1
|
Faget L, Oriol L, Lee WC, Zell V, Sargent C, Flores A, Hollon NG, Ramanathan D, Hnasko TS. Ventral pallidum GABA and glutamate neurons drive approach and avoidance through distinct modulation of VTA cell types. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4233. [PMID: 38762463 PMCID: PMC11102457 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48340-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The ventral pallidum (VP) contains GABA and glutamate neurons projecting to ventral tegmental area (VTA) whose stimulation drives approach and avoidance, respectively. Yet little is known about the mechanisms by which VP cell types shape VTA activity and drive behavior. Here, we found that both VP GABA and glutamate neurons were activated during approach to reward or by delivery of an aversive stimulus. Stimulation of VP GABA neurons inhibited VTA GABA, but activated dopamine and glutamate neurons. Remarkably, stimulation-evoked activation was behavior-contingent such that VTA recruitment was inhibited when evoked by the subject's own action. Conversely, VP glutamate neurons activated VTA GABA, as well as dopamine and glutamate neurons, despite driving aversion. However, VP glutamate neurons evoked dopamine in aversion-associated ventromedial nucleus accumbens (NAc), but reduced dopamine release in reward-associated dorsomedial NAc. These findings show how heterogeneous VP projections to VTA can be engaged to shape approach and avoidance behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Faget
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Lucie Oriol
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Wen-Chun Lee
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Vivien Zell
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Cody Sargent
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Andrew Flores
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Nick G Hollon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Dhakshin Ramanathan
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Thomas S Hnasko
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lewis AF, Bohnenkamp R, Myers M, den Ouden DB, Fritz SL, Stewart JC. Effect of positive social comparative feedback on the resting state connectivity of dopaminergic neural pathways: A preliminary investigation. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2024; 212:107930. [PMID: 38692391 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2024.107930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Positive social comparative feedback is hypothesized to generate a dopamine response in the brain, similar to reward, by enhancing expectancies to support motor skill learning. However, no studies have utilized neuroimaging to examine this hypothesized dopaminergic mechanism. Therefore, the aim of this preliminary study was to investigate the effect of positive social comparative feedback on dopaminergic neural pathways measured by resting state connectivity. Thirty individuals practiced an implicit, motor sequence learning task and were assigned to groups that differed in feedback type. One group received feedback about their actual response time to complete the task (RT ONLY), while the other group received feedback about their response time with positive social comparison (RT + POS). Magnetic resonance imaging was acquired at the beginning and end of repetitive motor practice with feedback to measure practice-dependent changes in resting state brain connectivity. While both groups showed improvements in task performance and increases in performance expectancies, ventral tegmental area and the left nucleus accumbens (mesolimbic dopamine pathway) resting state connectivity increased in the RT + POS group but not in the RT ONLY group. Instead, the RT ONLY group showed increased connectivity between ventral tegmental area and primary motor cortex. Positive social comparative feedback during practice of a motor sequence task may induce a dopaminergic response in the brain along the mesolimbic pathway. However, given that absence of effects on expectancies and motor learning, more robust and individualized approaches may be needed to provide beneficial psychological and behavioral effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allison F Lewis
- University of South Carolina, Department of Exercise Science, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Rachel Bohnenkamp
- University of South Carolina, Department of Exercise Science, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Makenzie Myers
- University of South Carolina, Department of Exercise Science, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Dirk B den Ouden
- University of South Carolina, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Stacy L Fritz
- University of South Carolina, Department of Exercise Science, Columbia, SC, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Huang T, Guo X, Huang X, Yi C, Cui Y, Dong Y. Input-output specific orchestration of aversive valence in lateral habenula during stress dynamics. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38616136 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2300933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Stress has been considered as a major risk factor for depressive disorders, triggering depression onset via inducing persistent dysfunctions in specialized brain regions and neural circuits. Among various regions across the brain, the lateral habenula (LHb) serves as a critical hub for processing aversive information during the dynamic process of stress accumulation, thus having been implicated in the pathogenesis of depression. LHb neurons integrate aversive valence conveyed by distinct upstream inputs, many of which selectively innervate the medial part (LHbM) or lateral part (LHbL) of LHb. LHb subregions also separately assign aversive valence via dissociable projections to the downstream targets in the midbrain which provides feedback loops. Despite these strides, the spatiotemporal dynamics of LHb-centric neural circuits remain elusive during the progression of depression-like state under stress. In this review, we attempt to describe a framework in which LHb orchestrates aversive valence via the input-output specific neuronal architecture. Notably, a physiological form of Hebbian plasticity in LHb under multiple stressors has been unveiled to incubate neuronal hyperactivity in an input-specific manner, which causally encodes chronic stress experience and drives depression onset. Collectively, the recent progress and future efforts in elucidating LHb circuits shed light on early interventions and circuit-specific antidepressant therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taida Huang
- Department of Neurology and International Institutes of Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China
- Department of Neurology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Research Centre, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Xiaonan Guo
- Department of Neurology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiaomin Huang
- Research Centre, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Chenju Yi
- Research Centre, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou 510080, China.
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Active Substance Screening and Translational Research, Shenzhen 518107, China.
| | - Yihui Cui
- Department of Neurology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China. ,
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China. ,
| | - Yiyan Dong
- Department of Neurology and International Institutes of Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China. ,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hou G, Hao M, Duan J, Han MH. The Formation and Function of the VTA Dopamine System. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3875. [PMID: 38612683 PMCID: PMC11011984 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The midbrain dopamine system is a sophisticated hub that integrates diverse inputs to control multiple physiological functions, including locomotion, motivation, cognition, reward, as well as maternal and reproductive behaviors. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that binds to G-protein-coupled receptors. Dopamine also works together with other neurotransmitters and various neuropeptides to maintain the balance of synaptic functions. The dysfunction of the dopamine system leads to several conditions, including Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, major depression, schizophrenia, and drug addiction. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) has been identified as an important relay nucleus that modulates homeostatic plasticity in the midbrain dopamine system. Due to the complexity of synaptic transmissions and input-output connections in the VTA, the structure and function of this crucial brain region are still not fully understood. In this review article, we mainly focus on the cell types, neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, ion channels, receptors, and neural circuits of the VTA dopamine system, with the hope of obtaining new insight into the formation and function of this vital brain region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guoqiang Hou
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China (M.H.); (J.D.)
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Mei Hao
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China (M.H.); (J.D.)
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiawen Duan
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China (M.H.); (J.D.)
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Ming-Hu Han
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China (M.H.); (J.D.)
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mocellin P, Barnstedt O, Luxem K, Kaneko H, Vieweg S, Henschke JU, Dalügge D, Fuhrmann F, Karpova A, Pakan JMP, Kreutz MR, Mikulovic S, Remy S. A septal-ventral tegmental area circuit drives exploratory behavior. Neuron 2024; 112:1020-1032.e7. [PMID: 38266645 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
To survive, animals need to balance their exploratory drive with their need for safety. Subcortical circuits play an important role in initiating and modulating movement based on external demands and the internal state of the animal; however, how motivation and onset of locomotion are regulated remain largely unresolved. Here, we show that a glutamatergic pathway from the medial septum and diagonal band of Broca (MSDB) to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) controls exploratory locomotor behavior in mice. Using a self-supervised machine learning approach, we found an overrepresentation of exploratory actions, such as sniffing, whisking, and rearing, when this projection is optogenetically activated. Mechanistically, this role relies on glutamatergic MSDB projections that monosynaptically target a subset of both glutamatergic and dopaminergic VTA neurons. Taken together, we identified a glutamatergic basal forebrain to midbrain circuit that initiates locomotor activity and contributes to the expression of exploration-associated behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Petra Mocellin
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany; International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior (IMPRS), Bonn 53175, Germany.
| | - Oliver Barnstedt
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany
| | - Kevin Luxem
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany
| | - Hiroshi Kaneko
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany
| | - Silvia Vieweg
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany
| | - Julia U Henschke
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany
| | - Dennis Dalügge
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany; International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior (IMPRS), Bonn 53175, Germany
| | - Falko Fuhrmann
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany
| | - Anna Karpova
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg 39106, Germany
| | - Janelle M P Pakan
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg 39120, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg 39106, Germany
| | - Michael R Kreutz
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg 39120, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg 39106, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Magdeburg 39106, Germany
| | - Sanja Mikulovic
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg 39106, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Magdeburg 39106, Germany
| | - Stefan Remy
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg 39118, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg 39120, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg 39106, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Magdeburg 39106, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Liu Q, Zhao Y, Attanti S, Voss JL, Schoenbaum G, Kahnt T. Midbrain signaling of identity prediction errors depends on orbitofrontal cortex networks. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1704. [PMID: 38402210 PMCID: PMC10894191 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45880-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Outcome-guided behavior requires knowledge about the identity of future rewards. Previous work across species has shown that the dopaminergic midbrain responds to violations in expected reward identity and that the lateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) represents reward identity expectations. Here we used network-targeted transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a trans-reinforcer reversal learning task to test the hypothesis that outcome expectations in the lateral OFC contribute to the computation of identity prediction errors (iPE) in the midbrain. Network-targeted TMS aiming at lateral OFC reduced the global connectedness of the lateral OFC and impaired reward identity learning in the first block of trials. Critically, TMS disrupted neural representations of expected reward identity in the OFC and modulated iPE responses in the midbrain. These results support the idea that iPE signals in the dopaminergic midbrain are computed based on outcome expectations represented in the lateral OFC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingfang Liu
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Yao Zhao
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Sumedha Attanti
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, USA
| | - Joel L Voss
- Department of Neurology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Geoffrey Schoenbaum
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Thorsten Kahnt
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Song N, Liu Z, Gao Y, Lu S, Yang S, Yuan C. NAc-DBS corrects depression-like behaviors in CUMS mouse model via disinhibition of DA neurons in the VTA. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02476-x. [PMID: 38361128 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02476-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by diverse debilitating symptoms that include loss of motivation and anhedonia. If multiple medications, psychotherapy, and electroconvulsive therapy fail in some patients with MDD, their condition is then termed treatment-resistant depression (TRD). MDD can be associated with abnormalities in the reward-system-dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway, in which the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) play major roles. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) applied to the NAc alleviates the depressive symptoms of MDD. However, the mechanism underlying the effects of this DBS has remained elusive. In this study, using the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mouse model, we investigated the behavioral and neurobiological effects of NAc-DBS on the multidimensional depression-like phenotypes induced by CUMS by integrating behavioral, in vivo microdialysis coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detector (HPLC-ECD), calcium imaging, pharmacological, and genetic manipulation methods in freely moving mice. We found that long-term and repeated, but not single, NAc-DBS induced robust antidepressant responses in CUMS mice. Moreover, even a single trial NAc-DBS led to the elevation of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter, accompanied by the increase in dopamine (DA) neuron activity in the VTA. Both the inhibition of the GABAA receptor activity and knockdown of the GABAA-α1 gene in VTA-GABA neurons blocked the antidepressant effect of NAc-DBS in CUMS mice. Our results showed that NAc-DBS could disinhibit VTA-DA neurons by regulating the level of GABA and the activity of VTA-GABA in the VTA and could finally correct the depression-like behaviors in the CUMS mouse model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nan Song
- Center of Cognition and Brain Science, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China.
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China.
| | - Zhenhong Liu
- Institute for Brain Disorders, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Yan Gao
- Center of Cognition and Brain Science, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Shanshan Lu
- Center of Cognition and Brain Science, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Shenglian Yang
- Center of Cognition and Brain Science, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Chao Yuan
- Center of Cognition and Brain Science, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Fudge JL, Kelly EA, Love TM. Amygdalo-nigral inputs target dopaminergic and GABAergic neurons in the primate: a view from dendrites and soma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.16.575910. [PMID: 38293165 PMCID: PMC10827221 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.16.575910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The central nucleus (CeN) of the amygdala is an important afferent to the DA system that mediates motivated learning. We previously found that CeN terminals in nonhuman primates primarily overlap the elongated lateral VTA (parabrachial pigmented nucleus, PBP, A10), and retrorubral field(A8) subregion. Here, we examined CeN afferent contacts on cell somata and proximal dendrites of DA and GABA neurons, and distal dendrites of each, using confocal and electron microscopy (EM) methods, respectively. At the soma/proximal dendrites, the proportion of TH+ and GAD1+ cells receiving at least one CeN afferent contact was surprisingly similar (TH = 0.55: GAD1=0.55 in PBP; TH = 0.56; GAD1 =0.51 in A8), with the vast majority of contacted TH+ and GAD1+ soma/proximal dendrites received 1-2 contacts. Similar numbers of tracer-labeled terminals also contacted TH-positive and GAD1-positive small dendrites and/or spines (39% of all contacted dendrites were either TH- or GAD1-labeled). Overall, axon terminals had more symmetric (putative inhibitory) axonal contacts with no difference in the relative distribution in the PBP versus A8, or onto TH+ versus GAD1+ dendrites/spines in either region. The striking uniformity in the amygdalonigral projection across the PBP-A8 terminal field suggests that neither neurotransmitter phenotype nor midbrain location dictates likelihood of a terminal contact. We discuss how this afferent uniformity can play out in recently discovered differences in DA:GABA cell densities between the PBP and A8, and affect specific outputs. Significance statement The amygdala's central nucleus (CeN) channels salient cues to influence both appetitive and aversive responses via DA outputs. In higher species, the broad CeN terminal field overlaps the parabrachial pigmented nucleus ('lateral A10') and the retrorubral field (A8). We quantified terminal contacts in each region on DA and GABAergic soma/proximal dendrites and small distal dendrites. There was striking uniformity in contacts on DA and GABAergic cells, regardless of soma and dendritic compartment, in both regions. Most contacts were symmetric (putative inhibitory) with little change in the ratio of inhibitory to excitatory contacts by region.We conclude that post-synaptic shifts in DA-GABA ratios are key to understanding how these relatively uniform inputs can produce diverse effects on outputs.
Collapse
|
9
|
Tong Y, Cho S, Coenen VA, Döbrössy MD. Input-output relation of midbrain connectomics in a rodent model of depression. J Affect Disord 2024; 345:443-454. [PMID: 37890539 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.10.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The symptoms associated with depression are believed to arise from disruptions in information processing across brain networks. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) influences reward-based behavior, motivation, addiction, and psychiatric disorders, including depression. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB), is an emerging therapy for treatment-resistant depression. Understanding the depression associated anatomical networks crucial for comprehending its antidepressant effects. METHODS Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL), a rodent model of depression and Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 10 each) were used in this study. We used monosynaptic tracing to map inputs of VTA efferent neurons: VTA-to-NAc nucleus accumbens (NAc) (both core and shell) and VTA-to-prefrontal cortex (PFC). Quantitative analysis explored afferent diversity and strengths. RESULTS VTA efferent neurons receive a variety of afferents with varying input weights and predominant neuromodulatory representation. Notably, NAc-core projecting VTA neurons showed stronger afferents from dorsal raphe, while NAc shell-projecting VTA neurons displayed lower input strengths from cortex, thalamus, zona incerta and pretectal area in FSL rats. NAc shell-projecting VTA neurons showed the most difference in connectivity across the experimental groups. LIMITATIONS Lack of functional properties of the anatomical connections is the major limitation of this study. Incomplete labeling and the cytotoxicity of the rabies virus should be made aware of. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide the first characterization of inputs to different VTA ascending projection neurons, shedding light on critical differences in the connectome of the midbrain-forebrain system. Moreover, these differences support potential network effects of these circuits in the context of MFB DBS neuromodulation for depression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y Tong
- Laboratory of Stereotaxy and Interventional Neurosciences, Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - S Cho
- Laboratory of Stereotaxy and Interventional Neurosciences, Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - V A Coenen
- Laboratory of Stereotaxy and Interventional Neurosciences, Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Center for Basics in Neuromodulation, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; IMBIT (Institute for Machine-Brain Interfacing Technology), University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - M D Döbrössy
- Laboratory of Stereotaxy and Interventional Neurosciences, Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Center for Basics in Neuromodulation, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Barbano MF, Zhang S, Chen E, Espinoza O, Mohammad U, Alvarez-Bagnarol Y, Liu B, Hahn S, Morales M. Lateral hypothalamic glutamatergic inputs to VTA glutamatergic neurons mediate prioritization of innate defensive behavior over feeding. Nat Commun 2024; 15:403. [PMID: 38195566 PMCID: PMC10776608 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44633-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The lateral hypothalamus (LH) is involved in feeding behavior and defense responses by interacting with different brain structures, including the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA). Emerging evidence indicates that LH-glutamatergic neurons infrequently synapse on VTA-dopamine neurons but preferentially establish multiple synapses on VTA-glutamatergic neurons. Here, we demonstrated that LH-glutamatergic inputs to VTA promoted active avoidance, long-term aversion, and escape attempts. By testing feeding in the presence of a predator, we observed that ongoing feeding was decreased, and that this predator-induced decrease in feeding was abolished by photoinhibition of the LH-glutamatergic inputs to VTA. By VTA specific neuronal ablation, we established that predator-induced decreases in feeding were mediated by VTA-glutamatergic neurons but not by dopamine or GABA neurons. Thus, we provided evidence for an unanticipated neuronal circuitry between LH-glutamatergic inputs to VTA-glutamatergic neurons that plays a role in prioritizing escape, and in the switch from feeding to escape in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Flavia Barbano
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Shiliang Zhang
- Confocal and Electron Microscopy Core, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Emma Chen
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Orlando Espinoza
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Uzma Mohammad
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Yocasta Alvarez-Bagnarol
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
| | - Bing Liu
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Suyun Hahn
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Marisela Morales
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lee D, Liu L, Root CM. Transformation of valence signaling in a striatopallidal circuit. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.01.551547. [PMID: 37577586 PMCID: PMC10418236 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.01.551547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
The ways in which sensory stimuli acquire motivational valence through association with other stimuli is one of the simplest forms of learning. Though we have identified many brain nuclei that play various roles in reward processing, a significant gap remains in understanding how valence encoding transforms through the layers of sensory processing. To address this gap, we carried out a comparative investigation of the olfactory tubercle (OT), and the ventral pallidum (VP) - 2 connected nuclei of the basal ganglia which have both been implicated in reward processing. First, using anterograde and retrograde tracing, we show that both D1 and D2 neurons of the OT project primarily to the VP and minimally elsewhere. Using 2-photon calcium imaging, we then investigated how the identity of the odor and reward contingency of the odor are differently encoded by neurons in either structure during a classical conditioning paradigm. We find that VP neurons robustly encode reward contingency, but not identity, in low-dimensional space. In contrast, OT neurons primarily encode odor identity in high-dimensional space. Though D1 OT neurons showed larger response vectors to rewarded odors than other odors, we propose this is better interpreted as identity encoding with enhanced contrast rather than as valence encoding. Finally, using a novel conditioning paradigm that decouples reward contingency and licking vigor, we show that both features are encoded by non-overlapping VP neurons. These results provide a novel framework for the striatopallidal circuit in which a high-dimensional encoding of stimulus identity is collapsed onto a low-dimensional encoding of motivational valence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donghyung Lee
- University of California San Diego, Department of Neurobiology, School of Biological Sciences, San Diego, California
| | - Lillian Liu
- University of California San Diego, Department of Neurobiology, School of Biological Sciences, San Diego, California
| | - Cory M Root
- University of California San Diego, Department of Neurobiology, School of Biological Sciences, San Diego, California
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
McGovern DJ, Polter AM, Prévost ED, Ly A, McNulty CJ, Rubinstein B, Root DH. Ventral tegmental area glutamate neurons establish a mu-opioid receptor gated circuit to mesolimbic dopamine neurons and regulate opioid-seeking behavior. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1889-1900. [PMID: 37407648 PMCID: PMC10584944 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01637-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
A two-neuron model of ventral tegmental area (VTA) opioid function classically involves VTA GABA neuron regulation of VTA dopamine neurons via a mu-opioid receptor dependent inhibitory circuit. However, this model predates the discovery of a third major type of neuron in the VTA: glutamatergic neurons. We found that about one-quarter of VTA neurons expressing the mu-opioid receptor are glutamate neurons without molecular markers of GABA co-release. Glutamate-Mu opioid receptor neurons are largely distributed in the anterior VTA. The majority of remaining VTA mu-opioid receptor neurons are GABAergic neurons that are mostly within the posterior VTA and do not express molecular markers of glutamate co-release. Optogenetic stimulation of VTA glutamate neurons resulted in excitatory currents recorded from VTA dopamine neurons that were reduced by presynaptic activation of the mu-opioid receptor ex vivo, establishing a local mu-opioid receptor dependent excitatory circuit from VTA glutamate neurons to VTA dopamine neurons. This VTA glutamate to VTA dopamine pathway regulated dopamine release to the nucleus accumbens through mu-opioid receptor activity in vivo. Behaviorally, VTA glutamate calcium-related neuronal activity increased following oral oxycodone consumption during self-administration and response-contingent oxycodone-associated cues during abstinent reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior. Further, chemogenetic inhibition of VTA glutamate neurons reduced abstinent oral oxycodone-seeking behavior in male but not female mice. These results establish 1) a three-neuron model of VTA opioid function involving a mu-opioid receptor gated VTA glutamate neuron pathway to VTA dopamine neurons that controls dopamine release within the nucleus accumbens, and 2) that VTA glutamate neurons participate in opioid-seeking behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dillon J McGovern
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
| | - Abigail M Polter
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Emily D Prévost
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
| | - Annie Ly
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
| | - Connor J McNulty
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
| | - Bodhi Rubinstein
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
| | - David H Root
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Prévost ED, Phillips A, Lauridsen K, Enserro G, Rubinstein B, Alas D, McGovern DJ, Ly A, Banks M, McNulty C, Kim YS, Fenno LE, Ramakrishnan C, Deisseroth K, Root DH. Monosynaptic inputs to ventral tegmental area glutamate and GABA co-transmitting neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.06.535959. [PMID: 37066408 PMCID: PMC10104150 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.06.535959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
A unique population of ventral tegmental area (VTA) neurons co-transmits glutamate and GABA as well as functionally signals rewarding and aversive outcomes. However, the circuit inputs to VTA VGluT2+VGaT+ neurons are unknown, limiting our understanding of the functional capabilities of these neurons. To identify the inputs to VTA VGluT2+VGaT+ neurons, we coupled monosynaptic rabies tracing with intersectional genetic targeting of VTA VGluT2+VGaT+ neurons in mice. We found that VTA VGluT2+VGaT+ neurons received diverse brain-wide inputs. The largest numbers of monosynaptic inputs to VTA VGluT2+VGaT+ neurons were from superior colliculus, lateral hypothalamus, midbrain reticular nucleus, and periaqueductal gray, whereas the densest inputs relative to brain region volume were from dorsal raphe nucleus, lateral habenula, and ventral tegmental area. Based on these and prior data, we hypothesized that lateral hypothalamus and superior colliculus inputs were glutamatergic neurons. Optical activation of glutamatergic lateral hypothalamus neurons robustly activated VTA VGluT2+VGaT+ neurons regardless of stimulation frequency and resulted in flee-like ambulatory behavior. In contrast, optical activation of glutamatergic superior colliculus neurons activated VTA VGluT2+VGaT+ neurons for a brief period of time at high stimulation frequency and resulted in head rotation and arrested ambulatory behavior (freezing). For both pathways, behaviors induced by stimulation were uncorrelated with VTA VGluT2+VGaT+ neuron activity. However, stimulation of glutamatergic lateral hypothalamus neurons, but not glutamatergic superior colliculus neurons, was associated with VTA VGluT2+VGaT+ footshock-induced activity. We interpret these results such that inputs to VTA VGluT2+VGaT+ neurons may integrate diverse signals related to the detection and processing of motivationally-salient outcomes. Further, VTA VGluT2+VGaT+ neurons may signal threat-related outcomes, possibly via input from lateral hypothalamus glutamate neurons, but not threat-induced behavioral kinematics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily D. Prévost
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO 80301
| | - Alysabeth Phillips
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO 80301
| | - Kristoffer Lauridsen
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO 80301
| | - Gunnar Enserro
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO 80301
| | - Bodhi Rubinstein
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO 80301
| | - Daniel Alas
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO 80301
| | - Dillon J. McGovern
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO 80301
| | - Annie Ly
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO 80301
| | - Makaila Banks
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO 80301
| | - Connor McNulty
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO 80301
| | - Yoon Seok Kim
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lief E. Fenno
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Current address: Department of Neuroscience, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin 78712
| | - Charu Ramakrishnan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Karl Deisseroth
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - David H. Root
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 2860 Wilderness Pl, Boulder, CO 80301
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Noh YW, Kim Y, Lee S, Kim Y, Shin JJ, Kang H, Kim IH, Kim E. The PFC-LH-VTA pathway contributes to social deficits in IRSp53-mutant mice. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4642-4654. [PMID: 37730842 PMCID: PMC10914623 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02257-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) promote social brain functions by releasing DA onto nucleus accumbens neurons, but it remains unclear how VTA neurons communicate with cortical neurons. Here, we report that the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)-lateral hypothalamus (LH)-VTA pathway contributes to social deficits in mice with IRSp53 deletion restricted to cortical excitatory neurons (Emx1-Cre;Irsp53fl/fl mice). LH-projecting mutant mPFC neurons display abnormally increased excitability involving decreased potassium channel gene expression, leading to excessive excitatory synaptic input to LH-GABA neurons. A circuit-specific IRSp53 deletion in LH-projecting mPFC neurons also increases neuronal excitability and induces social deficits. LH-GABA neurons with excessive mPFC excitatory synaptic input show a compensatory decrease in excitability, weakening the inhibitory LHGABA-VTAGABA pathway and subsequently over-activating VTA-GABA neurons and over-inhibiting VTA-DA neurons. Accordingly, optogenetic activation of the LHGABA-VTAGABA pathway improves social deficits in Emx1-Cre;Irsp53fl/fl mice. Therefore, the mPFC-LHGABA-VTAGABA-VTADA pathway contributes to the social deficits in Emx1-Cre;Irsp53fl/fl mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Young Woo Noh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Yangsik Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Inha University Hospital, Incheon, 22332, Korea
| | - Soowon Lee
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Yeonghyeon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Jae Jin Shin
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Hyojin Kang
- Division of National Supercomputing, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Il Hwan Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Korea.
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, 34141, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Pendergraft LT, Marzluff JM, Cross DJ, Shimizu T, Templeton CN. American crows that excel at tool use activate neural circuits distinct from less talented individuals. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6539. [PMID: 37863938 PMCID: PMC10589215 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42203-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Tools enable animals to exploit and command new resources. However, the neural circuits underpinning tool use and how neural activity varies with an animal's tool proficiency, are only known for humans and some other primates. We use 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography to image the brain activity of naïve vs trained American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) when presented with a task requiring the use of stone tools. As in humans, talent affects the neural circuits activated by crows as they prepare to execute the task. Naïve and less proficient crows use neural circuits associated with sensory- and higher-order processing centers (the mesopallium and nidopallium), while highly proficient individuals increase activity in circuits associated with motor learning and tactile control (hippocampus, tegmentum, nucleus basorostralis, and cerebellum). Greater proficiency is found primarily in adult female crows and may reflect their need to use more cognitively complex strategies, like tool use, to obtain food.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- LomaJohn T Pendergraft
- University of Washington, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, Seattle, WA, USA.
- University of Washington, Department of Psychology, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - John M Marzluff
- University of Washington, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Donna J Cross
- University of Utah, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Toru Shimizu
- University of South Florida, Department of Psychology, College of Arts & Sciences, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Oishi Y, Saito YC, Sakurai T. GABAergic modulation of sleep-wake states. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 249:108505. [PMID: 37541595 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Benzodiazepine, a classical medication utilized in the treatment of insomnia, operates by augmenting the activity of the GABAA receptor. This underscores the significance of GABAergic neurotransmission in both the initiation and maintenance of sleep. Nevertheless, an increasing body of evidence substantiates the notion that GABA-mediated neurotransmission also assumes a vital role in promoting wakefulness in specific neuronal circuits. Despite the longstanding belief in the pivotal function of GABA in regulating the sleep-wake cycle, there exists a dearth of comprehensive documentation regarding the specific regions within the central nervous system where GABAergic neurons are crucial for these functions. In this review, we delve into the involvement of GABAergic neurons in the regulation of sleep-wake cycles, with particular focus on those located in the preoptic area (POA) and ventral tegmental area (VTA). Recent research, including our own, has further underscored the importance of GABAergic neurotransmission in these areas for the regulation of sleep-wake cycles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yo Oishi
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPI-IIIS), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan; Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Yuki C Saito
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPI-IIIS), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan; Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Takeshi Sakurai
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPI-IIIS), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan; Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Bouarab C, Wynalda M, Thompson BV, Khurana A, Cody CR, Kisner A, Polter AM. Sex-specific adaptations to VTA circuits following subchronic stress. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.02.551665. [PMID: 37577542 PMCID: PMC10418168 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.02.551665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the mesolimbic reward circuitry is implicated in the pathophysiology of stress-related illnesses such as depression and anxiety. These disorders are more frequently diagnosed in females, and sex differences in the response to stress are likely to be one factor that leads to enhanced vulnerability of females. In this study, we use subchronic variable stress (SCVS), a model in which females are uniquely vulnerable to behavioral disturbances, to investigate sexually divergent mechanisms of regulation of the ventral tegmental area by stress. Using slice electrophysiology, we find that female, but not male mice have a reduction in the ex vivo firing rate of VTA dopaminergic neurons following SCVS. Surprisingly, both male and female animals show an increase in inhibitory tone onto VTA dopaminergic neurons and an increase in the firing rate of VTA GABAergic neurons. In males, however, this is accompanied by a robust increase in excitatory synaptic tone onto VTA dopamine neurons. This supports a model by which SCVS recruits VTA GABA neurons to inhibit dopaminergic neurons in both male and female mice, but males are protected from diminished functioning of the dopaminergic system by a compensatory upregulation of excitatory synapses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Bouarab
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037
- Current address: Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris
| | - Megan Wynalda
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037
| | - Brittney V. Thompson
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037
- Current address: Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahasse, FL, 32306
| | - Ambika Khurana
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037
| | - Caitlyn R. Cody
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037
- Current address: Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115
| | - Alexandre Kisner
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037
- Current address: Department of Neuroscience, American University, Washington DC 20016
| | - Abigail M. Polter
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Rigney N, de Vries GJ, Petrulis A. Sex differences in afferents and efferents of vasopressin neurons of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and medial amygdala in mice. Horm Behav 2023; 154:105407. [PMID: 37523807 PMCID: PMC10529859 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Steroid-sensitive vasopressin (AVP) neurons in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and medial amygdala (MeA) have been implicated in the control of social behavior, but the connectional architecture of these cells is not well understood. Here we used a modified rabies virus (RV) approach to identify cells that provide monosynaptic input to BNST and MeA AVP cells, and an adeno-associated viral (AAV) anterograde tracer strategy to map the outputs of these cells. Although the location of in- and outputs of these cells generally overlap, we observed several sex differences with differences in density of outputs typically favoring males, but the direction of sex differences in inputs vary based on their location. Moreover, the AVP cells located in both the BNST and MeA are in direct contact with each other suggesting that AVP cells in these two regions act in a coordinated manner, and possibly differently by sex. This study represents the first comprehensive mapping of the sexually dimorphic and steroid-sensitive AVP neurons in the mouse brain.
Collapse
|
19
|
Faget L, Oriol L, Lee WC, Sargent C, Ramanathan D, Hnasko TS. Ventral pallidum GABA and glutamate neurons drive approach and avoidance through distinct modulation of VTA cell types. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.12.548750. [PMID: 37502884 PMCID: PMC10369949 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.12.548750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The ventral pallidum (VP) contains GABA and glutamate (Glut) neurons projecting to ventral tegmental area (VTA) whose stimulation drives approach and avoidance, respectively. Yet little is known about the cell-type-specific mechanisms by which VP projections to VTA drive behavior. Here, we found that both VP GABA and Glut neurons were activated during approach to reward or delivery of an aversive stimulus. Stimulation of VP GABA neurons inhibited VTA GABA, but activated dopamine (DA) and glutamate neurons. Remarkably, this cell-type-specific recruitment was behavior-contingent such that VTA recruitment was inhibited when evoked by the subject's own action. Conversely, VP Glut neurons activated VTA GABA, as well as DA and Glut neurons, despite driving aversion. However, VP Glut neurons evoked DA in reward-associated ventromedial nucleus accumbens (NAc), but reduced DA in aversion-associated dorsomedial NAc. These findings show how heterogeneous VP cell types can engage VTA cell types to shape approach and avoidance behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Faget
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - Lucie Oriol
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Wen-Chun Lee
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Cody Sargent
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Dhakshin Ramanathan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - Thomas S. Hnasko
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Ji YW, Shen ZL, Zhang X, Zhang K, Jia T, Xu X, Geng H, Han Y, Yin C, Yang JJ, Cao JL, Zhou C, Xiao C. Plasticity in ventral pallidal cholinergic neuron-derived circuits contributes to comorbid chronic pain-like and depression-like behaviour in male mice. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2182. [PMID: 37069246 PMCID: PMC10110548 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37968-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleus- and cell-specific interrogation of individual basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic circuits is crucial for refining targets to treat comorbid chronic pain-like and depression-like behaviour. As the ventral pallidum (VP) in the BF regulates pain perception and emotions, we aim to address the role of VP-derived cholinergic circuits in hyperalgesia and depression-like behaviour in chronic pain mouse model. In male mice, VP cholinergic neurons innervate local non-cholinergic neurons and modulate downstream basolateral amygdala (BLA) neurons through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. These cholinergic circuits are mobilized by pain-like stimuli and become hyperactive during persistent pain. Acute stimulation of VP cholinergic neurons and the VP-BLA cholinergic projection reduces pain threshold in naïve mice whereas inhibition of the circuits elevated pain threshold in pain-like states. Multi-day repetitive modulation of the VP-BLA cholinergic pathway regulates depression-like behaviour in persistent pain. Therefore, VP-derived cholinergic circuits are implicated in comorbid hyperalgesia and depression-like behaviour in chronic pain mouse model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Wei Ji
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, China
| | - Zi-Lin Shen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, China
| | - Kairan Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, China
| | - Tao Jia
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, China
| | - Xiangying Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, China
| | - Huizhen Geng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yu Han
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, China
| | - Cui Yin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jian-Jun Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jun-Li Cao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, China.
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Chunyi Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, China.
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Cheng Xiao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, China.
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Yuan A, Kharas N, King N, Yang P, Dafny N. Methylphenidate cross-sensitization with amphetamine is dose dependent but not age dependent. Behav Brain Res 2023; 438:114178. [PMID: 36341913 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Psychostimulants such as methylphenidate (MPD) and amphetamine (AMP) are often prescribed to young children and adolescents to treat behavioral disorders, or used to improve their intellectual performance in our competitive society. This is concerning as the temporal effects of how MPD exposure at a young age influences the response to MPD and AMP administration later in adulthood remains unclear. The objective of this study was to test whether MPD has the characteristics of substances that elicit behavioral symptoms of dependence and whether those effects are influenced by the initial age of MPD exposure. Three control and nine experimental groups of male rats were used. They were exposed to repetitive (chronic) 0.6, 2.5, or 10.0 mg/kg MPD in adolescence only, adulthood only, or adolescence and adulthood respectively. Then all groups were subsequently re-challenged with a single AMP dose in adulthood to test whether cross-sensitization between MPD and AMP was expressed, potentially as a result of prior MPD consumption. Exposure to 2.5 mg/kg and 10.0 mg/kg MPD in adolescence and adulthood or in adulthood alone led to cross-sensitization with AMP while exposure to 0.6 mg/kg MPD in adolescence and adulthood or in adulthood alone did not lead to cross-sensitization with AMP. Thus, these results indicate that MPD cross-sensitization with AMP is dose dependent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Yuan
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Texas Health at the McGovern Medical School, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston TX 77030, United States
| | - Natasha Kharas
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Texas Health at the McGovern Medical School, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston TX 77030, United States
| | - Nicholas King
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Texas Health at the McGovern Medical School, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston TX 77030, United States
| | - Pamela Yang
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Texas Health at the McGovern Medical School, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston TX 77030, United States
| | - Nachum Dafny
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Texas Health at the McGovern Medical School, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston TX 77030, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Soares-Cunha C, Heinsbroek JA. Ventral pallidal regulation of motivated behaviors and reinforcement. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1086053. [PMID: 36817646 PMCID: PMC9932340 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1086053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The interconnected nuclei of the ventral basal ganglia have long been identified as key regulators of motivated behavior, and dysfunction of this circuit is strongly implicated in mood and substance use disorders. The ventral pallidum (VP) is a central node of the ventral basal ganglia, and recent studies have revealed complex VP cellular heterogeneity and cell- and circuit-specific regulation of reward, aversion, motivation, and drug-seeking behaviors. Although the VP is canonically considered a relay and output structure for this circuit, emerging data indicate that the VP is a central hub in an extensive network for reward processing and the regulation of motivation that extends beyond classically defined basal ganglia borders. VP neurons respond temporally faster and show more advanced reward coding and prediction error processing than neurons in the upstream nucleus accumbens, and regulate the activity of the ventral mesencephalon dopamine system. This review will summarize recent findings in the literature and provide an update on the complex cellular heterogeneity and cell- and circuit-specific regulation of motivated behaviors and reinforcement by the VP with a specific focus on mood and substance use disorders. In addition, we will discuss mechanisms by which stress and drug exposure alter the functioning of the VP and produce susceptibility to neuropsychiatric disorders. Lastly, we will outline unanswered questions and identify future directions for studies necessary to further clarify the central role of VP neurons in the regulation of motivated behaviors. Significance: Research in the last decade has revealed a complex cell- and circuit-specific role for the VP in reward processing and the regulation of motivated behaviors. Novel insights obtained using cell- and circuit-specific interrogation strategies have led to a major shift in our understanding of this region. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the VP in which we integrate novel findings with the existing literature and highlight the emerging role of the VP as a linchpin of the neural systems that regulate motivation, reward, and aversion. In addition, we discuss the dysfunction of the VP in animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carina Soares-Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Jasper A. Heinsbroek
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Martinez Damonte V, Pomrenze MB, Manning CE, Casper C, Wolfden AL, Malenka RC, Kauer JA. Somatodendritic Release of Cholecystokinin Potentiates GABAergic Synapses Onto Ventral Tegmental Area Dopamine Cells. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 93:197-208. [PMID: 35961792 PMCID: PMC9976994 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuropeptides are contained in nearly every neuron in the central nervous system and can be released not only from nerve terminals but also from somatodendritic sites. Cholecystokinin (CCK), among the most abundant neuropeptides in the brain, is expressed in the majority of midbrain dopamine neurons. Despite this high expression, CCK function within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is not well understood. METHODS We confirmed CCK expression in VTA dopamine neurons through immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization and detected optogenetically induced CCK release using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To investigate whether CCK modulates VTA circuit activity, we used whole-cell patch clamp recordings in mouse brain slices. We infused CCK locally in vivo and tested food intake and locomotion in fasted mice. We also used in vivo fiber photometry to measure Ca2+ transients in dopamine neurons during feeding. RESULTS Here we report that VTA dopamine neurons release CCK from somatodendritic regions, where it triggers long-term potentiation of GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acidergic) synapses. The somatodendritic release occurs during trains of optogenetic stimuli or prolonged but modest depolarization and is dependent on synaptotagmin-7 and T-type Ca2+ channels. Depolarization-induced long-term potentiation is blocked by a CCK2 receptor antagonist and mimicked by exogenous CCK. Local infusion of CCK in vivo inhibits food consumption and decreases distance traveled in an open field test. Furthermore, intra-VTA-infused CCK reduced dopamine cell Ca2+ signals during food consumption after an overnight fast and was correlated with reduced food intake. CONCLUSIONS Our experiments introduce somatodendritic neuropeptide release as a previously unknown feedback regulator of VTA dopamine cell excitability and dopamine-related behaviors.
Collapse
|
24
|
Yoshida J, Oñate M, Khatami L, Vera J, Nadim F, Khodakhah K. Cerebellar Contributions to the Basal Ganglia Influence Motor Coordination, Reward Processing, and Movement Vigor. J Neurosci 2022; 42:8406-8415. [PMID: 36351826 PMCID: PMC9665921 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1535-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Both the cerebellum and the basal ganglia are known for their roles in motor control and motivated behavior. These two systems have been classically considered as independent structures that coordinate their contributions to behavior via separate cortico-thalamic loops. However, recent evidence demonstrates the presence of a rich set of direct connections between these two regions. Although there is strong evidence for connections in both directions, for brevity we limit our discussion to the better-characterized connections from the cerebellum to the basal ganglia. We review two sets of such connections: disynaptic projections through the thalamus and direct monosynaptic projections to the midbrain dopaminergic nuclei, the VTA and the SNc. In each case, we review the evidence for these pathways from anatomic tracing and physiological recordings, and discuss their potential functional roles. We present evidence that the disynaptic pathway through the thalamus is involved in motor coordination, and that its dysfunction contributes to motor deficits, such as dystonia. We then discuss how cerebellar projections to the VTA and SNc influence dopamine release in the respective targets of these nuclei: the NAc and the dorsal striatum. We argue that the cerebellar projections to the VTA may play a role in reward-based learning and therefore contribute to addictive behavior, whereas the projection to the SNc may contribute to movement vigor. Finally, we speculate how these projections may explain many of the observations that indicate a role for the cerebellum in mental disorders, such as schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junichi Yoshida
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
| | - Maritza Oñate
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
| | - Leila Khatami
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
| | - Jorge Vera
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
| | - Farzan Nadim
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
- Department of Biological Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, 07102
| | - Kamran Khodakhah
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
van Hoogstraten WS, Lute MCC, Nusselder H, Kros L, van den Maagdenberg AMJM, De Zeeuw CI. cATR Tracing Approach to Identify Individual Intermediary Neurons Based on Their Input and Output: A Proof-of-Concept Study Connecting Cerebellum and Central Hubs Implicated in Developmental Disorders. Cells 2022; 11:cells11192978. [PMID: 36230940 PMCID: PMC9562212 DOI: 10.3390/cells11192978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades, it has become increasingly clear that many neurodevelopmental disorders can be characterized by aberrations in the neuro-anatomical connectome of intermediary hubs. Yet, despite the advent in unidirectional transsynaptic tracing technologies, we are still lacking an efficient approach to identify individual neurons based on both their precise input and output relations, hampering our ability to elucidate the precise connectome in both the healthy and diseased condition. Here, we bridge this gap by combining anterograde transsynaptic- and retrograde (cATR) tracing in Ai14 reporter mice, using adeno-associated virus serotype 1 expressing Cre and cholera toxin subunit B as the anterograde and retrograde tracer, respectively. We have applied this innovative approach to selectively identify individual neurons in the brainstem that do not only receive input from one or more of the cerebellar nuclei (CN), but also project to the primary motor cortex (M1), the amygdala or the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Cells directly connecting CN to M1 were found mainly in the thalamus, while a large diversity of midbrain and brainstem areas connected the CN to the amygdala or VTA. Our data highlight that cATR allows for specific, yet brain-wide, identification of individual neurons that mediate information from a cerebellar nucleus to the cerebral cortex, amygdala or VTA via a disynaptic pathway. Given that the identified neurons in healthy subjects can be readily quantified, our data also form a solid foundation to make numerical comparisons with mouse mutants suffering from aberrations in their connectome due to a neurodevelopmental disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Marit C. C. Lute
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hugo Nusselder
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lieke Kros
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arn M. J. M. van den Maagdenberg
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Chris I. De Zeeuw
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, NIN-KNAW, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Babiczky Á, Matyas F. Molecular characteristics and laminar distribution of prefrontal neurons projecting to the mesolimbic system. eLife 2022; 11:78813. [PMID: 36063145 PMCID: PMC9444245 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78813] [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: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Prefrontal cortical influence over the mesolimbic system - including the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA) - is implicated in various cognitive processes and behavioral malfunctions. The functional versatility of this system could be explained by an underlying anatomical complexity; however, the detailed characterization of the medial prefrontal cortical (mPFC) innervation of the NAc and VTA is still lacking. Therefore, combining classical retrograde and conditional viral tracing techniques with multiple fluorescent immunohistochemistry, we sought to deliver a precise, cell- and layer-specific anatomical description of the cortico-mesolimbic pathways in mice. We demonstrated that NAc- (mPFCNAc) and VTA-projecting mPFC (mPFCVTA) populations show different laminar distribution (layers 2/3-5a and 5b-6, respectively) and express different molecular markers. Specifically, calbindin and Ntsr1 are specific to mPFCNAc neurons, while mPFCVTA neurons express high levels of Ctip2 and FoxP2, indicating that these populations are mostly separated at the cellular level. We directly tested this with double retrograde tracing and Canine adenovirus type 2-mediated viral labeling and found that there is indeed minimal overlap between the two populations. Furthermore, whole-brain analysis revealed that the projection pattern of these populations is also different throughout the brain. Taken together, we demonstrated that the NAc and the VTA are innervated by two, mostly nonoverlapping mPFC populations with different laminar distribution and molecular profile. These results can contribute to the advancement in our understanding of mesocorticolimbic functions and its disorders in future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ákos Babiczky
- Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.,Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.,Doctoral School of Psychology/Cognitive Science, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Matyas
- Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.,Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.,Department of Anatomy and Histology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Souza R, Bueno D, Lima LB, Muchon MJ, Gonçalves L, Donato J, Shammah-Lagnado SJ, Metzger M. Top-down projections of the prefrontal cortex to the ventral tegmental area, laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, and median raphe nucleus. Brain Struct Funct 2022; 227:2465-2487. [DOI: 10.1007/s00429-022-02538-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
28
|
de Jong JW, Fraser KM, Lammel S. Mesoaccumbal Dopamine Heterogeneity: What Do Dopamine Firing and Release Have to Do with It? Annu Rev Neurosci 2022; 45:109-129. [PMID: 35226827 PMCID: PMC9271543 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-110920-011929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons are often thought to uniformly encode reward prediction errors. Conversely, DA release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), the prominent projection target of these neurons, has been implicated in reinforcement learning, motivation, aversion, and incentive salience. This contrast between heterogeneous functions of DA release versus a homogeneous role for DA neuron activity raises numerous questions regarding how VTA DA activity translates into NAc DA release. Further complicating this issue is increasing evidence that distinct VTA DA projections into defined NAc subregions mediate diverse behavioral functions. Here, we evaluate evidence for heterogeneity within the mesoaccumbal DA system and argue that frameworks of DA function must incorporate the precise topographic organization of VTA DA neurons to clarify their contribution to health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes W de Jong
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA;
| | - Kurt M Fraser
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA;
| | - Stephan Lammel
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Soden ME, Yee JX, Cuevas B, Rastani A, Elum J, Zweifel LS. Distinct Encoding of Reward and Aversion by Peptidergic BNST Inputs to the VTA. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:918839. [PMID: 35860212 PMCID: PMC9289195 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.918839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptides play an important role in modulating mesolimbic system function. However, while synaptic inputs to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have been extensively mapped, the sources of many neuropeptides are not well resolved. Here, we mapped the anatomical locations of three neuropeptide inputs to the VTA: neurotensin (NTS), corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF), and neurokinin B (NkB). Among numerous labeled inputs we identified the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) as a major source of all three peptides, containing similar numbers of NTS, CRF, and NkB VTA projection neurons. Approximately 50% of BNST to VTA inputs co-expressed two or more of the peptides examined. Consistent with this expression pattern, analysis of calcium dynamics in the terminals of these inputs in the VTA revealed both common and distinct patterns of activation during appetitive and aversive conditioning. These data demonstrate additional diversification of the mesolimbic dopamine system through partially overlapping neuropeptidergic inputs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta E. Soden
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- *Correspondence: Marta E. Soden
| | - Joshua X. Yee
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Beatriz Cuevas
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Ariana Rastani
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jordan Elum
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Larry S. Zweifel
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Larry S. Zweifel
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Yu X, Zhao G, Wang D, Wang S, Li R, Li A, Wang H, Nollet M, Chun YY, Zhao T, Yustos R, Li H, Zhao J, Li J, Cai M, Vyssotski AL, Li Y, Dong H, Franks NP, Wisden W. A specific circuit in the midbrain detects stress and induces restorative sleep. Science 2022; 377:63-72. [PMID: 35771921 PMCID: PMC7612951 DOI: 10.1126/science.abn0853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In mice, social defeat stress (SDS), an ethological model for psychosocial stress, induces sleep. Such sleep could enable resilience, but how stress promotes sleep is unclear. Activity-dependent tagging revealed a subset of ventral tegmental area γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-somatostatin (VTAVgat-Sst) cells that sense stress and drive non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and REM sleep through the lateral hypothalamus and also inhibit corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) release in the paraventricular hypothalamus. Transient stress enhances the activity of VTAVgat-Sst cells for several hours, allowing them to exert their sleep effects persistently. Lesioning of VTAVgat-Sst cells abolished SDS-induced sleep; without it, anxiety and corticosterone concentrations remained increased after stress. Thus, a specific circuit allows animals to restore mental and body functions by sleeping, potentially providing a refined route for treating anxiety disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Yu
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Guangchao Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Sa Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ao Li
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Huan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100871, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Mathieu Nollet
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - You Young Chun
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Tianyuan Zhao
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Raquel Yustos
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Huiming Li
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jianshuai Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jiannan Li
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Min Cai
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Alexei L Vyssotski
- Institute of Neuroinformatics, University of Zürich/ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Yulong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100871, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Hailong Dong
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Nicholas P Franks
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - William Wisden
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Cai J, Tong Q. Anatomy and Function of Ventral Tegmental Area Glutamate Neurons. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:867053. [PMID: 35669454 PMCID: PMC9164627 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.867053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is well known for regulating reward consumption, learning, memory, and addiction behaviors through mediating dopamine (DA) release in downstream regions. Other than DA neurons, the VTA is known to be heterogeneous and contains other types of neurons, including glutamate neurons. In contrast to the well-studied and established functions of DA neurons, the role of VTA glutamate neurons is understudied, presumably due to their relatively small quantity and a lack of effective means to study them. Yet, emerging studies have begun to reveal the importance of glutamate release from VTA neurons in regulating diverse behavioral repertoire through a complex intra-VTA and long-range neuronal network. In this review, we summarize the features of VTA glutamate neurons from three perspectives, namely, cellular properties, neural connections, and behavioral functions. Delineation of VTA glutamatergic pathways and their interactions with VTA DA neurons in regulating behaviors may reveal previously unappreciated functions of the VTA in other physiological processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Cai
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, UTHealth McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, United States.,Neuroscience Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Qingchun Tong
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, UTHealth McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, United States.,Neuroscience Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Beier K. Modified viral-genetic mapping reveals local and global connectivity relationships of ventral tegmental area dopamine cells. eLife 2022; 11:e76886. [PMID: 35604019 PMCID: PMC9173742 DOI: 10.7554/elife.76886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine cells in the ventral tegmental area (VTADA) are critical for a variety of motivated behaviors. These cells receive synaptic inputs from over 100 anatomically defined brain regions, which enables control from a distributed set of inputs across the brain. Extensive efforts have been made to map inputs to VTA cells based on neurochemical phenotype and output site. However, all of these studies have the same fundamental limitation that inputs local to the VTA cannot be properly assessed due to non-Cre-dependent uptake of EnvA-pseudotyped virus. Therefore, the quantitative contribution of local inputs to the VTA, including GABAergic, DAergic, and serotonergic, is not known. Here, I used a modified viral-genetic strategy that enables examination of both local and long-range inputs to VTADA cells in mice. I found that nearly half of the total inputs to VTADA cells are located locally, revealing a substantial portion of inputs that have been missed by previous analyses. The majority of inhibition to VTADA cells arises from the substantia nigra pars reticulata, with large contributions from the VTA and the substantia nigra pars compacta. In addition to receiving inputs from VTAGABA neurons, DA neurons are connected with other DA neurons within the VTA as well as the nearby retrorubal field. Lastly, I show that VTADA neurons receive inputs from distributed serotonergic neurons throughout the midbrain and hindbrain, with the majority arising from the dorsal raphe. My study highlights the importance of using the appropriate combination of viral-genetic reagents to unmask the complexity of connectivity relationships to defined cells in the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Beier
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Neurobiology and Behavior, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, IrvineIrvineUnited States
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Berland C, Castel J, Terrasi R, Montalban E, Foppen E, Martin C, Muccioli GG, Luquet S, Gangarossa G. Identification of an endocannabinoid gut-brain vagal mechanism controlling food reward and energy homeostasis. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:2340-2354. [PMID: 35075269 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01428-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The regulation of food intake, a sine qua non requirement for survival, thoroughly shapes feeding and energy balance by integrating both homeostatic and hedonic values of food. Unfortunately, the widespread access to palatable food has led to the development of feeding habits that are independent from metabolic needs. Among these, binge eating (BE) is characterized by uncontrolled voracious eating. While reward deficit seems to be a major contributor of BE, the physiological and molecular underpinnings of BE establishment remain elusive. Here, we combined a physiologically relevant BE mouse model with multiscale in vivo approaches to explore the functional connection between the gut-brain axis and the reward and homeostatic brain structures. Our results show that BE elicits compensatory adaptations requiring the gut-to-brain axis which, through the vagus nerve, relies on the permissive actions of peripheral endocannabinoids (eCBs) signaling. Selective inhibition of peripheral CB1 receptors resulted in a vagus-dependent increased hypothalamic activity, modified metabolic efficiency, and dampened activity of mesolimbic dopamine circuit, altogether leading to the suppression of palatable eating. We provide compelling evidence for a yet unappreciated physiological integrative mechanism by which variations of peripheral eCBs control the activity of the vagus nerve, thereby in turn gating the additive responses of both homeostatic and hedonic brain circuits which govern homeostatic and reward-driven feeding. In conclusion, we reveal that vagus-mediated eCBs/CB1R functions represent an interesting and innovative target to modulate energy balance and counteract food-reward disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Berland
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Julien Castel
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Romano Terrasi
- Bioanalysis and Pharmacology of Bioactive Lipids Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Enrica Montalban
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Ewout Foppen
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Claire Martin
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Giulio G Muccioli
- Bioanalysis and Pharmacology of Bioactive Lipids Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Serge Luquet
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Giuseppe Gangarossa
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, F-75013, Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Peczely L, Ollmann T, Laszlo K, Lenard L, Grace AA. The D2-like Dopamine Receptor Agonist Quinpirole Microinjected Into the Ventral Pallidum Dose-Dependently Inhibits the VTA and Induces Place Aversion. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2022; 25:590-599. [PMID: 35348731 PMCID: PMC9352176 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyac024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ventral pallidum (VP) is a dopaminoceptive forebrain structure regulating the ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopaminergic population activity. We have recently demonstrated that in the VP, the D2-like dopamine (DA) receptor agonist quinpirole dose dependently facilitates memory consolidation in inhibitory avoidance and spatial learning. According to our hypothesis, quinpirole microinjected into the VP can modulate the VTA DAergic activity and influence motivation and learning processes of rats. METHODS Quinpirole was microinjected at 3 different doses into the VP of male rats, and controls received vehicle. Single unit recordings were employed to assess VTA DAergic activity. To investigate the possible reinforcing or aversive effect of quinpirole in the VP, the conditioned place preference paradigm was used. RESULTS Our results showed that intra-VP quinpirole microinjection regulates VTA DAergic neurons according to an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve. The largest dose of quinpirole decreased the population activity and strongly reduced burst activity of the DAergic neurons in the first hour after its application. In contrast, the 2 smaller doses increased DA population activity, but their effect started with a delay 1 hour after their microinjection. The CPP experiments revealed that the largest dose of quinpirole in the VP induced place aversion in the rats. Furthermore, the largest dose of quinpirole induced an acute locomotor activity reduction, while the medium dose led to a long-duration increase in locomotion. CONCLUSIONS In summary, quinpirole dose dependently regulates VTA DAergic activity as well as the motivation and motor behavior of the rats at the level of the VP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laszlo Peczely
- Correspondence: Laszlo Peczely, MD, PhD, Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pécs, PO Box 99, H-7602 Pécs, Hungary, Szigeti str. 12 ()
| | - Tamas Ollmann
- Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems Research Group, Institute of Physiology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA,Neuropeptides, Cognition, Animal Models of Neuropsychiatric Disorders Research Group, Institute of Physiology, Pecs, Hungary,Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary,Centre for Neuroscience, Pecs, Hungary,University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Kristof Laszlo
- Neuropeptides, Cognition, Animal Models of Neuropsychiatric Disorders Research Group, Institute of Physiology, Pecs, Hungary,Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary,Centre for Neuroscience, Pecs, Hungary,University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Laszlo Lenard
- Learning in Biological and Artificial Systems Research Group, Institute of Physiology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA,Molecular Neuroendocrinology and Neurophysiology Research Group, Szentagothai Research Centre, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Anthony A Grace
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
An S, Li X, Deng L, Zhao P, Ding Z, Han Y, Luo Y, Liu X, Li A, Luo Q, Feng Z, Gong H. A Whole-Brain Connectivity Map of VTA and SNc Glutamatergic and GABAergic Neurons in Mice. Front Neuroanat 2022; 15:818242. [PMID: 35002641 PMCID: PMC8733212 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2021.818242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) mediated diverse brain functions. However, their whole-brain neural connectivity has not been comprehensively mapped. Here we used the virus tracers to characterize the whole-brain inputs and outputs of glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons in VTA and SNc. We found that these neurons received similar inputs from upstream brain regions, but some quantitative differences were also observed. Neocortex and dorsal striatum provided a greater share of input to VTA glutamatergic neurons. Periaqueductal gray and lateral hypothalamic area preferentially innervated VTA GABAergic neurons. Specifically, superior colliculus provided the largest input to SNc glutamatergic neurons. Compared to input patterns, the output patterns of glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons in the VTA and SNc showed significant preference to different brain regions. Our results laid the anatomical foundation for understanding the functions of cell-type-specific neurons in VTA and SNc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sile An
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangning Li
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST)-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute (JITRI), Suzhou, China
| | - Lei Deng
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Peilin Zhao
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhangheng Ding
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yutong Han
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yue Luo
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Anan Li
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST)-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute (JITRI), Suzhou, China
| | - Qingming Luo
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Zhao Feng
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST)-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute (JITRI), Suzhou, China
| | - Hui Gong
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST)-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute (JITRI), Suzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Wills L, Ables JL, Braunscheidel KM, Caligiuri SPB, Elayouby KS, Fillinger C, Ishikawa M, Moen JK, Kenny PJ. Neurobiological Mechanisms of Nicotine Reward and Aversion. Pharmacol Rev 2022; 74:271-310. [PMID: 35017179 PMCID: PMC11060337 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.121.000299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) regulate the rewarding actions of nicotine contained in tobacco that establish and maintain the smoking habit. nAChRs also regulate the aversive properties of nicotine, sensitivity to which decreases tobacco use and protects against tobacco use disorder. These opposing behavioral actions of nicotine reflect nAChR expression in brain reward and aversion circuits. nAChRs containing α4 and β2 subunits are responsible for the high-affinity nicotine binding sites in the brain and are densely expressed by reward-relevant neurons, most notably dopaminergic, GABAergic, and glutamatergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area. High-affinity nAChRs can incorporate additional subunits, including β3, α6, or α5 subunits, with the resulting nAChR subtypes playing discrete and dissociable roles in the stimulatory actions of nicotine on brain dopamine transmission. nAChRs in brain dopamine circuits also participate in aversive reactions to nicotine and the negative affective state experienced during nicotine withdrawal. nAChRs containing α3 and β4 subunits are responsible for the low-affinity nicotine binding sites in the brain and are enriched in brain sites involved in aversion, including the medial habenula, interpeduncular nucleus, and nucleus of the solitary tract, brain sites in which α5 nAChR subunits are also expressed. These aversion-related brain sites regulate nicotine avoidance behaviors, and genetic variation that modifies the function of nAChRs in these sites increases vulnerability to tobacco dependence and smoking-related diseases. Here, we review the molecular, cellular, and circuit-level mechanisms through which nicotine elicits reward and aversion and the adaptations in these processes that drive the development of nicotine dependence. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Tobacco use disorder in the form of habitual cigarette smoking or regular use of other tobacco-related products is a major cause of death and disease worldwide. This article reviews the actions of nicotine in the brain that contribute to tobacco use disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Wills
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Jessica L Ables
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Kevin M Braunscheidel
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Stephanie P B Caligiuri
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Karim S Elayouby
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Clementine Fillinger
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Masago Ishikawa
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Janna K Moen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Paul J Kenny
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Montero T, Gatica RI, Farassat N, Meza R, González-Cabrera C, Roeper J, Henny P. Dendritic Architecture Predicts in vivo Firing Pattern in Mouse Ventral Tegmental Area and Substantia Nigra Dopaminergic Neurons. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:769342. [PMID: 34867214 PMCID: PMC8640462 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.769342] [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: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The firing activity of ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) dopaminergic (DA) neurons is an important factor in shaping DA release and its role in motivated behavior. Dendrites in DA neurons are the main postsynaptic compartment and, along with cell body and axon initial segment, contribute to action potential generation and firing pattern. In this study, the organization of the dendritic domain in individual VTA and SNc DA neurons of adult male mice, and their relationship to in vivo spontaneous firing, are described. In comparison with dorsal VTA DA neurons, ventrally located VTA neurons (as measured by cell body location) possess a shorter total dendritic length and simpler dendritic architecture, and exhibit the most irregular in vivo firing patterns among DA neurons. In contrast, for DA neurons in the SNc, the higher irregularity of firing was related to a smaller dendritic domain, as measured by convex hull volumes. However, firing properties were also related to the specific regional distribution of the dendritic tree. Thus, VTA DA neurons with a larger extension of their dendritic tree within the parabrachial pigmented (PBP) nucleus fired more regularly compared with those with relatively more dendrites extending outside the PBP. For DA neurons in the SNc, enhanced firing irregularity was associated with a smaller proportion of dendrites penetrating the substantia nigra pars reticulata. These results suggest that differences in dendritic morphology contribute to the in vivo firing properties of individual DA neurons, and that the existence of region-specific synaptic connectivity rules that shape firing diversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Trinidad Montero
- Laboratorio de Neuroanatomía, Departamento de Anatomía, and Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia, NeuroUC, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rafael Ignacio Gatica
- Laboratorio de Neuroanatomía, Departamento de Anatomía, and Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia, NeuroUC, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Navid Farassat
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Rodrigo Meza
- Laboratorio de Neuroanatomía, Departamento de Anatomía, and Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia, NeuroUC, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristian González-Cabrera
- Laboratorio de Neuroanatomía, Departamento de Anatomía, and Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia, NeuroUC, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jochen Roeper
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Pablo Henny
- Laboratorio de Neuroanatomía, Departamento de Anatomía, and Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia, NeuroUC, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Bhave VM, Nectow AR. The dorsal raphe nucleus in the control of energy balance. Trends Neurosci 2021; 44:946-960. [PMID: 34663507 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2021.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Energy balance is orchestrated by an extended network of highly interconnected nuclei across the central nervous system. While much is known about the hypothalamic circuits regulating energy homeostasis, the 'extra-hypothalamic' circuits involved are relatively poorly understood. In this review, we focus on the brainstem's dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), integrating decades of research linking this structure to the physiologic and behavioral responses that maintain proper energy stores. DRN neurons sense and respond to interoceptive and exteroceptive cues related to energy imbalance and in turn induce appropriate alterations in energy intake and expenditure. The DRN is also molecularly differentiable, with different populations playing distinct and often opposing roles in controlling energy balance. These populations are integrated into the extended circuit known to regulate energy balance. Overall, this review summarizes the key evidence demonstrating an important role for the DRN in regulating energy balance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Varun M Bhave
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alexander R Nectow
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Singh K, García-Gomar MG, Bianciardi M. Probabilistic Atlas of the Mesencephalic Reticular Formation, Isthmic Reticular Formation, Microcellular Tegmental Nucleus, Ventral Tegmental Area Nucleus Complex, and Caudal-Rostral Linear Raphe Nucleus Complex in Living Humans from 7 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Brain Connect 2021; 11:613-623. [PMID: 33926237 PMCID: PMC8817713 DOI: 10.1089/brain.2020.0975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The mesencephalic reticular formation, isthmic reticular formation, microcellular tegmental nucleus, ventral tegmental area-parabrachial pigmented nucleus complex, and caudal-rostral linear nucleus of the raphe are small brainstem regions crucially involved in arousal, sleep, and reward. Yet, these nuclei are difficult to identify with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of living humans. In the current work, we developed a probabilistic atlas of these brainstem nuclei in living humans, using noninvasive ultra-high-field MRI. Methods: We acquired single-subject, multicontrast (diffusion and T2-weighted), 1.1-mm isotropic resolution, 7 Tesla MRI images of 12 healthy subjects. After preprocessing and alignment to the stereotactic space, these images were used to delineate (in each subject) the nuclei of interest based on the image contrast as well as on neighboring nuclei and landmarks. Nucleus labels were averaged across subjects to yield probabilistic labels. The latter were further validated by assessment of the label inter-rater agreement, internal consistency, and volume. Results: Labels were delineated for each nucleus with good overlap across subjects. The inter-rater agreement and internal consistency were below (p < 10-8) the linear spatial imaging resolution (1.1 mm), thus validating the generated probabilistic atlas labels. The volumes of our labels did not differ from literature volumes (p < 0.05), further validating our atlas. Discussion and Conclusion: The probabilistic atlas of these five mesopontine nuclei expands current in vivo brainstem nuclei atlases and can be used as a tool to identify the location of these areas in conventional (e.g., 3 Tesla) images. This might serve to unravel the brainstem structure-to-function link and thus improve clinical outcomes. Impact statement The mesencephalic reticular formation, isthmic reticular formation, microcellular tegmental nucleus, ventral tegmental area-parabrachial pigmented nucleus complex, and caudal-rostral linear nucleus of the raphe are small brainstem regions crucially involved in arousal, sleep, and reward. In the current work, we developed a probabilistic atlas of these brainstem nuclei in living humans, using noninvasive, ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging. The probabilistic atlas of these five mesopontine nuclei expands current in vivo brainstem nuclei atlases and can be used as a tool to identify the location of these areas in conventional (e.g., 3 Tesla) images. This might serve to unravel the brainstem structure-to-function link and thus improve clinical outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kavita Singh
- Brainstem Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Address correspondence to: Kavita Singh, Brainstem Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Building 149, Room 2301, 13th Street, Charlestown, Boston, MA 02129, USA
| | - María Guadalupe García-Gomar
- Brainstem Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marta Bianciardi
- Brainstem Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Address correspondence to: Marta Bianciardi, Brainstem Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Building 149, Room 2301, 13th Street, Charlestown, Boston, MA 02129, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
McKenna JT, Yang C, Bellio T, Anderson-Chernishof MB, Gamble MC, Hulverson A, McCoy JG, Winston S, Hodges E, Katsuki F, McNally JM, Basheer R, Brown RE. Characterization of basal forebrain glutamate neurons suggests a role in control of arousal and avoidance behavior. Brain Struct Funct 2021; 226:1755-1778. [PMID: 33997911 PMCID: PMC8340131 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-021-02288-7] [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: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The basal forebrain (BF) is involved in arousal, attention, and reward processing but the role of individual BF neuronal subtypes is still being uncovered. Glutamatergic neurons are the least well-understood of the three main BF neurotransmitter phenotypes. Here we analyzed the distribution, size, calcium-binding protein content and projections of the major group of BF glutamatergic neurons expressing the vesicular glutamate transporter subtype 2 (vGluT2) and tested the functional effect of activating them. Mice expressing Cre recombinase under the control of the vGluT2 promoter were crossed with a reporter strain expressing the red fluorescent protein, tdTomato, to generate vGluT2-cre-tdTomato mice. Immunohistochemical staining for choline acetyltransferase and a cross with mice expressing green fluorescent protein selectively in GABAergic neurons confirmed that cholinergic, GABAergic and vGluT2+ neurons represent distinct BF subpopulations. Subsets of BF vGluT2+ neurons expressed the calcium-binding proteins calbindin or calretinin, suggesting that multiple subtypes of BF vGluT2+ neurons exist. Anterograde tracing using adeno-associated viral vectors expressing channelrhodopsin2-enhanced yellow fluorescent fusion proteins revealed major projections of BF vGluT2+ neurons to neighboring BF cholinergic and parvalbumin neurons, as well as to extra-BF areas involved in the control of arousal or aversive/rewarding behavior such as the lateral habenula and ventral tegmental area. Optogenetic activation of BF vGluT2+ neurons elicited a striking avoidance of the area where stimulation was given, whereas stimulation of BF parvalbumin or cholinergic neurons did not. Together with previous optogenetic findings suggesting an arousal-promoting role, our findings suggest that BF vGluT2 neurons play a dual role in promoting wakefulness and avoidance behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James T McKenna
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Dept. of Psychiatry, VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School, 1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, USA
| | - Chun Yang
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Dept. of Psychiatry, VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School, 1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, USA
| | - Thomas Bellio
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Dept. of Psychiatry, VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School, 1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, USA
- Stonehill College, Easton, MA, 02357, USA
| | - Marissa B Anderson-Chernishof
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Dept. of Psychiatry, VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School, 1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, USA
| | - Mackenzie C Gamble
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Dept. of Psychiatry, VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School, 1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, USA
- Stonehill College, Easton, MA, 02357, USA
| | - Abigail Hulverson
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Dept. of Psychiatry, VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School, 1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, USA
- Stonehill College, Easton, MA, 02357, USA
| | - John G McCoy
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Dept. of Psychiatry, VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School, 1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, USA
- Stonehill College, Easton, MA, 02357, USA
| | - Stuart Winston
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Dept. of Psychiatry, VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School, 1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, USA
| | - Erik Hodges
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Dept. of Psychiatry, VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School, 1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, USA
| | - Fumi Katsuki
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Dept. of Psychiatry, VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School, 1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, USA
| | - James M McNally
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Dept. of Psychiatry, VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School, 1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, USA
| | - Radhika Basheer
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Dept. of Psychiatry, VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School, 1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, USA
| | - Ritchie E Brown
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Dept. of Psychiatry, VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School, 1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Neurochemical Signaling of Reward and Aversion to Ventral Tegmental Area Glutamate Neurons. J Neurosci 2021; 41:5471-5486. [PMID: 34001626 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1419-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ventral tegmental area (VTA) glutamate neurons signal and participate in reward and aversion-based behaviors. However, the neurochemical mechanisms that underlie how these neurons contribute to motivated behaviors is unknown. We used a combination of optical sensors to identify how distinct neurochemical inputs to VTA glutamate neurons participate in motivated behavior within female and male transgenic mice. Activity of glutamate inputs to VTA glutamate neurons increased for both reward-predicting and aversion-predicting cues and aversive outcomes, but subpopulations of glutamate inputs were increased or decreased by reward. For both reward and aversion-based cues and outcomes, activity of GABA inputs to VTA glutamate neurons mostly decreased. GCaMP recordings showed overall population increases in VTA glutamate neuron intracellular calcium during reward and aversion-based cues and outcomes. Electrophysiological recordings of VTA VGluT2 neurons showed that glutamate receptor activation increases firing while loss of excitation via glutamate receptor blockade decreases firing. GABA-A receptor activation decreased VTA glutamate neuron firing but GABA-A receptor blockade did not significantly change VTA glutamate neuron firing. Electrophysiological recordings in coordination with our sensor data suggest that glutamate inputs strongly regulate VTA glutamate neuron participation in diverse motivated behaviors.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Glutamate and GABA are the primary excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters of the nervous system. However, identifying how these neurotransmitters regulate motivated behavior has remained challenging because of a lack of tools (1) capable of measuring neurotransmission at the temporal scale of motivated behaviors and (2) capable of capturing chemical signaling onto genetically-distinct neuronal populations. We have overcome these obstacles by implementing genetically-encoded fluorescent indicators to monitor both glutamate and GABA input dynamics exclusively to ventral tegmental area (VTA) glutamate neurons during reward and aversion-based behaviors. We identify that glutamate and GABA inputs to VTA glutamate neurons differentially and dynamically signal reward and aversion-based cues and outcomes. This research provides foundational evidence that links distinct neurotransmitters to motivated behaviors regulated by VTA glutamate neurons.
Collapse
|
42
|
Bouton ME, Maren S, McNally GP. BEHAVIORAL AND NEUROBIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF PAVLOVIAN AND INSTRUMENTAL EXTINCTION LEARNING. Physiol Rev 2021; 101:611-681. [PMID: 32970967 PMCID: PMC8428921 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00016.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This article reviews the behavioral neuroscience of extinction, the phenomenon in which a behavior that has been acquired through Pavlovian or instrumental (operant) learning decreases in strength when the outcome that reinforced it is removed. Behavioral research indicates that neither Pavlovian nor operant extinction depends substantially on erasure of the original learning but instead depends on new inhibitory learning that is primarily expressed in the context in which it is learned, as exemplified by the renewal effect. Although the nature of the inhibition may differ in Pavlovian and operant extinction, in either case the decline in responding may depend on both generalization decrement and the correction of prediction error. At the neural level, Pavlovian extinction requires a tripartite neural circuit involving the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus. Synaptic plasticity in the amygdala is essential for extinction learning, and prefrontal cortical inhibition of amygdala neurons encoding fear memories is involved in extinction retrieval. Hippocampal-prefrontal circuits mediate fear relapse phenomena, including renewal. Instrumental extinction involves distinct ensembles in corticostriatal, striatopallidal, and striatohypothalamic circuits as well as their thalamic returns for inhibitory (extinction) and excitatory (renewal and other relapse phenomena) control over operant responding. The field has made significant progress in recent decades, although a fully integrated biobehavioral understanding still awaits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark E Bouton
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Stephen Maren
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Gavan P McNally
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Inglis JB, Valentin VV, Ashby FG. Modulation of Dopamine for Adaptive Learning: A Neurocomputational Model. COMPUTATIONAL BRAIN & BEHAVIOR 2021; 4:34-52. [PMID: 34151186 PMCID: PMC8210637 DOI: 10.1007/s42113-020-00083-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
There have been many proposals that learning rates in the brain are adaptive, in the sense that they increase or decrease depending on environmental conditions. The majority of these models are abstract and make no attempt to describe the neural circuitry that implements the proposed computations. This article describes a biologically detailed computational model that overcomes this shortcoming. Specifically, we propose a neural circuit that implements adaptive learning rates by modulating the gain on the dopamine response to reward prediction errors, and we model activity within this circuit at the level of spiking neurons. The model generates a dopamine signal that depends on the size of the tonically active dopamine neuron population and the phasic spike rate. The model was tested successfully against results from two single-neuron recording studies and a fast-scan cyclic voltammetry study. We conclude by discussing the general applicability of the model to dopamine mediated tasks that transcend the experimental phenomena it was initially designed to address.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey B Inglis
- Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Dynamical Neuroscience, University of California, Santa Barbara
| | - Vivian V Valentin
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara
| | - F Gregory Ashby
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Basal forebrain mediates prosocial behavior via disinhibition of midbrain dopamine neurons. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2019295118. [PMID: 33563763 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2019295118] [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] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sociability is fundamental for our daily life and is compromised in major neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the neuronal circuit mechanisms underlying prosocial behavior are still elusive. Here we identify a causal role of the basal forebrain (BF) in the control of prosocial behavior via inhibitory projections that disinhibit the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons. Specifically, BF somatostatin-positive (SST) inhibitory neurons were robustly activated during social interaction. Optogenetic inhibition of these neurons in BF or their axon terminals in the VTA largely abolished social preference. Electrophysiological examinations further revealed that SST neurons predominantly targeted VTA GABA neurons rather than DA neurons. Consistently, optical inhibition of SST neuron axon terminals in the VTA decreased DA release in the nucleus accumbens during social interaction, confirming a disinhibitory action. These data reveal a previously unappreciated function of the BF in prosocial behavior through a disinhibitory circuitry connected to the brain's reward system.
Collapse
|
45
|
Liu Y, McNally GP. Dopamine and relapse to drug seeking. J Neurochem 2021; 157:1572-1584. [PMID: 33486769 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The actions of dopamine are essential to relapse to drug seeking but we still lack a precise understanding of how dopamine achieves these effects. Here we review recent advances from animal models in understanding how dopamine controls relapse to drug seeking. These advances have been enabled by important developments in understanding the basic neurochemical, molecular, anatomical, physiological and functional properties of the major dopamine pathways in the mammalian brain. The literature shows that although different forms of relapse to seeking different drugs of abuse each depend on dopamine, there are distinct dopamine mechanisms for relapse. Different circuit-level mechanisms, different populations of dopamine neurons and different activity profiles within these dopamine neurons, are important for driving different forms of relapse. This diversity highlights the need to better understand when, where and how dopamine contributes to relapse behaviours.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Rogers A, Beier KT. Can transsynaptic viral strategies be used to reveal functional aspects of neural circuitry? J Neurosci Methods 2020; 348:109005. [PMID: 33227339 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.109005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Viruses have proved instrumental to elucidating neuronal connectivity relationships in a variety of organisms. Recent advances in genetic technologies have facilitated analysis of neurons directly connected to a defined starter population. These advances have also made viral transneuronal mapping available to the broader neuroscience community, where one-step rabies virus mapping has become routine. This method is commonly used to identify inputs onto defined cell populations, to demonstrate the quantitative proportion of inputs coming from specific brain regions, or to compare input patterns between two or more cell populations. Furthermore, the number of inputs labeled is often assumed to reflect the number of synaptic connections, and these viruses are commonly believed to label strong synapses more efficiently than weak synapses. While these maps are often interpreted to provide a quantitative estimate of the synaptic landscape onto starter cell populations, in fact very little is known about how transneuronal transmission takes place. We do not know how these viruses transmit between neurons, if they display biases in the cell types labeled, or even if transmission is synapse-specific. In this review, we discuss the experimental evidence against or in support of key concepts in viral tracing, focusing mostly on the use of one-step rabies input mapping and related methods. Does spread of these viruses occur specifically through synaptic connections, preferentially through synapses, or non-specifically? How efficient is viral transneuronal transmission, and is this efficiency equal in all cell types? And lastly, to what extent does viral labeling reflect functional connectivity?
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Rogers
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92617, United States
| | - Kevin T Beier
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92617, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92617, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92617, United States; Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Irvine, Irvine CA, 92617, United States; Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92617, United States; UCI Mind, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92617, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Mapping Brain-Wide Afferent Inputs of Parvalbumin-Expressing GABAergic Neurons in Barrel Cortex Reveals Local and Long-Range Circuit Motifs. Cell Rep 2020; 28:3450-3461.e8. [PMID: 31553913 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.08.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Parvalbumin (PV)-expressing GABAergic neurons are the largest class of inhibitory neocortical cells. We visualize brain-wide, monosynaptic inputs to PV neurons in mouse barrel cortex. We develop intersectional rabies virus tracing to specifically target GABAergic PV cells and exclude a small fraction of excitatory PV cells from our starter population. Local inputs are mainly from layer (L) IV and excitatory cells. A small number of inhibitory inputs originate from LI neurons, which connect to LII/III PV neurons. Long-range inputs originate mainly from other sensory cortices and the thalamus. In visual cortex, most transsynaptically labeled neurons are located in LIV, which contains a molecularly mixed population of projection neurons with putative functional similarity to LIII neurons. This study expands our knowledge of the brain-wide circuits in which PV neurons are embedded and introduces intersectional rabies virus tracing as an applicable tool to dissect the circuitry of more clearly defined cell types.
Collapse
|
48
|
Evans RC, Twedell EL, Zhu M, Ascencio J, Zhang R, Khaliq ZM. Functional Dissection of Basal Ganglia Inhibitory Inputs onto Substantia Nigra Dopaminergic Neurons. Cell Rep 2020; 32:108156. [PMID: 32937133 PMCID: PMC9887718 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Substantia nigra (SNc) dopaminergic neurons respond to aversive stimuli with inhibitory pauses in firing followed by transient rebound activation. We tested integration of inhibitory synaptic inputs onto SNc neurons from genetically defined populations in dorsal striatum (striosome and matrix) and external globus pallidus (GPe; parvalbumin- and Lhx6-positive), and examined their contribution to pause-rebound firing. Activation of striosome projections, which target "dendron bouquets" in the pars reticulata (SNr), consistently quiets firing and relief from striosome inhibition triggers rebound activity. Striosomal inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) display a prominent GABA-B receptor-mediated component that strengthens the impact of SNr dendrite synapses on somatic excitability and enables rebounding. By contrast, GPe projections activate GABA-A receptors on the soma and proximal dendrites but do not result in rebounding. Lastly, optical mapping shows that dorsal striatum selectively inhibits the ventral population of SNc neurons, which are intrinsically capable of rebounding. Therefore, we define a distinct striatonigral circuit for generating dopamine rebound.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah C. Evans
- Cellular Neurophysiology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Emily L. Twedell
- Cellular Neurophysiology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Manhua Zhu
- Cellular Neurophysiology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jefferson Ascencio
- Cellular Neurophysiology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Renshu Zhang
- Cellular Neurophysiology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Zayd M. Khaliq
- Cellular Neurophysiology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA,Lead Contact,Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Dunigan AI, Swanson AM, Olson DP, Roseberry AG. Whole-brain efferent and afferent connectivity of mouse ventral tegmental area melanocortin-3 receptor neurons. J Comp Neurol 2020; 529:1157-1183. [PMID: 32856297 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system is involved in the regulation of multiple behaviors, including feeding, and evidence demonstrates that the melanocortin system can act on the mesolimbic DA system to control feeding and other behaviors. The melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) is an important component of the melanocortin system, but its overall role is poorly understood. Because MC3Rs are highly expressed in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and are likely to be the key interaction point between the melanocortin and mesolimbic DA systems, we set out to identify both the efferent projection patterns of VTA MC3R neurons and the location of the neurons providing afferent input to them. VTA MC3R neurons were broadly connected to neurons across the brain but were strongly connected to a discrete set of brain regions involved in the regulation of feeding, reward, and aversion. Surprisingly, experiments using monosynaptic rabies virus showed that proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and agouti-related protein (AgRP) neurons in the arcuate nucleus made few direct synapses onto VTA MC3R neurons or any of the other major neuronal subtypes in the VTA, despite being extensively labeled by general retrograde tracers injected into the VTA. These results greatly contribute to our understanding of the anatomical interactions between the melanocortin and mesolimbic systems and provide a foundation for future studies of VTA MC3R neurons and the circuits containing them in the control of feeding and other behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna I Dunigan
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Andrew M Swanson
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - David P Olson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Aaron G Roseberry
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Ventral tegmental area GABAergic neurons induce anxiety-like behaviors and promote palatable food intake. Neuropharmacology 2020; 173:108114. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
|