Neuroscience
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Cannabinoid 1 receptors (CB(1)) are highly expressed on presynaptic terminals in the brain where they are importantly involved in the control of neurotransmitter release. Alteration of CB(1) expression is associated with a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders. There is now compelling evidence that peripheral inflammatory disorders are associated with depression and cognitive impairments. ⋯ Subsequent immunohistochemical analysis revealed reduced CB(1) in the hippocampus, especially in CA3 pyramidal layer. Analysis of co-localization with markers of excitatory and inhibitory terminals indicated that the decrease in CB(1) expression was restricted to glutamatergic terminals. Despite widespread microglial activation, these results suggest that peripheral LPS treatment leads to limited changes in CB(1) expression in the brain.
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Activity within the mesolimbic dopamine system is associated with the performance of naturally motivated behaviors, one of which is aggression. In male rats, aggressive behavior induces neurochemical changes within the nucleus accumbens, a key structure within the mesolimbic dopamine system. Corresponding studies have not been done in females. ⋯ We found that repeated aggressive experience significantly increased spine density within the nucleus accumbens core, with no significant changes in any other brain region examined. At the same time, significant changes in spine morphology were observed in all brain regions following repeated aggressive experience. These data are significant in that they demonstrate that repeated exposure to behaviors that form part of an animal's life history will alter neuronal structure in a way that may shift neurobiological responses to impact future social interactions.
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Little is known about regulatory mechanisms of type 1 inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate receptor (IP(3)R-1) expression in conditioned place preference by methamphetamine (METH), though significant enhancement of IP(3)R-1 expression in the mouse frontal cortex and limbic forebrain by intermittent administration of cocaine is reported. The present study investigated the role and regulation of IP(3)R-1 in mice with METH-induced place preference. ⋯ Immunohistochemical assessment revealed co-localization of immunoreactivity for IP(3)R-1 and those for D1 and D2DRs in the NAcc. These findings suggest that IP(3)R-1 could be involved in the development of METH-induced place preference and that D1 and D2DRs in the NAcc of mice showing METH-induced place preference play possible regulatory roles in IP(3)R-1 expression.
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The perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (PACC) shows high resting state activity and is considered part of the default-mode network (DMN). However, the biochemical underpinnings of the PACC's high resting state activity remain unclear. While animal-based evidence points toward a role for the glutamatergic system, the modulation of the resting state activity level by itself as distinguished from stimulus-induced activity remains to be shown in humans. ⋯ In contrast, no such relationship could be detected during the anticipation of reward and punishment, nor in an independent control region (the left anterior insula). Taken together, our findings demonstrate for the first time the modulation of the PACC resting state activity level by the concentration of glutamate in the same regions. This contributes to a better understanding of the biochemical basis for the brain's resting state activity as well as providing some clues regarding its apparent pathological upregulation in psychiatric disorders like the major depressive disorder.
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Stimulation of the posterior hypothalamic area (PH) produces antinociception in rats and humans, but the precise mechanisms are unknown. The PH forms anatomical connections with the parabrachial area, which contains the pontine A7 catecholamine cell group, a group of spinally projecting noradrenergic neurons known to produce antinociception in the dorsal horn. The aim of the present study was to determine whether PH-induced antinociception is mediated in part through connections with the A7 cell group in female Sprague-Dawley rats, as measured by the tail flick and foot withdrawal latency. ⋯ These findings provide evidence that the PH modulates nociception in part through connections with the A7 catecholamine cell group through opposing effects. Antinociception occurs from actions at α(2)-adrenoceptors in the dorsal horn, while concurrent hyperalgesia occurs from actions of norepinephrine at α(1)-adrenoceptors. This hyperalgesic response likely attenuates antinociception from PH stimulation.