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Davis LL, Hamner MB. Post-traumatic stress disorder: the role of the amygdala and potential therapeutic interventions - a review. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1356563. [PMID: 38903645 PMCID: PMC11187309 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1356563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder triggered by exposure to a life-threatening or sexually violent traumatic event, and is characterized by symptoms involving intrusive re-experiencing, persistent avoidance of associated stimuli, emotional and cognitive disturbances, and hyperarousal for long periods after the trauma has occurred. These debilitating symptoms induce occupational and social impairments that contribute to a significant clinical burden for PTSD patients, and substantial socioeconomic costs, reaching approximately $20,000 dollars per individual with PTSD each year in the US. Despite increased translational research focus in the field of PTSD, the development of novel, effective pharmacotherapies for its treatment remains an important unmet clinical need. Observations In this review, we summarize the evidence implicating dysfunctional activity of the amygdala in the pathophysiology of PTSD. We identify the transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) ion channels as promising drug targets given their distribution in the amygdala, and evidence from animal studies demonstrating their role in fear response modulation. We discuss the evidence-based pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy treatment approaches for PTSD. Discussion In view of the prevalence and economic burden associated with PTSD, further investigation is warranted into novel treatment approaches based on our knowledge of the involvement of brain circuitry and the role of the amygdala in PTSD, as well as the potential added value of combined pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy to better manage PTSD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori L. Davis
- Mental Health Service, Birmingham VA Health Care System, Birmingham, AL, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alabama College of Community Health Science, Tuscaloosa, AL, United States
| | - Mark B. Hamner
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
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2
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Valenza M, Facchinetti R, Torazza C, Ciarla C, Bronzuoli MR, Balbi M, Bonanno G, Popoli M, Steardo L, Milanese M, Musazzi L, Bonifacino T, Scuderi C. Molecular signatures of astrocytes and microglia maladaptive responses to acute stress are rescued by a single administration of ketamine in a rodent model of PTSD. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:209. [PMID: 38796504 PMCID: PMC11127980 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02928-6] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Stress affects the brain and alters its neuroarchitecture and function; these changes can be severe and lead to psychiatric disorders. Recent evidence suggests that astrocytes and microglia play an essential role in the stress response by contributing to the maintenance of cerebral homeostasis. These cells respond rapidly to all stimuli that reach the brain, including stressors. Here, we used a recently validated rodent model of post-traumatic stress disorder in which rats can be categorized as resilient or vulnerable after acute inescapable footshock stress. We then investigated the functional, molecular, and morphological determinants of stress resilience and vulnerability in the prefrontal cortex, focusing on glial and neuronal cells. In addition, we examined the effects of a single subanesthetic dose of ketamine, a fast-acting antidepressant recently approved for the treatment of resistant depression and proposed for other stress-related psychiatric disorders. The present results suggest a prompt glial cell response and activation of the NF-κB pathway after acute stress, leading to an increase in specific cytokines such as IL-18 and TNF-α. This response persists in vulnerable individuals and is accompanied by a significant change in the levels of critical glial proteins such as S100B, CD11b, and CX43, brain trophic factors such as BDNF and FGF2, and proteins related to dendritic arborization and synaptic architecture such as MAP2 and PSD95. Administration of ketamine 24 h after the acute stress event rescued many of the changes observed in vulnerable rats, possibly contributing to support brain homeostasis. Overall, our results suggest that pivotal events, including reactive astrogliosis, changes in brain trophic factors, and neuronal damage are critical determinants of vulnerability to acute traumatic stress and confirm the therapeutic effect of acute ketamine against the development of stress-related psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Valenza
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", SAPIENZA University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Facchinetti
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", SAPIENZA University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carola Torazza
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Claudia Ciarla
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", SAPIENZA University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rosanna Bronzuoli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", SAPIENZA University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Matilde Balbi
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giambattista Bonanno
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maurizio Popoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Luca Steardo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", SAPIENZA University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Milanese
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Laura Musazzi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Tiziana Bonifacino
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Caterina Scuderi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", SAPIENZA University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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3
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Glavonic E, Dragic M, Mitic M, Aleksic M, Lukic I, Ivkovic S, Adzic M. Ketamine's Amelioration of Fear Extinction in Adolescent Male Mice Is Associated with the Activation of the Hippocampal Akt-mTOR-GluA1 Pathway. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:669. [PMID: 38931336 PMCID: PMC11206546 DOI: 10.3390/ph17060669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Fear-related disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety disorders are pervasive psychiatric conditions marked by persistent fear, stemming from its dysregulated acquisition and extinction. The primary treatment for these disorders, exposure therapy (ET), relies heavily on fear extinction (FE) principles. Adolescence, a vulnerable period for developing psychiatric disorders, is characterized by neurobiological changes in the fear circuitry, leading to impaired FE and increased susceptibility to relapse following ET. Ketamine, known for relieving anxiety and reducing PTSD symptoms, influences fear-related learning processes and synaptic plasticity across the fear circuitry. Our study aimed to investigate the effects of ketamine (10 mg/kg) on FE in adolescent male C57 BL/6 mice at the behavioral and molecular levels. We analyzed the protein and gene expression of synaptic plasticity markers in the hippocampus (HPC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) and sought to identify neural correlates associated with ketamine's effects on adolescent extinction learning. Ketamine ameliorated FE in the adolescent males, likely affecting the consolidation and/or recall of extinction memory. Ketamine also increased the Akt and mTOR activity and the GluA1 and GluN2A levels in the HPC and upregulated BDNF exon IV mRNA expression in the HPC and PFC of the fear-extinguished mice. Furthermore, ketamine increased the c-Fos expression in specific brain regions, including the ventral HPC (vHPC) and the left infralimbic ventromedial PFC (IL vmPFC). Providing a comprehensive exploration of ketamine's mechanisms in adolescent FE, our study suggests that ketamine's effects on FE in adolescent males are associated with the activation of hippocampal Akt-mTOR-GluA1 signaling, with the vHPC and the left IL vmPFC as the proposed neural correlates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilija Glavonic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, “VINČA” Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11351 Belgrade, Serbia; (E.G.); (M.D.); (M.M.); (M.A.); (I.L.); (S.I.)
| | - Milorad Dragic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, “VINČA” Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11351 Belgrade, Serbia; (E.G.); (M.D.); (M.M.); (M.A.); (I.L.); (S.I.)
- Laboratory for Neurobiology, Department of General Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 11158 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milos Mitic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, “VINČA” Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11351 Belgrade, Serbia; (E.G.); (M.D.); (M.M.); (M.A.); (I.L.); (S.I.)
| | - Minja Aleksic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, “VINČA” Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11351 Belgrade, Serbia; (E.G.); (M.D.); (M.M.); (M.A.); (I.L.); (S.I.)
| | - Iva Lukic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, “VINČA” Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11351 Belgrade, Serbia; (E.G.); (M.D.); (M.M.); (M.A.); (I.L.); (S.I.)
| | - Sanja Ivkovic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, “VINČA” Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11351 Belgrade, Serbia; (E.G.); (M.D.); (M.M.); (M.A.); (I.L.); (S.I.)
| | - Miroslav Adzic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, “VINČA” Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11351 Belgrade, Serbia; (E.G.); (M.D.); (M.M.); (M.A.); (I.L.); (S.I.)
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Boese M, Berman RY, Qiu J, Spencer HF, Radford KD, Choi KH. Effects of Mild Closed-Head Injury and Subanesthetic Ketamine Infusion on Microglia, Axonal Injury, and Synaptic Density in Sprague-Dawley Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4287. [PMID: 38673871 PMCID: PMC11050690 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) affects millions of people in the U.S. Approximately 20-30% of those individuals develop adverse symptoms lasting at least 3 months. In a rat mTBI study, the closed-head impact model of engineered rotational acceleration (CHIMERA) produced significant axonal injury in the optic tract (OT), indicating white-matter damage. Because retinal ganglion cells project to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) in the thalamus through the OT, we hypothesized that synaptic density may be reduced in the LGN of rats following CHIMERA injury. A modified SEQUIN (synaptic evaluation and quantification by imaging nanostructure) method, combined with immunofluorescent double-labeling of pre-synaptic (synapsin) and post-synaptic (PSD-95) markers, was used to quantify synaptic density in the LGN. Microglial activation at the CHIMERA injury site was determined using Iba-1 immunohistochemistry. Additionally, the effects of ketamine, a potential neuroprotective drug, were evaluated in CHIMERA-induced mTBI. A single-session repetitive (ssr-) CHIMERA (3 impacts, 1.5 joule/impact) produced mild effects on microglial activation at the injury site, which was significantly enhanced by post-injury intravenous ketamine (10 mg/kg) infusion. However, ssr-CHIMERA did not alter synaptic density in the LGN, although ketamine produced a trend of reduction in synaptic density at post-injury day 4. Further research is necessary to characterize the effects of ssr-CHIMERA and subanesthetic doses of intravenous ketamine on different brain regions and multiple time points post-injury. The current study demonstrates the utility of the ssr-CHIMERA as a rodent model of mTBI, which researchers can use to identify biological mechanisms of mTBI and to develop improved treatment strategies for individuals suffering from head trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Boese
- Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (M.B.); (K.D.R.)
| | - Rina Y. Berman
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA;
| | - Jennifer Qiu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA;
| | - Haley F. Spencer
- Program in Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA;
| | - Kennett D. Radford
- Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (M.B.); (K.D.R.)
| | - Kwang H. Choi
- Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (M.B.); (K.D.R.)
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA;
- Program in Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry, F. E. Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
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5
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Zaretsky TG, Jagodnik KM, Barsic R, Antonio JH, Bonanno PA, MacLeod C, Pierce C, Carney H, Morrison MT, Saylor C, Danias G, Lepow L, Yehuda R. The Psychedelic Future of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:636-735. [PMID: 38284341 PMCID: PMC10845102 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x22666231027111147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can occur following exposure to a traumatic experience. An estimated 12 million U.S. adults are presently affected by this disorder. Current treatments include psychological therapies (e.g., exposure-based interventions) and pharmacological treatments (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)). However, a significant proportion of patients receiving standard-of-care therapies for PTSD remain symptomatic, and new approaches for this and other trauma-related mental health conditions are greatly needed. Psychedelic compounds that alter cognition, perception, and mood are currently being examined for their efficacy in treating PTSD despite their current status as Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)- scheduled substances. Initial clinical trials have demonstrated the potential value of psychedelicassisted therapy to treat PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the state of the science of PTSD clinical care, including current treatments and their shortcomings. We review clinical studies of psychedelic interventions to treat PTSD, trauma-related disorders, and common comorbidities. The classic psychedelics psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and DMT-containing ayahuasca, as well as the entactogen 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and the dissociative anesthetic ketamine, are reviewed. For each drug, we present the history of use, psychological and somatic effects, pharmacology, and safety profile. The rationale and proposed mechanisms for use in treating PTSD and traumarelated disorders are discussed. This review concludes with an in-depth consideration of future directions for the psychiatric applications of psychedelics to maximize therapeutic benefit and minimize risk in individuals and communities impacted by trauma-related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Glatman Zaretsky
- James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kathleen M. Jagodnik
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert Barsic
- James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Josimar Hernandez Antonio
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Philip A. Bonanno
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carolyn MacLeod
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charlotte Pierce
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hunter Carney
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Morgan T. Morrison
- James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charles Saylor
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - George Danias
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lauren Lepow
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rachel Yehuda
- James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Cohen T, Shomron N. Can RNA Affect Memory Modulation? Implications for PTSD Understanding and Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12908. [PMID: 37629089 PMCID: PMC10454422 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Memories are a central aspect of our lives, but the mechanisms underlying their formation, consolidation, retrieval, and extinction remain poorly understood. In this review, we explore the molecular mechanisms of memory modulation and investigate the effects of RNA on these processes. Specifically, we examine the effects of time and location on gene expression alterations. We then discuss the potential for harnessing these alterations to modulate memories, particularly fear memories, to alleviate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. The current state of research suggests that transcriptional changes play a major role in memory modulation and targeting them through microRNAs may hold promise as a novel approach for treating memory-related disorders such as PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tehila Cohen
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Noam Shomron
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Edmond J Safra Center for Bioinformatics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Tel Aviv University Innovation Labs (TILabs), Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
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7
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Fremont R, Brown O, Feder A, Murrough J. Ketamine for Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: State of the Field. FOCUS (AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC PUBLISHING) 2023; 21:257-265. [PMID: 37404968 PMCID: PMC10316217 DOI: 10.1176/appi.focus.20230006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic and debilitating condition. Although several psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatments are recommended for PTSD, many individuals do not respond to treatment or respond only partially, highlighting a critical need for additional treatments. Ketamine has the potential to address this therapeutic need. This review discusses how ketamine emerged as a rapid-acting antidepressant and has become a potential treatment for PTSD. A single dose of intravenous (IV) ketamine has been shown to facilitate rapid reduction of PTSD symptoms. Repeated IV ketamine administration significantly improved PTSD symptoms, compared with midazolam, in a predominantly civilian sample of individuals with PTSD. However, in a veteran and military population, repeated IV ketamine did not significantly reduce PTSD symptoms. Further study of ketamine as a treatment for PTSD is necessary, including which populations benefit most from this therapy and the potential benefits of combining psychotherapy and ketamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Fremont
- Depression and Anxiety Center for Discovery and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry (all authors), and Nash Family Department of Neuroscience (Murrough), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
| | - Oneysha Brown
- Depression and Anxiety Center for Discovery and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry (all authors), and Nash Family Department of Neuroscience (Murrough), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
| | - Adriana Feder
- Depression and Anxiety Center for Discovery and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry (all authors), and Nash Family Department of Neuroscience (Murrough), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
| | - James Murrough
- Depression and Anxiety Center for Discovery and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry (all authors), and Nash Family Department of Neuroscience (Murrough), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
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Mingardi J, Ndoj E, Bonifacino T, Misztak P, Bertoli M, La Via L, Torazza C, Russo I, Milanese M, Bonanno G, Popoli M, Barbon A, Musazzi L. Functional and Molecular Changes in the Prefrontal Cortex of the Chronic Mild Stress Rat Model of Depression and Modulation by Acute Ketamine. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10814. [PMID: 37445990 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress is a primary risk factor in the onset of neuropsychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD). We have previously used the chronic mild stress (CMS) model of depression in male rats to show that CMS induces morphological, functional, and molecular changes in the hippocampus of vulnerable animals, the majority of which were recovered using acute subanesthetic ketamine in just 24 h. Here, we focused our attention on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a brain area regulating emotional and cognitive functions, and asked whether vulnerability/resilience to CMS and ketamine antidepressant effects were associated with molecular and functional changes in the mPFC of rats. We found that most alterations induced by CMS in the mPFC were selectively observed in stress-vulnerable animals and were rescued by acute subanesthetic ketamine, while others were found only in resilient animals or were induced by ketamine treatment. Importantly, only a few of these modifications were also previously demonstrated in the hippocampus, while most are specific to mPFC. Overall, our results suggest that acute antidepressant ketamine rescues brain-area-specific glutamatergic changes induced by chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Mingardi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Elona Ndoj
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy
| | - Tiziana Bonifacino
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Pisa, Italy
| | - Paulina Misztak
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Matteo Bertoli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy
| | - Luca La Via
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy
| | - Carola Torazza
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy
| | - Isabella Russo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy
- Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro S. Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Milanese
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Giambattista Bonanno
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy
| | - Maurizio Popoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Barbon
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy
| | - Laura Musazzi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
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Zhornitsky S, Oliva HNP, Jayne LA, Allsop ASA, Kaye AP, Potenza MN, Angarita GA. Changes in synaptic markers after administration of ketamine or psychedelics: a systematic scoping review. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1197890. [PMID: 37435405 PMCID: PMC10331617 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1197890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ketamine and psychedelics have abuse liability. They can also induce "transformative experiences" where individuals experience enhanced states of awareness. This enhanced awareness can lead to changes in preexisting behavioral patterns which could be beneficial in the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs). Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that ketamine and psychedelics may alter markers associated with synaptic density, and that these changes may underlie effects such as sensitization, conditioned place preference, drug self-administration, and verbal memory performance. In this scoping review, we examined studies that measured synaptic markers in animals and humans after exposure to ketamine and/or psychedelics. Methods A systematic search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, through PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus, and Web of Science, based on a published protocol (Open Science Framework, DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/43FQ9). Both in vivo and in vitro studies were included. Studies on the following synaptic markers were included: dendritic structural changes, PSD-95, synapsin-1, synaptophysin-1, synaptotagmin-1, and SV2A. Results Eighty-four studies were included in the final analyses. Seventy-one studies examined synaptic markers following ketamine treatment, nine examined psychedelics, and four examined both. Psychedelics included psilocybin/psilocin, lysergic acid diethylamide, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine, and ibogaine/noribogaine. Mixed findings regarding synaptic changes in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) have been reported when ketamine was administered in a single dose under basal conditions. Similar mixed findings were seen under basal conditions in studies that used repeated administration of ketamine. However, studies that examined animals during stressful conditions found that a single dose of ketamine counteracted stress-related reductions in synaptic markers in the hippocampus and PFC. Repeated administration of ketamine also counteracted stress effects in the hippocampus. Psychedelics generally increased synaptic markers, but results were more consistently positive for certain agents. Conclusion Ketamine and psychedelics can increase synaptic markers under certain conditions. Heterogeneous findings may relate to methodological differences, agents administered (or different formulations of the same agent), sex, and type of markers. Future studies could address seemingly mixed results by using meta-analytical approaches or study designs that more fully consider individual differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Zhornitsky
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Henrique N. P. Oliva
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Laura A. Jayne
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Aza S. A. Allsop
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Alfred P. Kaye
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, United States
- Clinical Neurosciences Division, VA National Center for PTSD, West Haven, CT, United States
| | - Marc N. Potenza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, United States
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Hartford, CT, United States
- Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Gustavo A. Angarita
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, United States
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10
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Forti L, Ndoj E, Mingardi J, Secchi E, Bonifacino T, Schiavon E, Carini G, La Via L, Russo I, Milanese M, Gennarelli M, Bonanno G, Popoli M, Barbon A, Musazzi L. Dopamine-Dependent Ketamine Modulation of Glutamatergic Synaptic Plasticity in the Prelimbic Cortex of Adult Rats Exposed to Acute Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108718. [PMID: 37240064 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic stress is the main environmental risk factor for the development of psychiatric disorders. We have previously shown that acute footshock (FS) stress in male rats induces rapid and long-lasting functional and structural changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which are partly reversed by acute subanesthetic ketamine. Here, we asked if acute FS may also induce any changes in glutamatergic synaptic plasticity in the PFC 24 h after stress exposure and whether ketamine administration 6 h after stress may have any effect. We found that the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in PFC slices of both control and FS animals is dependent on dopamine and that dopamine-dependent LTP is reduced by ketamine. We also found selective changes in ionotropic glutamate receptor subunit expression, phosphorylation, and localization at synaptic membranes induced by both acute stress and ketamine. Although more studies are needed to understand the effects of acute stress and ketamine on PFC glutamatergic plasticity, this first report suggests a restoring effect of acute ketamine, supporting the potential benefit of ketamine in limiting the impact of acute traumatic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lia Forti
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience Research, University of Insubria, 21052 Busto Arsizio, Italy
| | - Elona Ndoj
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Jessica Mingardi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Emanuele Secchi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience Research, University of Insubria, 21052 Busto Arsizio, Italy
| | - Tiziana Bonifacino
- Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuele Schiavon
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience Research, University of Insubria, 21052 Busto Arsizio, Italy
| | - Giulia Carini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Luca La Via
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Isabella Russo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro S. Giovanni di Dio, Fatebenefratelli, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Milanese
- Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Massimo Gennarelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro S. Giovanni di Dio, Fatebenefratelli, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | - Giambattista Bonanno
- Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy
| | - Maurizio Popoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Barbon
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Laura Musazzi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
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11
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Rodd ZA, Swartzwelder HS, Waeiss RA, Soloviov SO, Lahiri DK, Engleman EA, Truitt WA, Bell RL, Hauser SR. Negative and positive allosteric modulators of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor regulates the ability of adolescent binge alcohol exposure to enhance adult alcohol consumption. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 16:954319. [PMID: 37082421 PMCID: PMC10113115 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.954319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale and Objectives: Ethanol acts directly on the α7 Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7). Adolescent-binge alcohol exposure (ABAE) produces deleterious consequences during adulthood, and data indicate that the α7 receptor regulates these damaging events. Administration of an α7 Negative Allosteric Modulator (NAM) or the cholinesterase inhibitor galantamine can prophylactically prevent adult consequences of ABAE. The goals of the experiments were to determine the effects of co-administration of ethanol and a α7 agonist in the mesolimbic dopamine system and to determine if administration of an α7 NAM or positive allosteric modulator (PAM) modulates the enhancement of adult alcohol drinking produced by ABAE. Methods: In adult rats, ethanol and the α7 agonist AR-R17779 (AR) were microinjected into the posterior ventral tegmental area (VTA), and dopamine levels were measured in the nucleus accumbens shell (AcbSh). In adolescence, rats were treated with the α7 NAM SB-277011-A (SB) or PNU-120596 (PAM) 2 h before administration of EtOH (ABAE). Ethanol consumption (acquisition, maintenance, and relapse) during adulthood was characterized. Results: Ethanol and AR co-administered into the posterior VTA stimulated dopamine release in the AcbSh in a synergistic manner. The increase in alcohol consumption during the acquisition and relapse drinking during adulthood following ABAE was prevented by administration of SB, or enhanced by administration of PNU, prior to EtOH exposure during adolescence. Discussion: Ethanol acts on the α7 receptor, and the α7 receptor regulates the critical effects of ethanol in the brain. The data replicate the findings that cholinergic agents (α7 NAMs) can act prophylactically to reduce the alterations in adult alcohol consumption following ABAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A. Rodd
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - H. Scott Swartzwelder
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - R. Aaron Waeiss
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Serhii O. Soloviov
- Department of Pharmacy, Shupyk National Healthcare University of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
- Department of Industrial Biotechnology and Biopharmacy, National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Debomoy K. Lahiri
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Molecular Neurogenetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Indiana Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Eric A. Engleman
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - William A. Truitt
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Richard L. Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Sheketha R. Hauser
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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12
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Martini P, Mingardi J, Carini G, Mattevi S, Ndoj E, La Via L, Magri C, Gennarelli M, Russo I, Popoli M, Musazzi L, Barbon A. Transcriptional Profiling of Rat Prefrontal Cortex after Acute Inescapable Footshock Stress. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14030740. [PMID: 36981011 PMCID: PMC10048409 DOI: 10.3390/genes14030740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress is a primary risk factor for psychiatric disorders such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The response to stress involves the regulation of transcriptional programs, which is supposed to play a role in coping with stress. To evaluate transcriptional processes implemented after exposure to unavoidable traumatic stress, we applied microarray expression analysis to the PFC of rats exposed to acute footshock (FS) stress that were sacrificed immediately after the 40 min session or 2 h or 24 h after. While no substantial changes were observed at the single gene level immediately after the stress session, gene set enrichment analysis showed alterations in neuronal pathways associated with glia development, glia-neuron networking, and synaptic function. Furthermore, we found alterations in the expression of gene sets regulated by specific transcription factors that could represent master regulators of the acute stress response. Of note, these pathways and transcriptional programs are activated during the early stress response (immediately after FS) and are already turned off after 2 h-while at 24 h, the transcriptional profile is largely unaffected. Overall, our analysis provided a transcriptional landscape of the early changes triggered by acute unavoidable FS stress in the PFC of rats, suggesting that the transcriptional wave is fast and mild, but probably enough to activate a cellular response to acute stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Martini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Jessica Mingardi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Giulia Carini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefania Mattevi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Elona Ndoj
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Luca La Via
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Chiara Magri
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Massimo Gennarelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Isabella Russo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Popoli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Musazzi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Alessandro Barbon
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
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13
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Singewald N, Sartori SB, Reif A, Holmes A. Alleviating anxiety and taming trauma: Novel pharmacotherapeutics for anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder. Neuropharmacology 2023; 226:109418. [PMID: 36623804 PMCID: PMC10372846 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders associated with psychological trauma, stress and anxiety are a highly prevalent and increasing cause of morbidity worldwide. Current therapeutic approaches, including medication, are effective in alleviating symptoms of anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), at least in some individuals, but have unwanted side-effects and do not resolve underlying pathophysiology. After a period of stagnation, there is renewed enthusiasm from public, academic and commercial parties in designing and developing drug treatments for these disorders. Here, we aim to provide a snapshot of the current state of this field that is written for neuropharmacologists, but also practicing clinicians and the interested lay-reader. After introducing currently available drug treatments, we summarize recent/ongoing clinical assessment of novel medicines for anxiety and PTSD, grouped according to primary neurochemical targets and their potential to produce acute and/or enduring therapeutic effects. The evaluation of putative treatments targeting monoamine (including psychedelics), GABA, glutamate, cannabinoid, cholinergic and neuropeptide systems, amongst others, are discussed. We emphasize the importance of designing and clinically assessing new medications based on a firm understanding of the underlying neurobiology stemming from the rapid advances being made in neuroscience. This includes harnessing neuroplasticity to bring about lasting beneficial changes in the brain rather than - as many current medications do - produce a transient attenuation of symptoms, as exemplified by combining psychotropic/cognitive enhancing drugs with psychotherapeutic approaches. We conclude by noting some of the other emerging trends in this promising new phase of drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Singewald
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), Leopold Franzens University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Simone B Sartori
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), Leopold Franzens University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Reif
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andrew Holmes
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
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14
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Bonifacino T, Mingardi J, Facchinetti R, Sala N, Frumento G, Ndoj E, Valenza M, Paoli C, Ieraci A, Torazza C, Balbi M, Guerinoni M, Muhammad N, Russo I, Milanese M, Scuderi C, Barbon A, Steardo L, Bonanno G, Popoli M, Musazzi L. Changes at glutamate tripartite synapses in the prefrontal cortex of a new animal model of resilience/vulnerability to acute stress. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:62. [PMID: 36806044 PMCID: PMC9938874 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02366-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress represents a main risk factor for psychiatric disorders. Whereas it is known that even a single trauma may induce psychiatric disorders in humans, the mechanisms of vulnerability to acute stressors have been little investigated. In this study, we generated a new animal model of resilience/vulnerability to acute footshock (FS) stress in rats and analyzed early functional, molecular, and morphological determinants of stress vulnerability at tripartite glutamate synapses in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). We found that adult male rats subjected to FS can be deemed resilient (FS-R) or vulnerable (FS-V), based on their anhedonic phenotype 24 h after stress exposure, and that these two populations are phenotypically distinguishable up to two weeks afterwards. Basal presynaptic glutamate release was increased in the PFC of FS-V rats, while depolarization-evoked glutamate release and synapsin I phosphorylation at Ser9 were increased in both FS-R and FS-V. In FS-R and FS-V rats the synaptic expression of GluN2A and apical dendritic length of prelimbic PFC layers II-III pyramidal neurons were decreased, while BDNF expression was selectively reduced in FS-V. Depolarization-evoked (carrier-mediated) glutamate release from astroglia perisynaptic processes (gliosomes) was selectively increased in the PFC of FS-V rats, while GLT1 and xCt levels were higher and GS expression reduced in purified PFC gliosomes from FS-R. Overall, we show for the first time that the application of the sucrose intake test to rats exposed to acute FS led to the generation of a novel animal model of resilience/vulnerability to acute stress, which we used to identify early determinants of maladaptive response related to behavioral vulnerability to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Bonifacino
- grid.5606.50000 0001 2151 3065Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Jessica Mingardi
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy ,grid.7637.50000000417571846Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Roberta Facchinetti
- grid.7841.aDepartment of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, SAPIENZA University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Nathalie Sala
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology and Functional Neurogenomics, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Giulia Frumento
- grid.5606.50000 0001 2151 3065Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elona Ndoj
- grid.7637.50000000417571846Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marta Valenza
- grid.7841.aDepartment of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, SAPIENZA University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Paoli
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy ,grid.5602.10000 0000 9745 6549Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ieraci
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology and Functional Neurogenomics, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy ,grid.449889.00000 0004 5945 6678Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, Novedrate, Como, Italy
| | - Carola Torazza
- grid.5606.50000 0001 2151 3065Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Matilde Balbi
- grid.5606.50000 0001 2151 3065Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michele Guerinoni
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology and Functional Neurogenomics, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Nadeem Muhammad
- grid.5606.50000 0001 2151 3065Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Isabella Russo
- grid.7637.50000000417571846Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy ,Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro S. Giovanni di Dio, Fatebenefratelli, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Milanese
- grid.5606.50000 0001 2151 3065Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy ,grid.410345.70000 0004 1756 7871IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Caterina Scuderi
- grid.7841.aDepartment of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, SAPIENZA University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Barbon
- grid.7637.50000000417571846Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luca Steardo
- grid.7841.aDepartment of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, SAPIENZA University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giambattista Bonanno
- grid.5606.50000 0001 2151 3065Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy ,grid.410345.70000 0004 1756 7871IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maurizio Popoli
- Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology and Functional Neurogenomics, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
| | - Laura Musazzi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
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15
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Pałucha-Poniewiera A, Bobula B, Rafało-Ulińska A. The Antidepressant-like Activity and Cognitive Enhancing Effects of the Combined Administration of (R)-Ketamine and LY341495 in the CUMS Model of Depression in Mice Are Related to the Modulation of Excitatory Synaptic Transmission and LTP in the PFC. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16020288. [PMID: 37083635 PMCID: PMC9960441 DOI: 10.3390/ph16020288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
(S)-Ketamine is the first rapid-acting antidepressant drug (RAAD) introduced for the treatment of depression. However, research is still being carried out on the search for further RAADs that will be not only effective but also safe to use. Recent data have indicated that the combined administration of (R)-ketamine and the mGlu2/3 receptor antagonist LY341495 (mixRL) induces rapid and sustained effects in the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model of depression in mice, and the use of this drug combination is associated with a low risk of undesirable effects. Considering the possible influence of stress on cortical plasticity and, on the other hand, the role of this plasticity in the mechanism of action of ketamine, we decided to investigate whether mixed RL affects synaptic plasticity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in the CUMS model of depression using electrophysiological techniques and explore whether these effects are related to memory impairments. Using behavioral methods, we found that a single administration of mixRL reversed CUMS-induced PFC-dependent memory deficits and alleviated depression-like effects induced by CUMS. In turn, electrophysiological experiments indicated that the amplitude of field potentials as well as paired-pulse responses in CUMS mice were increased, and mixRL was found to reverse these effects. Additionally, the magnitude of long-term potentiation (LTP) was reduced in CUMS mice, and mixRL was shown to restore this parameter. In summary, mixRL appeared to exert its antidepressant effects and cognitive enhancing effects in a mouse model of depression, at least in part, by mechanisms involving modulation of glutamatergic transmission and LTP in the PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Pałucha-Poniewiera
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna Street 12, 31-343 Krakow, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Bartosz Bobula
- Department of Physiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna Street 12, 31-343 Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Rafało-Ulińska
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna Street 12, 31-343 Krakow, Poland
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16
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Involvement of miR-135a-5p Downregulation in Acute and Chronic Stress Response in the Prefrontal Cortex of Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021552. [PMID: 36675068 PMCID: PMC9865685 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress is a key risk factor in the onset of neuropsychiatric disorders. The study of the mechanisms underlying stress response is important to understand the etiopathogenetic mechanisms and identify new putative therapeutic targets. In this context, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as key regulators of the complex patterns of gene/protein expression changes in the brain, where they have a crucial role in the regulation of neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, and neuronal differentiation. Among them, miR-135a-5p has been associated with stress response, synaptic plasticity, and the antidepressant effect in different brain areas. Here, we used acute unavoidable foot-shock stress (FS) and chronic mild stress (CMS) on male rats to study whether miR-135a-5p was involved in stress-induced changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Both acute and chronic stress decreased miR-135a-5p levels in the PFC, although after CMS the reduction was induced only in animals vulnerable to CMS, according to a sucrose preference test. MiR-135a-5p downregulation in the primary neurons reduced dendritic spine density, while its overexpression exerted the opposite effect. Two bioinformatically predicted target genes, Kif5c and Cplx1/2, were increased in FS rats 24 h after stress. Altogether, we found that miR-135a-5p might play a role in stress response in PFC involving synaptic mechanisms.
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Impact of stress on inhibitory neuronal circuits, our tribute to Bruce McEwen. Neurobiol Stress 2022; 19:100460. [PMID: 35734023 PMCID: PMC9207718 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2022.100460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
This manuscript is dedicated to the memory of Bruce S. McEwen, to commemorate the impact he had on how we understand stress and neuronal plasticity, and the profound influence he exerted on our scientific careers. The focus of this review is the impact of stressors on inhibitory circuits, particularly those of the limbic system, but we also consider other regions affected by these adverse experiences. We revise the effects of acute and chronic stress during different stages of development and lifespan, taking into account the influence of the sex of the animals. We review first the influence of stress on the physiology of inhibitory neurons and on the expression of molecules related directly to GABAergic neurotransmission, and then focus on specific interneuron subpopulations, particularly on parvalbumin and somatostatin expressing cells. Then we analyze the effects of stress on molecules and structures related to the plasticity of inhibitory neurons: the polysialylated form of the neural cell adhesion molecule and perineuronal nets. Finally, we review the potential of antidepressants or environmental manipulations to revert the effects of stress on inhibitory circuits.
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