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Abdel-Hay N, Kabirova M, Yaka R. A discrete subpopulation of PFC-LHb neurons govern cocaine place preference. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:269. [PMID: 38956048 PMCID: PMC11220025 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02988-8] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Addiction is a complex behavioral disorder characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and drug use despite harmful consequences. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a crucial role in cocaine addiction, involving decision-making, impulse control, memory, and emotional regulation. The PFC interacts with the brain's reward system, including the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc). The PFC also projects to the lateral habenula (LHb), a brain region critical for encoding negative reward and regulating the reward system. In the current study, we examined the role of PFC-LHb projections in regulating cocaine reward-related behaviors. We found that optogenetic stimulation of the PFC-LHb circuit during cocaine conditioning abolished cocaine preference without causing aversion. In addition, increased c-fos expression in LHb neurons was observed in animals that received optic stimulation during cocaine conditioning, supporting the circuit's involvement in cocaine preference regulation. Molecular analysis in animals that received optic stimulation revealed that cocaine-induced alterations in the expression of GluA1 subunit of AMPA receptor was normalized to saline levels in a region-specific manner. Moreover, GluA1 serine phosphorylation on S845 and S831 were differentially altered in LHb and VTA but not in the PFC. Together these findings highlight the critical role of the PFC-LHb circuit in controlling cocaine reward-related behaviors and shed light on the underlying mechanisms. Understanding this circuit's function may provide valuable insights into addiction and contribute to developing targeted treatments for substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Abdel-Hay
- Institute for Drug Research (IDR), School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Marina Kabirova
- Institute for Drug Research (IDR), School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Rami Yaka
- Institute for Drug Research (IDR), School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
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Li J, Temizer R, Chen YW, Aoki C. Ketamine ameliorates activity-based anorexia of adolescent female mice through changes in GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors at postsynaptic cytoplasmic locations of pyramidal neurons and interneurons of medial prefrontal cortex. Brain Struct Funct 2024; 229:323-348. [PMID: 38170266 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02740-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a mental illness with high rates of mortality and relapse, and no approved pharmacotherapy. Using the activity-based anorexia (ABA) model of AN, we previously showed that a single sub-anesthetic intraperitoneal injection of ketamine (30 mg/kg-KET, but not 3 mg/kg-KET), has an immediate and long-lasting effect of reducing anorexia-like behavior among adolescent female mice. We also showed previously that excitatory outflow from medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) engages hunger-evoked hyperactivity, leading to the ABA condition of severe weight loss. Ketamine is known to target GluN2B-containing NMDARs (NR2B). Might synaptic plasticity involving NR2B in mPFC contribute to ketamine's ameliorative effects? We addressed this question through electron microscopic immunocytochemical quantification of GluN2B at excitatory synapses of pyramidal neurons (PN) and GABAergic interneurons (IN) in mPFC layer 1 of animals that underwent recovery from a second ABA induction (ABA2), 22 days after ketamine injection during the first ABA induction. The 30 mg/kg-KET evoked synaptic plasticity that differed for PN and IN, with changes revolving the cytoplasmic reserve pool of NR2B more than the postsynaptic membrane pool. Those individuals that suppressed hunger-evoked wheel running the most and increased food consumption during recovery from ABA2 the most showed the greatest increase of NR2B at PN and IN excitatory synapses. We hypothesize that 30 mg/kg-KET promotes long-lasting changes in the reserve cytoplasmic pool of NR2B that enables activity-dependent rapid strengthening of mPFC circuits underlying the more adaptive behavior of suppressed running and enhanced food consumption, in turn supporting better weight restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Li
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rose Temizer
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yi-Wen Chen
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chiye Aoki
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
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Li J, Chen YW, Aoki C. Ketamine ameliorates activity-based anorexia of adolescent female mice through changes in the prevalence of NR2B-containing NMDA receptors at excitatory synapses that are in opposite directions for of pyramidal neurons versus GABA interneurons In medial prefrontal cortex. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2514157. [PMID: 36778429 PMCID: PMC9915778 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2514157/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
A previous study showed that a single sub-anesthetic dose of ketamine (30 mg/kg-KET, IP) has an immediate and long-lasting (>20 days) effect of reducing maladaptive behaviors associated with activity-based anorexia (ABA) among adolescent female mice. This study sought to determine whether synaptic plasticity involving NR2B-containing NMDA receptors (NR2B) at excitatory synapses in the prelimbic region of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) contributes to this ameliorative effect. To this end, quantitative electron microscopic analyses of NR2B-subunit immunoreactivity at excitatory synapses of pyramidal neurons (PN) and GABAergic interneurons (GABA-IN) were conducted upon layer 1 of mPFC of the above-described mice that received a single efficacious 30 mg/kg-KET (N=8) versus an inefficacious 3 mg/kg-KET (N=8) dose during the food-restricted day of the first ABA induction (ABA1). Brain tissue was collected after these animals underwent recovery from ABA1, then of recovery from a second ABA induction (ABA2), 22 days after the ketamine injection. For all three parameters used to quantify ABA resilience (increased food consumption, reduced wheel running, body weight gain), 30 mg/kg-KET evoked synaptic plasticity in opposite directions for PN and GABA-IN, with changes at excitatory synapses on GABA-IN dominating the adaptive behaviors more than on PN. The synaptic changes were in directions consistent with changes in the excitatory outflow from mPFC that weaken food consumption-suppression, strengthen wheel running suppression and enhance food consumption. We hypothesize that 30 mg/kg-KET promotes these long-lasting changes in the excitatory outflow from mPFC after acutely blocking the hunger and wheel-access activated synaptic circuits underlying maladaptive behaviors during ABA.
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Xue K, Chen J, Wei Y, Chen Y, Han S, Wang C, Zhang Y, Song X, Cheng J. Altered static and dynamic functional connectivity of habenula in first-episode, drug-naïve schizophrenia patients, and their association with symptoms including hallucination and anxiety. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1078779. [PMID: 36741115 PMCID: PMC9892902 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1078779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The pathogenesis of schizophrenia (SCH) is related to the dysfunction of monoamine neurotransmitters, and the habenula participates in regulating the synthesis and release of dopamine. We examined the static functional connectivity (sFC) and dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) of habenula in first-episode schizophrenia patients using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) in this study. METHODS A total of 198 first-Episode, drug-Naïve schizophrenia patients and 199 healthy controls (HC) underwent rs-fMRI examinations. The sFC and dFC analysis with habenula as seed was performed to produce a whole-brain diagram initially, which subsequently were compared between SCH and HC groups. Finally, the correlation analysis of sFC and dFC values with the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) were performed. RESULTS Compared with the HC groups, the left habenula showed increased sFC with the bilateral middle temporal gyrus, bilateral superior temporal gyrus, and right temporal pole in the SCH group, and the right habenula exhibited increased sFC with the left middle temporal gyrus, left superior temporal gyrus, and left angular gyrus. Additionally, compared with the HC group, the left habenula showed decreased dFC with the bilateral cuneus gyrus and bilateral calcarine gyrus in the SCH group. The PANSS negative sub-scores were positively correlated with the sFC values of the bilateral habenula with the bilateral middle temporal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus and angular gyrus. The PANSS general sub-scores were positively correlated with the sFC values of the right habenula with the left middle temporal gyrus and left superior temporal gyrus. The hallucination scores of PANSS were negatively correlated with the sFC values of the left habenula with the bilateral cuneus gyrus and bilateral calcarine gyrus; The anxiety scores of PANSS were positively correlated with the dFC values of the left habenula with the right temporal pole. CONCLUSION This study provides evidence that the habenula of the first-episode schizophrenia patients presented abnormal static functional connectivity with temporal lobe and angular gyrus, and additionally showed weakened stability of functional connectivity in occipital lobe. This abnormality is closely related to the symptoms of hallucination and anxiety in schizophrenia, which may indicate that the habenula involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia by affecting the dopamine pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangkang Xue
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jingli Chen
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yarui Wei
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuan Chen
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shaoqiang Han
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Caihong Wang
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xueqin Song
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jingliang Cheng
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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King SG, Gaudreault PO, Malaker P, Kim JW, Alia-Klein N, Xu J, Goldstein RZ. Prefrontal-habenular microstructural impairments in human cocaine and heroin addiction. Neuron 2022; 110:3820-3832.e4. [PMID: 36206758 PMCID: PMC9671835 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The habenula (Hb) is central to adaptive reward- and aversion-driven behaviors, comprising a hub for higher-order processing networks involving the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Despite an established role in preclinical models of cocaine addiction, the translational significance of the Hb and its connectivity with the PFC in humans is unclear. Using diffusion tractography, we detailed PFC structural connectivity with the Hb and two control regions, quantifying tract-specific microstructural features in healthy and cocaine-addicted individuals. White matter was uniquely impaired in PFC-Hb projections in both short-term abstainers and current cocaine users. Abnormalities in this tract further generalized to an independent sample of heroin-addicted individuals and were associated, in an exploratory analysis, with earlier onset of drug use across the addiction subgroups, potentially serving as a predisposing marker amenable for early intervention. Importantly, these findings contextualize a plausible PFC-Hb circuit in the human brain, supporting preclinical evidence for its impairment in cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah G King
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Pierre-Olivier Gaudreault
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Pias Malaker
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Joo-Won Kim
- Departments of Radiology and Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nelly Alia-Klein
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Junqian Xu
- Departments of Radiology and Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Rita Z Goldstein
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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Gouveia FV, Baker PM, Mameli M, Germann J. Editorial: The Habenula and Its Role in Neuropsychiatric Symptoms. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:929507. [PMID: 35685273 PMCID: PMC9172991 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.929507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Venetucci Gouveia
- Neuroscience and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Flavia Venetucci Gouveia
| | | | - Manuel Mameli
- The Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, The University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- INSERM, UMR-S 839, Paris, France
| | - Jurgen Germann
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Jurgen Germann
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Mathis VP, Williams M, Fillinger C, Kenny PJ. Networks of habenula-projecting cortical neurons regulate cocaine seeking. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabj2225. [PMID: 34739312 PMCID: PMC8570600 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj2225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
How neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex broadcast stress-relevant information to subcortical brain sites to regulate cocaine relapse remains unclear. The lateral habenula (LHb) serves as a “hub” to filter and propagate stress- and aversion-relevant information in the brain. Here, we show that chemogenetic inhibition of cortical inputs to LHb attenuates relapse-like reinstatement of extinguished cocaine seeking in mice. Using an RNA sequencing–based brain mapping procedure with single-cell resolution, we identify networks of cortical neurons that project to LHb and then preferentially innervate different downstream brain sites, including the ventral tegmental area, median raphe nucleus, and locus coeruleus (LC). By using an intersectional chemogenetics approach, we show that inhibition of cortico-habenular neurons that project to LC, but not to other sites, blocks reinstatement of cocaine seeking. These findings highlight the remarkable complexity of descending cortical inputs to the habenula and identify a cortico-habenulo-hindbrain circuit that regulates cocaine seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maya Williams
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Clementine Fillinger
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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Huang Y, Sun B, Debarros J, Zhang C, Zhan S, Li D, Zhang C, Wang T, Huang P, Lai Y, Brown P, Cao C, Tan H. Increased theta/alpha synchrony in the habenula-prefrontal network with negative emotional stimuli in human patients. eLife 2021; 10:e65444. [PMID: 34251338 PMCID: PMC8275130 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lateral habenula is believed to encode negative motivational stimuli and plays key roles in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. However, how habenula activities are modulated during the processing of emotional information is still poorly understood. We recorded local field potentials from bilateral habenula areas with simultaneous cortical magnetoencephalography in nine patients with psychiatric disorders during an emotional picture-viewing task. Transient activity in the theta/alpha band (5-10 Hz) within the habenula and prefrontal cortical regions, as well as the coupling between these structures, is increased during the perception and processing of negative emotional stimuli compared to positive emotional stimuli. The increase in theta/alpha band synchronization in the frontal cortex-habenula network correlated with the emotional valence but not the arousal score of the stimuli. These results provide direct evidence for increased theta/alpha synchrony within the habenula area and prefrontal cortex-habenula network in the perception of negative emotion in human participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhi Huang
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin UniversityTianjinChina
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Bomin Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Jean Debarros
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Brain Network Dynamics Unit at the University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Shikun Zhan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Dianyou Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Chencheng Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Peng Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Yijie Lai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Peter Brown
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Brain Network Dynamics Unit at the University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Chunyan Cao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Huiling Tan
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Brain Network Dynamics Unit at the University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
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Cho SE, Kim N, Na KS, Kang CK, Kang SG. Thalamo-Habenular Connection Differences Between Patients With Major Depressive Disorder and Normal Controls. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:699416. [PMID: 34539461 PMCID: PMC8440934 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.699416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The thalamus and habenula are thought to be key brain regions in the etiology of major depressive disorder (MDD); however, few studies have investigated the structural connection between them. We compared the number of white matter tracts between the thalamus and habenula between patient with MDD and normal controls (NCs). Methods: The habenula and thalamus region of interest masks were extracted from brain magnetic resonance imaging data and individual tractography analysis was performed. First, we compared the number of fiber connections from the habenula to the thalamus between the MDD (n = 34) and NC (n = 37) groups and also compared hemispherical differences to investigate possible asymmetries. Results: There was a significant difference in the number of tracts in the right habenula-left mediodorsal thalamus pair between the two groups. For hemispherical fiber connections, the waytotal ratio of the right ipsilateral tract between the thalamus and habenula was significantly higher than that of the left ipsilateral tract in both groups. Conclusion: The number of right habenula-left mediodorsal thalamus tracts was higher in patients with MDD than in NCs. These results indicate that MDD is related to the disintegration of the left thalamus-right habenula tract function with an increased number of tracts as a compensational mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seo-Eun Cho
- Department of Psychiatry, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Nambeom Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Research Center, Gachon University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Kyoung-Sae Na
- Department of Psychiatry, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Chang-Ki Kang
- Department of Radiological Science, College of Health Science, Gachon University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Seung-Gul Kang
- Department of Psychiatry, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
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10
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Mao CP, Chen FR, Huo JH, Zhang L, Zhang GR, Zhang B, Zhou XQ. Altered resting-state functional connectivity and effective connectivity of the habenula in irritable bowel syndrome: A cross-sectional and machine learning study. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 41:3655-3666. [PMID: 32488929 PMCID: PMC7416021 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder involving dysfunctional brain–gut interactions characterized by chronic recurrent abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, and negative emotion. Previous studies have linked the habenula to the pathophysiology of negative emotion and pain. However, no studies to date have investigated habenular function in IBS patients. In this study, we investigated the resting‐state functional connectivity (rsFC) and effective connectivity of the habenula in 34 subjects with IBS and 34 healthy controls and assessed the feasibility of differentiating IBS patients from healthy controls using a machine learning method. Our results showed significantly enhanced rsFC of the habenula‐left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and habenula‐periaqueductal grey (PAG, dorsomedial part), as well as decreased rsFC of the habenula‐right thalamus (dorsolateral part), in the IBS patients compared with the healthy controls. Habenula‐thalamus rsFC was positively correlated with pain intensity (r = .467, p = .005). Dynamic causal modeling (DCM) revealed significantly decreased effective connectivity from the right habenula to the right thalamus in the IBS patients compared to the healthy controls that was negatively correlated with disease duration (r = −.407, p = .017). In addition, IBS was classified with an accuracy of 71.5% based on the rsFC of the habenula‐dlPFC, habenula‐thalamus, and habenula‐PAG in a support vector machine (SVM), which was further validated in an independent cohort of subjects (N = 44, accuracy = 65.2%, p = .026). Taken together, these findings establish altered habenular rsFC and effective connectivity in IBS, which extends our mechanistic understanding of the habenula's role in IBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui P Mao
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fen R Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jiao H Huo
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Gui R Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Bing Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiao Q Zhou
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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11
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Luan SX, Zhang L, Wang R, Zhao H, Liu C. A resting-state study of volumetric and functional connectivity of the habenular nucleus in treatment-resistant depression patients. Brain Behav 2019; 9:e01229. [PMID: 30806014 PMCID: PMC6456806 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the volumetric and functional connectivity of the habenular nucleus in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) patients using the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) approach. METHODS A total of 15 TRD patients, who visited the Mental Health Institute of the First Hospital Affiliated with Jilin University between August 2014 and March 2015, along with 15 normal subjects, were enrolled into this study for structural and functional imaging. Functional connectivity analysis was performed using bilateral habenular nuclei as the region of interest in contrast to whole-brain voxels. RESULTS No significant difference of absolute volume was found in bilateral habenular nuclei between TRD patients and healthy controls, or after controlling for individual total intracranial volume. However, functional connectivity analysis showed increased connectivity between the right habenular nucleus with the medial superior frontal gyrus, anterior cingulate cortex and medial orbitofrontal gyrus, and decreased connectivity with the corpus callosum in the TRD group. For the left habenular nucleus seed, the brain region with increased functional connectivity in the inferior temporal gyrus and decreased functional connectivity in the insular was found in the TRD patients. CONCLUSION Abnormal functional connectivity was present between the habenular nucleus and the default mode network in TRD patients. Dysfunction in habenular nucleus-related circuitry for processing negative emotion might form the pathological basis for TRD. Significant asymmetric functional connectivity was also found between bilateral habenular nuclei in TRD patients. Such asymmetry suggests potentially divergent strategy for intervention on bilateral habenular nucleus regions in the future management of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Xin Luan
- Department of Mental Health, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Mental Health, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hua Zhao
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Mental Health, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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12
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Browne CA, Hammack R, Lucki I. Dysregulation of the Lateral Habenula in Major Depressive Disorder. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2018; 10:46. [PMID: 30581384 PMCID: PMC6292991 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2018.00046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical and preclinical evidence implicates hyperexcitability of the lateral habenula (LHb) in the development of psychiatric disorders including major depressive disorder (MDD). This discrete epithalamic nucleus acts as a relay hub linking forebrain limbic structures with midbrain aminergic centers. Central to reward processing, learning and goal directed behavior, the LHb has emerged as a critical regulator of the behaviors that are impaired in depression. Stress-induced activation of the LHb produces depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors, anhedonia and aversion in preclinical studies. Moreover, deep brain stimulation of the LHb in humans has been shown to alleviate chronic unremitting depression in treatment resistant depression. The diverse neurochemical processes arising in the LHb that underscore the emergence and treatment of MDD are considered in this review, including recent optogenetic studies that probe the anatomical connections of the LHb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline A Browne
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Robert Hammack
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Irwin Lucki
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Seo JS, Zhong P, Liu A, Yan Z, Greengard P. Elevation of p11 in lateral habenula mediates depression-like behavior. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:1113-1119. [PMID: 28507317 PMCID: PMC5690885 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Revised: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The lateral habenula (LHb) is a key brain region involved in the pathophysiology of depression. It is activated by stimuli associated with negative experiences and is involved in encoding aversive signals. Hyperactivity of LHb is found in both rodent models of depression and human patients with depression. However, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms. Here we show that in LHb neurons, p11, a multifunctional protein implicated in depression, is significantly upregulated by chronic restraint stress. Knockdown of p11 expression in LHb alleviates the stress-induced depression-like behaviors. Moreover, chronic restraint stress induces bursting action potentials in LHb neurons, which are abolished by p11 knockdown. Overexpression of p11 in dopamine D2 receptor-containing LHb neurons of control mice induces depression-like behaviors. These results have identified p11 in LHb as a key molecular determinant regulating negative emotions, which may help to understand the molecular and cellular basis of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- J-S Seo
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY USA
| | - P Zhong
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - A Liu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Z Yan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - P Greengard
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY USA
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14
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Peng K, Steele SC, Becerra L, Borsook D. Brodmann area 10: Collating, integrating and high level processing of nociception and pain. Prog Neurobiol 2017; 161:1-22. [PMID: 29199137 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Multiple frontal cortical brain regions have emerged as being important in pain processing, whether it be integrative, sensory, cognitive, or emotional. One such region, Brodmann Area 10 (BA 10), is the largest frontal brain region that has been shown to be involved in a wide variety of functions including risk and decision making, odor evaluation, reward and conflict, pain, and working memory. BA 10, also known as the anterior prefrontal cortex, frontopolar prefrontal cortex or rostral prefrontal cortex, is comprised of at least two cytoarchitectonic sub-regions, medial and lateral. To date, the explicit role of BA 10 in the processing of pain hasn't been fully elucidated. In this paper, we first review the anatomical pathways and functional connectivity of BA 10. Numerous functional imaging studies of experimental or clinical pain have also reported brain activations and/or deactivations in BA 10 in response to painful events. The evidence suggests that BA 10 may play a critical role in the collation, integration and high-level processing of nociception and pain, but also reveals possible functional distinctions between the subregions of BA 10 in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Peng
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States.
| | - Sarah C Steele
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States
| | - Lino Becerra
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Mclean Hospital, Belmont, MA, United States
| | - David Borsook
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Mclean Hospital, Belmont, MA, United States
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15
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Zahm DS, Root DH. Review of the cytology and connections of the lateral habenula, an avatar of adaptive behaving. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2017; 162:3-21. [PMID: 28647565 PMCID: PMC5659881 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2017.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The cytology and connections of the lateral habenula (LHb) are reviewed. The habenula is first introduced, after which the cytology of the LHb is discussed mainly with reference to cell types, general topography and descriptions of subnuclei. An overview of LHb afferent connections is given followed by some details about the projections to LHb from a number of structures. An overview of lateral habenula efferent connections is given followed by some details about the projections from LHb to a number of structures. In considering the afferent and efferent connections of the LHb some attention is given to the relative validity of regarding it as a bi-partite structure featuring 'limbic' and 'pallidal' parts. The paper ends with some concluding remarks about the relative place of the LHb in adaptive behaving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S Zahm
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1402 S. Grand Blvd., Saint Louis, MO 63104, United States.
| | - David H Root
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, United States.
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16
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Curtis K, Viswanath H, Velasquez KM, Molfese DL, Harding MJ, Aramayo E, Baldwin PR, Ambrosi E, Madan A, Patriquin M, Frueh BC, Fowler JC, Kosten TR, Nielsen DA, Salas R. Increased habenular connectivity in opioid users is associated with an α5 subunit nicotinic receptor genetic variant. Am J Addict 2017; 26:751-759. [PMID: 28857330 DOI: 10.1111/ajad.12607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic disorder with relapse based on both desire for reinforcement (craving) and avoidance of withdrawal. The aversive aspect of dependence and relapse has been associated with a small brain structure called the habenula, which expresses large numbers of both opioid and nicotinic receptors. Additionally, opioid withdrawal symptoms can be induced in opioid-treated rodents by blocking not only opioid, but also nicotinic receptors. This receptor co-localization and cross-induction of withdrawal therefore might lead to genetic variation in the nicotinic receptor influencing development of human opioid dependence through its impact on the aversive components of opioid dependence. METHODS We studied habenular resting state functional connectivity with related brain structures, specifically the striatum. We compared abstinent psychiatric patients who use opioids (N = 51) to psychiatric patients who do not (N = 254) to identify an endophenotype of opioid use that focused on withdrawal avoidance and aversion rather than the more commonly examined craving aspects of relapse. RESULTS We found that habenula-striatal connectivity was stronger in opioid-using patients. Increased habenula-striatum connectivity was observed in opioid-using patients with the low risk rs16969968 GG genotype, but not in patients carrying the high risk AG or AA genotypes. CONCLUSIONS We propose that increased habenula-striatum functional connectivity may be modulated by the nicotinic receptor variant rs16969968 and may lead to increased opioid use. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE Our data uncovered a promising brain target for development of novel anti-addiction therapies and may help the development of personalized therapies against opioid abuse. (Am J Addict 2017;26:751-759).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaylah Curtis
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Humsini Viswanath
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Kenia M Velasquez
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas
| | - David L Molfese
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Mark J Harding
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Eduardo Aramayo
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Philip R Baldwin
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Elisa Ambrosi
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,The Menninger Clinic, Houston, Texas
| | - Alok Madan
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,The Menninger Clinic, Houston, Texas
| | | | | | - J Christopher Fowler
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,The Menninger Clinic, Houston, Texas
| | - Thomas R Kosten
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - David A Nielsen
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ramiro Salas
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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17
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Sheth C, Furlong TM, Keefe KA, Taha SA. The lateral hypothalamus to lateral habenula projection, but not the ventral pallidum to lateral habenula projection, regulates voluntary ethanol consumption. Behav Brain Res 2017; 328:195-208. [PMID: 28432009 PMCID: PMC5500222 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The lateral habenula (LHb) is an epithalamic brain region implicated in aversive processing via negative modulation of midbrain dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) systems. Given the role of the LHb in inhibiting DA and 5-HT systems, it is thought to be involved in various psychiatric pathologies, including drug addiction. In support, it has been shown that LHb plays a critical role in cocaine- and ethanol-related behaviors, most likely by mediating drug-induced aversive conditioning. In our previous work, we showed that LHb lesions increased voluntary ethanol consumption and operant ethanol self-administration and blocked yohimbine-induced reinstatement of ethanol self-administration. LHb lesions also attenuated ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion suggesting that a mechanism for the increased intake of ethanol may be reduced aversion learning. However, whether afferents to the LHb are required for mediating effects of the LHb on these behaviors remained to be investigated. Our present results show that lesioning the fiber bundle carrying afferent inputs to the LHb, the stria medullaris (SM), increases voluntary ethanol consumption, suggesting that afferent structures projecting to the LHb are important for mediating ethanol-directed behaviors. We then chose two afferent structures as the focus of our investigation. We specifically studied the role of the inputs from the lateral hypothalamus (LH) and ventral pallidum (VP) to the LHb in ethanol-directed behaviors. Our results show that the LH-LHb projection is necessary for regulating voluntary ethanol consumption. These results are an important first step towards understanding the functional role of afferents to LHb with regard to ethanol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandni Sheth
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, 30 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5820, USA.
| | - Teri M Furlong
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, 30 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5820, USA
| | - Kristen A Keefe
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, 30 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5820, USA
| | - Sharif A Taha
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, 30 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5820, USA
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18
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Sheth C, Furlong TM, Keefe KA, Taha SA. Lesion of the rostromedial tegmental nucleus increases voluntary ethanol consumption and accelerates extinction of ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:3737-3749. [PMID: 27549757 PMCID: PMC5063894 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4406-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Ethanol has rewarding and aversive properties, and the balance of these properties influences voluntary ethanol consumption. Preclinical and clinical evidence show that the aversive properties of ethanol limit intake. The neural circuits underlying ethanol-induced aversion learning are not fully understood. We have previously shown that the lateral habenula (LHb), a region critical for aversive conditioning, plays an important role in ethanol-directed behaviors. However, the neurocircuitry through which LHb exerts its actions is unknown. OBJECTIVE In the present study, we investigate a role for the rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg), a major LHb projection target, in regulating ethanol-directed behaviors. METHODS Rats received either sham or RMTg lesions and were studied during voluntary ethanol consumption; operant ethanol self-administration, extinction, and yohimbine-induced reinstatement of ethanol-seeking; and ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion (CTA). RESULTS RMTg lesions increased voluntary ethanol consumption and accelerated extinction of ethanol-induced CTA. CONCLUSIONS The RMTg plays an important role in regulating voluntary ethanol consumption, possibly by mediating ethanol-induced aversive conditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandni Sheth
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, 30 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112-5820, USA.
| | - Teri M. Furlong
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, 30 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5820 USA
| | - Kristen A. Keefe
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, 30 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5820 USA
| | - Sharif A. Taha
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, 30 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5820 USA
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19
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Vadovičová K, Gasparotti R. Reward and adversity processing circuits, their competition and interactions with dopamine and serotonin signaling. SCIENCEOPEN RESEARCH 2014. [DOI: 10.14293/s2199-1006.1.sor-life.aekzpz.v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We propose that dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), anterior insula (AI) and adjacent caudolateral orbitofrontal cortex (clOFC), project to lateral habenula (LHb) and D2 loop of ventral striatum (VS), forming a functional adversity processing circuit, directed towards inhibitory avoidance and self-control. This circuit learns what is bad or harmful to us, evaluates and predicts risks - to stop us from selecting and going/moving for the bad or suboptimal choices that decrease our well-being and survival chances.
Proposed role of dACC is to generate a WARNING signal when things are going (or might end) bad or wrong to prevent negative consequences: pain, harm, loss or failure. The AI signals about bad, low, noxious and aversive qualities, which might make us sick or cause discomfort.
These cortical adversity processing regions activate directly and indirectly (via D2 loop of VS) the LHb, which then inhibits dopamine and serotonin release (and is reciprocally inhibited by VTA/SNc, DRN) to avoid choosing and doing things leading to harm or loss, but also to make us feel worse, even down when overstimulated. We propose that dopamine attenuates output of the adversity processing circuit, thus decreasing inhibitory avoidance and self-control, while serotonin attenuates dACC, AI, clOFC, D1 loop of VS, LHb, amygdala and pain pathway.
Thus, by reciprocal inhibition, by causing dopamine and serotonin suppression - and by being suppressed by them, the adversity processing circuit competes with reward processing circuit for control of choice behaviour and affective states. We propose stimulating effect of dopamine and calming inhibitory effect of serotonin on the active avoidance circuit involving amygdala, linked to threat processing, anger, fear, self-defense and violence. We describe causes and roles of dopamine and serotonin signaling in health and in mental dysfunctions. We add new idea on ventral ACC role in signaling that we are doing well and inducing serotonin, when we gain/reach safety, comfort, valuable resources (social or biological rewards), affection and achieve goals.
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