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Huang X, Xiao L, Wang M, Wu Y, Deng H, Wang W. Advancing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Research: Insights from Transgenic Animal Models and Innovative Therapies. Brain Sci 2025; 15:43. [PMID: 39851412 PMCID: PMC11764274 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci15010043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2024] [Revised: 12/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/03/2025] [Indexed: 01/26/2025] Open
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a prevalent, chronic, and severe neuropsychiatric disorder that leads to illness-related disability. Despite the availability of several treatments, many OCD patients respond inadequately, because the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear, necessitating the establishment of many animal models, particularly mouse models, to elucidate disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies better. Although the development of animal models is ongoing, there remain many comprehensive summaries and updates in recent research, hampering efforts to develop novel treatments and enhance existing interventions. This review summarizes the phenotypes of several commonly used models and mechanistic insights from transgenic models of OCD, such as knockout mouse models. In addition, we present the advantages and limitations of these models and discuss their future in helping further understand the pathophysiology and advanced treatment. Here, we highlight current frontline treatment approaches for OCD, including neuromodulation and surgical interventions, and propose potential future directions. By studying gene mutations and observing phenotypes from available OCD animal models, researchers have classified the molecular signatures of each model reminiscent of changes in brain areas and neural pathways, with the hope of guiding the future selection of the most appropriate models for specific research in the OCD field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Wei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (X.H.); (L.X.); (M.W.); (Y.W.); (H.D.)
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2
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Zhang YD, Shi DD, Wang Z. Neurobiology of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder from Genes to Circuits: Insights from Animal Models. Neurosci Bull 2024; 40:1975-1994. [PMID: 38982026 PMCID: PMC11625044 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-024-01252-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic, severe psychiatric disorder that has been ranked by the World Health Organization as one of the leading causes of illness-related disability, and first-line interventions are limited in efficacy and have side-effect issues. However, the exact pathophysiology underlying this complex, heterogeneous disorder remains unknown. This scenario is now rapidly changing due to the advancement of powerful technologies that can be used to verify the function of the specific gene and dissect the neural circuits underlying the neurobiology of OCD in rodents. Genetic and circuit-specific manipulation in rodents has provided important insights into the neurobiology of OCD by identifying the molecular, cellular, and circuit events that induce OCD-like behaviors. This review will highlight recent progress specifically toward classic genetic animal models and advanced neural circuit findings, which provide theoretical evidence for targeted intervention on specific molecular, cellular, and neural circuit events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Dan Zhang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Dong-Dong Shi
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201108, China.
| | - Zhen Wang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201108, China.
- Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center, Shanghai, 200030, China.
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3
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Grassi G, Scillitani E, Cecchelli C. New horizons for obsessive-compulsive disorder drug discovery: is targeting glutamate receptors the answer? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:1235-1245. [PMID: 39105546 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2387127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Over the past decade, glutamate has emerged as a prominent focus in the field of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) pathophysiology. A convergence of evidence from genetic, preclinical, and clinical studies points to glutamatergic dysfunction as a key feature of this condition. In light of these findings, there has been a growing interest in exploring the potential of glutamatergic agents in the treatment of OCD. AREAS COVERED This paper reviews the literature on glutamate transmission in OCD. In addition, the authors examine the results of clinical trials investigating the efficacy of glutamatergic agents in the treatment of OCD patients. EXPERT OPINION Along with the recognition of neuroinflammation in the brain in OCD, the evidence of glutamate dysfunction represents one of the most promising recent discoveries for understanding the mechanisms involved in OCD. The importance of this discovery lies primarily in its pharmacological implications and has led to intense research activity in the field of glutamatergic agents. While this research has not yet had a substantial clinical impact, targeting glutamate receptors remains a promising horizon for the successful treatment of OCD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Grassi
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Firenze, Florence, Italy
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4
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Wilson C, Gattuso JJ, Hannan AJ, Renoir T. Mechanisms of pathogenesis and environmental moderators in preclinical models of compulsive-like behaviours. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 185:106223. [PMID: 37423502 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106223] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRD) is an emergent class of psychiatric illnesses that contributes substantially to the global mental health disease burden. In particular, the prototypical illness, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), has a profoundly deleterious effect on the quality of life of those with lived experience. Both clinical and preclinical studies have investigated the genetic and environmental influences contributing to the pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. Significant progress has been made in recent years in our understanding of the genetics of OCD, along with the critical role of common environmental triggers (e.g., stress). Some of this progress can be attributed to the sophistication of rodent models used in the field, particularly genetic mutant models, which demonstrate promising construct, face, and predictive validity. However, there is a paucity of studies investigating how these genetic and environmental influences interact to precipitate the behavioural, cellular, and molecular changes that occur in OCD. In this review, we assert that preclinical studies offer a unique opportunity to carefully manipulate environmental and genetic factors, and in turn to interrogate gene-environment interactions and relevant downstream sequelae. Such studies may serve to provide a mechanistic framework to build our understanding of the pathogenesis of complex neuropsychiatric disorders such as OCD. Furthermore, understanding gene-environment interactions and pathogenic mechanisms will facilitate precision medicine and other future approaches to enhance treatment, reduce side-effects of therapeutic interventions, and improve the lives of those suffering from these devastating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carey Wilson
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - James J Gattuso
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Thibault Renoir
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
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5
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Wang XY, Liu WG, Hou AS, Song YX, Ma YL, Wu XD, Cao JB, Mi WD. Dysfunction of EAAT3 Aggravates LPS-Induced Post-Operative Cognitive Dysfunction. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12030317. [PMID: 35323793 PMCID: PMC8951453 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12030317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Numerous results have revealed an association between inhibited function of excitatory amino acid transporter 3 (EAAT3) and several neurodegenerative diseases. This was also corroborated by our previous studies which showed that the EAAT3 function was intimately linked to learning and memory. With this premise, we examined the role of EAAT3 in post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) and explored the potential benefit of riluzole in countering POCD in the present study. We first established a recombinant adeno-associated-viral (rAAV)-mediated shRNA to knockdown SLC1A1/EAAT3 expression in the hippocampus of adult male mice. The mice then received an intracerebroventricular microinjection of 2 μg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to construct the POCD model. In addition, for old male mice, 4 mg/kg of riluzole was intraperitoneally injected for three consecutive days, with the last injection administered 2 h before the LPS microinjection. Cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze 24 h following the LPS microinjection. Animal behavioral tests, as well as pathological and biochemical assays, were performed to clarify the role of EAAT3 function in POCD and evaluate the effect of activating the EAAT3 function by riluzole. In the present study, we established a mouse model with hippocampal SLC1A1/EAAT3 knockdown and found that hippocampal SLC1A1/EAAT3 knockdown aggravated LPS-induced learning and memory deficits in adult male mice. Meanwhile, LPS significantly inhibited the expression of EAAT3 membrane protein and the phosphorylation level of GluA1 protein in the hippocampus of adult male mice. Moreover, riluzole pretreatment significantly increased the expression of hippocampal EAAT3 membrane protein and also ameliorated LPS-induced cognitive impairment in elderly male mice. Taken together, our results demonstrated that the dysfunction of EAAT3 is an important risk factor for POCD susceptibility and therefore, it may become a promising target for POCD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yan Wang
- Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing 100853, China; (X.-Y.W.); (W.-G.L.)
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Wen-Gang Liu
- Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing 100853, China; (X.-Y.W.); (W.-G.L.)
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (A.-S.H.); (Y.-X.S.); (Y.-L.M.); (X.-D.W.)
| | - Ai-Sheng Hou
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (A.-S.H.); (Y.-X.S.); (Y.-L.M.); (X.-D.W.)
| | - Yu-Xiang Song
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (A.-S.H.); (Y.-X.S.); (Y.-L.M.); (X.-D.W.)
| | - Yu-Long Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (A.-S.H.); (Y.-X.S.); (Y.-L.M.); (X.-D.W.)
| | - Xiao-Dong Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (A.-S.H.); (Y.-X.S.); (Y.-L.M.); (X.-D.W.)
| | - Jiang-Bei Cao
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (A.-S.H.); (Y.-X.S.); (Y.-L.M.); (X.-D.W.)
- Correspondence: (J.-B.C.); (W.-D.M.)
| | - Wei-Dong Mi
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (A.-S.H.); (Y.-X.S.); (Y.-L.M.); (X.-D.W.)
- Correspondence: (J.-B.C.); (W.-D.M.)
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6
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Chohan MO, Kopelman JM, Yueh H, Fazlali Z, Greene N, Harris AZ, Balsam PD, Leonardo ED, Kramer ER, Veenstra-VanderWeele J, Ahmari SE. Developmental impact of glutamate transporter overexpression on dopaminergic neuron activity and stereotypic behavior. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:1515-1526. [PMID: 35058566 PMCID: PMC9106836 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01424-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disabling condition that often begins in childhood. Genetic studies in OCD have pointed to SLC1A1, which encodes the neuronal glutamate transporter EAAT3, with evidence suggesting that increased expression contributes to risk. In mice, midbrain Slc1a1 expression supports repetitive behavior in response to dopaminergic agonists, aligning with neuroimaging and pharmacologic challenge studies that have implicated the dopaminergic system in OCD. These findings suggest that Slc1a1 may contribute to compulsive behavior through altered dopaminergic transmission; however, this theory has not been mechanistically tested. To examine the developmental impact of Slc1a1 overexpression on compulsive-like behaviors, we, therefore, generated a novel mouse model to perform targeted, reversible overexpression of Slc1a1 in dopaminergic neurons. Mice with life-long overexpression of Slc1a1 showed a significant increase in amphetamine (AMPH)-induced stereotypy and hyperlocomotion. Single-unit recordings demonstrated that Slc1a1 overexpression was associated with increased firing of dopaminergic neurons. Furthermore, dLight1.1 fiber photometry showed that these behavioral abnormalities were associated with increased dorsal striatum dopamine release. In contrast, no impact of overexpression was observed on anxiety-like behaviors or SKF-38393-induced grooming. Importantly, overexpression solely in adulthood failed to recapitulate these behavioral phenotypes, suggesting that overexpression during development is necessary to generate AMPH-induced phenotypes. However, doxycycline-induced reversal of Slc1a1/EAAT3 overexpression in adulthood normalized both the increased dopaminergic firing and AMPH-induced responses. These data indicate that the pathologic effects of Slc1a1/EAAT3 overexpression on dopaminergic neurotransmission and AMPH-induced stereotyped behavior are developmentally mediated, and support normalization of EAAT3 activity as a potential treatment target for basal ganglia-mediated repetitive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad O Chohan
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jared M Kopelman
- Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Hannah Yueh
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zeinab Fazlali
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Natasha Greene
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychology, Barnard College of Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexander Z Harris
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Peter D Balsam
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychology, Barnard College of Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - E David Leonardo
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Edgar R Kramer
- Peninsula Medical School, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, UK
| | - Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Susanne E Ahmari
- Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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7
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Escobar AP, Martínez-Pinto J, Silva-Olivares F, Sotomayor-Zárate R, Moya PR. Altered Grooming Syntax and Amphetamine-Induced Dopamine Release in EAAT3 Overexpressing Mice. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:661478. [PMID: 34234648 PMCID: PMC8255620 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.661478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The excitatory amino acid transporter EAAT3 plays an important role in the neuronal uptake of glutamate regulating the activation of glutamate receptors. Polymorphisms in the gene-encoding EAAT3 have been associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), although the mechanisms underlying this relationship are still unknown. We recently reported that mice with increased EAAT3 expression in forebrain neurons (EAAT3 g lo /CMKII) display behavioral and synaptic features relevant to OCD, including increased grooming, higher anxiety-like behavior and altered cortico-striatal synaptic function. The dopamine neurotransmitter system is implicated in ritualistic behaviors. Indeed, dopaminergic neurons express EAAT3, and mice lacking EAAT3 exhibit decreased dopamine release and decreased expression of the dopamine D1 receptor. Moreover, EAAT3 plays a role on the effect of the psychostimulant amphetamine. As such, we sought to determine if the OCD-like behavior in EAAT3 g lo /CMKII mice is accompanied by altered nigro-striatal dopaminergic transmission. The aim of this study was to analyze dopamine transmission both in basal conditions and after an acute challenge of amphetamine, using behavioral, neurochemical, molecular, and cellular approaches. We found that in basal conditions, EAAT3 g lo /CMKII mice performed more grooming events and that they remained in phase 1 of the grooming chain syntax compared with control littermates. Administration of amphetamine increased the number of grooming events in control mice, while EAAT3 g lo /CMKII mice remain unaffected. Interestingly, the grooming syntax of amphetamine-control mice resembled that of EAAT3 g lo /CMKII mice in basal conditions. Using in vivo microdialysis, we found decreased basal dopamine levels in EAAT3 g lo /CMKII compared with control mice. Unexpectedly, we found that after acute amphetamine, EAAT3 g lo /CMKII mice had a higher release of dopamine compared with that of control mice, suggesting that EAAT3 overexpression leads to increased dopamine releasability. To determine postsynaptic effect of EAAT3 overexpression over dopamine transmission, we performed Western blot analysis of dopaminergic proteins and found that EAAT3 g lo /CMKII mice have higher expression of D2 receptors, suggesting a higher inhibition of the indirect striatal pathway. Together, the data indicate that EAAT3 overexpression impacts on dopamine transmission, making dopamine neurons more sensitive to the effect of amphetamine and leading to a disbalance between the direct and indirect striatal pathways that favors the performance of repetitive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angélica P Escobar
- Facultad de Ciencias, Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile.,Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile
| | - Jonathan Martínez-Pinto
- Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile.,Facultad de Ciencias, Centro de Neurobiología y Fisiopatología Integrativa (CENFI), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile
| | - Francisco Silva-Olivares
- Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile.,Facultad de Ciencias, Centro de Neurobiología y Fisiopatología Integrativa (CENFI), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile
| | - Ramón Sotomayor-Zárate
- Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile.,Facultad de Ciencias, Centro de Neurobiología y Fisiopatología Integrativa (CENFI), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile
| | - Pablo R Moya
- Facultad de Ciencias, Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile.,Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile
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8
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Abstract
OCD has lagged behind other psychiatric illnesses in the identification of molecular treatment targets, due in part to a lack of significant findings in genome-wide association studies. However, while progress in this area is being made, OCD's symptoms of obsessions, compulsions, and anxiety can be deconstructed into distinct neural functions that can be dissected in animal models. Studies in rodents and non-human primates have highlighted the importance of cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic circuits in OCD pathophysiology, and emerging studies in human post-mortem brain tissue point to glutamatergic synapse abnormalities as a potential cellular substrate for observed dysfunctional behaviors. In addition, accumulated evidence points to a potential role for neuromodulators including serotonin and dopamine in both OCD pathology and treatment. Here, we review current efforts to use animal models for the identification of molecules, cell types, and circuits relevant to OCD pathophysiology. We start by describing features of OCD that can be modeled in animals, including circuit abnormalities and genetic findings. We then review different strategies that have been used to study OCD using animal model systems, including transgenic models, circuit manipulations, and dissection of OCD-relevant neural constructs. Finally, we discuss how these findings may ultimately help to develop new treatment strategies for OCD and other related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany L Chamberlain
- Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Center for Neuroscience Program and Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Susanne E Ahmari
- Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. .,Center for Neuroscience Program and Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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9
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Delgado-Acevedo C, Estay SF, Radke AK, Sengupta A, Escobar AP, Henríquez-Belmar F, Reyes CA, Haro-Acuña V, Utreras E, Sotomayor-Zárate R, Cho A, Wendland JR, Kulkarni AB, Holmes A, Murphy DL, Chávez AE, Moya PR. Behavioral and synaptic alterations relevant to obsessive-compulsive disorder in mice with increased EAAT3 expression. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019; 44:1163-1173. [PMID: 30622300 PMCID: PMC6462043 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0302-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 12/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a severe, chronic neuropsychiatric disorder with a strong genetic component. The SLC1A1 gene encoding the neuronal glutamate transporter EAAT3 has been proposed as a candidate gene for this disorder. Gene variants affecting SLC1A1 expression in human brain tissue have been associated with OCD. Several mouse models fully or partially lacking EAAT3 have shown no alterations in baseline anxiety-like or repetitive behaviors. We generated a transgenic mouse model (EAAT3glo) to achieve conditional, Cre-dependent EAAT3 overexpression and evaluated the overall impact of increased EAAT3 expression at behavioral and synaptic levels. Mice with EAAT3 overexpression driven by CaMKIIα-promoter (EAAT3glo/CMKII) displayed increased anxiety-like and repetitive behaviors that were both restored by chronic, but not acute, treatment with fluoxetine or clomipramine. EAAT3glo/CMKII mice also displayed greater spontaneous recovery of conditioned fear. Electrophysiological and biochemical analyses at corticostriatal synapses of EAAT3glo/CMKII mice revealed changes in NMDA receptor subunit composition and altered NMDA-dependent synaptic plasticity. By recapitulating relevant behavioral, neurophysiological, and psychopharmacological aspects, our results provide support for the glutamatergic hypothesis of OCD, particularly for the increased EAAT3 function, and provide a valuable animal model that may open novel therapeutic approaches to treat this devastating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Delgado-Acevedo
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Núcleo Milenio NUMIND Biology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias de Valparaíso CINV, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Sebastián F Estay
- Núcleo Milenio NUMIND Biology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias de Valparaíso CINV, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Anna K Radke
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Rockville, MD, USA
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Ayesha Sengupta
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Angélica P Escobar
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias de Valparaíso CINV, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Francisca Henríquez-Belmar
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Núcleo Milenio NUMIND Biology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Cristopher A Reyes
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Núcleo Milenio NUMIND Biology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Valentina Haro-Acuña
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Núcleo Milenio NUMIND Biology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Elías Utreras
- Functional Genomics Section and Gene Transfer Core, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ramón Sotomayor-Zárate
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Centro de Neurobiología y Fisiolopatogía Integrativa, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Andrew Cho
- Functional Genomics Section and Gene Transfer Core, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jens R Wendland
- Laboratory of Clinical Science, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 35 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Ashok B Kulkarni
- Functional Genomics Section and Gene Transfer Core, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrew Holmes
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Dennis L Murphy
- Laboratory of Clinical Science, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrés E Chávez
- Núcleo Milenio NUMIND Biology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias de Valparaíso CINV, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
| | - Pablo R Moya
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
- Núcleo Milenio NUMIND Biology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias de Valparaíso CINV, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
- Laboratory of Clinical Science, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Underhill SM, Ingram SL, Ahmari SE, Veenstra-VanderWeele J, Amara SG. Neuronal excitatory amino acid transporter EAAT3: Emerging functions in health and disease. Neurochem Int 2018; 123:69-76. [PMID: 29800605 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2018.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne M Underhill
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health, 35 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Susan L Ingram
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Susanne E Ahmari
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 450 Technology Drive, Room 227, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, Mail Unit 78, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Susan G Amara
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health, 35 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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