Phasic Neuronal Firing in the Rodent Nucleus of the Solitary Tract ex vivo

The role of the prefrontal cortex in cocaine-induced noradrenaline release in the nucleus accumbens: a computational study

Research has extensively explored the role of the dopaminergic system in the reward circuit, while the contribution of the noradrenergic system remains less understood. This study aims to fill this gap by employing computational modeling to examine how the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) influences cocaine-induced norepinephrine (NE) release in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcc), with mediation by the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS) and the locus coeruleus (LC). The model replicates previously reported data on NE release in the mPFC following cocaine administration. Additionally, it predicts that NE depletion in the mPFC affects NE release in the NAcc through interactions with the NTS and LC. This work proposes a system-level hypothesis, suggesting that the mPFC regulates NE release in the NAcc by modulating the LC and NTS. These findings enhance our understanding of the neurochemical response to cocaine and offer potential directions for future addiction treatments.

Principles of synaptic encoding of brainstem circadian rhythms

Circadian regulation of autonomic tone and reflex pathways pairs physiological processes with the daily light cycle. However, the underlying mechanisms mediating these changes on autonomic neurocircuitry are only beginning to be understood. The brainstem nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and adjacent nuclei, including the area postrema and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, are key candidates for rhythmic control of some aspects of the autonomic nervous system. Recent findings have contributed to a working model of circadian regulation in the brainstem which manifests from the transcriptional, to synaptic, to circuit levels of organization. Vagal afferent neurons and the NTS possess rhythmic clock gene expression, rhythmic action potential firing, and our recent findings demonstrate rhythmic spontaneous glutamate release. In addition, postsynaptic conductances also vary across the day producing subtle changes in membrane depolarization which govern synaptic efficacy. Together these coordinated pre- and postsynaptic changes provide nuanced control of synaptic transmission across the day to tune the sensitivity of primary afferent input and likely govern reflex output. Further, given the important role for the brainstem in integrating cues such as feeding, cardiovascular function and temperature, it may also be an underappreciated locus in mediating the effects of such non-photic entraining cues. This short review focuses on the neurophysiological principles that govern NTS synaptic transmission and how circadian rhythms impacted them across the day.

Genetic labeling of the nucleus of tractus solitarius neurons associated with electrical stimulation of the cervical or auricular vagus nerve in mice

INTRODUCTION

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is clinically useful for treating epilepsy, depression, and chronic pain. Currently, cervical VNS (cVNS) treatment is well-established, while auricular VNS (aVNS) is under development. Vagal stimulation regulates functions in diverse brain regions; therefore, it is critical to better understand how electrically-evoked vagal inputs following cVNS and aVNS engage with different brain regions.

OBJECTIVE

As vagus inputs are predominantly transmitted to the nucleus of tractus solitarius (NTS), we directly compared the activation of NTS neurons by cVNS or aVNS and the brain regions directly projected by the activated NTS neurons in mice.

METHODS

We adopted the targeted recombination in active populations method, which allows for the activity-dependent, tamoxifen-inducible expression of mCherry-a reporter protein-in neurons specifically associated with cVNS or aVNS.

RESULTS

cVNS and aVNS induced comparable bilateral mCherry expressions in neurons within the NTS, especially in its caudal section (cNTS). However, the numbers of mCherry-expressing neurons within different subdivisions of cNTS was distinctive. In both cVNS and aVNS, anterogradely labeled mCherry-expressing axonal terminals were similarly observed across different areas of the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain. These terminals were enriched in the rostral ventromedial medulla, parabrachial nucleus, periaqueductal gray, thalamic nuclei, central amygdala, and the hypothalamus. Sex difference of cVNS- and aVNS-induced labeling of NTS neurons was modest.

CONCLUSION

The central projections of mCherry-expressing cNTS terminals are comparable between aVNS and cVNS, suggesting that cVNS and aVNS activate distinct but largely overlapping projections into the brain through the cNTS.

Ticking and talking in the brainstem satiety centre: Circadian timekeeping and interactions in the diet-sensitive clock of the dorsal vagal complex

The dorsal vagal complex (DVC) is a key hub for integrating blood-borne, central, and vagal ascending signals that convey important information on metabolic and homeostatic state. Research implicates the DVC in the termination of food intake and the transition to satiety, and consequently it is considered a brainstem satiety centre. In natural and laboratory settings, animals have distinct times of the day or circadian phases at which they prefer to eat, but if and how circadian signals affect DVC activity is not well understood. Here, we evaluate how intrinsic circadian signals regulate molecular and cellular activity in the area postrema (AP), nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) of the DVC. The hierarchy and potential interactions among these oscillators and their response to changes in diet are considered a simple framework in which to model these oscillators and their interactions is suggested. We propose possible functions of the DVC in the circadian control of feeding behaviour and speculate on future research directions including the translational value of knowledge of intrinsic circadian timekeeping the brainstem.

Racing and Pacing in the Reward System: A Multi-Clock Circadian Control Over Dopaminergic Signalling

Level of motivation, responsiveness to rewards and punishment, invigoration of exploratory behaviours, and motor performance are subject to daily fluctuations that emerge from circadian rhythms in neuronal activity of the midbrain’s dopaminergic system. While endogenous circadian rhythms are weak in the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra pars compacta, daily changes in expression of core clock genes, ion channels, neurotransmitter receptors, dopamine-synthesising enzymes, and dopamine transporters, accompanied by changes in electrical activity, are readily observed in these nuclei. These processes cause dopamine levels released in structures innervated by midbrain dopaminergic neurons (e.g., the striatum) to oscillate in a circadian fashion. Additionally, growing evidence show that the master circadian clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus (SCN) rhythmically influences the activity of the dopaminergic system through various intermediate targets. Thus, circadian changes in the activity of the dopaminergic system and concomitant dopamine release observed on a daily scale are likely to be generated both intrinsically and entrained by the master clock. Previous studies have shown that the information about the value and salience of stimuli perceived by the animal is encoded in the neuronal activity of brain structures innervating midbrain dopaminergic centres. Some of these structures themselves are relatively autonomous oscillators, while others exhibit a weak endogenous circadian rhythm synchronised by the SCN. Here, we place the dopaminergic system as a hub in the extensive network of extra-SCN circadian oscillators and discuss the possible consequences of its daily entrainment for animal physiology and behaviour.

From End to End: Gaining, Sorting, and Employing High-Density Neural Single Unit Recordings

The meaning behind neural single unit activity has constantly been a challenge, so it will persist in the foreseeable future. As one of the most sourced strategies, detecting neural activity in high-resolution neural sensor recordings and then attributing them to their corresponding source neurons correctly, namely the process of spike sorting, has been prevailing so far. Support from ever-improving recording techniques and sophisticated algorithms for extracting worthwhile information and abundance in clustering procedures turned spike sorting into an indispensable tool in electrophysiological analysis. This review attempts to illustrate that in all stages of spike sorting algorithms, the past 5 years innovations' brought about concepts, results, and questions worth sharing with even the non-expert user community. By thoroughly inspecting latest innovations in the field of neural sensors, recording procedures, and various spike sorting strategies, a skeletonization of relevant knowledge lays here, with an initiative to get one step closer to the original objective: deciphering and building in the sense of neural transcript.

Vasopressin and Breathing: Review of Evidence for Respiratory Effects of the Antidiuretic Hormone

Vasopressin (AVP) is a key neurohormone involved in the regulation of body functions. Due to its urine-concentrating effect in the kidneys, it is often referred to as antidiuretic hormone. Besides its antidiuretic renal effects, AVP is a potent neurohormone involved in the regulation of arterial blood pressure, sympathetic activity, baroreflex sensitivity, glucose homeostasis, release of glucocorticoids and catecholamines, stress response, anxiety, memory, and behavior. Vasopressin is synthesized in the paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic nuclei (SON) of the hypothalamus and released into the circulation from the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland together with a C-terminal fragment of pro-vasopressin, known as copeptin. Additionally, vasopressinergic neurons project from the hypothalamus to the brainstem nuclei. Increased release of AVP into the circulation and elevated levels of its surrogate marker copeptin are found in pulmonary diseases, arterial hypertension, heart failure, obstructive sleep apnoea, severe infections, COVID-19 due to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and brain injuries. All these conditions are usually accompanied by respiratory disturbances. The main stimuli that trigger AVP release include hyperosmolality, hypovolemia, hypotension, hypoxia, hypoglycemia, strenuous exercise, and angiotensin II (Ang II) and the same stimuli are known to affect pulmonary ventilation. In this light, we hypothesize that increased AVP release and changes in ventilation are not coincidental, but that the neurohormone contributes to the regulation of the respiratory system by fine-tuning of breathing in order to restore homeostasis. We discuss evidence in support of this presumption. Specifically, vasopressinergic neurons innervate the brainstem nuclei involved in the control of respiration. Moreover, vasopressin V1a receptors (V1aRs) are expressed on neurons in the respiratory centers of the brainstem, in the circumventricular organs (CVOs) that lack a blood-brain barrier, and on the chemosensitive type I cells in the carotid bodies. Finally, peripheral and central administrations of AVP or antagonists of V1aRs increase/decrease phrenic nerve activity and pulmonary ventilation in a site-specific manner. Altogether, the findings discussed in this review strongly argue for the hypothesis that vasopressin affects ventilation both as a blood-borne neurohormone and as a neurotransmitter within the central nervous system.

Intrinsic circadian timekeeping properties of the thalamic lateral geniculate nucleus

Circadian rhythmicity in mammals is sustained by the central brain clock-the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus (SCN), entrained to the ambient light-dark conditions through a dense retinal input. However, recent discoveries of autonomous clock gene expression cast doubt on the supremacy of the SCN and suggest circadian timekeeping mechanisms devolve to local brain clocks. Here, we use a combination of molecular, electrophysiological, and optogenetic tools to evaluate intrinsic clock properties of the main retinorecipient thalamic center-the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) in male rats and mice. We identify the dorsolateral geniculate nucleus as a slave oscillator, which exhibits core clock gene expression exclusively in vivo. Additionally, we provide compelling evidence for intrinsic clock gene expression accompanied by circadian variation in neuronal activity in the intergeniculate leaflet and ventrolateral geniculate nucleus (VLG). Finally, our optogenetic experiments propose the VLG as a light-entrainable oscillator, whose phase may be advanced by retinal input at the beginning of the projected night. Altogether, this study for the first time demonstrates autonomous timekeeping mechanisms shaping circadian physiology of the LGN.

Rhythmic neuronal activities of the rat nucleus of the solitary tract are impaired by high-fat diet - implications for daily control of satiety

Temporal partitioning of daily food intake is crucial for survival and involves the integration of internal circadian states and external influences such as the light-dark cycle and dietary composition. These intrinsic and extrinsic factors are interdependent with misalignment of circadian rhythms promoting body weight gain, while consumption of a calorie-dense diet elevates the risk of obesity and blunts circadian rhythms. Recently, we defined the circadian properties of the dorsal vagal complex of the brainstem, a structure implicated in the control of food intake and autonomic tone, but whether and how 24 h rhythms in this area are influenced by diet remains unresolved. Here we focused on a key structure of this complex, the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). We used a combination of immunohistochemical and electrophysiological approaches together with daily monitoring of body weight and food intake to interrogate how the neuronal rhythms of the NTS are affected by a high-fat diet. We report that short-term consumption of a high-fat diet increases food intake during the day and blunts NTS daily rhythms in neuronal discharge. Additionally, we found that a high-fat diet dampens NTS responsiveness to metabolic neuropeptides, and decreases orexin immunoreactive fibres in this structure. These alterations occur without prominent body weight gain, suggesting that a high-fat diet acts initially to reduce activity in the NTS to disinhibit mechanisms that suppress daytime feeding. KEY POINTS: The dorsal vagal complex of the rodent hindbrain possesses intrinsic circadian timekeeping mechanisms In particular, the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) is a robust circadian oscillator, independent of the master suprachiasmatic clock Here, we reveal that rat NTS neurons display timed daily rhythms in their neuronal activity and responsiveness to ingestive cues These daily rhythms are blunted or eliminated by a short-term high-fat diet, together with increased consumption of calories during the behaviourally quiescent day Our results help us better understand the circadian control of satiety by the brainstem and its malfunctioning under a high-fat diet.

Automated analyses for single-fiber electrophysiological recordings using a newly developed Microsoft Excel application and graphical user interface

BACKGROUND

Electrophysiological recordings of isolated sensory afferents are commonly used in the field of pain research to investigate peripheral mechanisms of nociception in various pain models. The method involves skillful and tedious recordings of teased fibers from nerve preparations as well as time-consuming post-recording analyses. To increase efficiency and productivity of data analyses of recorded action potentials, we developed and validated a novel, easy-to-use Microsoft Excel-based application using Visual Basic Programming.

NEW METHOD

A code for the novel program, shigraspike1.0, was written to create a module to include customizable subroutines for analyses for electrical and mechanical responses. Using previously recorded action potentials with tongue-lingual nerve preparations, the program was validated for appropriate execution, ease-of-use, accuracy of the output data and time taken for analyses.

RESULTS

We observed appropriate execution of shigraspike1.0 on Windows and iOS desktop platforms that included computation of response latency of the spike of interest using electrical stimulus as well as estimation of the number of impulses at each force with a step-and-hold mechanical ramp of 10-200mN. Output data obtained by shigrapsike1.0 for both stimulus types were accurate and statistically insignificant from manual analyses.

COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD

The novel application shigraspike1.0, allows for rapid analyses for single-fiber recordings and takes less than half the time to analyze electrical and mechanical responses compared to manual analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

The newly developed shigraspike1.0 application can be a very productive tool to be routinely used for efficient analyses of single-fiber electrophysiology in pain research.

Orexin A excites the rat olivary pretectal nucleus via OX2 receptor in a daily manner

Pronounced environmental changes between the day and night led to evolution of specialised mechanisms organising their daily physiology, named circadian clocks. Currently, it has become clear that the master clock in the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus is not an exclusive brain site to generate daily rhythms. Indeed, several brain areas, including the subcortical visual system have been recently shown to change their neuronal activity across the daily cycle. Here we focus our investigation on the olivary pretectal nucleus (OPN) - a retinorecipient structure primarily involved in the pupillary light reflex. Using the multi-electrode array technology ex vivo we provide evidence for OPN neurons to elevate their firing during the behaviourally quiescent light phase. Additionally, we report the robust responsivity to orexin A via the identified OX₂ receptor in this pretectal centre, with higher responsiveness noted during the night. Interestingly, we likewise report a daily variation in the response to PAC1 receptor activation, with implications for the convergence of orexinergic and visual input on the same OPN neurons. Altogether, our report is first to suggest a daily modulation of the OPN activity via intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms, organising its temporal physiology.

Daily changes in neuronal activities of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus under standard and high-fat diet

KEY POINTS

 Recently, we found that the dorsal vagal complex displays autonomous circadian timekeeping properties  The dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) is an executory part of this complex - a source of parasympathetic innervation of the gastrointestinal tract  Here, we reveal daily changes in the neuronal activities of the rat DMV, including firing rate, intrinsic excitability and synaptic input - all of these peaking in the late day  Additionally, we establish that short term high-fat diet disrupts these daily rhythms, boosting the variability in the firing rate, but blunting the DMV responsiveness to ingestive cues  These results help us better understand daily control over parasympathetic outflow and provide evidence on its dependence on the high-fat diet ABSTRACT: The suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus function as the brain's primary circadian clock, but circadian clock genes are also rhythmically expressed in several extra-SCN brain sites where they can exert local temporal control over physiology and behaviour. Recently, we found that the hindbrain dorsal vagal complex possesses strong daily timekeeping capabilities, with the area postrema and nucleus of the solitary tract exhibiting the most robust clock properties. The possibility that the executory part of this complex - the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) - also exhibits daily changes has not been extensively studied. The DMV is the source of vagal efferent motoneurons that regulate gastric motility and emptying and consequently influence meal size and energy homeostasis. We used a combination of multi-channel electrophysiology and patch clamp recordings to gain insight into effects of time of day and diet on these DMV cells. We found that DMV neurons increase their spontaneous activity, excitability and responsiveness to metabolic neuromodulators at late day and this was paralleled with an enhanced synaptic input to these neurons. A high-fat diet typically damps circadian rhythms, but we found that consumption of a high-fat diet paradoxically amplified daily variation of DMV neuronal activity, while blunting the neurons responsiveness to metabolic neuromodulators. In summary, we show for the first time that DMV neural activity changes with time of day, with this temporal variation modulated by diet. These findings have clear implications for our understanding of the daily control of vagal efferents and parasympathetic outflow.