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Barabás B, Reéb Z, Papp OI, Hájos N. Functionally linked amygdala and prefrontal cortical regions are innervated by both single and double projecting cholinergic neurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1426153. [PMID: 39049824 PMCID: PMC11266109 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1426153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Cholinergic cells have been proposed to innervate simultaneously those cortical areas that are mutually interconnected with each other. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the cholinergic innervation of functionally linked amygdala and prefrontal cortical regions. First, using tracing experiments, we determined that cholinergic cells located in distinct basal forebrain (BF) areas projected to the different nuclei of the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Specifically, cholinergic cells in the ventral pallidum/substantia innominata (VP/SI) innervated the basal nucleus (BA), while the horizontal limb of the diagonal band of Broca (HDB) projected to its basomedial nucleus (BMA). In addition, cholinergic neurons in these two BF areas gave rise to overlapping innervation in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), yet their axons segregated in the dorsal and ventral regions of the PFC. Using retrograde-anterograde viral tracing, we demonstrated that a portion of mPFC-projecting cholinergic neurons also innervated the BLA, especially the BA. By injecting retrograde tracers into the mPFC and BA, we found that 28% of retrogradely labeled cholinergic cells were double labeled, which typically located in the VP/SI. In addition, we found that vesicular glutamate transporter type 3 (VGLUT3)-expressing neurons within the VP/SI were also cholinergic and projected to the mPFC and BA, implicating that a part of the cholinergic afferents may release glutamate. In contrast, we uncovered that GABA is unlikely to be a co-transmitter molecule in HDB and VP/SI cholinergic neurons in adult mice. The dual innervation strategy, i.e., the existence of cholinergic cell populations with single as well as simultaneous projections to the BLA and mPFC, provides the possibility for both synchronous and independent control of the operation in these cortical areas, a structural arrangement that may maximize computational support for functionally linked regions. The presence of VGLUT3 in a portion of cholinergic afferents suggests more complex functional effects of cholinergic system in cortical structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bence Barabás
- HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- János Szentágothai School of Neurosciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- The Linda and Jack Gill Center for Molecular Bioscience, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Zsófia Reéb
- HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Biology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Orsolya I. Papp
- HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Norbert Hájos
- HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- The Linda and Jack Gill Center for Molecular Bioscience, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States
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2
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Pereira PA, Tavares M, Laires M, Mota B, Madeira MD, Paula-Barbosa MM, Cardoso A. Effects of Aging and Nerve Growth Factor on Neuropeptide Expression and Cholinergic Innervation of the Rat Basolateral Amygdala. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:155. [PMID: 38534426 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The basolateral amygdala (BLA) contains interneurons that express neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), both of which are involved in the regulation of functions and behaviors that undergo deterioration with aging. There is considerable evidence that, in some brain areas, the expression of NPY and VIP might be modulated by acetylcholine. Importantly, the BLA is one of the brain regions that has one of the densest cholinergic innervations, which arise mainly from the basal forebrain cholinergic neurons. These cholinergic neurons depend on nerve growth factor (NGF) for their survival, connectivity, and function. Thus, in this study, we sought to determine if aging alters the densities of NPY- and VIP-positive neurons and cholinergic varicosities in the BLA and, in the affirmative, if those changes might rely on insufficient trophic support provided by NGF. The number of NPY-positive neurons was significantly reduced in aged rats, whereas the number of VIP-immunoreactive neurons was unaltered. The decreased NPY expression was fully reversed by the infusion of NGF in the lateral ventricle. The density of cholinergic varicosities was similar in adult and old rats. On the other hand, the density of cholinergic varicosities is significantly higher in old rats treated with NGF than in adult and old rats. Our results indicate a dissimilar resistance of different populations of BLA interneurons to aging. Furthermore, the present data also show that the BLA cholinergic innervation is particularly resistant to aging effects. Finally, our results also show that the reduced NPY expression in the BLA of aged rats can be related to changes in the NGF neurotrophic support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro A Pereira
- Unit of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- NeuroGen Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Marta Tavares
- Unit of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Miguel Laires
- Unit of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Mota
- Unit of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Dulce Madeira
- Unit of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- NeuroGen Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Manuel M Paula-Barbosa
- Unit of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Armando Cardoso
- Unit of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- NeuroGen Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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3
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Kimchi EY, Burgos-Robles A, Matthews GA, Chakoma T, Patarino M, Weddington JC, Siciliano C, Yang W, Foutch S, Simons R, Fong MF, Jing M, Li Y, Polley DB, Tye KM. Reward contingency gates selective cholinergic suppression of amygdala neurons. eLife 2024; 12:RP89093. [PMID: 38376907 PMCID: PMC10942609 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89093] [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] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Basal forebrain cholinergic neurons modulate how organisms process and respond to environmental stimuli through impacts on arousal, attention, and memory. It is unknown, however, whether basal forebrain cholinergic neurons are directly involved in conditioned behavior, independent of secondary roles in the processing of external stimuli. Using fluorescent imaging, we found that cholinergic neurons are active during behavioral responding for a reward - even prior to reward delivery and in the absence of discrete stimuli. Photostimulation of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons, or their terminals in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), selectively promoted conditioned responding (licking), but not unconditioned behavior nor innate motor outputs. In vivo electrophysiological recordings during cholinergic photostimulation revealed reward-contingency-dependent suppression of BLA neural activity, but not prefrontal cortex. Finally, ex vivo experiments demonstrated that photostimulation of cholinergic terminals suppressed BLA projection neuron activity via monosynaptic muscarinic receptor signaling, while also facilitating firing in BLA GABAergic interneurons. Taken together, we show that the neural and behavioral effects of basal forebrain cholinergic activation are modulated by reward contingency in a target-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eyal Y Kimchi
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
| | - Anthony Burgos-Robles
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
- The Department of Neuroscience, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Neuroscience Institute & Brain Health Consortium, University of Texas at San AntonioSan AntonioUnited States
| | - Gillian A Matthews
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
| | - Tatenda Chakoma
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
| | - Makenzie Patarino
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
| | - Javier C Weddington
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
| | - Cody Siciliano
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt UniversityNashvilleUnited States
| | - Wannan Yang
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
| | - Shaun Foutch
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
| | - Renee Simons
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
| | - Ming-fai Fong
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech & Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Miao Jing
- Chinese Institute for Brain ResearchBeijingChina
| | - Yulong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences; PKUIDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Daniel B Polley
- Eaton-Peabody Laboratories, Massachusetts Eye and EarBostonUnited States
- Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Kay M Tye
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
- HHMI Investigator, Member of the Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, and Wylie Vale Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
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Seignette K, Jamann N, Papale P, Terra H, Porneso RO, de Kraker L, van der Togt C, van der Aa M, Neering P, Ruimschotel E, Roelfsema PR, Montijn JS, Self MW, Kole MHP, Levelt CN. Experience shapes chandelier cell function and structure in the visual cortex. eLife 2024; 12:RP91153. [PMID: 38192196 PMCID: PMC10963032 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91153] [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] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Detailed characterization of interneuron types in primary visual cortex (V1) has greatly contributed to understanding visual perception, yet the role of chandelier cells (ChCs) in visual processing remains poorly characterized. Using viral tracing we found that V1 ChCs predominantly receive monosynaptic input from local layer 5 pyramidal cells and higher-order cortical regions. Two-photon calcium imaging and convolutional neural network modeling revealed that ChCs are visually responsive but weakly selective for stimulus content. In mice running in a virtual tunnel, ChCs respond strongly to events known to elicit arousal, including locomotion and visuomotor mismatch. Repeated exposure of the mice to the virtual tunnel was accompanied by reduced visual responses of ChCs and structural plasticity of ChC boutons and axon initial segment length. Finally, ChCs only weakly inhibited pyramidal cells. These findings suggest that ChCs provide an arousal-related signal to layer 2/3 pyramidal cells that may modulate their activity and/or gate plasticity of their axon initial segments during behaviorally relevant events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen Seignette
- Department of Molecular Visual Plasticity, Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Nora Jamann
- Department of Axonal Signaling, Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
- Department of Biology Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Science, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Paolo Papale
- Department of Vision & Cognition, Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Huub Terra
- Department of Molecular Visual Plasticity, Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Ralph O Porneso
- Department of Molecular Visual Plasticity, Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Leander de Kraker
- Department of Molecular Visual Plasticity, Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Chris van der Togt
- Department of Molecular Visual Plasticity, Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
- Department of Vision & Cognition, Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Maaike van der Aa
- Department of Molecular Visual Plasticity, Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Paul Neering
- Department of Molecular Visual Plasticity, Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
- Department of Vision & Cognition, Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Emma Ruimschotel
- Department of Molecular Visual Plasticity, Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Pieter R Roelfsema
- Department of Vision & Cognition, Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
- Laboratory of Visual Brain Therapy, Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de la VisionParisFrance
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Centre for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, VU UniversityAmsterdamNetherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, University of AmsterdamAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Jorrit S Montijn
- Department of Cortical Structure & Function, Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Matthew W Self
- Department of Vision & Cognition, Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Maarten HP Kole
- Department of Axonal Signaling, Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
- Department of Biology Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Science, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Christiaan N Levelt
- Department of Molecular Visual Plasticity, Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, VU University AmsterdamAmsterdamNetherlands
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5
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Yan Y, Song D, Jin Y, Deng Y, Wang C, Huang T, Tang Y, Yang Y, Zhang Y, Wang Z, Dong Z, Wang Y, Zhao J, Ni J, Li H, Zhang J, Lang Y, Wu Y, Qing H, Quan Z. ACx-projecting cholinergic neurons in the NB influence the BLA ensembles to modulate the discrimination of auditory fear memory. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:79. [PMID: 36878900 PMCID: PMC9988865 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02384-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals need discriminating auditory fear memory (DAFM) to survive, but the related neural circuits of DAFM remain largely unknown. Our study shows that DAFM depends on acetylcholine (ACh) signal in the auditory cortex (ACx), which is projected from the nucleus basalis (NB). At the encoding stage, optogenetic inhibition of cholinergic projections of NB-ACx obfuscates distinct tone-responsive neurons of ACx recognizing from fear-paired tone to fear-unpaired tone signals, while simultaneously regulating the neuronal activity and reactivation of basal lateral amygdala (BLA) engram cells at the retrieval stage. This NBACh-ACx-BLA neural circuit for the modulation of DAFM is especially dependent on the nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR). A nAChR antagonist reduces DAFM and diminishes the increased magnitude of ACx tone-responsive neuronal activity during the encoding stage. Our data suggest a critical role of NBACh-ACx-BLA neural circuit in DAFM: manipulation of the NB cholinergic projection to the ACx via nAChR during the encoding stage affects the activation of ACx tone-responsive neuron clusters and the BLA engram cells during the retrieval stage, thus modulating the DAFM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Da Song
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yue Jin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yujun Deng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Chunjian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yuanhong Tang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yu Yang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, Shandong Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis, Treatment & Behavioral Interventions of Mental Disorders, School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272013, China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University; The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disease, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University; The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disease, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Zhifang Dong
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Yuetian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Juan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Junjun Ni
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Hui Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yiran Lang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Intelligent Robots and Systems, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yili Wu
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, Shandong Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis, Treatment & Behavioral Interventions of Mental Disorders, School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272013, China. .,Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, School of Mental Health, Institute of Aging, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China.
| | - Hong Qing
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Zhenzhen Quan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
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Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Exposure Dysregulates Nucleus Basalis Magnocellularis Afferents in the Basolateral Amygdala. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0164-22.2022. [PMID: 36280288 PMCID: PMC9668348 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0164-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) cholinergic projections to the basolateral amygdala (BLA) regulate the acquisition and consolidation of fear-like and anxiety-like behaviors. However, it is unclear whether the alterations in the NBM-BLA circuit promote negative affect during ethanol withdrawal (WD). Therefore, we performed ex vivo whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology in both the NBM and the BLA of male Sprague Dawley rats following 10 d of chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure and 24 h of WD. We found that CIE exposure and withdrawal enhanced the neuronal excitability of NBM putative "cholinergic" neurons. We subsequently used optogenetics to directly manipulate NBM terminal activity within the BLA and measure cholinergic modulation of glutamatergic afferents and BLA pyramidal neurons. Our findings indicate that CIE and withdrawal upregulate NBM cholinergic facilitation of glutamate release via activation of presynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs). Ethanol withdrawal-induced increases in NBM terminal activity also enhance BLA pyramidal neuron firing. Collectively, our results provide a novel characterization of the NBM-BLA circuit and suggest that CIE-dependent modifications to NBM afferents enhance BLA pyramidal neuron activity during ethanol withdrawal.
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Yan Y, Aierken A, Wang C, Jin W, Quan Z, Wang Z, Qing H, Ni J, Zhao J. Neuronal Circuits Associated with Fear Memory: Potential Therapeutic Targets for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Neuroscientist 2022; 29:332-351. [PMID: 35057666 DOI: 10.1177/10738584211069977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that is associated with long-lasting memories of traumatic experiences. Extinction and discrimination of fear memory have become therapeutic targets for PTSD. Newly developed optogenetics and advanced in vivo imaging techniques have provided unprecedented spatiotemporal tools to characterize the activity, connectivity, and functionality of specific cell types in complicated neuronal circuits. The use of such tools has offered mechanistic insights into the exquisite organization of the circuitry underlying the extinction and discrimination of fear memory. This review focuses on the acquisition of more detailed, comprehensive, and integrated neural circuits to understand how the brain regulates the extinction and discrimination of fear memory. A future challenge is to translate these researches into effective therapeutic treatment for PTSD from the perspective of precise regulation of the neural circuits associated with the extinction and discrimination of fear memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Ailikemu Aierken
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Chunjian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Jin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenzhen Quan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disease, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Qing
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Junjun Ni
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Zhao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
- Aerospace Medical Center, Aerospace Center Hospital, Beijing, China
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8
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Ballaz SJ, Bourin M. Cholecystokinin-Mediated Neuromodulation of Anxiety and Schizophrenia: A "Dimmer-Switch" Hypothesis. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 19:925-938. [PMID: 33185164 PMCID: PMC8686311 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x18666201113145143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholecystokinin (CCK), the most abundant brain neuropeptide, is involved in relevant behavioral functions like memory, cognition, and reward through its interactions with the opioid and dopaminergic systems in the limbic system. CCK excites neurons by binding two receptors, CCK1 and CCK2, expressed at low and high levels in the brain, respectively. Historically, CCK2 receptors have been related to the induction of panic attacks in humans. Disturbances in brain CCK expression also underlie the physiopathology of schizophrenia, which is attributed to the modulation by CCK1 receptors of the dopamine flux in the basal striatum. Despite this evidence, neither CCK2 receptor antagonists ameliorate human anxiety nor CCK agonists have consistently shown neuroleptic effects in clinical trials. A neglected aspect of the function of brain CCK is its neuromodulatory role in mental disorders. Interestingly, CCK is expressed in pivotal inhibitory interneurons that sculpt cortical dynamics and the flux of nerve impulses across corticolimbic areas and the excitatory projections to mesolimbic pathways. At the basal striatum, CCK modulates the excitability of glutamate, the release of inhibitory GABA, and the discharge of dopamine. Here we focus on how CCK may reduce rather than trigger anxiety by regulating its cognitive component. Adequate levels of CCK release in the basal striatum may control the interplay between cognition and reward circuitry, which is critical in schizophrenia. Hence, it is proposed that disturbances in the excitatory/ inhibitory interplay modulated by CCK may contribute to the imbalanced interaction between corticolimbic and mesolimbic neural activity found in anxiety and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago J. Ballaz
- Address correspondence to this author at the School of Biological Sciences & Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Hacienda San José s/n, San Miguel de Urcuquí, Ecuador; Tel: 593 (06) 299 9100, ext. 2626; E-mail:
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9
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Sizer SE, Parrish BC, McCool BA. Chronic Ethanol Exposure Potentiates Cholinergic Neurotransmission in the Basolateral Amygdala. Neuroscience 2020; 455:165-176. [PMID: 33385490 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure dysregulates glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission, facilitating basolateral amygdala (BLA) pyramidal neuron hyperexcitability and the expression of anxiety during withdrawal. It is unknown whether ethanol-induced alterations in nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) cholinergic projections to the BLA mediate anxiety-related behaviors through direct modulation of GABA and glutamate afferents. Following 10 days of CIE exposure and 24 h of withdrawal, we recorded GABAergic and glutamatergic synaptic responses in BLA pyramidal neurons with electrophysiology, assessed total protein expression of cholinergic markers, and quantified acetylcholine and choline concentrations using a colorimetric assay. We measured α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) dependent modulation of presynaptic function at distinct inputs in AIR- and CIE-exposed BLA coronal slices as a functional read-out of cholinergic neurotransmission. CIE/withdrawal upregulates the endogenous activity of α7 nAChRs, facilitating release at both GABAergic' local' interneuron and glutamatergic synaptic responses to stria terminalis (ST) stimulation, with no effect at GABAergic lateral paracapsular cells (LPCs). CIE caused a three-fold increase in BLA acetylcholine concentration, with no changes in α7 nAChR or cholinergic marker expression. These data illustrate that α7 nAChR-dependent changes in presynaptic function serve as a proxy for CIE-dependent alterations in synaptic acetylcholine levels. Thus, cholinergic projections appear to mediate CIE-induced alterations at GABA/glutamate inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Sizer
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Piedmont Triad Community Research Center (PTCRC), Wake Forest School of Medicine, 115 S Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA.
| | - Brian C Parrish
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Piedmont Triad Community Research Center (PTCRC), Wake Forest School of Medicine, 115 S Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA.
| | - Brian A McCool
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Piedmont Triad Community Research Center (PTCRC), Wake Forest School of Medicine, 115 S Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA.
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Kellis DM, Kaigler KF, Witherspoon E, Fadel JR, Wilson MA. Cholinergic neurotransmission in the basolateral amygdala during cued fear extinction. Neurobiol Stress 2020; 13:100279. [PMID: 33344731 PMCID: PMC7739185 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2020.100279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholinergic neuromodulation plays an important role in numerous cognitive functions including regulating arousal and attention, as well as associative learning and extinction processes. Further, studies demonstrate that cholinergic inputs from the basal forebrain cholinergic system influence physiological responses in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) as well as fear extinction processes. Since rodent models display individual differences in conditioned fear and extinction responses, this study investigated if cholinergic transmission in the BLA during fear extinction could contribute to differences between extinction resistant and extinction competent phenotypes in outbred Long-Evans male rats. Experiment 1 used in vivo microdialysis to test the hypothesis that acetylcholine (ACH) efflux in the BLA would increase with presentation of an auditory conditioned stimulus (CS+) during extinction learning. Acetylcholine efflux was compared in rats exposed to the CS+, a CS- (the tone never paired with a footshock), or to a context shift alone (without CS+ tone presentation). Consistent with acetylcholine's role in attention and arousal, ACH efflux in the BLA was increased in all three groups (CS+, CS-, Shift Alone) by the initial context shift into the extinction learning chamber, but returned more rapidly to baseline levels in the Shift Alone group (no CS+). In contrast, in the group exposed to the CS+, ACH efflux in the BLA remained elevated during continued presentation of conditioned cues and returned to baseline more slowly, leading to an overall increase in ACH efflux compared with the Shift Alone group. Based on the very dense staining in the BLA for acetylcholinesterase (ACHE), Experiment 2 examined if individual differences in fear extinction were associated with differences in cholinesterase enzyme activity (CHE) in the BLA and/or plasma with a separate cohort of animals. Cholinesterase activity (post-testing) in both the BLA and plasma was higher in extinction competent rats versus rats resistant to extinction learning. There was also a significant negative correlation between BLA CHE activity and freezing during extinction learning. Taken together, our results support a role for ACH efflux in the BLA during cued fear extinction that may be modulated by individual differences in ACHE activity, and are associated with behavioral responses during fear extinction. These findings implicate individual differences in cholinergic regulation in the susceptibility to disorders with dysregulation of extinction learning, such post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devin M. Kellis
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, 29208, United States
| | - Kris Ford Kaigler
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, 29208, United States
| | - Eric Witherspoon
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, 29208, United States
| | - Jim R. Fadel
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, 29208, United States
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