Contribution of the anterior cingulate cortex to laser-pain conditioning in rats

Audible pain squeaks can mediate emotional contagion across pre-exposed rats with a potential effect of auto-conditioning

Footshock self-experience enhances rodents' reactions to the distress of others. Here, we tested one potential mechanism supporting this phenomenon, namely that animals auto-condition to their own pain squeaks during shock pre-exposure. In Experiment 1, shock pre-exposure increased freezing and 22 kHz distress vocalizations while animals listened to the audible pain-squeaks of others. In Experiment 2 and 3, to test the auto-conditioning theory, we weakened the noxious pre-exposure stimulus not to trigger pain squeaks, and compared pre-exposure protocols in which we paired it with squeak playback against unpaired control conditions. Although all animals later showed fear responses to squeak playbacks, these were weaker than following typical pre-exposure (Experiment 1) and not stronger following paired than unpaired pre-exposure. Experiment 1 thus demonstrates the relevance of audible pain squeaks in the transmission of distress but Experiment 2 and 3 highlight the difficulty to test auto-conditioning: stimuli weak enough to decouple pain experience from hearing self-emitted squeaks are too weak to trigger the experience-dependent increase in fear transmission that we aimed to study. Although our results do not contradict the auto-conditioning hypothesis, they fail to disentangle it from sensitization effects. Future studies could temporarily deafen animals during pre-exposure to further test this hypothesis.

Engaging endogenous opioid circuits in pain affective processes

The pervasive use of opioid compounds for pain relief is rooted in their utility as one of the most effective therapeutic strategies for providing analgesia. While the detrimental side effects of these compounds have significantly contributed to the current opioid epidemic, opioids still provide millions of patients with reprieve from the relentless and agonizing experience of pain. The human experience of pain has long recognized the perceived unpleasantness entangled with a unique sensation that is immediate and identifiable from the first-person subjective vantage point as "painful." From this phenomenological perspective, how is it that opioids interfere with pain perception? Evidence from human lesion, neuroimaging, and preclinical functional neuroanatomy approaches is sculpting the view that opioids predominately alleviate the affective or inferential appraisal of nociceptive neural information. Thus, opioids weaken pain-associated unpleasantness rather than modulate perceived sensory qualities. Here, we discuss the historical theories of pain to demonstrate how modern neuroscience is revisiting these ideas to deconstruct the brain mechanisms driving the emergence of aversive pain perceptions. We further detail how targeting opioidergic signaling within affective or emotional brain circuits remains a strong avenue for developing targeted pharmacological and gene-therapy analgesic treatments that might reduce the dependence on current clinical opioid options.

Mapping Cortical Integration of Sensory and Affective Pain Pathways

Pain is an integrated sensory and affective experience. Cortical mechanisms of sensory and affective integration, however, remain poorly defined. Here, we investigate the projection from the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), which encodes the sensory pain information, to the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a key area for processing pain affect, in freely behaving rats. By using a combination of optogenetics, in vivo electrophysiology, and machine learning analysis, we find that a subset of neurons in the ACC receives S1 inputs, and activation of the S1 axon terminals increases the response to noxious stimuli in ACC neurons. Chronic pain enhances this cortico-cortical connection, as manifested by an increased number of ACC neurons that respond to S1 inputs and the magnified contribution of these neurons to the nociceptive response in the ACC. Furthermore, modulation of this S1→ACC projection regulates aversive responses to pain. Our results thus define a cortical circuit that plays a potentially important role in integrating sensory and affective pain signals.

Epigenetic suppression of liver X receptor β in anterior cingulate cortex by HDAC5 drives CFA-induced chronic inflammatory pain

Background

Liver X receptors (LXRs), including LXRα and LXRβ, are key regulators of transcriptional programs for both cholesterol homeostasis and inflammation in the brain. Here, the modes of action of LXRs and the epigenetic mechanisms regulating LXRβ expression in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of chronic inflammatory pain (CIP) are investigated.

Methods

The deficit of LXR isoform and analgesic effect of LXR activation by GW3965 were evaluated using the mouse model of CIP induced by hindpaw injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA). The mechanisms involved in GW-mediated analgesic effects were analyzed with immunohistochemical methods, ELISA, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), Western blot, and electrophysiological recording. The epigenetic regulation of LXRβ expression was investigated by chromatin immunoprecipitation, quantitative real-time PCR, and sequencing.

Results

We revealed that CFA insult led to LXRβ reduction in ACC, which was associated with upregulated expression of histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5), and knockdown of LXRβ by shRNA led to thermal hyperalgesia. Co-IP showed that LXRβ interacted with NF-κB p65 physically. LXRβ activation by GW3965 exerted analgesic effects by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of NF-κB, reducing the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in ACC, and decreasing the promoted input-output and enhanced mEPSC frequency in ACC neurons after CFA exposure. In vitro experiments confirmed that HDAC5 triggered histone deacetylation on the promoter region of Lxrβ, resulting in downregulation of Lxrβ transcription.

Conclusion

These findings highlight an epigenetic mechanism underlying LXRβ deficits linked to CIP, and LXRβ activation may represent a potential novel target for the treatment of CIP with an alteration in inflammation responses and synaptic transmission in ACC.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12974-019-1507-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Ketamine reduces aversion in rodent pain models by suppressing hyperactivity of the anterior cingulate cortex

Chronic pain is known to induce an amplified aversive reaction to peripheral nociceptive inputs. This enhanced affective response constitutes a key pathologic feature of chronic pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia. However, the neural mechanisms that underlie this important aspect of pain processing remain poorly understood, hindering the development of treatments. Here, we show that a single dose of ketamine can produce a persistent reduction in the aversive response to noxious stimuli in rodent chronic pain models, long after the termination of its anti-nociceptive effects. Furthermore, we demonstrated that this anti-aversive property is mediated by prolonged suppression of the hyperactivity of neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a brain region well known to regulate pain affect. Therefore, our results indicate that it is feasible to dissociate the affective from the sensory component of pain, and demonstrate the potential for low-dose ketamine to be an important therapy for chronic pain syndromes.

Ketamine is a short-acting analgesic that also has anti-depressant effects. Here the authors show in rat models of chronic pain that low-dose ketamine can induce an anti-aversive state that persists after the initial short term analgesia has ended.

Chronic pain induces generalized enhancement of aversion

A hallmark feature of chronic pain is its ability to impact other sensory and affective experiences. It is notably associated with hypersensitivity at the site of tissue injury. It is less clear, however, if chronic pain can also induce a generalized site-nonspecific enhancement in the aversive response to nociceptive inputs. Here, we showed that chronic pain in one limb in rats increased the aversive response to acute pain stimuli in the opposite limb, as assessed by conditioned place aversion. Interestingly, neural activities in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) correlated with noxious intensities, and optogenetic modulation of ACC neurons showed bidirectional control of the aversive response to acute pain. Chronic pain, however, altered acute pain intensity representation in the ACC to increase the aversive response to noxious stimuli at anatomically unrelated sites. Thus, chronic pain can disrupt cortical circuitry to enhance the aversive experience in a generalized anatomically nonspecific manner.

Inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin activation in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex attenuates pain-related aversion in rats

Pain is a complex experience that comprises both sensory and affective dimensions. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays an important role in the modulation of neuronal plasticity associated with the pathogenesis of pain sensation. However, the role of mTOR in pain affect is unclear. Using a formalin-induced conditioned place avoidance (F-CPA) test, the current study investigated the effects of the mTOR specific inhibitor rapamycin on noxious stimulation induced aversion in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC). Intraplantar injection of 5% formalin was associated with significant activation of mTOR, as well as p70 ribosomal S6 protein (p70S6K), its downstream effector, in the rACC. The inhibition of mTOR activation with rapamycin disrupted pain-related aversion; however, this inhibition did not affect formalin-induced spontaneous nociceptive behaviors in rats. These findings demonstrated for the first time that mTOR and its downstream pathway in the rACC contribute to the induction of pain-related negative emotion.

Inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex attenuates pain-related negative emotion in rats

The emotional components of pain are far less studied than the sensory components. Previous studies have indicated that the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) is implicated in the affective response to noxious stimuli. Activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the spinal cord has been documented to play an important role in diverse kinds of pathological pain states. We used formalin-induced conditioned place aversion (F-CPA) in rats, an animal model believed to reflect the emotional response to pain, to investigate the involvement of p38 MAPK in the rACC after the induction of affective pain. Intraplantar formalin injection produced a significant activation of p38 MAPK, as well as mitogen-activated kinase kinase (MKK) 3 and MKK6, its upstream activators, in the bilateral rACC. p38 MAPK was elevated in both NeuN-positive neurons and Iba1-positive microglia in the rACC, but not GFAP-positive cells. Blocking p38 MAPK activation in the bilateral rACC using its specific inhibitor SB203580 or SB239063 dose-dependently suppressed the formation of F-CPA. Inhibiting p38 MAPK activation did not affect formalin-induced two-phase spontaneous nociceptive response and low intensity electric foot-shock induced CPA. The present study demonstrated that p38 MAPK signaling pathway in the rACC contributes to pain-related negative emotion. Thus, a new pharmacological strategy targeted at the p38 MAPK cascade may be useful in treating pain-related emotional disorders.

The anterior cingulate cortex and pain processing

The neural network that contributes to the suffering which accompanies persistent pain states involves a number of brain regions. Of primary interest is the contribution of the cingulate cortex in processing the affective component of pain. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent data obtained using novel behavioral paradigms in animals based on measuring escape and/or avoidance of a noxious stimulus. These paradigms have successfully been used to study the nature of the neuroanatomical and neurochemical contributions of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) to higher order pain processing in rodents.

Spatial and temporal plasticity of synaptic organization in anterior cingulate cortex following peripheral inflammatory pain: multi-electrode array recordings in rats

To explore whether experiencing inflammatory pain has an impact upon intracortical synaptic organization, the planar multi-electrode array (MEA) technique and 2-dimensional current source density (2D-CSD) imaging were used in slice preparations of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) from rats. Synaptic activity across different layers of the ACC was evoked by deep layer stimulation through one electrode. The layer-localization of both local field potentials (LFPs) and the spread of current sink calculated by 2D-CSD analysis was characterized pharmacologically. Moreover, the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) and changes in LTP magnitude were also evaluated. We found that under naïve conditions, the current sink was initially generated in layer VI, then spread to layer V and finally confined to layers II-III. This spatial pattern of current sink movement typically reflected changes in depolarized sites from deep layers (V-VI) to superficial layers (II-III) where intra- and extracortical inputs terminate. In the ACC slices from rats in an inflamed state (for 2 h) caused by intraplantar bee-venom injection, the spatial profile of intra-ACC synaptic organization was significantly changed, showing an enlarged current sink distribution and a leftward shift of the stimulus-response curves relative to the naïve and saline controls. The change was more distinct in the superficial layers (II-III) than in the deep site. In terms of temporal properties, the rate of LTP induction was significantly increased in layers II-III by inflammatory pain. However, the magnitude of LTP was not significantly enhanced by this treatment. Taken together, these results show that inflammatory pain results in distinct spatial and temporal plasticity of synaptic organization in the ACC, which may lead to altered synaptic transmission and modulation.

On the persistence of cocaine-induced place preferences and aversions in rats

RATIONALE

Rats develop preferences for places associated with the immediate rewarding effects of cocaine and aversions for places paired with the drug's delayed negative effects. The motivation to seek cocaine should therefore depend upon the relative magnitude of these two opposing effects of the drug.

OBJECTIVE

The current study tested this notion by assessing the relative persistence of the positive and negative associations formed between environmental cues and the immediate or delayed effects of cocaine.

METHODS

Rats were administered 1.0 mg/kg intravenous cocaine and placed into a distinctive environment either immediately or 15-min after injection, alternating daily with pairings of a second environment with saline. After four drug-place and four saline-place pairings, rats were returned to their home cages for 1, 7, or 21 days after which a 15-min place preference test was conducted. In a second experiment, the effectiveness of a single reconditioning session (one drug-place and one saline-place pairing) to reactivate learned cocaine-place associations was assessed after 1 or 3 weeks of drug abstinence.

RESULTS

Places associated with the immediate effects of cocaine were preferred (CPP), while places associated with the delayed effects of cocaine were avoided (CPA). The persistence of these effects differed with CPP remaining viable at 3 weeks of withdrawal, while CPA was no longer present after 1 week. Reconditioning with an additional cocaine-place pairing failed to reinstate the CPA.

CONCLUSIONS

Cue-induced "relapse" of cocaine-seeking behavior may be fueled in part by an increased persistence of positive relative to negative associations with drug-paired stimuli.

Functional brain activation during retrieval of visceral pain-conditioned passive avoidance in the rat

This study assessed functional brain activation in rats during expectation of visceral pain. Male rats were trained in step-down passive avoidance (PA) for 2 days. Upon stepping down from a platform, conditioned animals received noxious colorectal distension delivered through a colorectal balloon, whereas the balloon in control rats remained uninflated. On day 3, PA behavior was assessed while [(14)C]-iodoantipyrine was infused intravenously, followed by immediate euthanasia. Regional cerebral blood flow-related tissue radioactivity (rCBF) was analyzed by statistical parametric mapping using 3-dimensional brains reconstructed from autoradiographic brain slice images. Associated with retrieved PA behavior, conditioned rats compared with control subjects showed increases in rCBF in sensory (anterior insula, somatosensory cortex), limbic/paralimbic regions (anterior cingulate, prelimbic cortex, amygdala), all regions previously reported to show activation during acute visceral pain. Increases in rCBF were also noted in the dorsal hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, and caudate putamen, regions associated with retrieval of PA. Organization of the underlying brain network was further delineated by functional connectivity analysis. This revealed in conditioned rats a strongly and positively connected corticostriatal cluster (cingulate, prelimbic cortex, caudate putamen). The amygdala and cerebellar hemispheres formed another positively connected cluster, which was negatively connected with the corticostriatal cluster, suggesting corticolimbic modulation. Prelimbic cortex, nucleus accumbens, and anterior insula emerged in conditioned animals as hubs. Our results show that during retrieval of PA, brain areas implicated in PA expression as well as those implicated in acute visceral pain processing were recruited, in line with findings from human brain imaging studies on pain expectation.

Pain-related aversion induces astrocytic reaction and proinflammatory cytokine expression in the anterior cingulate cortex in rats

Pain involves sensory and affective dimensions. It is well-known that activation of glial cells and a subsequent increase in proinflammatory cytokines contribute to the pathogenesis of pain sensation. However, the role of glial cells and proinflammatory cytokines in pain affect is unclear. Several lines of evidence indicate that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is a key structure for pain affect. Using the formalin-induced conditioned place avoidance (F-CPA) model, which reflects the pain-related negative affective state induced by nociceptive stimuli, we examined the mRNA and protein expression levels of astrocytic markers and proinflammatory cytokines in the ACC. F-CPA produced robust aversion-like behaviors in rats. In parallel, a significant increase of mRNA of astrocytic markers (GFAP and S100B), and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) were observed in the ACC. The protein level of GFAP, IL-1β and TNF-α were also enhanced in the ACC. The results showed for the first time that astrocytes and proinflammatory cytokines are associated with the processing of pain-related aversion and may be crucial players in the affective dimension of pain in rats.

Roles of the anterior cingulate cortex and medial thalamus in short-term and long-term aversive information processing

Background

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and medial thalamus (MT) are two of the main components of the medial pain pathway that subserve the affective aspect of pain. The hypothesis of the present study was that the ACC is involved in short-term aversive information processing and that the MT is critical for encoding unconditioned nociceptive information. The roles of these two components in short-term and long-term aversive information processing was investigated using a step-through inhibitory avoidance task.

Results

Behavioral training began 1 week after surgery, in which radiofrequency lesions of the ACC or MT were performed. The retention tests were conducted 30 s (short-term) or 24 h (long-term) after training. Pretraining radiofrequency lesions of the ACC impaired performance in the 30 s, but not 24 h, retention test. Microinfusions of lidocaine into the ACC immediately after training impaired performance in the retention test conducted 10 min later. Pretraining radiofrequency lesions of the MT impaired performance in both the 30 s and 24 h retention tests. However, posttraining, but not pretest, microinfusions of lidocaine into the MT impaired performance in the 24 h retention test.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the ACC may play an important role in short-term, but not long-term, nociceptive information processing. In contrast, the MT may be important for the consolidation of nociceptive information storage.

NMDA NR2A and NR2B receptors in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex contribute to pain-related aversion in male rats

NMDA receptors, which are implicated in pain processing, are highly expressed in forebrain areas including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). The ACC has been implicated in the affective response to noxious stimuli. Using a combination of immunohistochemical staining, Western blot, electrophysiological recording and formalin-induced conditioned place avoidance (F-CPA) rat behavioral model that directly reflects the affective component of pain, the present study examined formalin nociceptive conditioning-induced changes in the expressions of NMDA receptor subunits NR1, NR2A, and NR2B in the rostral ACC (rACC) and its possible functional significance. We found that unilateral intraplantar (i.pl.) injection of dilute formalin with or without contextual conditioning exposure markedly increased the expressions of NMDA receptor subunits NR2A and NR2B but not of NR1 in the bilateral rACC. NMDA-evoked currents in rACC neurons were significantly greater in formalin-injected rats than in naïve or normal saline-injected rats. Selectively blocking either NR2A or NR2B subunit in the rACC abolished the acquisition of F-CPA and formalin nociceptive conditioning-induced Fos expression, but it did not affect formalin acute nociceptive behaviors and non-nociceptive fear stimulus-induced CPA. These results suggest that both NMDA receptor subunits NR2A and NR2B in the rACC are critically involved in pain-related aversion. Thus, a new strategy targeted at NMDA NR2A or NR2B subunit might be raised for the prevention of pain-related emotional disturbance.

Nocifensive behaviors components evoked by brief laser pulses are mediated by C fibers

Nocifensive behavior involves several response elements that have been used to assess neuropharmacological effects in different animal models of pain. Our previous analysis of laser-evoked nocifensive behaviors suggested that hierarchically organized responses in the nocifensive motor system are recruited in varying degrees by noxious stimuli of different intensities. Nocifensive behaviors can be differentially elicited and mediated by different classes of nociceptors. Thus, the aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that nocifensive behavioral elements elicited by brief laser pulse stimuli are mediated by C nociceptors. Laser-evoked cortical potentials and nocifensive behavior elements were recorded concurrently. As stimulus energy increased, rats exhibited a larger number of different responses and a greater frequency of each response element. Applying the neurotoxin, capsaicin, which selectively inhibits C fibers, to the sciatic nerves of rats, differentially blocked nocifensive behavioral components of flinch, withdrawal and licking but not non-nocifensive responses, namely movement and head turning. Based on these results we suggest that flinch, withdrawal and licking are mediated by C fibers, which are temporally associated with the nocifensive motor system as well as spinal and cortical evoked potentials. These results link hierarchically organized nocifensive responses and the afferent C fibers in the nocifensive motor system.

Activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in the anterior cingulate cortex contributes to the induction and expression of affective pain

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is implicated in the affective response to noxious stimuli. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved. The present study demonstrated that extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation in the ACC plays a crucial role in pain-related negative emotion. Intraplantar formalin injection produced a transient ERK activation in laminae V-VI and a persistent ERK activation in laminae II-III of the rostral ACC (rACC) bilaterally. Using formalin-induced conditioned place avoidance (F-CPA) in rats, which is believed to reflect the pain-related negative emotion, we found that blockade of ERK activation in the rACC with MEK inhibitors prevented the induction of F-CPA. Interestingly, this blockade did not affect formalin-induced two-phase spontaneous nociceptive responses and CPA acquisition induced by electric foot-shock or U69,593, an innocuous aversive agent. Upstream, NMDA receptor, adenylyl cyclase (AC) and phosphokinase A (PKA) activators activated ERK in rACC slices. Consistently, intra-rACC microinjection of AC or PKA inhibitors prevented F-CPA induction. Downstream, phosphorylation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) was induced in the rACC by formalin injection and by NMDA, AC and PKA activators in brain slices, which was suppressed by MEK inhibitors. Furthermore, ERK also contributed to the expression of pain-related negative emotion. Thus, when rats were re-exposed to the conditioning context for retrieval of pain experience, ERK and CREB were reactivated in the rACC, and inhibiting ERK activation blocked the expression of F-CPA. All together, our results demonstrate that ERK activation in the rACC is required for the induction and expression of pain-related negative affect.

Differential involvement of the anterior cingulate and primary sensorimotor cortices in sensory and affective functions of pain

The present study examined the role of neurons in different pain-related functions of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and primary sensorimotor cortex (SmI) by assessing their abilities to code different levels of noxious heat and activity changes evoked by classical fear conditioning involving electric shocks. Multiple single-unit activity was recorded with microwires implanted in the SmI and ACC of each rat. In the first set of experiments, the middle segment of the tail in each rat was irradiated with laser-heat pulses of various intensities. Neuronal responses in both the SmI and ACC increased with the intensity of the laser heat, although there was a significantly higher percentage of intensity-related units in the SmI. Furthermore, the stimulus-response curve of SmI ensemble activity had a steeper slope than that of the ACC. In the second set of experiments, rats were trained and tested on a conditioned fear-potentiated startle task in which a light was paired with an electric shock and, later, the startle response was elicited by a burst of noise in the presence or absence of light. A higher percentage of ACC units changed their neuronal responses to the conditioned stimulus after the light-shock pairing and the average activity change was also significantly stronger. Our results suggest that SmI neurons are better at coding laser-heat intensity than ACC neurons, whereas more ACC neurons are involved in conditioned fear associated with an electric shock than SmI neurons. These data provide evidence for differential contributions of the SmI and ACC to sensory and affective dimensions of pain.

Altered synaptic transmission in rat anterior cingulate cortex following peripheral nerve injury

BACKGROUND

Patients with neuropathic pain present not only with persistent pain but also a complex set of additional symptoms, including mood disorders and cognitive disturbance. Given the important roles of the anterior thalamic nuclei (ATN) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in the cognitive and emotional aspects of pain, investigation of the properties of ATN-ACC synapses will help us to understand the mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain.

METHODS

We studied changes in ATN-evoked ACC excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) induced by neuropathic pain in a rat model under halothane anaesthesia.

RESULTS

Neuropathic pain caused significant suppression of EPSPs in the ACC compared with rats subjected to sham surgery. Similar to previous evidence, acute inflammatory pain induced by formalin injection into the hind paw significantly increased synaptic efficacy in the ACC compared with naive rats. Neither of the pain paradigms altered the paired-pulse responses.

CONCLUSIONS

A possible explanation for the neuropathic pain-related suppression of EPSPs is that the ACC was already sufficiently active at baseline as a result of neuropathic pain, and ATN stimulation could not further increase the already elevated level of ACC activity. This abnormal excitability of the ATN-ACC synapse may be important in understanding the mechanism underlying neuropathic pain, particularly with respect to the affective and cognitive aspects.

Involvement of P311 in the affective, but not in the sensory component of pain

Pain is comprised of the sensory and affective components. Compared to the well-investigated mechanisms of the sensory pain, much less is known about the mechanisms underlying the affective pain. In recent years, accumulating evidence suggests that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is a key structure for pain affection. To identify the molecules that may be involved in the affective component of pain, we have searched the Allen Brain Atlas expression database for genes whose expression is enriched in the ACC, and found that P311, an 8-kDa peptide, showed the strong expression in the ACC. P311 is also expressed in other areas associated with pain affection including the amygdala, insular cortex and thalamus. To understand the role of P311 in pain perception, we have examined the pain behaviors of the mice lacking P311. P311^-/- mice showed normal heat and mechanical sensitivity, as well as normal formalin-induced inflammatory pain. In contrast, the formalin-induced avoidance behavior, which reflects pain-related negative emotion, was significantly attenuated in P311^-/- mice relative to the control mice. These results suggest that P311 is involved in the affective, but not in the sensory component of pain. Our study thus provides the first evidence suggesting that the affective and sensory pain may be regulated by distinct molecular mechanisms.

Spatial distribution of cingulate cortical cells projecting to the primary motor cortex in the rat

We examined the location and spatial distribution of cingulate cortical cells projecting to the primary motor cortex (M1) in rats, using a double retrograde-labeling technique. The orofacial, forelimb, and hindlimb areas of M1 were physiologically identified based on the findings of intracortical microstimulation and single cell recording. Two different tracers, diamidino yellow and fast blue, were injected into two sites of M1 in each rat. Retrograde-labeled cells in the cingulate cortex were plotted with an automated plotting system. Cells projecting to the orofacial and forelimb areas of M1 were distributed in the anterior cingulate cortex (area 24) but not in the posterior cingulate cortex (retrosplenial cortex; area 29), according to topographical mapping. On the other hand, few or no cells of the cingulate cortex were observed projecting to the hindlimb area of M1. These findings suggest that the cingulate cortex projecting to the M1 in the rat are involved in the regulation of motor activity that involves the orofacial and forelimb, but not hindlimb, parts of the body.

Arthritis-induced increase in cholecystokinin release in the rat anterior cingulate cortex is reversed by diclofenac

Given a hypothesised role for CCK in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) for the sensation of pain, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether the increased CCK release could be affected by two different analgesic drugs, morphine and the non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor diclofenac. Since opioids stimulate CCK release in other CNS regions we have also studied the effect of morphine by itself on the CCK-LI release in the ACC of non-arthritic rats. Three to seven hours after intraarticular carrageenan injection, at the time when the animals are known to show pain-related behaviour, in vivo microdialysis in awake rats revealed increased CCK-LI release in the ACC. The CCK-LI release was significantly attenuated by diclofenac (25 mg/kg i.m.), but not by morphine (10 mg/kg s.c.). Neither diclofenac (25 mg/kg i.m.) nor morphine (5 or 10 mg/kg s.c.) affected the CCK-LI release in the ACC in non-arthritic rats. The results obtained with diclofenac indicate that prostaglandins contribute to the increased CCK-LI release in the ACC during monoarthritis. However, the lack of effect of morphine suggests that the CCK release in the ACC is not directly related to the sensation of pain. Further on, the failure of morphine to affect the extracellular level of CCK-LI in the ACC in control animals as well as in animals with carrageenan-induced monoarthritis is in contrast to previous studies on the frontal cortex or the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, in which similar doses of morphine stimulate CCK release. Thus, compared to these regions, CCK release may be differently regulated in the ACC.

Short-term synaptic plasticity in layer II/III of the rat anterior cingulate cortex

Recent in vivo electrophysiological studies in our laboratory demonstrated medial thalamus (MT) induced short-term facilitation in the middle layers of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). The aim of the present study was to investigate different forms of short-term plasticity (STP) in layer II/III of the ACC in an in vitro slice preparation. Extracellular field potentials in layer II/III consisting of an early component (fAP) and a late component (fPSP) were activated by electrical stimulation of the deep layers. The fPSP and intracellularly recorded excitatory post-synaptic potential (EPSP) could be facilitated by paired-pulse stimulation at a low frequency (0.033Hz, pulse interval 20-400ms). An initial facilitation and subsequent depression were obtained when high frequency (12.5, 25 and 50Hz) tetanus stimulations were applied to the ACC slice. A post-tetanic augmentation 30s in duration was also observed. The effects of tetanic stimulation were altered in the presence of an increased or a decreased calcium concentration. Application of omega-conotoxin GVIA (CTX) in normal calcium concentration conditions decreased overall responses during tetanic stimulation similar to reducing calcium exposure. However CTX application did not increase paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) as is seen under low calcium conditions. These results indicate that calcium is involved in the formation of certain features of STP in layer II/III of the ACC and that N-type calcium channels contribute to some, but not all, components of these plastic changes. Two-site electrical stimulation testing showed that two separate presynaptic inputs can produce short-term facilitation. Our findings implicate a post-synaptic mechanism in STP in layer II/III of the ACC.

Involvement of the rostral anterior cingulate cortex in consolidation of inhibitory avoidance memory: interaction with the basolateral amygdala

Previous findings suggest that the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) is involved in memory for emotionally arousing training. There is also extensive evidence that the basolateral amygdala (BLA) modulates the consolidation of emotional arousing training experiences via interactions with other brain regions. The present experiments examined the effects of posttraining intra-rACC infusions of the cholinergic agonist oxotremorine (OXO) on inhibitory avoidance (IA) retention and investigated whether the BLA and rACC interact in enabling OXO effects on memory. In the first experiment, male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with bilateral cannulae above the rACC and given immediate posttraining OXO infusions. OXO (0.5 or 3 ng) induced significant enhancement of retention performance on a 48-h test. In the second experiment, unilateral posttraining OXO infusions (0.5, 3.0 or 10 ng) enhanced retention when infused into rACC, but not caudal ACC, consistent with previous evidence that ACC is composed of functionally distinct regions. A third experiment investigated the effects of posttraining intra-rACC OXO infusions (0.5 or 10 ng) in rats with bilateral sham or NMDA-induced lesions of the BLA. The BLA lesions did not impair IA retention, but blocked the enhancement induced by posttraining intra-rACC OXO infusions. Lastly, unilateral NMDA lesions of rACC blocked the enhancement of IA retention induced by posttraining ipsilateral OXO infusions into the BLA. These findings support the hypothesis that the rACC is involved in modulating the storage of emotional events and provide additional evidence that the BLA modulates memory consolidation through interactions with efferent brain regions, including the cortex.

Short-term facilitation in the anterior cingulate cortex following stimulation of the medial thalamus in the rat

The present study examined the distribution and localization of synaptic activities (field potentials, multiunit activities and sink source currents) evoked in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) by electrical paired pulse stimulation of the ipsilateral medial thalamus (MT). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with halothane (1.0-1.5%), and electrical paired pulses stimuli (100-300 microA, inter-pulse interval, 100 ms) were delivered to the MT. Tungsten microelectrodes and a multichannel Michigan probe were used to record the evoked field potentials and multiunit activities in the ACC. Paired pulse stimulation facilitated field potentials and multiunit activities elicited from several MT nuclei. The second component of the negative field potential (com2) was augmented to about 2.5 times that of the first component (com1), and the integrated multiunit activities were facilitated by about 1.6-fold. Paired stimulation produced an expansion of the maximal negative potential from layer II/III into the deeper layers of the cingulate cortex area 1 (Cg1). Furthermore, the potentiated activity spread into adjacent secondary motor cortex (M2) and prelimbic cortex (PrL). Meanwhile, the area covered by the maximal integrated multiunit activities expanded from layer V (com1) to layers II-V (com2) in M2, Cg1 and PrL. The current source density (CSD) analysis revealed that the short latency sinks were located in layer II/III and layer V/VI. The sink currents were potentiated and expanded to more superficial and to deeper layers when a second pulse was delivered with a 100-ms time delay. Sink currents and the paired pulse facilitation (PPF) were reduced by morphine treatment (5 mg/kg, i.v.), and this effect could be blocked by naloxone. Electrical stimulation at 10 Hz in the MT induced more pronounced c-fos immunolabeling of neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex than did 1-Hz stimulation. The short-term facilitation occurred in the middle layers and expanded to the deeper layers of the ACC. These changes may mediate the effective signal transference in the specific frequency associated with painful responses.

Increased cholecystokinin release in the rat anterior cingulate cortex during carrageenan-induced arthritis

Several human and animal studies indicate that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) plays an important role in the affective component of pain. The neuropeptide cholecystokinin (CCK) is especially abundant in the ACC. CCK has been suggested to be involved in the mediation of anxiety and in the modulation of opioid effects in the spinal cord and medulla oblongata. However, its possible role in pain transmission or modulation in the brain is far less clear. In this study, a model of subchronic inflammatory pain in rats, carrageenan-induced monoarthritis, was used to study the effect of pain on the release of CCK-like immunoreactivity (CCK-LI) in the ACC. Pain-related behaviour quantified by weight bearing and stance scoring, as well as inflammation measured by ankle oedema, was increased for at least 24 h after carrageenan injection with a maximum at 5 h. Using microdialysis in freely moving rats, extracellular concentrations of CCK-LI was measured in the ACC during a time period when the animals showed significant pain behaviour. In animals with carrageenan-induced arthritis, both basal and potassium-evoked release of CCK-LI were significantly increased compared to controls. HPLC analysis of dialysates from the ACC during potassium stimulation showed that the main part of the immunoreactive material was sulphated CCK-8. Because CCK has been implicated in anxiety, we suggest that an altered CCK-ergic activity in the ACC may be of importance for the affective component of pain, but an involvement in the modulation of nociception is also possible.

Is endogenous d-serine in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex necessary for pain-related negative affect?

Functional activation of NMDA receptors requires co-activation of glutamate- and glycine-binding sites. D-serine is considered to be an endogenous ligand for the glycine site of NMDA receptors. Using a combination of a rat formalin-induced conditioned place avoidance (F-CPA) behavioral model and whole-cell patch-clamp recording in rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) slices, we examined the effects of d-amino acid oxidase (DAAO), an endogenous D-serine-degrading enzyme, and 7-chlorokynurenate (7Cl-KYNA), an antagonist of the glycine site of NMDA receptors, on pain-related aversion. Degradation of endogenous D-serine with DAAO, or selective blockade of the glycine site of NMDA receptors by 7Cl-KYNA, effectively inhibited NMDA-evoked currents in rACC slices. Intra-rACC injection of DAAO (0.1 U) and 7Cl-KYNA (2 and 0.2 mM, 0.6 microL per side) 20 min before F-CPA conditioning greatly attenuated F-CPA scores, but did not affect formalin-induced acute nociceptive behaviors and electric foot shock-induced conditioned place avoidance. This study reveals for the first time that endogenous D-serine plays a critical role in pain-related aversion by activating the glycine site of NMDA receptors in the rACC. Furthermore, these results extend our hypothesis that activation of NMDA receptors in the rACC is necessary for the acquisition of specific pain-related negative emotion. Thus a new and promising strategy for the prevention of chronic pain-induced emotional disturbance might be raised.

Differential involvement of the hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex, and basolateral amygdala in memory for context and footshock

Extensive evidence from contextual fear conditioning experiments suggests that the hippocampus is involved in processing memory for contextual information. Evidence also suggests that the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) may be selectively involved in memory for nociceptive stimulation. In contrast, many findings indicate that the basolateral amygdala (BLA) is more broadly involved in modulating the consolidation of different kinds of information. To investigate further the differential involvement of these brain regions in memory consolidation, the present experiments used a modified inhibitory avoidance training procedure that took place on 2 sequential days to separate context training from footshock training. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with unilateral cannulae aimed at the (i) hippocampus, (ii) rACC, or (iii) BLA, and given infusions of the muscarinic cholinergic agonist oxotremorine (OXO) immediately after either context training (day 1) or footshock training in that context (day 2). OXO enhanced retention when infused into the hippocampus after context, but not footshock, training. Conversely, OXO infusions enhanced memory when administered into the rACC immediately after footshock, but not context, training. Lastly, intra-BLA OXO infusions enhanced retention when administered after either context or footshock training. These findings are consistent with evidence that the hippocampus and rACC play selective roles in memory for specific components of training experiences. Additionally, they provide further evidence that the BLA is more liberally involved in modulating memory consolidation for various aspects of emotionally arousing experiences.

Anterior cingulate cortex contributes to the descending facilitatory modulation of pain via dorsal reticular nucleus

Supraspinal centres biphasically modulate spinal nociceptive transmission, including descending inhibition and facilitation. Recent studies have revealed that descending facilitatory modulation is a key mechanism underlying induction and maintenance of neuropathic and inflammatory pain. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is not only involved in the transmission of pain sensation but also plays a role in processing pain-related emotion. The ACC also widely connects with relevant regions of the descending modulation system. Here we used electrophysiological and behavioural techniques to study the possible pathways behind the modulation of spinal nociceptive transmission from the ACC. C-fibre-evoked field potentials in the spinal dorsal horn were produced by electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve at an intensity high enough to excite C fibres, and paw withdrawal latencies (PWLs) to noxious heating were recorded. The results showed that high-frequency tetanic electrical stimulation of the ACC both unilaterally enhanced the C-fibre-evoked field potentials in the spinal dorsal horn and bilaterally shortened PWLs, indicating a facilitation of spinal nociception. A similar effect was observed after microinjection of N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA; 10 nm, 1 microL) or homocysteic acid (HCA; 0.1 m, 1 microL) into the ACC. When the dorsal reticular nucleus (DRt) was electrolytically lesioned, ACC-induced facilitation of spinal nociception was blocked. These results imply that: (i) activation of the ACC may facilitate spinal nociception; (ii) NMDA receptors in the ACC may be involved in descending facilitation; and (iii) the DRt plays a crucial role in mediating ACC-induced facilitation of spinal nociception.

Comparison of Anterior Cingulate and Primary Somatosensory Neuronal Responses to Noxious Laser-Heat Stimuli in Conscious, Behaving Rats

In this study, we investigated single-unit responses of the primary sensorimotor cortex (SmI) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) to noxious stimulation of the tail of the rat. The influences of morphine on these nociceptive responses were also compared. Multiple single-unit activities were recorded from two eight-channel microwire arrays chronically implanted in the tail region of the SmI and ACC, respectively. CO2laser-heat irradiation of the middle part of the tail at an intensity slightly higher than that causing a maximal tail flick response was used as a specific noxious stimulus. Examined individually, ACC neurons were less responsive than SmI neurons to laser-heat stimulus, in that only 51% of the ACC units ( n = 125) responded compared with 88% of the SmI units ( n = 74). Among these responsive ACC units, many had a very long latency and long-lasting excitatory type of response that was seldom found in the SmI. When ensemble activities were examined, laser heat evoked both short- (60 ∼ 150 ms) and long-latency (151 ∼ 600 ms) responses in the SmI and ACC. Latencies of both responses were longer in the ACC. Furthermore, a single dose of 2.5–10 mg/kg morphine intraperitoneally suppressed only the long latency response in the SmI, but significantly attenuated both responses in the ACC. These effects of morphine were completely blocked by prior treatment with the opiate receptor blocker, naloxone. These results provide further evidence suggesting that the SmI and ACC may play different roles in processing noxious information.

Anterior cingulate cortical neuronal activity during perception of noxious thermal stimuli in monkeys

It has been reported that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has a variety of functions relating to pain as well as pain perception. However, the underlying mechanisms for those functions remain unclear. To elucidate the functional role of the ACC in pain perception and pain-related functions such as attention to pain and escape from pain, single neuronal activity was recorded from the ACC, and the behavioral correlates of this neuronal activity was studied. A total of 667 neurons were recorded from the ACC in awake behaving monkeys. Twenty-one had modulated activity during a heat-detection task. Eighteen of these increased their firing frequency following an increase in stimulus temperature, whereas three of them had decreased firing during heating of the face. Seventy-five percent of heat-evoked responses of heat-responsive ACC neurons were significantly depressed when monkeys detected the change in magnitude of illumination of a light presented on the front panel. The neuronal activity was significantly higher when monkeys escaped from a noxious heat stimulus than when the monkeys detected a small change in temperature (T2) above a larger initial shift (T1). No relationship between firing frequency and detection latency of the T2 stimulation was observed. These findings suggest that ACC nociceptive neurons are involved in attention to pain and escape from pain but not in the sensory discriminative aspect of pain.

Endogenous opiates and behavior: 2003

This paper is the 26th consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, now spanning over a quarter-century of research. It summarizes papers published during 2003 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior (Section 2), and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia (Section 3); stress and social status (Section 4); tolerance and dependence (Section 5); learning and memory (Section 6); eating and drinking (Section 7); alcohol and drugs of abuse (Section 8); sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (Section 9); mental illness and mood (Section 10); seizures and neurologic disorders (Section 11); electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (Section 12); general activity and locomotion (Section 13); gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (Section 14); cardiovascular responses (Section 15); respiration and thermoregulation (Section 16); and immunological responses (Section 17).

Contributions of the anterior cingulate cortex and amygdala to pain- and fear-conditioned place avoidance in rats

The pain experience includes a sensory-discriminative and an affective-emotional component. The sensory component of pain has been extensively studied, while data about the negative affective component of pain are quite limited. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and amygdala are thought to be key neural substrates underlying emotional responses. Using formalin-induced conditioned place avoidance (F-CPA) and electric foot-shock conditioned place avoidance (S-CPA) models, the present study observed the effects of bilateral excitotoxic (quinolinic acid 200 nmol/microl) lesions of the ACC and amygdala on pain and fear induced negative emotion, as well as on sensory component of pain. In the place-conditioning paradigm, both intraplantar (i.pl.) injection of formalin and electric foot-shock produced conditioned place avoidance. Excitotoxin-induced lesion of either the ACC or amygdala significantly reduced the magnitude of F-CPA. However, the decrease in the magnitude of S-CPA occurred only in the amygdala, but not ACC lesioned animals. Neither ACC nor amygdala lesion significantly changed formalin-induced acute nociceptive behaviors. These results suggest that the amygdala is involved in both pain- and fear-related negative emotion, and the ACC might play a critical role in the expression of pain-related negative emotion.

Glutamatergic activation of anterior cingulate cortex produces an aversive teaching signal

Noxious stimuli have motivational power and can support associative learning, but the neural circuitry mediating such avoidance learning is poorly understood. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is implicated in the affective response to noxious stimuli and the motivational properties of conditioned stimuli that predict noxious stimulation. Using conditioned place aversion (CPA) in rats, we found that excitatory amino acid microinjection into the ACC during conditioning produces avoidance learning in the absence of a peripheral noxious stimulus. Furthermore, microinjection of an excitatory amino acid antagonist into the ACC during conditioning blocked learning elicited by a noxious stimulus. ACC lesions made after conditioning did not impair expression of CPA. Thus, ACC neuronal activity is necessary and sufficient for noxious stimuli to produce an aversive teaching signal. Our results support the idea that a shared ACC pathway mediates both pain-induced negative affect and a nociceptor-driven aversive teaching signal.

Differential projections from the mediodorsal and centrolateral thalamic nuclei to the frontal cortex in rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate afferent projections from the medial thalamic nuclei (MT) to the frontal cortical areas using a single small iontophoretic injection of biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) and analysis of the anterogradely labeled fibers and varicosities. Projections from the mediodorsal (MD) nuclei were found primarily and extensively in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), whereas those from the centrolateral (CL) thalamic nucleus were found in the frontal motor cortex. The density of terminals in the ACC was high in layers II and III and sparse in layer I. The majority of projected fibers from the CL were found at a high density in layer V, with a moderate density in the superficial layers. The differential projection patterns were topographically organized in the medial prefrontal cortex and sensory motor cortex. These findings support the results of our previous electrophysiological studies suggesting that neurons in the medial thalamic nuclei relay nociceptive information to the limbic or sensory motor cortical areas. The present results agree with the current notion that the medial thalamo-frontal cortical network circuitry plays an important role in processing the emotional aspect of nociception.