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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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Correia R, Coimbra B, Domingues AV, Wezik M, Vieitas-Gaspar N, Gaspar R, Sousa N, Pinto L, Rodrigues AJ, Soares-Cunha C. Involvement of nucleus accumbens D2-medium spiny neurons projecting to the ventral pallidum in anxiety-like behaviour. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2023; 48:E267-E284. [PMID: 37437920 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.220111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The nucleus accumbens (NAcc) is a crucial brain region for emotionally relevant behaviours. The NAcc is mainly composed of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) expressing either dopamine receptor D1 (D1-MSNs) or D2 (D2-MSNs). The D1-MSNs project to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the ventral pallidum (VP), whereas the D2-MSNs project only to the VP. The D1- and D2-MSNs have been associated with depression-like behaviours, but their contribution to anxiety remains to be determined. METHODS We used optogenetic tools to selectively manipulate D1-MSN projections from the NAcc core to the VP or VTA and D2-MSN projections to the VP during validated anxiety-producing behavioural procedures in naive mice. In addition, we assessed the effects of optical stimulation on neuronal activity using in vivo electrophysiologic recordings in anesthetized animals. RESULTS Optogenetic activation of D1-MSN projections to the VTA or VP did not trigger anxiety-like behaviour. However, optical activation of D2-MSN projections to the VP significantly increased anxiety-like behaviour. This phenotype was associated with a decrease in the neuronal activity of putative GABAergic neurons in the VP. Importantly, pretreating D2-MSN-VP animals with the γ-aminobutyric acid modulator diazepam prevented the optically triggered anxiety-like behaviour. LIMITATIONS The exclusive use of males in the behavioural tests limits broader interpretation of the findings. Although we used optogenetic conditions that trigger quasi-physiologic changes, there are caveats associated with the artificial manipulation of neuronal activity. CONCLUSION The D2-MSN-VP projections contributed to the development of anxiety-like behaviour, through modulation of GABAergic activity in the VP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Correia
- From the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal (Correia, Coimbra, Domingues, Wezik, Vieitas-Gaspar, Gaspar, Sousa, Pinto, Rodrigues, Soares-Cunha); ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga and Guimarães, Portugal (Correia, Coimbra, Domingues, Wezik, Vieitas-Gaspar, Gaspar, Sousa, Pinto, Rodrigues, Soares-Cunha); and the Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal (Sousa, Rodrigues)
| | - Bárbara Coimbra
- From the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal (Correia, Coimbra, Domingues, Wezik, Vieitas-Gaspar, Gaspar, Sousa, Pinto, Rodrigues, Soares-Cunha); ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga and Guimarães, Portugal (Correia, Coimbra, Domingues, Wezik, Vieitas-Gaspar, Gaspar, Sousa, Pinto, Rodrigues, Soares-Cunha); and the Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal (Sousa, Rodrigues)
| | - Ana Verónica Domingues
- From the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal (Correia, Coimbra, Domingues, Wezik, Vieitas-Gaspar, Gaspar, Sousa, Pinto, Rodrigues, Soares-Cunha); ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga and Guimarães, Portugal (Correia, Coimbra, Domingues, Wezik, Vieitas-Gaspar, Gaspar, Sousa, Pinto, Rodrigues, Soares-Cunha); and the Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal (Sousa, Rodrigues)
| | - Marcelina Wezik
- From the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal (Correia, Coimbra, Domingues, Wezik, Vieitas-Gaspar, Gaspar, Sousa, Pinto, Rodrigues, Soares-Cunha); ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga and Guimarães, Portugal (Correia, Coimbra, Domingues, Wezik, Vieitas-Gaspar, Gaspar, Sousa, Pinto, Rodrigues, Soares-Cunha); and the Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal (Sousa, Rodrigues)
| | - Natacha Vieitas-Gaspar
- From the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal (Correia, Coimbra, Domingues, Wezik, Vieitas-Gaspar, Gaspar, Sousa, Pinto, Rodrigues, Soares-Cunha); ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga and Guimarães, Portugal (Correia, Coimbra, Domingues, Wezik, Vieitas-Gaspar, Gaspar, Sousa, Pinto, Rodrigues, Soares-Cunha); and the Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal (Sousa, Rodrigues)
| | - Rita Gaspar
- From the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal (Correia, Coimbra, Domingues, Wezik, Vieitas-Gaspar, Gaspar, Sousa, Pinto, Rodrigues, Soares-Cunha); ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga and Guimarães, Portugal (Correia, Coimbra, Domingues, Wezik, Vieitas-Gaspar, Gaspar, Sousa, Pinto, Rodrigues, Soares-Cunha); and the Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal (Sousa, Rodrigues)
| | - Nuno Sousa
- From the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal (Correia, Coimbra, Domingues, Wezik, Vieitas-Gaspar, Gaspar, Sousa, Pinto, Rodrigues, Soares-Cunha); ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga and Guimarães, Portugal (Correia, Coimbra, Domingues, Wezik, Vieitas-Gaspar, Gaspar, Sousa, Pinto, Rodrigues, Soares-Cunha); and the Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal (Sousa, Rodrigues)
| | - Luísa Pinto
- From the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal (Correia, Coimbra, Domingues, Wezik, Vieitas-Gaspar, Gaspar, Sousa, Pinto, Rodrigues, Soares-Cunha); ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga and Guimarães, Portugal (Correia, Coimbra, Domingues, Wezik, Vieitas-Gaspar, Gaspar, Sousa, Pinto, Rodrigues, Soares-Cunha); and the Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal (Sousa, Rodrigues)
| | - Ana João Rodrigues
- From the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal (Correia, Coimbra, Domingues, Wezik, Vieitas-Gaspar, Gaspar, Sousa, Pinto, Rodrigues, Soares-Cunha); ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga and Guimarães, Portugal (Correia, Coimbra, Domingues, Wezik, Vieitas-Gaspar, Gaspar, Sousa, Pinto, Rodrigues, Soares-Cunha); and the Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal (Sousa, Rodrigues)
| | - Carina Soares-Cunha
- From the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal (Correia, Coimbra, Domingues, Wezik, Vieitas-Gaspar, Gaspar, Sousa, Pinto, Rodrigues, Soares-Cunha); ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga and Guimarães, Portugal (Correia, Coimbra, Domingues, Wezik, Vieitas-Gaspar, Gaspar, Sousa, Pinto, Rodrigues, Soares-Cunha); and the Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal (Sousa, Rodrigues)
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