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Montalban E, Giralt A, Taing L, Nakamura Y, Pelosi A, Brown M, de Pins B, Valjent E, Martin M, Nairn AC, Greengard P, Flajolet M, Hervé D, Gambardella N, Roussarie JP, Girault JA. Operant Training for Highly Palatable Food Alters Translating Messenger RNA in Nucleus Accumbens D 2 Neurons and Reveals a Modulatory Role of Ncdn. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 95:926-937. [PMID: 37579933 PMCID: PMC11059129 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Highly palatable food triggers behavioral responses including strong motivation. These effects involve the reward system and dopamine neurons, which modulate neurons in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). The molecular mechanisms underlying the long-lasting effects of highly palatable food on feeding behavior are poorly understood. METHODS We studied the effects of 2-week operant conditioning of mice with standard or isocaloric highly palatable food. We investigated the behavioral responses and dendritic spine modifications in the NAc. We compared the translating messenger RNA in NAc neurons identified by the type of dopamine receptors they express, depending on the kind of food and training. We tested the consequences of invalidation of an abundant downregulated gene, Ncdn. RESULTS Operant conditioning for highly palatable food increased motivation for food even in well-fed mice. In wild-type mice, free choice between regular and highly palatable food increased weight compared with access to regular food only. Highly palatable food increased spine density in the NAc. In animals trained for highly palatable food, translating messenger RNAs were modified in NAc neurons expressing dopamine D2 receptors, mostly corresponding to striatal projection neurons, but not in neurons expressing D1 receptors. Knockout of Ncdn, an abundant downregulated gene, opposed the conditioning-induced changes in satiety-sensitive feeding behavior and apparent motivation for highly palatable food, suggesting that downregulation may be a compensatory mechanism. CONCLUSIONS Our results emphasize the importance of messenger RNA alterations in D2 striatal projection neurons in the NAc in the behavioral consequences of highly palatable food conditioning and suggest a modulatory contribution of Ncdn downregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Montalban
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unite Mixte de Recherche-S 1270, Paris, France; Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France.
| | - Albert Giralt
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unite Mixte de Recherche-S 1270, Paris, France; Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
| | - Lieng Taing
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unite Mixte de Recherche-S 1270, Paris, France; Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
| | - Yuki Nakamura
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unite Mixte de Recherche-S 1270, Paris, France; Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
| | - Assunta Pelosi
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unite Mixte de Recherche-S 1270, Paris, France; Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
| | - Mallory Brown
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Benoit de Pins
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unite Mixte de Recherche-S 1270, Paris, France; Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Valjent
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, University of Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montpellier, France
| | - Miquel Martin
- Eurecat, Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya, Unitat de Nutrició i Salut, Reus, Spain; Instituto de investigaciones médicas Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Angus C Nairn
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Paul Greengard
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Marc Flajolet
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Denis Hervé
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unite Mixte de Recherche-S 1270, Paris, France; Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
| | | | - Jean-Pierre Roussarie
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Jean-Antoine Girault
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unite Mixte de Recherche-S 1270, Paris, France; Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France.
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2
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Schultz W. A dopamine mechanism for reward maximization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2316658121. [PMID: 38717856 PMCID: PMC11098095 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2316658121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Individual survival and evolutionary selection require biological organisms to maximize reward. Economic choice theories define the necessary and sufficient conditions, and neuronal signals of decision variables provide mechanistic explanations. Reinforcement learning (RL) formalisms use predictions, actions, and policies to maximize reward. Midbrain dopamine neurons code reward prediction errors (RPE) of subjective reward value suitable for RL. Electrical and optogenetic self-stimulation experiments demonstrate that monkeys and rodents repeat behaviors that result in dopamine excitation. Dopamine excitations reflect positive RPEs that increase reward predictions via RL; against increasing predictions, obtaining similar dopamine RPE signals again requires better rewards than before. The positive RPEs drive predictions higher again and thus advance a recursive reward-RPE-prediction iteration toward better and better rewards. Agents also avoid dopamine inhibitions that lower reward prediction via RL, which allows smaller rewards than before to elicit positive dopamine RPE signals and resume the iteration toward better rewards. In this way, dopamine RPE signals serve a causal mechanism that attracts agents via RL to the best rewards. The mechanism improves daily life and benefits evolutionary selection but may also induce restlessness and greed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfram Schultz
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB2 3DY, United Kingdom
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Dong YG, Gan Y, Fu Y, Shi H, Dai S, Yu R, Li X, Zhang K, Wang F, Yuan TF, Dong Y. Treadmill exercise training inhibits morphine CPP by reversing morphine effects on GABA neurotransmission in D2-MSNs of the accumbens-pallidal pathway in male mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024:10.1038/s41386-024-01869-4. [PMID: 38714787 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01869-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/10/2024]
Abstract
Relapse is a major challenge in the treatment of drug addiction, and exercise has been shown to decrease relapse to drug seeking in animal models. However, the neural circuitry mechanisms by which exercise inhibits morphine relapse remain unclear. In this study, we report that 4-week treadmill training prevented morphine conditioned place preference (CPP) expression during abstinence by acting through the nucleus accumbens (NAc)-ventral pallidum (VP) pathway. We found that neuronal excitability was reduced in D2-dopamine receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) following repeated exposure to morphine and forced abstinence. Enhancing the excitability of NAc D2-MSNs via treadmill training decreased the expression of morphine CPP. We also found that the effects of treadmill training were mediated by decreasing enkephalin levels and that restoring opioid modulation of GABA neurotransmission in the VP, which increased neurotransmitter release from NAc D2-MSNs to VP, decreased morphine CPP. Our findings suggest the inhibitory effect of exercise on morphine CPP is mediated by reversing morphine-induced neuroadaptations in the NAc-to-VP pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Gang Dong
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yixia Gan
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yingmei Fu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Brain Health Institute, National Center for Mental Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Haifeng Shi
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Shanghua Dai
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Ruibo Yu
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Xinyi Li
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Brain Health Institute, National Center for Mental Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Fanglin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Ti-Fei Yuan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Brain Health Institute, National Center for Mental Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Yi Dong
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
- College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
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Chapp AD, Nwakama CA, Jagtap PP, Phan CMH, Thomas MJ, Mermelstein PG. Fundamental Sex Differences in Cocaine-Induced Plasticity of Dopamine D1 Receptor- and D2 Receptor-Expressing Medium Spiny Neurons in the Mouse Nucleus Accumbens Shell. Biol Psychiatry Glob Open Sci 2024; 4:100295. [PMID: 38533248 PMCID: PMC10963205 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2024.100295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Cocaine-induced plasticity in the nucleus accumbens shell of males occurs primarily in dopamine D1 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1R-MSNs), with little if any impact on dopamine D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2R-MSNs). In females, the effect of cocaine on accumbens shell D1R- and D2R-MSN neurophysiology has yet to be reported, nor have estrous cycle effects been accounted for. Methods We used a 5-day locomotor sensitization paradigm followed by a 10- to 14-day drug-free abstinence period. We then obtained ex vivo whole-cell recordings from fluorescently labeled D1R-MSNs and D2R-MSNs in the nucleus accumbens shell of male and female mice during estrus and diestrus. We examined accumbens shell neuronal excitability as well as miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs). Results In females, we observed alterations in D1R-MSN excitability across the estrous cycle similar in magnitude to the effects of cocaine in males. Furthermore, cocaine shifted estrous cycle-dependent plasticity from intrinsic excitability changes in D1R-MSNs to D2R-MSNs. In males, cocaine treatment produced the anticipated drop in D1R-MSN excitability with no effect on D2R-MSN excitability. Cocaine increased mEPSC frequencies and amplitudes in D2R-MSNs from females in estrus and mEPSC amplitudes of D2R-MSNs from females in diestrus. In males, cocaine increased both D1R- and D2R-MSN mEPSC amplitudes with no effect on mEPSC frequencies. Conclusions Overall, while there are similar cocaine-induced disparities regarding the relative excitability of D1R-MSNs versus D2R-MSNs between the sexes, this is mediated through reduced D1R-MSN excitability in males, whereas it is due to heightened D2R-MSN excitability in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D. Chapp
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Chinonso A. Nwakama
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Pramit P. Jagtap
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Chau-Mi H. Phan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Mark J. Thomas
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Center for Neural Circuits in Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Paul G. Mermelstein
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Center for Neural Circuits in Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Katebi SN, Torkaman-Boutorabi A, Riahi E, Haghparast A. N-acetylcysteine attenuates accumbal core neuronal activity in response to morphine in the reinstatement of morphine CPP in morphine extinguished rats. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 131:110942. [PMID: 38215930 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.110942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Numerous studies have suggested that N-acetylcysteine (NAC), has the potential to suppress drug craving in people with substance use disorder and reduce drug-seeking behaviors in animals. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays a crucial role in the brain's reward system, with the nucleus accumbens core (NAcore) specifically implicated in compulsive drug seeking and relapse. In this study, we aimed to explore the impact of subchronic NAC administration during the extinction period and acute NAC administration on the electrical activity of NAcore neurons in response to a priming dose of morphine in rats subjected to extinction from morphine-induced place preference (CPP).We conducted single-unit recordings in anesthetized rats on the reinstatement day, following the establishment of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (7 mg/kg, s.c., 3 days), and subsequent drug-free extinction. In the subchronically NAC-treated groups, rats received daily injections of either NAC (50 mg/kg; i.p.) or saline during the extinction period. On the reinstatement day, we recorded the spontaneous activity of NAcore neurons for 15 min, administered a priming dose of morphine, and continued recording for an additional 45 min. While morphine excited most recorded neurons in saline-treated rats, it failed to alter firing rates in NAC-treated rats that had received NAC during the extinction period. For acutely NAC-treated animals, we recorded the baseline activity of NAcore neurons for 10 min before administering a single injection of either NAC (50 mg/kg; i.p.) or saline in rats with no treatment during the extinction. Following 30 min of recording and a priming dose of morphine (1 mg/kg, s.c.), the recording continued for an additional 30 min. The firing activity of NAcore neurons did not show significant changes after morphine or NAC injection. In conclusion, our findings emphasize that daily NAC administration during the extinction period significantly attenuates the morphine-induced increase in firing rates of NAcore neurons during the reinstatement of morphine CPP. However, acute NAC injection does not produce the same effect. These results suggest that modulating glutamate transmission through daily NAC during extinction may effectively inhibit the morphine place preference following the excitatory effects of morphine on NAcore neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedeh-Najmeh Katebi
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Anahita Torkaman-Boutorabi
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Esmail Riahi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Haghparast
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; School of Cognitive Sciences, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Basic Sciences, Iranian Academy of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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6
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Tan B, Browne CJ, Nöbauer T, Vaziri A, Friedman JM, Nestler EJ. Drugs of abuse hijack a mesolimbic pathway that processes homeostatic need. Science 2024; 384:eadk6742. [PMID: 38669575 PMCID: PMC11077477 DOI: 10.1126/science.adk6742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Drugs of abuse are thought to promote addiction in part by "hijacking" brain reward systems, but the underlying mechanisms remain undefined. Using whole-brain FOS mapping and in vivo single-neuron calcium imaging, we found that drugs of abuse augment dopaminoceptive ensemble activity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and disorganize overlapping ensemble responses to natural rewards in a cell type-specific manner. Combining FOS-Seq, CRISPR-perturbation, and single-nucleus RNA sequencing, we identified Rheb as a molecular substrate that regulates cell type-specific signal transduction in NAc while enabling drugs to suppress natural reward consumption. Mapping NAc-projecting regions activated by drugs of abuse revealed input-specific effects on natural reward consumption. These findings characterize the dynamic, molecular and circuit basis of a common reward pathway, wherein drugs of abuse interfere with the fulfillment of innate needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Tan
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Caleb J. Browne
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York, NY 10029, USA
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Tobias Nöbauer
- Laboratory of Neurotechnology and Biophysics, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Alipasha Vaziri
- Laboratory of Neurotechnology and Biophysics, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY 10065, USA
- The Kavli Neural Systems Institute, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jeffrey M. Friedman
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Eric J. Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York, NY 10029, USA
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Khayat A, Yaka R. Activation of nucleus accumbens projections to the ventral tegmental area alters molecular signaling and neurotransmission in the reward system. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1271654. [PMID: 38528956 PMCID: PMC10962329 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1271654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are integral brain regions involved in reward processing and motivation, including responses to drugs of abuse. Previously, we have demonstrated that activation of NAc-VTA afferents during the acquisition of cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) reduces the rewarding properties of cocaine and diminished the activity of VTA dopamine neurons. In the current study, we examined the impact of enhancing these inhibitory inputs on molecular changes and neurotransmission associated with cocaine exposure. Our results unveiled significant reductions in extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) levels in the VTA and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of both cocaine-treated groups compared with the saline control group. Furthermore, optic stimulation of NAc-VTA inputs during cocaine exposure decreased the expression of GluA1 subunit of AMPA receptor in the VTA and mPFC. Notably, in the NAc, cocaine exposure paired with optic stimulation increased ERK levels and reduced GluA1 phosphorylation at Ser845 as compared with all other groups. Additionally, both cocaine-treated groups exhibited decreased levels of GluA1 phosphorylation at Ser831 in the NAc compared with the saline control group. Moreover, cocaine exposure led to reduced ERK, GluA1, and GluA1 phosphorylation at Ser845 and Ser831 in the mPFC. Augmentation of GABAergic tone from the NAc during cocaine conditioning mitigated changes in GluA1 phosphorylation at Ser845 in the mPFC but reduced ERK, GluA1, and GluA1 phosphorylation at Ser831 compared with the saline control group. Interestingly, enhancing GABAergic tone during saline conditioning decreased GluA1 phosphorylation at Ser831 compared with the saline control group in the mPFC. Our findings highlight the influence of modulating inhibitory inputs from the NAc to the VTA on molecular signaling and glutamatergic neurotransmission in cocaine-exposed animals. Activation of these inhibitory inputs during cocaine conditioning induced alterations in key signaling molecules and AMPA receptor, providing valuable insights into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying cocaine reward and cocaine use disorder. Further exploration of these pathways may offer potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of substance use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rami Yaka
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Institute for Drug Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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Zachry JE, Kutlu MG, Yoon HJ, Leonard MZ, Chevée M, Patel DD, Gaidici A, Kondev V, Thibeault KC, Bethi R, Tat J, Melugin PR, Isiktas AU, Joffe ME, Cai DJ, Conn PJ, Grueter BA, Calipari ES. D1 and D2 medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens core have distinct and valence-independent roles in learning. Neuron 2024; 112:835-849.e7. [PMID: 38134921 PMCID: PMC10939818 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
At the core of value-based learning is the nucleus accumbens (NAc). D1- and D2-receptor-containing medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the NAc core are hypothesized to have opposing valence-based roles in behavior. Using optical imaging and manipulation approaches in mice, we show that neither D1 nor D2 MSNs signal valence. D1 MSN responses were evoked by stimuli regardless of valence or contingency. D2 MSNs were evoked by both cues and outcomes, were dynamically changed with learning, and tracked valence-free prediction error at the population and individual neuron level. Finally, D2 MSN responses to cues were necessary for associative learning. Thus, D1 and D2 MSNs work in tandem, rather than in opposition, by signaling specific properties of stimuli to control learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Zachry
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Munir Gunes Kutlu
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Hye Jean Yoon
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Michael Z Leonard
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Maxime Chevée
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Dev D Patel
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Anthony Gaidici
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Veronika Kondev
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Kimberly C Thibeault
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Rishik Bethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jennifer Tat
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Patrick R Melugin
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Atagun U Isiktas
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Max E Joffe
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Denise J Cai
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - P Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Brad A Grueter
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Erin S Calipari
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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Lark AR, Nass SR, Hahn YK, Gao B, Milne GL, Knapp PE, Hauser KF. HIV-1 Tat and morphine interactions dynamically shift striatal monoamine levels and exploratory behaviors over time. J Neurochem 2024; 168:185-204. [PMID: 38308495 PMCID: PMC10922901 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Despite the advent of combination anti-retroviral therapy (cART), nearly half of people infected with HIV treated with cART still exhibit HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). HAND can be worsened by co-morbid opioid use disorder. The basal ganglia are particularly vulnerable to HIV-1 and exhibit higher viral loads and more severe pathology, which can be exacerbated by co-exposure to opioids. Evidence suggests that dopaminergic neurotransmission is disrupted by HIV exposure, however, little is known about whether co-exposure to opioids may alter neurotransmitter levels in the striatum and if this in turn influences behavior. Therefore, we assayed motor, anxiety-like, novelty-seeking, exploratory, and social behaviors, and levels of monoamines and their metabolites following 2 weeks and 2 months of Tat and/or morphine exposure in transgenic mice. Morphine decreased dopamine levels, but significantly elevated norepinephrine, the dopamine metabolites dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), and the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, which typically correlated with increased locomotor behavior. The combination of Tat and morphine altered dopamine, DOPAC, and HVA concentrations differently depending on the neurotransmitter/metabolite and duration of exposure but did not affect the numbers of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the mesencephalon. Tat exposure increased the latency to interact with novel conspecifics, but not other novel objects, suggesting the viral protein inhibits exploratory behavior initiation in a context-dependent manner. By contrast, and consistent with prior findings that opioid misuse can increase novelty-seeking behavior, morphine exposure increased the time spent exploring a novel environment. Finally, Tat and morphine interacted to affect locomotor activity in a time-dependent manner, while grip strength and rotarod performance were unaffected. Together, our results provide novel insight into the unique effects of HIV-1 Tat and morphine on monoamine neurochemistry that may underlie their divergent effects on motor and exploratory behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Benlian Gao
- Neurochemistry Core, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University
| | - Ginger L. Milne
- Neurochemistry Core, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University
| | - Pamela E. Knapp
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University
| | - Kurt F. Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University
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10
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Deseyve C, Domingues AV, Carvalho TTA, Armada G, Correia R, Vieitas-Gaspar N, Wezik M, Pinto L, Sousa N, Coimbra B, Rodrigues AJ, Soares-Cunha C. Nucleus accumbens neurons dynamically respond to appetitive and aversive associative learning. J Neurochem 2024; 168:312-327. [PMID: 38317429 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
To survive, individuals must learn to associate cues in the environment with emotionally relevant outcomes. This association is partially mediated by the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a key brain region of the reward circuit that is mainly composed by GABAergic medium spiny neurons (MSNs), that express either dopamine receptor D1 or D2. Recent studies showed that both populations can drive reward and aversion, however, the activity of these neurons during appetitive and aversive Pavlovian conditioning remains to be determined. Here, we investigated the relevance of D1- and D2-neurons in associative learning, by measuring calcium transients with fiber photometry during appetitive and aversive Pavlovian tasks in mice. Sucrose was used as a positive valence unconditioned stimulus (US) and foot shock was used as a negative valence US. We show that during appetitive Pavlovian conditioning, D1- and D2-neurons exhibit a general increase in activity in response to the conditioned stimuli (CS). Interestingly, D1- and D2-neurons present distinct changes in activity after sucrose consumption that dynamically evolve throughout learning. During the aversive Pavlovian conditioning, D1- and D2-neurons present an increase in the activity in response to the CS and to the US (shock). Our data support a model in which D1- and D2-neurons are concurrently activated during appetitive and aversive conditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Deseyve
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana Verónica Domingues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Tawan T A Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Gisela Armada
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Raquel Correia
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Natacha Vieitas-Gaspar
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Marcelina Wezik
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Luísa Pinto
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center-Braga (2CA), Braga, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Coimbra
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana João Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Carina Soares-Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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11
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Weiner SP, Vasquez C, Song S, Zhao K, Ali O, Rosenkilde D, Froemke RC, Carr KD. Sex difference in the effect of environmental enrichment on food restriction-induced persistence of cocaine conditioned place preference and mechanistic underpinnings. Addict Neurosci 2024; 10:100142. [PMID: 38323217 PMCID: PMC10843874 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2024.100142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Psychosocial and environmental factors, including loss of natural reward, contribute to the risk of drug abuse. Reward loss has been modeled in animals by removal from social or sexual contact, transfer from enriched to impoverished housing, or restriction of food. We previously showed that food restriction increases the unconditioned rewarding effects of abused drugs and the conditioned incentive effects of drug-paired environments. Mechanistic studies provided evidence of decreased basal dopamine (DA) transmission, adaptive upregulation of signaling downstream of D1 DA receptor stimulation, synaptic upscaling and incorporation of calcium-permeable AMPA receptors (CP-AMPARs) in medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of nucleus accumbens (NAc). These findings align with the still evolving 'reward deficiency' hypothesis of drug abuse. The present study tested whether a compound natural reward that is known to increase DA utilization, environmental enrichment, would prevent the persistent expression of cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) otherwise observed in food restricted rats, along with the mechanistic underpinnings. Because nearly all prior investigations of both food restriction and environmental enrichment effects on cocaine CPP were conducted in male rodents, both sexes were included in the present study. Results indicate that environmental enrichment curtailed the persistence of CPP expression, decreased signaling downstream of the D1R, and decreased the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in NAc MSNs of food restricted male, but not female, rats. The failure of environmental enrichment to significantly decrease food restriction-induced synaptic insertion of CP-AMPARs, and how this may accord with previous pharmacological findings that blockade of CP-AMPARs reverses behavioral effects of food restriction is discussed. In addition, it is speculated that estrous cycle-dependent fluctuations in DA release, receptor density and MSN excitability may obscure the effect of increased DA signaling during environmental enrichment, thereby interfering with development of the cellular and behavioral effects that enrichment produced in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney P. Weiner
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Carolina Vasquez
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
- Diabetes Research Program, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Soomin Song
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Kaiyang Zhao
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Omar Ali
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Danielle Rosenkilde
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Robert C. Froemke
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
- Department of Otolaryngology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Kenneth D. Carr
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, United States
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12
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Derman RC, Bryda EC, Ferrario CR. Role of nucleus accumbens D1-type medium spiny neurons in the expression and extinction of sign-tracking. Behav Brain Res 2024; 459:114768. [PMID: 37984521 PMCID: PMC10842774 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
While sign-tracking, also known as autoshaping, has been studied for many decades, only recently has the tendency to show sign-tracking behavior been linked to the development and persistence of addiction. Sign-tracking is dependent upon dopamine activity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). The NAc is comprised predominantly of medium spiny projection neurons (MSN) that can be differentiated by their D1-like or D2-like dopamine receptor expression. Here we determined how reducing activity of D1-type MSNs in the NAc affects the expression and extinction of sign-tracking. To address this, we transfected the NAc of transgenic male and female rats that selectively express Cre recombinase in D1-type MSNs with a DIO viral vector expressing hM4Di. Cre- rats were given the same viral infusion but did not express the hM4Di receptor and therefore served as controls. Rats were then conditioned to associate lever presentations with pellet delivery. After sign-tracking was established, all rats were administered clozapine-n-oxide (CNO) prior to three additional conditioning sessions to assess the effects of NAc D1-MSNs inhibition on sign-tracking in the presence of reward. CNO treatment did not alter the expression of sign-tracking in Cre+ or Cre- rats. Next rats underwent extinction training where lever presentations occurred without pellet delivery and all rats received a CNO injection prior to each extinction session. In these extinction conditions, Cre+ rats exhibited robust extinction of sign-tracking across sessions, whereas Cre- rats did not. To determine if D1-MSN inhibition merely produced a temporary cessation of sign-tracking or instead had facilitated a persistent loss of sign-tracking, we evaluated the reemergence of sign-tracking in a test for reconditioning. During testing, reintroduction of the CS-US pairing did not promote the reemergence of sign-tracking in Cre+ rats, but restored sign-tracking in Cre- rats. Thus, chemogenetic inhibition of NAc D1-MSNs promoted extinction of sign-tracking. Collectively, these data suggest that D1-MSNs play an important role in resistance to extinction that typifies sign-tracking behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rifka C Derman
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
| | - Elizabeth C Bryda
- Rat Resource and Research Center, Animal Modeling Core, Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Carrie R Ferrario
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Psychology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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13
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Alsina-Llanes M, Olazábal DE. NMDA- and 6-OHDA-induced Lesions in the Nucleus Accumbens Differently Affect Maternal and Infanticidal Behavior in Pup-naïve Female and Male Mice. Neuroscience 2024; 539:35-50. [PMID: 38176609 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Virgin and pups-naïve female and male adult mice display two opposite responses when they are exposed to pups for the first time. While females generally take care of the pups, males attack them. Since the nucleus accumbens (NA), and its dopaminergic modulation, is critical in integrating information and processing reward and aversion, we investigated if NMDA- and 6-OHDA-induced lesions, damaging mostly NA output and dopaminergic inputs respectively, affected female maternal behavior (MB) or male infanticidal behavior (IB) in mice. Our results revealed minor or no effects of both smaller and larger NMDA-induced lesions in MB and IB. On the other hand, while 6-OHDA-induced lesions in females reduced the incidence of full MB (12.5% 6-OHDA vs. 85.7% SHAM) increasing the latency to retrieve the pups, those lesions did not affect IB in males. There were no differences in locomotor and exploratory activity between the lesioned- and SHAM- females. Despite those lesions did not induce any major effect on IB, NMDA-lesioned males spent less time in the central area of an open field, while dopaminergic-lesioned males showed reduced number of rearing and peripheral crosses. The current study shows that an intact NA is not necessary for the expression of MB and IB. However, dopaminergic inputs to NA play different role in MB and IB. While damaging dopaminergic terminals into the NA did not affect IB, it clearly delayed the more flexible and rewarding expression of parental behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Alsina-Llanes
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, UdelaR. Av. Gral. Flores 2125, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay.
| | - D E Olazábal
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, UdelaR. Av. Gral. Flores 2125, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay.
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14
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Cavallo A, Neumann WJ. Dopaminergic reinforcement in the motor system: Implications for Parkinson's disease and deep brain stimulation. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:457-472. [PMID: 38178558 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Millions of people suffer from dopamine-related disorders spanning disturbances in movement, cognition and emotion. These changes are often attributed to changes in striatal dopamine function. Thus, understanding how dopamine signalling in the striatum and basal ganglia shapes human behaviour is fundamental to advancing the treatment of affected patients. Dopaminergic neurons innervate large-scale brain networks, and accordingly, many different roles for dopamine signals have been proposed, such as invigoration of movement and tracking of reward contingencies. The canonical circuit architecture of cortico-striatal loops sparks the question, of whether dopamine signals in the basal ganglia serve an overarching computational principle. Such a holistic understanding of dopamine functioning could provide new insights into symptom generation in psychiatry to neurology. Here, we review the perspective that dopamine could bidirectionally control neural population dynamics, increasing or decreasing their strength and likelihood to reoccur in the future, a process previously termed neural reinforcement. We outline how the basal ganglia pathways could drive strengthening and weakening of circuit dynamics and discuss the implication of this hypothesis on the understanding of motor signs of Parkinson's disease (PD), the most frequent dopaminergic disorder. We propose that loss of dopamine in PD may lead to a pathological brain state where repetition of neural activity leads to weakening and instability, possibly explanatory for the fact that movement in PD deteriorates with repetition. Finally, we speculate on how therapeutic interventions such as deep brain stimulation may be able to reinstate reinforcement signals and thereby improve treatment strategies for PD in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Cavallo
- Movement Disorder and Neuromodulation Unit, Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolf-Julian Neumann
- Movement Disorder and Neuromodulation Unit, Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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15
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Ibrahim KM, Massaly N, Yoon HJ, Sandoval R, Widman AJ, Heuermann RJ, Williams S, Post W, Pathiranage S, Lintz T, Zec A, Park A, Yu W, Kash TL, Gereau RW, Morón JA. Dorsal hippocampus to nucleus accumbens projections drive reinforcement via activation of accumbal dynorphin neurons. Nat Commun 2024; 15:750. [PMID: 38286800 PMCID: PMC10825206 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44836-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The hippocampus is pivotal in integrating emotional processing, learning, memory, and reward-related behaviors. The dorsal hippocampus (dHPC) is particularly crucial for episodic, spatial, and associative memory, and has been shown to be necessary for context- and cue-associated reward behaviors. The nucleus accumbens (NAc), a central structure in the mesolimbic reward pathway, integrates the salience of aversive and rewarding stimuli. Despite extensive research on dHPC→NAc direct projections, their sufficiency in driving reinforcement and reward-related behavior remains to be determined. Our study establishes that activating excitatory neurons in the dHPC is sufficient to induce reinforcing behaviors through its direct projections to the dorso-medial subregion of the NAc shell (dmNAcSh). Notably, dynorphin-containing neurons specifically contribute to dHPC-driven reinforcing behavior, even though both dmNAcSh dynorphin- and enkephalin-containing neurons are activated with dHPC stimulation. Our findings unveil a pathway governing reinforcement, advancing our understanding of the hippocampal circuity's role in reward-seeking behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khairunisa Mohamad Ibrahim
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Nicolas Massaly
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Hye-Jean Yoon
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Rossana Sandoval
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Allie J Widman
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Robert J Heuermann
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Neurology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Sidney Williams
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - William Post
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Sulan Pathiranage
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Tania Lintz
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Azra Zec
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Ashley Park
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Waylin Yu
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Thomas L Kash
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Robert W Gereau
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Jose A Morón
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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16
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Lowet AS, Zheng Q, Meng M, Matias S, Drugowitsch J, Uchida N. An opponent striatal circuit for distributional reinforcement learning. bioRxiv 2024:2024.01.02.573966. [PMID: 38260354 PMCID: PMC10802299 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.02.573966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Machine learning research has achieved large performance gains on a wide range of tasks by expanding the learning target from mean rewards to entire probability distributions of rewards - an approach known as distributional reinforcement learning (RL)1. The mesolimbic dopamine system is thought to underlie RL in the mammalian brain by updating a representation of mean value in the striatum2,3, but little is known about whether, where, and how neurons in this circuit encode information about higher-order moments of reward distributions4. To fill this gap, we used high-density probes (Neuropixels) to acutely record striatal activity from well-trained, water-restricted mice performing a classical conditioning task in which reward mean, reward variance, and stimulus identity were independently manipulated. In contrast to traditional RL accounts, we found robust evidence for abstract encoding of variance in the striatum. Remarkably, chronic ablation of dopamine inputs disorganized these distributional representations in the striatum without interfering with mean value coding. Two-photon calcium imaging and optogenetics revealed that the two major classes of striatal medium spiny neurons - D1 and D2 MSNs - contributed to this code by preferentially encoding the right and left tails of the reward distribution, respectively. We synthesize these findings into a new model of the striatum and mesolimbic dopamine that harnesses the opponency between D1 and D2 MSNs5-15 to reap the computational benefits of distributional RL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam S Lowet
- Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Qiao Zheng
- Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Melissa Meng
- Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sara Matias
- Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jan Drugowitsch
- Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Naoshige Uchida
- Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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17
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Fang LZ, Creed MC. Updating the striatal-pallidal wiring diagram. Nat Neurosci 2024; 27:15-27. [PMID: 38057614 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01518-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The striatal and pallidal complexes are basal ganglia structures that orchestrate learning and execution of flexible behavior. Models of how the basal ganglia subserve these functions have evolved considerably, and the advent of optogenetic and molecular tools has shed light on the heterogeneity of subcircuits within these pathways. However, a synthesis of how molecularly diverse neurons integrate into existing models of basal ganglia function is lacking. Here, we provide an overview of the neurochemical and molecular diversity of striatal and pallidal neurons and synthesize recent circuit connectivity studies in rodents that takes this diversity into account. We also highlight anatomical organizational principles that distinguish the dorsal and ventral basal ganglia pathways in rodents. Future work integrating the molecular and anatomical properties of striatal and pallidal subpopulations may resolve controversies regarding basal ganglia network function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Z Fang
- Washington University Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Meaghan C Creed
- Washington University Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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18
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Belilos A, Gray C, Sanders C, Black D, Mays E, Richie C, Sengupta A, Hake H, Francis TC. Nucleus accumbens local circuit for cue-dependent aversive learning. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113488. [PMID: 37995189 PMCID: PMC10795009 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Response to threatening environmental stimuli requires detection and encoding of important environmental features that dictate threat. Aversive events are highly salient, which promotes associative learning about stimuli that signal this threat. The nucleus accumbens is uniquely positioned to process this salient, aversive information and promote motivated output, through plasticity on the major projection neurons in the brain area. We describe a nucleus accumbens core local circuit whereby excitatory plasticity facilitates learning and recall of discrete aversive cues. We demonstrate that putative nucleus accumbens substance P release and long-term excitatory plasticity on dopamine 2 receptor-expressing projection neurons are required for cue-dependent fear learning. Additionally, we find that fear learning and recall is dependent on distinct projection neuron subtypes. Our work demonstrates a critical role for nucleus accumbens substance P in cue-dependent aversive learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Belilos
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Cortez Gray
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Christie Sanders
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Destiny Black
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Elizabeth Mays
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Christopher Richie
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Ayesha Sengupta
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Holly Hake
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - T Chase Francis
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
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19
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Zhang Y, Ben Nathan J, Moreno A, Merkel R, Kahng MW, Hayes MR, Reiner BC, Crist RC, Schmidt HD. Calcitonin receptor signaling in nucleus accumbens D1R- and D2R-expressing medium spiny neurons bidirectionally alters opioid taking in male rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1878-1888. [PMID: 37355732 PMCID: PMC10584857 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01634-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
The high rates of relapse associated with current medications used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) necessitate research that expands our understanding of the neural mechanisms regulating opioid taking to identify molecular substrates that could be targeted by novel pharmacotherapies to treat OUD. Recent studies show that activation of calcitonin receptors (CTRs) is sufficient to reduce the rewarding effects of addictive drugs in rodents. However, the role of central CTR signaling in opioid-mediated behaviors has not been studied. Here, we used single nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to characterize cell type-specific patterns of CTR expression in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a brain region that plays a critical role in voluntary drug taking. Using these approaches, we identified CTRs expressed on D1R- and D2R-expressing medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the medial shell subregion of the NAc. Interestingly, Calcr transcripts were expressed at higher levels in D2R- versus D1R-expressing MSNs. Cre-dependent viral-mediated miRNA knockdown of CTRs in transgenic male rats was then used to determine the functional significance of endogenous CTR signaling in opioid taking. We discovered that reduced CTR expression specifically in D1R-expressing MSNs potentiated/augmented opioid self-administration. In contrast, reduced CTR expression specifically in D2R-expressing MSNs attenuated opioid self-administration. These findings highlight a novel cell type-specific mechanism by which CTR signaling in the ventral striatum bidirectionally modulates voluntary opioid taking and support future studies aimed at targeting central CTR-expressing circuits to treat OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafang Zhang
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Jennifer Ben Nathan
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Amanda Moreno
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Riley Merkel
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Michelle W Kahng
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Matthew R Hayes
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Benjamin C Reiner
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Richard C Crist
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Heath D Schmidt
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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20
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Pinto SR, Uchida N. Tonic dopamine and biases in value learning linked through a biologically inspired reinforcement learning model. bioRxiv 2023:2023.11.10.566580. [PMID: 38014087 PMCID: PMC10680794 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.10.566580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
A hallmark of various psychiatric disorders is biased future predictions. Here we examined the mechanisms for biased value learning using reinforcement learning models incorporating recent findings on synaptic plasticity and opponent circuit mechanisms in the basal ganglia. We show that variations in tonic dopamine can alter the balance between learning from positive and negative reward prediction errors, leading to biased value predictions. This bias arises from the sigmoidal shapes of the dose-occupancy curves and distinct affinities of D1- and D2-type dopamine receptors: changes in tonic dopamine differentially alters the slope of the dose-occupancy curves of these receptors, thus sensitivities, at baseline dopamine concentrations. We show that this mechanism can explain biased value learning in both mice and humans and may also contribute to symptoms observed in psychiatric disorders. Our model provides a foundation for understanding the basal ganglia circuit and underscores the significance of tonic dopamine in modulating learning processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Romero Pinto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology, Division of Medical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Naoshige Uchida
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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21
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Bai X, Zhang K, Ou C, Mu Y, Chi D, Zhang J, Huang J, Li X, Zhang Y, Huang W, Ouyang H. AKAP150 from nucleus accumbens dopamine D1 and D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons regulates morphine withdrawal. iScience 2023; 26:108227. [PMID: 37953959 PMCID: PMC10637943 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Dopamine D1 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1R-MSNs) and dopamine D2 receptor-expressing MSNs (D2R-MSNs) in nucleus accumbens (NAc) have been demonstrated to show different effects on reward and memory of abstinence. A-kinase anchoring protein 150 (AKAP150) expression in NAc is significantly upregulated and contributes to the morphine withdrawal behavior. However, the underlying mechanism of AKAP150 under opioid withdrawal remains unclear. In this study, AKAP150 expression in NAc is upregulated in naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal model, and knockdown of AKAP150 alleviates morphine withdrawal somatic signs and improves the performance of conditioned place aversion (CPA) test. AKAP150 in NAc D1R-MSNs is related to modulation of the performance of morphine withdrawal CPA test, while AKAP150 in NAc D2R-MSNs is relevant to the severity of somatic responses. Our results suggest that AKAP150 from D1R-MSNs or D2R-MSNs in NAc contributes to the developmental process of morphine withdrawal but plays different roles in aspects of behavior or psychology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Bai
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Chaopeng Ou
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yanyu Mu
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Dongmei Chi
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jianxing Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jingxiu Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xile Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yingjun Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Wan Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Handong Ouyang
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
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22
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Ohno-Shosaku T, Yoneda M, Maejima T, Wang M, Kikuchi Y, Onodera K, Kanazawa Y, Takayama C, Mieda M. Action Sequence Learning Is Impaired in Genetically Modified Mice with the Suppressed GABAergic Transmission from the Thalamic Reticular Nucleus to the Thalamus. Neuroscience 2023; 532:87-102. [PMID: 37778689 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) is a thin sheet of GABAergic neurons surrounding the thalamus, and it regulates the activity of thalamic relay neurons. The TRN has been reported to be involved in sensory gating, attentional regulation, and some other functions. However, little is known about the contribution of the TRN to sequence learning. In the present study, we examined whether the TRN is involved in reward-based learning of action sequence with no eliciting stimuli (operant conditioning), by analyzing the performance of male and female Avp-Vgat-/- mice (Vgatflox/flox mice crossed to an Avp-Cre driver line) on tasks conducted in an operant box having three levers. Our histological and electrophysiological data demonstrated that in adult Avp-Vgat-/- mice, vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT) was absent in most TRN neurons and the GABAergic transmission from the TRN to the thalamus was largely suppressed. The performance on a task in which mice needed to press an active lever for food reward showed that simple operant learning of lever pressing and learning of win-stay and lose-shift strategies are not affected in Avp-Vgat-/- mice. In contrast, the performance on a task in which mice needed to press three levers in a correct order for food reward showed that learning of the order of lever pressing (action sequence learning) was impaired in Avp-Vgat-/- mice. These results suggest that the TRN plays an important role in action sequence learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takako Ohno-Shosaku
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0942, Japan; Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Hokuriku University, Kanazawa 920-1180, Japan.
| | - Mitsugu Yoneda
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0942, Japan
| | - Takashi Maejima
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan
| | - Mohan Wang
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan
| | - Yui Kikuchi
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0942, Japan
| | - Kaito Onodera
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan
| | - Yuji Kanazawa
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Hokuriku University, Kanazawa 920-1180, Japan
| | - Chitoshi Takayama
- Department of Molecular Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Uehara 207, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0215, Japan
| | - Michihiro Mieda
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan
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23
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Koyama Y. The role of orexinergic system in the regulation of cataplexy. Peptides 2023; 169:171080. [PMID: 37598758 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Loss of orexin/hypocretin causes serious sleep disorder; narcolepsy. Cataplexy is the most striking symptom of narcolepsy, characterized by abrupt muscle paralysis induced by emotional stimuli, and has been considered pathological activation of REM sleep atonia system. Clinical treatments for cataplexy/narcolepsy and early pharmacological studies in narcoleptic dogs tell us about the involvement of monoaminergic and cholinergic systems in the control of cataplexy/narcolepsy. Muscle atonia may be induced by activation of REM sleep-atonia generating system in the brainstem. Emotional stimuli may be processed in the limbic systems including the amygdala, nucleus accumbens, and medial prefrontal cortex. It is now considered that orexin/hypocretin prevents cataplexy by modulating the activity of different points of cataplexy-inducing circuit, including monoaminergic/cholinergic systems, muscle atonia-generating systems, and emotion-related systems. This review will describe the recent advances in understanding the neural mechanisms controlling cataplexy, with a focus on the involvement of orexin/hypocretin system, and will discuss future experimental strategies that will lead to further understanding and treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshimasa Koyama
- Faculty of Symbiotic Systems Science, Fukushima University, 1 Kanaya-gawa, Fukushima 960-1296, Japan..
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24
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Funamizu A, Marbach F, Zador AM. Stable sound decoding despite modulated sound representation in the auditory cortex. Curr Biol 2023; 33:4470-4483.e7. [PMID: 37802051 PMCID: PMC10665086 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
The activity of neurons in the auditory cortex is driven by both sounds and non-sensory context. To investigate the neuronal correlates of non-sensory context, we trained head-fixed mice to perform a two-alternative-choice auditory task in which either reward or stimulus expectation (prior) was manipulated in blocks. Using two-photon calcium imaging to record populations of single neurons in the auditory cortex, we found that both stimulus and reward expectation modulated the activity of these neurons. A linear decoder trained on this population activity could decode stimuli as well or better than predicted by the animal's performance. Interestingly, the optimal decoder was stable even in the face of variable sensory representations. Neither the context nor the mouse's choice could be reliably decoded from the recorded neural activity. Our findings suggest that, in spite of modulation of auditory cortical activity by task priors, the auditory cortex does not represent sufficient information about these priors to exploit them optimally. Thus, the combination of rapidly changing sensory information with more slowly varying task information required for decisions in this task might be represented in brain regions other than the auditory cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Funamizu
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Rd, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA.
| | - Fred Marbach
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Rd, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Anthony M Zador
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Rd, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
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25
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Ben-Artzi I, Kessler Y, Nicenboim B, Shahar N. Computational mechanisms underlying latent value updating of unchosen actions. Sci Adv 2023; 9:eadi2704. [PMID: 37862419 PMCID: PMC10588947 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi2704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Current studies suggest that individuals estimate the value of their choices based on observed feedback. Here, we ask whether individuals also update the value of their unchosen actions, even when the associated feedback remains unknown. One hundred seventy-eight individuals completed a multi-armed bandit task, making choices to gain rewards. We found robust evidence suggesting latent value updating of unchosen actions based on the chosen action's outcome. Computational modeling results suggested that this effect is mainly explained by a value updating mechanism whereby individuals integrate the outcome history for choosing an option with that of rejecting the alternative. Properties of the deliberation (i.e., duration/difficulty) did not moderate the latent value updating of unchosen actions, suggesting that memory traces generated during deliberation might take a smaller role in this specific phenomenon than previously thought. We discuss the mechanisms facilitating credit assignment to unchosen actions and their implications for human decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ido Ben-Artzi
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Minducate Science of Learning Research and Innovation Center of the Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yoav Kessler
- Department of Psychology and School of Brain Sciences and Cognition, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Bruno Nicenboim
- Department of Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence, Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands
| | - Nitzan Shahar
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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26
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Bond K, Rasero J, Madan R, Bahuguna J, Rubin J, Verstynen T. Competing neural representations of choice shape evidence accumulation in humans. eLife 2023; 12:e85223. [PMID: 37818943 PMCID: PMC10624421 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Making adaptive choices in dynamic environments requires flexible decision policies. Previously, we showed how shifts in outcome contingency change the evidence accumulation process that determines decision policies. Using in silico experiments to generate predictions, here we show how the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic (CBGT) circuits can feasibly implement shifts in decision policies. When action contingencies change, dopaminergic plasticity redirects the balance of power, both within and between action representations, to divert the flow of evidence from one option to another. When competition between action representations is highest, the rate of evidence accumulation is the lowest. This prediction was validated in in vivo experiments on human participants, using fMRI, which showed that (1) evoked hemodynamic responses can reliably predict trial-wise choices and (2) competition between action representations, measured using a classifier model, tracked with changes in the rate of evidence accumulation. These results paint a holistic picture of how CBGT circuits manage and adapt the evidence accumulation process in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista Bond
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburghUnited States
- Center for the Neural Basis of CognitionPittsburghUnited States
- Carnegie Mellon Neuroscience InstitutePittsburghUnited States
| | - Javier Rasero
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburghUnited States
| | - Raghav Madan
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Jyotika Bahuguna
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburghUnited States
| | - Jonathan Rubin
- Center for the Neural Basis of CognitionPittsburghUnited States
- Department of Mathematics, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Timothy Verstynen
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburghUnited States
- Center for the Neural Basis of CognitionPittsburghUnited States
- Carnegie Mellon Neuroscience InstitutePittsburghUnited States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburghUnited States
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27
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Belilos A, Gray C, Sanders C, Black D, Mays E, Richie CT, Sengupta A, Hake HS, Francis TC. Nucleus Accumbens Local Circuit for Cue-Dependent Aversive Learning. bioRxiv 2023:2023.02.06.527338. [PMID: 36798245 PMCID: PMC9934565 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.06.527338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Response to threatening environmental stimuli requires detection and encoding of important environmental features that dictate threat. Aversive events are highly salient which promotes associative learning about stimuli that signal this threat. The nucleus accumbens is uniquely positioned to process this salient, aversive information and promote motivated output, through plasticity on the major projection neurons in the brain area. We uncovered a nucleus accumbens core local circuit whereby excitatory plasticity facilitates learning and recall of discrete aversive cues. We demonstrate that putative nucleus accumbens substance P release and long-term excitatory plasticity on dopamine 2 receptor expressing projection neurons is required for cue-dependent fear learning. Additionally, we found fear learning and recall were dependent on distinct projection-neuron subtypes. Our work demonstrates a critical role for Nucleus Accumbens substance P in cue-dependent aversive learning.
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28
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Bech P, Crochet S, Dard R, Ghaderi P, Liu Y, Malekzadeh M, Petersen CCH, Pulin M, Renard A, Sourmpis C. Striatal Dopamine Signals and Reward Learning. Function (Oxf) 2023; 4:zqad056. [PMID: 37841525 PMCID: PMC10572094 DOI: 10.1093/function/zqad056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
We are constantly bombarded by sensory information and constantly making decisions on how to act. In order to optimally adapt behavior, we must judge which sequences of sensory inputs and actions lead to successful outcomes in specific circumstances. Neuronal circuits of the basal ganglia have been strongly implicated in action selection, as well as the learning and execution of goal-directed behaviors, with accumulating evidence supporting the hypothesis that midbrain dopamine neurons might encode a reward signal useful for learning. Here, we review evidence suggesting that midbrain dopaminergic neurons signal reward prediction error, driving synaptic plasticity in the striatum underlying learning. We focus on phasic increases in action potential firing of midbrain dopamine neurons in response to unexpected rewards. These dopamine neurons prominently innervate the dorsal and ventral striatum. In the striatum, the released dopamine binds to dopamine receptors, where it regulates the plasticity of glutamatergic synapses. The increase of striatal dopamine accompanying an unexpected reward activates dopamine type 1 receptors (D1Rs) initiating a signaling cascade that promotes long-term potentiation of recently active glutamatergic input onto striatonigral neurons. Sensorimotor-evoked glutamatergic input, which is active immediately before reward delivery will thus be strengthened onto neurons in the striatum expressing D1Rs. In turn, these neurons cause disinhibition of brainstem motor centers and disinhibition of the motor thalamus, thus promoting motor output to reinforce rewarded stimulus-action outcomes. Although many details of the hypothesis need further investigation, altogether, it seems likely that dopamine signals in the striatum might underlie important aspects of goal-directed reward-based learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pol Bech
- Laboratory of Sensory Processing, Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Sylvain Crochet
- Laboratory of Sensory Processing, Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Robin Dard
- Laboratory of Sensory Processing, Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Parviz Ghaderi
- Laboratory of Sensory Processing, Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Yanqi Liu
- Laboratory of Sensory Processing, Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Meriam Malekzadeh
- Laboratory of Sensory Processing, Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Carl C H Petersen
- Laboratory of Sensory Processing, Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Mauro Pulin
- Laboratory of Sensory Processing, Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Anthony Renard
- Laboratory of Sensory Processing, Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Christos Sourmpis
- Laboratory of Sensory Processing, Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
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Klug JR, Yan X, Hoffman HA, Engelhardt MD, Osakada F, Callaway EM, Jin X. Asymmetric cortical projections to striatal direct and indirect pathways distinctly control actions. bioRxiv 2023:2023.10.02.560589. [PMID: 37873164 PMCID: PMC10592949 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.02.560589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
The striatal direct and indirect pathways constitute the core for basal ganglia function in action control. Although both striatal D1- and D2-spiny projection neurons (SPNs) receive excitatory inputs from the cerebral cortex, whether or not they share inputs from the same cortical neurons, and how pathway-specific corticostriatal projections control behavior remain largely unknown. Here using a new G-deleted rabies system in mice, we found that more than two-thirds of excitatory inputs to D2-SPNs also target D1-SPNs, while only one-third do so vice versa. Optogenetic stimulation of striatal D1- vs. D2-SPN-projecting cortical neurons differently regulate locomotion, reinforcement learning and sequence behavior, implying the functional dichotomy of pathway-specific corticostriatal subcircuits. These results reveal the partially segregated yet asymmetrically overlapping cortical projections on striatal D1- vs. D2-SPNs, and that the pathway-specific corticostriatal subcircuits distinctly control behavior. It has important implications in a wide range of neurological and psychiatric diseases affecting cortico-basal ganglia circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason R. Klug
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Xunyi Yan
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Center for Motor Control and Disease, Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, China
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Hilary A. Hoffman
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Max D. Engelhardt
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Fumitaka Osakada
- Systems Neurobiology Laboratories, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Edward M. Callaway
- Systems Neurobiology Laboratories, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Xin Jin
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Center for Motor Control and Disease, Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, China
- NYU–ECNU Institute of Brain and Cognitive Science, New York University Shanghai, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, China
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30
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Guerri L, Dobbs LK, da Silva e Silva DA, Meyers A, Ge A, Lecaj L, Djakuduel C, Islek D, Hipolito D, Martinez AB, Shen PH, Marietta CA, Garamszegi SP, Capobianco E, Jiang Z, Schwandt M, Mash DC, Alvarez VA, Goldman D. Low Dopamine D2 Receptor Expression Drives Gene Networks Related to GABA, cAMP, Growth and Neuroinflammation in Striatal Indirect Pathway Neurons. Biol Psychiatry Glob Open Sci 2023; 3:1104-1115. [PMID: 37881572 PMCID: PMC10593893 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2022.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A salient effect of addictive drugs is to hijack the dopamine reward system, an evolutionarily conserved driver of goal-directed behavior and learning. Reduced dopamine type 2 receptor availability in the striatum is an important pathophysiological mechanism for addiction that is both consequential and causal for other molecular, cellular, and neuronal network differences etiologic for this disorder. Here, we sought to identify gene expression changes attributable to innate low expression of the Drd2 gene in the striatum and specific to striatal indirect medium spiny neurons (iMSNs). Methods Cre-conditional, translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP) was used to purify and analyze the translatome (ribosome-bound messenger RNA) of iMSNs from mice with low/heterozygous or wild-type Drd2 expression in iMSNs. Complementary electrophysiological recordings and gene expression analysis of postmortem brain tissue from human cocaine users were performed. Results Innate low expression of Drd2 in iMSNs led to differential expression of genes involved in GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) signaling, neural growth, lipid metabolism, neural excitability, and inflammation. Creb1 was identified as a likely upstream regulator, among others. In human brain, expression of FXYD2, a modulatory subunit of the Na/K pump, was negatively correlated with DRD2 messenger RNA expression. In iMSN-TRAP-Drd2HET mice, increased Cartpt and reduced S100a10 (p11) expression recapitulated previous observations in cocaine paradigms. Electrophysiology experiments supported a higher GABA tone in iMSN-Drd2HET mice. Conclusions This study provides strong molecular evidence that, in addiction, inhibition by the indirect pathway is constitutively enhanced through neural growth and increased GABA signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Guerri
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lauren K. Dobbs
- Laboratory on Neurobiology of Compulsive Behaviors, NIAAA, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Daniel A. da Silva e Silva
- Laboratory on Neurobiology of Compulsive Behaviors, NIAAA, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Allen Meyers
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Aaron Ge
- University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Lea Lecaj
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Caroline Djakuduel
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Damien Islek
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Dionisio Hipolito
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Abdiel Badillo Martinez
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Pei-Hong Shen
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Cheryl A. Marietta
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Susanna P. Garamszegi
- Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Enrico Capobianco
- Institute for Data Science and Computing, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Zhijie Jiang
- Institute for Data Science and Computing, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Melanie Schwandt
- Office of the Clinical Director, NIAAA, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Deborah C. Mash
- Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
- Institute for Data Science and Computing, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Veronica A. Alvarez
- Laboratory on Neurobiology of Compulsive Behaviors, NIAAA, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - David Goldman
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- Office of the Clinical Director, NIAAA, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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31
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Colautti L, Iannello P, Silveri MC, Antonietti A. Decision-making under ambiguity and risk and executive functions in Parkinson's disease patients: A scoping review of the studies investigating the Iowa Gambling Task and the Game of Dice. Cogn Affect Behav Neurosci 2023; 23:1225-1243. [PMID: 37198383 PMCID: PMC10545597 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-023-01106-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Evidence shows that patients affected by Parkinson's disease (PD) display the tendency toward making risky choices. This is due, at least in part, to the pathophysiological characteristics of the disease that affects neural areas underlying decision making (DM), in which a pivotal role is played by nonmotor corticostriatal circuits and dopamine. Executive functions (EFs), which can be impaired by PD as well, may sustain optimal choices in DM processes. However, few studies have investigated whether EFs can support PD patients to make good decisions. Adopting the scoping review approach, the present article is designed to deepen the cognitive mechanisms of DM under conditions of ambiguity and risk (that are conditions common to everyday life decisions) in PD patients without impulse control disorders. We focused our attention on the Iowa Gambling Task and the Game of Dice Task, because they are the most commonly used and reliable tasks to assess DM under ambiguity and under risk, respectively, and analyzed the performances in such tasks and their relationships with EFs tests in PD patients. The analysis supported the relationships between EFs and DM performance, especially when a higher cognitive load is required to make optimal decisions, as it happens under conditions of risk. Possible knowledge gaps and further research directions are suggested to better understand DM mechanisms in PD sustaining patients' cognitive functioning and preventing negative consequences in everyday life derived from suboptimal decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Colautti
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Laura Colautti, Largo A. Gemelli, 1, 20123 Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Iannello
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Laura Colautti, Largo A. Gemelli, 1, 20123 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Caterina Silveri
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Laura Colautti, Largo A. Gemelli, 1, 20123 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Antonietti
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Laura Colautti, Largo A. Gemelli, 1, 20123 Milan, Italy
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32
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Chen Y, Yan P, Wei S, Zhu Y, Lai J, Zhou Q. Ketamine metabolite alleviates morphine withdrawal-induced anxiety via modulating nucleus accumbens parvalbumin neurons in male mice. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 186:106279. [PMID: 37661023 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioid withdrawal generates extremely unpleasant physical symptoms and negative affective states. A rapid relief of opioid withdrawal-induced anxiety has obvious clinical relevance but has been rarely reported. We have shown that injection of ketamine metabolite (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK) leads to a rapid alleviation of anxiety-like behaviors in male mice undergoing chronic morphine withdrawal. Here we investigated the contribution of nucleus accumbens shell (sNAc) parvalbumin (PV)-neurons to this process. Chronic morphine withdrawal was associated with higher intrinsic excitability of sNAc PV-neurons via reduced voltage-dependent potassium currents. Chemogenetic inhibition of sNAc PV-neurons reversed the enhanced excitability of PV-neurons and anxiety-like behaviors in these morphine withdrawal male mice, while activation of sNAc PV-neurons induced anxiety-like behaviors in naive male mice. (2R,6R)-HNK reversed the altered potassium currents and intrinsic excitability of sNAc PV-neurons. Our findings demonstrate an important contribution of sNAc PV-neurons to modulating morphine withdrawal-induced anxiety-like behaviors and rapid relief of anxiety-like behaviors by (2R,6R)-HNK, this newly identified target may have therapeutic potentials in treating opioid addiction and anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Chen
- College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China; School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peng Yan
- College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shuguang Wei
- College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yongsheng Zhu
- College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jianghua Lai
- College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Qiang Zhou
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China.
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33
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Xie X, Lu J, Ma T, Cheng Y, Woodson K, Bonifacio J, Bego K, Wang X, Wang J. Linking input- and cell-type-specific synaptic plasticity to the reinforcement of alcohol-seeking behavior. Neuropharmacology 2023; 237:109619. [PMID: 37290535 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The reinforcement of voluntary alcohol-seeking behavior requires dopamine-dependent long-term synaptic plasticity in the striatum. Specifically, the long-term potentiation (LTP) of direct-pathway medium spiny neurons (dMSNs) in the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) promotes alcohol drinking. However, it remains unclear whether alcohol induces input-specific plasticity onto dMSNs and whether this plasticity directly drives instrumental conditioning. In this study, we found that voluntary alcohol intake selectively strengthened glutamatergic transmission from the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to DMS dMSNs in mice. Importantly, mimicking this alcohol-induced potentiation by optogenetically self-stimulating mPFC→dMSN synapse with an LTP protocol was sufficient to drive the reinforcement of lever pressing in operant chambers. Conversely, induction of a post-pre spike timing-dependent LTD at this synapse time-locked to alcohol delivery during operant conditioning persistently decreased alcohol-seeking behavior. Our results establish a causal relationship between input- and cell-type-specific corticostriatal plasticity and the reinforcement of alcohol-seeking behavior. This provides a potential therapeutic strategy to restore normal cortical control of dysregulated basal ganglia circuitries in alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyi Xie
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Jiayi Lu
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Tengfei Ma
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Yifeng Cheng
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Kayla Woodson
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Jordan Bonifacio
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Kassidy Bego
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Xuehua Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA.
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Funamizu A, Marbach F, Zador AM. Stable sound decoding despite modulated sound representation in the auditory cortex. bioRxiv 2023:2023.01.31.526457. [PMID: 37745428 PMCID: PMC10515783 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.31.526457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The activity of neurons in the auditory cortex is driven by both sounds and non-sensory context. To investigate the neuronal correlates of non-sensory context, we trained head-fixed mice to perform a two-alternative choice auditory task in which either reward or stimulus expectation (prior) was manipulated in blocks. Using two-photon calcium imaging to record populations of single neurons in auditory cortex, we found that both stimulus and reward expectation modulated the activity of these neurons. A linear decoder trained on this population activity could decode stimuli as well or better than predicted by the animal's performance. Interestingly, the optimal decoder was stable even in the face of variable sensory representations. Neither the context nor the mouse's choice could be reliably decoded from the recorded neural activity. Our findings suggest that in spite of modulation of auditory cortical activity by task priors, auditory cortex does not represent sufficient information about these priors to exploit them optimally and that decisions in this task require that rapidly changing sensory information be combined with more slowly varying task information extracted and represented in brain regions other than auditory cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Funamizu
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Rd, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
- Present address: Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, the University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 1130032, Japan
- Present address: Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 1538902, Japan
| | - Fred Marbach
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Rd, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
- Present address: The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Rd, NW1 4AT London, UK
| | - Anthony M Zador
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Rd, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
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35
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Rios A, Nonomura S, Kato S, Yoshida J, Matsushita N, Nambu A, Takada M, Hira R, Kobayashi K, Sakai Y, Kimura M, Isomura Y. Reward expectation enhances action-related activity of nigral dopaminergic and two striatal output pathways. Commun Biol 2023; 6:914. [PMID: 37673949 PMCID: PMC10482957 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05288-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurons comprising nigrostriatal system play important roles in action selection. However, it remains unclear how this system integrates recent outcome information with current action (movement) and outcome (reward or no reward) information to achieve appropriate subsequent action. We examined how neuronal activity of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and dorsal striatum reflects the level of reward expectation from recent outcomes in rats performing a reward-based choice task. Movement-related activity of direct and indirect pathway striatal projection neurons (dSPNs and iSPNs, respectively) were enhanced by reward expectation, similarly to the SNc dopaminergic neurons, in both medial and lateral nigrostriatal projections. Given the classical basal ganglia model wherein dopamine stimulates dSPNs and suppresses iSPNs through distinct dopamine receptors, dopamine might not be the primary driver of iSPN activity increasing following higher reward expectation. In contrast, outcome-related activity was affected by reward expectation in line with the classical model and reinforcement learning theory, suggesting purposive effects of reward expectation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Rios
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan.
| | - Satoshi Nonomura
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
- Center for the Evolutionary Origins of Human Behavior, Kyoto University, Aichi, 484-8506, Japan
| | - Shigeki Kato
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Science, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| | - Junichi Yoshida
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Natsuki Matsushita
- Division of Laboratory Animal Research, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, 480-1195, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nambu
- Division of System Neurophysiology, National Institute of Physiological Sciences and Department of Physiological Sciences, SOKENDAI, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan
| | - Masahiko Takada
- Center for the Evolutionary Origins of Human Behavior, Kyoto University, Aichi, 484-8506, Japan
| | - Riichiro Hira
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Kazuto Kobayashi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Science, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| | - Yutaka Sakai
- Brain Science Institute, Tamagawa University, Tokyo, 194-8610, Japan
| | - Minoru Kimura
- Brain Science Institute, Tamagawa University, Tokyo, 194-8610, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Isomura
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan.
- Brain Science Institute, Tamagawa University, Tokyo, 194-8610, Japan.
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Clapp M, Bahuguna J, Giossi C, Rubin JE, Verstynen T, Vich C. CBGTPy: An extensible cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic framework for modeling biological decision making. bioRxiv 2023:2023.09.05.556301. [PMID: 37732280 PMCID: PMC10508778 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.05.556301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Here we introduce CBGTPy, a virtual environment for designing and testing goal-directed agents with internal dynamics that are modeled off of the cortico-basal-ganglia-thalamic (CBGT) pathways in the mammalian brain. CBGTPy enables researchers to investigate the internal dynamics of the CBGT system during a variety of tasks, allowing for the formation of testable predictions about animal behavior and neural activity. The framework has been designed around the principle of flexibility, such that many experimental parameters in a decision making paradigm can be easily defined and modified. Here we demonstrate the capabilities of CBGTPy across a range of single and multi-choice tasks, highlighting the ease of set up and the biologically realistic behavior that it produces. We show that CBGTPy is extensible enough to apply to a wide range of experimental protocols and to allow for the implementation of model extensions with minimal developmental effort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Clapp
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jyotika Bahuguna
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Cristina Giossi
- Departament de Matemàtiques i Informàtica, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Palma, Spain
- Institute of Applied Computing and Community Code, Palma, Spain
| | - Jonathan E. Rubin
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Mathematics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Timothy Verstynen
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Catalina Vich
- Departament de Matemàtiques i Informàtica, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Palma, Spain
- Institute of Applied Computing and Community Code, Palma, Spain
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37
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Tan B, Browne CJ, Nöbauer T, Vaziri A, Friedman JM, Nestler EJ. Drugs of abuse hijack a mesolimbic pathway that processes homeostatic need. bioRxiv 2023:2023.09.03.556059. [PMID: 37732251 PMCID: PMC10508763 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.03.556059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Addiction prioritizes drug use over innate needs by "hijacking" brain circuits that direct motivation, but how this develops remains unclear. Using whole-brain FOS mapping and in vivo single-neuron calcium imaging, we find that drugs of abuse augment ensemble activity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and disorganize overlapping ensemble responses to natural rewards in a cell-type-specific manner. Combining "FOS-Seq", CRISPR-perturbations, and snRNA-seq, we identify Rheb as a shared molecular substrate that regulates cell-type-specific signal transductions in NAc while enabling drugs to suppress natural reward responses. Retrograde circuit mapping pinpoints orbitofrontal cortex which, upon activation, mirrors drug effects on innate needs. These findings deconstruct the dynamic, molecular, and circuit basis of a common reward circuit, wherein drug value is scaled to promote drug-seeking over other, normative goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Tan
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Caleb J. Browne
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Tobias Nöbauer
- Laboratory of Neurotechnology and Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Alipasha Vaziri
- Laboratory of Neurotechnology and Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
- The Kavli Neural Systems Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jeffrey M. Friedman
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Eric J. Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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38
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Bhatia P, Yang L, Luo JXJ, Xu M, Renthal W. Epigenomic profiling of mouse nucleus accumbens at single-cell resolution. Mol Cell Neurosci 2023; 126:103857. [PMID: 37137383 PMCID: PMC10525004 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2023.103857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a key brain region involved in reward processing and is linked to multiple neuropsychiatric conditions such as substance use disorder, depression, and chronic pain. Recent studies have begun to investigate NAc gene expression at a single-cell resolution, however, our understanding of the cellular heterogeneity of the NAc epigenomic landscape remains limited. In this study, we utilize single-nucleus assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (snATAC-seq) to map cell-type-specific differences in chromatin accessibility in the NAc. Our findings not only reveal the transcription factors and putative gene regulatory elements that may contribute to these cell-type-specific epigenomic differences but also provide a valuable resource for future studies investigating epigenomic changes that occur in neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parth Bhatia
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Lite Yang
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Jay X J Luo
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Mengyi Xu
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - William Renthal
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA.
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Kono A, Shikano Y, Tanaka KF, Yamaura K, Tsutsui‐Kimura I. Inhibition of the dorsomedial striatal direct pathway is essential for the execution of action sequences. Neuropsychopharmacol Rep 2023; 43:414-424. [PMID: 37553985 PMCID: PMC10496086 DOI: 10.1002/npr2.12369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Contrary to the previous notion that the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) is crucial for acquiring new learning, accumulated evidence has suggested that the DMS also plays a role in the execution of already learned action sequences. Here, we examined how the direct and indirect pathways in the DMS regulate action sequences using a task that requires animals to press a lever consecutively. Cell-type-specific bulk Ca2+ recording revealed that the direct pathway was inhibited at the time of sequence execution. The sequence-related response was blunted in trials where the sequential behaviors were disrupted. Optogenetic activation at the sequence start caused distraction of action sequences without affecting motor function or memory of the task structure. By contrast with the direct pathway, the indirect pathway was slightly activated at the start of the sequence, but the optogenetic suppression of such sequence-related signaling did not impact the behaviors. These results suggest that the inhibition of the DMS direct pathway promotes sequence execution potentially by suppressing the formation of a new association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kono
- Division of Brain SciencesInstitute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
- Division of Social Pharmacy, Center for Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care SciencesKeio University Faculty of PharmacyTokyoJapan
| | - Yu Shikano
- Division of Brain SciencesInstitute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Kenji F. Tanaka
- Division of Brain SciencesInstitute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Katsunori Yamaura
- Division of Social Pharmacy, Center for Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care SciencesKeio University Faculty of PharmacyTokyoJapan
| | - Iku Tsutsui‐Kimura
- Division of Brain SciencesInstitute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
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Kwon J, Kim HJ, Lee HR, Ho WK, Kim JH, Lee SH. Rewiring of Prelimbic Inputs to the Nucleus Accumbens Core Underlies Cocaine-Induced Behavioral Sensitization. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 94:378-392. [PMID: 36906501 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Unbalanced activity of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the direct and indirect pathways mediates reward-related behaviors induced by addictive drugs. Prelimbic (PL) input to MSNs in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcC) plays a key role in cocaine-induced early locomotor sensitization (LS). However, the adaptive plastic changes at PL-to-NAcC synapses underlying early LS remain unclear. METHODS Using transgenic mice and retrograde tracing, we identified NAcC-projecting pyramidal neurons (PNs) in the PL cortex based on the expression of dopamine receptor types (D1R or D2R). To examine cocaine-induced alterations in PL-to-NAcC synapses, we measured excitatory postsynaptic current amplitudes evoked by optostimulation of PL afferents to MSNs. Riluzole was chosen to test the effects of PL excitability on cocaine-induced changes of PL-to-NAcC synapses. RESULTS NAcC-projecting PNs were segregated into D1R- and D2R-expressing PNs (D1- and D2-PNs, respectively), and their excitability was opposingly regulated by respective dopamine agonists. Both D1- and D2-PNs exhibited balanced innervation of direct MSNs and indirect MSNs in naïve animals. Repeated cocaine injections resulted in biased synaptic strength toward direct MSNs through presynaptic mechanisms in both D1- and D2-PNs, although D2R activation reduced the D2-PN excitability. Under group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors coactivation, however, D2R activation enhanced the D2-PN excitability. The cocaine-induced rewiring accompanied LS, and both rewiring and LS were precluded by PL infusion of riluzole, which reduced the intrinsic excitability of PL neurons. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that cocaine-induced rewiring of PL-to-NAcC synapses correlates well with early behavioral sensitization and that rewiring and LS can be prevented by riluzole-induced reduction of excitability of PL neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaehan Kwon
- Cell Physiology Lab, Department of Physiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Jin Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoung-Ro Lee
- Cell Physiology Lab, Department of Physiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Kyung Ho
- Cell Physiology Lab, Department of Physiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joung-Hun Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea; Institute of Convergence Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Suk-Ho Lee
- Cell Physiology Lab, Department of Physiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Seoul National University College of Natural Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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41
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Neuser MP, Kühnel A, Kräutlein F, Teckentrup V, Svaldi J, Kroemer NB. Reliability of gamified reinforcement learning in densely sampled longitudinal assessments. PLOS Digit Health 2023; 2:e0000330. [PMID: 37672521 PMCID: PMC10482292 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Reinforcement learning is a core facet of motivation and alterations have been associated with various mental disorders. To build better models of individual learning, repeated measurement of value-based decision-making is crucial. However, the focus on lab-based assessment of reward learning has limited the number of measurements and the test-retest reliability of many decision-related parameters is therefore unknown. In this paper, we present an open-source cross-platform application Influenca that provides a novel reward learning task complemented by ecological momentary assessment (EMA) of current mental and physiological states for repeated assessment over weeks. In this task, players have to identify the most effective medication by integrating reward values with changing probabilities to win (according to random Gaussian walks). Participants can complete up to 31 runs with 150 trials each. To encourage replay, in-game screens provide feedback on the progress. Using an initial validation sample of 384 players (9729 runs), we found that reinforcement learning parameters such as the learning rate and reward sensitivity show poor to fair intra-class correlations (ICC: 0.22-0.53), indicating substantial within- and between-subject variance. Notably, items assessing the psychological state showed comparable ICCs as reinforcement learning parameters. To conclude, our innovative and openly customizable app framework provides a gamified task that optimizes repeated assessments of reward learning to better quantify intra- and inter-individual differences in value-based decision-making over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monja P. Neuser
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anne Kühnel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Translational Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry and International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), Munich, Germany
- Section of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Franziska Kräutlein
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Vanessa Teckentrup
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- School of Psychology & Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jennifer Svaldi
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nils B. Kroemer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- School of Psychology & Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- German Center for Mental Health, Tübingen, Germany
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Balouek JA, Mclain CA, Minerva AR, Rashford RL, Bennett SN, Rogers FD, Peña CJ. Reactivation of Early-Life Stress-Sensitive Neuronal Ensembles Contributes to Lifelong Stress Hypersensitivity. J Neurosci 2023; 43:5996-6009. [PMID: 37429717 PMCID: PMC10451005 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0016-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life stress (ELS) is one of the strongest lifetime risk factors for depression, anxiety, suicide, and other psychiatric disorders, particularly after facing additional stressful events later in life. Human and animal studies demonstrate that ELS sensitizes individuals to subsequent stress. However, the neurobiological basis of such stress sensitization remains largely unexplored. We hypothesized that ELS-induced stress sensitization would be detectable at the level of neuronal ensembles, such that cells activated by ELS would be more reactive to adult stress. To test this, we leveraged transgenic mice to genetically tag, track, and manipulate experience-activated neurons. We found that in both male and female mice, ELS-activated neurons within the nucleus accumbens (NAc), and to a lesser extent the medial prefrontal cortex, were preferentially reactivated by adult stress. To test whether reactivation of ELS-activated ensembles in the NAc contributes to stress hypersensitivity, we expressed hM4Dis receptor in control or ELS-activated neurons of pups and chemogenetically inhibited their activity during experience of adult stress. Inhibition of ELS-activated NAc neurons, but not control-tagged neurons, ameliorated social avoidance behavior following chronic social defeat stress in males. These data provide evidence that ELS-induced stress hypersensitivity is encoded at the level of corticolimbic neuronal ensembles.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Early-life stress enhances sensitivity to stress later in life, yet the mechanisms of such stress sensitization are largely unknown. Here, we show that neuronal ensembles in corticolimbic brain regions remain hypersensitive to stress across the life span, and quieting these ensembles during experience of adult stress rescues stress hypersensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie-Anne Balouek
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
| | - Christabel A Mclain
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
| | - Adelaide R Minerva
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
| | - Rebekah L Rashford
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
| | - Shannon N Bennett
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
| | - Forrest D Rogers
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
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Gordon-Fennell A, Barbakh JM, Utley MT, Singh S, Bazzino P, Gowrishankar R, Bruchas MR, Roitman MF, Stuber GD. An open-source platform for head-fixed operant and consummatory behavior. eLife 2023; 12:e86183. [PMID: 37555578 PMCID: PMC10499376 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Head-fixed behavioral experiments in rodents permit unparalleled experimental control, precise measurement of behavior, and concurrent modulation and measurement of neural activity. Here, we present OHRBETS (Open-Source Head-fixed Rodent Behavioral Experimental Training System; pronounced 'Orbitz'), a low-cost, open-source platform of hardware and software to flexibly pursue the neural basis of a variety of motivated behaviors. Head-fixed mice tested with OHRBETS displayed operant conditioning for caloric reward that replicates core behavioral phenotypes observed during freely moving conditions. OHRBETS also permits optogenetic intracranial self-stimulation under positive or negative operant conditioning procedures and real-time place preference behavior, like that observed in freely moving assays. In a multi-spout brief-access consumption task, mice displayed licking as a function of concentration of sucrose, quinine, and sodium chloride, with licking modulated by homeostatic or circadian influences. Finally, to highlight the functionality of OHRBETS, we measured mesolimbic dopamine signals during the multi-spout brief-access task that display strong correlations with relative solution value and magnitude of consumption. All designs, programs, and instructions are provided freely online. This customizable platform enables replicable operant and consummatory behaviors and can be incorporated with methods to perturb and record neural dynamics in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Gordon-Fennell
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Joumana M Barbakh
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - MacKenzie T Utley
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Shreya Singh
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Paula Bazzino
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoUnited States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| | - Raajaram Gowrishankar
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Mitchell F Roitman
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoUnited States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| | - Garret D Stuber
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
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Zhao P, Chen X, Bellafard A, Murugesan A, Quan J, Aharoni D, Golshani P. Accelerated social representational drift in the nucleus accumbens in a model of autism. bioRxiv 2023:2023.08.05.552133. [PMID: 37577515 PMCID: PMC10418509 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.05.552133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Impaired social interaction is one of the core deficits of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and may result from social interactions being less rewarding. How the nucleus accumbens (NAc), as a key hub of reward circuitry, encodes social interaction and whether these representations are altered in ASD remain poorly understood. We identified NAc ensembles encoding social interactions by calcium imaging using miniaturized microscopy. NAc population activity, specifically D1 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) activity, predicted social interaction epochs. Despite a high turnover of NAc neurons modulated by social interaction, we found a stable population code for social interaction in NAc which was dramatically degraded in Cntnap2-/- mouse model of ASD. Surprisingly, non-specific optogenetic inhibition of NAc core neurons increased social interaction time and significantly improved sociability in Cntnap2-/- mice. Inhibition of D1- or D2-MSNs showed reciprocal effects, with D1 inhibition decreasing social interaction and D2 inhibition increasing interaction. Therefore, social interactions are preferentially, specifically and dynamically encoded by NAc neurons and social representations are degraded in this autism model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingping Zhao
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xing Chen
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Arash Bellafard
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Avaneesh Murugesan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan Quan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Aharoni
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Peyman Golshani
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- West Los Angeles Veteran Affairs Medical Center; Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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45
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Francis T, Leri F. Role of dopamine D1 receptor in the modulation of memory consolidation by passive and self-administered heroin and associated conditioned stimuli. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12614. [PMID: 37537211 PMCID: PMC10400648 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39380-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been proposed that opiates modulate memory consolidation, but recent work has indicated that this effect may be mediated by how the drug is experienced (i.e., passive injections vs. self-administration). Because the dopamine (DA) D1 receptor is involved in processing of learning signals and attribution of salience to events experienced by an organism, two studies in male Sprague-Dawley rats tested the effect of blocking this receptor on modulation of memory consolidation by passive and self-administered heroin, in addition to conditioned memory modulation by heroin-paired cues. Using the object location memory task, Study 1 employed SCH23390 (0, 0.05, 0.10 mg/kg, SC) to modulate enhancement of memory consolidation induced by post-training injections of heroin (1 mg/kg, SC) as well as by exposure to the environment paired with heroin injections (6 pairings, 1 h each, 1 mg/kg). Study 2 was conducted in rats that could self-administer heroin (0.05 mg/kg/infusion, IV) and tested whether SCH23390 (0 and 0.1 mg/kg, SC) could prevent memory modulation induced by a change in schedule of self-administration (from fixed to variable ratio). It was found that while repeated passive injections of heroin retained their enhancing effect on memory, when self-administered, heroin enhanced consolidation of object location memory only at the beginning of self-administration and after a change in schedule. Importantly, SCH23390 blocked memory modulation by heroin when passively administered and when the drug was self-administered on a novel schedule. SCH23390 also blocked conditioned memory modulation induced by post-training exposure to heroin-paired cues. Taken together, these results suggest that modulation of memory consolidation by unconditioned and conditioned opiate reinforcers involve a D1-dependent mechanism of salience attribution linked to the anticipation of drug effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis Francis
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Program in Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Francesco Leri
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Program in Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
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46
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Senba E, Kami K. Exercise therapy for chronic pain: How does exercise change the limbic brain function? Neurobiol Pain 2023; 14:100143. [PMID: 38099274 PMCID: PMC10719519 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynpai.2023.100143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
We are exposed to various external and internal threats which might hurt us. The role of taking flexible and appropriate actions against threats is played by "the limbic system" and at the heart of it there is the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens (brain reward system). Pain-related fear causes excessive excitation of amygdala, which in turn causes the suppression of medial prefrontal cortex, leading to chronification of pain. Since the limbic system of chronic pain patients is functionally impaired, they are maladaptive to their situations, unable to take goal-directed behavior and are easily caught by fear-avoidance thinking. We describe the neural mechanisms how exercise activates the brain reward system and enables chronic pain patients to take goal-directed behavior and overcome fear-avoidance thinking. A key to getting out from chronic pain state is to take advantage of the behavioral switching function of the basal nucleus of amygdala. We show that exercise activates positive neurons in this nucleus which project to the nucleus accumbens and promote reward behavior. We also describe fear conditioning and extinction are affected by exercise. In chronic pain patients, the fear response to pain is enhanced and the extinction of fear memories is impaired, so it is difficult to get out of "fear-avoidance thinking". Prolonged avoidance of movement and physical inactivity exacerbate pain and have detrimental effects on the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. Based on the recent findings on multiple bran networks, we propose a well-balanced exercise prescription considering the adherence and pacing of exercise practice. We conclude that therapies targeting the mesocortico-limbic system, such as exercise therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, may become promising tools in the fight against chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiko Senba
- Department of Physical Therapy, Osaka Yukioka College of Health Science, 1-1-41 Sojiji, Ibaraki-City, Osaka 567-0801, Japan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama City, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan
| | - Katsuya Kami
- Department of Rehabilitation, Wakayama Faculty of Health Care Sciences, Takarazuka University of Medical and Health Care, 2252 Nakanoshima, Wakayama City, Wakayama 640-8392, Japan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama City, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan
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47
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Guillaumin MCC, Viskaitis P, Bracey E, Burdakov D, Peleg-Raibstein D. Disentangling the role of NAc D1 and D2 cells in hedonic eating. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3531-3547. [PMID: 37402855 PMCID: PMC10618099 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02131-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Overeating is driven by both the hedonic component ('liking') of food, and the motivation ('wanting') to eat it. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a key brain center implicated in these processes, but how distinct NAc cell populations encode 'liking' and 'wanting' to shape overconsumption remains unclear. Here, we probed the roles of NAc D1 and D2 cells in these processes using cell-specific recording and optogenetic manipulation in diverse behavioral paradigms that disentangle reward traits of 'liking' and 'wanting' related to food choice and overeating in healthy mice. Medial NAc shell D2 cells encoded experience-dependent development of 'liking', while D1 cells encoded innate 'liking' during the first food taste. Optogenetic control confirmed causal links of D1 and D2 cells to these aspects of 'liking'. In relation to 'wanting', D1 and D2 cells encoded and promoted distinct aspects of food approach: D1 cells interpreted food cues while D2 cells also sustained food-visit-length that facilitates consumption. Finally, at the level of food choice, D1, but not D2, cell activity was sufficient to switch food preference, programming subsequent long-lasting overconsumption. By revealing complementary roles of D1 and D2 cells in consumption, these findings assign neural bases to 'liking' and 'wanting' in a unifying framework of D1 and D2 cell activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde C C Guillaumin
- Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, 8603, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Paulius Viskaitis
- Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, 8603, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Eva Bracey
- Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, 8603, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Denis Burdakov
- Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, 8603, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Daria Peleg-Raibstein
- Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, 8603, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland.
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48
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Isett BR, Nguyen KP, Schwenk JC, Yurek JR, Snyder CN, Vounatsos MV, Adegbesan KA, Ziausyte U, Gittis AH. The indirect pathway of the basal ganglia promotes transient punishment but not motor suppression. Neuron 2023; 111:2218-2231.e4. [PMID: 37207651 PMCID: PMC10524991 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetic stimulation of Adora2a receptor-expressing spiny projection neurons (A2A-SPNs) in the striatum drives locomotor suppression and transient punishment, results attributed to activation of the indirect pathway. The sole long-range projection target of A2A-SPNs is the external globus pallidus (GPe). Unexpectedly, we found that inhibition of the GPe drove transient punishment but not suppression of movement. Within the striatum, A2A-SPNs inhibit other SPNs through a short-range inhibitory collateral network, and we found that optogenetic stimuli that drove motor suppression shared a common mechanism of recruiting this inhibitory collateral network. Our results suggest that the indirect pathway plays a more prominent role in transient punishment than in motor control and challenges the assumption that activity of A2A-SPNs is synonymous with indirect pathway activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian R Isett
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Katrina P Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jenna C Schwenk
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jeff R Yurek
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Christen N Snyder
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Maxime V Vounatsos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kendra A Adegbesan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ugne Ziausyte
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Aryn H Gittis
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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49
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Petroccione MA, D'Brant LY, Affinnih N, Wehrle PH, Todd GC, Zahid S, Chesbro HE, Tschang IL, Scimemi A. Neuronal glutamate transporters control reciprocal inhibition and gain modulation in D1 medium spiny neurons. eLife 2023; 12:e81830. [PMID: 37435808 PMCID: PMC10411972 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the function of glutamate transporters has broad implications for explaining how neurons integrate information and relay it through complex neuronal circuits. Most of what is currently known about glutamate transporters, specifically their ability to maintain glutamate homeostasis and limit glutamate diffusion away from the synaptic cleft, is based on studies of glial glutamate transporters. By contrast, little is known about the functional implications of neuronal glutamate transporters. The neuronal glutamate transporter EAAC1 is widely expressed throughout the brain, particularly in the striatum, the primary input nucleus of the basal ganglia, a region implicated with movement execution and reward. Here, we show that EAAC1 limits synaptic excitation onto a population of striatal medium spiny neurons identified for their expression of D1 dopamine receptors (D1-MSNs). In these cells, EAAC1 also contributes to strengthen lateral inhibition from other D1-MSNs. Together, these effects contribute to reduce the gain of the input-output relationship and increase the offset at increasing levels of synaptic inhibition in D1-MSNs. By reducing the sensitivity and dynamic range of action potential firing in D1-MSNs, EAAC1 limits the propensity of mice to rapidly switch between behaviors associated with different reward probabilities. Together, these findings shed light on some important molecular and cellular mechanisms implicated with behavior flexibility in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Shergil Zahid
- SUNY Albany, Department of BiologyAlbanyUnited States
| | | | - Ian L Tschang
- SUNY Albany, Department of BiologyAlbanyUnited States
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50
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Ghosal S, Gebara E, Ramos-Fernández E, Chioino A, Grosse J, Guillot de Suduiraut I, Zanoletti O, Schneider B, Zorzano A, Astori S, Sandi C. Mitofusin-2 in nucleus accumbens D2-MSNs regulates social dominance and neuronal function. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112776. [PMID: 37440411 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a brain hub regulating motivated behaviors, including social competitiveness. Mitochondrial function in the NAc links anxiety with social competitiveness, and the mitochondrial fusion protein mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) in NAc neurons regulates anxiety-related behaviors. However, it remains unexplored whether accumbal Mfn2 levels also affect social behavior and whether Mfn2 actions in the emotional and social domain are driven by distinct cell types. Here, we found that subordinate-prone highly anxious rats show decreased accumbal Mfn2 levels and that Mfn2 overexpression promotes dominant behavior. In mice, selective Mfn2 downregulation in NAc dopamine D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) induced social subordination, accompanied by decreased accumbal mitochondrial functions and decreased excitability in D2-MSNs. Instead, D1-MSN-targeted Mfn2 downregulation affected competitive ability only transiently and likely because of an increase in anxiety-like behaviors. Our results assign dissociable cell-type specific roles to Mfn2 in the NAc in modulating social dominance and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sriparna Ghosal
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elias Gebara
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eva Ramos-Fernández
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Chioino
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jocelyn Grosse
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Guillot de Suduiraut
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivia Zanoletti
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bernard Schneider
- Bertarelli Platform for Gene Therapy, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Antonio Zorzano
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Bioquímica i Biomedicina Molecular, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Simone Astori
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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