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Rogers JF, Vandendoren M, Prather JF, Landen JG, Bedford NL, Nelson AC. Neural cell-types and circuits linking thermoregulation and social behavior. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 161:105667. [PMID: 38599356 PMCID: PMC11163828 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105667] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Understanding how social and affective behavioral states are controlled by neural circuits is a fundamental challenge in neurobiology. Despite increasing understanding of central circuits governing prosocial and agonistic interactions, how bodily autonomic processes regulate these behaviors is less resolved. Thermoregulation is vital for maintaining homeostasis, but also associated with cognitive, physical, affective, and behavioral states. Here, we posit that adjusting body temperature may be integral to the appropriate expression of social behavior and argue that understanding neural links between behavior and thermoregulation is timely. First, changes in behavioral states-including social interaction-often accompany changes in body temperature. Second, recent work has uncovered neural populations controlling both thermoregulatory and social behavioral pathways. We identify additional neural populations that, in separate studies, control social behavior and thermoregulation, and highlight their relevance to human and animal studies. Third, dysregulation of body temperature is linked to human neuropsychiatric disorders. Although body temperature is a "hidden state" in many neurobiological studies, it likely plays an underappreciated role in regulating social and affective states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph F Rogers
- Department of Zoology & Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA; University of Wyoming Sensory Biology Center, USA
| | - Morgane Vandendoren
- Department of Zoology & Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA; University of Wyoming Sensory Biology Center, USA
| | - Jonathan F Prather
- Department of Zoology & Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Jason G Landen
- Department of Zoology & Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA; University of Wyoming Sensory Biology Center, USA
| | - Nicole L Bedford
- Department of Zoology & Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Adam C Nelson
- Department of Zoology & Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA; University of Wyoming Sensory Biology Center, USA.
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2
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Dudas A, Nakahara TS, Pellissier LP, Chamero P. Parenting behaviors in mice: Olfactory mechanisms and features in models of autism spectrum disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 161:105686. [PMID: 38657845 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105686] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Rodents, along with numerous other mammals, heavily depend on olfactory cues to navigate their social interactions. Processing of olfactory sensory inputs is mediated by conserved brain circuits that ultimately trigger social behaviors, such as social interactions and parental care. Although innate, parenting is influenced by internal states, social experience, genetics, and the environment, and any significant disruption of these factors can impact the social circuits. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms and social circuits from the olfactory epithelium to central processing that initiate parental behaviors and their dysregulations that may contribute to the social impairments in mouse models of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We discuss recent advances of the crucial role of olfaction in parental care, its consequences for social interactions, and the reciprocal influence on social interaction impairments in mouse models of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Dudas
- Team biology of GPCR Signaling systems (BIOS), CNRS, INRAE, University of Tours, PRC, Nouzilly F-37380, France
| | - Thiago S Nakahara
- Team Neuroendocrine Integration of Reproduction and Behavior (INERC), CNRS, INRAE, University of Tours, PRC, Nouzilly F-37380, France
| | - Lucie P Pellissier
- Team biology of GPCR Signaling systems (BIOS), CNRS, INRAE, University of Tours, PRC, Nouzilly F-37380, France.
| | - Pablo Chamero
- Team Neuroendocrine Integration of Reproduction and Behavior (INERC), CNRS, INRAE, University of Tours, PRC, Nouzilly F-37380, France.
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3
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Aspesi D, Cornil CA. Role of neuroestrogens in the regulation of social behaviors - From social recognition to mating. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 161:105679. [PMID: 38642866 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105679] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
In this mini-review, we summarize the brain distribution of aromatase, the enzyme catalyzing the synthesis of estrogens from androgens, and the mechanisms responsible for regulating estrogen production within the brain. Understanding this local synthesis of estrogens by neurons is pivotal as it profoundly influences various facets of social behavior. Neuroestrogen action spans from the initial processing of socially pertinent sensory cues to integrating this information with an individual's internal state, ultimately resulting in the manifestation of either pro-affiliative or - aggressive behaviors. We focus here in particular on aggressive and sexual behavior as the result of correct individual recognition of intruders and potential mates. The data summarized in this review clearly point out the crucial role of locally synthesized estrogens in facilitating rapid adaptation to the social environment in rodents and birds of both sexes. These observations not only shed light on the evolutionary significance but also indicate the potential implications of these findings in the realm of human health, suggesting a compelling avenue for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Aspesi
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
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4
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Vinograd A, Nair A, Linderman SW, Anderson DJ. Intrinsic Dynamics and Neural Implementation of a Hypothalamic Line Attractor Encoding an Internal Behavioral State. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.21.595051. [PMID: 38826298 PMCID: PMC11142118 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.21.595051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Line attractors are emergent population dynamics hypothesized to encode continuous variables such as head direction and internal states. In mammals, direct evidence of neural implementation of a line attractor has been hindered by the challenge of targeting perturbations to specific neurons within contributing ensembles. Estrogen receptor type 1 (Esr1)-expressing neurons in the ventrolateral subdivision of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHvl) show line attractor dynamics in male mice during fighting. We hypothesized that these dynamics may encode continuous variation in the intensity of an internal aggressive state. Here, we report that these neurons also show line attractor dynamics in head-fixed mice observing aggression. We exploit this finding to identify and perturb line attractor-contributing neurons using 2-photon calcium imaging and holographic optogenetic perturbations. On-manifold perturbations demonstrate that integration and persistent activity are intrinsic properties of these neurons which drive the system along the line attractor, while transient off-manifold perturbations reveal rapid relaxation back into the attractor. Furthermore, stimulation and imaging reveal selective functional connectivity among attractor-contributing neurons. Intriguingly, individual differences among mice in line attractor stability were correlated with the degree of functional connectivity among contributing neurons. Mechanistic modelling indicates that dense subnetwork connectivity and slow neurotransmission are required to explain our empirical findings. Our work bridges circuit and manifold paradigms, shedding light on the intrinsic and operational dynamics of a behaviorally relevant mammalian line attractor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Vinograd
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology; Pasadena, USA
- Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience Caltech; Pasadena, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Chevy Chase, USA
| | - Aditya Nair
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology; Pasadena, USA
- Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience Caltech; Pasadena, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Chevy Chase, USA
| | - Scott W. Linderman
- Department of Statistics, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
| | - David J. Anderson
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology; Pasadena, USA
- Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience Caltech; Pasadena, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Chevy Chase, USA
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5
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Lee J, Kwak D, Lee GU, Kim CY, Kim J, Park SH, Choi JH, Lee SQ, Choe HK. Social context modulates multibrain broadband dynamics and functional brain-to-brain coupling in the group of mice. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11439. [PMID: 38769416 PMCID: PMC11106301 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62070-7] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Although mice are social, multiple animals' neural activities are rarely explored. To characterise the neural activities during multi-brain interaction, we simultaneously recorded local field potentials (LFP) in the prefrontal cortex of four mice. The social context and locomotive states predominately modulated the entire LFP structure. The power of lower frequency bands-delta to alpha-were correlated with each other and anti-correlated with gamma power. The high-to-low-power ratio (HLR) provided a useful measure to understand LFP changes along the change of behavioural and locomotive states. The HLR during huddled conditions was lower than that during non-huddled conditions, dividing the social context into two. Multi-brain analyses of HLR indicated that the mice in the group displayed high cross-correlation. The mice in the group often showed unilateral precedence of HLR by Granger causality analysis, possibly comprising a hierarchical social structure. Overall, this study shows the importance of the social environment in brain dynamics and emphasises the simultaneous multi-brain recordings in social neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeongyoon Lee
- Brain Science Research Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42996, Republic of Korea
| | - Damhyeon Kwak
- Department of Brain Sciences, DGIST, Daegu, 42996, Republic of Korea
| | - Gwang Ung Lee
- Department of Brain Sciences, DGIST, Daegu, 42996, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Yeong Kim
- Department of Brain Sciences, DGIST, Daegu, 42996, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihoon Kim
- Department of Brain Sciences, DGIST, Daegu, 42996, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hyun Park
- Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, DGIST, Daegu, 42996, Republic of Korea
| | - Jee Hyun Choi
- Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Q Lee
- Electronics Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), Daejeon, 34129, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA.
| | - Han Kyoung Choe
- Department of Brain Sciences, DGIST, Daegu, 42996, Republic of Korea.
- Convergence Research Advanced Centre for Olfaction, DGIST, Daegu, 42996, Republic of Korea.
- Korean Brain Research Institute (KBRI), Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea.
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6
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Moran IG, Loo YY, Louca S, Young NBA, Whibley A, Withers SJ, Salloum PM, Hall ML, Stanley MC, Cain KE. Vocal convergence and social proximity shape the calls of the most basal Passeriformes, New Zealand Wrens. Commun Biol 2024; 7:575. [PMID: 38750083 PMCID: PMC11096322 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06253-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite extensive research on avian vocal learning, we still lack a general understanding of how and when this ability evolved in birds. As the closest living relatives of the earliest Passeriformes, the New Zealand wrens (Acanthisitti) hold a key phylogenetic position for furthering our understanding of the evolution of vocal learning because they share a common ancestor with two vocal learners: oscines and parrots. However, the vocal learning abilities of New Zealand wrens remain unexplored. Here, we test for the presence of prerequisite behaviors for vocal learning in one of the two extant species of New Zealand wrens, the rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris). We detect the presence of unique individual vocal signatures and show how these signatures are shaped by social proximity, as demonstrated by group vocal signatures and strong acoustic similarities among distantly related individuals in close social proximity. Further, we reveal that rifleman calls share similar phenotypic variance ratios to those previously reported in the learned vocalizations of the zebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata. Together these findings provide strong evidence that riflemen vocally converge, and though the mechanism still remains to be determined, they may also suggest that this vocal convergence is the result of rudimentary vocal learning abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines G Moran
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand.
| | - Yen Yi Loo
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Stilianos Louca
- Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, 97403-1210, OR, USA
| | - Nick B A Young
- Centre for eResearch, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Annabel Whibley
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Sarah J Withers
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Priscila M Salloum
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9016, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Michelle L Hall
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Bush Heritage Australia, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Margaret C Stanley
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Kristal E Cain
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand
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7
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Wang J, Yang Q, Liu X, Li J, Wen YL, Hu Y, Xu TL, Duan S, Xu H. The basal forebrain to lateral habenula circuitry mediates social behavioral maladaptation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4013. [PMID: 38740778 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48378-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Elucidating the neural basis of fear allows for more effective treatments for maladaptive fear often observed in psychiatric disorders. Although the basal forebrain (BF) has an essential role in fear learning, its function in fear expression and the underlying neuronal and circuit substrates are much less understood. Here we report that BF glutamatergic neurons are robustly activated by social stimulus following social fear conditioning in male mice. And cell-type-specific inhibition of those excitatory neurons largely reduces social fear expression. At the circuit level, BF glutamatergic neurons make functional contacts with the lateral habenula (LHb) neurons and these connections are potentiated in conditioned mice. Moreover, optogenetic inhibition of BF-LHb glutamatergic pathway significantly reduces social fear responses. These data unravel an important function of the BF in fear expression via its glutamatergic projection onto the LHb, and suggest that selective targeting BF-LHb excitatory circuitry could alleviate maladaptive fear in relevant disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Psychiatry of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Nanhu Brain-computer Interface Institute, Hangzhou, 311100, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, 311121, China.
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Psychiatry of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xue Liu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Psychiatry of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Psychiatry of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Ya-Lan Wen
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Psychiatry of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yuzheng Hu
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Tian-Le Xu
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Shumin Duan
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Psychiatry of the 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, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Han Xu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Psychiatry of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Nanhu Brain-computer Interface Institute, Hangzhou, 311100, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, 311121, China.
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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8
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Fang S, Luo Z, Wei Z, Qin Y, Zheng J, Zhang H, Jin J, Li J, Miao C, Yang S, Li Y, Liang Z, Yu XD, Zhang XM, Xiong W, Zhu H, Gan WB, Huang L, Li B. Sexually dimorphic control of affective state processing and empathic behaviors. Neuron 2024; 112:1498-1517.e8. [PMID: 38430912 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.02.001] [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: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Recognizing the affective states of social counterparts and responding appropriately fosters successful social interactions. However, little is known about how the affective states are expressed and perceived and how they influence social decisions. Here, we show that male and female mice emit distinct olfactory cues after experiencing distress. These cues activate distinct neural circuits in the piriform cortex (PiC) and evoke sexually dimorphic empathic behaviors in observers. Specifically, the PiC → PrL pathway is activated in female observers, inducing a social preference for the distressed counterpart. Conversely, the PiC → MeA pathway is activated in male observers, evoking excessive self-grooming behaviors. These pathways originate from non-overlapping PiC neuron populations with distinct gene expression signatures regulated by transcription factors and sex hormones. Our study unveils how internal states of social counterparts are processed through sexually dimorphic mechanisms at the molecular, cellular, and circuit levels and offers insights into the neural mechanisms underpinning sex differences in higher brain functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunchang Fang
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zhengyi Luo
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zicheng Wei
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yuxin Qin
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jieyan Zheng
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Hongyang Zhang
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jianhua Jin
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jiali Li
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Chenjian Miao
- Institute on Aging, Hefei, China and Brain Disorders, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Shana Yang
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yonglin Li
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zirui Liang
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiao-Dan Yu
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiao Min Zhang
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Institute on Aging, Hefei, China and Brain Disorders, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Hongying Zhu
- Institute on Aging, Hefei, China and Brain Disorders, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | | | - Lianyan Huang
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Key Laboratory of Human Microbiome and Chronic Diseases (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510655, China.
| | - Boxing Li
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Advanced Medical Technology Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Key Laboratory of Human Microbiome and Chronic Diseases (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510655, China.
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9
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O'Connor AM, Hagenauer MH, Forrester LCT, Maras PM, Arakawa K, Hebda-Bauer EK, Khalil H, Richardson ER, Rob FI, Sannah Y, Watson SJ, Akil H. Adolescent environmental enrichment induces social resilience and alters neural gene expression in a selectively bred rodent model with anxious phenotype. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.03.560702. [PMID: 38645129 PMCID: PMC11030238 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.03.560702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Stress is a major influence on mental health status; the ways that individuals respond to or copes with stressors determine whether they are negatively affected in the future. Stress responses are established by an interplay between genetics, environment, and life experiences. Psychosocial stress is particularly impactful during adolescence, a critical period for the development of mood disorders. In this study we compared two established, selectively-bred Sprague Dawley rat lines, the "internalizing" bred Low Responder (bLR) line versus the "externalizing" bred High Responder (bHR) line, to investigate how genetic temperament and adolescent environment impact future responses to social interactions and psychosocial stress, and how these determinants of stress response interact. Male bLR and bHR rats were exposed to social and environmental enrichment in adolescence prior to experiencing social defeat and were then assessed for social interaction and anxiety-like behavior. Adolescent enrichment caused rats to display more social interaction, as well as nominally less social avoidance, less submission during defeat, and resilience to the effects of social stress on corticosterone, in a manner that seemed more notable in bLRs. For bHRs, enrichment also caused greater aggression during a neutral social encounter and nominally during defeat, and decreased anxiety-like behavior. To explore the neurobiology underlying the development of social resilience in the anxious phenotype bLRs, RNA-seq was conducted on the hippocampus and nucleus accumbens, two brain regions that mediate stress regulation and social behavior. Gene sets previously associated with stress, social behavior, aggression and exploratory activity were enriched with differential expression in both regions, with a particularly large effect on gene sets that regulate social behaviors. Our findings provide further evidence that adolescent enrichment can serve as an inoculating experience against future stressors. The ability to induce social resilience in a usually anxious line of animals by manipulating their environment has translational implications, as it underscores the feasibility of intervention strategies targeted at genetically vulnerable adolescent populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Huda Akil
- Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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10
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Huang J, Zhang YY, Qiu YY, Yao S, Qiu WT, Peng JL, Li YQ, You QL, Wu CH, Wu EJ, Wang J, Zhou YL, Ning YP, Wang HS, Chen WB, Hu BJ, Liu Y, Sun XD. NRG1-ErbB4 signaling in the medial amygdala controls mating motivation in adult male mice. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113905. [PMID: 38446660 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113905] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Motivation-driven mating is a basic affair for the maintenance of species. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms that control mating motivation are not fully understood. Here, we report that NRG1-ErbB4 signaling in the medial amygdala (MeA) is pivotal in regulating mating motivation. NRG1 expression in the MeA negatively correlates with the mating motivation levels in adult male mice. Local injection and knockdown of MeA NRG1 reduce and promote mating motivation, respectively. Consistently, knockdown of MeA ErbB4, a major receptor for NRG1, and genetic inactivation of its kinase both promote mating motivation. ErbB4 deletion decreases neuronal excitability, whereas chemogenetic manipulations of ErbB4-positive neuronal activities bidirectionally modulate mating motivation. We also identify that the effects of NRG1-ErbB4 signaling on neuronal excitability and mating motivation rely on hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 3. This study reveals a critical molecular mechanism for regulating mating motivation in adult male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan-Yan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, and Emergency Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Yang Qiu
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, and Emergency Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shan Yao
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, and Emergency Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wan-Ting Qiu
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, and Emergency Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin-Lin Peng
- Guangzhou Medical University-Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health (GMU-GIBH) Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan-Quan Li
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Qingyuan Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Qiang-Long You
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, and Emergency Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cui-Hong Wu
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, and Emergency Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Er-Jian Wu
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, and Emergency Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Physiology, Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou, China
| | - Yan-Ling Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Ping Ning
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong-Sheng Wang
- Songjiang Research Institute, Shanghai Songjiang District Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Bing Chen
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, and Emergency Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bing-Jie Hu
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, and Emergency Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Youtan Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Xiang-Dong Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China; Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Psychiatric Disorders, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine for Qingzhi Diseases, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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11
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Zhao H, Jiang X, Ma M, Xing L, Ji X, Pan Y. A neural pathway for social modulation of spontaneous locomotor activity (SoMo-SLA) in Drosophila. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2314393121. [PMID: 38394240 PMCID: PMC10907233 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2314393121] [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: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Social enrichment or social isolation affects a range of innate behaviors, such as sex, aggression, and sleep, but whether there is a shared mechanism is not clear. Here, we report a neural mechanism underlying social modulation of spontaneous locomotor activity (SoMo-SLA), an internal-driven behavior indicative of internal states. We find that social enrichment specifically reduces spontaneous locomotor activity in male flies. We identify neuropeptides Diuretic hormone 44 (DH44) and Tachykinin (TK) to be up- and down-regulated by social enrichment and necessary for SoMo-SLA. We further demonstrate a sexually dimorphic neural circuit, in which the male-specific P1 neurons encoding internal states form positive feedback with interneurons coexpressing doublesex (dsx) and Tk to promote locomotion, while P1 neurons also form negative feedback with interneurons coexpressing dsx and DH44 to inhibit locomotion. These two opposing neuromodulatory recurrent circuits represent a potentially common mechanism that underlies the social regulation of multiple innate behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing210096, China
| | - Xinyu Jiang
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing210096, China
| | - Mingze Ma
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing210096, China
| | - Limin Xing
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing210096, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Ji
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing210096, China
| | - Yufeng Pan
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing210096, China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong226019, China
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12
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Wagner S, Maroun M. A Better PIL to Swallow: A Thalamic Node in the Social Brain Network. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 95:97-99. [PMID: 38092468 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shlomo Wagner
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel; The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Mouna Maroun
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel; The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
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13
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Chen Y, Chien J, Dai B, Lin D, Chen ZS. Identifying behavioral links to neural dynamics of multifiber photometry recordings in a mouse social behavior network. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.25.573308. [PMID: 38234793 PMCID: PMC10793434 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.25.573308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Distributed hypothalamic-midbrain neural circuits orchestrate complex behavioral responses during social interactions. How population-averaged neural activity measured by multi-fiber photometry (MFP) for calcium fluorescence signals correlates with social behaviors is a fundamental question. We propose a state-space analysis framework to characterize mouse MFP data based on dynamic latent variable models, which include continuous-state linear dynamical system (LDS) and discrete-state hidden semi-Markov model (HSMM). We validate these models on extensive MFP recordings during aggressive and mating behaviors in male-male and male-female interactions, respectively. Our results show that these models are capable of capturing both temporal behavioral structure and associated neural states. Overall, these analysis approaches provide an unbiased strategy to examine neural dynamics underlying social behaviors and reveals mechanistic insights into the relevant networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibo Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Program in Artificial Intelligence, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jonathan Chien
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bing Dai
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dayu Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zhe Sage Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY, USA
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14
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Mohapatra AN, Peles D, Netser S, Wagner S. Synchronized LFP rhythmicity in the social brain reflects the context of social encounters. Commun Biol 2024; 7:2. [PMID: 38168971 PMCID: PMC10761981 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05728-8] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Mammalian social behavior is highly context-sensitive. Yet, little is known about the mechanisms that modulate social behavior according to its context. Recent studies have revealed a network of mostly limbic brain regions which regulates social behavior. We hypothesize that coherent theta and gamma rhythms reflect the organization of this network into functional sub-networks in a context-dependent manner. To test this concept, we simultaneously record local field potential (LFP) from multiple social brain regions in adult male mice performing three social discrimination tasks. While LFP rhythmicity across all tasks is dominated by a global internal state, the pattern of theta coherence between the various regions reflect the behavioral task more than other variables. Moreover, Granger causality analysis implicate the ventral dentate gyrus as a main player in coordinating the context-specific rhythmic activity. Thus, our results suggest that the pattern of coordinated rhythmic activity within the network reflects the subject's social context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alok Nath Mohapatra
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, POB. 3338, Haifa, 3103301, Israel.
| | - David Peles
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, POB. 3338, Haifa, 3103301, Israel
| | - Shai Netser
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, POB. 3338, Haifa, 3103301, Israel
| | - Shlomo Wagner
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, POB. 3338, Haifa, 3103301, Israel
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15
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Ai H, Li M, Fang W, Wang X, Liu X, Wu L, Zhang B, Lu W. Disruption of Cdk5-GluN2B complex by a small interfering peptide attenuates social isolation-induced escalated intermale attack behavior and hippocampal oxidative stress in mice. Free Radic Biol Med 2024; 210:54-64. [PMID: 37979890 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Social isolation has emerged as a significant issue during the COVID-19 pandemic that can adversely impact human mental health and potentially lead to pathological aggression. Given the lack of effective therapeutic interventions for aggressive behavior, alternative approaches are necessary. In this study, we utilized a genetic method combined with a pharmacological approach to identify and demonstrate the crucial role of Cdk5 in escalated intermale attack behavior induced by 2-week social isolation. Moreover, we developed a small peptide that effectively disrupts the interaction between Cdk5 and GluN2B, given the known involvement of this complex in various neuropsychiatric disorders. Administration of the peptide, either systemically or via intrahippocampal injection, significantly reduced oxidative stress in the hippocampus and attenuated intermale attack behavior induced by 2-week social isolation. These findings highlight the previously unknown role of the hippocampal Cdk5-GluN2B complex in social isolation-induced aggressive behavior in mice and propose the peptide as a promising therapeutic strategy for regulating attack behavior and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Ai
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Minghao Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weiqing Fang
- Department of Pharmacy, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xuemeng Wang
- Department of the First Clinical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Xinxin Liu
- Department of the First Clinical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Lihui Wu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, China.
| | - Wen Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China.
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16
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Lischinsky JE, Yin L, Shi C, Prakash N, Burke J, Shekaran G, Grba M, Corbin JG, Lin D. Transcriptionally defined amygdala subpopulations play distinct roles in innate social behaviors. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:2131-2146. [PMID: 37946049 PMCID: PMC10689240 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01475-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Social behaviors are innate and supported by dedicated neural circuits, but the molecular identities of these circuits and how they are established developmentally and shaped by experience remain unclear. Here we show that medial amygdala (MeA) cells originating from two embryonically parcellated developmental lineages have distinct response patterns and functions in social behavior in male mice. MeA cells expressing the transcription factor Foxp2 (MeAFoxp2) are specialized for processing male conspecific cues and are essential for adult inter-male aggression. By contrast, MeA cells derived from the Dbx1 lineage (MeADbx1) respond broadly to social cues, respond strongly during ejaculation and are not essential for male aggression. Furthermore, MeAFoxp2 and MeADbx1 cells show differential anatomical and functional connectivity. Altogether, our results suggest a developmentally hardwired aggression circuit at the MeA level and a lineage-based circuit organization by which a cell's embryonic transcription factor profile determines its social information representation and behavioral relevance during adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieta E Lischinsky
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Luping Yin
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chenxi Shi
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Hunter College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nandkishore Prakash
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jared Burke
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Govind Shekaran
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria Grba
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joshua G Corbin
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Dayu Lin
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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17
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Menon R, Neumann ID. Detection, processing and reinforcement of social cues: regulation by the oxytocin system. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:761-777. [PMID: 37891399 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00759-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Many social behaviours are evolutionarily conserved and are essential for the healthy development of an individual. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) is crucial for the fine-tuned regulation of social interactions in mammals. The advent and application of state-of-the-art methodological approaches that allow the activity of neuronal circuits involving OXT to be monitored and functionally manipulated in laboratory mammals have deepened our understanding of the roles of OXT in these behaviours. In this Review, we discuss how OXT promotes the sensory detection and evaluation of social cues, the subsequent approach and display of social behaviour, and the rewarding consequences of social interactions in selected reproductive and non-reproductive social behaviours. Social stressors - such as social isolation, exposure to social defeat or social trauma, and partner loss - are often paralleled by maladaptations of the OXT system, and restoring OXT system functioning can reinstate socio-emotional allostasis. Thus, the OXT system acts as a dynamic mediator of appropriate behavioural adaptations to environmental challenges by enhancing and reinforcing social salience and buffering social stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Menon
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Inga D Neumann
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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18
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Troconis EL, Seo C, Guru A, Warden MR. Serotonin neurons in mating female mice are activated by male ejaculation. Curr Biol 2023; 33:4926-4936.e4. [PMID: 37865094 PMCID: PMC10901455 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.09.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Sexual stimulation triggers changes in female physiology and behavior, including sexual satiety and preparing the uterus for pregnancy. Serotonin (5-HT) is an important regulator of reproductive physiology and sexual receptivity, but the relationship between sexual stimulation and 5-HT neural activity in females is poorly understood. Here, we investigated dorsal raphe 5-HT neural activity in female mice during sexual behavior. We found that 5-HT neural activity in mating females peaked specifically upon male ejaculation and remained elevated above baseline until disengagement. Artificial intravaginal mechanical stimulation was sufficient to elicit increased 5-HT neural activity but the delivery of ejaculatory fluids was not. Distal penis expansion ("penile cupping") at ejaculation and forceful expulsion of ejaculatory fluid each provided sufficient mechanical stimulation to elicit 5-HT neuron activation. Our study identifies a female ejaculation-specific signal in a major neuromodulatory system and shows that intravaginal mechanosensory stimulation is necessary and sufficient to drive this signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen L Troconis
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Changwoo Seo
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Cornell Neurotech, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Akash Guru
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Cornell Neurotech, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Melissa R Warden
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Cornell Neurotech, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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19
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Arizanovska D, Emodogo JA, Lally AP, Palavicino-Maggio CB, Liebl DJ, Folorunso OO. Cross species review of the physiological role of D-serine in translationally relevant behaviors. Amino Acids 2023; 55:1501-1517. [PMID: 37833512 PMCID: PMC10689556 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-023-03338-6] [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: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Bridging the gap between preclinical models of neurological and psychiatric disorders with their human manifestations is necessary to understand their underlying mechanisms, identify biomarkers, and develop novel therapeutics. Cognitive and social impairments underlie multiple neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders and are often comorbid with sleep disturbances, which can exacerbate poor outcomes. Importantly, many symptoms are conserved between vertebrates and invertebrates, although they may have subtle differences. Therefore, it is essential to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying these behaviors across different species and their translatability to humans. Genome-wide association studies have indicated an association between glutamatergic gene variants and both the risk and frequency of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. For example, changes in glutamatergic neurotransmission, such as glutamate receptor subtype N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction, have been shown to contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Furthermore, in neurological disorders, such as traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer's disease, hyperactivation of NMDARs leads to synaptic damage. In addition to glutamate binding, NMDARs require the binding of a co-agonist D-serine or glycine to the GluN1 subunit to open. D-serine, which is racemized from L-serine by the neuronal enzyme serine racemase (SRR), and both SRR and D-serine are enriched in cortico-limbic brain regions. D-serine is critical for complex behaviors, such as cognition and social behavior, where dysregulation of its synthesis and release has been implicated in many pathological conditions. In this review, we explore the role of D-serine in behaviors that are translationally relevant to multiple psychiatric and neurological disorders in different models across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dena Arizanovska
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jada A Emodogo
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Anna P Lally
- Translational Neuroscience Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Caroline B Palavicino-Maggio
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Neurobiological Mechanisms of Aggression Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Daniel J Liebl
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Oluwarotimi O Folorunso
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA.
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20
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Zada D, Schulze L, Yu JH, Tarabishi P, Napoli JL, Lovett-Barron M. Development of neural circuits for social motion perception in schooling fish. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.25.563839. [PMID: 37961196 PMCID: PMC10634817 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.25.563839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Many animals move in groups, where collective behavior emerges from the interactions amongst individuals. These social interactions produce the coordinated movements of bird flocks and fish schools, but little is known about their developmental emergence and neurobiological foundations. By characterizing the visually-based schooling behavior of the micro glassfish Danionella cerebrum, here we found that social development progresses sequentially, with animals first acquiring the ability to aggregate, followed by postural alignment with social partners. This social maturation was accompanied by the development of neural populations in the midbrain and forebrain that were preferentially driven by visual stimuli that resemble the shape and movements of schooling fish. The development of these neural circuits enables the social coordination required for collective movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Zada
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Biological Sciences. University of California, San Diego. La Jolla, CA, USA 92093
| | - Lisanne Schulze
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Biological Sciences. University of California, San Diego. La Jolla, CA, USA 92093
| | - Jo-Hsien Yu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Biological Sciences. University of California, San Diego. La Jolla, CA, USA 92093
| | - Princess Tarabishi
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Biological Sciences. University of California, San Diego. La Jolla, CA, USA 92093
| | - Julia L Napoli
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Biological Sciences. University of California, San Diego. La Jolla, CA, USA 92093
| | - Matthew Lovett-Barron
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Biological Sciences. University of California, San Diego. La Jolla, CA, USA 92093
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21
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Mei L, Osakada T, Lin D. Hypothalamic control of innate social behaviors. Science 2023; 382:399-404. [PMID: 37883550 PMCID: PMC11105421 DOI: 10.1126/science.adh8489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Sexual, parental, and aggressive behaviors are central to the reproductive success of individuals and species survival and thus are supported by hardwired neural circuits. The reproductive behavior control column (RBCC), which comprises the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN), the ventrolateral part of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHvl), and the ventral premammillary nucleus (PMv), is essential for all social behaviors. The RBCC integrates diverse hormonal and metabolic cues and adjusts an animal's physical activity, hence the chance of social encounters. The RBCC further engages the mesolimbic dopamine system to maintain social interest and reinforces cues and actions that are time-locked with social behaviors. We propose that the RBCC and brainstem form a dual-control system for generating moment-to-moment social actions. This Review summarizes recent progress regarding the identities of RBCC cells and their pathways that drive different aspects of social behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Mei
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Takuya Osakada
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Dayu Lin
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
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22
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Li M, Lv X, Li T, Cui C, Yang X, Peng X, Lei J, Yang J, Ren K, Luo G, Shi Y, Yao Y, Tian B, Zhang P. Basolateral Amygdala Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor Controls Formation and Elimination of Social Fear Memory. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:3674-3685. [PMID: 37718490 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00297] [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] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) usually manifest persistence of the traumatic memory for a long time after the event, also known as resistance to extinction learning. Numerous studies have shown that the endocannabinoid system, specifically the cannabinoid type-1 receptor (CB1R), plays an important role in traumatic memory. However, the effect of basolateral amygdala (BLA) CB1R in social fear memory formation and elimination is still unclear. Here, we built a mouse model of social avoidance induced by acute social defeat stress to investigate the role of BLA CB1R in social fear memory formation and anxiety- and depression-like behavior. Anterograde knockout of CB1R in BLA neurons facilitates social fear memory formation and manifests an anxiolytic effect but does not influence sociability and social novelty. Retrograde knockout of CB1R in BLA promotes social fear memory formation and shows an anxiogenic effect but does not affect sociability and social novelty. Moreover, intracerebral injection of the CB1R antagonist AM251 in BLA during the memory reconsolidation time window eliminates social fear memory. Our findings suggest the CB1R of BLA can be used as a novel molecular target in social fear memory formation and elimination and potential PTSD therapy with memory retrieval and AM251.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P. R. China
| | - Xinyuan Lv
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P. R. China
| | - Tongxia Li
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P. R. China
| | - Chi Cui
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P. R. China
| | - Xueke Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P. R. China
| | - Xiang Peng
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P. R. China
| | - Jie Lei
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P. R. China
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P. R. China
| | - Kun Ren
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P. R. China
| | - Gangan Luo
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P. R. China
| | - Yulong Shi
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P. R. China
| | - Yibo Yao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P. R. China
| | - Bo Tian
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P. R. China
- Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P. R. China
| | - Pei Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P. R. China
- Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P. R. China
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23
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Cropper EC, Perkins M, Jing J. Persistent modulatory actions and task switching in the feeding network of Aplysia. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 82:102775. [PMID: 37625344 PMCID: PMC10530010 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The activity of multifunctional networks is configured by neuromodulators that exert persistent effects. This raises a question, does this impact the ability of a network to switch from one type of activity to another? We review studies that have addressed this question in the Aplysia feeding circuit. Task switching in this system occurs "asymmetrically." When there is a switch from egestion to ingestion neuromodulation impedes switching (creates a "negative bias"). When there is a switch from ingestion to egestion the biasing is "positive." Ingestion promotes subsequent egestion. We contrast mechanisms responsible for the two types of biasing and show that the observed asymmetry is a consequence of the fact that there is more than one set of egestive circuit parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C Cropper
- Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA.
| | - Matthew Perkins
- Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jian Jing
- Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA; State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute for Brain Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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24
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Li C, Kühn NK, Alkislar I, Sans-Dublanc A, Zemmouri F, Paesmans S, Calzoni A, Ooms F, Reinhard K, Farrow K. Pathway-specific inputs to the superior colliculus support flexible responses to visual threat. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade3874. [PMID: 37647395 PMCID: PMC10468139 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade3874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral flexibility requires directing feedforward sensory information to appropriate targets. In the superior colliculus, divergent outputs orchestrate different responses to visual threats, but the circuit organization enabling the flexible routing of sensory information remains unknown. To determine this structure, we focused on inhibitory projection (Gad2) neurons. Trans-synaptic tracing and neuronal recordings revealed that Gad2 neurons projecting to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and the parabigeminal nucleus (PBG) form two separate populations, each receiving a different set of non-retinal inputs. Inhibiting the LGN- or PBG-projecting Gad2 neurons resulted in opposing effects on behavior; increasing freezing or escape probability to visual looming, respectively. Optogenetic activation of selected inputs to the LGN- and PBG-projecting Gad2 cells predictably regulated responses to visual threat. These data suggest that projection-specific sampling of brain-wide inputs provides a circuit design principle that enables visual inputs to be selectively routed to produce context-specific behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Li
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Norma K. Kühn
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ilayda Alkislar
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Arnau Sans-Dublanc
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Firdaouss Zemmouri
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical, and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Soraya Paesmans
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alex Calzoni
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frédérique Ooms
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Imec, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katja Reinhard
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karl Farrow
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Imec, Leuven, Belgium
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25
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Troconis EL, Seo C, Guru A, Warden MR. Serotonin neurons in mating female mice are activated by male ejaculation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.14.540716. [PMID: 37645786 PMCID: PMC10461921 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.14.540716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Sexual stimulation triggers changes in female physiology and behavior, including sexual satiety and preparing the uterus for pregnancy. Serotonin is an important regulator of reproductive physiology and sexual receptivity, but the relationship between sexual stimulation and serotonin neural activity in females is poorly understood. Here, we investigated dorsal raphe serotonin neural activity in females during sexual behavior. We found that serotonin neural activity in mating females peaked specifically upon male ejaculation, and remained elevated above baseline until disengagement. Artificial intravaginal mechanical stimulation was sufficient to elicit increased 5-HT neural activity but the delivery of ejaculatory fluids was not. Distal penis erectile enlargement ("penile cupping") at ejaculation and forceful expulsion of ejaculatory fluid each provided sufficient mechanical stimulation to elicit serotonin neuron activation. Our study identifies a female ejaculation-specific signal in a major neuromodulatory system and shows that intravaginal mechanosensory stimulation is necessary and sufficient to drive this signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen L. Troconis
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
| | - Changwoo Seo
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
- Cornell Neurotech, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
| | - Akash Guru
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
- Cornell Neurotech, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
| | - Melissa R. Warden
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
- Cornell Neurotech, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
- Lead Contact
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26
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Zhao P, Chen X, Bellafard A, Murugesan A, Quan J, Aharoni D, Golshani P. Accelerated social representational drift in the nucleus accumbens in a model of autism. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.05.552133. [PMID: 37577515 PMCID: PMC10418509 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.05.552133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Impaired social interaction is one of the core deficits of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and may result from social interactions being less rewarding. How the nucleus accumbens (NAc), as a key hub of reward circuitry, encodes social interaction and whether these representations are altered in ASD remain poorly understood. We identified NAc ensembles encoding social interactions by calcium imaging using miniaturized microscopy. NAc population activity, specifically D1 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) activity, predicted social interaction epochs. Despite a high turnover of NAc neurons modulated by social interaction, we found a stable population code for social interaction in NAc which was dramatically degraded in Cntnap2-/- mouse model of ASD. Surprisingly, non-specific optogenetic inhibition of NAc core neurons increased social interaction time and significantly improved sociability in Cntnap2-/- mice. Inhibition of D1- or D2-MSNs showed reciprocal effects, with D1 inhibition decreasing social interaction and D2 inhibition increasing interaction. Therefore, social interactions are preferentially, specifically and dynamically encoded by NAc neurons and social representations are degraded in this autism model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingping Zhao
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xing Chen
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Arash Bellafard
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Avaneesh Murugesan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan Quan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Aharoni
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Peyman Golshani
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- West Los Angeles Veteran Affairs Medical Center; Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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27
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Sato M, Nakai N, Fujima S, Choe KY, Takumi T. Social circuits and their dysfunction in autism spectrum disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3194-3206. [PMID: 37612363 PMCID: PMC10618103 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02201-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Social behaviors, how individuals act cooperatively and competitively with conspecifics, are widely seen across species. Rodents display various social behaviors, and many different behavioral paradigms have been used for investigating their neural circuit bases. Social behavior is highly vulnerable to brain network dysfunction caused by neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Studying mouse models of ASD provides a promising avenue toward elucidating mechanisms of abnormal social behavior and potential therapeutic targets for treatment. In this review, we outline recent progress and key findings on neural circuit mechanisms underlying social behavior, with particular emphasis on rodent studies that monitor and manipulate the activity of specific circuits using modern systems neuroscience approaches. Social behavior is mediated by a distributed brain-wide network among major cortical (e.g., medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), anterior cingulate cortex, and insular cortex (IC)) and subcortical (e.g., nucleus accumbens, basolateral amygdala (BLA), and ventral tegmental area) structures, influenced by multiple neuromodulatory systems (e.g., oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin). We particularly draw special attention to IC as a unique cortical area that mediates multisensory integration, encoding of ongoing social interaction, social decision-making, emotion, and empathy. Additionally, a synthesis of studies investigating ASD mouse models demonstrates that dysfunctions in mPFC-BLA circuitry and neuromodulation are prominent. Pharmacological rescues by local or systemic (e.g., oral) administration of various drugs have provided valuable clues for developing new therapeutic agents for ASD. Future efforts and technological advances will push forward the next frontiers in this field, such as the elucidation of brain-wide network activity and inter-brain neural dynamics during real and virtual social interactions, and the establishment of circuit-based therapy for disorders affecting social functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaaki Sato
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Kita, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Nakai
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Shuhei Fujima
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Katrina Y Choe
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Toru Takumi
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan.
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Chuo, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan.
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28
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Yu ZX, Zha X, Xu XH. Estrogen-responsive neural circuits governing male and female mating behavior in mice. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 81:102749. [PMID: 37421660 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Decades of knockout analyses have highlighted the crucial involvement of estrogen receptors and downstream genes in controlling mating behaviors. More recently, advancements in neural circuit research have unveiled a distributed subcortical network comprising estrogen-receptor or estrogen-synthesis-enzyme-expressing cells that transforms sensory inputs into sex-specific mating actions. This review provides an overview of the latest discoveries on estrogen-responsive neurons in various brain regions and the associated neural circuits that govern different aspects of male and female mating actions in mice. By contextualizing these findings within previous knockout studies of estrogen receptors, we emphasize the emerging field of "circuit genetics", where identifying mating behavior-related neural circuits may allow for a more precise evaluation of gene functions within these circuits. Such investigations will enable a deeper understanding of how hormone fluctuation, acting through estrogen receptors and downstream genes, influences the connectivity and activity of neural circuits, ultimately impacting the manifestation of innate mating actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Xian Yu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xi Zha
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xiao-Hong Xu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 200031, China.
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29
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Dawson M, Terstege DJ, Jamani N, Tsutsui M, Pavlov D, Bugescu R, Epp JR, Leinninger GM, Sargin D. Hypocretin/orexin neurons encode social discrimination and exhibit a sex-dependent necessity for social interaction. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112815. [PMID: 37459234 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in the modulation of social behavior by encoding internal states. The hypothalamic hypocretin/orexin neurons, initially identified as regulators of sleep and appetite, are important for emotional and motivated behaviors. However, their role in social behavior remains unclear. Using fiber photometry and behavioral analysis, we show here that hypocretin neurons differentially encode social discrimination based on the nature of social encounters. The optogenetic inhibition of hypocretin neuron activity or blocking of hcrt-1 receptors reduces the amount of time mice are engaged in social interaction in males but not in females. Reduced hcrt-1 receptor signaling during social interaction is associated with altered activity in the insular cortex and ventral tegmental area in males. Our data implicating hypocretin neurons as sexually dimorphic regulators within social networks have significant implications for the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases with social dysfunction, particularly considering varying prevalence among sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Dawson
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Dylan J Terstege
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Naila Jamani
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Mio Tsutsui
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Dmitrii Pavlov
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Raluca Bugescu
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Jonathan R Epp
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Gina M Leinninger
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Derya Sargin
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
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30
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McCarthy MM. Neural Control of Sexually Dimorphic Social Behavior: Connecting Development to Adulthood. Annu Rev Neurosci 2023; 46:321-339. [PMID: 37001242 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-121522-110856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Rapid advances in the neural control of social behavior highlight the role of interconnected nodes engaged in differential information processing to generate behavior. Many innate social behaviors are essential to reproductive fitness and therefore fundamentally different in males and females. Programming these differences occurs early in development in mammals, following gonadal differentiation and copious androgen production by the fetal testis during a critical period. Early-life programming of social behavior and its adult manifestation are separate but yoked processes, yet how they are linked is unknown. This review seeks to highlight that gap by identifying four core mechanisms (epigenetics, cell death, circuit formation, and adult hormonal modulation) that could connect developmental changes to the adult behaviors of mating and aggression. We further propose that a unique social behavior, adolescent play, bridges the preweaning to the postpubertal brain by engaging the same neural networks underpinning adult reproductive and aggressive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret M McCarthy
- Department of Pharmacology and Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA;
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31
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Scott R, Aubry A, Cuttoli RDD, Rachel FF, Lyonna P, Cathomas F, Burnett C, Yang Y, Yuan C, Lablanca A, Chan K, Lin HY, Froemke R, Li L. A critical role for cortical amygdala circuitry in shaping social encounters. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3015820. [PMID: 37461537 PMCID: PMC10350173 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3015820/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Aggression is an evolutionarily conserved behavior that controls social hierarchies and protects valuable resources like mates, food, and territory. In mice, aggressive behaviour can be broken down into an appetitive phase, which involves approach and investigation, and a consummatory phase, which involves biting, kicking, and wrestling. By performing an unsupervised weighted correlation network analysis on whole-brain c-Fos expression, we identified a cluster of brain regions including hypothalamic and amygdalar sub-regions and olfactory cortical regions highly co-activated in male, but not female aggressors (AGG). The posterolateral cortical amygdala (COApl), an extended olfactory structure, was found to be a hub region based on the number and strength of correlations with other regions in the cluster. Our data further show that estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1)-expressing cells in the COApl exhibit increased activity during attack behaviour, and during bouts of investigation which precede an attack, in male mice only. Chemogenetic or optogenetic inhibition of COApl ESR1 cells in AGG males reduces aggression and increases pro-social investigation without affecting social reward/reinforcement behavior. We further confirmed that COApl ESR1 projections to the ventrolateral portion of the ventromedial hypothalamus and central amygdala are necessary for these behaviours. Collectively, these data suggest that in aggressive males, COApl ESR1 cells respond specifically to social stimuli, thereby enhancing their salience and promoting attack behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - C Burnett
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Long Li
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
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32
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Bordes J, Miranda L, Müller-Myhsok B, Schmidt MV. Advancing social behavioral neuroscience by integrating ethology and comparative psychology methods through machine learning. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 151:105243. [PMID: 37225062 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Social behavior is naturally occurring in vertebrate species, which holds a strong evolutionary component and is crucial for the normal development and survival of individuals throughout life. Behavioral neuroscience has seen different influential methods for social behavioral phenotyping. The ethological research approach has extensively investigated social behavior in natural habitats, while the comparative psychology approach was developed utilizing standardized and univariate social behavioral tests. The development of advanced and precise tracking tools, together with post-tracking analysis packages, has recently enabled a novel behavioral phenotyping method, that includes the strengths of both approaches. The implementation of such methods will be beneficial for fundamental social behavioral research but will also enable an increased understanding of the influences of many different factors that can influence social behavior, such as stress exposure. Furthermore, future research will increase the number of data modalities, such as sensory, physiological, and neuronal activity data, and will thereby significantly enhance our understanding of the biological basis of social behavior and guide intervention strategies for behavioral abnormalities in psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joeri Bordes
- Research Group Neurobiology of Stress Resilience, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Lucas Miranda
- Research Group Statistical Genetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany; International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Bertram Müller-Myhsok
- Research Group Statistical Genetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Mathias V Schmidt
- Research Group Neurobiology of Stress Resilience, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
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33
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Yin L, Lin D. Neural control of female sexual behaviors. Horm Behav 2023; 151:105339. [PMID: 36878049 PMCID: PMC10133197 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105339] [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: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Reproduction is the biological process by which new individuals are produced by their parents. It is the fundamental feature of all known life and is required for the existence of all species. All mammals reproduce sexually, a process that involves the union of two reproductive cells, one from a male and one from a female. Sexual behaviors are a series of actions leading to reproduction. They are composed of appetitive, action, and refractory phases, each supported by dedicated developmentally-wired neural circuits to ensure high reproduction success. In rodents, successful reproduction can only occur during female ovulation. Thus, female sexual behavior is tightly coupled with ovarian activity, namely the estrous cycle. This is achieved through the close interaction between the female sexual behavior circuit and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. In this review, we will summarize our current understanding, learned mainly in rodents, regarding the neural circuits underlying each phase of the female sexual behaviors and their interaction with the HPG axis, highlighting the gaps in our knowledge that require future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luping Yin
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Dayu Lin
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
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Kietzman HW, Gourley SL. How social information impacts action in rodents and humans: the role of the prefrontal cortex and its connections. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 147:105075. [PMID: 36736847 PMCID: PMC10026261 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105075] [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: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Day-to-day choices often involve social information and can be influenced by prior social experience. When making a decision in a social context, a subject might need to: 1) recognize the other individual or individuals, 2) infer their intentions and emotions, and 3) weigh the values of all outcomes, social and non-social, prior to selecting an action. These elements of social information processing all rely, to some extent, on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Patients with neuropsychiatric disorders often have disruptions in prefrontal cortical function, likely contributing to deficits in social reasoning and decision making. To better understand these deficits, researchers have turned to rodents, which have revealed prefrontal cortical mechanisms for contending with the complex information processing demands inherent to making decisions in social contexts. Here, we first review literature regarding social decision making, and the information processing underlying it, in humans and patient populations. We then turn to research in rodents, discussing current procedures for studying social decision making, and underlying neural correlates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry W Kietzman
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Emory University School of Medicine, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, USA; Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta GA 30329, USA.
| | - Shannon L Gourley
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, USA; Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta GA 30329, USA; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, USA.
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35
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Ma H, Hong WS, Chen SX. A progestin regulates the prostaglandin pathway in the neuroendocrine system in female mudskipper Boleophthalmus pectinirostris. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2023; 231:106300. [PMID: 36990161 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2023.106300] [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: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Sex hormones regulate the reproductive cycle through brain-pituitary axis, but the molecular mechanism is still enigmatic. In the reproductive season, the mudskipper Boleophthalmus pectinirostris possesses a semilunar periodicity spawning rhythm, which coincides with the semilunar periodicity variations in 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, the precursor of 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP), a sexual progestin in teleosts. In the present study, we investigated in vitro the brain transcriptional differences between DHP-treated tissues and control groups using RNA-seq. Differential expression analysis revealed that 2700 genes significantly differentially expressed, including 1532 up-regulated and 1168 down-regulated genes. The majority of prostaglandin pathway-related genes were dramatically up-regulated, especially the prostaglandin receptor 6 (ptger6). Tissue distribution analysis revealed that ptger6 gene was ubiquitously expressed. In situ hybridization results showed that ptger6, nuclear progestin receptor (pgr), and DHP-induced c-fos mRNA were co-expressed in the ventral telencephalic area, the ventral nucleus of ventral telencephalic area, the anterior part of parvocellular preoptic nucleus, the magnocellular part of magnocellular preoptic nucleus, the ventral zone of periventricular hypothalamus, the anterior tubercular nucleus, the periventricular nucleus of posterior tuberculum, and the torus longitudinalis. DHP significantly enhanced promoter activities of ptger6 via Pgr. Together, this study suggested that DHP regulates the prostaglandin pathway in the neuroendocrine system of teleost fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Wang Shu Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China; State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Shi Xi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China; State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
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Lischinsky JE, Yin L, Shi C, Prakash N, Burke J, Shekaran G, Grba M, Corbin JG, Lin D. Hardwired to attack: Transcriptionally defined amygdala subpopulations play distinct roles in innate social behaviors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.16.532692. [PMID: 36993508 PMCID: PMC10055059 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.16.532692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Social behaviors are innate and supported by dedicated neural circuits, but it remains unclear whether these circuits are developmentally hardwired or established through social experience. Here, we revealed distinct response patterns and functions in social behavior of medial amygdala (MeA) cells originating from two embryonically parcellated developmental lineages. MeA cells in male mice that express the transcription factor Foxp2 (MeAFoxp2) are specialized for processing male conspecific cues even before puberty and are essential for adult inter-male aggression. In contrast, MeA cells derived from the Dbx1-lineage (MeADbx1) respond broadly to social cues and are non-essential for male aggression. Furthermore, MeAFoxp2 and MeADbx1 cells show differential anatomical and functional connectivity. Altogether, our results support a developmentally hardwired aggression circuit at the level of the MeA and we propose a lineage-based circuit organization by which a cell's embryonic transcription factor profile determines its social information representation and behavior relevance during adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieta E Lischinsky
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Luping Yin
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chenxi Shi
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Hunter College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nandkishore Prakash
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Jared Burke
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Govind Shekaran
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria Grba
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joshua G Corbin
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Dayu Lin
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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37
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Lei H, Shu H, Xiong R, He T, Lv J, Liu J, Pi G, Ke D, Wang Q, Yang X, Wang JZ, Yang Y. Poststress social isolation exerts anxiolytic effects by activating the ventral dentate gyrus. Neurobiol Stress 2023; 24:100537. [PMID: 37081927 PMCID: PMC10112178 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
After aversive stress, people either choose to return to their previously familiar social environment or tend to adopt temporary social withdrawal to buffer negative emotions. However, which behavior intervention is more appropriate and when remain elusive. Here, we unexpectedly found that stressed mice experiencing social isolation exhibited less anxiety than those experiencing social contact. Within the first 24 h after returning to their previous social environment, mice experienced acute restraint stress (ARS) displayed low social interest but simultaneously received excessive social disturbance from their cage mates, indicating a critical time window for social isolation to balance the conflict. To screen brain regions that were differentially activated between the poststress social isolation and poststress social contact groups, we performed ΔFosB immunostaining and found that ΔFosB + signals were remarkably increased in the vDG of poststress social isolation group compared with poststress social contact group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the other anxiety- and social-related brain regions, such as prelimbic cortex, infralimbic cortex, nucleus accumbens, etc. These data indicate that vDG is closely related to the differential phenotypes between the poststress social isolation and poststress social contact groups. Electrophysiological recording, further, revealed a higher activity of vDG in the poststress social isolation group than the poststress social contact group. Chemogenetically inhibiting vDG excitatory neurons within the first 24 h after ARS completely abolished the anxiolytic effects of poststress social isolation, while stimulating vDG excitatory neurons remarkably reduced anxiety-like behaviors in the poststress social contact group. Together, these data suggest that the activity of vDG excitatory neurons is essential and sufficient to govern the anxiolytic effect of poststress social isolation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to uncover a beneficial role of temporal social isolation in acute stress-induced anxiety. In addition to the critical 24-h time window, activation of vDG is crucial for ameliorating anxiety through poststress social isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyang Lei
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Huaqing Shu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Corresponding author.
| | - Rui Xiong
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ting He
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jingru Lv
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jiale Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Guilin Pi
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Dan Ke
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qun Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xifei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 8 Longyuan Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jian-Zhi Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226000, China
- Corresponding author. Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Corresponding author.
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He LN, Chen S, Yang Q, Wu Z, Lao ZK, Tang CF, Song JJ, Liu XD, Lu J, Xu XH, Chen JJ, Xu TL, Sun S, Xu NJ. EphB2-dependent prefrontal cortex activation promotes long-range social approach and partner responsiveness. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2219952120. [PMID: 36802416 PMCID: PMC9992767 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2219952120] [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: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Social behavior starts with dynamic approach prior to the final consummation. The flexible processes ensure mutual feedback across social brains to transmit signals. However, how the brain responds to the initial social stimuli precisely to elicit timed behaviors remains elusive. Here, by using real-time calcium recording, we identify the abnormalities of EphB2 mutant with autism-associated Q858X mutation in processing long-range approach and accurate activity of prefrontal cortex (dmPFC). The EphB2-dependent dmPFC activation precedes the behavioral onset and is actively associated with subsequent social action with the partner. Furthermore, we find that partner dmPFC activity is responsive coordinately to the approaching WT mouse rather than Q858X mutant mouse, and the social defects caused by the mutation are rescued by synchro-optogenetic activation in dmPFC of paired social partners. These results thus reveal that EphB2 sustains neuronal activation in the dmPFC that is essential for the proactive modulation of social approach to initial social interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Na He
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai200062, China
- Songjiang Institute, Songjiang District Central Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai201699, China
| | - Si Chen
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai200062, China
- Songjiang Institute, Songjiang District Central Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai201699, China
| | - Qi Yang
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai200062, China
- Songjiang Institute, Songjiang District Central Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai201699, China
| | - Zheng Wu
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai200062, China
| | - Zheng-Kai Lao
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai200062, China
- Songjiang Institute, Songjiang District Central Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai201699, China
| | - Chang-Fei Tang
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai200062, China
- Songjiang Institute, Songjiang District Central Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai201699, China
| | - Jiao-Jiao Song
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai200062, China
| | - Xian-Dong Liu
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai200025, China
| | - Jiangteng Lu
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai200062, China
- Songjiang Institute, Songjiang District Central Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai201699, China
| | - Xiao-Hong Xu
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai200031, China
| | - Jin-Jin Chen
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai200062, China
| | - Tian-Le Xu
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai200062, China
- Songjiang Institute, Songjiang District Central Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai201699, China
| | - Suya Sun
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai200025, China
| | - Nan-Jie Xu
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai200062, China
- Songjiang Institute, Songjiang District Central Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai201699, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai200025, China
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai200025, China
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Zhou X, Li A, Mi X, Li Y, Ding Z, An M, Chen Y, Li W, Tao X, Chen X, Li Y. Hyperexcited limbic neurons represent sexual satiety and reduce mating motivation. Science 2023; 379:820-825. [PMID: 36758107 DOI: 10.1126/science.abl4038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Transient sexual experiences can have long-lasting effects on behavioral decisions, but the neural coding that accounts for this change is unclear. We found that the ejaculation experience selectively activated estrogen receptor 2 (Esr2)-expressing neurons in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST)-BNSTEsr2-and led to persistent decreases in firing threshold for days, during which time the mice displayed sexual satiety. Inhibition of hyperexcited BNSTEsr2 elicited fast mating recovery in satiated mice of both sexes. In males, such hyperexcitability reduced mating motivation and was partially mediated by larger HCN (hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated) currents. Thus, BNSTEsr2 not only encode a specific mating action but also represent a persistent state of sexual satiety, and alterations in a neuronal ion channel contribute to sexual experience-dependent long-term changes to mating drive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Zhou
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Ang Li
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xue Mi
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yixuan Li
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zhaoyi Ding
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Min An
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yalan Chen
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Wei Li
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xianming Tao
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xinfeng Chen
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Ying Li
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
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40
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Neural mechanism underlying depressive-like state associated with social status loss. Cell 2023; 186:560-576.e17. [PMID: 36693374 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Downward social mobility is a well-known mental risk factor for depression, but its neural mechanism remains elusive. Here, by forcing mice to lose against their subordinates in a non-violent social contest, we lower their social ranks stably and induce depressive-like behaviors. These rank-decline-associated depressive-like behaviors can be reversed by regaining social status. In vivo fiber photometry and single-unit electrophysiological recording show that forced loss, but not natural loss, generates negative reward prediction error (RPE). Through the lateral hypothalamus, the RPE strongly activates the brain's anti-reward center, the lateral habenula (LHb). LHb activation inhibits the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) that controls social competitiveness and reinforces retreats in contests. These results reveal the core neural mechanisms mutually promoting social status loss and depressive behaviors. The intertwined neuronal signaling controlling mPFC and LHb activities provides a mechanistic foundation for the crosstalk between social mobility and psychological disorder, unveiling a promising target for intervention.
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41
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Abaffy T, Lu HY, Matsunami H. Sex steroid hormone synthesis, metabolism, and the effects on the mammalian olfactory system. Cell Tissue Res 2023; 391:19-42. [PMID: 36401093 PMCID: PMC9676892 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03707-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Sex steroid hormones influence olfactory-mediated social behaviors, and it is generally hypothesized that these effects result from circulating hormones and/or neurosteroids synthesized in the brain. However, it is unclear whether sex steroid hormones are synthesized in the olfactory epithelium or the olfactory bulb, and if they can modulate the activity of the olfactory sensory neurons. Here, we review important discoveries related to the metabolism of sex steroids in the mouse olfactory epithelium and olfactory bulb, along with potential areas of future research. We summarize current knowledge regarding the expression, neuroanatomical distribution, and biological activity of the steroidogenic enzymes, sex steroid receptors, and proteins that are important to the metabolism of these hormones and reflect on their potential to influence early olfactory processing. We also review evidence related to the effects of sex steroid hormones on the development and activity of olfactory sensory neurons. By better understanding how these hormones are metabolized and how they act both at the periphery and olfactory bulb level, we can better appreciate the complexity of the olfactory system and discover potential similarities and differences in early olfactory processing between sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Abaffy
- Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Department, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710 USA
| | - Hsiu-Yi Lu
- Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Department, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710 USA
| | - Hiroaki Matsunami
- Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Department, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710 USA
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42
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Walsh JJ, Christoffel DJ, Malenka RC. Neural circuits regulating prosocial behaviors. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:79-89. [PMID: 35701550 PMCID: PMC9700801 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01348-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Positive, prosocial interactions are essential for survival, development, and well-being. These intricate and complex behaviors are mediated by an amalgamation of neural circuit mechanisms working in concert. Impairments in prosocial behaviors, which occur in a large number of neuropsychiatric disorders, result from disruption of the coordinated activity of these neural circuits. In this review, we focus our discussion on recent findings that utilize modern approaches in rodents to map, monitor, and manipulate neural circuits implicated in a variety of prosocial behaviors. We highlight how modulation by oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission in specific brain regions is critical for regulation of adaptive prosocial interactions. We then describe how recent findings have helped elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the social deficits that accompany neuropsychiatric disorders. We conclude by discussing approaches for the development of more efficacious and targeted therapeutic interventions to ameliorate aberrant prosocial behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica J Walsh
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA.
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA.
| | - Daniel J Christoffel
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - Robert C Malenka
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305-5453, USA.
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43
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Jabarin R, Dagash W, Netser S, Singh S, Paul BK, Barkai E, Wagner S. Modulation of social investigation by anterior hypothalamic nucleus rhythmic neural activity. iScience 2022; 26:105921. [PMID: 36685037 PMCID: PMC9852926 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105921] [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: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Social interactions involve both approach and avoidance toward specific individuals. Currently, the brain regions subserving these behaviors are not fully recognized. The anterior hypothalamic nucleus (AHN) is a poorly defined brain area, and recent studies have yielded contradicting conclusions regarding its behavioral role. Here we explored the role of AHN neuronal activity in regulating approach and avoidance actions during social interactions. Using electrophysiological recordings from behaving mice, we revealed that theta rhythmicity in the AHN is enhanced during affiliative interactions, but decreases during aversive ones. Moreover, the spiking activity of AHN neurons increased during the investigation of social stimuli, as compared to objects, and was modulated by theta rhythmicity. Finally, AHN optogenetic stimulation during social interactions augmented the approach toward stimuli associated with the stimulation. These results suggest the role for AHN neural activity in regulating approach behavior during social interactions, and for theta rhythmicity in mediating the valence of social stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renad Jabarin
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, the Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Wael Dagash
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, the Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Shai Netser
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, the Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Shelly Singh
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, the Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Blesson K. Paul
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, the Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Edi Barkai
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, the Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Shlomo Wagner
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, the Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel,Corresponding author
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Ma B, Shan X, Yu J, Zhu T, Li R, Lv H, Cheng H, Zhang T, Wang L, Wei F, Meng B, Yuan X, Mei B, Zhang XY, Li WG, Li F. Social deficits via dysregulated Rac1-dependent excitability control of prefrontal cortical neurons and increased GABA/glutamate ratios. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111722. [PMID: 36450249 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111722] [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: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying symptom-specific convergent mechanisms for neurodevelopmental disorders is a promising strategy in advancing therapies. Here, we show that bidirectional dysregulation of Rac1 activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) dictates shared social deficits in mice. Selective upregulation or downregulation of Rac1 activity in glutamatergic or fast-spiking GABAergic neurons results in excessive or inadequate control of excitability combined with a decrease in glutamate or an increase in GABA concentrations and an increase in the GABA/glutamate ratio, which is responsible for social deficits. Notably, the autism model of Shank3B knockout mice exhibits aberrantly enhanced Rac1 activity, reduced glutamate concentrations, and pyramidal neuron excitability in mPFC accompanied with social deficits, which were corrected by either excitatory-neuron-specific downregulation of Rac1 activity or upregulation of neuronal excitability. Thus, this work shows a convergence between genetic autism risk factors, dysregulation of Rac1 signaling, and excitation-inhibition imbalance, enabling mechanism-based stratification of patients with social deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingke Ma
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research and Ministry of Education - Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department, Shanghai Xinhua Children's Hospital, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xingyue Shan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research and Ministry of Education - Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department, Shanghai Xinhua Children's Hospital, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Juehua Yu
- Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research and Ministry of Education - Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department, Shanghai Xinhua Children's Hospital, Shanghai 200092, China; Center for Experimental Studies and Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Tailin Zhu
- Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research and Ministry of Education - Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department, Shanghai Xinhua Children's Hospital, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Ren Li
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education - Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Hui Lv
- Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research and Ministry of Education - Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department, Shanghai Xinhua Children's Hospital, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Haidi Cheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research and Ministry of Education - Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department, Shanghai Xinhua Children's Hospital, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Tiantian Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research and Ministry of Education - Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department, Shanghai Xinhua Children's Hospital, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Lihua Wang
- Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research and Ministry of Education - Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department, Shanghai Xinhua Children's Hospital, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Feiyang Wei
- Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research and Ministry of Education - Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department, Shanghai Xinhua Children's Hospital, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Bo Meng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Xiaobing Yuan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Bing Mei
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.
| | - Xiao-Yong Zhang
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education - Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Wei-Guang Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Fei Li
- Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research and Ministry of Education - Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department, Shanghai Xinhua Children's Hospital, Shanghai 200092, China.
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Prostaglandin E2 receptor Ptger4b regulates female-specific peptidergic neurons and female sexual receptivity in medaka. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1215. [PMID: 36357668 PMCID: PMC9649691 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04195-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In vertebrates, female receptivity to male courtship is highly dependent on ovarian secretion of estrogens and prostaglandins. We recently identified female-specific neurons in the medaka (Oryzias latipes) preoptic area that express Npba, a neuropeptide mediating female sexual receptivity, in response to ovarian estrogens. Here we show by transcriptomic analysis that these neurons express a multitude of neuropeptides, in addition to Npba, in an ovarian-dependent manner, and we thus termed them female-specific, sex steroid-responsive peptidergic (FeSP) neurons. Our results further revealed that FeSP neurons express a prostaglandin E2 receptor gene, ptger4b, in an ovarian estrogen-dependent manner. Behavioral and physiological examination of ptger4b-deficient female medaka found that they exhibit increased sexual receptivity while retaining normal ovarian function and that their FeSP neurons have reduced firing activity and impaired neuropeptide release. Collectively, this work provides evidence that prostaglandin E2/Ptger4b signaling mediates the estrogenic regulation of FeSP neuron activity and female sexual receptivity. Prostaglandin E2 signaling mediates the estrogenic regulation of peptidergic neuronal activity and female receptivity via the ptger4b gene pathway in Japanese rice fish.
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Karigo T, Deutsch D. Flexibility of neural circuits regulating mating behaviors in mice and flies. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:949781. [PMID: 36426135 PMCID: PMC9679785 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.949781] [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: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mating is essential for the reproduction of animal species. As mating behaviors are high-risk and energy-consuming processes, it is critical for animals to make adaptive mating decisions. This includes not only finding a suitable mate, but also adapting mating behaviors to the animal's needs and environmental conditions. Internal needs include physical states (e.g., hunger) and emotional states (e.g., fear), while external conditions include both social cues (e.g., the existence of predators or rivals) and non-social factors (e.g., food availability). With recent advances in behavioral neuroscience, we are now beginning to understand the neural basis of mating behaviors, particularly in genetic model organisms such as mice and flies. However, how internal and external factors are integrated by the nervous system to enable adaptive mating-related decision-making in a state- and context-dependent manner is less well understood. In this article, we review recent knowledge regarding the neural basis of flexible mating behaviors from studies of flies and mice. By contrasting the knowledge derived from these two evolutionarily distant model organisms, we discuss potential conserved and divergent neural mechanisms involved in the control of flexible mating behaviors in invertebrate and vertebrate brains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomomi Karigo
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States,The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States,*Correspondence: Tomomi Karigo,
| | - David Deutsch
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel,David Deutsch,
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Holley D, Fox AS. The central extended amygdala guides survival-relevant tradeoffs: Implications for understanding common psychiatric disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 142:104879. [PMID: 36115597 PMCID: PMC11178236 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
To thrive in challenging environments, individuals must pursue rewards while avoiding threats. Extensive studies in animals and humans have identified the central extended amygdala (EAc)-which includes the central nucleus of the amygdala (Ce) and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST)-as a conserved substrate for defensive behavior. These studies suggest the EAc influences defensive responding and assembles fearful and anxious states. This has led to the proliferation of a view that the EAc is fundamentally a defensive substrate. Yet mechanistic work in animals has implicated the EAc in numerous appetitive and consummatory processes, yielding fresh insights into the microcircuitry of survival- and emotion-relevant response selection. Coupled with the EAc's centrality in a conserved network of brain regions that encode multisensory environmental and interoceptive information, these findings suggest a broader role for the EAc as an arbiter of survival- and emotion-relevant tradeoffs for action selection. Determining how the EAc optimizes these tradeoffs promises to improve our understanding of common psychiatric illnesses such as anxiety, depression, alcohol- and substance-use disorders, and anhedonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Holley
- Department of Psychology and the California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Andrew S Fox
- Department of Psychology and the California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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Michetti C, Falace A, Benfenati F, Fassio A. Synaptic genes and neurodevelopmental disorders: From molecular mechanisms to developmental strategies of behavioral testing. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 173:105856. [PMID: 36070836 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptopathies are a class of neurodevelopmental disorders caused by modification in genes coding for synaptic proteins. These proteins oversee the process of neurotransmission, mainly controlling the fusion and recycling of synaptic vesicles at the presynaptic terminal, the expression and localization of receptors at the postsynapse and the coupling between the pre- and the postsynaptic compartments. Murine models, with homozygous or heterozygous deletion for several synaptic genes or knock-in for specific pathogenic mutations, have been developed. They have proved to be extremely informative for understanding synaptic physiology, as well as for clarifying the patho-mechanisms leading to developmental delay, epilepsy and motor, cognitive and social impairments that are the most common clinical manifestations of neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the onset of these disorders emerges during infancy and adolescence while the behavioral phenotyping is often conducted in adult mice, missing important information about the impact of synaptic development and maturation on the manifestation of the behavioral phenotype. Here, we review the main achievements obtained by behavioral testing in murine models of synaptopathies and propose a battery of behavioral tests to improve classification, diagnosis and efficacy of potential therapeutic treatments. Our aim is to underlie the importance of studying behavioral development and better focusing on disease onset and phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Michetti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Center for Synaptic Neuroscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Antonio Falace
- Pediatric Neurology, Neurogenetics and Neurobiology Unit and Laboratories, Children's Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Anna Fassio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
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Lenschow C, Mendes ARP, Lima SQ. Hearing, touching, and multisensory integration during mate choice. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:943888. [PMID: 36247731 PMCID: PMC9559228 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.943888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mate choice is a potent generator of diversity and a fundamental pillar for sexual selection and evolution. Mate choice is a multistage affair, where complex sensory information and elaborate actions are used to identify, scrutinize, and evaluate potential mating partners. While widely accepted that communication during mate assessment relies on multimodal cues, most studies investigating the mechanisms controlling this fundamental behavior have restricted their focus to the dominant sensory modality used by the species under examination, such as vision in humans and smell in rodents. However, despite their undeniable importance for the initial recognition, attraction, and approach towards a potential mate, other modalities gain relevance as the interaction progresses, amongst which are touch and audition. In this review, we will: (1) focus on recent findings of how touch and audition can contribute to the evaluation and choice of mating partners, and (2) outline our current knowledge regarding the neuronal circuits processing touch and audition (amongst others) in the context of mate choice and ask (3) how these neural circuits are connected to areas that have been studied in the light of multisensory integration.
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50
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Zhao Z, Zeng F, Wang H, Wu R, Chen L, Wu Y, Li S, Shao J, Wang Y, Wu J, Feng Z, Gao W, Hu Y, Wang A, Cheng H, Zhang J, Chen L, Wu H. Encoding of social novelty by sparse GABAergic neural ensembles in the prelimbic cortex. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo4884. [PMID: 36044579 PMCID: PMC9432833 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo4884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Although the prelimbic (PrL) area is associated with social behaviors, the neural ensembles that regulate social preference toward novelty or familiarity remain unknown. Using miniature two-photon microscopy (mTPM) to visualize social behavior-associated neuronal activity within the PrL in freely behaving mice, we found that the Ca2+ transients of GABAergic neurons were more highly correlated with social behaviors than those of glutamatergic neurons. Chemogenetic suppression of social behavior-activated GABAergic neurons in the PrL disrupts social novelty behaviors. Restoring the MeCP2 level in PrL GABAergic neurons in MECP2 transgenic (MECP2-TG) mice rescues the social novelty deficits. Moreover, we identified and characterized sparsely distributed NewPNs and OldPNs of GABAergic interneurons in the PrL preferentially responsible for new and old mouse exploration, respectively. Together, we propose that social novelty information may be encoded by the responses of NewPNs and OldPNs in the PrL area, possibly via synergistic actions on both sides of the seesaw.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Zhao
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | | | - Hanbin Wang
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Runlong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Liping Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | - Shen Li
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | - Jingyuan Shao
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | - Yao Wang
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Junjie Wu
- College of Engineering, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Zhiheng Feng
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Weizheng Gao
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Yanhui Hu
- Beijing Transcend Vivoscope Biotech Co. Ltd., 100094 Beijing, China
| | - Aimin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication System and Networks, School of Electronics, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Heping Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Jue Zhang
- College of Engineering, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Liangyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, 100871 Beijing, China
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Haitao Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Coinnovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu Province, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, 102206 Beijing, China
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