1
|
Anumba N, Kelberman MA, Pan W, Marriott A, Zhang X, Xu N, Weinshenker D, Keilholz S. The Effects of Locus Coeruleus Optogenetic Stimulation on Global Spatiotemporal Patterns in Rats. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.23.595327. [PMID: 38826205 PMCID: PMC11142206 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.23.595327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Whole-brain intrinsic activity as detected by resting-state fMRI can be summarized by three primary spatiotemporal patterns. These patterns have been shown to change with different brain states, especially arousal. The noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC) is a key node in arousal circuits and has extensive projections throughout the brain, giving it neuromodulatory influence over the coordinated activity of structurally separated regions. In this study, we used optogenetic-fMRI in rats to investigate the impact of LC stimulation on the global signal and three primary spatiotemporal patterns. We report small, spatially specific changes in global signal distribution as a result of tonic LC stimulation, as well as regional changes in spatiotemporal patterns of activity at 5 Hz tonic and 15 Hz phasic stimulation. We also found that LC stimulation had little to no effect on the spatiotemporal patterns detected by complex principal component analysis. These results show that the effects of LC activity on the BOLD signal in rats may be small and regionally concentrated, as opposed to widespread and globally acting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nmachi Anumba
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Michael A Kelberman
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology Department, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Wenju Pan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Alexia Marriott
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Xiaodi Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Nan Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - David Weinshenker
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Shella Keilholz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Concetti C, Viskaitis P, Grujic N, Duss SN, Privitera M, Bohacek J, Peleg-Raibstein D, Burdakov D. Exploratory Rearing Is Governed by Hypothalamic Melanin-Concentrating Hormone Neurons According to Locus Ceruleus. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e0015242024. [PMID: 38575343 PMCID: PMC11112542 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0015-24.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Information seeking, such as standing on tiptoes to look around in humans, is observed across animals and helps survival. Its rodent analog-unsupported rearing on hind legs-was a classic model in deciphering neural signals of cognition and is of intense renewed interest in preclinical modeling of neuropsychiatric states. Neural signals and circuits controlling this dedicated decision to seek information remain largely unknown. While studying subsecond timing of spontaneous behavioral acts and activity of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) neurons (MNs) in behaving male and female mice, we observed large MN activity spikes that aligned to unsupported rears. Complementary causal, loss and gain of function, analyses revealed specific control of rear frequency and duration by MNs and MCHR1 receptors. Activity in a key stress center of the brain-the locus ceruleus noradrenaline cells-rapidly inhibited MNs and required functional MCH receptors for its endogenous modulation of rearing. By defining a neural module that both tracks and controls rearing, these findings may facilitate further insights into biology of information seeking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Concetti
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Neuroscience Center Zürich (ZNZ), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Paulius Viskaitis
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Neuroscience Center Zürich (ZNZ), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Nikola Grujic
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Neuroscience Center Zürich (ZNZ), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Sian N Duss
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Neuroscience Center Zürich (ZNZ), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Mattia Privitera
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Neuroscience Center Zürich (ZNZ), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Bohacek
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Neuroscience Center Zürich (ZNZ), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Daria Peleg-Raibstein
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Neuroscience Center Zürich (ZNZ), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Denis Burdakov
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Neuroscience Center Zürich (ZNZ), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rupprecht P, Duss SN, Becker D, Lewis CM, Bohacek J, Helmchen F. Centripetal integration of past events in hippocampal astrocytes regulated by locus coeruleus. Nat Neurosci 2024; 27:927-939. [PMID: 38570661 PMCID: PMC11089000 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01612-8] [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: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
An essential feature of neurons is their ability to centrally integrate information from their dendrites. The activity of astrocytes, in contrast, has been described as mostly uncoordinated across cellular compartments without clear central integration. Here we report conditional integration of calcium signals in astrocytic distal processes at their soma. In the hippocampus of adult mice of both sexes, we found that global astrocytic activity, as recorded with population calcium imaging, reflected past neuronal and behavioral events on a timescale of seconds. Salient past events, indicated by pupil dilations, facilitated the propagation of calcium signals from distal processes to the soma. Centripetal propagation to the soma was reproduced by optogenetic activation of the locus coeruleus, a key regulator of arousal, and reduced by pharmacological inhibition of α1-adrenergic receptors. Together, our results suggest that astrocytes are computational units of the brain that slowly and conditionally integrate calcium signals upon behaviorally relevant events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Rupprecht
- Laboratory of Neural Circuit Dynamics, Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Sian N Duss
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Denise Becker
- Laboratory of Neural Circuit Dynamics, Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christopher M Lewis
- Laboratory of Neural Circuit Dynamics, Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Bohacek
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Fritjof Helmchen
- Laboratory of Neural Circuit Dynamics, Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland.
- University Research Priority Program (URPP), Adaptive Brain Circuits in Development and Learning, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Megemont M, Tortorelli LS, McBurney-Lin J, Cohen JY, O'Connor DH, Yang H. Simultaneous recordings of pupil size variation and locus coeruleus activity in mice. STAR Protoc 2024; 5:102785. [PMID: 38127625 PMCID: PMC10772391 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102785] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
An extensive literature describes how pupil size reflects neuromodulatory activity, including the noradrenergic system. Here, we present a protocol for the simultaneous recording of optogenetically identified locus coeruleus (LC) units and pupil diameter in mice under different conditions. We describe steps for building an optrode, performing surgery to implant the optrode and headpost, searching for opto-tagged LC units, and performing dual LC-pupil recording. We then detail procedures for data processing and analysis. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Megemont et al.1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marine Megemont
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
| | - Lucas S Tortorelli
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Jim McBurney-Lin
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Jeremiah Y Cohen
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience & Krieger Mind/Brain Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Daniel H O'Connor
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience & Krieger Mind/Brain Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Hongdian Yang
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Privitera M, von Ziegler LM, Floriou-Servou A, Duss SN, Zhang R, Waag R, Leimbacher S, Sturman O, Roessler FK, Heylen A, Vermeiren Y, Van Dam D, De Deyn PP, Germain PL, Bohacek J. Noradrenaline release from the locus coeruleus shapes stress-induced hippocampal gene expression. eLife 2024; 12:RP88559. [PMID: 38477670 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Exposure to an acute stressor triggers a complex cascade of neurochemical events in the brain. However, deciphering their individual impact on stress-induced molecular changes remains a major challenge. Here, we combine RNA sequencing with selective pharmacological, chemogenetic, and optogenetic manipulations to isolate the contribution of the locus coeruleus-noradrenaline (LC-NA) system to the acute stress response in mice. We reveal that NA release during stress exposure regulates a large and reproducible set of genes in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus via β-adrenergic receptors. For a smaller subset of these genes, we show that NA release triggered by LC stimulation is sufficient to mimic the stress-induced transcriptional response. We observe these effects in both sexes, and independent of the pattern and frequency of LC activation. Using a retrograde optogenetic approach, we demonstrate that hippocampus-projecting LC neurons directly regulate hippocampal gene expression. Overall, a highly selective set of astrocyte-enriched genes emerges as key targets of LC-NA activation, most prominently several subunits of protein phosphatase 1 (Ppp1r3c, Ppp1r3d, Ppp1r3g) and type II iodothyronine deiodinase (Dio2). These results highlight the importance of astrocytic energy metabolism and thyroid hormone signaling in LC-mediated hippocampal function and offer new molecular targets for understanding how NA impacts brain function in health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Privitera
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Switzerland, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lukas M von Ziegler
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Switzerland, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Amalia Floriou-Servou
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Switzerland, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sian N Duss
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Switzerland, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Runzhong Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rebecca Waag
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Switzerland, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Leimbacher
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Sturman
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Switzerland, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fabienne K Roessler
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Annelies Heylen
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Behavior, Experimental Neurobiology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Yannick Vermeiren
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Behavior, Experimental Neurobiology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Chair Group of Nutritional Biology, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Debby Van Dam
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Behavior, Experimental Neurobiology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Center, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Peter P De Deyn
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Behavior, Experimental Neurobiology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Center, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Memory Clinic of Hospital Network Antwerp (ZNA) Middelheim and Hoge Beuken, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Pierre-Luc Germain
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Switzerland, Zurich, Switzerland
- Computational Neurogenomics, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Statistical Bioinformatics, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Bohacek
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Switzerland, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cody P, Kumar M, Tzounopoulos T. Cortical Zinc Signaling Is Necessary for Changes in Mouse Pupil Diameter That Are Evoked by Background Sounds with Different Contrasts. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e0939232024. [PMID: 38242698 PMCID: PMC10941062 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0939-23.2024] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Luminance-independent changes in pupil diameter (PD) during wakefulness influence and are influenced by neuromodulatory, neuronal, and behavioral responses. However, it is unclear whether changes in neuromodulatory activity in a specific brain area are necessary for the associated changes in PD or whether some different mechanisms cause parallel fluctuations in both PD and neuromodulation. To answer this question, we simultaneously recorded PD and cortical neuronal activity in male and female mice. Namely, we measured PD and neuronal activity during adaptation to sound contrast, which is a well-described adaptation conserved in many species and brain areas. In the primary auditory cortex (A1), increases in the variability of sound level (contrast) induce a decrease in the slope of the neuronal input-output relationship, neuronal gain, which depends on cortical neuromodulatory zinc signaling. We found a previously unknown modulation of PD by changes in background sensory context: high stimulus contrast sounds evoke larger increases in evoked PD compared with low-contrast sounds. To explore whether these changes in evoked PD are controlled by cortical neuromodulatory zinc signaling, we imaged single-cell neural activity in A1, manipulated zinc signaling in the cortex, and assessed PD in the same awake mouse. We found that cortical synaptic zinc signaling is necessary for increases in PD during high-contrast background sounds compared with low-contrast sounds. This finding advances our knowledge about how cortical neuromodulatory activity affects PD changes and thus advances our understanding of the brain states, circuits, and neuromodulatory mechanisms that can be inferred from pupil size fluctuations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Cody
- Department of Otolaryngology, Pittsburgh Hearing Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Department of Otolaryngology, Pittsburgh Hearing Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
| | - Thanos Tzounopoulos
- Department of Otolaryngology, Pittsburgh Hearing Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang Y, Lowerison MR, You Q, Lin BZ, Llano DA, Song P. Longitudinal Awake Imaging of Deep Mouse Brain Microvasculature with Super-resolution Ultrasound Localization Microscopy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.01.555789. [PMID: 37732191 PMCID: PMC10508721 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.01.555789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Super-resolution ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM) is an emerging imaging modality that resolves capillary-scale microvasculature in deep tissues. However, existing preclinical ULM applications are largely constrained to anesthetized animals, introducing confounding vascular effects such as vasodilation and altered hemodynamics. As such, ULM quantifications (e.g., vessel diameter, density, and flow velocity) may be confounded by the use of anesthesia, undermining the usefulness of ULM in practice. Here we introduce a method to address this limitation and achieve ULM imaging in awake mouse brain. Pupillary monitoring was used to confirm the awake state during ULM imaging. ULM revealed that veins showed a greater degree of vascularity reduction from anesthesia to awake states than did arteries. The reduction was most significant in the midbrain and least significant in the cortex. ULM also revealed a significant reduction in venous blood flow velocity across different brain regions under awake conditions. Serial in vivo imaging of the same animal brain at weekly intervals demonstrated the highly robust longitudinal imaging capability of the proposed technique. This is the first study demonstrating longitudinal ULM imaging in the awake mouse brain, which is essential for many ULM brain applications that require awake and behaving animals.
Collapse
|
8
|
Dahl MJ, Bachman SL, Dutt S, Düzel S, Bodammer NC, Lindenberger U, Kühn S, Werkle-Bergner M, Mather M. The integrity of dopaminergic and noradrenergic brain regions is associated with different aspects of late-life memory performance. NATURE AGING 2023; 3:1128-1143. [PMID: 37653256 PMCID: PMC10501910 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-023-00469-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Changes in dopaminergic neuromodulation play a key role in adult memory decline. Recent research has also implicated noradrenaline in shaping late-life memory. However, it is unclear whether these two neuromodulators have distinct roles in age-related cognitive changes. Here, combining longitudinal MRI of the dopaminergic substantia nigra-ventral tegmental area (SN-VTA) and noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC) in younger (n = 69) and older (n = 251) adults, we found that dopaminergic and noradrenergic integrity are differentially associated with memory performance. While LC integrity was related to better episodic memory across several tasks, SN-VTA integrity was linked to working memory. Longitudinally, we found that older age was associated with more negative change in SN-VTA and LC integrity. Notably, changes in LC integrity reliably predicted future episodic memory. These differential associations of dopaminergic and noradrenergic nuclei with late-life cognitive decline have potential clinical utility, given their degeneration in several age-associated diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin J Dahl
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany.
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Shelby L Bachman
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shubir Dutt
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sandra Düzel
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nils C Bodammer
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulman Lindenberger
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, London, UK
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Simone Kühn
- Lise Meitner Group for Environmental Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Werkle-Bergner
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mara Mather
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zou L, Herold F, Ludyga S, Kamijo K, Müller NG, Pontifex MB, Heath M, Kuwamizu R, Soya H, Hillman CH, Ando S, Alderman BL, Cheval B, Kramer AF. Look into my eyes: What can eye-based measures tell us about the relationship between physical activity and cognitive performance? JOURNAL OF SPORT AND HEALTH SCIENCE 2023; 12:568-591. [PMID: 37148971 PMCID: PMC10466196 DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a growing interest to understand the neurobiological mechanisms that drive the positive associations of physical activity and fitness with measures of cognitive performance. To better understand those mechanisms, several studies have employed eye-based measures (e.g., eye movement measures such as saccades, pupillary measures such as pupil dilation, and vascular measures such as retinal vessel diameter) deemed to be proxies for specific neurobiological mechanisms. However, there is currently no systematic review providing a comprehensive overview of these studies in the field of exercise-cognition science. Thus, this review aimed to address that gap in the literature. METHODS To identify eligible studies, we searched 5 electronic databases on October 23, 2022. Two researchers independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias using a modified version of the Tool for the assEssment of Study qualiTy and reporting in EXercise (TESTEX scale, for interventional studies) and the critical appraisal tool from the Joanna Briggs Institute (for cross-sectional studies). RESULTS Our systematic review (n = 35 studies) offers the following main findings: (a) there is insufficient evidence available to draw solid conclusions concerning gaze-fixation-based measures; (b) the evidence that pupillometric measures, which are a proxy for the noradrenergic system, can explain the positive effect of acute exercise and cardiorespiratory fitness on cognitive performance is mixed; (c) physical training- or fitness-related changes of the cerebrovascular system (operationalized via changes in retinal vasculature) are, in general, positively associated with cognitive performance improvements; (d) acute and chronic physical exercises show a positive effect based on an oculomotor-based measure of executive function (operationalized via antisaccade tasks); and (e) the positive association between cardiorespiratory fitness and cognitive performance is partly mediated by the dopaminergic system (operationalized via spontaneous eye-blink rate). CONCLUSION This systematic review offers confirmation that eye-based measures can provide valuable insight into the neurobiological mechanisms that may drive positive associations between physical activity and fitness and measures of cognitive performance. However, due to the limited number of studies utilizing specific methods for obtaining eye-based measures (e.g., pupillometry, retinal vessel analysis, spontaneous eye blink rate) or investigating a possible dose-response relationship, further research is necessary before more nuanced conclusions can be drawn. Given that eye-based measures are economical and non-invasive, we hope this review will foster the future application of eye-based measures in the field of exercise-cognition science.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liye Zou
- Body-Brain-Mind Laboratory, School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Research Group Degenerative and Chronic Diseases, Movement, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam 14476, Germany.
| | - Fabian Herold
- Body-Brain-Mind Laboratory, School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Research Group Degenerative and Chronic Diseases, Movement, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | - Sebastian Ludyga
- Department of Sport, Exercise, and Health, University of Basel, Basel 4052, Switzerland
| | - Keita Kamijo
- Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Chukyo University, Nagoya 466-8666, Japan
| | - Notger G Müller
- Body-Brain-Mind Laboratory, School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Research Group Degenerative and Chronic Diseases, Movement, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | - Matthew B Pontifex
- Department of Kinesiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Matthew Heath
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London ON N6A 3K7, Canada; Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging, University of Western Ontario, London ON, N6A 3K7, Canada; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Ryuta Kuwamizu
- Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-0006, Japan
| | - Hideaki Soya
- Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-0006, Japan; Sport Neuroscience Division, Advanced Research Initiative for Human High Performance (ARIHHP), Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-0006, Japan
| | - Charles H Hillman
- Center for Cognitive and Brain Health, Department of Psychology, Department of Physical Therapy, Movement, and Rehabilitation Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Soichi Ando
- Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering, The University of Electro-Communications, Tokyo 182-8585, Japan
| | - Brandon L Alderman
- Department of Kinesiology and Health, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, New Brunswick, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Boris Cheval
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva 1205, Switzerland; Laboratory for the Study of Emotion Elicitation and Expression (E3Lab), Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, Geneva 1205, Switzerland
| | - Arthur F Kramer
- Department of Psychology, Center for Cognitive and Brain Health, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Chen HY, Marxen M, Dahl MJ, Glöckner F. Effects of Adult Age and Functioning of the Locus Coeruleus Norepinephrinergic System on Reward-Based Learning. J Neurosci 2023; 43:6185-6196. [PMID: 37541835 PMCID: PMC10476638 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2006-22.2023] [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: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related impairments in value representations and updating during decision-making and reward-based learning are often related to age-related attenuation in the catecholamine system such as dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE). However, it is unclear to what extent age-related declines in NE functioning in humans affect reward-based decision-making. We conducted a probabilistic decision-making task and applied a Q-learning model to investigate participants' anticipatory values and value sensitivities. Task-related pupil dilations and locus coeruleus (LC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast, which served as a potential window of the LC-NE functions, were assessed in younger and older adults. Results showed that in both choice and feedback phases, younger adults' (N = 42, 22 males) pupil dilations negatively correlated with anticipatory values, indicating uncertainty about outcome probabilities. Uncertainty-evoked pupil dilations in older adults (N = 41, 27 males) were smaller, indicating age-related impairments in value estimation and updating. In both age groups, participants who showed a larger uncertainty-evoked pupil dilation exhibited a higher value sensitivity as reflected in the β parameter of the reinforcement Q-learning model. Furthermore, older adults (N = 34, 29 males) showed a lower LC-MRI contrast than younger adults (N = 25, 15 males). The LC-MRI contrast positively correlated with value sensitivity only in older but not in younger adults. These findings suggest that task-related pupillary responses can reflect age-related deficits in value estimation and updating during reward-based decision-making. Our evidence with the LC-MRI contrast further showed the age-related decline of the LC structure in modulating value representations during reward-based learning.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Age-related impairments in value representation and updating during reward-based learning are associated with declines in the catecholamine modulation with age. However, it is unclear how age-related declines in the LC-NE system may affect reward-based learning. Here, we show that compared with younger adults, older adults exhibited reduced uncertainty-induced pupil dilations, suggesting age-related deficits in value estimation and updating. Older adults showed a lower structural MRI of the LC contrast than younger adults, indicating age-related degeneration of the LC structure. The association between the LC-MRI contrast and value sensitivity was only observed in older adults. Our findings may demonstrate a pioneering model to unravel the role of the LC-NE system in reward-based learning in aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsiang-Yu Chen
- Lifespan Developmental Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
- Methods of Psychology and Cognitive Modeling, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Marxen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin J Dahl
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90089
| | - Franka Glöckner
- Lifespan Developmental Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kuwamizu R, Yamazaki Y, Aoike N, Hiraga T, Hata T, Yassa MA, Soya H. Pupil dynamics during very light exercise predict benefits to prefrontal cognition. Neuroimage 2023; 277:120244. [PMID: 37353097 PMCID: PMC10788147 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Physical exercise, even stress-free very-light-intensity exercise such as yoga and very slow running, can have beneficial effects on executive function, possibly by potentiating prefrontal cortical activity. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this potentiation have not been identified. Evidence from studies using pupillometry demonstrates that pupil changes track the real-time dynamics of activity linked to arousal and attention, including neural circuits from the locus coeruleus to the cortex. This makes it possible to examine whether pupil-linked brain dynamics induced during very-light-intensity exercise mediate benefits to prefrontal executive function in healthy young adults. In this experiment, pupil diameter was measured during 10 min of very-light-intensity exercise (30% V˙o2peak). A Stroop task was used to assess executive function before and after exercise. Prefrontal cortical activation during the task was assessed using multichannel functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). We observed that very-light-intensity exercise significantly elicited pupil dilation, reduction of Stroop interference, and task-related left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activation compared with the resting-control condition. The magnitude of change in pupil dilation predicted the magnitude of improvement in Stroop performance. In addition, causal mediation analysis showed that pupil dilation during very-light-intensity exercise robustly determined subsequent enhancement of Stroop performance. This finding supports our hypothesis that the pupil-linked mechanisms, which may be tied to locus coeruleus activation, are a potential mechanism by which very light exercise enhances prefrontal cortex activation and executive function. It also suggests that pupillometry may be a useful tool to interpret the beneficial impact of exercise on boosting cognition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryuta Kuwamizu
- Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan; Graduate School of Letters, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yudai Yamazaki
- Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan; Sport Neuroscience Division, Advanced Research Initiative for Human High Performance (ARIHHP), Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan
| | - Naoki Aoike
- Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan; Sport Neuroscience Division, Advanced Research Initiative for Human High Performance (ARIHHP), Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan
| | - Taichi Hiraga
- Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Hata
- Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan
| | - Michael A Yassa
- Sport Neuroscience Division, Advanced Research Initiative for Human High Performance (ARIHHP), Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan; Department of Neurobiology and Behavior and Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92679-3800, USA
| | - Hideaki Soya
- Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan; Sport Neuroscience Division, Advanced Research Initiative for Human High Performance (ARIHHP), Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Grujic N, Tesmer A, Bracey E, Peleg-Raibstein D, Burdakov D. Control and coding of pupil size by hypothalamic orexin neurons. Nat Neurosci 2023:10.1038/s41593-023-01365-w. [PMID: 37336973 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01365-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Brain orexin (hypocretin) neurons are implicated in sleep-wake switching and reward-seeking but their roles in rapid arousal dynamics and reward perception are unclear. Here, cell-specific stimulation, deletion and in vivo recordings revealed strong correlative and causal links between pupil dilation-a quantitative arousal marker-and orexin cell activity. Coding of arousal and reward was distributed across orexin cells, indicating that they specialize in rapid, multiplexed communication of momentary arousal and reward states.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikola Grujic
- Neurobehavioural Dynamics Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Tesmer
- Neurobehavioural Dynamics Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Ed Bracey
- Neurobehavioural Dynamics Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Daria Peleg-Raibstein
- Neurobehavioural Dynamics Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Denis Burdakov
- Neurobehavioural Dynamics Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Yamazaki Y, Suwabe K, Nagano-Saito A, Saotome K, Kuwamizu R, Hiraga T, Torma F, Suzuki K, Sankai Y, Yassa MA, Soya H. A possible contribution of the locus coeruleus to arousal enhancement with mild exercise: evidence from pupillometry and neuromelanin imaging. Cereb Cortex Commun 2023; 4:tgad010. [PMID: 37323937 PMCID: PMC10267300 DOI: 10.1093/texcom/tgad010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute mild exercise has been observed to facilitate executive function and memory. A possible underlying mechanism of this is the upregulation of the ascending arousal system, including the catecholaminergic system originating from the locus coeruleus (LC). Prior work indicates that pupil diameter, as an indirect marker of the ascending arousal system, including the LC, increases even with very light-intensity exercise. However, it remains unclear whether the LC directly contributes to exercise-induced pupil-linked arousal. Here, we examined the involvement of the LC in the change in pupil dilation induced by very light-intensity exercise using pupillometry and neuromelanin imaging to assess the LC integrity. A sample of 21 young males performed 10 min of very light-intensity exercise, and we measured changes in the pupil diameters and psychological arousal levels induced by the exercise. Neuromelanin-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans were also obtained. We observed that pupil diameter and psychological arousal levels increased during very light-intensity exercise, which is consistent with previous findings. Notably, the LC contrast, a marker of LC integrity, predicted the magnitude of pupil dilation and psychological arousal enhancement with exercise. These relationships suggest that the LC-catecholaminergic system is a potential a mechanism for pupil-linked arousal induced by very light-intensity exercise.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yudai Yamazaki
- Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tannoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan
- Sport Neuroscience Division, Advanced Research Initiative for Human High Performance (ARIHHP), Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan
| | - Kazuya Suwabe
- Sport Neuroscience Division, Advanced Research Initiative for Human High Performance (ARIHHP), Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan
- Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, Ryutsu Keizai University, 120 Ryugasaki, Ibaraki 301-0844, Japan
- Center for Cybernics Research, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8573, Japan
| | - Atsuko Nagano-Saito
- Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tannoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan
- Sport Neuroscience Division, Advanced Research Initiative for Human High Performance (ARIHHP), Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan
- Department of Radiology, Ushiku Aiwa General Hospital, 896 Inoko-cho, Ushiku, Ibaraki 300-1296, Japan
| | - Kousaku Saotome
- Center for Cybernics Research, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8573, Japan
- Department of Radiological Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Ryuta Kuwamizu
- Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tannoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan
- Graduate School of Letters, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Taichi Hiraga
- Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tannoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan
| | - Ferenc Torma
- Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tannoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan
- Sport Neuroscience Division, Advanced Research Initiative for Human High Performance (ARIHHP), Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan
| | - Kenji Suzuki
- Center for Cybernics Research, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8573, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Sankai
- Center for Cybernics Research, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8573, Japan
| | - Michael A Yassa
- Sport Neuroscience Division, Advanced Research Initiative for Human High Performance (ARIHHP), Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92679-3800, United States
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, CA 92679-3800, United States
| | - Hideaki Soya
- Corresponding author: Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and Neuroendocrinology; Sport Neuroscience Division, Advanced Research Initiative for Human High Performance (ARIHHP), Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Turner KL, Gheres KW, Drew PJ. Relating Pupil Diameter and Blinking to Cortical Activity and Hemodynamics across Arousal States. J Neurosci 2023; 43:949-964. [PMID: 36517240 PMCID: PMC9908322 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1244-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Arousal state affects neural activity and vascular dynamics in the cortex, with sleep associated with large changes in the local field potential and increases in cortical blood flow. We investigated the relationship between pupil diameter and blink rate with neural activity and blood volume in the somatosensory cortex in male and female unanesthetized, head-fixed mice. We monitored these variables while the mice were awake, during periods of rapid eye movement (REM), and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Pupil diameter was smaller during sleep than in the awake state. Changes in pupil diameter were coherent with both gamma-band power and blood volume in the somatosensory cortex, but the strength and sign of this relationship varied with arousal state. We observed a strong negative correlation between pupil diameter and both gamma-band power and blood volume during periods of awake rest and NREM sleep, although the correlations between pupil diameter and these signals became positive during periods of alertness, active whisking, and REM. Blinking was associated with increases in arousal and decreases in blood volume when the mouse was asleep. Bilateral coherence in gamma-band power and in blood volume dropped following awake blinking, indicating a reset of neural and vascular activity. Using only eye metrics (pupil diameter and eye motion), we could determine the arousal state of the mouse ('Awake,' 'NREM,' 'REM') with >90% accuracy with a 5 s resolution. There is a strong relationship between pupil diameter and hemodynamics signals in mice, reflecting the pronounced effects of arousal on cerebrovascular dynamics.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Determining arousal state is a critical component of any neuroscience experiment. Pupil diameter and blinking are influenced by arousal state, as are hemodynamics signals in the cortex. We investigated the relationship between cortical hemodynamics and pupil diameter and found that pupil diameter was strongly related to the blood volume in the cortex. Mice were more likely to be awake after blinking than before, and blinking resets neural activity. Pupil diameter and eye motion can be used as a reliable, noninvasive indicator of arousal state. As mice transition from wake to sleep and back again over a timescale of seconds, monitoring pupil diameter and eye motion permits the noninvasive detection of sleep events during behavioral or resting-state experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin L Turner
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
- Center for Neural Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
| | - Kyle W Gheres
- Center for Neural Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
- Departments of Engineering Science and Mechanics
| | - Patrick J Drew
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
- Center for Neural Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
- Departments of Engineering Science and Mechanics
- Biology and Neurosurgery, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
D'Agostini M, Burger AM, Franssen M, Perkovic A, Claes S, von Leupoldt A, Murphy PR, Van Diest I. Short bursts of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation enhance evoked pupil dilation as a function of stimulation parameters. Cortex 2023; 159:233-253. [PMID: 36640622 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2022.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a neurostimulatory technique hypothesised to enhance central noradrenaline. Currently, there is scarce evidence in support of a noradrenergic mechanism of taVNS and limited knowledge on its stimulation parameters (i.e., intensity and pulse width). Therefore, the present study aimed to test whether taVNS enhances pupil dilation, a noradrenergic biomarker, as a function of stimulation parameters. Forty-nine participants received sham (i.e., left ear earlobe) and taVNS (i.e., left ear cymba concha) stimulation in two separate sessions, in a counterbalanced order. We administered short bursts (5s) of seven stimulation settings varying as a function of pulse width and intensity and measured pupil size in parallel. Each stimulation setting was administered sixteen times in separate blocks. We expected short bursts of stimulation to elicit phasic noradrenergic activity as indexed by event-related pupil dilation and event-related temporal derivative. We hypothesised higher stimulation settings, quantified as the total charge per pulse (pulse width x intensity), to drive greater event-related pupil dilation and temporal derivative in the taVNS compared to sham condition. Specifically, we expected stimulation settings in the taVNS condition to be associated with a linear increase in event-related pupil dilation and temporal derivative. We found stimulation settings to linearly increase both pupil measures. In line with our hypothesis, the observed dose-dependent effect was stronger in the taVNS condition. We also found taVNS to elicit more intense and unpleasant sensations than sham stimulation. These results support the hypothesis of a noradrenergic mechanism of taVNS. However, future studies should disentangle whether stimulation elicited sensations mediate the effect of taVNS on evoked pupil dilation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ana Perkovic
- Research Group Health Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephan Claes
- The Mind Body Research Group, Department of Neuroscience, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | | | - Peter R Murphy
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Co. Kildare, Ireland; Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Ilse Van Diest
- Research Group Health Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Yamada K, Toda K. Pupillary dynamics of mice performing a Pavlovian delay conditioning task reflect reward-predictive signals. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:1045764. [PMID: 36567756 PMCID: PMC9772849 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.1045764] [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: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pupils can signify various internal processes and states, such as attention, arousal, and working memory. Changes in pupil size have been associated with learning speed, prediction of future events, and deviations from the prediction in human studies. However, the detailed relationships between pupil size changes and prediction are unclear. We explored pupil size dynamics in mice performing a Pavlovian delay conditioning task. A head-fixed experimental setup combined with deep-learning-based image analysis enabled us to reduce spontaneous locomotor activity and to track the precise dynamics of pupil size of behaving mice. By setting up two experimental groups, one for which mice were able to predict reward in the Pavlovian delay conditioning task and the other for which mice were not, we demonstrated that the pupil size of mice is modulated by reward prediction and consumption, as well as body movements, but not by unpredicted reward delivery. Furthermore, we clarified that pupil size is still modulated by reward prediction even after the disruption of body movements by intraperitoneal injection of haloperidol, a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist. These results suggest that changes in pupil size reflect reward prediction signals. Thus, we provide important evidence to reconsider the neuronal circuit involved in computing reward prediction error. This integrative approach of behavioral analysis, image analysis, pupillometry, and pharmacological manipulation will pave the way for understanding the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms of reward prediction and the prediction errors essential to learning and behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kota Yamada
- Department of Psychology, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan,Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan,*Correspondence: Kota Yamada
| | - Koji Toda
- Department of Psychology, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan,Koji Toda
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Kuwamizu R, Yamazaki Y, Aoike N, Ochi G, Suwabe K, Soya H. Pupil-linked arousal with very light exercise: pattern of pupil dilation during graded exercise. J Physiol Sci 2022; 72:23. [DOI: 10.1186/s12576-022-00849-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAlthough it has been hypothesized that moderate to vigorous exercise immediately modulates cognition via ascending arousal system activation, such activation during very-light to light exercise has remained uncertain. Here, we aimed to uncover the exact exercise intensity necessary for ascending arousal system activation using pupillometry. The pupil diameter, psychological arousal, and ventilation during graded exercise of 26 young males were analyzed based on %$${\dot{V}}_{{\text{O}}_{\text{2peak}}}$$
V
˙
O
2peak
. Pupils dilated with very-light exercise compared to rest, stabilized, and then drastically increased again with moderate exercise and above. Pupil dilation with very-light exercise was positively correlated with increases in psychological arousal. Thus, we have shown that there are two phases of pupil dilation during graded exercise: one with very-light exercise coinciding with psychological arousal response, and the other with moderate exercise or above similar to the ventilation increase pattern. This unique pupil dilation pattern provides physiological evidence of ascending arousal system activation with very-light exercise.
Collapse
|
19
|
McBurney-Lin J, Vargova G, Garad M, Zagha E, Yang H. The locus coeruleus mediates behavioral flexibility. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111534. [PMID: 36288712 PMCID: PMC9662304 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavioral flexibility is the ability to adjust behavioral strategies in response to changing environmental contingencies. A major hypothesis in the field posits that the activity of neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) plays an important role in mediating behavioral flexibility. To test this hypothesis, we developed a tactile-based rule-shift detection task in which mice responded to left and right whisker deflections in a context-dependent manner and exhibited varying degrees of switching behavior. Recording spiking activity from optogenetically tagged neurons in the LC at millisecond precision during task performance revealed a prominent graded correlation between baseline LC activity and behavioral flexibility, where higher baseline activity following a rule change was associated with faster behavioral switching to the new rule. Increasing baseline LC activity with optogenetic activation accelerated task switching and improved task performance. Overall, our study provides important evidence to reveal the link between LC activity and behavioral flexibility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jim McBurney-Lin
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA,These authors contributed equally
| | - Greta Vargova
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA,These authors contributed equally
| | - Machhindra Garad
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Edward Zagha
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA,Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Hongdian Yang
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kaklauskas A, Abraham A, Ubarte I, Kliukas R, Luksaite V, Binkyte-Veliene A, Vetloviene I, Kaklauskiene L. A Review of AI Cloud and Edge Sensors, Methods, and Applications for the Recognition of Emotional, Affective and Physiological States. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:7824. [PMID: 36298176 PMCID: PMC9611164 DOI: 10.3390/s22207824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Affective, emotional, and physiological states (AFFECT) detection and recognition by capturing human signals is a fast-growing area, which has been applied across numerous domains. The research aim is to review publications on how techniques that use brain and biometric sensors can be used for AFFECT recognition, consolidate the findings, provide a rationale for the current methods, compare the effectiveness of existing methods, and quantify how likely they are to address the issues/challenges in the field. In efforts to achieve the key goals of Society 5.0, Industry 5.0, and human-centered design better, the recognition of emotional, affective, and physiological states is progressively becoming an important matter and offers tremendous growth of knowledge and progress in these and other related fields. In this research, a review of AFFECT recognition brain and biometric sensors, methods, and applications was performed, based on Plutchik's wheel of emotions. Due to the immense variety of existing sensors and sensing systems, this study aimed to provide an analysis of the available sensors that can be used to define human AFFECT, and to classify them based on the type of sensing area and their efficiency in real implementations. Based on statistical and multiple criteria analysis across 169 nations, our outcomes introduce a connection between a nation's success, its number of Web of Science articles published, and its frequency of citation on AFFECT recognition. The principal conclusions present how this research contributes to the big picture in the field under analysis and explore forthcoming study trends.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arturas Kaklauskas
- Department of Construction Management and Real Estate, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Sauletekio Ave. 11, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Ajith Abraham
- Machine Intelligence Research Labs, Scientific Network for Innovation and Research Excellence, Auburn, WA 98071, USA
| | - Ieva Ubarte
- Institute of Sustainable Construction, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Sauletekio Ave. 11, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Romualdas Kliukas
- Department of Applied Mechanics, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Sauletekio Ave. 11, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Vaida Luksaite
- Department of Construction Management and Real Estate, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Sauletekio Ave. 11, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Arune Binkyte-Veliene
- Institute of Sustainable Construction, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Sauletekio Ave. 11, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Ingrida Vetloviene
- Department of Construction Management and Real Estate, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Sauletekio Ave. 11, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Loreta Kaklauskiene
- Department of Construction Management and Real Estate, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Sauletekio Ave. 11, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Carlsen EMM, Nedergaard M, Rasmussen RN. Versatile treadmill system for measuring locomotion and neural activity in head-fixed mice. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101701. [PMID: 36107745 PMCID: PMC9485523 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we present a protocol for using a versatile treadmill system to measure locomotion and neural activity at high temporal resolution in head-fixed mice. We first describe the assembly of the treadmill system. We then detail surgical implantation of the headplate on the mouse skull, followed by habituation of mice to locomotion on the treadmill system. The system is compact, movable, and simple to synchronize with other data streams, making it ideal for monitoring brain activity in diverse behavioral frameworks. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Rasmussen et al. (2019).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Maiken Nedergaard
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark,Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester NY 14642, USA
| | - Rune Nguyen Rasmussen
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark,Corresponding author
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Omoluabi T, Power KD, Sepahvand T, Yuan Q. Phasic and Tonic Locus Coeruleus Stimulation Associated Valence Learning Engages Distinct Adrenoceptors in the Rat Basolateral Amygdala. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:886803. [PMID: 35614971 PMCID: PMC9124852 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.886803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reward exploitation and aversion are mediated in part by the locus coeruleus (LC), a brainstem structure significantly involved in learning and memory via the release of norepinephrine. Different LC firing patterns are associated with different functions. Previously, we have shown that high tonic and phasic LC activation signal negative and positive valence, respectively, via basolateral amygdala (BLA) circuitry. Tonic LC activation is associated preferentially with BLA-central amygdala (CeA) activation, while phasic LC stimulation preferentially recruits the BLA-nucleus accumbens (NAc) pathway. Here, we ask if phasic and tonic LC activation-associated valence learning requires different adrenoceptors in the BLA, in comparison with the odor valence learning induced by natural reward and aversive conditioning. Using optogenetic activation of the LC and local drug infusions in the BLA, we show that phasic LC activation-induced positive odor valence learning is dependent on both α1 and β-adrenoceptors, whereas tonic LC activation induced-negative odor valence learning depends on β-adrenoceptors only. In parallel, both α1 and β-adrenoceptors were required in the odor valence learning induced by reward while aversive conditioning was dependent on β-adrenoceptors. Phasic stimulation and reward conditioning likewise activated more NAc-projectors of the BLA, in comparison to tonic and aversive conditioning. There was a higher proportion of α1+ cells in the NAc-projectors compared to CeA-projectors in the BLA. Together, these results provide insight into the mechanisms underlying the effects of tonic and phasic activation of the LC, and more generally, negative and positive valence signaling.
Collapse
|
23
|
Suárez-Pereira I, Llorca-Torralba M, Bravo L, Camarena-Delgado C, Soriano-Mas C, Berrocoso E. The Role of the Locus Coeruleus in Pain and Associated Stress-Related Disorders. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:786-797. [PMID: 35164940 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The locus coeruleus (LC)-noradrenergic system is the main source of noradrenaline in the central nervous system and is involved intensively in modulating pain and stress-related disorders (e.g., major depressive disorder and anxiety) and in their comorbidity. However, the mechanisms involving the LC that underlie these effects have not been fully elucidated, in part owing to the technical difficulties inherent in exploring such a tiny nucleus. However, novel research tools are now available that have helped redefine the LC system, moving away from the traditional view of LC as a homogeneous structure that exerts a uniform influence on neural activity. Indeed, innovative techniques such as DREADDs (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs) and optogenetics have demonstrated the functional heterogeneity of LC, and novel magnetic resonance imaging applications combined with pupillometry have opened the way to evaluate LC activity in vivo. This review aims to bring together the data available on the efferent activity of the LC-noradrenergic system in relation to pain and its comorbidity with anxiodepressive disorders. Acute pain triggers a robust LC stress response, producing spinal cord-mediated endogenous analgesia while promoting aversion, vigilance, and threat detection through its ascending efferents. However, this protective biological system fails in chronic pain, and LC activity produces pain facilitation, anxiety, increased aversive memory, and behavioral despair, acting at the medulla, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala levels. Thus, the activation/deactivation of specific LC projections contributes to different behavioral outcomes in the shift from acute to chronic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irene Suárez-Pereira
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Psychobiology Research Group, Department of Neuroscience, University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain; Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Meritxell Llorca-Torralba
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Psychobiology Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain; Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lidia Bravo
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Psychobiology Research Group, Department of Neuroscience, University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain; Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Camarena-Delgado
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Psychobiology Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain; Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Carles Soriano-Mas
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge University Hospital, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Psychobiology and Methodology in Health Sciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Berrocoso
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Psychobiology Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain; Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Zhang Q, Turner KL, Gheres KW, Hossain MS, Drew PJ. Behavioral and physiological monitoring for awake neurovascular coupling experiments: a how-to guide. NEUROPHOTONICS 2022; 9:021905. [PMID: 35639834 PMCID: PMC8802326 DOI: 10.1117/1.nph.9.2.021905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Significance: Functional brain imaging in awake animal models is a popular and powerful technique that allows the investigation of neurovascular coupling (NVC) under physiological conditions. However, ubiquitous facial and body motions (fidgeting) are prime drivers of spontaneous fluctuations in neural and hemodynamic signals. During periods without movement, animals can rapidly transition into sleep, and the hemodynamic signals tied to arousal state changes can be several times larger than sensory-evoked responses. Given the outsized influence of facial and body motions and arousal signals in neural and hemodynamic signals, it is imperative to detect and monitor these events in experiments with un-anesthetized animals. Aim: To cover the importance of monitoring behavioral state in imaging experiments using un-anesthetized rodents, and describe how to incorporate detailed behavioral and physiological measurements in imaging experiments. Approach: We review the effects of movements and sleep-related signals (heart rate, respiration rate, electromyography, intracranial pressure, whisking, and other body movements) on brain hemodynamics and electrophysiological signals, with a focus on head-fixed experimental setup. We summarize the measurement methods currently used in animal models for detection of those behaviors and arousal changes. We then provide a guide on how to incorporate this measurements with functional brain imaging and electrophysiology measurements. Results: We provide a how-to guide on monitoring and interpreting a variety of physiological signals and their applications to NVC experiments in awake behaving mice. Conclusion: This guide facilitates the application of neuroimaging in awake animal models and provides neuroscientists with a standard approach for monitoring behavior and other associated physiological parameters in head-fixed animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingguang Zhang
- The Pennsylvania State University, Center for Neural Engineering, Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Kevin L. Turner
- The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Kyle W. Gheres
- The Pennsylvania State University, Graduate Program in Molecular Cellular and Integrative Biosciences, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Md Shakhawat Hossain
- The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Patrick J. Drew
- The Pennsylvania State University, Center for Neural Engineering, Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States
- The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States
- The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Neurosurgery, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Huang K, Yang Q, Han Y, Zhang Y, Wang Z, Wang L, Wei P. An Easily Compatible Eye-tracking System for Freely-moving Small Animals. Neurosci Bull 2022; 38:661-676. [PMID: 35325370 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-00834-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Measuring eye movement is a fundamental approach in cognitive science as it provides a variety of insightful parameters that reflect brain states such as visual attention and emotions. Combining eye-tracking with multimodal neural recordings or manipulation techniques is beneficial for understanding the neural substrates of cognitive function. Many commercially-available and custom-built systems have been widely applied to awake, head-fixed small animals. However, the existing eye-tracking systems used in freely-moving animals are still limited in terms of their compatibility with other devices and of the algorithm used to detect eye movements. Here, we report a novel system that integrates a general-purpose, easily compatible eye-tracking hardware with a robust eye feature-detection algorithm. With ultra-light hardware and a detachable design, the system allows for more implants to be added to the animal's exposed head and has a precise synchronization module to coordinate with other neural implants. Moreover, we systematically compared the performance of existing commonly-used pupil-detection approaches, and demonstrated that the proposed adaptive pupil feature-detection algorithm allows the analysis of more complex and dynamic eye-tracking data in free-moving animals. Synchronized eye-tracking and electroencephalogram recordings, as well as algorithm validation under five noise conditions, suggested that our system is flexibly adaptable and can be combined with a wide range of neural manipulation and recording technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kang Huang
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qin Yang
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yaning Han
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yulin Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Zhiyi Wang
- Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Liping Wang
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Pengfei Wei
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Megemont M, McBurney-Lin J, Yang H. Pupil diameter is not an accurate real-time readout of locus coeruleus activity. eLife 2022; 11:70510. [PMID: 35107419 PMCID: PMC8809893 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pupil diameter is often treated as a noninvasive readout of activity in the locus coeruleus (LC). However, how accurately it can be used to index LC activity is not known. To address this question, we established a graded relationship between pupil size changes and LC spiking activity in mice, where pupil dilation increased monotonically with the number of LC spikes. However, this relationship exists with substantial variability such that pupil diameter can only be used to accurately predict a small fraction of LC activity on a moment-by-moment basis. In addition, pupil exhibited large session-to-session fluctuations in response to identical optical stimulation in the LC. The variations in the pupil–LC relationship were strongly correlated with decision bias-related behavioral variables. Together, our data show that substantial variability exists in an overall graded relationship between pupil diameter and LC activity, and further suggest that the pupil–LC relationship is dynamically modulated by brain states, supporting and extending our previous findings (Yang et al., 2021).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marine Megemont
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, United States
| | - Jim McBurney-Lin
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, United States.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, United States
| | - Hongdian Yang
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, United States.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, United States
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Dahl MJ, Mather M, Werkle-Bergner M. Noradrenergic modulation of rhythmic neural activity shapes selective attention. Trends Cogn Sci 2022; 26:38-52. [PMID: 34799252 PMCID: PMC8678372 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2021.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
During moments involving selective attention, the thalamus orchestrates the preferential processing of prioritized information by coordinating rhythmic neural activity within a distributed frontoparietal network. The timed release of neuromodulators from subcortical structures dynamically sculpts neural synchronization in thalamocortical networks to meet current attentional demands. In particular, noradrenaline modulates the balance of cortical excitation and inhibition, as reflected by thalamocortical alpha synchronization (~8-12 Hz). These neuromodulatory adjustments facilitate the selective processing of prioritized information. Thus, by disrupting effective rhythmic coordination in attention networks, age-related locus coeruleus (LC) degeneration can impair higher levels of neural processing. In sum, findings across different levels of analysis and modalities shed light on how the noradrenergic modulation of neural synchronization helps to shape selective attention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin J Dahl
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, 14195 Berlin, Germany; Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, 90089 Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Mara Mather
- Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, 90089 Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Markus Werkle-Bergner
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Sturman O, von Ziegler L, Privitera M, Waag R, Duss S, Vermeiren Y, Giovagnoli L, de Deyn P, Bohacek J. Chronic adolescent stress increases exploratory behavior but does not appear to change the acute stress response in adult male C57BL/6 mice. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 15:100388. [PMID: 34527792 PMCID: PMC8430388 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress exposure in adolescence can lead to a lasting change in stress responsiveness later in life and is associated with increased mental health issues in adulthood. Here we investigate whether the Chronic Social Instability (CSI) paradigm influences the behavioral and molecular responses to novel acute stressors in mice, and whether it alters physiological responses influenced by the noradrenergic system. Using large cohorts of mice, we show that CSI mice display a persistent increase in exploratory behaviors in the open field test alongside small but widespread transcriptional changes in the ventral hippocampus. However, both the transcriptomic and behavioral responses to novel acute stressors are indistinguishable between groups. In addition, the pupillometric response to a tail shock, known to be mediated by the noradrenergic system, remains unaltered in CSI mice. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography analysis of monoaminergic neurotransmitter levels in the ventral hippocampus also shows no differences between control or CSI mice at baseline or in response to acute stress. We conclude that CSI exposure during adolescence leads to persistent changes in exploratory behavior and gene expression in the hippocampus, but it does not alter the response to acute stress in adulthood and is unlikely to alter the function of the noradrenergic system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Sturman
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lukas von Ziegler
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mattia Privitera
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rebecca Waag
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sian Duss
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yannick Vermeiren
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Behavior, Institute Born-Bunge, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Chair Group of Nutritional Biology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
- Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Translational Neurosciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Letizia Giovagnoli
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Peter de Deyn
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Behavior, Institute Born-Bunge, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Center, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Memory Clinic of Hospital Network Antwerp (ZNA) Middelheim and Hoge Beuken, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Johannes Bohacek
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Automated Mouse Pupil Size Measurement System to Assess Locus Coeruleus Activity with a Deep Learning-Based Approach. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21217106. [PMID: 34770410 PMCID: PMC8588114 DOI: 10.3390/s21217106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Strong evidence from studies on primates and rodents shows that changes in pupil diameter may reflect neural activity in the locus coeruleus (LC). Pupillometry is the only available non-invasive technique that could be used as a reliable and easily accessible real-time biomarker of changes in the in vivo activity of the LC. However, the application of pupillometry to preclinical research in rodents is not yet fully standardized. A lack of consensus on the technical specifications of some of the components used for image recording or positioning of the animal and cameras have been recorded in recent scientific literature. In this study, a novel pupillometry system to indirectly assess, in real-time, the function of the LC in anesthetized rodents is presented. The system comprises a deep learning SOLOv2 instance-based fast segmentation framework and a platform designed to place the experimental subject, the video cameras for data acquisition, and the light source. The performance of the proposed setup was assessed and compared to other baseline methods using a validation and an external test set. In the latter, the calculated intersection over the union was 0.93 and the mean absolute percentage error was 1.89% for the selected method. The Bland–Altman analysis depicted an excellent agreement. The results confirmed a high accuracy that makes the system suitable for real-time pupil size tracking, regardless of the pupil’s size, light intensity, or any features typical of the recording process in sedated mice. The framework could be used in any neurophysiological study with sedated or fixed-head animals.
Collapse
|
30
|
MEYE: Web App for Translational and Real-Time Pupillometry. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0122-21.2021. [PMID: 34518364 PMCID: PMC8489024 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0122-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Pupil dynamics alterations have been found in patients affected by a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions, including autism. Studies in mouse models have used pupillometry for phenotypic assessment and as a proxy for arousal. Both in mice and humans, pupillometry is noninvasive and allows for longitudinal experiments supporting temporal specificity; however, its measure requires dedicated setups. Here, we introduce a convolutional neural network that performs online pupillometry in both mice and humans in a web app format. This solution dramatically simplifies the usage of the tool for the nonspecialist and nontechnical operators. Because a modern web browser is the only software requirement, this choice is of great interest given its easy deployment and setup time reduction. The tested model performances indicate that the tool is sensitive enough to detect both locomotor-induced and stimulus-evoked pupillary changes, and its output is comparable to state-of-the-art commercial devices.
Collapse
|
31
|
Nomura H. [Behavioral analysis with machine learning]. Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi 2021; 156:250. [PMID: 34193706 DOI: 10.1254/fpj.21034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
32
|
Jolles JW. Broad‐scale applications of the Raspberry Pi: A review and guide for biologists. Methods Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jolle W. Jolles
- Zukunftskolleg University of Konstanz Konstanz Germany
- Department of Collective Behaviour Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour Konstanz Germany
- Centre for Research on Ecology and Forestry Applications (CREAF) Barcelona Spain
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Kane GA, Lopes G, Saunders JL, Mathis A, Mathis MW. Real-time, low-latency closed-loop feedback using markerless posture tracking. eLife 2020; 9:e61909. [PMID: 33289631 PMCID: PMC7781595 DOI: 10.7554/elife.61909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to control a behavioral task or stimulate neural activity based on animal behavior in real-time is an important tool for experimental neuroscientists. Ideally, such tools are noninvasive, low-latency, and provide interfaces to trigger external hardware based on posture. Recent advances in pose estimation with deep learning allows researchers to train deep neural networks to accurately quantify a wide variety of animal behaviors. Here, we provide a new DeepLabCut-Live! package that achieves low-latency real-time pose estimation (within 15 ms, >100 FPS), with an additional forward-prediction module that achieves zero-latency feedback, and a dynamic-cropping mode that allows for higher inference speeds. We also provide three options for using this tool with ease: (1) a stand-alone GUI (called DLC-Live! GUI), and integration into (2) Bonsai, and (3) AutoPilot. Lastly, we benchmarked performance on a wide range of systems so that experimentalists can easily decide what hardware is required for their needs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gary A Kane
- The Rowland Institute at Harvard, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| | | | - Jonny L Saunders
- Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of OregonEugeneUnited States
| | - Alexander Mathis
- The Rowland Institute at Harvard, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
- Center for Neuroprosthetics, Center for Intelligent Systems, & Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL)LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Mackenzie W Mathis
- The Rowland Institute at Harvard, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
- Center for Neuroprosthetics, Center for Intelligent Systems, & Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL)LausanneSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|