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Higa GSV, Viana FJC, Francis-Oliveira J, Cruvinel E, Franchin TS, Marcourakis T, Ulrich H, De Pasquale R. Serotonergic Neuromodulation of Synaptic Plasticity. Neuropharmacology 2024:110036. [PMID: 38876308 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.110036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Synaptic plasticity constitutes a fundamental process in the reorganization of neural networks that underlie memory, cognition, emotional responses, and behavioral planning. At the core of this phenomenon lie Hebbian mechanisms, wherein frequent synaptic stimulation induces long-term potentiation (LTP), while less activation leads to long-term depression (LTD). The synaptic reorganization of neuronal networks is regulated by serotonin (5-HT), a neuromodulator capable of modify synaptic plasticity to appropriately respond to mental and behavioral states, such as alertness, attention, concentration, motivation, and mood. Lately, understanding the serotonergic Neuromodulation of synaptic plasticity has become imperative for unraveling its impact on cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functions. Through a comparative analysis across three main forebrain structures-the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex, this review discusses the actions of 5-HT on synaptic plasticity, offering insights into its role as a neuromodulator involved in emotional and cognitive functions. By distinguishing between plastic and metaplastic effects, we provide a comprehensive overview about the mechanisms of 5-HT neuromodulation of synaptic plasticity and associated functions across different brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Shigueto Vilar Higa
- Laboratório de Neurofisiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Universidade de São Paulo, Butantã, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brasil; Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química (USP), Butantã, São Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brasil
| | - Felipe José Costa Viana
- Laboratório de Neurofisiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Universidade de São Paulo, Butantã, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brasil
| | - José Francis-Oliveira
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, US
| | - Emily Cruvinel
- Laboratório de Neurofisiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Universidade de São Paulo, Butantã, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brasil
| | - Thainá Soares Franchin
- Laboratório de Neurofisiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Universidade de São Paulo, Butantã, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brasil
| | - Tania Marcourakis
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, Butantã, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brasil
| | - Henning Ulrich
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química (USP), Butantã, São Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brasil
| | - Roberto De Pasquale
- Laboratório de Neurofisiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Universidade de São Paulo, Butantã, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brasil.
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Liu Y, Ye S, Li XN, Li WG. Memory Trace for Fear Extinction: Fragile yet Reinforceable. Neurosci Bull 2024; 40:777-794. [PMID: 37812300 PMCID: PMC11178705 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01129-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Fear extinction is a biological process in which learned fear behavior diminishes without anticipated reinforcement, allowing the organism to re-adapt to ever-changing situations. Based on the behavioral hypothesis that extinction is new learning and forms an extinction memory, this new memory is more readily forgettable than the original fear memory. The brain's cellular and synaptic traces underpinning this inherently fragile yet reinforceable extinction memory remain unclear. Intriguing questions are about the whereabouts of the engram neurons that emerged during extinction learning and how they constitute a dynamically evolving functional construct that works in concert to store and express the extinction memory. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the engram circuits and their neural connectivity plasticity for fear extinction, aiming to establish a conceptual framework for understanding the dynamic competition between fear and extinction memories in adaptive control of conditioned fear responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Huashan Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Shuai Ye
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Huashan Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xin-Ni Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Huashan Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wei-Guang Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Huashan Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Hong J, Choi K, Fuccillo MV, Chung S, Weber F. Infralimbic activity during REM sleep facilitates fear extinction memory. Curr Biol 2024; 34:2247-2255.e5. [PMID: 38714199 PMCID: PMC11111341 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is known to facilitate fear extinction and play a protective role against fearful memories.1,2 Consequently, disruption of REM sleep after a traumatic event may increase the risk for developing PTSD.3,4 However, the underlying mechanisms by which REM sleep promotes extinction of aversive memories remain largely unknown. The infralimbic cortex (IL) is a key brain structure for the consolidation of extinction memory.5 Using calcium imaging, we found in mice that most IL pyramidal neurons are intensively activated during REM sleep. Optogenetically suppressing the IL specifically during REM sleep within a 4-h window after auditory-cued fear conditioning impaired extinction memory consolidation. In contrast, REM-specific IL inhibition after extinction learning did not affect the extinction memory. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings demonstrated that inactivating IL neurons during REM sleep depresses their excitability. Together, our findings suggest that REM sleep after fear conditioning facilitates fear extinction by enhancing IL excitability and highlight the importance of REM sleep in the aftermath of traumatic events for protecting against traumatic memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiso Hong
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kyuhyun Choi
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Marc V Fuccillo
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Shinjae Chung
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Franz Weber
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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4
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Bayer H, Hassell JE, Oleksiak CR, Garcia GM, Vaughan HL, Juliano VAL, Maren S. Pharmacological stimulation of infralimbic cortex after fear conditioning facilitates subsequent fear extinction. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.23.586410. [PMID: 38585934 PMCID: PMC10996553 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.23.586410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
The infralimbic (IL) division of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is a crucial site for extinction of conditioned fear memories in rodents. Recent work suggests that neuronal plasticity in the IL that occurs during (or soon after) fear conditioning enables subsequent IL-dependent extinction learning. We therefore hypothesized that pharmacological activation of the IL after fear conditioning would promote the extinction of conditioned fear. To test this hypothesis, we characterized the effects of post-conditioning infusions of the GABAA receptor antagonist, picrotoxin, into the IL on extinction of auditory conditioned freezing in male and female rats. In four experiments, we found that picrotoxin injections performed immediately, 24 hours, or 13 days after fear conditioning reduced conditioned freezing to the auditory conditioned stimulus (CS) during both extinction training and extinction retrieval; this effect was observed up to two weeks after picrotoxin infusions. Interestingly, inhibiting protein synthesis inhibition in the IL immediately after fear conditioning prevented the inhibition of freezing by picrotoxin injected 24 hours later. Our data suggest that the IL encodes an inhibitory memory during the consolidation of fear conditioning that is necessary for future fear suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Bayer
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station
| | - James E. Hassell
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station
| | - Cecily R. Oleksiak
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station
| | - Gabriela M. Garcia
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station
| | - Hollis L. Vaughan
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station
| | - Vitor A. L. Juliano
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station
- Department of Pharmacology, São Paulo University, São Paulo
| | - Stephen Maren
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station
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5
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Lee J, Kim YE, Lim J, Jo Y, Lee HJ, Jo YS, Choi JS. Transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation in the infralimbic cortex facilitates extinction of conditioned fear in rats. Brain Stimul 2024; 17:405-412. [PMID: 38537689 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2024.03.013] [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: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) neuromodulation emerges as a promising non-invasive approach for improving neurological conditions. Extinction of conditioned fear has served as a prime model for exposure-based therapies for anxiety disorders. We investigated whether tFUS stimulation to a critical brain area, the infralimbic subdivision of the prefrontal cortex (IL), could facilitate fear extinction using rats. In a series of experiments, tFUS was delivered to the IL of a freely-moving rat and compared to sham stimulation (tFUS vs. SHAM). Initially, Fos expression in the IL was measured shortly after the stimulation. The results show that Fos expression was significantly increased in the IL but not in the neighboring regions compared to SHAM. Subsequently, two groups of rats were subjected to fear conditioning, extinction, and retention while receiving stimulation during the extinction. Rats in the tFUS group froze significantly less than SHAM during both extinction and retention tests. Importantly, the reduced freezing in the tFUS group was not attributable to non-specific effect such as auditory noise, as both groups demonstrated a similar level of locomotive activity in an open field regardless of the stimulation condition. Finally, we replicated the procedure with a shortened conditioning-to-extinction interval (15 min) to induce immediate extinction deficit. The tFUS group showed a facilitated reduction in freezing during the extinction, which persisted in the subsequent retention session compared to SHAM. In summary, the current findings suggest that tFUS stimulation in the IL facilitates fear extinction, offering a potential therapeutic regimen for fear-related psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeyong Lee
- School of Psychology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye Eun Kim
- School of Psychology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihong Lim
- School of Electrical Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yehhyun Jo
- School of Electrical Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunjoo Jenny Lee
- School of Electrical Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Sang Jo
- School of Psychology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - June-Seek Choi
- School of Psychology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
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Felix-Ortiz AC, Terrell JM, Gonzalez C, Msengi HD, Boggan MB, Ramos AR, Magalhães G, Burgos-Robles A. Prefrontal Regulation of Safety Learning during Ethologically Relevant Thermal Threat. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0140-23.2024. [PMID: 38272673 PMCID: PMC10903390 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0140-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Learning and adaptation during sources of threat and safety are critical mechanisms for survival. The prelimbic (PL) and infralimbic (IL) subregions of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) have been broadly implicated in the processing of threat and safety. However, how these regions regulate threat and safety during naturalistic conditions involving thermal challenge still remains elusive. To examine this issue, we developed a novel paradigm in which adult mice learned that a particular zone that was identified with visuospatial cues was associated with either a noxious cold temperature ("threat zone") or a pleasant warm temperature ("safety zone"). This led to the rapid development of avoidance behavior when the zone was paired with cold threat or approach behavior when the zone was paired with warm safety. During a long-term test without further thermal reinforcement, mice continued to exhibit robust avoidance or approach to the zone of interest, indicating that enduring spatial-based memories were formed to represent the thermal threat and thermal safety zones. Optogenetic experiments revealed that neural activity in PL and IL was not essential for establishing the memory for the threat zone. However, PL and IL activity bidirectionally regulated memory formation for the safety zone. While IL activity promoted safety memory during normal conditions, PL activity suppressed safety memory especially after a stress pretreatment. Therefore, a working model is proposed in which balanced activity between PL and IL is favorable for safety memory formation, whereas unbalanced activity between these brain regions is detrimental for safety memory after stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ada C Felix-Ortiz
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249
| | - Jaelyn M Terrell
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249
| | - Carolina Gonzalez
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249
| | - Hope D Msengi
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249
| | - Miranda B Boggan
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249
| | - Angelica R Ramos
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249
| | - Gabrielle Magalhães
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215
| | - Anthony Burgos-Robles
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249
- Brain Health Consortium, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249
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Matchynski JI, Cilley TS, Sadik N, Makki KM, Wu M, Manwar R, Woznicki AR, Kallakuri S, Arfken CL, Hope BT, Avanaki K, Conti AC, Perrine SA. Quantification of prefrontal cortical neuronal ensembles following conditioned fear learning in a Fos-LacZ transgenic rat with photoacoustic imaging in Vivo. PHOTOACOUSTICS 2023; 33:100551. [PMID: 38021296 PMCID: PMC10658601 DOI: 10.1016/j.pacs.2023.100551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the neurobiology of complex behaviors requires measurement of activity in the discrete population of active neurons, neuronal ensembles, which control the behavior. Conventional neuroimaging techniques ineffectively measure neuronal ensemble activity in the brain in vivo because they assess the average regional neuronal activity instead of the specific activity of the neuronal ensemble that mediates the behavior. Our functional molecular photoacoustic tomography (FM-PAT) system allows direct imaging of Fos-dependent neuronal ensemble activation in Fos-LacZ transgenic rats in vivo. We tested four experimental conditions and found increased FM-PAT signal in prefrontal cortical areas in rats undergoing conditioned fear or novel context exposure. A parallel immunofluorescence ex vivo study of Fos expression found similar findings. These findings demonstrate the ability of FM-PAT to measure Fos-expressing neuronal ensembles directly in vivo and support a mechanistic role for the prefrontal cortex in higher-order processing of response to specific stimuli or environmental cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- James I. Matchynski
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA
- Wayne State MD/PhD Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Timothy S. Cilley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Nareen Sadik
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Kassem M. Makki
- John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Min Wu
- John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Rayyan Manwar
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Bioengineering, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Srinivasu Kallakuri
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Cynthia L. Arfken
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Bruce T. Hope
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kamran Avanaki
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Bioengineering, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alana C. Conti
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Shane A. Perrine
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
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Sepahvand T, Power KD, Qin T, Yuan Q. The Basolateral Amygdala: The Core of a Network for Threat Conditioning, Extinction, and Second-Order Threat Conditioning. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1274. [PMID: 37886984 PMCID: PMC10604397 DOI: 10.3390/biology12101274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Threat conditioning, extinction, and second-order threat conditioning studied in animal models provide insight into the brain-based mechanisms of fear- and anxiety-related disorders and their treatment. Much attention has been paid to the role of the basolateral amygdala (BLA) in such processes, an overview of which is presented in this review. More recent evidence suggests that the BLA serves as the core of a greater network of structures in these forms of learning, including associative and sensory cortices. The BLA is importantly regulated by hippocampal and prefrontal inputs, as well as by the catecholaminergic neuromodulators, norepinephrine and dopamine, that may provide important prediction-error or learning signals for these forms of learning. The sensory cortices may be required for the long-term storage of threat memories. As such, future research may further investigate the potential of the sensory cortices for the long-term storage of extinction and second-order conditioning memories.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Qi Yuan
- Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St John’s, NL A1B 3V6, Canada; (T.S.); (K.D.P.); (T.Q.)
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9
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Zhu LJ, Li F, Zhu DY. nNOS and Neurological, Neuropsychiatric Disorders: A 20-Year Story. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:1439-1453. [PMID: 37074530 PMCID: PMC10113738 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01060-7] [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: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In the central nervous system, nitric oxide (NO), a free gas with multitudinous bioactivities, is mainly produced from the oxidation of L-arginine by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). In the past 20 years, the studies in our group and other laboratories have suggested a significant involvement of nNOS in a variety of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. In particular, the interactions between the PDZ domain of nNOS and its adaptor proteins, including post-synaptic density 95, the carboxy-terminal PDZ ligand of nNOS, and the serotonin transporter, significantly influence the subcellular localization and functions of nNOS in the brain. The nNOS-mediated protein-protein interactions provide new attractive targets and guide the discovery of therapeutic drugs for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we summarize the work on the roles of nNOS and its association with multiple adaptor proteins on neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Juan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Dong-Ya Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
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Hisey E, Purkey A, Gao Y, Hossain K, Soderling SH, Ressler KJ. A Ventromedial Prefrontal-to-Lateral Entorhinal Cortex Pathway Modulates the Gain of Behavioral Responding During Threat. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 94:239-248. [PMID: 36925415 PMCID: PMC10354215 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.01.009] [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: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability to correctly associate cues and contexts with threat is critical for survival, and the inability to do so can result in threat-related disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus are well known to play critical roles in cued and contextual threat memory processing. However, the circuits that mediate prefrontal-hippocampal modulation of context discrimination during cued threat processing are less understood. Here, we demonstrate the role of a previously unexplored projection from the ventromedial region of PFC (vmPFC) to the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) in modulating the gain of behavior in response to contextual information during threat retrieval and encoding. METHODS We used optogenetics followed by in vivo calcium imaging in male C57/B6J mice to manipulate and monitor vmPFC-LEC activity in response to threat-associated cues in different contexts. We then investigated the inputs to, and outputs from, vmPFC-LEC cells using Rabies tracing and channelrhodopsin-assisted electrophysiology. RESULTS vmPFC-LEC cells flexibly and bidirectionally shaped behavior during threat expression, shaping sensitivity to contextual information to increase or decrease the gain of behavioral output in response to a threatening or neutral context, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Glutamatergic vmPFC-LEC cells are key players in behavioral gain control in response to contextual information during threat processing and may provide a future target for intervention in threat-based disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Hisey
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Alicia Purkey
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Yudong Gao
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Kazi Hossain
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Scott H Soderling
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts.
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11
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Binette AN, Liu J, Bayer H, Crayton KL, Melissari L, Sweck SO, Maren S. Parvalbumin-Positive Interneurons in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Regulate Stress-Induced Fear Extinction Impairments in Male and Female Rats. J Neurosci 2023; 43:4162-4173. [PMID: 37127359 PMCID: PMC10255009 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1442-22.2023] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress has profound effects on fear extinction, a form of learning that is essential to behavioral therapies for trauma-related and stressor-related disorders. Recent work reveals that acute footshock stress reduces medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) activity that is critical for extinction learning. Reductions in mPFC activity may be mediated by parvalbumin (PV)-containing interneurons via feedforward inhibition imposed by amygdala afferents. To test this hypothesis, footshock stress-induced Fos expression was characterized in PV+ and PV- neurons in the prelimbic (PL) and infralimbic (IL) cortices. Footshock stress increased the proportion of PV+ cells expressing Fos in both male and female rats; this effect was more pronounced in IL compared with PL. To determine whether PV+ interneurons in the mPFC mediate stress-induced extinction impairments, we chemogenetically silenced these neurons before an immediate extinction procedure in PV-Cre rats. Clozapine-N-oxide (CNO) did not affect conditioned freezing during the extinction procedure. However, CNO exacerbated extinction retrieval in both male and female rats with relatively high PL expression of designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD). In contrast, in rats with relatively high IL DREADD expression, CNO produced a modest facilitation of extinction in the earliest retrieval trials, but in male rats only. Conversely, excitation of IL PV interneurons was sufficient to impair delayed extinction in both male and female rats. Finally, chemogenetic inhibition of IL-projecting amygdala neurons reduced the immediate extinction deficit in male, but not female rats. These results reveal that PV interneurons regulate extinction learning under stress in a sex-dependent manner, and this effect is mediated by amygdaloprefrontal projections.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Stress significantly impairs the memory of fear extinction, a type of learning that is central to behavioral therapies for trauma-based and anxiety-based disorders (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder). Here we show that acute footshock stress recruits parvalbumin (PV) interneurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of male and female rats. Silencing mPFC PV interneurons or mPFC-projecting amygdala neurons during immediate extinction influenced extinction retrieval in a sex-dependent manner. This work highlights the role for PV-containing mPFC interneurons in stress-induced impairments in extinction learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalise N Binette
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3474
| | - Jianfeng Liu
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3474
| | - Hugo Bayer
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3474
| | - Kennedi L Crayton
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3474
| | - Laila Melissari
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3474
| | - Samantha O Sweck
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3474
| | - Stephen Maren
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3474
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12
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Felix-Ortiz AC, Terrell JM, Gonzalez C, Msengi HD, Ramos AR, Boggan MB, Lopez-Pesina SM, Magalhães G, Burgos-Robles A. The infralimbic and prelimbic cortical areas bidirectionally regulate safety learning during normal and stress conditions. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.05.539516. [PMID: 37205585 PMCID: PMC10187296 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.05.539516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Safety learning is a critical function for behavioral adaptation, environmental fitness, and mental health. Animal models have implicated the prelimbic (PL) and infralimbic (IL) subregions of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in safety learning. However, whether these regions differentially contribute to safety learning and how their contributions become affected by stress still remain poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated these issues using a novel semi-naturalistic mouse model for threat and safety learning. As mice navigated within a test arena, they learned that specific zones were associated with either noxious cold temperatures ("threat") or pleasant warm temperatures ("safety"). Optogenetic-mediated inhibition revealed critical roles for the IL and PL regions for selectively controlling safety learning during these naturalistic conditions. This form of safety learning was also highly susceptible to stress pre-exposure, and while IL inhibition mimicked the deficits produced by stress, PL inhibition fully rescued safety learning in stress-exposed mice. Collectively, these findings indicate that IL and PL bidirectionally regulate safety learning during naturalistic situations, with the IL region promoting this function and the PL region suppressing it, especially after stress. A model of balanced IL and PL activity is proposed as a fundamental mechanism for controlling safety learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ada C. Felix-Ortiz
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States, 78249
| | - Jaelyn M. Terrell
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States, 78249
| | - Carolina Gonzalez
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States, 78249
| | - Hope D. Msengi
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States, 78249
| | - Angelica R. Ramos
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States, 78249
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States, 78249
| | - Miranda B. Boggan
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States, 78249
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States, 78249
| | - Savannah M. Lopez-Pesina
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States, 78249
| | - Gabrielle Magalhães
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States, 78249
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States, 02215
| | - Anthony Burgos-Robles
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States, 78249
- Brain Health Consortium, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States, 78249
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13
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Poli A, Viglione A, Mazziotti R, Totaro V, Morea S, Melani R, Silingardi D, Putignano E, Berardi N, Pizzorusso T. Selective Disruption of Perineuronal Nets in Mice Lacking Crtl1 is Sufficient to Make Fear Memories Susceptible to Erasure. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:4105-4119. [PMID: 37022587 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03314-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
The ability to store, retrieve, and extinguish memories of adverse experiences is an essential skill for animals' survival. The cellular and molecular factors that underlie such processes are only partially known. Using chondroitinase ABC treatment targeting chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), previous studies showed that the maturation of the extracellular matrix makes fear memory resistant to deletion. Mice lacking the cartilage link protein Crtl1 (Crtl1-KO mice) display normal CSPG levels but impaired CSPG condensation in perineuronal nets (PNNs). Thus, we asked whether the presence of PNNs in the adult brain is responsible for the appearance of persistent fear memories by investigating fear extinction in Crtl1-KO mice. We found that mutant mice displayed fear memory erasure after an extinction protocol as revealed by analysis of freezing and pupil dynamics. Fear memory erasure did not depend on passive loss of retention; moreover, we demonstrated that, after extinction training, conditioned Crtl1-KO mice display no neural activation in the amygdala (Zif268 staining) in comparison to control animals. Taken together, our findings suggest that the aggregation of CSPGs into PNNs regulates the boundaries of the critical period for fear extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Poli
- BIO@SNS Lab, Scuola Normale Superiore Via G, Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Aurelia Viglione
- BIO@SNS Lab, Scuola Normale Superiore Via G, Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Raffaele Mazziotti
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentino Totaro
- BIO@SNS Lab, Scuola Normale Superiore Via G, Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvia Morea
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Riccardo Melani
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Davide Silingardi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Putignano
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Berardi
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Tommaso Pizzorusso
- BIO@SNS Lab, Scuola Normale Superiore Via G, Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
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14
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Differential Modulation of Dorsal Raphe Serotonergic Activity in Rat Brain by the Infralimbic and Prelimbic Cortices. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054891. [PMID: 36902322 PMCID: PMC10003771 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054891] [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: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The reciprocal connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) is involved in mood control and resilience to stress. The infralimbic subdivision (IL) of the mPFC is the rodent equivalent of the ventral anterior cingulate cortex, which is intimately related to the pathophysiology/treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Boosting excitatory neurotransmission in the IL-but not in the prelimbic cortex, PrL-evokes depressive-like or antidepressant-like behaviors in rodents, which are associated with changes in serotonergic (5-HT) neurotransmission. We therefore examined the control of 5-HT activity by both of the mPFC subdivisions in anesthetized rats. The electrical stimulation of IL and PrL at 0.9 Hz comparably inhibited 5-HT neurons (53% vs. 48%, respectively). However, stimulation at higher frequencies (10-20 Hz) revealed a greater proportion of 5-HT neurons sensitive to IL than to PrL stimulation (86% vs. 59%, at 20 Hz, respectively), together with a differential involvement of GABAA (but not 5-HT1A) receptors. Likewise, electrical and optogenetic stimulation of IL and PrL enhanced 5-HT release in DR in a frequency-dependent manner, with greater elevations after IL stimulation at 20 Hz. Hence, IL and PrL differentially control serotonergic activity, with an apparent superior role of IL, an observation that may help to clarify the brain circuits involved in MDD.
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15
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Brown A, Villaruel FR, Chaudhri N. Neural correlates of recall and extinction in a rat model of appetitive Pavlovian conditioning. Behav Brain Res 2023; 440:114248. [PMID: 36496079 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Extinction is a fundamental form of inhibitory learning that is important for adapting to changing environmental contingencies. While numerous studies have investigated the neural correlates of extinction using Pavlovian fear conditioning and appetitive operant reward-seeking procedures, less is known about the neural circuitry mediating the extinction of appetitive Pavlovian responding. Here, we aimed to generate an extensive brain activation map of extinction learning in a rat model of appetitive Pavlovian conditioning. Male Long-Evans rats were trained to associate a conditioned stimulus (CS; 20 s white noise) with the delivery of a 10% sucrose unconditioned stimulus (US; 0.3 ml/CS) to a fluid port. Control groups also received CS presentations, but sucrose was delivered either during the inter-trial interval or in the home-cage. After conditioning, 1 or 6 extinction sessions were conducted in which the CS was presented but sucrose was withheld. We performed Fos immunohistochemistry and network connectivity analyses on a set of cortical, striatal, thalamic, and amygdalar brain regions. Neural activity in the prelimbic cortex, ventral orbitofrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens core, and paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus was greater during recall relative to extinction. Conversely, prolonged extinction following 6 sessions induced increased neural activity in the infralimbic cortex, medial orbitofrontal cortex, and nucleus accumbens shell compared to home-cage controls. All these structures were similarly recruited during recall on the first extinction session. These findings provide novel evidence for the contribution of brain areas and neural networks that are differentially involved in the recall versus extinction of appetitive Pavlovian conditioned responding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Brown
- Center for Studies in Behavioural Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Franz R Villaruel
- Center for Studies in Behavioural Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nadia Chaudhri
- Center for Studies in Behavioural Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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16
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Hua SS, Ding JJ, Sun TC, Guo C, Zhang Y, Yu ZH, Cao YQ, Zhong LH, Wu Y, Guo LY, Luo JH, Cui YH, Qiu S. NMDAR-dependent synaptic potentiation via APPL1 signaling is required for the accessibility of a prefrontal neuronal assembly in retrieving fear extinction. Biol Psychiatry 2023:S0006-3223(23)00087-2. [PMID: 36842495 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) has been viewed as a locus to store and recall extinction memory. However, the synaptic and cellular mechanisms underlying this process remain elusive. METHODS We combined transgenic mice, electrophysiological recording, activity-dependent cell labeling, and chemogenetic manipulation to analyze the role of adaptor protein APPL1 in the vmPFC for fear extinction retrieval. RESULTS We found that both constitutive and conditional APPL1 knockout decreases NMDA receptor (NMDAR) function in the vmPFC and impairs fear extinction retrieval. Moreover, APPL1 undergoes nuclear translocation during extinction retrieval. Blocking APPL1 nucleocytoplasmic translocation reduces NMDAR currents and disrupts extinction retrieval. We further identified a prefrontal neuronal ensemble that is both necessary and sufficient for the storage of extinction memory. Inducible APPL1 knockout in this ensemble abolishes NMDAR-dependent synaptic potentiation and disrupts extinction retrieval, while simultaneously chemogenetic activation of this ensemble rescues the impaired behaviors. CONCLUSIONS Therefore, our results indicate that a prefrontal neuronal ensemble stores extinction memory, and APPL1 signaling supports these neurons to retrieve extinction memory via controlling NMDAR-dependent potentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Shan Hua
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Anesthesiology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jin-Jun Ding
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Anesthesiology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Tian-Cheng Sun
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Anesthesiology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Chen Guo
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Anesthesiology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zi-Hui Yu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Anesthesiology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yi-Qing Cao
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Anesthesiology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Lin-Hong Zhong
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Anesthesiology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yu Wu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Anesthesiology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Lu-Ying Guo
- Kidney Disease Center of First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jian-Hong Luo
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311121, China; NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology,ZhejiangUniversity ,Hangzhou ,310058 ,China
| | - Yi-Hui Cui
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Shuang Qiu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Anesthesiology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311121, China; NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology,ZhejiangUniversity ,Hangzhou ,310058 ,China.
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17
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Sheynikhovich D, Otani S, Bai J, Arleo A. Long-term memory, synaptic plasticity and dopamine in rodent medial prefrontal cortex: Role in executive functions. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 16:1068271. [PMID: 36710953 PMCID: PMC9875091 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1068271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Mnemonic functions, supporting rodent behavior in complex tasks, include both long-term and (short-term) working memory components. While working memory is thought to rely on persistent activity states in an active neural network, long-term memory and synaptic plasticity contribute to the formation of the underlying synaptic structure, determining the range of possible states. Whereas, the implication of working memory in executive functions, mediated by the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in primates and rodents, has been extensively studied, the contribution of long-term memory component to these tasks received little attention. This review summarizes available experimental data and theoretical work concerning cellular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in the medial region of rodent PFC and the link between plasticity, memory and behavior in PFC-dependent tasks. A special attention is devoted to unique properties of dopaminergic modulation of prefrontal synaptic plasticity and its contribution to executive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Sheynikhovich
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France,*Correspondence: Denis Sheynikhovich ✉
| | - Satoru Otani
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Jing Bai
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris, INSERM U1266, Paris, France
| | - Angelo Arleo
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
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18
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Triana-Del Rio R, Ranade S, Guardado J, LeDoux J, Klann E, Shrestha P. The modulation of emotional and social behaviors by oxytocin signaling in limbic network. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1002846. [PMID: 36466805 PMCID: PMC9714608 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1002846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptides can exert volume modulation in neuronal networks, which account for a well-calibrated and fine-tuned regulation that depends on the sensory and behavioral contexts. For example, oxytocin (OT) and oxytocin receptor (OTR) trigger a signaling pattern encompassing intracellular cascades, synaptic plasticity, gene expression, and network regulation, that together function to increase the signal-to-noise ratio for sensory-dependent stress/threat and social responses. Activation of OTRs in emotional circuits within the limbic forebrain is necessary to acquire stress/threat responses. When emotional memories are retrieved, OTR-expressing cells act as gatekeepers of the threat response choice/discrimination. OT signaling has also been implicated in modulating social-exposure elicited responses in the neural circuits within the limbic forebrain. In this review, we describe the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the neuromodulation by OT, and how OT signaling in specific neural circuits and cell populations mediate stress/threat and social behaviors. OT and downstream signaling cascades are heavily implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by emotional and social dysregulation. Thus, a mechanistic understanding of downstream cellular effects of OT in relevant cell types and neural circuits can help design effective intervention techniques for a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sayali Ranade
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Jahel Guardado
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Joseph LeDoux
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Eric Klann
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Prerana Shrestha
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
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19
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Stimulation of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex blocks the return of subcortically mediated fear responses. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:394. [PMID: 36127327 PMCID: PMC9489865 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02174-8] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) mediates the inhibition of defensive responses upon encounters of cues, that had lost their attribute as a threat signal via previous extinction learning. Here, we investigated whether such fear extinction recall can be facilitated by anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Extinction recall was tested twenty-four hours after previously acquired fear was extinguished. Either anodal tDCS or sham stimulation targeting the vmPFC was applied during this test. After stimulation ceased, we examined return of fear after subjects had been re-exposed to aversive events. Fear was assessed by reports of threat expectancy and modulations of autonomic (skin conductance, heart rate) and protective reflex (startle potentiation) measures, the latter of which are mediated by subcortical defense circuits. While tDCS did not affect initial extinction recall, it abolished the return of startle potentiation and autonomic components of the fear response. Results suggest hierarchical multi-level vmPFC functions in human fear inhibition and indicate, that its stimulation might immunize against relapses into pathological subcortically mediated defensive activation.
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20
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Sung Y, Kaang BK. The Three Musketeers in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex: Subregion-specific Structural and Functional Plasticity Underlying Fear Memory Stages. Exp Neurobiol 2022; 31:221-231. [PMID: 36050222 PMCID: PMC9471411 DOI: 10.5607/en22012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fear memory recruits various brain regions with long-lasting brain-wide subcellular events. The medial prefrontal cortex processes the emotional and cognitive functions required for adequately handling fear memory. Several studies have indicated that subdivisions within the medial prefrontal cortex, namely the prelimbic, infralimbic, and anterior cingulate cortices, may play different roles across fear memory states. Through a dedicated cytoarchitecture and connectivity, the three different regions of the medial prefrontal cortex play a specific role in maintaining and extinguishing fear memory. Furthermore, synaptic plasticity and maturation of neural circuits within the medial prefrontal cortex suggest that remote memories undergo structural and functional reorganization. Finally, recent technical advances have enabled genetic access to transiently activated neuronal ensembles within these regions, suggesting that memory trace cells in these regions may preferentially contribute to processing specific fear memory. We reviewed recently published reports and summarize the molecular, synaptic and cellular events occurring within the medial prefrontal cortex during various memory stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongmin Sung
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Bong-Kiun Kaang
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
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21
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Analysis of lateral orbitofrontal cortex activation on acquisition of fear extinction and neuronal activities in fear circuit. Brain Struct Funct 2022; 227:2529-2541. [PMID: 35918458 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-022-02545-3] [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: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Inappropriate fear expression and failure of fear extinction are commonly seen in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Among the patients, aberrant and asymmetric activation of the lateral orbitofrontal cortex (lOFC) is reported in some clinical cases. In this study, we aimed to examine the role of lOFC activation in extinction acquisition and explore the potential functional lateralization of lOFC on extinction. We bilaterally or unilaterally activated the lOFC with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) before fear extinction acquisition in rats. Our data suggested that both left and bilateral lOFC activation interfered with the in-session expression of conditioned fear, whereas activation of the right lOFC did not. In addition, pre-extinction unilateral or bilateral activation of the lOFC, regardless of the side, impaired the acquisition of fear extinction. We also quantified the neuronal activities during the late phase of extinction with immunohistochemical approach. Our data showed that activation of the lOFC increased the neuronal activities on the injection side(s) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), the lateral amygdala (LA), the basolateral amygdala (BLA; preferentially the non-GABAergic neurons), and the medial intercalated cells (mITC; preferentially the right side). To conclude, aberrant activation of the lOFC during extinction disturbed the excitatory/inhibitory balance of neuronal activities in fear-related brain regions, which interfered with the expression of conditioned fear and impaired the acquisition of fear extinction.
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22
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Wang C, Stratton PG, Sah P, Marek R. Theta Coupling within the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Regulates Fear Extinction and Renewal. iScience 2022; 25:105036. [PMID: 36147953 PMCID: PMC9485106 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Fear learning, and its extinction, are fundamental learning processes that allow for a response adaptation to aversive events and threats in the environment. Thus, it is critical to understand the neural mechanism that underpins fear learning and its relapse following extinction. The neural dynamics within the subregions of the medial prefrontal cortex, including the prelimbic cortex (PL) and the infralimbic (IL) cortex, and functional connectivity between them during fear extinction and its relapse, are not well understood. Using in-vivo electrophysiological recordings in awake behaving rats, we identified increased theta activity in the PL during fear learning and in the IL following extinction. Importantly, the PL-IL theta coupling is significantly enhanced throughout fear learning and extinction, but not in fear relapse. Together, our results provide evidence for the importance of synchronized PL-IL activity to regulate context-dependent retrieval of a fear extinction memory. CS + -evoked theta local field potentials (LFPs) power enhancement in fear acquisition is specific to the PL Late extinction causes enhanced theta LFP power in the IL, but not PL Fear renewal causes enhanced PL and reduced IL theta LFP activity PL-IL theta coupling is significantly reduced during fear relapse
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent Rehabilitation, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Melbourne, Australia
- Corresponding author
| | - Peter G. Stratton
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Pankaj Sah
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Melbourne, Australia
- Joint Center for Neuroscience and Neural Engineering, and Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, P. R. China, 518055
- Corresponding author
| | - Roger Marek
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Melbourne, Australia
- Corresponding author
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23
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Role of noradrenergic arousal for fear extinction processes in rodents and humans. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2022; 194:107660. [PMID: 35870717 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2022.107660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Fear extinction is a learning mechanism that is pivotal for the inhibition of fear responses towards cues or contexts that no longer predict the occurrence of a threat. Failure of fear extinction leads to fear expression under safe conditions and is regarded to be a cardinal characteristic of many anxiety-related disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder. Importantly, the neurotransmitter noradrenaline was shown to be a potent modulator of fear extinction. Rodent studies demonstrated that excessive noradrenaline transmission after acute stress opens a time window of vulnerability, in which fear extinction learning results in attenuated long-term extinction success. In contrast, when excessive noradrenergic transmission subsides, well-coordinated noradrenaline transmission is necessary for the formation of a long-lasting extinction memory. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that the neuropeptide corticotropin releasing hormone (CRF), which strongly regulates noradrenaline transmission under conditions of acute stress, also impedes long-term extinction success. Recent rodent work - using sophisticated methods - provides evidence for a hypothetical mechanistic framework of how noradrenaline and CRF dynamically orchestrate the neural fear and extinction circuitry to attenuate or to improve fear extinction and extinction recall. Accordingly, we review the evidence from rodent studies linking noradrenaline and CRF to fear extinction learning and recall and derive the hypothetical mechanistic framework of how different levels of noradrenaline and CRF may create a time window of vulnerability which impedes successful long-term fear extinction. We also address evidence from human studies linking noradrenaline and fear extinction success. Moreover, we accumulate emerging approaches to non-invasively measure and manipulate the noradrenergic system in healthy humans. Finally, we emphasize the importance of future studies to account for sex (hormone) differences when examining the interaction between fear extinction, noradrenaline, and CRF. To conclude, NA's effects on fear extinction recall strongly depend on the arousal levels at the onset of fear extinction learning. Our review aimed at compiling the available (mainly rodent) data in a neurobiological framework, suited to derive testable hypotheses for future work in humans.
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López-Terrones E, Celada P, Riga MS, Artigas F. Preferential in vivo inhibitory action of serotonin in rat infralimbic versus prelimbic cortex: relevance for antidepressant treatments. Cereb Cortex 2022; 32:3000-3013. [DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The infralimbic (IL) cortex is the rodent equivalent of human ventral anterior cingulate cortex (vACC), which plays a key role in the pathophysiology and treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). The modulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission in IL [but not in the adjacent prelimbic (PrL) cortex] evokes antidepressant-like or depressive-like behaviors, associated with changes in serotonin (5-HT) function, highlighting the relevance of glutamate/serotonin interactions in IL for emotional control. 5-HT modulates neuronal activity in PrL and cingulate (Cg) cortex but its effects in IL are largely unknown. We therefore compared the in vivo effects of 5-HT on pyramidal neuron activity in IL (n = 61) and PrL (n = 50) of anesthetized rats. IL pyramidal neurons were more responsive to physiological dorsal raphe stimulation (0.9 Hz) than PrL neurons (84% vs. 64%, respectively) and were inhibited to a greater extent (64% vs. 36%, respectively). Orthodromic activations (8% in PrL) were absent in IL, whereas biphasic responses were similar (20%) in both areas. Excitations were mediated by 5-HT2A-R activation, whereas inhibitions involved 3 different components: 5-HT1A-R, 5-HT3-R and GABAA-R, respectively. The remarkable inhibitory action of 5-HT in IL suggests that 5-HT-enhancing drugs may exert their antidepressant action by normalizing a glutamatergic hyperactivity in the vACC of MDD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena López-Terrones
- Depart. de Neurociències i Terapèutica Experimental , Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona, IIBB-CSIC; 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM) , Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pau Celada
- Depart. de Neurociències i Terapèutica Experimental , Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona, IIBB-CSIC; 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) , 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM) , Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maurizio S Riga
- Depart. de Neurociències i Terapèutica Experimental , Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona, IIBB-CSIC; 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) , 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM) , Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa (CABIMER-CSIC) , 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Francesc Artigas
- Depart. de Neurociències i Terapèutica Experimental , Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona, IIBB-CSIC; 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) , 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM) , Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Shan Q, Yu X, Tian Y. Reduction of excitatory synaptic transmission efficacy in the infralimbic prefrontal cortex potentially contributes to impairment of contextual fear memory extinction in aged mice. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2022; 78:930-937. [PMID: 35778266 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glac137] [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: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human beings are living longer than ever before and cognitive decline experienced by aged adults, such as compromise in cognitive flexibility, has been attracting more and more attention. One such example is the aging-related impairment of memory extinction. However, its underlying neural basis, especially the functional basis at the synapse level, is largely unknown. This study verifies that Pavlovian contextual fear memory extinction is impaired in aged mice. A large body of previous studies have shown that the infralimbic prefrontal cortex (ilPFC) plays a pivotal role in memory extinction. Correspondingly, this study reveals an aging-related reduction in the efficacy of excitatory synaptic transmission onto the ilPFC pyramidal neurons via electrophysiology recordings. This study further suggests that this reduced excitation potentially contributes to the aging-related impairment of contextual fear memory extinction: chemogenetically suppressing the activity of the ilPFC pyramidal neurons in young mice impairs contextual fear memory extinction, whereas chemogenetically compensating the reduced excitation of the ilPFC pyramidal neurons in aged mice restores contextual fear memory extinction. This study identifies a functional synaptic plasticity in the ilPFC pyramidal neurons that potentially contributes to the aging-related impairment of contextual fear memory extinction, which would potentially help to develop a therapy to treat related cognitive decline in aged human adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Shan
- Laboratory for Synaptic Plasticity, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Yu
- Laboratory for Synaptic Plasticity, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yao Tian
- Chern Institute of Mathematics, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
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26
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N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) Receptors in the Prelimbic Cortex Are Required for Short- and Long-Term Memory Formation in Trace Fear Conditioning. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12050672. [PMID: 35629340 PMCID: PMC9147616 DOI: 10.3390/life12050672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been implicated in the acquisition of fear memory during trace fear conditioning in which a conditional stimulus (CS) is paired with an aversive unconditional stimulus (UCS) separated by a temporal gap (trace interval, TI). However, little is known about the role of the prefrontal cortex for short- and long-term trace fear memory formation. Thus, we investigated how the prelimbic (PL) subregion within mPFC in rats contributes to short- and long-term trace fear memory formation using electrolytic lesions and d,l,-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV), an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist infusions into PL. In experiment 1, pre-conditioning lesions of PL impaired freezing to the CS as well as TI during the acquisition and retrieval sessions, indicating that PL is critically involved in trace fear memory formation. In experiment 2, temporary blockade of NMDA receptors in PL impaired the acquisition, but not the expression of short- and long-term trace fear memory. In addition, the inactivation of NMDAR in PL had little effect on locomotor activity, pre-pulse inhibition (PPI), or shock sensitivity. Taken together, these results suggest that NMDA receptor-mediated neurotransmission in PL is required for the acquisition of trace fear memory.
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Narvaes RF, Nachtigall EG, Marcondes LA, Izquierdo I, Myskiw JDC, Furini CR. Involvement of medial prefrontal cortex canonical Wnt/β-catenin and non-canonical Wnt/Ca2+ signaling pathways in contextual fear memory in male rats. Behav Brain Res 2022; 430:113948. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.113948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Stylianakis AA, Baker KD, Richardson R. Pharmacological Enhancement of Extinction Retention in Non-stressed Adolescent Rats but Not Those Exposed to Chronic Corticosterone. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:822709. [PMID: 35368276 PMCID: PMC8966583 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.822709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals exposed to chronic adverse experiences in childhood and adolescence are at increased risk of developing neuropsychiatric illnesses such as mood and anxiety disorders. Symptoms of anxiety disorders can often be reduced through exposure therapy, which is based on the process of extinction. Although chronic stress in adolescence is known to exacerbate the impaired extinction of learned fear during this period of development, it remains unclear whether exposure to stressors in adolescence qualitatively affects the mechanisms underlying fear extinction. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its principle receptor, tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), are involved in neuroplasticity underlying fear extinction. The small-molecule TrkB agonist 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) improves fear extinction and reduces fear relapse (reinstatement) in adult mice when administered prior to extinction training but its effects in younger ages are unknown. In this study we tested whether 7,8-DHF enhances extinction retention and leads to less renewal in both stressed and non-stressed adolescent rats. Pre-extinction injection of 7,8-DHF led to lower levels of CS-elicited freezing in both the extinction and conditioning contexts in non-stressed adolescent male rats, but not in those given 7 days of corticosterone. These findings indicate that chronic stress interferes with the effectiveness of pharmacological agonism of TrkB in enhancing fear extinction in adolescence. A greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying extinction in adolescence and the effect of chronic corticosterone exposure on those mechanisms may inform a deeper understanding of the etiology and treatment of pediatric stress-related disorders.
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Kim JH, Joo YH, Son YD, Kim HK, Kim JH. Differences in mGluR5 Availability Depending on the Level of Social Avoidance in Drug-Naïve Young Patients with Major Depressive Disorder. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2022; 18:2041-2053. [PMID: 36124236 PMCID: PMC9481450 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s379395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research has shown that metabotropic glutamate receptor-5 (mGluR5) signaling is significantly involved in social avoidance. We investigated the relationship between levels of social avoidance and mGluR5 availability in drug-naïve young patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS Twenty non-smoking patients and eighteen matched non-smoking healthy controls underwent [11C]ABP688 positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging scans. The binding potential (BPND) of [11C]ABP688 was obtained using the simplified reference tissue model. Patients' level of social avoidance was assessed using the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale (SADS). For [11C]ABP688 BPND, the region-of-interest (ROI)-based between-group comparisons and correlations with SADS scores were investigated. The frontal cortices were chosen as a priori ROIs based on previous PET investigations in MDD, and on literature underscoring the importance of the frontal cortex in social avoidance. RESULTS Independent samples t-tests revealed no significant differences in [11C]ABP688 BPND in the frontal cortices between the MDD patient group as a whole and healthy controls. One-way analysis of variance with post-hoc tests revealed significantly lower BPND in the bilateral superior frontal cortex (SFC) and left middle frontal cortex (MFC) in MDD patients with low levels of social avoidance (L-SADS) than in healthy controls. The L-SADS patients also had significantly lower BPND in the medial part of the right SFC than both MDD patients with high levels of social avoidance (H-SADS) and healthy controls. The L-SADS patients also showed significantly lower BPND in the orbital parts of the SFC, MFC, and inferior frontal cortex than H-SADS patients. No significant group differences were found between H-SADS patients and healthy controls. The ROI-based correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between social avoidance levels and frontal [11C]ABP688 BPND in the entire patients. CONCLUSION Our exploratory study shows significant differences in frontal mGluR5 availability depending on the level of social avoidance in drug-naïve non-smoking MDD patients, suggesting that social avoidance should be considered as one of the clinical factors involved in mGluR5 signaling changes in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong-Hee Kim
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Health Science, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yo-Han Joo
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Don Son
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Health Science, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.,Gachon Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hang-Keun Kim
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Health Science, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.,Gachon Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Hoon Kim
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.,Gachon Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Gachon University College of Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Republic of Korea
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30
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Müller Ewald VA, Kim J, Farley SJ, Freeman JH, LaLumiere RT. Theta oscillations in rat infralimbic cortex are associated with the inhibition of cocaine seeking during extinction. Addict Biol 2022; 27:e13106. [PMID: 34672059 PMCID: PMC8922975 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Infralimbic cortical (IL) manipulations indicate that this region mediates extinction learning and suppresses cocaine seeking following cocaine self‐administration. However, little work has recorded IL activity during the inhibition of cocaine seeking due to the difficulty of determining precisely when cocaine‐seeking behaviour is inhibited within a cocaine‐seeking session. The present study used in vivo electrophysiology to examine IL activity across extinction as well as during cocaine self‐administration and reinstatement. Sprague–Dawley rats underwent 6‐h access cocaine self‐administration in which the response lever was available during discrete signalled trials, a procedure which allowed for the comparison between epochs of cocaine seeking versus the inhibition thereof. Subsequently, rats underwent extinction and cocaine‐primed reinstatement using the same procedure. Results indicate that theta rhythms (4–10 Hz) dominated IL local‐field potential (LFP) activity during all experimental stages. During extinction, theta power fluctuated significantly surrounding the lever press and was lower when rats engaged in cocaine seeking versus when they withheld from doing so. These patterns of oscillatory activity differed from self‐administration and reinstatement stages. Single‐unit analyses indicate heterogeneity of IL unit responses, supporting the idea that multiple neuronal subpopulations exist within the IL and promote the expression of different and even opposing cocaine‐seeking behaviours. Together, these results are consistent with the idea that aggregate synaptic and single‐unit activity in the IL represent the engagement of the IL in action monitoring to promote adaptive behaviour in accordance with task contingencies and reveal critical insights into the relationship between IL activity and the inhibition of cocaine seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victória A. Müller Ewald
- Department of Psychiatry University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA
| | - Jangjin Kim
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA
| | - Sean J. Farley
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA
| | - John H. Freeman
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA
| | - Ryan T. LaLumiere
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USA
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31
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Nett KE, LaLumiere RT. Infralimbic cortex functioning across motivated behaviors: Can the differences be reconciled? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 131:704-721. [PMID: 34624366 PMCID: PMC8642304 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The rodent infralimbic cortex (IL) is implicated in higher order executive functions such as reward seeking and flexible decision making. However, the precise nature of its role in these processes is unclear. Early evidence indicated that the IL promotes the extinction and ongoing inhibition of fear conditioning and cocaine seeking. However, evidence spanning other behavioral domains, such as natural reward seeking and habit-based learning, suggests a more nuanced understanding of IL function. As techniques have advanced and more studies have examined IL function, identifying a unifying explanation for its behavioral function has become increasingly difficult. Here, we discuss evidence of IL function across motivated behaviors, including associative learning, drug seeking, natural reward seeking, and goal-directed versus habit-based behaviors, and emphasize how context-specific encoding and heterogeneous IL neuronal populations may underlie seemingly conflicting findings in the literature. Together, the evidence suggests that a major IL function is to facilitate the encoding and updating of contingencies between cues and behaviors to guide subsequent behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelle E Nett
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States.
| | - Ryan T LaLumiere
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States; Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
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32
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Wen Z, Hammoud MZ, Scott JC, Jimmy J, Brown L, Marin MF, Asnaani A, Gur RC, Foa EB, Milad MR. Impact of exogenous estradiol on task-based and resting-state neural signature during and after fear extinction in healthy women. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:2278-2287. [PMID: 34493827 PMCID: PMC8581031 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01158-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Fluctuations of endogenous estrogen modulates fear extinction, but the influence of exogenous estradiol is less studied. Moreover, little focus has been placed on the impact of estradiol on broad network connectivity beyond the fear extinction circuit. Here, we examined the effect of acute exogenous estradiol administration on fear extinction-induced brain activation, whole-brain functional connectivity (FC) during the fear extinction task and post-extinction resting-state. Ninety healthy women (57 using oral contraceptives [OC], 33 naturally cycling [NC]) were fear conditioned on day 1. They ingested an estradiol or placebo pill prior to extinction learning on day 2 (double-blind design). Extinction memory was assessed on day 3. Task-based functional MRI data were ascertained on days 2 and 3 and resting-state data were collected post-extinction on day 2 and pre-recall on day 3. Estradiol administration significantly modulated the neural signature associated with fear extinction learning and memory, consistent with prior studies. Importantly, estradiol administration induced significant changes in FC within multiple networks, including the default mode and somatomotor networks during extinction learning, post-extinction, and during extinction memory recall. Exploratory analyses revealed that estradiol impacted ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) activation and FC differently in the NC and OC women. The data implicate a more diffused and significant effect of acute estradiol administration on multiple networks. Such an effect might be beneficial to modulating attention and conscious processes in addition to engaging neural processes associated with emotional learning and memory consolidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenfu Wen
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mira Z Hammoud
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - J Cobb Scott
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- VISN4 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jagan Jimmy
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lily Brown
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marie-France Marin
- Departement of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Center of the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Anu Asnaani
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Ruben C Gur
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Edna B Foa
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mohammed R Milad
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- The Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA.
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Qin C, Bian XL, Wu HY, Xian JY, Lin YH, Cai CY, Zhou Y, Kou XL, Li TY, Chang L, Luo CX, Zhu DY. Prevention of the return of extinguished fear by disrupting the interaction of neuronal nitric oxide synthase with its carboxy-terminal PDZ ligand. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:6506-6519. [PMID: 33931732 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01118-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Exposure therapy based on the extinction of fear memory is first-line treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, fear extinction is relatively easy to learn but difficult to remember, extinguished fear often relapses under a number of circumstances. Here, we report that extinction learning-induced association of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) with its carboxy-terminal PDZ ligand (CAPON) in the infralimbic (IL) subregion of medial prefrontal cortex negatively regulates extinction memory and dissociating nNOS-CAPON can prevent the return of extinguished fear in mice. Extinction training significantly increases nNOS-CAPON association in the IL. Disruptors of nNOS-CAPON increase extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and facilitate the retention of extinction memory in an ERK2-dependent manner. More importantly, dissociating nNOS-CAPON after extinction training enhances long-term potentiation and excitatory synaptic transmission, increases spine density in the IL, and prevents spontaneous recovery, renewal and reinstatement of remote fear of mice. Moreover, nNOS-CAPON disruptors do not affect other types of learning. Thus, nNOS-CAPON can serve as a new target for treating PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Qin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin-Lan Bian
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hai-Yin Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jia-Yun Xian
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu-Hui Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Cheng-Yun Cai
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Kou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ting-You Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lei Chang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chun-Xia Luo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dong-Ya Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. .,Institution of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. .,Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou, China.
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Mohammadi-Farani A, Taghadosi M, Raziee S, Samimi Z. In vivo blockade of 5HT3 receptors in the infralimbic medial prefrontal cortex enhances fear extinction in a rat model of PTSD. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2021; 24:776-786. [PMID: 34630955 PMCID: PMC8487606 DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2021.54299.12197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Treatments that reverse deficits in fear extinction are promising for the management of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 5-Hydroxytryptamine type 3 (5-HT3) receptor is involved involved in the extinction of fear memories. The present work aims to investigate the role of 5HT3 receptors in the infralimbic part of the medial prefrontal cortex (IL-mPFC) in extinction of conditioned fear in the single prolonged stress (SPS) model of PTSD in rats. Materials and Methods The effect of SPS administration was evaluated on the freezing behavior in contextual and cued fear conditioning models. After the behavioral tests, levels of 5HT3 transcription in IL-mPFC were also measured in the same animals using the real-time RT-PCR method. To evaluate the possible role of local 5HT3 receptors on fear extinction, conditioned freezing was evaluated in another cohort of animals that received local microinjections of ondansetron (a 5HT3 antagonist) and ondansetron plus a 5HT3 agonist (SR 57227A) after extinction sessions. Results Our findings showed that exposure to SPS increased the freezing response in both contextual and cued fear models. We also found that SPS is associated with increased expression of 5HT3 receptors in the IL-mPFC region. Ondansetron enhanced the fear of extinction in these animals and the enhancement was blocked by the 5HT3 agonist, SR 57227A. Conclusion It seems that up-regulation of 5HT3 receptors in IL-mPFC is an important factor in the neurobiology of PTSD and blockade of these receptors could be considered a potential treatment for this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Mohammadi-Farani
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Centre, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mahdi Taghadosi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Sara Raziee
- Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Zahra Samimi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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Pajser A, Foster C, Gaeddert B, Pickens CL. Extended operant training increases infralimbic and prelimbic cortex Fos regardless of fear conditioning experience. Behav Brain Res 2021; 414:113476. [PMID: 34302878 PMCID: PMC8428778 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Extended fear training can lead to initially low fear expression that grows over time, termed fear incubation. Conversely, a single fear conditioning session typically results in high fear initially that is sustained over time. Fear expression decreases across extended training, suggesting that a fear extinction-like process might be responsible for low fear observed soon after training. Because of the prominent role medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) plays in fear conditioning and extinction, we decided to examine Fos expression resulting from a cued fear retrieval test to gain insight into possible mechanisms involved in extended training fear incubation. Male Long-Evans rats received 1 or 10 days of tone-shock pairings or tone-only exposure (while lever-pressing for food). Two days after the end of fear training, rats received a cued fear test, with perfusions timed to visualize Fos expression during test. As expected, the limited fear conditioning group exhibited higher fear in the test than any of the other groups (as measured with conditioned suppression of lever-pressing). Interestingly, we found that extended training animals (whether they received tone-shock pairings or tone-only exposure) expressed higher levels of Fos in both prelimbic and infralimbic cortices than limited training animals. There was no association between fear expression and mPFC Fos expression. These results suggest we may have visualized Fos expression related to operant overtraining rather than conditioned fear related processes. Further research is needed to determine the neurobiological basis of extended training fear incubation and to determine processes represented by the pattern of Fos expression we observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa Pajser
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Christian Foster
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Brooke Gaeddert
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Charles L Pickens
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA.
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Baldi E, Costa A, Rani B, Passani MB, Blandina P, Romano A, Provensi G. Oxytocin and Fear Memory Extinction: Possible Implications for the Therapy of Fear Disorders? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10000. [PMID: 34576161 PMCID: PMC8467761 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Several psychiatric conditions such as phobias, generalized anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are characterized by pathological fear and anxiety. The main therapeutic approach used in the management of these disorders is exposure-based therapy, which is conceptually based upon fear extinction with the formation of a new safe memory association, allowing the reduction in behavioral conditioned fear responses. Nevertheless, this approach is only partially resolutive, since many patients have difficulty following the demanding and long process, and relapses are frequently observed over time. One strategy to improve the efficacy of the cognitive therapy is the combination with pharmacological agents. Therefore, the identification of compounds able to strengthen the formation and persistence of the inhibitory associations is a key goal. Recently, growing interest has been aroused by the neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT), which has been shown to have anxiolytic effects. Furthermore, OXT receptors and binding sites have been found in the critical brain structures involved in fear extinction. In this review, the recent literature addressing the complex effects of OXT on fear extinction at preclinical and clinical levels is discussed. These studies suggest that the OXT roles in fear behavior are due to its local effects in several brain regions, most notably, distinct amygdaloid regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Baldi
- Section of Physiological Sciences, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Alessia Costa
- Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, Department of Health Sciences (DSS), University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (A.C.); (B.R.); (M.B.P.)
| | - Barbara Rani
- Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, Department of Health Sciences (DSS), University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (A.C.); (B.R.); (M.B.P.)
| | - Maria Beatrice Passani
- Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, Department of Health Sciences (DSS), University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (A.C.); (B.R.); (M.B.P.)
| | - Patrizio Blandina
- Section of Pharmacology of Toxicology, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy;
| | - Adele Romano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology ‘V. Erspamer’, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Gustavo Provensi
- Section of Pharmacology of Toxicology, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy;
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Tryon SC, Sakamoto IM, Kellis DM, Kaigler KF, Wilson MA. Individual Differences in Conditioned Fear and Extinction in Female Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:740313. [PMID: 34489657 PMCID: PMC8418198 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.740313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The inability to extinguish a traumatic memory is a key aspect of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While PTSD affects 10–20% of individuals who experience a trauma, women are particularly susceptible to developing the disorder. Despite this notable female vulnerability, few studies have investigated this particular resistance to fear extinction observed in females. Similar to humans, rodent models of Pavlovian fear learning and extinction show a wide range of individual differences in fear learning and extinction, although female rodents are considerably understudied. Therefore, the present study examined individual differences in fear responses, including freezing behavior and ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), of female Long–Evans rats during acquisition of fear conditioning and cued fear extinction. Similar to prior studies in males, female rats displayed individual variation in freezing during cued fear extinction and were divided into extinction competent (EC) and extinction resistant (ER) phenotypes. Differences in freezing between ER and EC females were accompanied by shifts in rearing during extinction, but no darting was seen in any trial. Freezing behavior during fear learning did not differ between the EC and ER females. Vocalizations emitted in the 22 and 50 kHz ranges during fear learning and extinction were also examined. Unlike vocalizations seen in previous studies in males, very few 22 kHz distress vocalizations were emitted by female rats during fear acquisition and extinction, with no difference between ER and EC groups. Interestingly, all female rats produced significant levels of 50 kHz USVs, and EC females emitted significantly more 50 kHz USVs than ER rats. This difference in 50 kHz USVs was most apparent during initial exposure to the testing environment. These results suggest that like males, female rodents show individual differences in both freezing and USVs during fear extinction, although females appear to vocalize more in the 50 kHz range, especially during initial periods of exposure to the testing environment, and emit very few of the 22 kHz distress calls that are typically observed in males during fear learning or extinction paradigms. Overall, these findings show that female rodents display fear behavior repertoires divergent from males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Tryon
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Iris M Sakamoto
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Devin M Kellis
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Kris F Kaigler
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Marlene A Wilson
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, United States.,Columbia VA Health Care System, Columbia, SC, United States
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Effects of the GluN2B antagonist, Ro 25-6981, on extinction consolidation following adolescent- or adult-onset methamphetamine self-administration in male and female rats. Behav Pharmacol 2021; 31:748-758. [PMID: 32925228 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Previous work suggests adolescent rats have deficient extinction consolidation relative to adults. Although the mechanisms underlying this age difference are currently unknown, studies in adult rats have implicated GluN2B-containing N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor function in extinction consolidation of drug-associated memory. Importantly, GluN2B neurotransmission emerges during adolescent development, and drugs of abuse during adolescence may delay the development of extinction consolidation by disrupting the ontogeny of GluN2B function. Here, we trained Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes to self-administer methamphetamine [METH, 0.1 mg/kg/infusion intravenous (i.v.)] beginning during adolescence [postnatal (P) day 41] or adulthood (P91). Rats were given short access (2 h) to self-administer METH in seven daily sessions followed by 14 sessions with long access (6 h). Subsequently, rats underwent four daily 30-minute extinction sessions with immediate postsession injections of either a GluN2B antagonist [Ro25-6981; 6 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)] or a vehicle solution. After four daily 2-h extinction sessions, a priming injection (1 mg/kg METH, i.p.) was given prior to a final 2-h reinstatement session. During LgA, adolescent-onset rats earn more METH than adult-onset rats and display greater drug-loading behavior. Rats reduced their drug-seeking behavior across the extinction sessions, with no significant group differences. Rats reinstated drug-seeking following the METH-priming injection, with females displaying greater reinstatement than males. These results do not support our a priori hypothesis that adolescent-onset METH use disrupts the ontogeny of GluN2B transmission and contributes to age-of-onset differences in extinction of METH-seeking. However, our findings suggest that age-of-onset contributes to excessive METH-taking, while sex confers vulnerability to relapse to METH-seeking.
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Castillo-Ocampo Y, Colón M, Hernández A, Lopez P, Gerena Y, Porter JT. Plasticity of GluN1 at Ventral Hippocampal Synapses in the Infralimbic Cortex. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2021; 13:695964. [PMID: 34335223 PMCID: PMC8320376 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2021.695964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the infralimbic cortex (IL) is not thought to play a role in fear acquisition, recent experiments found evidence that synaptic plasticity is occurring at ventral hippocampal (vHPC) synapses in IL during auditory fear acquisition as measured by changes in the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated currents in male rats. These electrophysiological data suggest that fear conditioning changes the expression of NMDA receptors on vHPC-to-IL synapses. To further evaluate the plasticity of NMDA receptors at this specific synapse, we injected AAV particles expressing channelrhodopsin-EYFP into the vHPC of male and female rats to label vHPC projections with EYFP. To test for NMDA receptor changes in vHPC-to-IL synapses after fear learning, we used fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to quantify synaptosomes isolated from IL tissue punches that were positive for EYFP and the obligatory GluN1 subunit. More EYFP+/GluN1+ synaptosomes with greater average expression of GluN1 were isolated from male rats exposed to auditory fear conditioning (AFC) than those exposed to context and tones only or to contextual fear conditioning (CFC), suggesting that AFC increased NMDA receptor expression in males. In a second experiment, we found that pairing the tones and shocks was required to induce the molecular changes and that fear extinction did not reverse the changes. In contrast, females showed similar levels of EYFP+/GluN1+ synaptosomes in all behavioral groups. These findings suggest that AFC induces synaptic plasticity of NMDA receptors in the vHPC-to-IL projection in males, while female rats rely on different synaptic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesenia Castillo-Ocampo
- Department of Basic Sciences, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - María Colón
- Department of Basic Sciences, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Anixa Hernández
- Department of Basic Sciences, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Pablo Lopez
- Department of Basic Sciences, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Yamil Gerena
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - James T. Porter
- Department of Basic Sciences, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
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Afraid of the dark: Light acutely suppresses activity in the human amygdala. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252350. [PMID: 34133439 PMCID: PMC8208532 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Light improves mood. The amygdala plays a critical role in regulating emotion, including fear-related responses. In rodents the amygdala receives direct light input from the retina, and light may play a role in fear-related learning. A direct effect of light on the amygdala represents a plausible mechanism of action for light’s mood-elevating effects in humans. However, the effect of light on activity in the amygdala in humans is not well understood. We examined the effect of passive dim-to-moderate white light exposure on activation of the amygdala in healthy young adults using the BOLD fMRI response (3T Siemens scanner; n = 23). Participants were exposed to alternating 30s blocks of light (10 lux or 100 lux) and dark (<1 lux), with each light intensity being presented separately. Light, compared with dark, suppressed activity in the amygdala. Moderate light exposure resulted in greater suppression of amygdala activity than dim light. Furthermore, functional connectivity between the amygdala and ventro-medial prefrontal cortex was enhanced during light relative to dark. These effects may contribute to light’s mood-elevating effects, via a reduction in negative, fear-related affect and enhanced processing of negative emotion.
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Sharma KK, Kelly EA, Pfeifer CW, Fudge JL. Translating Fear Circuitry: Amygdala Projections to Subgenual and Perigenual Anterior Cingulate in the Macaque. Cereb Cortex 2021; 30:550-562. [PMID: 31219571 PMCID: PMC7306168 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodent
fear-learning models posit that amygdala–infralimbic connections facilitate extinction while amygdala–prelimbic prefrontal connections mediate fear expression. Analogous amygdala–prefrontal circuitry between rodents and primates is not established. Using paired small volumes of neural tracers injected into the perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC; areas 24b and 32; a potential homologue to rodent prelimbic cortex) and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC, areas 25 and 14c; a potential homologue to rodent infralimbic cortex) in a single hemisphere, we mapped amygdala projections to the pgACC and sgACC within single subjects. All injections resulted in dense retrograde labeling specifically within the intermediate division of the basal nucleus (Bi) and the magnocellular division of the accessory basal nucleus (ABmc). Areal analysis revealed a bias for connectivity with the sgACC, with the ABmc showing a greater bias than the Bi. Double fluorescence analysis revealed that sgACC and pgACC projections were intermingled within the Bi and ABmc, where a proportion were double labeled. We conclude that amygdala inputs to the ACC largely originate from the Bi and ABmc, preferentially connect to the sgACC, and that a subset collaterally project to both sgACC and pgACC. These findings advance our understanding of fear extinction and fear expression circuitry across species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - J L Fudge
- Department of Neuroscience.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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Omura J, Fuchikami M, Araki M, Miyagi T, Okamoto Y, Morinobu S. Chemogenetic activation of the mPFC alleviates impaired fear memory extinction in an animal model of PTSD. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 108:110090. [PMID: 32896603 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Although impaired extinction of fear memory (EFM) is a hallmark symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the mechanisms underlying the impairment are unknown. Activation of the infralimbic cortex (IL) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been reported to predict successful fear extinction, whereas functionally disrupting this region impairs extinction. We examined whether chemogenetic activation of the IL could alleviate impaired EFM in a single prolonged stress (SPS) rat model of PTSD. METHODS Chemogenetic activation of IL and prelimbic (PL) excitatory neurons was undertaken to evaluate EFM using a contextual fear conditioning paradigm. Neuronal activity in the IL was recorded using a 32-multichannel silicon electrode. To examine histological changes in the mPFC, apoptosis was measured by TUNEL staining. RESULTS Chemogenetic activation of excitatory neurons in the IL, but not the PL, enhanced EFM in sham rats and resulted in alleviation of EFM impairment in SPS rats. The alleviation of impaired EFM in SPS rats was observed during the extinction test session. Neuronal activity in the IL of SPS rats was lower than that of sham rats after clozapine-n-oxide administration. Increased apoptosis was found in the IL of SPS rats. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that a decreased excitatory response in the IL due, at least in part, to an increase in apoptosis in SPS rats leads to impaired EFM, and that neuronal activation during extinction training could be useful for the treatment of impaired EFM in PTSD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Omura
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Division of Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Manabu Fuchikami
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Division of Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
| | - Motoaki Araki
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Division of Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiro Miyagi
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Division of Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yasumasa Okamoto
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Division of Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Shigeru Morinobu
- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Science and Social Welfare, Kibi International University, Takahashi, Japan
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Sun W, Yang Y, Chen X, Cheng Y, Li X, An L. Light Promotes Neural Correlates of Fear Memory via Enhancing Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Expression in the Prelimbic Cortex. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:1802-1810. [PMID: 33961393 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to light has been shown to enhance vigilance and improve working memory, possibly due to changes in prefrontal function. Ample evidence supports the critical role of prefrontal cortex (PFC) in fear memory performance. However, the effects of light on memory processing and its potential mechanisms remain unclear. Here, through rats exposure conditioned to light at different memory phases, we sought evidence for the influences by employing behavioral tests, pharmacological infusions, immunoblotting, and electrophysiological recording. Exposure to light immediately following conditioning of 30 min or longer could effectively improve consolidation of fear memory without altering short-term memory or upgrading the original fear. The absence of significant freezing during baseline and intertrial interval periods ruled out the possibility of a general induction of freezing by light. Meanwhile, rats exposed to light in homecages or conditioning chambers exhibited a similar memory phenotype, indicating that light specifically enhanced the fear stimulus rather than the contextual environment. Furthermore, light exposure elevated the training-induced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the prelimbic, but not infralimbic, subregion of the PFC. Moreover, the BDNF-TrkB pathway, but not the BDNF-p75NTR pathway, was involved in light-mediated fear memory. The enhancement in BDNF activity effectively facilitated firing correlates of prelimbic pyramidal neurons but not fast-spiking interneurons. Blocking the training-induced BDNF by its antibody abolished the effects of light on neural function and fear memory. Therefore, our findings indicate that light enhances training-induced BDNF expression that promotes the neural correlate of memory function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Sun
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550001, China
- Department of Pediatric, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550001, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Pediatric, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550001, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550001, China
| | - Yan Cheng
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550001, China
- Department of Pediatric, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550001, China
| | - Xiaolian Li
- Department of Neurology, Jinan Rehabilitation Hospital, Jinan 250013, China
| | - Lei An
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550001, China
- Department of Pediatric, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550001, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550001, China
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon S7N 5E5, Canada
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Quiñones-Laracuente K, Vega-Medina A, Quirk GJ. Time-Dependent Recruitment of Prelimbic Prefrontal Circuits for Retrieval of Fear Memory. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:665116. [PMID: 34012387 PMCID: PMC8126619 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.665116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The long-lasting nature of fear memories is essential for survival, but the neural circuitry for retrieval of these associations changes with the passage of time. We previously reported a time-dependent shift from prefrontal-amygdalar circuits to prefrontal-thalamic circuits for the retrieval of auditory fear conditioning. However, little is known about the time-dependent changes in the originating site, the prefrontal cortex. Here we monitored the responses of prelimbic (PL) prefrontal neurons to conditioned tones at early (2 h) vs. late (4 days) timepoints following training. Using c-Fos, we find that PL neurons projecting to the amygdala are activated early after learning, but not later, whereas PL neurons projecting to the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) show the opposite pattern. Using unit recording, we find that PL neurons in layer V (the origin of projections to amygdala) showed cue-induced excitation at earlier but not later timepoints, whereas PL neurons in Layer VI (the origin of projections to PVT) showed cue-induced inhibition at later, but not earlier, timepoints, along with an increase in spontaneous firing rate. Thus, soon after conditioning, there are conditioned excitatory responses in PL layer V which influence the amygdala. With the passage of time, however, retrieval of fear memories shifts to inhibitory responses in PL layer VI which influence the midline thalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gregory J. Quirk
- Laboratory of Gregory J. Quirk, Departments of Psychiatry, Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, United States
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Maglio LE, Noriega-Prieto JA, Maroto IB, Martin-Cortecero J, Muñoz-Callejas A, Callejo-Móstoles M, Fernández de Sevilla D. IGF-1 facilitates extinction of conditioned fear. eLife 2021; 10:e67267. [PMID: 33792539 PMCID: PMC8043742 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plays a key role in synaptic plasticity, spatial learning, and anxiety-like behavioral processes. While IGF-1 regulates neuronal firing and synaptic transmission in many areas of the central nervous system, its signaling and consequences on excitability, synaptic plasticity, and animal behavior dependent on the prefrontal cortex remain unexplored. Here, we show that IGF-1 induces a long-lasting depression of the medium and slow post-spike afterhyperpolarization (mAHP and sAHP), increasing the excitability of layer 5 pyramidal neurons of the rat infralimbic cortex. Besides, IGF-1 mediates a presynaptic long-term depression of both inhibitory and excitatory synaptic transmission in these neurons. The net effect of this IGF-1-mediated synaptic plasticity is a long-term potentiation of the postsynaptic potentials. Moreover, we demonstrate that IGF-1 favors the fear extinction memory. These results show novel functional consequences of IGF-1 signaling, revealing IGF-1 as a key element in the control of the fear extinction memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Maglio
- Departamento de Anatomía, Histología y Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de MadridMadridSpain
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas (Fisiología) and Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas (ITB), Universidad de La LagunaTenerifeSpain
| | - José A Noriega-Prieto
- Departamento de Anatomía, Histología y Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de MadridMadridSpain
- Department of Neuroscience, University of MinnesotaMinneapolisUnited States
| | - Irene B Maroto
- Departamento de Anatomía, Histología y Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de MadridMadridSpain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS) and Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Química, Universidad Complutense de MadridMadridSpain
| | - Jesús Martin-Cortecero
- Departamento de Anatomía, Histología y Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de MadridMadridSpain
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical Biophysic, Heidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany
| | - Antonio Muñoz-Callejas
- Departamento de Anatomía, Histología y Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de MadridMadridSpain
| | - Marta Callejo-Móstoles
- Departamento de Anatomía, Histología y Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de MadridMadridSpain
| | - David Fernández de Sevilla
- Departamento de Anatomía, Histología y Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de MadridMadridSpain
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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: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [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.
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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
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An Adolescent Sensitive Period for Threat Responding: Impacts of Stress and Sex. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 89:651-658. [PMID: 33342545 PMCID: PMC7954972 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety and fear-related disorders peak in prevalence during adolescence, a window of rapid behavioral development and neural remodeling. However, understanding of the development of threat responding and the underlying neural circuits remains limited. Preclinical models of threat conditioning and extinction have provided an unparalleled glimpse into the developing brain. In this review we discuss mouse and rat studies on the development of threat response regulation, with a focus on the adolescent period. Evidence of nonlinear patterns of threat responding during adolescence and the continued development of the underlying circuitry is highly indicative of an adolescent sensitive period for threat response regulation. While we highlight literature in support of this unique developmental window, we also emphasize the need for causal studies to clarify the parameters defining such a sensitive period. In doing so, we explore how stress and biological sex affect the development and expression of threat response regulation during adolescence and beyond. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of how these factors interact with and affect developmental trajectories of learning and memory will inform treatment and prevention strategies for pediatric anxiety disorders.
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48
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Salinas-Hernández XI, Duvarci S. Dopamine in Fear Extinction. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2021; 13:635879. [PMID: 33732133 PMCID: PMC7956961 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2021.635879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to extinguish fear memories when threats are no longer present is critical for adaptive behavior. Fear extinction represents a new learning process that eventually leads to the formation of extinction memories. Understanding the neural basis of fear extinction has considerable clinical significance as deficits in extinction learning are the hallmark of human anxiety disorders. In recent years, the dopamine (DA) system has emerged as one of the key regulators of fear extinction. In this review article, we highlight recent advances that have demonstrated the crucial role DA plays in mediating different phases of fear extinction. Emerging concepts and outstanding questions for future research are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sevil Duvarci
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
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49
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Qin C, Bian XL, Wu HY, Xian JY, Cai CY, Lin YH, Zhou Y, Kou XL, Chang L, Luo CX, Zhu DY. Dorsal Hippocampus to Infralimbic Cortex Circuit is Essential for the Recall of Extinction Memory. Cereb Cortex 2021; 31:1707-1718. [PMID: 33188393 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa320] [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: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder subjects usually show impaired recall of extinction memory, leading to extinguished fear relapses. However, little is known about the neural mechanisms underlying the impaired recall of extinction memory. We show here that the activity of dorsal hippocampus (dHPC) to infralimbic (IL) cortex circuit is essential for the recall of fear extinction memory in male mice. There were functional neural projections from the dHPC to IL. Using optogenetic manipulations, we observed that silencing the activity of dHPC-IL circuit inhibited recall of extinction memory while stimulating the activity of dHPC-IL circuit facilitated recall of extinction memory. "Impairment of extinction consolidation caused by" conditional deletion of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) in the IL prevented the dHPC-IL circuit-mediated recall of extinction memory. Moreover, silencing the dHPC-IL circuit abolished the effect of intra-IL microinjection of ERK enhancer on the recall of extinction memory. Together, we identify a dHPC to IL circuit that mediates the recall of extinction memory, and our data suggest that the dysfunction of dHPC-IL circuit and/or impaired extinction consolidation may contribute to extinguished fear relapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Qin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xin-Lan Bian
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Hai-Yin Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Jia-Yun Xian
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Cheng-Yun Cai
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yu-Hui Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Kou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Lei Chang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Chun-Xia Luo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Dong-Ya Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
- Institution of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou 510000, China
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50
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Radiske A, Gonzalez MC, Nôga DA, Rossato JI, Bevilaqua LRM, Cammarota M. GluN2B and GluN2A-containing NMDAR are differentially involved in extinction memory destabilization and restabilization during reconsolidation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:186. [PMID: 33420399 PMCID: PMC7794413 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80674-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Extinction memory destabilized by recall is restabilized through mTOR-dependent reconsolidation in the hippocampus, but the upstream pathways controlling these processes remain unknown. Hippocampal NMDARs drive local protein synthesis via mTOR signaling and may control active memory maintenance. We found that in adult male Wistar rats, intra dorsal-CA1 administration of the non-subunit selective NMDAR antagonist AP5 or of the GluN2A subunit-containing NMDAR antagonist TCN201 after step down inhibitory avoidance (SDIA) extinction memory recall impaired extinction memory retention and caused SDIA memory recovery. On the contrary, pre-recall administration of AP5 or of the GluN2B subunit-containing NMDAR antagonist RO25-6981 had no effect on extinction memory recall or retention per se but hindered the recovery of the avoidance response induced by post-recall intra-CA1 infusion of the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. Our results indicate that GluN2B-containing NMDARs are necessary for extinction memory destabilization whereas GluN2A-containing NMDARs are involved in its restabilization, and suggest that pharmacological modulation of the relative activation state of these receptor subtypes around the moment of extinction memory recall may regulate the dominance of extinction memory over the original memory trace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andressa Radiske
- Memory Research Laboratory, Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Nascimento de Castro 2155, Natal, RN, 59056-450, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina Gonzalez
- Memory Research Laboratory, Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Nascimento de Castro 2155, Natal, RN, 59056-450, Brazil.,Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Av. Alberto Santos Dumont 1560, Macaiba, RN, 59280-000, Brazil
| | - Diana A Nôga
- Memory Research Laboratory, Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Nascimento de Castro 2155, Natal, RN, 59056-450, Brazil
| | - Janine I Rossato
- Memory Research Laboratory, Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Nascimento de Castro 2155, Natal, RN, 59056-450, Brazil.,Department of Physiology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Sen. Salgado Filho 3000, Natal, RN, 59064-741, Brazil
| | - Lia R M Bevilaqua
- Memory Research Laboratory, Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Nascimento de Castro 2155, Natal, RN, 59056-450, Brazil
| | - Martín Cammarota
- Memory Research Laboratory, Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Nascimento de Castro 2155, Natal, RN, 59056-450, Brazil.
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