venegas L, Corral S, Roeleveld N, Groenewoud H, Van der Velden K, Scheepers PTJ, Pancetti F. Reduced neurobehavioral functioning in agricultural workers and rural inhabitants exposed to pesticides in northern Chile and its association with blood biomarkers inhibition. Environ Health 2020; 19:84. [PMID: 32698901 PMCID: PMC7374955 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-020-00634-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous biomonitoring studies have shown that people in the rural population of Coquimbo, the major agricultural area in northern Chile are being occupationally and environmentally exposed to organophosphate/carbamate (OP/CB) pesticides. Given their harmful effects, this study had two aims; first, to evaluate the effect of cumulative or chronic exposure to OP/CB pesticides on the neurobehavioral performance of agricultural workers and rural inhabitants; second, to determine if changes in the neurobehavioral performance are associated to changes in blood biomarkers of OP/CB pesticides during the spray season, when exposure is higher. METHODS For the first aim, a cross sectional study of neurobehavioral performance in adult volunteers (men and women, 18-50 years-old, right-handed) was carried out in the pre-spray season. Sampling was done by convenience and a questionnaire was used to categorize participants depending on their level of chronic exposure, as either: occupationally exposed (OE, n = 87), environmentally exposed (EE, n = 81), or non-exposed controls or reference group (RG, n = 100). A neurobehavioral test battery consisting of 21 tests to measure cognitive, motor and emotional state was applied. For the second aim, neurobehavioral measures were taken a second time from EE and OE groups during the spray season, and their exposure corroborated by blood-based biomarker inhibition. RESULTS Lower neurobehavioral performance was observed in the pre-spray evaluation of EE and OE groups compared to the non-exposed, OE being the worst performing group. Seasonal exposure impaired performance in both exposure groups on all tests except those on attention and mood. Data modeling of the basal (pre-spray) measurements showed that the level of exposure was the best predictor of performance. During spraying, inhibition of BChE activity in the EE group was the best predictor of low performance in tests measuring logical, auditory and visual memory, inhibitory control of cognitive interference, constructional and planning abilities, executive functions, and motor speed and coordination. CONCLUSION Long-term occupational or environmental exposure to pesticides caused impairment in neurobehavioral functioning, which worsened during the spraying season, mainly in EE. BChE inhibition was the best predictor for seasonal neurobehavioral changes in EE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muriel Ramírez-Santana
- Departemento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile
- Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Liliana Zúñiga-Venegas
- Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Avanzados de Maule (CIEAM), Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
- Centro de Investigación en Neuropsicología y Neurociencias Cognitivas (CINPSI), Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
- Laboratorio de Neurotoxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, 1780000, Coquimbo, Chile
| | - Sebastián Corral
- Laboratorio de Neurotoxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, 1780000, Coquimbo, Chile
- Laboratorio de Psiquiatría Translacional, Departamento de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Escuela de Psicología, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad Central de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nel Roeleveld
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Groenewoud
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Koos Van der Velden
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Paul T J Scheepers
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Floria Pancetti
- Laboratorio de Neurotoxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, 1780000, Coquimbo, Chile.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Nicotinic Receptor Subunit Distribution in Auditory Cortex: Impact of Aging on Receptor Number and Function. J Neurosci 2020; 40:5724-5739. [PMID: 32541068 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0093-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence of novel or degraded communication sounds likely results in activation of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons increasing release of ACh onto presynaptic and postsynaptic nAChRs in primary auditory cortex (A1). nAChR subtypes include high-affinity heteromeric nAChRs commonly composed of α4 and β2 subunits and low-affinity homomeric nAChRs composed of α7 subunits. In young male FBN rats, we detail the following: (1) the distribution/expression of nAChR subunit transcripts in excitatory (VGluT1) and inhibitory (VGAT) neurons across A1 layers; (2) heteromeric nAChR binding across A1 layers; and (3) nAChR excitability in A1 layer (L) 5 cells. In aged rats, we detailed the impact of aging on A1 nAChR subunit expression across layers, heteromeric nAChR receptor binding, and nAChR excitability of A1 L5 cells. A majority of A1 cells coexpressed transcripts for β2 and α4 with or without α7, while dispersed subpopulations expressed β2 and α7 or α7 alone. nAChR subunit transcripts were expressed in young excitatory and inhibitory neurons across L2-L6. Transcript abundance varied across layers, and was highest for β2 and α4. Significant age-related decreases in nAChR subunit transcript expression (message) and receptor binding (protein) were observed in L2-6, most pronounced in infragranular layers. In vitro patch-clamp recordings from L5B pyramidal output neurons showed age-related nAChR subunit-selective reductions in postsynaptic responses to ACh. Age-related losses of nAChR subunits likely impact ways in which A1 neurons respond to ACh release. While the elderly require additional resources to disambiguate degraded speech codes, resources mediated by nAChRs may be compromised with aging.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT When attention is required, cholinergic basal forebrain neurons may trigger increased release of ACh onto auditory neurons in primary auditory cortex (A1). Laminar and phenotypic differences in neuronal nAChR expression determine ways in which A1 neurons respond to release of ACh in challenging acoustic environments. This study detailed the distribution and expression of nAChR subunit transcript and protein across A1 layers in young and aged rats. Results showed a differential distribution of nAChR subunits across A1 layers. Age-related decreases in transcript/protein expression were reflected in age-related subunit specific functional loss of nAChR signaling to ACh application in A1 layer 5. Together, these findings could reflect the age-related decline in selective attention observed in the elderly.
Collapse
|
36
|
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Michaela Kress
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (K.K.K.); (M.M.); (T.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Mussina K, Toktarkhanova D, Filchakova O. Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors of PC12 Cells. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2020; 41:17-29. [PMID: 32335772 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-00846-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have gained much attention in the scientific community since they play a significant role in multiple physiological and pathophysiological processes. Multiple approaches to study the receptors exist, with characterization of the receptors' functionality at a single cellular level using cell culturing being one of them. Derived from an adrenal medulla tumor, PC12 cells express nicotinic receptor subunits and form functional nicotinic receptors. Thus, the cells offer a convenient environment to address questions related to the functionality of the receptors. The review summarizes the findings on nicotinic receptors' expression and functions which were conducted using PC12 cells. Specific focus is given to α3-containing receptors as well as α7 receptor. Critical evaluation of findings is provided alongside insights into what can still be learned about nAChRs, using PC12 cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kamilla Mussina
- Biology Department, School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, NurSultan, Republic of Kazakhstan
| | - Dana Toktarkhanova
- Biology Department, School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, NurSultan, Republic of Kazakhstan
| | - Olena Filchakova
- Biology Department, School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, NurSultan, Republic of Kazakhstan.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Modulation of cholinergic activity through lynx prototoxins: Implications for cognition and anxiety regulation. Neuropharmacology 2020; 174:108071. [PMID: 32298703 PMCID: PMC7785133 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
|
39
|
Takahashi S, Okamura A, Yamazaki M, Ni K. ASP2905, a specific inhibitor of the potassium channel Kv12.2 encoded by the Kcnh3 gene, is psychoactive in mice. Behav Brain Res 2020; 378:112315. [PMID: 31654662 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112315] [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: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a major psychiatric disorder associated with positive and negative symptoms and cognitive impairments. In this study, we used animal models of behavior to evaluate the antipsychotic activity of ASP2905, a potent and selective inhibitor of the potassium channel Kv12.2 encoded by the Kcnh3/BEC1 gene. ASP2905 inhibited hyperlocomotion induced by methamphetamine and by phencyclidine. In contrast, ASP2905 did not affect spontaneous locomotion, suggesting that ASP2905 selectively inhibits abnormal behaviors induced by stimulants. Chronic infusion of ASP2905 significantly ameliorated phencyclidine-induced prolongation of immobility time in mice subjected to the forced swimming test. These findings suggest that ASP2905 potentially mitigates symptoms of schizophrenia, such as apathy. The antipsychotic clozapine also reversed phencyclidine-induced prolonged immobility, while risperidone and haloperidol had no effect. Assessment of the effects of ASP2905 on latent learning deficits in mice treated with phencyclidine as neonates subjected to the water-finding task showed that ASP2905 significantly ameliorated phencyclidine-induced prolongation of finding latency, which reflects latent learning performance. These findings suggest that ASP2905 potentially mitigates cognitive impairments caused by schizophrenia, such as attention deficits. In contrast, administration of clozapine did not ameliorate phencyclidine-induced prolongation of finding latency. Therefore, ASP2905 may alleviate the broad spectrum of symptoms of schizophrenia, including positive and negative symptoms and cognitive impairments, which is in contrast to currently available antipsychotics, which are generally only partially effective for ameliorating these symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Takahashi
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan.
| | - Ai Okamura
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan.
| | - Mayako Yamazaki
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan.
| | - Keni Ni
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Mantanona CP, Alsiö J, Elson JL, Fisher BM, Dalley JW, Bussey T, Pienaar IS. Altered motor, anxiety-related and attentional task performance at baseline associate with multiple gene copies of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter and related protein overexpression in ChAT::Cre+ rats. Brain Struct Funct 2019; 224:3095-3116. [PMID: 31506825 PMCID: PMC6875150 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-019-01957-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic rodents expressing Cre recombinase cell specifically are used for exploring mechanisms regulating behavior, including those mediated by cholinergic signaling. However, it was recently reported that transgenic mice overexpressing a bacterial artificial chromosome containing choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) gene, for synthesizing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, present with multiple vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) gene copies, resulting in altered cholinergic tone and accompanying behavioral abnormalities. Since ChAT::Cre+ rats, used increasingly for understanding the biological basis of CNS disorders, utilize the mouse ChAT promotor to control Cre recombinase expression, we assessed for similar genotypical and phenotypical differences in such rats compared to wild-type siblings. The rats were assessed for mouse VAChT copy number, VAChT protein expression levels and for sustained attention, response control and anxiety. Rats were also subjected to a contextual fear conditioning paradigm using an unconditional fear-inducing stimulus (electrical foot shocks), with blood samples taken at baseline, the fear acquisition phase and retention testing, for measuring blood plasma markers of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal gland (HPA)-axis activity. ChAT::Cre+ rats expressed multiple mouse VAChT gene copies, resulting in significantly higher VAChT protein expression, revealed anxiolytic behavior, hyperlocomotion and deficits in tasks requiring sustained attention. The HPA-axis was intact, with unaltered circulatory levels of acute stress-induced corticosterone, leptin and glucose. Our findings, therefore, reveal that in ChAT::Cre+ rats, VAChT overexpression associates with significant alterations of certain cognitive, motor and affective functions. Although highly useful as an experimental tool, it is essential to consider the potential effects of altered cholinergic transmission on baseline behavior in ChAT::Cre rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Craig P Mantanona
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Johan Alsiö
- Department of Psychology, The Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, UK
| | - Joanna L Elson
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Beth M Fisher
- Department of Psychology, The Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jeffrey W Dalley
- Department of Psychology, The Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, UK
| | - Timothy Bussey
- Department of Psychology, The Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Ilse S Pienaar
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, BN1 9PH, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Cuevas-Olguin R, Esquivel-Rendon E, Vargas-Mireles J, Barajas-Lόpez C, Salgado-Delgado R, Saderi N, Arias HR, Atzori M, Miranda-Morales M. Nicotine smoking concentrations modulate GABAergic synaptic transmission in murine medial prefrontal cortex by activation of α7* and β2* nicotinic receptors. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 51:781-792. [PMID: 31613395 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2018] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Nicotine is the major addictive component of cigarettes, reaching a brain concentration of ~300 nM during smoking of a single cigarette. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) mechanisms underlying temporary changes of working memory during smoking are incompletely understood. Here, we investigated whether 300 nM nicotine modulates γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) ergic synaptic transmission from pyramidal neurons of the output layer (V) of the murine medial PFC. We used patch clamp in vitro recording from C57BL/6 mice in the whole-cell configuration to investigate the effect of nicotine on pharmacologically isolated GABAergic postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in the absence or presence of methyllycaconitine (MLA) or dihydro-β-erythroidine (DHβE), selective antagonists of α7- and β2-containing (α7* and β2*) nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs), respectively. Our results indicated that nicotine, alone or in the presence of MLA, decreases electrically evoked IPSC (eIPSC) amplitude, whereas in the presence of DHβE, nicotine elicited either an eIPSCs amplitude increase or a decrease. In the presence of DHβE, nicotine increased membrane conductance leaving the paired pulse ratio unchanged in all conditions, suggesting a non-β2* mediated effect. In the presence of MLA, nicotine decreased the mean spontaneous IPSC (sIPSC) frequency but increased their rise time, suggesting a non-α7* AChR-mediated synaptic modulation. Also, in the presence of DHβE, nicotine decreased both eIPSC rise and decay times. No receptors other than α7* and β2* appear to be involved in the nicotine effect. Our results indicate that nicotine smoking concentrations modulate GABAergic synaptic currents through mixed pre- and post-synaptic mechanisms by activation of α7* and β2* AChRs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Cuevas-Olguin
- Faculty of Science, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis potosí, México
| | - Eric Esquivel-Rendon
- Faculty of Science, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis potosí, México
| | - Jorge Vargas-Mireles
- Faculty of Science, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis potosí, México
| | - Carlos Barajas-Lόpez
- División de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, San Luis Potosí, México
| | | | - Nadia Saderi
- Faculty of Science, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis potosí, México
| | - Hugo R Arias
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tahlequah, OK, USA
| | - Marco Atzori
- Faculty of Science, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis potosí, México
| | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Mitrić M, Seewald A, Moschetti G, Sacerdote P, Ferraguti F, Kummer KK, Kress M. Layer- and subregion-specific electrophysiological and morphological changes of the medial prefrontal cortex in a mouse model of neuropathic pain. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9479. [PMID: 31263213 PMCID: PMC6603192 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45677-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic neuropathic pain constitutes a serious public health problem, but the disease mechanisms are only partially understood. The involvement of different brain regions like the medial prefrontal cortex has already been established, but the comparison of the role of different subregions and layers is still inconclusive. In the current study, we performed patch-clamp recordings followed by anatomical reconstruction of pyramidal cells from different layers of the prelimbic and infralimbic subregions of the medial prefrontal cortex in neuropathic (spared nerve injury, SNI) and control mice. We found that in the prelimbic cortex, layer 2/3 pyramidal cells from SNI mice exhibited increased excitability compared to sham controls, whereas prelimbic layer 5 pyramidal neurons showed reduced excitability. Pyramidal cells in both layer 2/3 and layer 5 of the infralimbic subregion did not change their excitability, but layer 2/3 pyramidal cells displayed increased dendritic length and branching. Our findings support the view that chronic pain is associated with subregion- and layer-specific changes in the medial prefrontal cortex. They therefore provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying the chronification of pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miodrag Mitrić
- Division of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anna Seewald
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Giorgia Moschetti
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Sacerdote
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Ferraguti
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Kai K Kummer
- Division of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Michaela Kress
- Division of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Wright VL, Georgiou P, Bailey A, Heal DJ, Bailey CP, Wonnacott S. Inhibition of alpha7 nicotinic receptors in the ventral hippocampus selectively attenuates reinstatement of morphine-conditioned place preference and associated changes in AMPA receptor binding. Addict Biol 2019; 24:590-603. [PMID: 29667304 PMCID: PMC6563460 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Recurrent relapse is a major problem in treating opiate addiction. Pavlovian conditioning plays a role in recurrent relapse whereby exposure to cues learned during drug intake can precipitate relapse to drug taking. α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have been implicated in attentional aspects of cognition and mechanisms of learning and memory. In this study we have investigated the role of α7 nAChRs in morphine-conditioned place preference (morphine-CPP). CPP provides a model of associative learning that is pertinent to associative aspects of drug dependence. The α7 nAChR antagonist methyllycaconitine (MLA; 4 mg/kg s.c.) had no effect on the acquisition, maintenance, reconsolidation or extinction of morphine-CPP but selectively attenuated morphine-primed reinstatement of CPP, in both mice and rats. Reinstatement of morphine-CPP in mice was accompanied by a selective increase in [3 H]-AMPA binding (but not in [3 H]-MK801 binding) in the ventral hippocampus that was prevented by prior treatment with MLA. Administration of MLA (6.7 μg) directly into the ventral hippocampus of rats prior to a systemic priming dose of morphine abolished reinstatement of morphine-CPP, whereas MLA delivered into the dorsal hippocampus or prefrontal cortex was without effect. These results suggest that α7 nAChRs in the ventral hippocampus play a specific role in the retrieval of associative drug memories following a period of extinction, making them potential targets for the prevention of relapse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Polymnia Georgiou
- Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyUK
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Alexis Bailey
- Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyUK
- Institute of Medical and Biomedical EducationSt George's University of LondonUK
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
A whole-brain atlas of monosynaptic input targeting four different cell types in the medial prefrontal cortex of the mouse. Nat Neurosci 2019; 22:657-668. [DOI: 10.1038/s41593-019-0354-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
|
45
|
Balachandran RC, Sieg ML, Tran CT, Clancy BM, Beaudin SA, Eubig PA. Cholinergic and dopaminergic interactions alter attention and response inhibition in Long-Evans rats performing the 5-choice serial reaction time task. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2018; 175:160-173. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
|
46
|
Schote AB, A. L. Sayk C, Pabst K, Meier JK, Frings C, Meyer J. Sex, ADHD symptoms, and CHRNA5
genotype influence reaction time but not response inhibition. J Neurosci Res 2018; 97:215-224. [DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea B. Schote
- Department of Neurobehavioral Genetics; Institute of Psychobiology, University of Trier; Trier Germany
| | - Clara A. L. Sayk
- Department of Neurobehavioral Genetics; Institute of Psychobiology, University of Trier; Trier Germany
| | - Kathrin Pabst
- Department of Neurobehavioral Genetics; Institute of Psychobiology, University of Trier; Trier Germany
| | - Jacqueline K. Meier
- Department of Neurobehavioral Genetics; Institute of Psychobiology, University of Trier; Trier Germany
| | - Christian Frings
- Department of Cognitive Psychology; University of Trier; Trier Germany
| | - Jobst Meyer
- Department of Neurobehavioral Genetics; Institute of Psychobiology, University of Trier; Trier Germany
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Segura-Uribe JJ, Farfán-García ED, Guerra-Araiza C, Ciprés-Flores FJ, García-dela Torre P, Soriano-Ursúa MA. Differences in brain regions of three mice strains identified by label-free micro-Raman. SPECTROSCOPY LETTERS 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/00387010.2018.1473883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Jeanett Segura-Uribe
- Departamento de Fisiología, Departamento de Bioquímica y Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Neurológicas, Hospital de Especialidades. Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Eunice Dalet Farfán-García
- Departamento de Fisiología, Departamento de Bioquímica y Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Christian Guerra-Araiza
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Farmacología, Hospital de Especialidades. Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Fabiola Jimena Ciprés-Flores
- Departamento de Fisiología, Departamento de Bioquímica y Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Paola García-dela Torre
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Neurológicas, Hospital de Especialidades. Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Marvin Antonio Soriano-Ursúa
- Departamento de Fisiología, Departamento de Bioquímica y Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Burk JA, Blumenthal SA, Maness EB. Neuropharmacology of attention. Eur J Pharmacol 2018; 835:162-168. [PMID: 30092180 PMCID: PMC6140347 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Early philosophers and psychologists defined and began to describe attention. Beginning in the 1950's, numerous models of attention were developed. This corresponded with an increased understanding of pharmacological approaches to manipulate neurotransmitter systems. The present review focuses on the knowledge that has been gained about these neurotransmitter systems with respect to attentional processing, with emphasis on the functions mediated within the medial prefrontal cortex. Additionally, the use of pharmacotherapies to treat psychiatric conditions characterized by attentional dysfunction are discussed. Future directions include developing a more comprehensive understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying attentional processing and novel pharmacotherapeutic targets for conditions characterized by aberrant attentional processing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A Burk
- Department of Psychological Sciences, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23187, USA.
| | - Sarah A Blumenthal
- Department of Psychological Sciences, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23187, USA
| | - Eden B Maness
- Department of Psychological Sciences, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23187, USA
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Sherfey JS, Ardid S, Hass J, Hasselmo ME, Kopell NJ. Flexible resonance in prefrontal networks with strong feedback inhibition. PLoS Comput Biol 2018; 14:e1006357. [PMID: 30091975 PMCID: PMC6103521 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Oscillations are ubiquitous features of brain dynamics that undergo task-related changes in synchrony, power, and frequency. The impact of those changes on target networks is poorly understood. In this work, we used a biophysically detailed model of prefrontal cortex (PFC) to explore the effects of varying the spike rate, synchrony, and waveform of strong oscillatory inputs on the behavior of cortical networks driven by them. Interacting populations of excitatory and inhibitory neurons with strong feedback inhibition are inhibition-based network oscillators that exhibit resonance (i.e., larger responses to preferred input frequencies). We quantified network responses in terms of mean firing rates and the population frequency of network oscillation; and characterized their behavior in terms of the natural response to asynchronous input and the resonant response to oscillatory inputs. We show that strong feedback inhibition causes the PFC to generate internal (natural) oscillations in the beta/gamma frequency range (>15 Hz) and to maximize principal cell spiking in response to external oscillations at slightly higher frequencies. Importantly, we found that the fastest oscillation frequency that can be relayed by the network maximizes local inhibition and is equal to a frequency even higher than that which maximizes the firing rate of excitatory cells; we call this phenomenon population frequency resonance. This form of resonance is shown to determine the optimal driving frequency for suppressing responses to asynchronous activity. Lastly, we demonstrate that the natural and resonant frequencies can be tuned by changes in neuronal excitability, the duration of feedback inhibition, and dynamic properties of the input. Our results predict that PFC networks are tuned for generating and selectively responding to beta- and gamma-rhythmic signals due to the natural and resonant properties of inhibition-based oscillators. They also suggest strategies for optimizing transcranial stimulation and using oscillatory networks in neuromorphic engineering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason S. Sherfey
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Salva Ardid
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Joachim Hass
- Department of Theoretical Neuroscience, Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Faculty of Applied Psychology, SRH University for Applied Sciences Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael E. Hasselmo
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Nancy J. Kopell
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Neuropathic Pain Creates an Enduring Prefrontal Cortex Dysfunction Corrected by the Type II Diabetic Drug Metformin But Not by Gabapentin. J Neurosci 2018; 38:7337-7350. [PMID: 30030404 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0713-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain patients suffer from pain-related cognitive deficits, even when taking commonly prescribed analgesics. These deficits are likely related to pain-related maladaptive plasticity in the frontal cortex. We sought to model cognitive deficits in mice with neuropathic pain to examine maladaptive morphological plasticity in the mPFC and to assess the effects of several therapeutics. We used an attentional set-shifting task in mice with spared nerve injury (SNI) who received either a single intrathecal injection of an analgesic dose of clonidine, 7 d of 100 mg/kg gabapentin, or 7 d of 200 mg/kg metformin. Male SNI mice were significantly more impaired in the set-shifting task than females. This deficit correlated with a loss of parvalbumin (PV) and reductions in axon initial segment (AIS) length in layers 5/6 of the infralimbic (IL) cortex. Acute pain relief with clonidine had no effect on set-shifting performance, whereas pain relief via 7 day treatment with gabapentin worsened the impairment in both SNI and sham mice. Gabapentin reversed the PV loss in the IL but had no effect on AIS length. Treatment with the AMPK-activator metformin completely reversed the pain-related cognitive impairment and restored AIS length in the IL but had little effect on PV expression. Our findings reveal that neuropathic pain-related cognitive impairments in male mice are correlated to bilateral morphological changes in PV interneurons and layer 5/6 IL pyramidal neuron AIS. Pain relief with metformin can reverse some of the functional and anatomical changes.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Cognitive impairments are a comorbidity of neuropathic pain but are inadequately addressed by existing therapeutics. We used a neuropathic pain model in mice to demonstrate that male (but not female) mice show a robust pain-related deficit in attentional set-shifting, which is associated with structural plasticity in axon initial segments in the infralimbic cortex. These deficits were completely reversed by 7 day treatment with the antidiabetic drug metformin, suggesting that this drug can be repurposed for the treatment of neuropathic pain and its cognitive comorbidities. Our findings have implications for our understanding of how neuropathic pain causes structural plasticity in the brain, and they point to a marked sexual dimorphism in neuropathic pain mechanisms in mice.
Collapse
|