101
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Luo YF, Ye XX, Fang YZ, Li MD, Xia ZX, Liu JM, Lin XS, Huang Z, Zhu XQ, Huang JJ, Tan DL, Zhang YF, Liu HP, Zhou J, Shen ZC. mTORC1 Signaling Pathway Mediates Chronic Stress-Induced Synapse Loss in the Hippocampus. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:801234. [PMID: 34987410 PMCID: PMC8722735 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.801234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling has served as a promising target for therapeutic intervention of major depressive disorder (MDD), but the mTORC1 signaling underlying MDD has not been well elucidated. In the present study, we investigated whether mTORC1 signaling pathway mediates synapse loss induced by chronic stress in the hippocampus. Methods: Chronic restraint stress-induced depression-like behaviors were tested by behavior tests (sucrose preference test, forced swim test and tail suspension test). Synaptic proteins and alternations of phosphorylation levels of mTORC1 signaling-associated molecules were measured using Western blotting. In addition, mRNA changes of immediate early genes (IEGs) and glutamate receptors were measured by RT-PCR. Rapamycin was used to explore the role of mTORC1 signaling in the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine. Results: After successfully establishing the chronic restraint stress paradigm, we observed that the mRNA levels of some IEGs were significantly changed, indicating the activation of neurons and protein synthesis alterations. Then, there was a significant downregulation of glutamate receptors and postsynaptic density protein 95 at protein and mRNA levels. Additionally, synaptic fractionation assay revealed that chronic stress induced synapse loss in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus. Furthermore, these effects were associated with the mTORC1 signaling pathway-mediated protein synthesis, and subsequently the phosphorylation of associated downstream signaling targets was reduced after chronic stress. Finally, we found that intracerebroventricular infusion of rapamycin simulated depression-like behavior and also blocked the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine. Conclusion: Overall, our study suggests that mTORC1 signaling pathway plays a critical role in mediating synapse loss induced by chronic stress, and has part in the behavioral effects of antidepressant treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Fei Luo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Clinical Medical Research Center, Hunan Prevention and Treatment Institute for Occupational Diseases, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao-Xia Ye
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ying-Zhao Fang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Meng-Die Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Xuan Xia
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Jian-Min Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Wuhan No. 1 Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao-Shan Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhen Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Qian Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jun-Jie Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Dong-Lin Tan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu-Fei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hai-Ping Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Translational Medicine Center, Xi'an Chest Hospital, Medical College of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zu-Cheng Shen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
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102
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Kemp GM, Altimimi HF, Nho Y, Heir R, Klyczek A, Stellwagen D. Sustained TNF signaling is required for the synaptic and anxiety-like behavioral response to acute stress. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:4474-4484. [PMID: 36104437 PMCID: PMC9734040 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01737-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Acute stress triggers plasticity of forebrain synapses as well as behavioral changes. Here we reveal that Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNF) is a required downstream mediator of the stress response in mice, necessary for stress-induced synaptic potentiation in the ventral hippocampus and for an increase in anxiety-like behaviour. Acute stress is sufficient to activate microglia, triggering the long-term release of TNF. Critically, on-going TNF signaling specifically in the ventral hippocampus is necessary to sustain both the stress-induced synaptic and behavioral changes, as these could be reversed hours after induction by antagonizing TNF signaling. This demonstrates that TNF maintains the synaptic and behavioral stress response in vivo, making TNF a potential novel therapeutic target for stress disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina M. Kemp
- grid.63984.300000 0000 9064 4811Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montréal, QC Canada
| | - Haider F. Altimimi
- grid.63984.300000 0000 9064 4811Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montréal, QC Canada
| | - Yoonmi Nho
- grid.63984.300000 0000 9064 4811Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montréal, QC Canada
| | - Renu Heir
- grid.63984.300000 0000 9064 4811Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montréal, QC Canada
| | - Adam Klyczek
- grid.63984.300000 0000 9064 4811Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montréal, QC Canada
| | - David Stellwagen
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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103
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Zareie F, Ghalebandi S, Askari K, Mousavi Z, Haghparast A. Orexin receptors in the CA1 region of hippocampus modulate the stress-induced antinociceptive responses in an animal model of persistent inflammatory pain. Peptides 2022; 147:170679. [PMID: 34718063 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Stress activates multiple neural pathways and neurotransmitters that often suppress pain perception, the phenomenon called stress-induced analgesia (SIA). Orexin neurons from the lateral hypothalamus project to entire brain structures such as the hippocampus. The present study examined this hypothesis that orexinergic receptors in the CA1 region of the hippocampus may play a modulatory role in the development of SIA in formalin test as an animal model of persistent inflammatory pain. One hundred-two adult male Wistar rats were administered with intra-CA1 orexin-1 receptor (OX1r) antagonist, SB334867, at the doses of 3, 10, 30, and 100 nmol or TCS OX2 29 as orexin-2 receptor (OX2r) antagonist at the doses of 1, 3, 10, and 30 nmol. Five min later, rats were exposed to forced swim stress (FSS) for a 6-min period. Then, pain-related behaviors induced by formalin injection were measured at the 5-min blocks during a 60-min period of formalin test. The current study indicated that solely stress exposure elicits antinociception in the early and late phases of the formalin test. The FSS-induced analgesia was prevented by intra-CA1 administration of SB334867 or TCS OX2 29 during either phase of the formalin test. Moreover, the contribution of the OX2r in the mediation of analgesic effect of stress was more prominent than that of the OX1r during both phases of the formalin test. It is suggested that OX1r and OX2r in the CA1 region of the hippocampus are involved in stress-induced analgesia in the animal model of persistent inflammatory pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Zareie
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyedehdelaram Ghalebandi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, T.R. North Cyprus via Mersin 10, Turkey
| | - Kobra Askari
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Mousavi
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Haghparast
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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104
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Ibarra-Lecue I, Haegens S, Harris AZ. Breaking Down a Rhythm: Dissecting the Mechanisms Underlying Task-Related Neural Oscillations. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:846905. [PMID: 35310550 PMCID: PMC8931663 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.846905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A century worth of research has linked multiple cognitive, perceptual and behavioral states to various brain oscillations. However, the mechanistic roles and circuit underpinnings of these oscillations remain an area of active study. In this review, we argue that the advent of optogenetic and related systems neuroscience techniques has shifted the field from correlational to causal observations regarding the role of oscillations in brain function. As a result, studying brain rhythms associated with behavior can provide insight at different levels, such as decoding task-relevant information, mapping relevant circuits or determining key proteins involved in rhythmicity. We summarize recent advances in this field, highlighting the methods that are being used for this purpose, and discussing their relative strengths and limitations. We conclude with promising future approaches that will help unravel the functional role of brain rhythms in orchestrating the repertoire of complex behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés Ibarra-Lecue
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Saskia Haegens
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States.,Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Alexander Z Harris
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
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105
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Adult hippocampal neurogenesis shapes adaptation and improves stress response: a mechanistic and integrative perspective. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:403-421. [PMID: 33990771 PMCID: PMC8960391 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01136-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) represents a remarkable form of neuroplasticity that has increasingly been linked to the stress response in recent years. However, the hippocampus does not itself support the expression of the different dimensions of the stress response. Moreover, the main hippocampal functions are essentially preserved under AHN depletion and adult-born immature neurons (abGNs) have no extrahippocampal projections, which questions the mechanisms by which abGNs influence functions supported by brain areas far from the hippocampus. Within this framework, we propose that through its computational influences AHN is pivotal in shaping adaption to environmental demands, underlying its role in stress response. The hippocampus with its high input convergence and output divergence represents a computational hub, ideally positioned in the brain (1) to detect cues and contexts linked to past, current and predicted stressful experiences, and (2) to supervise the expression of the stress response at the cognitive, affective, behavioral, and physiological levels. AHN appears to bias hippocampal computations toward enhanced conjunctive encoding and pattern separation, promoting contextual discrimination and cognitive flexibility, reducing proactive interference and generalization of stressful experiences to safe contexts. These effects result in gating downstream brain areas with more accurate and contextualized information, enabling the different dimensions of the stress response to be more appropriately set with specific contexts. Here, we first provide an integrative perspective of the functional involvement of AHN in the hippocampus and a phenomenological overview of the stress response. We then examine the mechanistic underpinning of the role of AHN in the stress response and describe its potential implications in the different dimensions accompanying this response.
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106
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Cross-species anxiety tests in psychiatry: pitfalls and promises. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:154-163. [PMID: 34561614 PMCID: PMC8960405 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01299-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Behavioural anxiety tests in non-human animals are used for anxiolytic drug discovery, and to investigate the neurobiology of threat avoidance. Over the past decade, several of them were translated to humans with three clinically relevant goals: to assess potential efficacy of candidate treatments in healthy humans; to develop diagnostic tests or biomarkers; and to elucidate the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders. In this review, we scrutinise these promises and compare seven anxiety tests that are validated across species: five approach-avoidance conflict tests, unpredictable shock anticipation, and the social intrusion test in children. Regarding the first goal, three tests appear suitable for anxiolytic drug screening in humans. However, they have not become part of the drug development pipeline and achieving this may require independent confirmation of predictive validity and cost-effectiveness. Secondly, two tests have shown potential to measure clinically relevant individual differences, but their psychometric properties, predictive value, and clinical applicability need to be clarified. Finally, cross-species research has not yet revealed new evidence that the physiology of healthy human behaviour in anxiety tests relates to the physiology of anxiety symptoms in patients. To summarise, cross-species anxiety tests could be rendered useful for drug screening and for development of diagnostic instruments. Using these tests for aetiology research in healthy humans or animals needs to be queried and may turn out to be unrealistic.
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107
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Abend R, Ruiz SG, Bajaj MA, Harrewijn A, Linke JO, Atlas LY, Winkler AM, Pine DS. Threat imminence reveals links among unfolding of anticipatory physiological response, cortical-subcortical intrinsic functional connectivity, and anxiety. Neurobiol Stress 2022; 16:100428. [PMID: 35036479 PMCID: PMC8749274 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2022.100428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive expression of fear responses in anticipation of threat occurs in anxiety, but understanding of underlying pathophysiological mechanisms is limited. Animal research indicates that threat-anticipatory defensive responses are dynamically organized by threat imminence and rely on conserved circuitry. Insight from basic neuroscience research in animals on threat imminence could guide mechanistic research in humans mapping abnormal function in this circuitry to aberrant defensive responses in pathological anxiety. 50 pediatric anxiety patients and healthy-comparisons (33 females) completed an instructed threat-anticipation task whereby cues signaled delivery of painful (threat) or non-painful (safety) thermal stimulation. Temporal changes in skin-conductance indexed anxiety effects on anticipatory responding as function of threat imminence. Multivariate network analyses of resting-state functional connectivity data from a subsample were used to identify intrinsic-function correlates of anticipatory-response dynamics, within a specific, distributed network derived from translational research on defensive responding. By considering threat imminence, analyses revealed specific anxiety effects. Importantly, pathological anxiety was associated with excessive deployment of anticipatory physiological response as threat, but not safety, outcomes became more imminent. Magnitude of increase in threat-anticipatory physiological responses corresponded with magnitude of intrinsic connectivity within a cortical-subcortical circuit. Moreover, more severe anxiety was associated with stronger associations between anticipatory physiological responding and connectivity that ventromedial prefrontal cortex showed with hippocampus and basolateral amygdala, regions implicated in animal models of anxiety. These findings link basic and clinical research, highlighting variations in intrinsic function in conserved defensive circuitry as a potential pathophysiological mechanism in anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rany Abend
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Sonia G. Ruiz
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Mira A. Bajaj
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Anita Harrewijn
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Julia O. Linke
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Lauren Y. Atlas
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Anderson M. Winkler
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Daniel S. Pine
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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108
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Liu J, Li D, Huang J, Cao J, Cai G, Guo Y, Wang G, Zhao S, Wang X, Wu S. Glutamatergic Neurons in the Amygdala Are Involved in Paclitaxel-Induced Pain and Anxiety. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:869544. [PMID: 35492735 PMCID: PMC9049739 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.869544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Paclitaxel is widely used as a first-line chemotherapy agent to treat malignant tumors. However, paclitaxel causes peripheral nerve fiber damage and neuropathic pain in some patients. In addition, patients received paclitaxel chemotherapy are often accompanied by negative emotions such as anxiety. The amygdala is critically involved in regulating pain signals, as well as anxiety. The purpose of this study is to clarify the role of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII)-positive glutamatergic neurons in the amygdala in paclitaxel-induced pain and negative affective symptoms. Intraperitoneal injection of paclitaxel into mice caused mechanical and thermal allodynia, as measured by Von Frey test and Hargreaves test, and anxiety, as measured by open field test and elevated plus maze test. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that c-fos-positive neurons were significantly more in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and central amygdala (CeA) in paclitaxel-treated mice than untreated mice. Furthermore, part of c-fos-positive neurons in the BLA were immunoreactive of CaMKII. Engineered Designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD) receptor hM4Di or hM3Dq was selectively expressed on CaMKII neurons by injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors containing CaMKII and hM4Di or hM3Dq. Administration of DREADD agonist CNO to selectively inhibit the CaMKII neurons in the BLA significantly increased the paw withdrawal thresholds and paw withdrawal latencies. In addition, selectively inhibition of CaMKII neurons in the BLA alleviated anxiety behavior without affecting the motor activity. In summary, our findings suggest that CaMKII neurons in the amygdala are critical for neuropathic pain and anxiety behaviors induced by paclitaxel chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Dangchao Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jing Cao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Guohong Cai
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuexian Guo
- Department of Surgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Guiying Wang
- Department of Surgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Shuang Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiuli Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Shengxi Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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109
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Zhang R, Chen Z, Hu B, Zhou F, Feng T. The anxiety-specific hippocampus-prefrontal cortex pathways links to procrastination through self-control. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 43:1738-1748. [PMID: 34952988 PMCID: PMC8886646 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Procrastination, which is defined as delaying an intended course of action despite negative outcomes, is demonstrated to have a deal with negative emotion including trait anxiety. Although highly anxious individuals showed impoverished control ability, no studies have indicated the role of self-control in the relationship between trait anxiety and procrastination, and its neural correlates. To this end, we used the sliding window method to calculate the temporal deviation of dynamic functional connectivity (FC) in 312 healthy participants who underwent the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning. In line with our hypothesis, higher trait anxiety is linked to more procrastination via poorer self-control. Besides, the dynamic FC analyses showed that trait anxiety was positively correlated with dynamic FC variability in hippocampus-prefrontal cortex (HPC-PFC) pathways, including left rostral hippocampus-left superior frontal gyrus (left rHPC-left SFG), and left rHPC-right middle frontal gyrus (left rHPC--MFG). Furthermore, the structural equation modeling (SEM) uncovered a mediated role of self-control in the association between the anxiety-specific brain connectivity and procrastination. These findings suggest that the HPC-PFC pathways may reflect impoverished regulatory ability over the negative thoughts for anxious individuals, and thereby incurs more procrastination, which enhances our understanding of how trait anxiety links to procrastination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Zhang
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhiyi Chen
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bowen Hu
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tingyong Feng
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
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110
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Levone BR, Cryan JF, O'Leary OF. Specific sub-regions of the longitudinal axis of the hippocampus mediate behavioural responses to chronic psychosocial stress. Neuropharmacology 2021; 201:108843. [PMID: 34666075 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that the hippocampus is functionally segregated along its longitudinal axis into a dorsal (dHi) sub-region, shown to play roles in learning & memory and a ventral sub-region (vHi), involved in anxiety and antidepressant action. Recent studies also suggest that the intermediate hippocampus (iHi) might be functionally independent, but it has received relatively little attention. We recently found that the iHi is involved in the behavioural effects of chronic treatment with the antidepressant fluoxetine in the forced swim test. However, the roles of specific sub-regions of the longitudinal axis of the hippocampus in the response to chronic stress, a risk factor for depression and anxiety disorders, has not yet been investigated. Therefore, we used excitotoxic lesions of the dHi, iHi or vHi in male C57BL/6 mice to investigate the roles of these sub-regions in the behavioural (anxiety, anhedonia, depression) responses to chronic psychosocial stress. We found that stress-induced increases in anxiety in the novelty-induced hypophagia and marble burying tests were prevented by each of the sub-region lesions, but only vHi lesions attenuated stress-induced anxiety in the open field test. Stress-induced anhedonia was reduced in dHi- and vHi- but not iHi-lesioned mice. In stressed mice, only vHi lesions induced an antidepressant-like effect in the forced swim test and prolonged latency to adopt a defeat posture during social defeat, suggesting an increase in stress resilience. Interestingly, iHi lesions increased stress-induced social avoidance in the social interaction test. In summary, we found that all hippocampal sub-regions are involved in the anxiogenic effects of chronic stress but that the iHi plays a predominant role in stress-induced social avoidance and the vHi has a predominant role in active coping behaviours and antidepressant-like behaviour following chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brunno Rocha Levone
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John F Cryan
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Olivia F O'Leary
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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111
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Tomar A, McHugh TJ. The impact of stress on the hippocampal spatial code. Trends Neurosci 2021; 45:120-132. [PMID: 34916083 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2021.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hippocampal function is severely compromised by prolonged, uncontrollable stress. However, how stress alters neural representations of our surroundings and events that occur within them remains less clear. We review hippocampal place cell studies that examine how spatial coding is affected by acute and chronic stress, as well as by stress accompanying fear conditioning. Emerging data suggest that chronic stress disrupts the acuity and specificity of CA1 spatial coding, both in familiar and novel contexts, and alters hippocampal oscillations. By contrast, acute stress may have a facilitatory impact on spatial representations. These findings encourage a fresh look at the documented stress-induced changes in hippocampal anatomy and in vitro excitability, and offer a new perspective on the links between stress and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupratap Tomar
- Center for Synaptic Plasticity, School of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK.
| | - Thomas J McHugh
- Laboratory for Circuit and Behavioral Physiology, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, Japan.
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112
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AlSubaie R, Wee RWS, Ritoux A, Mishchanchuk K, Passlack J, Regester D, MacAskill AF. Control of parallel hippocampal output pathways by amygdalar long-range inhibition. eLife 2021; 10:e74758. [PMID: 34845987 PMCID: PMC8654375 DOI: 10.7554/elife.74758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Projections from the basal amygdala (BA) to the ventral hippocampus (vH) are proposed to provide information about the rewarding or threatening nature of learned associations to support appropriate goal-directed and anxiety-like behaviour. Such behaviour occurs via the differential activity of multiple, parallel populations of pyramidal neurons in vH that project to distinct downstream targets, but the nature of BA input and how it connects with these populations is unclear. Using channelrhodopsin-2-assisted circuit mapping in mice, we show that BA input to vH consists of both excitatory and inhibitory projections. Excitatory input specifically targets BA- and nucleus accumbens-projecting vH neurons and avoids prefrontal cortex-projecting vH neurons, while inhibitory input preferentially targets BA-projecting neurons. Through this specific connectivity, BA inhibitory projections gate place-value associations by controlling the activity of nucleus accumbens-projecting vH neurons. Our results define a parallel excitatory and inhibitory projection from BA to vH that can support goal-directed behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rawan AlSubaie
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Ryan WS Wee
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Anne Ritoux
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Karyna Mishchanchuk
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Jessica Passlack
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Daniel Regester
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Andrew F MacAskill
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
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Szadzinska W, Danielewski K, Kondrakiewicz K, Andraka K, Nikolaev E, Mikosz M, Knapska E. Hippocampal Inputs in the Prelimbic Cortex Curb Fear after Extinction. J Neurosci 2021; 41:9129-9140. [PMID: 34518304 PMCID: PMC8570826 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0764-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In contrast to easily formed fear memories, fear extinction requires prolonged training. The prelimbic cortex (PL), which integrates signals from brain structures involved in fear conditioning and extinction such as the ventral hippocampus (vHIP) and the basolateral amygdala (BL), is necessary for fear memory retrieval. Little is known, however, about how the vHIP and BL inputs to the PL regulate the display of fear after fear extinction. Using functional anatomy tracing in male rats, we found two distinct subpopulations of neurons in the PL activated by either the successful extinction or the relapse of fear. During the retrieval of fear extinction memory, the dominant input to active neurons in the PL was from the vHIP, whereas the retrieval of fear memory, regardless of the age of a memory and testing context, was associated with greater BL input. Optogenetic stimulation of the vHIP-PL pathway after one session of fear extinction increased conditioned fear, whereas stimulation of the vHIP inputs after several sessions of extinction decreased the conditioned fear response. This latter effect was, however, transient, as stimulation of this pathway 28 d after extinction increased conditioned fear response again. The results show that repeated fear extinction training gradually changes vHIP-PL connectivity, making fear suppression possible, whereas in the absence of fear suppression from the vHIP, signals from the BL can play a dominant role, resulting in high levels of fear.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Behavioral therapies of fear are based on extinction learning. As extinction memories fade over time, such therapies produce only a temporary suppression of fear, which constitutes a clinical and societal challenge. In our study, we provide a framework for understating the underlying mechanism by which extinction of fear memories fade by demonstrating the existence of two subpopulations of neurons in the prelimbic cortex associated with low and high levels of fear. Insufficient extinction and exposure to the context in which fear memory was formed promoted high fear neuronal activity in the prelimbic cortex, leading to fear retrieval. Extensive extinction training, on the other hand, boosted low fear neuronal activity and, as a result, extinction memory retrieval. This effect was, however, transient and disappeared with time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weronika Szadzinska
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, Nencki-European Molecular Biology Laboratory Partnership for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Pasteur 3 Str., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Konrad Danielewski
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, Nencki-European Molecular Biology Laboratory Partnership for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Pasteur 3 Str., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kacper Kondrakiewicz
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, Nencki-European Molecular Biology Laboratory Partnership for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Pasteur 3 Str., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Karolina Andraka
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, Nencki-European Molecular Biology Laboratory Partnership for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Pasteur 3 Str., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Evgeni Nikolaev
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, Nencki-European Molecular Biology Laboratory Partnership for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Pasteur 3 Str., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Mikosz
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, Nencki-European Molecular Biology Laboratory Partnership for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Pasteur 3 Str., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewelina Knapska
- Laboratory of Emotions Neurobiology, Nencki-European Molecular Biology Laboratory Partnership for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Pasteur 3 Str., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
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114
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Zheng J, Liu N, Xu H. Pathway Matters: Prefrontal Control of Negative Emotions via Distinct Downstream Regions. Neurosci Bull 2021; 38:226-228. [PMID: 34724132 PMCID: PMC8821737 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-021-00793-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Junqiang Zheng
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Han Xu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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115
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Repeated hippocampal seizures lead to brain-wide reorganization of circuits and seizure propagation pathways. Neuron 2021; 110:221-236.e4. [PMID: 34706219 PMCID: PMC10402913 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Repeated seizure activity can lead to long-term changes in seizure dynamics and behavior. However, resulting changes in brain-wide dynamics remain poorly understood. This is due partly to technical challenges in precise seizure control and in vivo whole-brain mapping of circuit dynamics. Here, we developed an optogenetic kindling model through repeated stimulation of ventral hippocampal CaMKII neurons in adult rats. We then combined fMRI with electrophysiology to track brain-wide circuit dynamics resulting from non-afterdischarge (AD)-generating stimulations and individual convulsive seizures. Kindling induced widespread increases in non-AD-generating stimulation response and ipsilateral functional connectivity and elevated anxiety. Individual seizures in kindled animals showed more significant increases in brain-wide activity and bilateral functional connectivity. Onset time quantification provided evidence for kindled seizure propagation from the ipsilateral to the contralateral hemisphere. Furthermore, a core of slow-migrating hippocampal activity was identified in both non-kindled and kindled seizures, revealing a novel mechanism of seizure sustainment and propagation.
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116
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Ruggiero RN, Rossignoli MT, Marques DB, de Sousa BM, Romcy-Pereira RN, Lopes-Aguiar C, Leite JP. Neuromodulation of Hippocampal-Prefrontal Cortical Synaptic Plasticity and Functional Connectivity: Implications for Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:732360. [PMID: 34707481 PMCID: PMC8542677 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.732360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The hippocampus-prefrontal cortex (HPC-PFC) pathway plays a fundamental role in executive and emotional functions. Neurophysiological studies have begun to unveil the dynamics of HPC-PFC interaction in both immediate demands and long-term adaptations. Disruptions in HPC-PFC functional connectivity can contribute to neuropsychiatric symptoms observed in mental illnesses and neurological conditions, such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, and Alzheimer's disease. Given the role in functional and dysfunctional physiology, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms that modulate the dynamics of HPC-PFC communication. Two of the main mechanisms that regulate HPC-PFC interactions are synaptic plasticity and modulatory neurotransmission. Synaptic plasticity can be investigated inducing long-term potentiation or long-term depression, while spontaneous functional connectivity can be inferred by statistical dependencies between the local field potentials of both regions. In turn, several neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, and endocannabinoids, can regulate the fine-tuning of HPC-PFC connectivity. Despite experimental evidence, the effects of neuromodulation on HPC-PFC neuronal dynamics from cellular to behavioral levels are not fully understood. The current literature lacks a review that focuses on the main neurotransmitter interactions with HPC-PFC activity. Here we reviewed studies showing the effects of the main neurotransmitter systems in long- and short-term HPC-PFC synaptic plasticity. We also looked for the neuromodulatory effects on HPC-PFC oscillatory coordination. Finally, we review the implications of HPC-PFC disruption in synaptic plasticity and functional connectivity on cognition and neuropsychiatric disorders. The comprehensive overview of these impairments could help better understand the role of neuromodulation in HPC-PFC communication and generate insights into the etiology and physiopathology of clinical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Naime Ruggiero
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Matheus Teixeira Rossignoli
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Danilo Benette Marques
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Bruno Monteiro de Sousa
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Cleiton Lopes-Aguiar
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - João Pereira Leite
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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117
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Martins-Macedo J, Salgado AJ, Gomes ED, Pinto L. Adult brain cytogenesis in the context of mood disorders: From neurogenesis to the emergent role of gliogenesis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 131:411-428. [PMID: 34555383 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders severely impact patients' lives. Motivational, cognitive and emotional deficits are the most common symptoms observed in these patients and no effective treatment is still available, either due to the adverse side effects or the low rate of efficacy of currently available drugs. Neurogenesis recovery has been one important focus in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, which undeniably contributes to the therapeutic action of antidepressants. However, glial plasticity is emerging as a new strategy to explore the deficits observed in mood disorders and the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. Thus, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms behind glio- and neurogenesis to better define treatments and preventive therapies, once adult cytogenesis is of pivotal importance to cognitive and emotional components of behavior, both in healthy and pathological contexts, including in psychiatric disorders. Here, we review the concepts and history of neuro- and gliogenesis, providing as well a reflection on the functional importance of cytogenesis in the context of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Martins-Macedo
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - António J Salgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Eduardo D Gomes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Luísa Pinto
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
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118
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Wang KY, Wu JW, Cheng JK, Chen CC, Wong WY, Averkin RG, Tamás G, Nakazawa K, Lien CC. Elevation of hilar mossy cell activity suppresses hippocampal excitability and avoidance behavior. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109702. [PMID: 34525354 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Modulation of hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) excitability regulates anxiety. In the DG, glutamatergic mossy cells (MCs) receive the excitatory drive from principal granule cells (GCs) and mediate the feedback excitation and inhibition of GCs. However, the circuit mechanism by which MCs regulate anxiety-related information routing through hippocampal circuits remains unclear. Moreover, the correlation between MC activity and anxiety states is unclear. In this study, we first demonstrate, by means of calcium fiber photometry, that MC activity in the ventral hippocampus (vHPC) of mice increases while they explore anxiogenic environments. Next, juxtacellular recordings reveal that optogenetic activation of MCs preferentially recruits GABAergic neurons, thereby suppressing GCs and ventral CA1 neurons. Finally, chemogenetic excitation of MCs in the vHPC reduces avoidance behaviors in both healthy and anxious mice. These results not only indicate an anxiolytic role of MCs but also suggest that MCs may be a potential therapeutic target for anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Yi Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
| | - Jei-Wei Wu
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Kun Cheng
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei 252, Taiwan; Department of Anesthesiology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104, Taiwan
| | | | - Wai-Yi Wong
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
| | - Robert G Averkin
- ELKH-SZTE Research Group for Cortical Microcircuits, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, Szeged 6726, Hungary
| | - Gábor Tamás
- ELKH-SZTE Research Group for Cortical Microcircuits, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, Szeged 6726, Hungary
| | - Kazu Nakazawa
- Department of Neuroscience, Southern Research, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA; Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Cheng-Chang Lien
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.
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119
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Li Z, Rizzi G, Tan KR. Zona incerta subpopulations differentially encode and modulate anxiety. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabf6709. [PMID: 34516764 PMCID: PMC8442884 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf6709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent clinical observations linking the zona incerta (ZI) to anxiety, little is known about whether and how the ZI processes anxiety. Here, we subject mice to anxious experiences and observe an increase in ZI c-fos–labeled neurons and single-cell calcium activity as well as an efficient effect of ZI infusion of diazepam, a classical anxiolytic drug. We further identify that somatostatin (SOM)–, calretinin (CR)–, and vesicular glutamate transporter-2 (Vglut2)–expressing cells display unique electrophysiological profiles; however, they similarly respond to anxiety-provoking stimuli and to diazepam. Optogenetic manipulations reveal that each of these ZI neuronal populations triggers specific anxiety-related behavioral phenotypes. Activation of SOM-expressing neurons induced anxiety, while photoactivation of CR-positive cells and photoinhibition of Vglut2-expressing neurons produce anxiolysis. Furthermore, activation of CR- and Vglut2-positive cells provokes rearing and jumps, respectively. Our findings provide the first experimental evidence that ZI subpopulations encode and modulate different components of anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoliang Li
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50/70, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Giorgio Rizzi
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50/70, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kelly R. Tan
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50/70, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
- Corresponding author.
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120
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Xie S, Zhang X, Cheng W, Yang Z. Adolescent anxiety disorders and the developing brain: comparing neuroimaging findings in adolescents and adults. Gen Psychiatr 2021; 34:e100411. [PMID: 34423252 PMCID: PMC8340272 DOI: 10.1136/gpsych-2020-100411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adolescence is the peak period for the incidence of anxiety disorders. Recent findings have revealed the immaturity of neural networks underlying emotional regulation in this population. Brain vulnerability to anxiety in adolescence is related to the unsynchronised development of anxiety-relevant brain functional systems. However, our current knowledge on brain deficits in adolescent anxiety is mainly borrowed from studies on adults. Understanding adolescent-specific brain deficits is essential for developing biomarkers and brain-based therapies targeting adolescent anxiety. This article reviews and compares recent neuroimaging literature on anxiety-related brain structural and functional deficits between adolescent and adult populations, and proposes a model highlighting the differences between adolescence and adulthood in anxiety-related brain networks. This model emphasises that in adolescence the emotional control system tends to be hypoactivated, the fear conditioning system is immature, and the reward and stress response systems are hypersensitive. Furthermore, the striatum’s functional links to the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex are strengthened, while the link between the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala is weakened in adolescence. This model helps to explain why adolescents are vulnerable to anxiety disorders and provides insights into potential brain-based approaches to intervene in adolescent anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqi Xie
- Laboratory of Psychological Health and Imaging, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaochen Zhang
- Laboratory of Psychological Health and Imaging, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhong Cheng
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi Yang
- Laboratory of Psychological Health and Imaging, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Psychological and Behavioral Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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121
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Chronic Stress Induces Sex-Specific Functional and Morphological Alterations in Corticoaccumbal and Corticotegmental Pathways. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 90:194-205. [PMID: 33867113 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is part of a complex circuit controlling stress responses by sending projections to different limbic structures including the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA). However, the impact of chronic stress on NAc- and VTA-projecting mPFC neurons is still unknown, and the distinct contribution of these pathways to stress responses in males and females is unclear. METHODS Behavioral stress responses were induced by 21 days of chronic variable stress in male and female C57BL/6NCrl mice. An intersectional viral approach was used to label both pathways and assess the functional, morphological, and transcriptional adaptations in NAc- and VTA-projecting mPFC neurons in stressed males and females. Using chemogenetic approaches, we modified neuronal activity of NAc-projecting mPFC neurons to decipher their contribution to stress phenotypes. RESULTS Chronic variable stress induced depressive-like behaviors in males and females. NAc- and VTA-projecting mPFC neurons exhibited sex-specific functional, morphological, and transcriptional alterations. The functional changes were more severe in females in NAc-projecting mPFC neurons, while males exhibited more drastic reductions in dendritic complexity in VTA-projecting mPFC neurons after chronic variable stress. Finally, chemogenetic overactivation of the corticoaccumbal pathway triggered anxiety and behavioral despair in both sexes, while its inhibition rescued the phenotype only in females. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that stress responses in males and females result from pathway-specific changes in the activity of transcriptional programs controlling the morphological and synaptic properties of corticoaccumbal and corticotegmental pathways in a sex-specific fashion.
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122
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Bao X, Qi C, Liu T, Zheng X. Information transmission in mPFC-BLA network during exploratory behavior in the open field. Behav Brain Res 2021; 414:113483. [PMID: 34302874 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Exploratory behavior plays a fundamental role in motivation, learning, and well-being of organisms. The open field test (OFT) is a classic method to investigate the exploratory behavior in rodents, also a widely adopted and pharmacologically validated procedure for evaluating anxiety and depression. Several lines of evidence have shown that medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and basolateral amygdala (BLA) play crucial roles in anxiety-like or depression-like exploratory behavior. However, the dynamic characterization of the mPFC-BLA network in exploratory behavior is less well understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the information transmission mechanism in the mPFC-BLA network during exploratory behavior. Local field potentials (LFPs) from mPFC and BLA were simultaneously recorded while the rats performed the OFT. Directed transfer function (DTF), which was derived from Granger causal connectivity analysis, was applied to measure the functional connectivity among LFPs. Information flow (IF) was calculated to explore the dynamics of information transmission in the mPFC-BLA network. Our results revealed that, for both mPFC and BLA, the theta-band functional connectivity in periphery was significantly higher than that in center of the open field. The IF from BLA to mPFC in the open field task was significantly higher than that from mPFC to BLA. These results suggest that the functional connectivity and IF in the mPFC-BLA network are related to the exploratory behavior, and information transmission from BLA to mPFC could be predominant for exploratory behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuehui Bao
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Chengxi Qi
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Tiaotiao Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Xuyuan Zheng
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.
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123
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Cruces-Solis H, Babaev O, Ali H, Piletti Chatain C, Mykytiuk V, Balekoglu N, Wenger S, Krueger-Burg D. Altered theta and beta oscillatory synchrony in a genetic mouse model of pathological anxiety. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21585. [PMID: 33960026 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202002028rr] [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: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
While the neural circuits mediating normal, adaptive defensive behaviors have been extensively studied, substantially less is currently known about the network mechanisms by which aberrant, pathological anxiety is encoded in the brain. Here we investigate in mice how deletion of Neuroligin-2 (Nlgn2), an inhibitory synapse-specific adhesion protein that has been associated with pathological anxiety and other psychiatric disorders, alters the communication between key brain regions involved in mediating defensive behaviors. To this end, we performed multi-site simultaneous local field potential (LFP) recordings from the basolateral amygdala (BLA), centromedial amygdala (CeM), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and ventral hippocampus (vHPC) in an open field paradigm. We found that LFP power in the vHPC was profoundly increased and was accompanied by an abnormal modulation of the synchrony of theta frequency oscillations particularly in the vHPC-mPFC-BLA circuit. Moreover, deletion of Nlgn2 increased beta and gamma frequency synchrony across the network, and this increase was associated with increased center avoidance. Local deletion of Nlgn2 in the vHPC and BLA revealed that they encode distinct aspects of this avoidance phenotype, with vHPC linked to immobility and BLA linked to a reduction in exploratory activity. Together, our data demonstrate that alterations in long-range functional connectivity link synaptic inhibition to abnormal defensive behaviors, and that both exaggerated activation of normal defensive circuits and recruitment of fundamentally distinct mechanisms contribute to this phenotype. Nlgn2 knockout mice therefore represent a highly relevant model to study the role of inhibitory synaptic transmission in the circuits underlying anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Cruces-Solis
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Olga Babaev
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.,Göttingen Graduate School for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Heba Ali
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.,Göttingen Graduate School for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Carolina Piletti Chatain
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.,Göttingen Graduate School for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Vasyl Mykytiuk
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.,Göttingen Graduate School for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nursen Balekoglu
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sally Wenger
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dilja Krueger-Burg
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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124
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Macro- and Microscale Stress-Associated Alterations in Brain Structure: Translational Link With Depression. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 90:118-127. [PMID: 34001371 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a stress-related disorder associated with many cytoarchitectural and neurochemical changes. However, the majority of these changes cannot be reliably detected in the living brain. The examination of animal stress models and postmortem human brain tissue has significantly contributed to our understanding of the pathophysiology of MDD. Ronald Duman's work in humans and in rodent models was critical to the investigation of the contribution of synaptic deficits to MDD and chronic stress pathology, their role in the development and expression of depressive-like behavior, and reversal by novel drugs. Here, we review evidence from magnetic resonance imaging in humans and animals that suggests that corticolimbic alterations are associated with depression symptomatology. We also discuss evidence of cytoarchitectural alterations affecting neurons, astroglia, and synapses in MDD and highlight how similar changes are described in rodent chronic stress models and are linked to the emotion-related behavioral deficits. Finally, we report on the latest approaches developed to measure the synaptic and astroglial alterations in vivo, using positron emission tomography, and how it can inform on the contribution of MDD-associated cytoarchitectural alterations to the symptomatology and the treatment of stress-related disorders.
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125
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Ma L, Wang J, Ge J, Wang Y, Zhang W, Du Y, Luo J, Li Y, Wang F, Fan G, Chen R, Yao B, Zhao Z, Guo ML, Kim WK, Chai Y, Chen JF. Reversing neural circuit and behavior deficit in mice exposed to maternal inflammation by Zika virus. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e51978. [PMID: 34232545 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202051978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy is linked to various developmental brain disorders. Infants who are asymptomatic at birth might have postnatal neurocognitive complications. However, animal models recapitulating these neurocognitive phenotypes are lacking, and the circuit mechanism underlying behavioral abnormalities is unknown. Here, we show that ZIKV infection during mouse pregnancy induces maternal immune activation (MIA) and leads to autistic-like behaviors including repetitive self-grooming and impaired social memory in offspring. In the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), ZIKV-affected offspring mice exhibit excitation and inhibition imbalance and increased cortical activity. This could be explained by dysregulation of inhibitory neurons and synapses, and elevated neural activity input from mPFC-projecting ventral hippocampus (vHIP) neurons. We find structure alterations in the synaptic connections and pattern of vHIP innervation of mPFC neurons, leading to hyperconnectivity of the vHIP-mPFC pathway. Decreasing the activity of mPFC-projecting vHIP neurons with a chemogenetic strategy rescues social memory deficits in ZIKV offspring mice. Our studies reveal a hyperconnectivity of vHIP to mPFC projection driving social memory deficits in mice exposed to maternal inflammation by ZIKV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ma
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jianlong Ge
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yuan Wang
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yuanning Du
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jun Luo
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yangping Li
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Guoping Fan
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rong Chen
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bing Yao
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Zhen Zhao
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ming-Lei Guo
- Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Woong-Ki Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Yang Chai
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jian-Fu Chen
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, USA
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126
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Vo BN, Marron Fernandez de Velasco E, Rose TR, Oberle H, Luo H, Hopkins CR, Wickman K. Bidirectional Influence of Limbic GIRK Channel Activation on Innate Avoidance Behavior. J Neurosci 2021; 41:5809-5821. [PMID: 34039657 PMCID: PMC8265807 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2787-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic administration of ML297, a selective activator of G-protein-gated inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK) channels, decreases innate avoidance behavior in male C57BL/6J mice. The cellular mechanisms mediating the ML297-induced suppression of avoidance behavior are unknown. Here, we show that systemic ML297 administration suppresses elevated plus maze (EPM)-induced neuronal activation in the ventral hippocampus (vHPC) and basolateral amygdala (BLA) and that ML297 activates GIRK1-containing GIRK channels in these limbic structures. While intracranial infusion of ML297 into the vHPC suppressed avoidance behavior in the EPM test, mirroring the effect of systemic ML297, intra-BLA administration of ML297 provoked the opposite effect. Using neuron-specific viral genetic and chemogenetic approaches, we found that the combined inhibition of excitatory neurons in CA3 and dentate gyrus (DG) subregions of the vHPC was sufficient to decrease innate avoidance behavior in the EPM, open-field, and light-dark tests in male C57BL/6J mice, while performance in the marble-burying test was not impacted. Furthermore, genetic ablation of GIRK channels in CA3/DG excitatory neurons precluded the suppression of avoidance behavior evoked by systemic ML297 in the EPM test. Thus, acute inhibition of excitatory neurons in the ventral CA3 and DG subregions of the vHPC is necessary for the apparent anxiolytic efficacy of systemic ML297 and is sufficient to decrease innate avoidance behavior in male C57BL/6J mice.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We interrogated the cellular mechanisms underlying the apparent anxiolytic efficacy of ML297, a selective activator of G-protein-gated inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK) channels and promising lead compound. Intracranial infusion of ML297 into the ventral hippocampus (vHPC) and basolateral amygdala (BLA) complex exerted opposing influence on innate avoidance behavior in male C57BL/6J mice, the former recapitulating the suppression of avoidance behavior evoked by systemic ML297. Using viral genetic and chemogenetic approaches, we showed that combined inhibition of excitatory neurons in CA3 and dentate gyrus (DG) subregions of the vHPC is sufficient to decrease innate avoidance behavior in male mice and mediates the decrease in avoidance behavior evoked by systemic ML297. These findings establish a foundation for future investigations into the therapeutic potential of GIRK channel modulation in anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baovi N Vo
- Graduate Program in Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | | | - Timothy R Rose
- Graduate Program in Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Hannah Oberle
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Haichang Luo
- Graduate Program in Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Corey R Hopkins
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198
| | - Kevin Wickman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
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127
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Zhao X, Mohammed R, Tran H, Erickson M, Kentner AC. Poly (I:C)-induced maternal immune activation modifies ventral hippocampal regulation of stress reactivity: prevention by environmental enrichment. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 95:203-215. [PMID: 33766701 PMCID: PMC8187276 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) has been successfully implemented in human rehabilitation settings. However, the mechanisms underlying its success are not understood. Incorporating components of EE protocols into our animal models allows for the exploration of these mechanisms and their role in mitigation. Using a mouse model of maternal immune activation (MIA), the present study explored disruptions in social behavior and associated hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis functioning, and whether a supportive environment could prevent these effects. We show that prenatal immune activation of toll-like receptor 3, by the viral mimetic polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), led to disrupted maternal care in that dams built poorer quality nests, an effect corrected by EE housing. Standard housed male and female MIA mice engaged in higher rates of repetitive rearing and had lower levels of social interaction, alongside sex-specific expression of several ventral hippocampal neural stress markers. Moreover, MIA males had delayed recovery of plasma corticosterone in response to a novel social encounter. Enrichment housing, likely mediated by improved maternal care, protected against these MIA-induced effects. We also evaluated c-Fos immunoreactivity associated with the novel social experience and found MIA to decrease neural activation in the dentate gyrus. Activation in the hypothalamus was blunted in EE housed animals, suggesting that the putative circuits modulating social behaviors may be different between standard and complex housing environments. These data demonstrate that augmentation of the environment supports parental care and offspring safety/security, which can offset effects of early health adversity by buffering HPA axis dysregulation. Our findings provide further evidence for the viability of EE interventions in maternal and pediatric settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Amanda C. Kentner
- Corresponding author: Amanda Kentner, , Office #617-274-3360, Fax # 617-732-2959
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128
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Niedecker RW, Kloc ML, Holmes GL, Barry JM. Effects of early life seizures on coordination of hippocampal-prefrontal networks: Influence of sex and dynamic brain states. Epilepsia 2021; 62:1701-1714. [PMID: 34002378 PMCID: PMC8260466 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Early life seizures (ELSs) alter activity-dependent maturation of neuronal circuits underlying learning and memory. The pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning seizure-induced cognitive impairment are not fully understood, and critical variables such as sex and dynamic brain states with regard to cognitive outcomes have not been explored. We hypothesized that in comparison to control (CTL) rats, ELS rats would exhibit deficits in spatial cognition correlating with impaired dynamic neural signal coordination between the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). METHODS Male and female rat pups were given 50 flurothyl-induced seizures over 10 days starting at postnatal Day 15. As adults, spatial cognition was tested through active avoidance on a rotating arena. Microwire tetrodes were implanted in the mPFC and CA1 subfield. Single cells and local field potentials were recorded and analyzed in each region during active avoidance and sleep. RESULTS ELS males exhibited avoidance impairments, whereas female rats were unaffected. During avoidance, hippocampus-mPFC coherence was higher in CTL females than CTL males across bandwidths. In comparison to CTL males, ELS male learners exhibit increased coherence within theta bandwidth as well as altered burst-timing in mPFC cell activity. Hippocampus-mPFC coherence levels are predictive of cognitive outcome in the active avoidance spatial task. SIGNIFICANCE Spatial cognitive outcome post-ELS is sex-dependent, as females fare better than males. ELS males that learn the task exhibit increased mPFC coherence levels at low-theta frequency, which may compensate for ELS effects on mPFC cell timing. These results suggest that coherence may serve as a biomarker for spatial cognitive outcome post-ELS and emphasize the significance of analyzing sex and dynamic cognition as variables in understanding seizure effects on the developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhys W Niedecker
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Epilepsy Development and Cognition Group, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Michelle L Kloc
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Epilepsy Development and Cognition Group, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Gregory L Holmes
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Epilepsy Development and Cognition Group, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Jeremy M Barry
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Epilepsy Development and Cognition Group, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
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129
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Hou Y, Chen M, Wang C, Liu L, Mao H, Qu X, Shen X, Yu B, Liu S. Electroacupuncture Attenuates Anxiety-Like Behaviors in a Rat Model of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: The Role of the Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:690159. [PMID: 34248490 PMCID: PMC8264195 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.690159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Electroacupuncture (EA) is a promising clinical approach to treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet the mechanisms whereby EA can alleviate anxiety and other PTSD symptoms have yet to be clarified. In the present report, rats underwent EA for 14 consecutive days following modified single prolonged stress (MSPS) exposure. These animals were then evaluated in open field and elevated plus maze tests (OFT and EPM), while Fos immunohistochemical staining was performed to assess ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) functional activation. In addition, an extracellular recording and stimulation system was used to analyze vmPFC inputs into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in these rats. Temporary vmPFC inactivation was further performed to assess whether this was sufficient to reverse the anxiolytic effects of EA. Overall, rats that underwent EA treatment spent more time in the central region (OFT) and the open arm (EPM) relative to MSPS model animals (P < 0.05). These MSPS model animals also exhibited significantly fewer activated Fos-positive nuclei in the vmPFC following behavioral testing, while EA was associated with a significant relative increase in c-Fos expression in this region. The transient inactivation of the vmPFC was sufficient to reverse the effects of EA treatment on anxiety-like behaviors in MSPS model rats. MSPS and SEA rats exhibiting no differences in bursting activity between baseline and vmPFC stimulation, whereas bursting activity rose relative to baseline upon ventral mPFC stimulation in EA treated and control rats. Together, these findings indicate that the vmPFC and its inputs into the VTA are functionally linked to the anxiolytic activity of EA, implicating this pathway in the EA-mediated treatment of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchao Hou
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Meiyu Chen
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Can Wang
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lumin Liu
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huijuan Mao
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyi Qu
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueyong Shen
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Yu
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Sheng Liu
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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130
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Loewke AC, Minerva AR, Nelson AB, Kreitzer AC, Gunaydin LA. Frontostriatal Projections Regulate Innate Avoidance Behavior. J Neurosci 2021; 41:5487-5501. [PMID: 34001628 PMCID: PMC8221601 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2581-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) has been linked to avoidance and decision-making under conflict, key neural computations altered in anxiety disorders. However, the heterogeneity of prefrontal projections has obscured identification of specific top-down projections involved. While the dmPFC-amygdala circuit has long been implicated in controlling reflexive fear responses, recent work suggests that dmPFC-dorsomedial striatum (DMS) projections may be more important for regulating avoidance. Using fiber photometry recordings in both male and female mice during the elevated zero maze task, we show heightened neural activity in frontostriatal but not frontoamygdalar projection neurons during exploration of the anxiogenic open arms. Additionally, using optogenetics, we demonstrate that this frontostriatal projection preferentially excites postsynaptic D1 receptor-expressing neurons in the DMS and causally controls innate avoidance behavior. These results support a model for prefrontal control of defensive behavior in which the dmPFC-amygdala projection controls reflexive fear behavior and the dmPFC-striatum projection controls anxious avoidance behavior.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The medial prefrontal cortex has been extensively linked to several behavioral symptom domains related to anxiety disorders, with much of the work centered around reflexive fear responses. Comparatively little is known at the mechanistic level about anxious avoidance behavior, a core feature across anxiety disorders. Recent work has suggested that the striatum may be an important hub for regulating avoidance behaviors. Our work uses optical circuit dissection techniques to identify a specific corticostriatal circuit involved in encoding and controlling avoidance behavior. Identifying neural circuits for avoidance will enable the development of more targeted symptom-specific treatments for anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne C Loewke
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158
| | - Adelaide R Minerva
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158
| | - Alexandra B Nelson
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158
- Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience is at University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158
| | - Anatol C Kreitzer
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158
- Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience is at University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158
- Neurological Disease Institute, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California 94158
| | - Lisa A Gunaydin
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158
- Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience is at University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158
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131
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Bittar TP, Labonté B. Functional Contribution of the Medial Prefrontal Circuitry in Major Depressive Disorder and Stress-Induced Depressive-Like Behaviors. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:699592. [PMID: 34234655 PMCID: PMC8257081 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.699592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research on the neurobiology of major depressive disorder (MDD), the mechanisms underlying its expression remain unknown. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a hub region involved in emotional processing and stress response elaboration, is highly impacted in MDD patients and animal models of chronic stress. Recent advances showed alterations in the morphology and activity of mPFC neurons along with profound changes in their transcriptional programs. Studies at the circuitry level highlighted the relevance of deciphering the contributions of the distinct prefrontal circuits in the elaboration of adapted and maladapted behavioral responses in the context of chronic stress. Interestingly, MDD presents a sexual dimorphism, a feature recognized in the molecular field but understudied on the circuit level. This review examines the recent literature and summarizes the contribution of the mPFC circuitry in the expression of MDD in males and females along with the morphological and functional alterations that change the activity of these neuronal circuits in human MDD and animal models of depressive-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibault P. Bittar
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Québec, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Benoit Labonté
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Québec, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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132
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Gomes-Leal W. Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Affective Disorders: New Neurons for Psychic Well-Being. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:594448. [PMID: 34220412 PMCID: PMC8242208 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.594448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A paradigm shift in neuroscience was the discovery that new neurons are constantly produced in the adult mammalian brain of several species, including Homo sapiens. These new-born cells are formed in some main neurogenic niches, including the subventricular zone (SVZ) at the margin of the lateral ventricle and subgranular zone (SGZ) in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). In the DG, neuroblasts derive from SGZ progenitors and migrate to the hippocampal granular layer becoming adult granule cells, which are integrated into functional adult circuits. It has been confirmed that adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) is a long-lasting phenomenon in the human brain. The functions of hippocampal new-born cells are not fully established. Experimental studies suggest that they have unique electrophysiological properties, including hyperexcitability, which enable them to regulate adult granule cells. Their specific function depends on the anatomical hippocampal location along the hippocampal dorsal-ventral axis. Dorsal hippocampus plays a more defined role on spatial learning and contextual information, while the ventral hippocampus is more related to emotional behavior, stress resilience and social interaction. Several reports suggest a role for AHN in pattern separation, cognitive flexibility, forgetting and reversal learning. It has been proposed that deficits in AHN might impair normal DG function, including pattern separation and cognitive flexibility, which could play a role on the etiology of affective disorders, such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this paper, we review recent scientific evidence suggesting that impairment of AHN may underlie the pathophysiology of affective disorders even in humans and that neurogenesis-inspired therapies may be a promising approach to reduce symptoms of affective disorders in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walace Gomes-Leal
- Post-Graduation Program in Health Sciences, Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Western Pará, Santarém, Brazil
- Post-Graduation Program in Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
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133
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Tan SZK, Poon CH, Chan YS, Lim LW. Prelimbic cortical stimulation disrupts fear memory consolidation through ventral hippocampal dopamine D 2 receptors. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:3587-3601. [PMID: 33899943 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Anxiety disorders pose one of the biggest threats to mental health worldwide, yet current therapeutics have been mostly ineffective due to issues with relapse, efficacy and toxicity of the medications. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a promising therapy for treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders including anxiety, but very little is known about the effects of deep brain stimulation on fear memories. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH In this study, we employed a standard tone-footshock fear conditioning paradigm and modified plus maze discriminative avoidance task to probe the effects of prelimbic cortex deep brain stimulation on various stages of memory. KEY RESULTS We identified memory consolidation stage as a critical time point to disrupt fear memory via prelimbic cortex deep brain stimulation. The observed disruption was partially modulated by the inactivation of the ventral hippocampus and the transient changes in ventral hippocampus dopamine (D2 ) receptors expression upon prelimbic cortex deep brain stimulation. We also observed wide-scale changes of various neurotransmitters and their metabolites in ventral hippocampus, confirming its important role in response to prelimbic cortex deep brain stimulation. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS These findings highlight the molecular mechanism in the ventral hippocampus in response to prelimbic cortex stimulation and may have translational value, indicating that targeting the prelimbic cortex in the memory consolidation stage via non-invasive neuromodulation techniques may be a feasible therapeutic strategy against anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn Zheng Kai Tan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chi Him Poon
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ying-Shing Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lee Wei Lim
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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134
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Sakai Y, Li H, Inaba H, Funayama Y, Ishimori E, Kawatake-Kuno A, Yamagata H, Seki T, Hobara T, Nakagawa S, Watanabe Y, Tomita S, Murai T, Uchida S. Gene-environment interactions mediate stress susceptibility and resilience through the CaMKIIβ/TARPγ-8/AMPAR pathway. iScience 2021; 24:102504. [PMID: 34113835 PMCID: PMC8170005 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Although stressful events predispose individuals to psychiatric disorders, such as depression, not all people who undergo a stressful life experience become depressed, suggesting that gene-environment interactions (GxE) determine depression risk. The ventral hippocampus (vHPC) plays key roles in motivation, sociability, anhedonia, despair-like behaviors, anxiety, sleep, and feeding, pointing to the involvement of this brain region in depression. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the cross talk between the vHPC and GxE in shaping behavioral susceptibility and resilience to chronic stress remain elusive. Here, we show that Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIβ (CaMKIIβ) activity in the vHPC is differentially modulated in GxE mouse models of depression susceptibility and resilience, and that CaMKIIβ-mediated TARPγ-8 phosphorylation enhances the expression of AMPA receptor subunit GluA1 in the postsynaptic sites to enable stress resilience. We present previously missing molecular mechanisms underlying chronic stress-elicited behavioral changes, providing strategies for preventing and treating stress-related psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Sakai
- SK Project, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 53 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Haiyan Li
- SK Project, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 53 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Inaba
- SK Project, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 53 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Yuki Funayama
- SK Project, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 53 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Erina Ishimori
- SK Project, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 53 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Ayako Kawatake-Kuno
- SK Project, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 53 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Yamagata
- Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Hon-cho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - Tomoe Seki
- Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Hon-cho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - Teruyuki Hobara
- Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Hon-cho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - Shin Nakagawa
- Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Watanabe
- Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Susumu Tomita
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, and Repair, Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Toshiya Murai
- SK Project, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 53 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Shusaku Uchida
- SK Project, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 53 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Hon-cho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
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135
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Pentkowski NS, Rogge-Obando KK, Donaldson TN, Bouquin SJ, Clark BJ. Anxiety and Alzheimer's disease: Behavioral analysis and neural basis in rodent models of Alzheimer's-related neuropathology. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 127:647-658. [PMID: 33979573 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology is commonly associated with cognitive decline but is also composed of neuropsychiatric symptoms including psychological distress and alterations in mood, including anxiety and depression. Emotional dysfunction in AD is frequently modeled using tests of anxiety-like behavior in transgenic rodents. These tests often include the elevated plus-maze, light/dark test and open field test. In this review, we describe prototypical behavioral paradigms used to examine emotional dysfunction in transgenic models of AD, specifically anxiety-like behavior. Next, we summarize the results of studies examining anxiety-like behavior in transgenic rodents, noting that the behavioral outcomes using these paradigms have produced inconsistent results. We suggest that future research will benefit from using a battery of tests to examine emotional behavior in transgenic AD models. We conclude by discussing putative, overlapping neurobiological mechanisms underlying AD-related neuropathology, stress and anxiety-like behavior reported in AD models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan S Pentkowski
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87109, Mexico.
| | | | - Tia N Donaldson
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87109, Mexico
| | - Samuel J Bouquin
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87109, Mexico
| | - Benjamin J Clark
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87109, Mexico.
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136
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Levone BR, Moloney GM, Cryan JF, O'Leary OF. Specific sub-regions along the longitudinal axis of the hippocampus mediate antidepressant-like behavioral effects. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 14:100331. [PMID: 33997156 PMCID: PMC8100619 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Current antidepressants are suboptimal due incomplete understanding of the neurobiology underlying their behavioral effects. However, imaging studies suggest the hippocampus is a key brain region underpinning antidepressant action. There is increasing attention on the functional segregation of the hippocampus into a dorsal region (dHi) predominantly involved in spatial learning and memory, and a ventral region (vHi) which regulates anxiety, a symptom often co-morbid with depression. However, little is known about the roles of these hippocampal sub-regions in the antidepressant response. Moreover, the area between them, the intermediate hippocampus (iHi), has received little attention. Here, we investigated the impact of dHi, iHi or vHi lesions on anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors under baseline or antidepressant treatment conditions in male C57BL/6 mice (n = 8-10). We found that in the absence of fluoxetine, vHi lesions reduced anxiety-like behavior, while none of the lesions affected other antidepressant-sensitive behaviors. vHi lesions prevented the acute antidepressant-like behavioral effects of fluoxetine in the tail suspension test and its anxiolytic effects in the novelty-induced hypophagia test. Intriguingly, only iHi lesions prevented the antidepressant effects of chronic fluoxetine treatment in the forced swim test. dHi lesions did not impact any behaviors either in the absence or presence of fluoxetine. In summary, we found that vHi plays a key role in anxiety-like behavior and its modulation by fluoxetine, while both iHi and vHi play distinct roles in fluoxetine-induced antidepressant-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brunno Rocha Levone
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Gerard M Moloney
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John F Cryan
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Olivia F O'Leary
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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137
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Kraus A, Buckley KM, Salinas I. Sensing the world and its dangers: An evolutionary perspective in neuroimmunology. eLife 2021; 10:66706. [PMID: 33900197 PMCID: PMC8075586 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Detecting danger is key to the survival and success of all species. Animal nervous and immune systems cooperate to optimize danger detection. Preceding studies have highlighted the benefits of bringing neurons into the defense game, including regulation of immune responses, wound healing, pathogen control, and survival. Here, we summarize the body of knowledge in neuroimmune communication and assert that neuronal participation in the immune response is deeply beneficial in each step of combating infection, from inception to resolution. Despite the documented tight association between the immune and nervous systems in mammals or invertebrate model organisms, interdependence of these two systems is largely unexplored across metazoans. This review brings a phylogenetic perspective of the nervous and immune systems in the context of danger detection and advocates for the use of non-model organisms to diversify the field of neuroimmunology. We identify key taxa that are ripe for investigation due to the emergence of key evolutionary innovations in their immune and nervous systems. This novel perspective will help define the primordial principles that govern neuroimmune communication across taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurora Kraus
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States
| | | | - Irene Salinas
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States
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138
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Wirtshafter HS, Wilson MA. Lateral septum as a nexus for mood, motivation, and movement. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 126:544-559. [PMID: 33848512 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The lateral septum (LS) has been implicated in a wide variety of functions, including emotional, motivational, and spatial behavior, and the LS may regulate interactions between the hippocampus and other regions that mediate goal directed behavior. In this review, we suggest that the lateral septum incorporates movement into the evaluation of environmental context with respect to motivation, anxiety, and reward to output an 'integrated movement value signal'. Specifically, hippocampally-derived contextual information may be combined with reinforcement or motivational information in the LS to inform task-relevant decisions. We will discuss how movement is represented in the LS and the literature on the LS's involvement in mood and motivation. We will then connect these results to LS movement-related literature and hypotheses about the role of the lateral septum. We suggest that the LS may communicate a movement-scaled reward signal via changes in place-, movement-, and reward-related firing, and that the LS should be considered a fundamental node of affect and locomotor pathways in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah S Wirtshafter
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA; Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
| | - Matthew A Wilson
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA; Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
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139
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Xiang Z, Lv X, Lin X, O'Brien DE, Altman MK, Lindsley CW, Javitch JA, Niswender CM, Conn PJ. Input-specific regulation of glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the medial prefrontal cortex by mGlu 2/mGlu 4 receptor heterodimers. Sci Signal 2021; 14:14/677/eabd2319. [PMID: 33824180 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abd2319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are G protein-coupled receptors that regulate various aspects of central nervous system processing in normal physiology and in disease. They are thought to function as disulfide-linked homodimers, but studies have suggested that mGluRs can form functional heterodimers in cell lines. Using selective allosteric ligands, ex vivo brain slice electrophysiology, and optogenetic approaches, we found that two mGluR subtypes-mGluR2 and mGluR4 (or mGlu2 and mGlu4)-exist as functional heterodimers that regulate excitatory transmission in a synapse-specific manner within the rodent medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Activation of mGlu2/mGlu4 heterodimers inhibited glutamatergic signaling at thalamo-mPFC synapses but not at hippocampus-mPFC or amygdala-mPFC synapses. These findings raise the possibility that selectively targeting these heterodimers could be a therapeutic strategy for some neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders involving specific brain circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixiu Xiang
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Xiaohui Lv
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Xin Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.,Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Daniel E O'Brien
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Molly K Altman
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jonathan A Javitch
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.,Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA.,Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - P Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. .,Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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140
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Lv QY, Chen MM, Li Y, Yu Y, Liao H. Brain circuit dysfunction in specific symptoms of depression. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 55:2393-2403. [PMID: 33818849 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15221] [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: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Since the depressive disorder manifests complex and diverse symptoms clinically, its pathological mechanism and therapeutic options are difficult to determine. In recent years, the advent of optogenetics, chemogenetics and viral tracing techniques, along with the well-established rodent model of depression, has led to a shift in the focus of depression research from single molecules to neural circuits. In virtue of the powerful tools above, psychiatric disorder such as depression could be well related to the disfunction of brain's connection. Moreover, compelling studies also support that the diversity of depressive behaviour could be involved with the discrete changes in a distinct circuit of the brain. Therefore, summarising the differential changes of the neural circuits in mice with depression-like behaviour may provide a better understanding of the causal relationships between neural circuit and depressive behaviour. Here, we focus on the changes in the neural circuitry underlying various depression-like phenotypes, including motivation, despair, social avoidance and comorbid sequelae, which may provide an explanation to circuit-specific discrepancy in depression-like behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Y Lv
- New Drug Screening Center, Jiangsu Center for Pharmacodynamics Research and Evaluation, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming M Chen
- New Drug Screening Center, Jiangsu Center for Pharmacodynamics Research and Evaluation, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu Li
- New Drug Screening Center, Jiangsu Center for Pharmacodynamics Research and Evaluation, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Yu
- New Drug Screening Center, Jiangsu Center for Pharmacodynamics Research and Evaluation, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hong Liao
- New Drug Screening Center, Jiangsu Center for Pharmacodynamics Research and Evaluation, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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141
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Khastkhodaei Z, Muthuraman M, Yang JW, Groppa S, Luhmann HJ. Functional and directed connectivity of the cortico-limbic network in mice in vivo. Brain Struct Funct 2021; 226:685-700. [PMID: 33442810 PMCID: PMC7981333 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-020-02202-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Higher cognitive processes and emotional regulation depend on densely interconnected telencephalic and limbic areas. Central structures of this cortico-limbic network are ventral hippocampus (vHC), medial prefrontal cortex (PFC), basolateral amygdala (BLA) and nucleus accumbens (NAC). Human and animal studies have revealed both anatomical and functional alterations in specific connections of this network in several psychiatric disorders. However, it is often not clear whether functional alterations within these densely interconnected brain areas are caused by modifications in the direct pathways, or alternatively through indirect interactions. We performed multi-site extracellular recordings of spontaneous activity in three different brain regions to study the functional connectivity in the BLA-NAC-PFC-vHC network of the lightly anesthetized mouse in vivo. We show that BLA, NAC, PFC and vHC are functionally connected in distinct frequency bands and determined the influence of a third brain region on this connectivity. In addition to describing mutual synchronicity, we determined the strength of functional connectivity for each region in the BLA-NAC-PFC-vHC network. We find a region-specificity in the strength of feedforward and feedback connections for each region in its interaction with other areas in the network. Our results provide insights into functional and directed connectivity in the cortico-limbic network of adult wild-type mice, which may be helpful to further elucidate the pathophysiological changes of this network in psychiatric disorders and to develop target-specific therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Khastkhodaei
- Institute of Physiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 6, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Muthuraman Muthuraman
- Section of Movement Disorders and Neurostimulation, Biomedical Statistics and MULTIMODAL Signal Processing Unit, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 6, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jenq-Wei Yang
- Institute of Physiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 6, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Sergiu Groppa
- Section of Movement Disorders and Neurostimulation, Biomedical Statistics and MULTIMODAL Signal Processing Unit, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 6, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Heiko J Luhmann
- Institute of Physiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 6, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
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142
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Graham J, D’Ambra AF, Jung SJ, Teratani-Ota Y, Vishwakarma N, Venkatesh R, Parigi A, Antzoulatos EG, Fioravante D, Wiltgen BJ. High-Frequency Stimulation of Ventral CA1 Neurons Reduces Amygdala Activity and Inhibits Fear. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:595049. [PMID: 33767614 PMCID: PMC7985556 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.595049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The hippocampus can be divided into distinct segments that make unique contributions to learning and memory. The dorsal segment supports cognitive processes like spatial learning and navigation while the ventral hippocampus regulates emotional behaviors related to fear, anxiety and reward. In the current study, we determined how pyramidal cells in ventral CA1 respond to spatial cues and aversive stimulation during a context fear conditioning task. We also examined the effects of high and low frequency stimulation of these neurons on defensive behavior. Similar to previous work in the dorsal hippocampus, we found that cells in ventral CA1 expressed high-levels of c-Fos in response to a novel spatial environment. Surprisingly, however, the number of activated neurons did not increase when the environment was paired with footshock. This was true even in the subpopulation of ventral CA1 pyramidal cells that send direct projections to the amygdala. When these cells were stimulated at high-frequencies (20 Hz) we observed feedforward inhibition of basal amygdala neurons and impaired expression of context fear. In contrast, low-frequency stimulation (4 Hz) did not inhibit principal cells in the basal amygdala and produced an increase in fear generalization. Similar results have been reported in dorsal CA1. Therefore, despite clear differences between the dorsal and ventral hippocampus, CA1 neurons in each segment appear to make similar contributions to context fear conditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jalina Graham
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Alexa F. D’Ambra
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Se Jung Jung
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Yusuke Teratani-Ota
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Nina Vishwakarma
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Rasika Venkatesh
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Abhijna Parigi
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Evan G. Antzoulatos
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Diasynou Fioravante
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Brian J. Wiltgen
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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143
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Gunduz-Cinar O. The endocannabinoid system in the amygdala and modulation of fear. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 105:110116. [PMID: 32976951 PMCID: PMC7511205 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a persistent, trauma induced psychiatric condition characterized by lifelong complex cognitive, emotional and behavioral phenotype. Although many individuals that experience trauma are able to gradually diminish their emotional responding to trauma-related stimuli over time, known as extinction learning, individuals suffering from PTSD are impaired in this capacity. An inability to decline this initially normal and adaptive fear response, can be confronted with exposure-based therapies, often in combination with pharmacological treatments. Due to the complexity of PTSD, currently available pharmacotherapeutics are inadequate in treating the deficient extinction observed in many PTSD patients. To develop novel therapeutics, researchers have exploited the conserved nature of fear and stress-associated behavioral responses and neurocircuits across species in an attempt to translate knowledge gained from preclinical studies into the clinic. There is growing evidence on the endocannabinoid modulation of fear and stress due to their 'on demand' synthesis and degradation. Involvement of the endocannabinoids in fear extinction makes the endocannabinoid system very attractive for finding effective therapeutics for trauma and stress related disorders. In this review, a brief introduction on neuroanatomy and circuitry of fear extinction will be provided as a model to study PTSD. Then, the endocannabinoid system will be discussed as an important component of extinction modulation. In this regard, anandamide degrading enzyme, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) will be exemplified as a target identified and validated strongly from preclinical to clinical translational studies of enhancing extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Gunduz-Cinar
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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144
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Maestas-Olguin C, Fennelly JW, Pentkowski NS. Chemogenetic inhibition of ventral hippocampal CaMKIIα-expressing neurons attenuates anxiety- but not fear-like defensive behaviors in male Long-Evans hooded rats. Neurosci Lett 2021; 751:135777. [PMID: 33647396 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.135777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Previous research has implicated the ventral pole of the hippocampus in regulating anxiety. However, most rat studies examining the specific contribution of the ventral hippocampus have utilized techniques that have nonspecific effects and/or create nonreversible damage to the region. The present study sought to characterize the role of ventral hippocampal CaMKIIα-expressing neurons in modulating anxiety- and fear-like behavior during exposure to a variety of threatening stimuli. Five weeks prior to testing, adult male Long-Evans hooded rats received ventral hippocampal viral-vector infusions expressing either AAV8-CaMKIIα-hM4D-mCherry (DREADD) or AAV8-CaMKIIα-EGFP (GFP). DREADD transfection allowed for the specific, noninvasive and temporary inhibition of the ventral hippocampus (vHC) immediately before threat presentation. Rats were evaluated for behaviors congruent with anxiety- or fear-like defensive states during testing in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and light-dark test (LDT), or post footshock freezing and footshock-induced contextual freezing, respectively. Analyses revealed a significant effect of vHC inhibition that was dependent on the type of threat exposure. Specifically, DREADD-induced silencing of vHC neurons reduced anxiety-like behavior in the EPM and LDT, without reliably affecting footshock-induced fear. These data add to a growing literature implicating the vHC as a key region involved in controlling the expression of anxiety in rodents, primates and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John W Fennelly
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Nathan S Pentkowski
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States.
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145
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Qiao X, Sun M, Chen Y, Jin W, Zhao H, Zhang W, Lai J, Yan H. Ethanol-Induced Neuronal and Cognitive/Emotional Impairments are Accompanied by Down-Regulated NT3-TrkC-ERK in Hippocampus. Alcohol Alcohol 2021; 56:220-229. [PMID: 33103180 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agaa101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Ethanol ingestion affects cognition and emotion, which have been attributed to the dysfunction of specific brain structures. Studies of alcoholic patients and animal models consistently identify reduced hippocampal mass as a key ethanol-induced brain adaptation. This study evaluated how neuroadaptation in the hippocampus (Hip) produced by ethanol contributed to related behavioral deficits in male and female rats. METHODS Effects of acute, short-term and long-term ethanol exposure on the anxiety-like behavior and recognition memory on adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were assessed using elevated plus maze test and novel object recognition test, respectively. In addition, in order to investigate the direct effect of ethanol on hippocampal neurons, primary culture of hippocampal neurons was exposed to ethanol (10, 30 and 90 mM; 1, 24 and 48 h), and viability (CCK-8) and morphology (immunocytochemistry) were analyzed at structural levels. Western blot assays were used to assess protein levels of NT3-TrkC-ERK. RESULTS Acute and short-term ethanol exposure exerted anxiolytic effects, whereas long-term ethanol exposure induced anxiogenic responses in both sexes. Short-term ethanol exposure impaired spatial memory only in female rats, whereas long-term ethanol exposure impaired spatial and recognition memory in both sexes. These behavioral impairments and ethanol-induced loss of hippocampal neurons and decreased cell viability were accompanied by downregulated NT3-TrkC-ERK pathway. CONCLUSION These results indicate that NT3-TrkC-ERK signaling in the Hip may play an important role in ethanol-induced structural and behavioral impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomeng Qiao
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Mizhu Sun
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Yuanyuan Chen
- Department of Forensic Biology, College of Forensic Science, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No.76, Yanta West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Wenyang Jin
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Huan Zhao
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Weiqi Zhang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Jianghua Lai
- Department of Forensic Biology, College of Forensic Science, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No.76, Yanta West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, No.76, Yanta West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Hongtao Yan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
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146
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Yuan N, Tang K, Da X, Gan H, He L, Li X, Ma Q, Chen J. Integrating Clinical and Genomic Analyses of Hippocampal-Prefrontal Circuit Disorder in Depression. Front Genet 2021; 11:565749. [PMID: 33613615 PMCID: PMC7893101 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.565749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent, devastating and recurrent mental disease. Hippocampus (HIP)-prefrontal cortex (PFC) neural circuit abnormalities have been confirmed to exist in MDD; however, the gene-related molecular features of this circuit in the context of depression remain unclear. To clarify this issue, we performed gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to comprehensively analyze the genetic characteristics of the two brain regions and used weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) to determine the main depression-related gene modules in the HIP-PFC network. To clarify the regional differences and consistency for MDD, we also compared the expression patterns and molecular functions of the key modules from the two brain regions. The results showed that candidate modules related to clinical MDD of HIP and PFC, which contained with 363 genes and 225 genes, respectively. Ninety-five differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the HIP candidate module, and 51 DEGs were identified in the PFC candidate module, with only 11 overlapping DEGs in these two regional modules. Combined with the enrichment results, although there is heterogeneity in the molecular functions in the HIP-PFC network of depression, the regulation of the MAPK cascade, Ras protein signal transduction and Ephrin signaling were significantly enriched in both brain regions, indicating that these biological pathways play important roles in MDD pathogenesis. Additionally, the high coefficient protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed via STRING, and the top-10 coefficient genes were identified as hub genes via the cytoHubba algorithm. In summary, the present study reveals the gene expression characteristics of MDD and identifies common and unique molecular features and patterns in the HIP-PFC network. Our results may provide novel clues from the gene function perspective to explain the pathogenic mechanism of depression and to aid drug development. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to investigate the genetic regulation mechanisms of different neural networks in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naijun Yuan
- Formula-Pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kairui Tang
- Formula-Pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoli Da
- Formula-Pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hua Gan
- Formula-Pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liangliang He
- Formula-Pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojuan Li
- Formula-Pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingyu Ma
- Formula-Pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaxu Chen
- Formula-Pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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147
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Çavdaroğlu B, Riaz S, Yeung EHL, Lee ACH, Ito R. The ventral hippocampus is necessary for cue-elicited, but not outcome driven approach-avoidance conflict decisions: a novel operant choice decision-making task. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:632-642. [PMID: 33154580 PMCID: PMC8027851 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-00898-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Approach-avoidance conflict is induced when an organism encounters a stimulus that carries both positive and negative attributes. Accumulating evidence implicates the ventral hippocampus (VH) in the detection and resolution of approach-avoidance conflict, largely on the basis of maze-based tasks assaying innate and conditioned responses to situations of conflict. However, its role in discrete trial approach-avoidance decision-making has yet to be elucidated. In this study, we designed a novel cued operant conflict decision-making task in which rats were required to choose and respond for a low reward option or high reward option paired with varying shock intensities on a differential reinforcement of low rates of responding schedule. Post training, the VH was chemogenetically inhibited while animals performed the task with the usual outcomes delivered, and with the presentation of cues associated with the reward vs. conflict options only (extinction condition). We found that VH inhibition led to an avoidance of the conflict option and longer latency to choose this option when decision-making was being made on the basis of cues alone with no outcomes. Consistent with these findings, VH-inhibited animals spent more time in the central component of the elevated plus maze (EPM), indicating a potential deficit in decision-making under innate forms of approach-avoidance conflict. Taken together, these findings implicate the VH in cue-driven approach-avoidance decisions in the face of motivational conflict.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilgehan Çavdaroğlu
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychology (Scarborough), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Sadia Riaz
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychology (Scarborough), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Elton H. L. Yeung
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychology (Scarborough), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Andy C. H. Lee
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychology (Scarborough), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest Hospital, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Rutsuko Ito
- Department of Psychology (Scarborough), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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148
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Yang M, Barrios J, Yan J, Zhao W, Yuan S, Dong E, Ai X. Causal roles of stress kinase JNK2 in DNA methylation and binge alcohol withdrawal-evoked behavioral deficits. Pharmacol Res 2021; 164:105375. [PMID: 33316384 PMCID: PMC7867628 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Excessive binge alcohol intake is a common drinking pattern in humans, especially during holidays. Cessation of the binge drinking often leads to aberrant withdrawal behaviors, as well as serious heart rhythm abnormalities (clinically diagnosed as Holiday Heart Syndrome (HHS)). In our HHS mouse model with well-characterized binge alcohol withdrawal (BAW)-induced heart phenotypes, BAW leads to anxiety-like behaviors and cognitive impairment. We have previously reported that stress-activated c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) plays a causal role in BAW-induced heart phenotypes. In the HHS brain, we found that activation of JNK2 (but not JNK1 and JNK3) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), but not hippocampus and amygdala, led to anxiety-like behaviors and impaired cognition. DNA methylation mediated by a crucial DNA methylation enzyme, DNA methyltransferase1 (DNMT1), is known to be critical in alcohol-associated behavioral deficits. In HHS mice, JNK2 in the PFC (but not hippocampus and amygdala) causally enhanced total genomic DNA methylation via increased DNMT1 expression, which was regulated by enhanced binding of JNK downstream transcriptional factor c-JUN to the DNMT1 promoter. JNK2-specific inhibition either by an inhibitor JNK2I or JNK2 knockout completely offset c-JUN-regulated DNMT1 upregulation and restored the level of DNA methylation in HHS PFC to the baseline levels seen in sham controls. Strikingly, either JNK2-specific inhibition or genetic JNK2 depletion or DNMT1 inhibition (by an inhibitor 5-Azacytidine) completely abolished BAW-evoked behavioral deficits. In conclusion, our studies revealed a novel mechanism by which JNK2 drives BAW-evoked behavioral deficits through a DNMT1-regulated DNA hypermethylation. JNK2 could be a novel therapeutic target for alcohol withdrawal treatment and/or prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Yang
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Jasson Barrios
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Jiajie Yan
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Weiwei Zhao
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Shengtao Yuan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Erbo Dong
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
| | - Xun Ai
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
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149
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Vanaveski T, Molchanova S, Pham DD, Schäfer A, Pajanoja C, Narvik J, Srinivasan V, Urb M, Koivisto M, Vasar E, Timmusk T, Minkeviciene R, Eriksson O, Lalowski M, Taira T, Korhonen L, Voikar V, Lindholm D. PGC-1α Signaling Increases GABA(A) Receptor Subunit α2 Expression, GABAergic Neurotransmission and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:588230. [PMID: 33597848 PMCID: PMC7882546 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.588230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) is a master regulator of mitochondria biogenesis and cell stress playing a role in metabolic and degenerative diseases. In the brain PGC-1α expression has been localized mainly to GABAergic interneurons but its overall role is not fully understood. We observed here that the protein levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptor-α2 subunit (GABARα2) were increased in hippocampus and brain cortex in transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing PGC-1α in neurons. Along with this, GABARα2 expression was enhanced in the hippocampus of the PGC-1α Tg mice, as shown by quantitative PCR. Double immunostaining revealed that GABARα2 co-localized with the synaptic protein gephyrin in higher amounts in the striatum radiatum layer of the hippocampal CA1 region in the Tg compared with Wt mice. Electrophysiology revealed that the frequency of spontaneous and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) was increased in the CA1 region in the Tg mice, indicative of an augmented GABAergic transmission. Behavioral tests revealed an increase for anxiety-like behavior in the PGC-1α Tg mice compared with controls. To study whether drugs acting on PPARγ can affect GABARα2, we employed pioglitazone that elevated GABARα2 expression in primary cultured neurons. Similar results were obtained using the specific PPARγ agonist, N-(2-benzoylphenyl)-O-[2-(methyl-2-pyridinylamino) ethyl]-L-tyrosine hydrate (GW1929). These results demonstrate that PGC-1α regulates GABARα2 subunits and GABAergic neurotransmission in the hippocampus with behavioral consequences. This indicates further that drugs like pioglitazone, widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, can influence GABARα2 expression via the PPARγ/PGC-1α system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taavi Vanaveski
- Medicum, Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland.,Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Quretec Ltd., Tartu, Estonia
| | - Svetlana Molchanova
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dan Duc Pham
- Medicum, Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Annika Schäfer
- Medicum, Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ceren Pajanoja
- Medicum, Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jane Narvik
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Quretec Ltd., Tartu, Estonia
| | - Vignesh Srinivasan
- Medicum, Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Maria Koivisto
- Medicum, Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eero Vasar
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Tönis Timmusk
- Protobios LCC, Tallinn, Estonia.,Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | | | - Ove Eriksson
- Medicum, Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maciej Lalowski
- Medicum, Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Meilahti Clinical Proteomics Core Facility, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Biomedical Proteomics, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Tomi Taira
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Laura Korhonen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Vootele Voikar
- Neuroscience Center and Laboratory Animal Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dan Lindholm
- Medicum, Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland
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150
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Linley SB, Athanason AC, Rojas AK, Vertes RP. Role of the reuniens and rhomboid thalamic nuclei in anxiety‐like avoidance behavior in the rat. Hippocampus 2021; 31:756-769. [DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie B. Linley
- Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton Florida USA
- Department of Psychology Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton Florida USA
| | | | - Amanda K.P. Rojas
- Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton Florida USA
| | - Robert P. Vertes
- Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton Florida USA
- Department of Psychology Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton Florida USA
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