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Glangetas C, Guillaumin A, Ladevèze E, Braine A, Gauthier M, Bonamy L, Doudnikoff E, Dhellemmes T, Landry M, Bézard E, Caille S, Taupignon A, Baufreton J, Georges F. A population of Insula neurons encodes for social preference only after acute social isolation in mice. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7142. [PMID: 39164260 PMCID: PMC11336167 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51389-4] [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: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The Insula functions as a multisensory relay involved in socio-emotional processing with projections to sensory, cognitive, emotional, and motivational regions. Notably, the interhemispheric projection from the Insula to the contralateral Insula is a robust yet underexplored connection. Using viral-based tracing neuroanatomy, ex vivo and in vivo electrophysiology, in vivo fiber photometry along with targeted circuit manipulation, we elucidated the nature and role of InsulaIns communication in social and anxiety processing in mice. In this study, we 1) characterized the anatomical and molecular profile of the InsulaIns neurons, 2) demonstrated that stimulation of this neuronal subpopulation induces excitation in the Insula interhemispheric circuit, 3) revealed that InsulaIns neurons are essential for social discrimination after 24 h of isolation in male mice. In conclusion, our findings highlight InsulaIns neurons as a distinct class of neurons within the insula and offer new insights into the neuronal mechanisms underlying social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Manon Gauthier
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, Bordeaux, France
- Univ. Poitiers, Inserm, LNEC, Poitiers, France
| | - Léa Bonamy
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, Bordeaux, France
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Shiratori R, Yokoi T, Kinoshita K, Xue W, Sasaki T, Kuga N. The Posterior Insular Cortex is Necessary for Feeding-Induced Jejunal Myoelectrical Activity in Male Rats. Neuroscience 2024; 553:40-47. [PMID: 38936460 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract exhibits coordinated muscle motility in response to food digestion, which is regulated by the central nervous system through autonomic control. The insular cortex is one of the brain regions that may regulate the muscle motility. In this study, we examined whether, and how, the insular cortex, especially the posterior part, regulates gastrointestinal motility by recording jejunal myoelectrical signals in response to feeding in freely moving male rats. Feeding was found to induce increases in jejunal myoelectrical signal amplitudes. This increase in the jejunal myoelectrical signals was abolished by vagotomy and pharmacological inhibition of the posterior insular cortex. Additionally, feeding induced a decrease and increase in sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous activities, respectively, both of which were eliminated by posterior insular cortical inhibition. These results suggest that the posterior insular cortex regulates jejunal motility in response to feeding by modulating autonomic tone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reina Shiratori
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki-Aoba, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Taiki Yokoi
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki-Aoba, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Kosuke Kinoshita
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki-Aoba, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Wenfeng Xue
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki-Aoba, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Takuya Sasaki
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki-Aoba, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan; Department of Neuropharmacology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, 4-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan.
| | - Nahoko Kuga
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki-Aoba, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan.
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Bihorac J, Salem Y, Lückemann L, Schedlowski M, Doenlen R, Engler H, Mark MD, Dombrowski K, Spoida K, Hadamitzky M. Investigations on the Ability of the Insular Cortex to Process Peripheral Immunosuppression. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2024; 19:40. [PMID: 39078442 PMCID: PMC11289148 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-024-10143-9] [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: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
The brain and immune system communicate through complex bidirectional pathways, but the specificity by which the brain perceives or even remembers alterations in immune homeostasis is still poorly understood. Recent data revealed that immune-related information under peripheral inflammatory conditions, termed as "immunengram", were represented in specific neuronal ensembles in the insular cortex (IC). Chemogenetic reactivation of these neuronal ensembles was sufficient to retrieve the inflammatory stages, indicating that the brain can store and retrieve specific immune responses. Against this background, the current approach was designed to investigate the ability of the IC to process states of immunosuppression pharmacologically induced by the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor rapamycin. We here show that the IC perceives the initial state of immunosuppression, reflected by increased deep-brain electroencephalography (EEG) activity during acute immunosuppressive drug treatment. Following an experienced period of immunosuppression, though, diminished splenic cytokine production as formerly induced by rapamycin could not be reinstated by nonspecific chemogenetic activation or inhibition of the IC. These findings suggest that the information of a past, or experienced status of pharmacologically induced immunosuppression is not represented in the IC. Together, the present work extends the view of immune-to-brain communication during the states of peripheral immunosuppression and foster the prominent role of the IC for interoception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Bihorac
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Center for Translational Neuro- Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, 45147, Germany
| | - Yasmin Salem
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Center for Translational Neuro- Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, 45147, Germany
| | - Laura Lückemann
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Center for Translational Neuro- Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, 45147, Germany
| | - Manfred Schedlowski
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Center for Translational Neuro- Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, 45147, Germany
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Raphael Doenlen
- Center of Phenogenomics, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Harald Engler
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Center for Translational Neuro- Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, 45147, Germany
| | - Melanie D Mark
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Faculty for Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Kirsten Dombrowski
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Center for Translational Neuro- Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, 45147, Germany
| | - Katharina Spoida
- Department of General Zoology and Neurobiology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Martin Hadamitzky
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Center for Translational Neuro- Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, 45147, Germany.
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Zhao Z, Covelo A, Couderc Y, Mitra A, Varilh M, Wu Y, Jacky D, Fayad R, Cannich A, Bellocchio L, Marsicano G, Beyeler A. Cannabinoids regulate an insula circuit controlling water intake. Curr Biol 2024; 34:1918-1929.e5. [PMID: 38636514 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.03.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
The insular cortex, or insula, is a large brain region involved in the detection of thirst and the regulation of water intake. However, our understanding of the topographical, circuit, and molecular mechanisms for controlling water intake within the insula remains parcellated. We found that type-1 cannabinoid (CB1) receptors in the insular cortex cells participate in the regulation of water intake and deconstructed the circuit mechanisms of this control. Topographically, we revealed that the activity of excitatory neurons in both the anterior insula (aIC) and posterior insula (pIC) increases in response to water intake, yet only the specific removal of CB1 receptors in the pIC decreases water intake. Interestingly, we found that CB1 receptors are highly expressed in insula projections to the basolateral amygdala (BLA), while undetectable in the neighboring central part of the amygdala. Thus, we recorded the neurons of the aIC or pIC targeting the BLA (aIC-BLA and pIC-BLA) and found that they decreased their activity upon water drinking. Additionally, chemogenetic activation of pIC-BLA projection neurons decreased water intake. Finally, we uncovered CB1-dependent short-term synaptic plasticity (depolarization-induced suppression of excitation [DSE]) selectively in pIC-BLA, compared with aIC-BLA synapses. Altogether, our results support a model where CB1 receptor signaling promotes water intake by inhibiting the pIC-BLA pathway, thereby contributing to the fine top-down control of thirst responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Zhao
- INSERM 1215, Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33000 Bordeaux, France; Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, 1 Max Planck Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Ana Covelo
- INSERM 1215, Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Yoni Couderc
- INSERM 1215, Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Arojit Mitra
- INSERM 1215, Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Marjorie Varilh
- INSERM 1215, Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Yifan Wu
- INSERM 1215, Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Débora Jacky
- INSERM 1215, Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Rim Fayad
- INSERM 1215, Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Astrid Cannich
- INSERM 1215, Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Luigi Bellocchio
- INSERM 1215, Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Giovanni Marsicano
- INSERM 1215, Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33000 Bordeaux, France.
| | - Anna Beyeler
- INSERM 1215, Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33000 Bordeaux, France.
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Botterill JJ, Khlaifia A, Appings R, Wilkin J, Violi F, Premachandran H, Cruz-Sanchez A, Canella AE, Patel A, Zaidi SD, Arruda-Carvalho M. Dorsal peduncular cortex activity modulates affective behavior and fear extinction in mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:993-1006. [PMID: 38233571 PMCID: PMC11039686 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01795-5] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is critical to cognitive and emotional function and underlies many neuropsychiatric disorders, including mood, fear and anxiety disorders. In rodents, disruption of mPFC activity affects anxiety- and depression-like behavior, with specialized contributions from its subdivisions. The rodent mPFC is divided into the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), spanning the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and dorsal prelimbic cortex (PL), and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), which includes the ventral PL, infralimbic cortex (IL), and in some studies the dorsal peduncular cortex (DP) and dorsal tenia tecta (DTT). The DP/DTT have recently been implicated in the regulation of stress-induced sympathetic responses via projections to the hypothalamus. While many studies implicate the PL and IL in anxiety-, depression-like and fear behavior, the contribution of the DP/DTT to affective and emotional behavior remains unknown. Here, we used chemogenetics and optogenetics to bidirectionally modulate DP/DTT activity and examine its effects on affective behaviors, fear and stress responses in C57BL/6J mice. Acute chemogenetic activation of DP/DTT significantly increased anxiety-like behavior in the open field and elevated plus maze tests, as well as passive coping in the tail suspension test. DP/DTT activation also led to an increase in serum corticosterone levels and facilitated auditory fear extinction learning and retrieval. Activation of DP/DTT projections to the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) acutely decreased freezing at baseline and during extinction learning, but did not alter affective behavior. These findings point to the DP/DTT as a new regulator of affective behavior and fear extinction in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin J Botterill
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Abdessattar Khlaifia
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
| | - Ryan Appings
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
| | - Jennifer Wilkin
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
| | - Francesca Violi
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
| | - Hanista Premachandran
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
| | - Arely Cruz-Sanchez
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S3G5, Canada
| | - Anna Elisabete Canella
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
| | - Ashutosh Patel
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
| | - S Danyal Zaidi
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada
| | - Maithe Arruda-Carvalho
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C1A4, Canada.
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S3G5, Canada.
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Lopes LM, Reis-Silva LL, Rodrigues B, Crestani CC. Pharmacological Manipulation of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptors in the Anterior and Posterior Subregions of the Insular Cortex Differently Affects Anxiety-Like Behaviors in the Elevated Plus Maze in Rats. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 2024:8322844. [PMID: 38327803 PMCID: PMC10849808 DOI: 10.1155/2024/8322844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Neuroimaging data in humans and neurobiological studies in rodents have suggested an involvement of the insular cortex (IC) in anxiety manifestations. However, the local neurochemical mechanisms involved are still poorly understood. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neurotransmission has been described as a prominent neurochemical mechanism involved in the expression of anxiety-like behaviors, but the brain sites related are poorly understood. Additionally, several findings indicate that control of physiological and behavioral responses by the IC occurs in a site-specific manner along its rostrocaudal axis. Thus, this study is aimed at evaluating the effect of CRF receptor agonism and antagonism within the anterior and posterior subregions of the IC in controlling anxiety-related behaviors in the elevated plus maze (EPM). For this, independent groups (six groups) of animals received bilateral microinjections of vehicle, the selective CRF1 receptor antagonist CP376395, or CRF into either the anterior or posterior subregions of the IC. Ten minutes later, the behavior in the EPM was evaluated for five minutes. Treatment of the anterior IC with CP376395, but not with CRF, increased the time and number of entries into the open arms of the EPM. CRF, but not the CRF1 receptor antagonist, microinjected into the posterior IC also increased exploration of the EPM open arms. Taken together, these data indicate that CRFergic neurotransmission in the anterior IC is involved in the expression of anxiety-related behaviors in the EPM. This neurochemical mechanism does not seem to be activated within the posterior IC during exposure to the EPM, but the effects caused by CRF microinjection indicate that activation of CRF receptors in this IC subregion might evoke anxiolytic-like effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas M. Lopes
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lilian L. Reis-Silva
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruno Rodrigues
- Department of Adapted Physical Activity, Faculty of Physical Education, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos C. Crestani
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
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Martins Pereira RC, Medeiros P, Coimbra NC, Machado HR, de Freitas RL. Cortical Neurostimulation and N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Glutamatergic Receptor Activation in the Dysgranular Layer of the Posterior Insular Cortex Modulate Chronic Neuropathic Pain. Neuromodulation 2023; 26:1622-1636. [PMID: 36057495 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2022.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The dysgranula parts of the posterior insular cortex (PIC) stimulation (PICS) has been investigated as a new putative cortical target for nonpharmacologic therapies in patients with chronic and neuropathic pain (NP). This work investigates the neural bases of insula neurostimulation-induced antinociception and glutamatergic neurochemical mechanisms recruited by the PICS in animals with neuropathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Male Wistar rats were submitted to the von Frey and acetone tests to assess mechanical and cold allodynia after 21 days of chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve or Sham procedure ("false operated"). Either the Cascade Blue 3000 MW lysine-fixable dextran (CBD) or the biotinylated dextran amine 3000 MW (BDA) neural tract tracer was microinjected into the PIC. The electrical PICS was performed at a low frequency (20 μA, 100 Hz) for 15 seconds by a deep brain stimulation device. PIC N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NMDAR) blockade with the selective antagonist LY235959 (at 2, 4, and 8 nmol/200 nL) followed by PICS was investigated in rats with CCI. RESULTS PIC sends projections to the caudal pontine reticular nucleus, alpha part of the parvicellular reticular nucleus, dorsomedial tegmental area, and secondary somatosensory cortex (S2). PICS decreased both mechanical and cold allodynia in rats with chronic NP. Blockade of NMDAR in the PIC with LY235959 at 8 nmol attenuated PICS-produced antinociception. CONCLUSION Neuroanatomic projections from the PIC to pontine reticular nuclei and S2 may contribute to chronic NP signaling. PICS attenuates the chronic NP, and the NMDA glutamatergic system in the PIC may be involved in PICS-induced antinociception in rodents with NP conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Cristina Martins Pereira
- Multi-User Center of Neuroelectrophysiology, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Neurosciences of Pain & Emotions, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Brain Protection Laboratory in Childhood, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Priscila Medeiros
- Multi-User Center of Neuroelectrophysiology, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Neurosciences of Pain & Emotions, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences. Department of Pharmacology. Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Federal University of São Carlos Pain Clinic, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Norberto Cysne Coimbra
- Multi-User Center of Neuroelectrophysiology, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences. Department of Pharmacology. Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Behavioural Neurosciences Institute, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Hélio Rubens Machado
- Brain Protection Laboratory in Childhood, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renato Leonardo de Freitas
- Multi-User Center of Neuroelectrophysiology, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Neurosciences of Pain & Emotions, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences. Department of Pharmacology. Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Behavioural Neurosciences Institute, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Esmaeilzadeh Kiabani N, Kazemi R, Hadipour AL, Khomami S, Kalloch B, Hlawitschka M. Targeting the insula with transcranial direct current stimulation; A simulation study. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2023; 335:111718. [PMID: 37738706 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2023.111718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Insula is considered an important region of the brain in the generation and maintenance of a wide range of psychiatric symptoms, possibly due to being key in fundamental functions such as interoception and cognition in general. Investigating the possibility of targeting this area using non-invasive brain stimulation techniques can open new possibilities to probe the normal and abnormal functioning of the brain and potentially new treatment protocols to alleviate symptoms of different psychiatric disorders. In the current study, COMETS2, a MATLAB based toolbox was used to simulate the magnitude of the current density and electric field in the brain caused by different transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) protocols to find an optimum montage to target the insula and its 6 subregions for three different current intensities, namely 2, 3, and 4 mA. Frontal and occipital regions were found to be optimal candidate regions.. The results of the current study showed that it is viable to reach the insula and its individual subregions using tDCS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Reza Kazemi
- Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Abed L Hadipour
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Sanaz Khomami
- Department of Psychology, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Benjamin Kalloch
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Instiute of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Germany & Technische Universität Ilmenau, Ilmenau, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mario Hlawitschka
- Faculty of Computer Science and Media, Leipzig University of Applied Science, Leipzig, Germany
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Starski PA, De Oliveira Sergio T, Hopf FW. Using lickometry to infer differential contributions of salience network regions during compulsion-like alcohol drinking. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2023; 7:100102. [PMID: 38736902 PMCID: PMC11086682 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2023.100102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder extracts substantial personal, social and clinical costs, and continued intake despite negative consequences (compulsion-like consumption) can contribute strongly. Here we discuss lickometry, a simple method where lick times are determined across a session, while analysis across many aspects of licking can offer important insights into underlying psychological and action strategies, including their brain mechanisms. We first describe studies implicating anterior insula (AIC) and dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (dMPF) in compulsion-like responding for alcohol, then review work suggesting that AIC/ventral frontal cortex versus dMPF regulate different aspects of behavior (oral control and overall response strategy, versus moment-to-moment action organization). We then detail our lickometer work comparing alcohol-only drinking (AOD) and compulsion-like drinking under moderate- or higher-challenge (ModChD or HiChD, using quinine-alcohol). Many studies have suggested utilization of one of two main strategies, with higher motivation indicated by more bouts, and greater palatability suggested by longer, faster bouts. Instead, ModChD shows decreased variability in many lick measures, which is unexpected but consistent with the suggested importance of automaticity for addiction. Also surprising is that HiChD retains several behavior changes seen with ModChD, reduced tongue variability and earlier bout start, even though intake is otherwise disrupted. Since AIC-related measures are retained under both moderate- and higher-challenge, we propose a novel hypothesis that AIC sustains overall commitment regardless of challenge level, while disordered licking during HiChD mirrors the effects of dMPF inhibition. Thus, while AIC provides overall drive despite challenge, the ability to act is ultimately determined within the dMPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip A. Starski
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Indianapolis IN, USA
| | | | - Frederic W. Hopf
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Indianapolis IN, USA
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indianapolis IN, USA
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10
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Nicolas C, Ju A, Wu Y, Eldirdiri H, Delcasso S, Couderc Y, Fornari C, Mitra A, Supiot L, Vérité A, Masson M, Rodriguez-Rozada S, Jacky D, Wiegert JS, Beyeler A. Linking emotional valence and anxiety in a mouse insula-amygdala circuit. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5073. [PMID: 37604802 PMCID: PMC10442438 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40517-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Responses of the insular cortex (IC) and amygdala to stimuli of positive and negative valence are altered in patients with anxiety disorders. However, neural coding of both anxiety and valence by IC neurons remains unknown. Using fiber photometry recordings in mice, we uncover a selective increase of activity in IC projection neurons of the anterior (aIC), but not posterior (pIC) section, when animals are exploring anxiogenic spaces, and this activity is proportional to the level of anxiety of mice. Neurons in aIC also respond to stimuli of positive and negative valence, and the strength of response to strong negative stimuli is proportional to mice levels of anxiety. Using ex vivo electrophysiology, we characterized the IC connection to the basolateral amygdala (BLA), and employed projection-specific optogenetics to reveal anxiogenic properties of aIC-BLA neurons. Finally, we identified that aIC-BLA neurons are activated in anxiogenic spaces, as well as in response to aversive stimuli, and that both activities are positively correlated. Altogether, we identified a common neurobiological substrate linking negative valence with anxiety-related information and behaviors, which provides a starting point to understand how alterations of these neural populations contribute to psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Nicolas
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM 1215, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - A Ju
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM 1215, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Y Wu
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM 1215, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - H Eldirdiri
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM 1215, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - S Delcasso
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM 1215, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Y Couderc
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM 1215, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - C Fornari
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM 1215, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - A Mitra
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM 1215, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - L Supiot
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM 1215, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - A Vérité
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM 1215, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - M Masson
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM 1215, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - S Rodriguez-Rozada
- Research Group Synaptic Wiring and Information Processing, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - D Jacky
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM 1215, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - J S Wiegert
- Research Group Synaptic Wiring and Information Processing, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - A Beyeler
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM 1215, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.
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11
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Chen Q, Xu Y, Christiaen E, Wu GR, De Witte S, Vanhove C, Saunders J, Peremans K, Baeken C. Structural connectome alterations in anxious dogs: a DTI-based study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9946. [PMID: 37337053 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37121-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Anxiety and fear are dysfunctional behaviors commonly observed in domesticated dogs. Although dogs and humans share psychopathological similarities, little is known about how dysfunctional fear behaviors are represented in brain networks in dogs diagnosed with anxiety disorders. A combination of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and graph theory was used to investigate the underlying structural connections of dysfunctional anxiety in anxious dogs and compared with healthy dogs with normal behavior. The degree of anxiety was assessed using the Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ), a widely used, validated questionnaire for abnormal behaviors in dogs. Anxious dogs showed significantly decreased clustering coefficient ([Formula: see text]), decreased global efficiency ([Formula: see text]), and increased small-worldness (σ) when compared with healthy dogs. The nodal parameters that differed between the anxious dogs and healthy dogs were mainly located in the posterior part of the brain, including the occipital lobe, posterior cingulate gyrus, hippocampus, mesencephalon, and cerebellum. Furthermore, the nodal degree ([Formula: see text]) of the left cerebellum was significantly negatively correlated with "excitability" in the C-BARQ of anxious dogs. These findings could contribute to the understanding of a disrupted brain structural connectome underlying the pathological mechanisms of anxiety-related disorders in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinyuan Chen
- Ghent Experimental Psychiatry (GHEP) Lab, Department of Head and Skin, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Yangfeng Xu
- Ghent Experimental Psychiatry (GHEP) Lab, Department of Head and Skin, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Emma Christiaen
- Medical Image and Signal Processing (MEDISIP), Department of Electronics and Information Systems, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Guo-Rong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, China
| | - Sara De Witte
- Ghent Experimental Psychiatry (GHEP) Lab, Department of Head and Skin, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Neurology and Bru-BRAIN, University Hospital (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
- Neuroprotection & Neuromodulation Research Group (NEUR), Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christian Vanhove
- Medical Image and Signal Processing (MEDISIP), Department of Electronics and Information Systems, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jimmy Saunders
- Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Kathelijne Peremans
- Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Chris Baeken
- Ghent Experimental Psychiatry (GHEP) Lab, Department of Head and Skin, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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12
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Yuan M, Liu B, Yang B, Dang W, Xie H, Lui S, Qiu C, Zhu H, Zhang W. Dysfunction of default mode network characterizes generalized anxiety disorder relative to social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. J Affect Disord 2023; 334:35-42. [PMID: 37127115 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.04.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The perseverative cognition of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is distinctive compared to other anxiety disorders. However, the disease-specific and shared neuropathophysiological mechanisms of GAD remain unclear. METHODS We recruited medication-free patients of GAD (N = 33), social anxiety disorder (SAD; N = 36), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD; N = 59), and healthy controls (HC; N = 50). All subjects underwent clinical assessments and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. We compared both the amplitude low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and seed-based functional connectivity across the whole brain, using the significantly different regions from the ALFF analyses as seed regions, followed by post-hoc tests. RESULTS We found that ALFF of the left angular gyrus (AG), left inferior parietal lobule (IPL), left precentral gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, and left cerebellum were higher in GAD compared with SAD, PTSD and HC. This trend was further corroborated by the higher functional connectivity between left AG and bilateral IPL, left inferior temporal gyrus, and left medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in GAD. In addition, GAD and SAD both showed abnormally higher left AG-right insula connectivity. Significant correlations were found between anxiety symptom severity and the left AG regional activity and left AG-left mPFC connectivity. LIMITATIONS We did not compare the differences in neuroimaging between GAD and other anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder. CONCLUSIONS The default mode network dysfunction may underlie the distinctive perseverative thoughts of GAD relative to other anxiety disorders, and left AG-right insula connectivity may reflect somatic anxiety of anxiety disorder spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minlan Yuan
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Biao Yang
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wen Dang
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Medical Big Data Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hua Xie
- Children's National Hospital and Center for Neuroscience, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Su Lui
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Changjian Qiu
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, No. 37 GuoXue Xiang, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Hongru Zhu
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Med-X Center for Informatics, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China; Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, No. 37 GuoXue Xiang, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Wei Zhang
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Medical Big Data Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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13
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Labrakakis C. The Role of the Insular Cortex in Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065736. [PMID: 36982807 PMCID: PMC10056254 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The transition from normal to chronic pain is believed to involve alterations in several brain areas that participate in the perception of pain. These plastic changes are then responsible for aberrant pain perception and comorbidities. The insular cortex is consistently found activated in pain studies of normal and chronic pain patients. Functional changes in the insula contribute to chronic pain; however, the complex mechanisms by which the insula is involved in pain perception under normal and pathological conditions are still not clear. In this review, an overview of the insular function is provided and findings on its role in pain from human studies are summarized. Recent progress on the role of the insula in pain from preclinical experimental models is reviewed, and the connectivity of the insula with other brain regions is examined to shed new light on the neuronal mechanisms of the insular cortex’s contribution to normal and pathological pain sensation. This review underlines the need for further studies on the mechanisms underlying the involvement of the insula in the chronicity of pain and the expression of comorbid disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charalampos Labrakakis
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece;
- Institute of Biosciences, University Research Center of Ioannina (URCI), 45110 Ioannina, Greece
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14
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Moraga-Amaro R, Muñoz P, Villalobos T, Linsambarth S, Maldonado F, Meirone V, Femopase B, Stehberg J. Real-world data of non-invasive stimulation of the human insula-prefrontal cortices using deep TMS to treat anxiety for occupational stress and generalized anxiety disorder. Psychiatry Res 2023; 320:115036. [PMID: 36586377 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.115036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Activation of the insula is found in all anxiety-related disorders and increased insular-prefrontal cortex (PFC) functional connectivity is associated with reduced anxiety. In this study, the combined stimulation of the insula and PFC using the dTMS H4 (insula+LPFC) and H2 (PFC) coils were used to reduce anxiety in 13 subjects experiencing occupational stress, and 55 participants suffering from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The combined HF stimulation of the insula and PFC significantly decreased anxiety scores according to the HARS, CAS, and STAI anxiety scales, leading to a reduction in anxiety according to HARS of 88.7% and 70.7% in participants with occupational stress and the clinical sample of participants diagnosed with GAD, respectively. The findings suggest that the prefrontal-insular axis is critical for the regulation of anxiety and its stimulation can be used for the treatment of anxiety in people suffering from occupational stress and GAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Moraga-Amaro
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina. Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paula Muñoz
- Clínica Nova Vita. Del Inca 4446 of. 708. Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Tomás Villalobos
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina. Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Francisco Maldonado
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina. Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Valeria Meirone
- Clínica Nova Vita. Del Inca 4446 of. 708. Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Bruno Femopase
- Clínica Nova Vita. Del Inca 4446 of. 708. Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jimmy Stehberg
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina. Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.
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15
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Shi T, Feng S, Zhou Z, Li F, Fu Y, Zhou W. Stress-altering anterior insular cortex activity affects risk decision-making behavior in mice of different sexes. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1094808. [PMID: 36761354 PMCID: PMC9902351 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1094808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress can affect people's judgment and make them take risky decisions. Abnormal decision-making behavior is a core symptom of psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. However, the neuronal mechanisms underlying such impairments are largely unknown. The anterior insular cortex (AIC) is a crucial structure to integrate sensory information with emotional and motivational states. These properties suggest that AIC can influence a subjective prediction in decision-making. In this study, we demonstrated that stressed mice prefer to take more risky choices than control mice using a gambling test. Manipulating the neural activity of AIC or selectively inhibiting the AIC-BLA pathway with chemogenetic intervention resulted in alterations in risk decision-making in mice. Different sexes may have different decision-making strategies in risky situations. Endogenous estrogen levels affect emotional cognition by modulating the stress system function in women. We observed decision-making behavior in mice of different sexes with or without stress experience. The result showed that female mice did not change their choice strategy with increasing risk/reward probability and performed a lower risk preference than male mice after stress. Using the pharmacological method, we bilaterally injected an estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist that resulted in more risky behavior and decreased synaptic plasticity in the AIC of female mice. Our study suggested that the AIC is a crucial region involved in stress-induced alteration of decision-making, and estrogen in the AIC may regulate decision-making behavior by regulating synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyao Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Tianyao Shi,
| | - Shufang Feng
- Department of Medical Psychology, The Third Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhonglin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Fengan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China,Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuan Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China,Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenxia Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China,Wenxia Zhou,
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16
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Vitorio AS, Reis-Silva LL, Barretto-de-Souza L, Gomes-de-Souza L, Crestani CC. Evaluation of the posterior insular cortex involvement in anxiogenic response to emotional stress in male rats: Functional topography along the rostrocaudal axis. Physiol Behav 2023; 258:114006. [PMID: 36341833 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.114006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The insular cortex (IC) is engaged in behavioral and physiological responses to emotional stress. Control of physiological functions and behavioral responses has been reported to occur in a site-specific manner along the rostrocaudal axis of the IC. However, a functional topography of the IC regulation of anxiogenic responses caused by stress has never been evaluated. Therefore, we investigated the role of rostrocaudal subregions in the posterior IC in anxiogenic-like effect caused by exposure to acute restraint stress in male rats. For this, rats received bilateral microinjection of the non-selective synaptic inhibitor CoCl2 or vehicle into either the rostral, intermediate or caudal portions of the posterior IC before exposure to acute restraint stress. Then, behavior in the elevated plus maze (EPM) was evaluated immediately after restraint stress. The behavior of non-stressed animals in the EPM was also investigated. We observed that acute restraint stress decreased the exploration of the EPM open arms in animals treated with vehicle in all regions of the posterior IC, thus indicating an anxiogenic-like effect. The avoidance of the EPM open arms was completely inhibited in animals subjected to microinjection of CoCl2 into the intermediate posterior IC. Nevertheless, the same pharmacological treatment into either the rostral or caudal subregions of the posterior IC did not affect the restraint-evoked behavioral changes in the EPM. Taken together, these results suggest that regulation of anxiogenic-like effect to emotional stress along the rostrocaudal axis of the posterior IC might occur in a site-specific manner, indicating a role of the intermediate subregion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex S Vitorio
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lilian L Reis-Silva
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Barretto-de-Souza
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Gomes-de-Souza
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos C Crestani
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil.
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17
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The altered sensitivity of acute stress induced anxiety-related behaviors by modulating insular cortex-paraventricular thalamus-bed nucleus of the stria terminalis neural circuit. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 174:105890. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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18
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Park S, Cho J, Huh Y. Role of the anterior insular cortex in restraint-stress induced fear behaviors. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6504. [PMID: 35444205 PMCID: PMC9021273 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10345-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are thought to occur by dysfunction in the fear and anxiety-related brain circuit, however, the exact mechanisms remain unknown. Recent human studies have shown that the right anterior insular cortex (aIC) activity is positively correlated with the severity of PTSD symptoms. Understanding the role of the aIC in fear and anxiety may provide insights into the etiology of anxiety disorders. We used a modified shock-probe defensive burying behavioral test, which utilizes the natural propensity of rodents to bury potentially dangerous objects, to test the role of aIC in fear. Mice exposed to restraint stress exhibited burying of the restrainer-resembling object, indicative of defensive behavior. Electrolytic ablation of the aIC significantly diminished this defensive burying behavior, suggesting the involvement of the aIC. Single-unit recording of pyramidal neurons in the aIC showed that a proportion of neurons which increased activity in the presence of a restrainer-resembling object was significantly correlated with the defensive burying behavior. This correlation was only present in mice exposed to restraint stress. These results suggest that altered neuronal representation in the aIC may regulate fear and anxiety after exposure to a traumatic event. Overall, our result demonstrates that the aIC mediates fear and anxiety and that it could be a potential target for treating anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanggeon Park
- Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Scranton College, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea.,Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung-si, 25601, Korea.,Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeiwon Cho
- Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Scranton College, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea. .,Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yeowool Huh
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung-si, 25601, Korea. .,Translational Brain Research Center, International St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University, Incheon, 22711, South Korea.
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19
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Wang X, Ma L, Luo Y, Yang Y, Upreti B, Cheng Y, Cui R, Liu S, Xu J. Increasing of Blood Brain Barrier Permeability and the Association With Depression and Anxiety in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:852835. [PMID: 35425773 PMCID: PMC9001971 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.852835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To study changes in blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and explore the association between the alterations in BBB permeability and depression/anxiety in SLE. Methods Brain dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) images were collected from 42 SLE patients and 23 healthy controls (HCs). Based on the Patlak pharmacokinetic model, the Ktrans value of each voxel in the whole brain of each subject was calculated. BBB permeability indicator (the Ktrans value) between SLE patients and healthy control group was compared. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were used to assess the mental health of SLE patients. The difference in BBB permeability was compared on SLE patients with depression/anxiety, SLE patients without depression/anxiety and HCs by ANOVA analysis. Results The Ktrans value of the right insular region of the SLE group was significantly higher than that of the healthy control group. And the Ktrans value of the right insular region in SLE patients with depression/anxiety was significantly increased compared with SLE patients without depression/anxiety and HCs. Conclusions SLE patients have increased BBB permeability, mainly in the right insular area. The increased BBB permeability in the right insular region is associated with the depression/anxiety in SLE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Lihua Ma
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yuli Luo
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yifan Yang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Bibhuti Upreti
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yuqi Cheng
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Ruomei Cui
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Shuang Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jian Xu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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20
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Anatomical Evidence for the Neural Connection from the Emotional Brain to Autonomic Innervation in the Anterior Chamber Structures of the Eye. Curr Med Sci 2022; 42:417-425. [PMID: 35366148 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-022-2571-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous studies have shown that the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which can be affected by emotions, is important in the occurrence or progression of glaucoma. The autonomic innervation distributed in the anterior chamber (AC) structures might play an efferent role in the neural regulation of intraocular pressure (IOP). This study aimed to investigate the anatomic neural connection from the emotional brain to autonomic innervation in the AC. METHODS A retrograde trans-multisynaptic pseudorabies virus encoded with an enhanced green fluorescent protein (PRV531) and non-trans-synaptic tracer FAST Dil were injected into the right eye of mice, respectively. Fluorescent localization in the emotional brain and preganglionic nuclei was studied. Five and a half days after PRV531 injection into the right AC, fluorescent signals were observed in several emotional brain regions, including the amygdala, agranular insular cortex, lateral septal nuclei, periaqueductal gray, and hypothalamus. Autonomic preganglionic nuclei, including Edinger-Westphal nucleus, superior salivatory nucleus, and intermediolateral nucleus, were labeled using PRV531. RESULTS The sensory trigeminal nuclei were not labeled using PRV531. The fluorescence signals in the nuclei mentioned above showed bilateral distribution, primarily on the ipsilateral side. Seven days after injecting FAST Dil into the AC, we observed no FAST Dil-labeled neurons in the central nervous system. CONCLUSION Our results indicate a neural connection from the emotional brain to autonomic innervation in the AC, which provides anatomical support for the emotional influence of IOP via the ANS.
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Konkov VG, Kudrin VS, Narkevich VB, Efimova AO, Nikiforova TD, Kolik LG. Neurochemical Changes in the Insular Cortex and Anterior Cingulate Cortex in Intact Males and Females of the First Generation of Rats Exposed to Chronic Ethanol Consumption. NEUROCHEM J+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1819712422010081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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22
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Pribut HJ, Sciarillo XA, Roesch MR. Insula lesions reduce stimulus-driven control of behavior during odor-guided decision-making and autoshaping. Brain Res 2022; 1785:147885. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2022.147885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Better living through understanding the insula: Why subregions can make all the difference. Neuropharmacology 2021; 198:108765. [PMID: 34461066 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Insula function is considered critical for many motivated behaviors, with proposed functions ranging from attention, behavioral control, emotional regulation, goal-directed and aversion-resistant responding. Further, the insula is implicated in many neuropsychiatric conditions including substance abuse. More recently, multiple insula subregions have been distinguished based on anatomy, connectivity, and functional contributions. Generally, posterior insula is thought to encode more somatosensory inputs, which integrate with limbic/emotional information in middle insula, that in turn integrate with cognitive processes in anterior insula. Together, these regions provide rapid interoceptive information about the current or predicted situation, facilitating autonomic recruitment and quick, flexible action. Here, we seek to create a robust foundation from which to understand potential subregion differences, and provide direction for future studies. We address subregion differences across humans and rodents, so that the latter's mechanistic interventions can best mesh with clinical relevance of human conditions. We first consider the insula's suggested roles in humans, then compare subregional studies, and finally describe rodent work. One primary goal is to encourage precision in describing insula subregions, since imprecision (e.g. including both posterior and anterior studies when describing insula work) does a disservice to a larger understanding of insula contributions. Additionally, we note that specific task details can greatly impact recruitment of various subregions, requiring care and nuance in design and interpretation of studies. Nonetheless, the central ethological importance of the insula makes continued research to uncover mechanistic, mood, and behavioral contributions of paramount importance and interest. This article is part of the special Issue on 'Neurocircuitry Modulating Drug and Alcohol Abuse'.
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De Oliveira Sergio T, Lei K, Kwok C, Ghotra S, Wegner SA, Walsh M, Waal J, Darevsky D, Hopf FW. The role of anterior insula-brainstem projections and alpha-1 noradrenergic receptors for compulsion-like and alcohol-only drinking. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:1918-1926. [PMID: 34168279 PMCID: PMC8429444 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01071-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Compulsion-like alcohol drinking (CLAD), where consumption continues despite negative consequences, is a major obstacle to treating alcohol use disorder. The locus coeruleus area in the brainstem and norepinephrine receptor (NER) signaling in forebrain cortical regions have been implicated in adaptive responding under stress, which is conceptually similar to compulsion-like responding (adaptive responding despite the presence of stress or conflict). Thus, we examined whether anterior insula (aINS)-to-brainstem connections and alpha-1 NERs regulated compulsion-like intake and alcohol-only drinking (AOD). Halorhodopsin inhibition of aINS-brainstem significantly reduced CLAD, with no effect on alcohol-only or saccharin intake, suggesting a specific aINS-brainstem role in aversion-resistant drinking. In contrast, prazosin inhibition of alpha-1 NERs systemically reduced both CLAD and AOD. Similar to systemic inhibition, intra-aINS alpha-1-NER antagonism reduced both CLAD and AOD. Global aINS inhibition with GABAR agonists also strongly reduced both CLAD and AOD, without impacting saccharin intake or locomotion, while aINS inhibition of calcium-permeable AMPARs (with NASPM) reduced CLAD without impacting AOD. Finally, prazosin inhibition of CLAD and AOD was not correlated with each other, systemically or within aINS, suggesting the possibility that different aINS pathways regulate CLAD versus AOD, which will require further study to definitively address. Together, our results provide important new information showing that some aINS pathways (aINS-brainstem and NASPM-sensitive) specifically regulate compulsion-like alcohol consumption, while aINS more generally may contain parallel pathways promoting CLAD versus AOD. These findings also support the importance of the adaptive stress response system for multiple forms of alcohol drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thatiane De Oliveira Sergio
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kelly Lei
- Department of Neurology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Claudina Kwok
- Department of Neurology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shahbaj Ghotra
- Department of Neurology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Scott A Wegner
- Department of Neurology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Margaret Walsh
- Department of Neurology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jaclyn Waal
- Department of Neurology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - David Darevsky
- Department of Neurology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Frederic W Hopf
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- Department of Neurology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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McCool BA. Ethanol modulation of cortico-basolateral amygdala circuits: Neurophysiology and behavior. Neuropharmacology 2021; 197:108750. [PMID: 34371080 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
This review highlights literature relating the anatomy, physiology, and behavioral contributions by projections between rodent prefrontal cortical areas and the basolateral amygdala. These projections are robustly modulated by both environmental experience and exposure to drugs of abuse including ethanol. Recent literature relating optogenetic and chemogenetic dissection of these circuits within behavior both compliments and occasionally challenges roles defined by more traditional pharmacological or lesion-based approaches. In particular, cortico-amygdala circuits help control both aversive and reward-seeking. Exposure to pathology-producing environments or abused drugs dysregulates the relative 'balance' of these outcomes. Modern circuit-based approaches have also shown that overlapping populations of neurons within a given brain region frequently govern both aversion and reward-seeking. In addition, these circuits often dramatically influence 'local' cortical or basolateral amygdala excitatory or inhibitory circuits. Our understanding of these neurobiological processes, particularly in relation to ethanol research, has just begun and represents a significant opportunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian A McCool
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
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26
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Tung R, Reiter MA, Linke A, Kohli JS, Kinnear MK, Müller RA, Carper RA. Functional connectivity within an anxiety network and associations with anxiety symptom severity in middle-aged adults with and without autism. Autism Res 2021; 14:2100-2112. [PMID: 34264028 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety is highly prevalent in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, few functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of ASDs have focused on anxiety (and fewer still on anxiety in middle-aged adults). Thus, relationships between atypical connectivity and anxiety in this population are poorly understood. The current study contrasted functional connectivity within anxiety network regions across adults (40-64 years) with and without autism, and tested for group by functional connectivity interactions on anxiety. Twenty-two adults with ASDs (16 males) and 26 typical control (TC) adults (22 males) completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory and a resting-state fMRI scan. An anxiety network consisting of 12 regions of interest was defined, based on a meta-analysis in TC individuals and two studies on anxiety in ASDs. We tested for main effects of group and group by anxiety interactions on connectivity within this anxiety network, controlling for head motion using ANCOVA. Results are reported at an FDR adjusted threshold of q < 0.1 (corrected) and p < 0.05 (uncorrected). Adults with ASDs showed higher anxiety and underconnectivity within the anxiety network, mostly involving bilateral insula. Connectivity within the anxiety network in the ASD group showed distinct relationships with anxiety symptoms that did not relate to ASD symptom severity. Functional connectivity involving the bilateral posterior insula was positively correlated with anxiety in the ASD (but not the TC) group. Increased anxiety in middle-aged adults with ASD is associated with atypical functional connectivity, predominantly involving bilateral insula. Results were not related to ASD symptom severity suggesting independence of anxiety-related effects. LAY SUMMARY: Anxiety is very common in adults with autism but the brain basis of this difference is not well understood. We compared functional connectivity between anxiety-related brain regions in middle-aged adults with and without autism. Adults with autism were more anxious and showed weaker functional connections between these regions. Some relationships between functional connectivity and higher anxiety were specific to the autism group. Results suggest that anxiety functions differently in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Tung
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA.,Center for Autism and Development Disorders, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Maya A Reiter
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA.,Center for Autism and Development Disorders, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA.,San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Annika Linke
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA.,Center for Autism and Development Disorders, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Jiwandeep S Kohli
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA.,Center for Autism and Development Disorders, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA.,San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Mikaela K Kinnear
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA.,Center for Autism and Development Disorders, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Ralph-Axel Müller
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA.,Center for Autism and Development Disorders, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA.,San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Ruth A Carper
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA.,Center for Autism and Development Disorders, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA.,San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego, California, USA
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Petrie GN, Nastase AS, Aukema RJ, Hill MN. Endocannabinoids, cannabinoids and the regulation of anxiety. Neuropharmacology 2021; 195:108626. [PMID: 34116110 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis has been used for hundreds of years, with its ability to dampen feelings of anxiety often reported as a primary reason for use. Only recently has the specific role cannabinoids play in anxiety been thoroughly investigated. Here we discuss the body of evidence describing how endocannabinoids and exogenous cannabinoids are capable of regulating the generation and termination of anxiety states. Disruption of the endogenous cannabinoid (eCB) system following genetic manipulation, pharmacological intervention or stress exposure reliably leads to the generation of an anxiety state. On the other hand, upregulation of eCB signaling is capable of alleviating anxiety-like behaviors in multiple paradigms. When considering exogenous cannabinoid administration, cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) agonists have a biphasic, dose-dependent effect on anxiety such that low doses are anxiolytic while high doses are anxiogenic, a phenomenon that is evident in both rodent models and humans. Translational studies investigating a loss of function mutation in the gene for fatty acid amide hydrolase, the enzyme responsible for metabolizing AEA, have also shown that AEA signaling regulates anxiety in humans. Taken together, evidence reviewed here has outlined a convincing argument for cannabinoids being powerful regulators of both the manifestation and amelioration of anxiety symptoms, and highlights the therapeutic potential of targeting the eCB system for the development of novel classes of anxiolytics. This article is part of the special issue on 'Cannabinoids'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin N Petrie
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Education and Research, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy & Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Andrei S Nastase
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Education and Research, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy & Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Robert J Aukema
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Education and Research, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy & Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Matthew N Hill
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Education and Research, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy & Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
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Imaging of Functional Brain Circuits during Acquisition and Memory Retrieval in an Aversive Feedback Learning Task: Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography of Regional Cerebral Blood Flow in Freely Behaving Rats. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11050659. [PMID: 34070079 PMCID: PMC8158148 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11050659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Active avoidance learning is a complex form of aversive feedback learning that in humans and other animals is essential for actively coping with unpleasant, aversive, or dangerous situations. Since the functional circuits involved in two-way avoidance (TWA) learning have not yet been entirely identified, the aim of this study was to obtain an overall picture of the brain circuits that are involved in active avoidance learning. In order to obtain a longitudinal assessment of activation patterns in the brain of freely behaving rats during different stages of learning, we applied single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). We were able to identify distinct prefrontal cortical, sensory, and limbic circuits that were specifically recruited during the acquisition and retrieval phases of the two-way avoidance learning task.
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Differential modulation of the anterior cingulate and insular cortices on anxiogenic-like responses induced by empathy for pain. Neuropharmacology 2020; 192:108413. [PMID: 33249119 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Mice cohabiting with a conspecific in chronic pain display anxiogenesis in the elevated plus-maze (EPM). Given that the anterior cingulate (ACC) and insular (InC) cortices play a role in the modulation of anxiety, pain, and emotional contagion, we investigated (a) the FosB activation in both brain areas and (b) the effects of intra-ACC or -InC injection of cobalt chloride (CoCl2, a synaptic blocker), on the anxiety of mice cohabiting with a cagemate suffering pain. Twenty-one days after birth, male Swiss mice were housed in pairs for 14 days to establish familiarity. On the 14th day, mice were divided into two groups: cagemate sciatic nerve constriction (CNC; i.e., one animal of each pair was subjected to sciatic nerve constriction), and cagemate sham (CS; i.e., a similar procedure but without suffering nerve constriction). After that, both groups were housed again with the same pairs for the other 14 days. On the 28th day, mice had their brains removed for the immunoassays analyses (Exp. 1). For experiments 2 and 3, on the 23rd day, the cagemates received guide cannula implantation bilaterally in the ACC or InC and, on the 28th day, they received local injections of saline or CoCl2, and then were exposed to the EPM. Results showed that cohabitation with a conspecific with chronic pain decreases and increases neuronal activation (FosB) within the ACC and InC, respectively. Intra-ACC or InC injection of CoCl2 reversed the anxiogenic effect in those animals that cohabited with a conspecific in chronic pain. ACC and InC seem to modulate anxiety induced by emotional contagion in animals cohabitating with a conspecific suffering pain.
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30
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Ferreira-Junior NC, Crestani CC, Lagatta DC, Resstel LBM, Correa FMA, Alves FHF. Nitric oxide in the insular cortex modulates baroreflex responses in a cGMP-independent pathway. Brain Res 2020; 1747:147037. [PMID: 32738232 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.147037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Insular cortex is a brain structure involved in the modulation of autonomic activity and cardiovascular function. The nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine-3',5'-monophosphate pathway is a prominent signaling mechanism in the central nervous system, controlling behavioral and physiological responses. Nevertheless, despite evidence regarding the presence of nitric oxide-synthesizing neurons in the insular cortex, its role in the control of autonomic and cardiovascular function has never been reported. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the involvement of nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine-3',5'-monophosphate pathway mediated by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) activation within the insular cortex in the modulation of baroreflex responses in unanesthetized rats. For this, we evaluated the effect of bilateral microinjection of either the nitric oxide scavenger carboxy-PTIO, the selective neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor Nω-Propyl-l-arginine or the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ into the insular cortex on the bradycardia evoked by blood pressure increases in response to intravenous infusion of phenylephrine, and the tachycardia caused by blood pressure decreases evoked by intravenous infusion of sodium nitroprusside. Bilateral microinjection of either NPLA or carboxy-PTIO into the insular cortex increased the reflex bradycardic response, whereas the reflex tachycardia was decreased by these treatments. Bilateral microinjection of the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor into the insular cortex did not affect any parameter of baroreflex function evaluated. Overall, our findings provide evidence that insular cortex nitrergic signaling, acting via neuronal nitric oxide synthase, plays a prominent role in control of baroreflex function. However, control of reflex responses seems to be independent of soluble guanylate cyclase activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilson C Ferreira-Junior
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos C Crestani
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Davi C Lagatta
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Leonardo B M Resstel
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernando M A Correa
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernando H F Alves
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine - Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, MG, Brazil.
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Xia F, Kheirbek MA. Circuit-Based Biomarkers for Mood and Anxiety Disorders. Trends Neurosci 2020; 43:902-915. [PMID: 32917408 PMCID: PMC7606349 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2020.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mood and anxiety disorders are complex heterogeneous syndromes that manifest in dysfunctions across multiple brain regions, cell types, and circuits. Biomarkers using brain-wide activity patterns in humans have proven useful in distinguishing between disorder subtypes and identifying effective treatments. In order to improve biomarker identification, it is crucial to understand the basic circuitry underpinning brain-wide activity patterns. Leveraging a large repertoire of techniques, animal studies have examined roles of specific cell types and circuits in driving maladaptive behavior. Recent advances in multiregion recording techniques, data-driven analysis approaches, and machine-learning-based behavioral analysis tools can further push the boundary of animal studies and bridge the gap with human studies, to assess how brain-wide activity patterns encode and drive emotional behavior. Together, these efforts will allow identifying more precise biomarkers to enhance diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances Xia
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Mazen A Kheirbek
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.; Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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32
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Ju A, Fernandez-Arroyo B, Wu Y, Jacky D, Beyeler A. Expression of serotonin 1A and 2A receptors in molecular- and projection-defined neurons of the mouse insular cortex. Mol Brain 2020; 13:99. [PMID: 32594910 PMCID: PMC7322839 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-020-00605-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The serotonin (5-HT) system is the target of multiple anxiolytics, including Buspirone, which is a partial agonist of the serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT1A). Similarly, ligands of the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2A) were shown to alter anxiety level. The 5-HT1A and 2A receptors are widely expressed across the brain, but the target region(s) underlying the influence of those receptors on anxiety remain unknown. Interestingly, recent studies in human and non-human primates have shown that the 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A binding potentials within the insular cortex (insula) are correlated to anxiety. As an initial step to define the function of 5-HT transmission in the insula, we quantified the proportion of specific neuronal populations of the insula expressing 5-HT1A or 5-HT2A. We analyzed seven neural populations, including three defined by a molecular marker (putative glutamate, GABA or parvalbumin), and four defined by their projections to different downstream targets. First, we found that more than 70% of putative glutamatergic neurons, and only 30% of GABAergic neurons express the 5-HT1A. Second, within insular projection neurons, 5-HT1A is highly expressed (75-80%) in the populations targeting one sub-nuclei of the amygdala (central or basolateral), or targeting the rostral or caudal sections of the lateral hypothalamus (LH). Similarly, 70% of putative glutamatergic neurons and only 30% of insular GABAergic neurons contain 5-HT2A. Finally, the 5-HT2A is present in a majority of insula-amygdala and insula-LH projection neurons (73-82%). These observations suggest that most glutamatergic neurons can respond to 5-HT through 5-HT1A or 5-HT2A in the insula, and that 5-HT directly affects a limited number of GABAergic neurons. This study defines a molecular and neuroanatomical map of the 5-HT system within the insular cortex, providing ground knowledge to identify the potential role of serotonergic modulation of selective insular populations in anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anes Ju
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM 1215, Université de Bordeaux, 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Beatriz Fernandez-Arroyo
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM 1215, Université de Bordeaux, 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Yifan Wu
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM 1215, Université de Bordeaux, 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Débora Jacky
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM 1215, Université de Bordeaux, 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Anna Beyeler
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM 1215, Université de Bordeaux, 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33000, Bordeaux, France.
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