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You HJ, Lei J, Pertovaara A. Thalamus: The 'promoter' of endogenous modulation of pain and potential therapeutic target in pathological pain. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 139:104745. [PMID: 35716873 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
More recently, the thalamic mediodorsal (MD) and ventromedial (VM) nuclei have been revealed to be functioned as 'nociceptive discriminator' in discriminating noxious and innocuous peripheral afferents, and exhibits distinct different descending controls of nociception. Of particularly importance, the function of thalamic nuclei in engaging descending modulation of nociception is 'silent' or inactive during the physiological state as well as in condition exposed to insufficient noxious stimulation. Once initiation by sufficient noxious or innocuous C-afferents associated with temporal and spatial summation, the thalamic MD and VM nuclei exhibit salient, different effects: facilitation and inhibition, on noxious mechanically and heat evoked nociception, respectively. Based on series of experimental evidence, we here summarize a novel hypothesis involving thalamic MD and VM nuclei functioned as 'promoter' in initiating descending facilitation and inhibition of pain with specific spatiotemporal characteristics. We further hypothesize that clinical remedy in targeting thalamic VM nucleus by enhancing its activities in recruiting inhibition alone or decreasing thalamic MD nucleus induced facilitation may provide promising way in effectively control of pathological pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Jun You
- Center for Translational Medicine Research on Sensory-Motor Diseases, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Yan'an Sports Rehabilitation Medicine, Yan'an 716000, PR China.
| | - Jing Lei
- Center for Translational Medicine Research on Sensory-Motor Diseases, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Yan'an Sports Rehabilitation Medicine, Yan'an 716000, PR China
| | - Antti Pertovaara
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, POB 63, Helsinki 00014, Finland
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Mao CP, Chen FR, Huo JH, Zhang L, Zhang GR, Zhang B, Zhou XQ. Altered resting-state functional connectivity and effective connectivity of the habenula in irritable bowel syndrome: A cross-sectional and machine learning study. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 41:3655-3666. [PMID: 32488929 PMCID: PMC7416021 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder involving dysfunctional brain–gut interactions characterized by chronic recurrent abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, and negative emotion. Previous studies have linked the habenula to the pathophysiology of negative emotion and pain. However, no studies to date have investigated habenular function in IBS patients. In this study, we investigated the resting‐state functional connectivity (rsFC) and effective connectivity of the habenula in 34 subjects with IBS and 34 healthy controls and assessed the feasibility of differentiating IBS patients from healthy controls using a machine learning method. Our results showed significantly enhanced rsFC of the habenula‐left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and habenula‐periaqueductal grey (PAG, dorsomedial part), as well as decreased rsFC of the habenula‐right thalamus (dorsolateral part), in the IBS patients compared with the healthy controls. Habenula‐thalamus rsFC was positively correlated with pain intensity (r = .467, p = .005). Dynamic causal modeling (DCM) revealed significantly decreased effective connectivity from the right habenula to the right thalamus in the IBS patients compared to the healthy controls that was negatively correlated with disease duration (r = −.407, p = .017). In addition, IBS was classified with an accuracy of 71.5% based on the rsFC of the habenula‐dlPFC, habenula‐thalamus, and habenula‐PAG in a support vector machine (SVM), which was further validated in an independent cohort of subjects (N = 44, accuracy = 65.2%, p = .026). Taken together, these findings establish altered habenular rsFC and effective connectivity in IBS, which extends our mechanistic understanding of the habenula's role in IBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui P Mao
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fen R Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jiao H Huo
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Gui R Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Bing Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiao Q Zhou
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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The habenula in psychiatric disorders: More than three decades of translational investigation. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 83:721-735. [PMID: 28223096 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Revised: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The habenula is an epithalamic structure located at the center of the dorsal diencephalic conduction system, a pathway involved in linking forebrain to midbrain regions. Composed of a medial and lateral subdivisions, the habenula receives inputs from the limbic system and basal ganglia mainly through the stria medullaris (SM), and projects to midbrain regions through the fasciculus retroflexus (FR). An increasing number of studies have implicated this structure in psychiatric disorders associated with dysregulated reward circuitry function, notably mood disorders, schizophrenia, and substance use disorder. However, despite significant progress in research, the mechanisms underlying the relationship between the habenula and the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders are far from being fully understood, and still need further investigation. This review provides a closer look at key findings from animal and human studies illustrating the role of the habenula in mood disorders, schizophrenia, and substance use disorder, and discusses the clinical potential of using this structure as a therapeutic target.
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Khalilzadeh E, Saiah GV. The possible mechanisms of analgesia produced by microinjection of morphine into the lateral habenula in the acute model of trigeminal pain in rats. Res Pharm Sci 2017. [PMID: 28626482 PMCID: PMC5465833 DOI: 10.4103/1735-5362.207205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the effect of intra-habenular injection of morphine on acute trigeminal pain in rats. Also here, we examined the involvement of raphe nucleus opioid and 5HT3 receptors on the antinociceptive activity of intra habenular morphine to explore the possibility of existence of descending antinociceptive relay between the habenula and raphe nucleus. The numbers of eye wiping response elicited by applying a drop (40 μL) of NaCl (5 M) solution on the corneal surface were taken as an index of acute trigeminal nociception. Intra habenular microinjection of morphine at a dose of 2 μg was without effect, whereas at doses of 5 and 8 μg significantly produced antinociception. Microinjection of naltrexone (4 μg) and ondansetron (1 μg) into the dorsal raphe nucleus prior to intra-habenular saline did not produce any significant effect on corneal pain perception. Pretreatment of the raphe nucleus with ondansetron but not naltrexone prevented intra habenular morphine (8 μg) induced antinociception. Also, intra habenular injection of lidocaine (2%, 0.5 μL reduced corneal pain response. Moreover, intra-habenular microinjection of L-glutamic acid (1 and 2 μg/site) did not produce any analgesic activity in this model of pain. In conclusion, the present results suggest that the activation of the habenular μ opioid receptor by microinjection of morphine or inhibition of habenular neurons by microinjection of lidocaine produced an analgesic effect in the acute trigeminal model of pain in rats. The analgesic effect of intra habenular morphine was blocked by intra-dorsal raphe injection of serotonin 5-HT3 antagonist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emad Khalilzadeh
- Division of Physiology, Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, I.R. Iran
| | - Gholamreza Vafaei Saiah
- Division of Physiology, Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, I.R. Iran
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Chemical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus by carbachol attenuated the formalin-induced pain behaviors in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2015; 129:105-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2014.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Revised: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 12/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Zhao H, Zhang BL, Yang SJ, Rusak B. The role of lateral habenula-dorsal raphe nucleus circuits in higher brain functions and psychiatric illness. Behav Brain Res 2014; 277:89-98. [PMID: 25234226 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Revised: 09/06/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) play an important role in regulation of many physiological functions. The lateral nucleus of the habenular complex (LHb) is closely connected to the DRN both morphologically and functionally. The LHb is a key regulator of the activity of DRN serotonergic neurons, and it also receives reciprocal input from the DRN. The LHb is also a major way-station that receives limbic system input via the stria medullaris and provides output to the DRN and thereby indirectly connects a number of other brain regions to the DRN. The complex interactions of the LHb and DRN contribute to the regulation of numerous important behavioral and physiological mechanisms, including those regulating cognition, reward, pain sensitivity and patterns of sleep and waking. Disruption of these functions is characteristic of major psychiatric illnesses, so there has been a great deal of interest in how disturbed LHb-DRN interactions may contribute to the symptoms of these illnesses. This review summarizes recent research related to the roles of the LHb-DRN system in regulation of higher brain functions and the possible role of disturbed LHb-DRN function in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders, especially depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Zhao
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China.
| | - Bei-Lin Zhang
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China
| | - Shao-Jun Yang
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China
| | - Benjamin Rusak
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 2E2, Canada
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Yang LM, Yu L, Jin HJ, Zhao H. Substance P receptor antagonist in lateral habenula improves rat depression-like behavior. Brain Res Bull 2013; 100:22-8. [PMID: 24157953 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2013.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Revised: 10/08/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Substance P (SP) levels are closely related with the pathogenesis of depression. Recent work has focused on antidepressive effect of substance P receptor antagonist (SPA), however, its action site and mechanism remain largely unresolved. Our previous results showed that the lateral habenula (LHb) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of depression. The current study investigated the effects of SPA microinjected into LHb on the behavioral responses of two rat models that exhibit depression-like behavior. To produce adult rats that exhibit depression-like behavior, rats were either exposed to chronic mild stress (CMS), or chronically administered clomipramine (CLI), a tricyclic antidepressant, during the neonatal state of life. The forced-swimming test (FST) was used to evaluate behavioral responses. Furthermore, we measured serotonin (5-HT) levels in dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) using microdialysis. The FST showed a decreased immobility time and an increased climbing time after SPA injection into the LHb of depression-like behavior rats. In addition, 5-HT levels in DRN increased after SPA was microinjected into LHb of the rats that exhibited depression-like behavior. This study demonstrates that LHb mediates antidepressive effect of SPA by increasing 5-HT levels in the DRN, suggesting that the LHb may be a potential target of antidepressant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Min Yang
- Department of Physiology, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China
| | - Lei Yu
- Department of Physiology, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China
| | - Hui-Juan Jin
- Department of Physiology, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China
| | - Hua Zhao
- Department of Physiology, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China; Neuroscience Research Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China.
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Shelton L, Becerra L, Borsook D. Unmasking the mysteries of the habenula in pain and analgesia. Prog Neurobiol 2012; 96:208-19. [PMID: 22270045 PMCID: PMC3465722 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2012.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2011] [Revised: 11/01/2011] [Accepted: 01/06/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The habenula is a small bilateral structure in the posterior-medial aspect of the dorsal thalamus that has been implicated in a remarkably wide range of behaviors including olfaction, ingestion, mating, endocrine and reward function, pain and analgesia. Afferent connections from forebrain structures send inputs to the lateral and medial habenula where efferents are mainly projected to brainstem regions that include well-known pain modulatory regions such as the periaqueductal gray and raphe nuclei. A convergence of preclinical data implicates the region in multiple behaviors that may be considered part of the pain experience including a putative role in pain modulation, affective, and motivational processes. The habenula seems to play a role as an evaluator, acting as a major point of convergence where external stimuli is received, evaluated, and redirected for motivation of appropriate behavioral response. Here, we review the role of the habenula in pain and analgesia, consider its potential role in chronic pain, and review more recent clinical and functional imaging data of the habenula from animals and humans. Even through the habenula is a small brain structure, advances in structural and functional imaging in humans should allow for further advancement of our understanding of its role in pain and analgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Shelton
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Harvard Medical School, United States
- Children’s Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - L. Becerra
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Harvard Medical School, United States
- Children’s Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, United States
- McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - D. Borsook
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Harvard Medical School, United States
- Children’s Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, United States
- McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States
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Ruiz-Medina J, Ledent C, Valverde O. GPR3 orphan receptor is involved in neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury and regulates morphine-induced antinociception. Neuropharmacology 2011; 61:43-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2010] [Revised: 02/15/2011] [Accepted: 02/15/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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The habenula: from stress evasion to value-based decision-making. Nat Rev Neurosci 2011; 11:503-13. [PMID: 20559337 DOI: 10.1038/nrn2866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 663] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Surviving in a world with hidden rewards and dangers requires choosing the appropriate behaviours. Recent discoveries indicate that the habenula plays a prominent part in such behavioural choice through its effects on neuromodulator systems, in particular the dopamine and serotonin systems. By inhibiting dopamine-releasing neurons, habenula activation leads to the suppression of motor behaviour when an animal fails to obtain a reward or anticipates an aversive outcome. Moreover, the habenula is involved in behavioural responses to pain, stress, anxiety, sleep and reward, and its dysfunction is associated with depression, schizophrenia and drug-induced psychosis. As a highly conserved structure in the brain, the habenula provides a fundamental mechanism for both survival and decision-making.
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Hashimoto K, Amano T, Sakai N, Suzuki T, Narita M. Cell-dependent physiological synaptic action of morphine in the rat habenular nucleus: morphine both inhibits and facilitates excitatory synaptic transmission. Neurosci Lett 2009; 451:270-3. [PMID: 19159664 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2008] [Revised: 12/26/2008] [Accepted: 01/07/2009] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Although several lines of evidence have suggested that the activity of thalamic neurons is modulated by opioids, the mechanism by which morphine in the thalamus regulates the release of excitatory neurotransmitters remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the synaptic modulation of morphine to regulate excitatory synaptic transmission, probably glutamatergic transmission, in habenular nucleus (Hb) and centrolateral nucleus (CL) neurons in the rat thalamus. Using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, we found dual modulation by morphine in Hb neurons: morphine caused either inhibition or facilitation of the miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) frequency in the Hb. In Hb neurons that showed a morphine-induced decrease in the mEPSC frequency, the mEPSC amplitude was also decreased in the presence of morphine. In contrast, the mEPSC amplitude was markedly increased in Hb neurons that showed a morphine-induced increase in the mEPSC frequency. We also observed a significant decrease in the mEPSC frequency with morphine in CL neurons without any change in the mEPSC amplitude, whereas morphine did not facilitate the mEPSC frequency in CL neurons. These results suggest that morphine may induce cell-dependent dual modulation of glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the Hb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Hashimoto
- Department of Toxicology, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo 142-8501, Japan
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Abstract
In this contribution to the CNS Spectrums neuroanatomy series, Stefanie Geisler, MD, discusses the lateral habenula (LHb). This nuclear complex is one of the areas of the brain that forms part of the cross-talk between limbic fore-brain and some important ascending modulatory pathways. Situated at the caudal end of the dorsal diencephalon and classically regarded as projecting largely to the brainstem, including the serotoninergic raphe nuclei, the LHb receives afferents from widespread forebrain areas. Therefore, the LHb is able to influence serotonin tone in the brain, and has long interested neuroanatomists as a potential limbic-motor interface. Nonetheless, the LHb was not much discussed outside neuroanatomical circles until recently, when it was discovered that its impact on the mesotelencephalic dopamine system is probably much greater than had been assumed. The LHb has become a hot topic. This article-addresses these developments and emphasizes the clinical relevance of this interesting brain structure.
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Narita M, Hashimoto K, Amano T, Narita M, Niikura K, Nakamura A, Suzuki T. Post-synaptic action of morphine on glutamatergic neuronal transmission related to the descending antinociceptive pathway in the rat thalamus. J Neurochem 2008; 104:469-78. [PMID: 18173804 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2007.05059.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Morphine is a prototypical mu-opioid receptor (MOR) agonist, and can directly inhibit pain transmission at both spinal and supraspinal levels. In the present study, we investigated the properties of thalamic neurons in an opioid-sensitive pain-modulating circuit. Application of morphine to cultured thalamic neurons evoked a potentiation of glutamate-induced peak currents, which was blocked by the MOR antagonist. Application of the protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine significantly inhibited the morphine-evoked enhancement of glutamate-induced currents. Immunoreactivity for MOR was observed with high density in the habenular nucleus (Hb) of the thalamus in rats, which was clearly co-localized with NMDA receptor subunit 1 (NRI). In this study, we show that microinjection of morphine into the Hb produced a dose-dependent increase in the tail-flick latency and enhanced the antinociceptive effect induced by the intra-Hb injection of glutamate. When fluoro-gold (FG) was used as a retrograde tracer, we found that FG-labeled neurons in the Hb after the microinjection of FG into the periaqueductal gray expressed both MOR and NR1. The present data suggest that the stimulation of MOR in the Hb may be involved in activation of the descending antinociceptive pathway through glutamatergic neurotransmission via the NMDA receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoru Narita
- Department of Toxicology, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
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Yang LM, Hu B, Xia YH, Zhang BL, Zhao H. Lateral habenula lesions improve the behavioral response in depressed rats via increasing the serotonin level in dorsal raphe nucleus. Behav Brain Res 2007; 188:84-90. [PMID: 18054396 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2007.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2007] [Revised: 10/22/2007] [Accepted: 10/25/2007] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN)-serotonin (5-HT) system plays a key role in stress-related psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. The habenular nucleus (Hb) is closely connected with the DRN both morphologically and functionally. Here, we used two types of depressive animal models by exposing rats to chronic mild stress (CMS) and by chronically administering the tricyclic antidepressant clomipramine (CLI) in the rat during the neonatal state of life to produce adult depressed rats. We investigated the effects of lateral habenular nucleus (LHb) lesions on the behavioral response and on the level of 5-HT in DRN in the depressed rats. Forced-swimming test (FST) showed that the immobility time decreased, and the climbing time increased after lesioning LHb of depressed rats. Microdialysis results indicated that the 5-HT level in DRN in depressed rats was lower than that of the control group. Lesion of the LHb was followed by an increased 5-HT turnover in the DRN. Our results suggested that the lesion of the LHb could improve the behavioral response of the depressed rats and the 5-HT level of the DRN increased by LHb lesions could be involved in the effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Min Yang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 2 Xinmin Street, Changchun 130021, China
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Thomsen M, Wörtwein G, Olesen MV, Begtrup M, Havez S, Bolwig TG, Woldbye DPD. Involvement of Y5 receptors in neuropeptide Y agonist-induced analgesic-like effect in the rat hot plate test. Brain Res 2007; 1155:49-55. [PMID: 17498669 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2007.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2006] [Revised: 04/07/2007] [Accepted: 04/10/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) induces analgesic-like effects after central administration across diverse pain models in rodents. In spinal pain models, previous studies indicate a prominent role for Y(1) receptors at mediating this effect of NPY. In supraspinal pain models like the hot plate test, the NPY receptors involved have not been thoroughly explored. By intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of selective NPY receptor ligands, the possible involvement of Y(5) receptors in analgesic-like mechanisms was investigated using the hot plate test in rats. Both NPY and selective Y(5) agonists induced analgesic-like effects as revealed by prolonged hot plate latencies. Further consistent with a role for Y(5) receptors, pretreatment with a selective Y(5) receptor antagonist blocked the Y(5) agonist-induced analgesic-like effect. The present study indicates involvement of Y(5) receptors probably at the supraspinal level in mediation of NPY agonist-induced analgesic-like effects in the hot plate test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Thomsen
- Laboratory of Neuropsychiatry, Rigshospitalet University Hospital O-6102 and Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 9 Blegdamsvej, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Lecourtier L, Saboureau M, Kelly CD, Pévet P, Kelly PH. Impaired cognitive performance in rats after complete epithalamus lesions, but not after pinealectomy alone. Behav Brain Res 2005; 161:276-85. [PMID: 15922054 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2005.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2004] [Revised: 02/11/2005] [Accepted: 02/17/2005] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In the midbrain, the epithalamus comprises the habenular nuclei and the pineal gland. Based on evidence including imaging studies in schizophrenia patients, several investigators have postulated that dysfunction of this structure is causally involved in symptoms of schizophrenia. Recently, we showed that bilateral habenula lesions in the rat induced some schizophrenia-like behavioural changes, namely memory and attention impairments, but unaltered social interaction in a brief encounter and prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle reflex. Here, the possible involvement of the pineal gland in the same behaviours was assessed, by examining them in two series of experiments. In the first, these behaviours were examined in pinealectomized rats compared to sham-operated controls. In the second, they were examined in rats with combined lesion of habenula plus pinealectomy compared to sham-operated controls, to examine whether pinealectomy induced further deficits when combined with habenula damage. Lesions of habenula were confirmed histologically and neurochemically by reduction of choline acetyltransferase in the interpeduncular nucleus. Pinealectomy was confirmed post mortem by careful visual inspection. Pinealectomy induced no deficits in any test, while combined lesions led to the same pattern of deficits as previously observed after habenula lesion, i.e. marked memory impairment in the Morris water maze without affecting the amount of social interaction or PPI of the startle reflex. Thus, loss of pineal function causes no deficits in these behaviours and does not alter the qualitative pattern of deficits resulting from habenula damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Lecourtier
- NS Research, WSJ-386.262, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; CNRS UMR 5106, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives, Université de Bordeaux 1, Avenue des Facultés, 33405 Cedex Talence, France
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Abstract
The habenular nuclear complex is a major influence on brainstem cell groups that influence attention, but its role in attentional performance has not previously been explored. The present study investigated how habenula lesions affect attentional function as assessed by the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT) in male Lister-Hooded rats. Rats were pretrained in the 5-CSRTT before receiving discrete bilateral lesions of the habenula or a sham procedure. In test sessions immediately following recovery from surgery, lesioned rats showed a marked increase in premature responding. Over the course of testing this increase of premature responding declined in magnitude. In contrast, choice accuracy showed no impairment during the earliest postsurgery test sessions but progressively deteriorated over the course of testing. These opposite time courses strongly imply that different mechanisms mediate these two effects of the habenula lesion. Differential effects of drug treatment on these effects further supported this view. Thus, D-amphetamine (0.2 mg/kg s.c.) increased premature responding without affecting choice accuracy. On the other hand, haloperidol (0.01-0.03 mg/kg i.p.) decreased premature responding without significantly affecting choice accuracy. The results are consistent with the view that elevated premature responding in habenula-lesioned animals is mediated by increased dopaminergic activity, whereas impaired choice accuracy is not. Implications of these findings for the hypothesis that habenula dysfunction is involved in cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Lecourtier
- Psychiatry Program, Neuroscience Research, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
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Lecourtier L, Neijt HC, Kelly PH. Habenula lesions cause impaired cognitive performance in rats: implications for schizophrenia. Eur J Neurosci 2004; 19:2551-60. [PMID: 15128408 DOI: 10.1111/j.0953-816x.2004.03356.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive impairment is a prominent feature of schizophrenia. Currently there is no well-accepted explanation of the aetiology of this disorder, but recent evidence indicates that dysfunction of the habenula may be involved. We therefore examined whether habenula lesions in Sprague-Dawley rats cause behavioural changes resembling those of schizophrenia. Rats received either habenula lesions, a sham operation or a small lesion of the overlying dorsal hippocampus as a check that effects observed were not due to incidental damage to this structure. As there are alterations of social behaviour, sensorimotor gating and cognition in schizophrenia, we examined comparable behaviours. Social interaction time was measured during a 5-min encounter with a novel juvenile conspecific. Prepulse inhibition of an acoustic startle response, as an index of sensorimotor gating, was measured with prepulses of various amplitudes, and spatial cognitive performance was assessed in the Morris water maze task. Histological analysis showed that habenula lesions substantially damaged both medial and lateral habenula bilaterally while largely sparing neighbouring structures. Assay of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the interpeduncular nucleus terminal region of the habenulo-interpeduncular tract, showed marked reduction (by 80%) in habenula-lesioned animals. Habenula-lesioned rats, but not the control group with small dorsal hippocampus lesions, showed marked impairment of Morris maze performance compared to the sham-operated control group. Social interaction time and prepulse inhibition were not significantly altered in either lesion group. The results are consistent with a role of the habenula in cognition, and with the view that pathology of the habenula may contribute to the cognitive impairments of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Lecourtier
- NS Research, WSJ-386. 262, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
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20
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Plenge P, Mellerup ET, Wörtwein G. Characterization of epibatidine binding to medial habenula: potential role in analgesia. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2002; 302:759-65. [PMID: 12130741 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.102.033498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to characterize a recently described binding site in the habenula, which has high affinity for [(3)H]epibatidine and low affinity for nicotine and acetylcholine. We report that the extension of this binding area in coronal and horizontal sections corresponds to the anatomical extension of the medial habenula. The affinity (K(D)) of the medial habenula receptors for [(3)H]epibatidine was estimated to be 0.5 nM using an autoradiographic saturation assay, whereas the affinity of the binding site for nicotine and acetylcholine was estimated to be 5 and 8 microM, respectively. The receptor density (B(max)) in the medial habenula was estimated to be about 1100 fmol/mg wet weight using [(3)H]epibatidine. The subunit composition of the "epibatidine receptor" was investigated by the ability of different compounds with affinity to various subtypes of nicotinic receptors to displace [(3)H]epibatidine bound to the receptor. The results suggest that the receptor contains alpha3 subunits but that it is unlikely to be an alpha3beta4 nicotinic receptor. Systemic administration of epibatidine has analgesic effects in rats. Here we report that 2 x 1 microl of 10 nM epibatidine, resulting in a 2 x 10-fmol dose, administered directly to the medial habenula by bilateral stereotactic injection had an analgesic effect measured in the hot-plate test. This dose of epibatidine increased hot-plate latency significantly, whereas 2 x 2 fmol of epibatidine or 2 x 10 fmol of nicotine were without effect. This leads us to suggest that the medial habenular epibatidine binding site might be a valuable target for the development of non-opiate analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Per Plenge
- Laboratory of Neuropsychiatry, University Hospital, Rigshospitalet-6102, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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21
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Michl T, Jocic M, Schuligoi R, Holzer P. Role of tachykinin receptors in the central processing of afferent input from the acid-threatened rat stomach. REGULATORY PEPTIDES 2001; 102:119-26. [PMID: 11730984 DOI: 10.1016/s0167-0115(01)00309-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Noxious challenge of the rat gastric mucosa by hydrochloric acid (HCl) is signalled via vagal afferent neurons to several brain nuclei in which tachykinins and tachykinin receptors are present. Therefore, we tested whether tachykinin receptor antagonists would modify the central transmission of input from the acid-threatened stomach. Neuronal excitation was visualized by in situ hybridization autoradiography (ISH) of c-fos messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) 45 min after intragastric (IG) administration of HCl (0.5 M; 10 ml/kg). This stimulus has previously been shown to cause neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS), lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPB), paraventricular (Pa) nuclei, supraoptic (SO) nucleus, central amygdala (CeA), area postrema (AP), subfornical organ (SFO) and habenula (Hb) to express c-fos mRNA. Intraperitoneal (IP) pretreatment with the NK1 receptor antagonist GR-205,171 (3 mg/kg) attenuated the acid-induced transcription of c-fos mRNA in NTS and augmented it in SFO. The NK2 receptor antagonist SR-144,190 (0.1 mg/kg, IP) had no effect. Subcutaneous administration of the NK3 receptor antagonist SB-222,200 (20 mg/kg) reduced the c-fos mRNA response in AP and SFO and enhanced it in Hb. These data show that the transmission of input from the acid-threatened stomach in distinct brain nuclei involves tachykinins acting at NK1 and NK3 receptors, but not NK2 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Michl
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 4, A-8010, Graz, Austria
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22
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Michl T, Jocic M, Heinemann A, Schuligoi R, Holzer P. Vagal afferent signaling of a gastric mucosal acid insult to medullary, pontine, thalamic, hypothalamic and limbic, but not cortical, nuclei of the rat brain. Pain 2001; 92:19-27. [PMID: 11323123 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3959(00)00467-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Although gastric acid is a factor in upper abdominal pain, the signaling and processing of a gastric mucosal acid insult within the brain are not known. This study examined which nuclei in the rat brain respond to challenge of the gastric mucosa by a noxious concentration of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and whether the central input is carried by vagal afferent neurons. Activation of neurons in the brain was mapped by in situ hybridization autoradiography of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) for the immediate early gene c-fos 45 min after intragastric administration of saline or HCl. Following intragastric HCl (0.5 M) challenge, many neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii, lateral parabrachial nucleus, thalamic and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, supraoptic nucleus, central amygdala and medial/lateral habenula expressed c-fos mRNA as compared to intragastric treatment with saline (0.15 M). However, c-fos transcription in the insular cortex was not enhanced by the gastric acid insult. Hypertonic saline (0.5 M) caused only a minor expression of c-fos mRNA in the hypothalamus and amygdala. The acid-evoked c-fos induction in subcortical nuclei was depressed by at least 80% five days after bilateral subdiaphragmatic vagotomy. Collectively, these observations indicate that vagal afferent input from the acid-threatened gastric mucosa does not reach the insular cortex but leads to activation of subcortical brain nuclei that are involved in emotional, behavioral, neuroendocrine, autonomic and antinociceptive reactions to a noxious stimulus.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Michl
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 4, A-8010, Graz, Austria
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23
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Diotte M, Miguelez M, Miliaressis E, Bielajew C. Interactions between rewarding lateral hypothalamic and aversive nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis stimulation. Behav Brain Res 2000; 116:149-56. [PMID: 11080546 DOI: 10.1016/s0166-4328(00)00268-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The interaction between rewarding and aversive consequences of brain stimulation were assessed in two studies. In the first, the frequency threshold for 300 ms trains of combined lateral hypothalamic (LH) and nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis (Gi) stimulation, in which each LH pulse was followed 2 ms later by the Gi one, was determined for one month. Compared to the threshold for trains of single LH pulses, combined LH-Gi stimulation initially increased the frequency threshold; however, this effect reversed within one session and was subsequently maintained for the duration of the study. The aversion produced by Gi stimulation, as measured by latency to escape, was abolished following a single session of LH-Gi pairs. In the second study, a subset of animals received both presentations of combined pulses, LH followed by Gi, and the reverse; the interval between pulses was varied from 0.2 to 6.4 ms. The effectiveness of combined stimulation, determined by the ratio of LH frequency thresholds to that of the LH-Gi ranged from 0 to 50% across animals but the individual effectiveness functions within animals did not vary with different intervals. In addition, the order of presentation of pulses was of no consequence. Thus, not only did exposure to LH stimulation appear to obliterate Gi aversion, but the combination of LH and Gi pulses added to the rewarding effect produced by LH stimulation alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Diotte
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 11 Marie Curie, Room 108, University of Ottawa, Ont., K1N 6N5, Canada
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24
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Paulson PE, Morrow TJ, Casey KL. Bilateral behavioral and regional cerebral blood flow changes during painful peripheral mononeuropathy in the rat. Pain 2000; 84:233-45. [PMID: 10666528 PMCID: PMC1945251 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3959(99)00216-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A unilateral chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve produced bilateral effects in both pain related behaviors and in the pattern of forebrain activation. All CCI animals exhibited spontaneous pain-related behaviors as well as bilateral hyperalgesia and allodynia after CCI. Further, we identified changes in baseline (unstimulated) forebrain activation patterns 2 weeks following CCI by measuring regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). Compared to controls, CCI consistently produced detectable, well-localized and typically bilateral increases in rCBF within multiple forebrain structures in unstimulated animals. For example, the hindlimb region of somatosensory cortex was significantly activated (22%) as well as multiple thalamc nuclei, including the ventral medial (8%), ventral posterior lateral (10%) and the posterior (9%) nuclear groups. In addition, several forebrain regions considered to be part of the limbic system showed pain-induced changes in rCBF, including the anterior dorsal nucleus of the thalamus (23%), cingulate cortex (18%), retrosplenial cortex (30%), habenular complex (53%), interpeduncular nucleus (45%) and the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (30%). Our results suggest that bilateral somatosensory and limbic forebrain structures participate in the neural mechanisms of prolonged persistent pain produced by a unilateral injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- P E Paulson
- Neurology Research Laboratories, V.A. Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
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Abstract
The habenular complexes represent phylogenetically constant structures in the diencephalon of all vertebrates. Available evidence suggests that this area is engaged in a variety of important biological functions, such as reproductive behaviors, central pain processing, nutrition, sleep-wake cycles, stress responses, and learning. Based on Nissl-stained sections, one medial nucleus and two lateral nuclei (divisions) have been widely accepted in the rat. Cytochemical, hodologic, and functional studies suggest a considerably more complex subnuclear structure. To improve our knowledge of the precise structural composition of the habenular complexes, we have systematically investigated their fine ultrastructure in the rat. Based on the detailed analysis of complete series of large, semithin sections supplemented with electron photomicrographs of selected fields, clear criteria for the delineation of five distinct subnuclei of the medial and ten subnuclei of the lateral habenular complexes were elaborated for the first time. All 15 subnuclei were reconstructed, and their dimensions were determined. A medial and lateral stria medullaris were described. Different roots of the fasciculus retroflexus were differentiated within the medial and lateral habenular complexes. The topographical relationships with respect to the adjacent habenular areas as well as to the neighboring thalamic nuclei were identified and demonstrated. The new understanding of the subnuclear organization of the habenular complexes certainly will facilitate further functional investigations. Whether the newly identified subnuclei finally will be recognized as functionally distinct awaits ongoing immunocytochemical, hodologic, and functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Andres
- Institut für Anatomie, Abteilung Neuroanatomie der Ruhr Universität, Bochum, Germany.
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26
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Porro CA, Cavazzuti M, Baraldi P, Giuliani D, Panerai AE, Corazza R. CNS pattern of metabolic activity during tonic pain: evidence for modulation by beta-endorphin. Eur J Neurosci 1999; 11:874-88. [PMID: 10103081 DOI: 10.1046/j.1460-9568.1999.00494.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
CNS correlates of acute prolonged pain, and the effects of partial blockade of the central beta-endorphin system, were investigated by the quantitative 2-deoxyglucose technique in unanaesthetized, freely moving rats. Experiments were performed during the second, tonic phase of the behavioural response to a prolonged chemical noxious stimulus (s.c. injection of dilute formalin into a forepaw), or after minor tissue injury (s.c. saline injection). During formalin-induced pain, local glucose utilization rates in the CNS were bilaterally increased in the grey matter of the cervical spinal cord, in spinal white matter tracts and in several supraspinal structures, including portions of the medullary reticular formation, locus coeruleus, lateral parabrachial region, anterior pretectal nucleus, the medial, lateral and posterior thalamic regions, basal ganglia, and the parietal, cingulate, frontal, insular and orbital cortical areas. Pretreatment with anti-beta-endorphin antibodies, injected i.c.v., led to increased metabolism in the tegmental nuclei, locus coeruleus, hypothalamic and thalamic structures, putamen, nucleus accumbens, diagonal band nuclei and dentate gyrus, and in portions of the parietal, cingulate, insular, frontal and orbital cortex. In formalin-injected rats, pretreated with anti-beta-endorphin, behavioural changes indicative of hyperalgesia (increased licking response) were found, which were paralleled by a significant enhancement of functional activity in the anterior pretectal nucleus and in thalamo-cortical systems. A positive correlation was found between the duration of the licking response and metabolic activity of several forebrain regions. These results provide a map of the CNS pattern of metabolic activity during tonic somatic pain, and demonstrate a modulatory role for beta-endorphin in central networks that process somatosensory inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Porro
- Scienze e Technologie Biomediche, University of Udine, P. le Kolbe 4, I-33100 Udine, Italy.
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27
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Abstract
Using autoradiography two types of 3[H]epibatidine binding in rat brain was found, the by far most widespread was nicotine displaceable, and represented nicotinic cholinergic receptors, probably the two subtypes alpha4beta2 and alpha3beta4. Using acetylcholine and nicotine in concentrations able to displace 3[H]epibatidine from the alpha4beta2 and alpha3beta4 subunits, in a few brain structures a non-acetylcholine and non-nicotine displaceable 3[H]epibatidine binding was found. The binding was almost exclusively localised to the medial and lateral habenula, interpeduncular nucleus and pineal gland; at 0.1 nM 3[H]epibatidine it represented about 40% of the total 3[H]epibatidine binding. A literature search directed at neurotransmitters in habenula did not demonstrate any neurotransmitter with this anatomical distribution in the brain, suggesting that the non-acetylcholine displaceable 3[H]epibatidine binding represents a binding site, not previously described.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Plenge
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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Morrow TJ, Paulson PE, Danneman PJ, Casey KL. Regional changes in forebrain activation during the early and late phase of formalin nociception: analysis using cerebral blood flow in the rat. Pain 1998; 75:355-65. [PMID: 9583772 PMCID: PMC1839052 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3959(98)00016-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This is the first neural imaging study to use regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in an animal model to identify the patterns of forebrain nociceptive processing that occur during the early and late phase of the formalin test. We measured normalized rCBF increases by an autoradiographic method using the radiotracer [99mTc]exametazime. Noxious formalin consistently produced detectable, well-localized and typically bilateral increases in rCBF within multiple forebrain structures, as well as the interpeduncular nucleus (Activation Index, AI = 66) and the midbrain periaqueductal gray (AI = 20). Structures showing pain-induced changes in rCBF included several forebrain regions considered part of the limbic system. The hindlimb region of somatosensory cortex was significantly activated (AI = 31), and blood flow increases in VPL (AI = 8.7) and the medial thalamus (AI = 9.0) exhibited a tendency to be greater in the late phase as compared to the early phase of the formalin test. The spatial pattern and intensity of activation varied as a function of the time following the noxious formalin stimulus. The results highlight the important role of the limbic forebrain in the neural mechanisms of prolonged persistent pain and provide evidence for a forebrain network for pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Morrow
- Neurology Research Laboratory, VA Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA.
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29
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Wagner CK, Silverman AJ, Morrell JI. Evidence for estrogen receptor in cell nuclei and axon terminals within the lateral habenula of the rat: Regulation during pregnancy. J Comp Neurol 1998. [DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1096-9861(19980316)392:3<330::aid-cne4>3.0.co;2-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Hautvast RW, Ter Horst GJ, DeJong BM, DeJongste MJ, Blanksma PK, Paans AM, Korf J. Relative changes in regional cerebral blood flow during spinal cord stimulation in patients with refractory angina pectoris. Eur J Neurosci 1997; 9:1178-83. [PMID: 9215701 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.1997.tb01472.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord stimulation applied at thoracic level 1 (T1) has a neurally mediated anti-anginal effect based on anti-ischaemic action in the myocardium. Positron emission tomography was used to study which higher brain centres are influenced by spinal cord stimulation. Nine patients with a spinal cord stimulator for angina pectoris were studied using H(2)(15)O as a flow tracer. Relative changes in regional cerebral blood flow related to stimulation compared with non-stimulation were assessed and analysed using the method of statistical parametric mapping. Increased regional cerebral blood flow was observed in the left ventrolateral periaqueductal grey, the medial prefrontal cortex [Brodmann area (BA) 9/10], the dorsomedial thalamus bilaterally, the left medial temporal gyrus (BA 21), the left pulvinar of the thalamus, bilaterally in the posterior caudate nucleus, and the posterior cingulate cortex (BA 30). Relative decreases in rCBF were noticed bilaterally in the insular cortex (BA 20/21 and BA 38), the right inferior temporal gyrus (BA 19/37), the right inferior frontal gyrus (BA 45), the left inferior parietal lobulus (BA 40), the medial temporal gyrus (BA 39) and the right anterior cingulate cortex (BA 24). It is concluded that spinal cord stimulation used as an additional treatment for angina applied at T1 modulates regional cerebral blood flow in brain areas known to be associated with nociception and in areas associated with cardiovascular control.
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Affiliation(s)
- R W Hautvast
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands
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Manning BH, Mayer DJ. The central nucleus of the amygdala contributes to the production of morphine antinociception in the formalin test. Pain 1995; 63:141-152. [PMID: 8628579 DOI: 10.1016/0304-3959(95)00027-p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The rat paw formalin test is a model of prolonged pain due to mild tissue injury. There is some evidence suggesting that morphine does not produce antinociception in the formalin test via the brain-stem and spinal cord circuitry normally associated with antinociception. Furthermore, morphine appears to require an intact forebrain in order to function as an analgesic for formalin pain. In the 2 experiments reported here, we investigated the possibility that the central nucleus of the amygdala (Ce) contributes to the production of morphine antinociception (MA) in the formalin test. Nociception in this test occurs in 2 phases, with the 1st phase occurring 0-5 min after formalin injection and the 2nd phase beginning 10-15 min after injection and continuing for approximately 1 h. In Exp. 1, bilateral neurotoxic lesions of the Ce, but not lesions of the adjacent basolateral nucleus (BL), reliably attenuated MA (7 mg/kg morphine sulfate) during the 2nd phase of the formalin test without affecting baseline nociception. These results were obtained regardless of whether the rating scale method or flinch-frequency method of nociceptive scoring was used. During the 1st phase, Ce lesions reliably attenuated MA as measured by the flinch-frequency method, but not as measured by the rating scale method. In Exp. 2, Ce lesions also reliably attenuated the antinociception produced by 12 mg/kg morphine sulfate during the 2nd phase of the formalin test. Antinociception appeared to be almost completely re-instated, however, if the dose of morphine was raised to 20 mg/kg. The results indicate that neurons originating from the Ce contribute to the production of MA during the 2nd phase, and possibly the 1st phase, of the formalin test, especially at relatively lower doses of morphine. This suggests that in addition to coordinating conditioned antinociceptive responses, the amygdala may be a component of endogenous antinociceptive circuitry. These and other issues are discussed with reference to the spino-ponto-amygdaloid nociceptive pathway, and the proposed role of the amygdala in the mediation of defense reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barton H Manning
- Department of Anatomy, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298 USA Department of Anesthesiology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
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