Review
Neurosciences
Taylor Jefferson, Crystle J. Kelly, Marco Martina
Summary: Chronic pain patients not only suffer from the pain itself, but also from accompanying symptoms such as depression and anxiety, with the heterogeneity of these symptoms supporting the significant involvement of the cerebral cortex in chronic pain conditions. Research demonstrates that the activity of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is severely impaired in chronic pain, with excitability depending on integrated effects of intrinsic excitability and excitatory and inhibitory inputs. Furthermore, extracortical sources of excitatory input to the mPFC, such as the thalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala, play a crucial role in integrating multiple information streams necessary for cognitive control of pain.
FRONTIERS IN NEURAL CIRCUITS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Si Chen, Zheng Tan, Wenran Xia, Carlos Alexandre Gomes, Xilei Zhang, Wenjing Zhou, Shuli Liang, Nikolai Axmacher, Liang Wang
Summary: This study used intracranial electroencephalography recordings in 13 patients with epilepsy to investigate the role of theta oscillations in fear learning. The results showed increased power and inter-regional synchronization of amygdala and mPFC in theta oscillations during fear conditioning, with the prefrontal cortex leading the amygdala activity. A computational model also demonstrated that amygdala theta oscillations predict the learning rate in fear conditioning paradigms. Overall, the study provides evidence that theta oscillations within and between amygdala, ventral mPFC, and dmPFC play a crucial role in fear learning across species.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Narges Sotoudeh, Mohammad Reza Namavar, Farshid Bagheri, Asadollah Zarifkar
Summary: This study investigated the effect of aging and sex on the connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and medial amygdala (MeA) and its association with anxiety-like behavior. The results showed that old individuals had less anxiety-like behavior and a stronger mPFC-MeA connection. Young female rats were less anxious and had a stronger mPFC-amygdala connection than young males. The study suggests a negative relationship between anxiety levels and the mPFC-MeA connection based on the rat's performance in the open field test apparatus.
BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Li Shen, Guang-Wei Zhang, Can Tao, Michelle B. Seo, Nicole K. Zhang, Junxiang J. Huang, Li I. Zhang, Huizhong W. Tao
Summary: Valence detection and processing in animals are crucial for survival in complex environments. The study shows that somatostatin neurons in the medial septum play a critical role in encoding reward signals and positive valence, contributing significantly to appetitive behaviors and associative learning. This neural pathway provides insights into how rewarding taste signals are transformed and how reward-cue associative learning is mediated in the brain.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Dorit Ben Shalom
Summary: This paper presents a model of emotion processing and the functions of relevant brain areas. The study found that different brain regions play important roles in processing different emotional features and concepts. The results have implications for understanding emotional disorders and pathological behaviors.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROANATOMY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Ines Barreiros, Marios C. Panayi, Mark E. Walton
Summary: This study utilized a retrograde tracer to investigate the projections into different subdivisions of the rat orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and found distinct connectivity patterns and strengths from various brain regions. While some regions showed a gradient in connectivity strength, others exhibited almost exclusive projections to specific OFC subdivisions. The differences in input patterns between anterior lateral (ALO) and posterior lateral (PLO) were as pronounced as those between PLO and posterior ventral (PVO).
Article
Neurosciences
Nowrin Ahmed, Drew B. Headley, Denis Pare
Summary: The central medial (CMT) and paraventricular (PVT) thalamic nuclei project strongly to the basolateral amygdala (BL) and mainly contact principal BL neurons, exerting an excitatory influence. Limited feedforward inhibition counters their effects on principal cells, while indirect recruitment of interneurons via activation of principal cells generates feedback inhibition.
JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Andrew J. D. Nelson
Summary: The anterior thalamic nuclei play a crucial role in spatial learning and memory, but recent research has shown that their functions extend beyond spatial processing to include temporal discrimination and processing of other contextual information. Additionally, these nuclei are also important for non-spatial learning, including attentional mechanisms. This indicates the need to reconsider the functions of the anterior thalamic nuclei within a broader framework of connections with sites supporting non-spatial functions such as the anterior cingulate cortex.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Steliana Yanakieva, Mathias L. Mathiasen, Eman Amin, Andrew J. D. Nelson, Shane M. O'Mara, John P. Aggleton
Summary: This study compared collateral projections from different rostral thalamic nuclei terminating in different cortical areas. The results showed that these projections predominantly arise from separate populations of neurons with discrete cortical termination zones.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Guang-Wei Zhang, Li Shen, Can Tao, A-Hyun Jung, Bo Peng, Zhong Li, Li Zhang, Huizhong Whit Tao
Summary: Research has found that anxiogenic stressors can elicit acute and prolonged responses in glutamatergic neurons of the mouse medial preoptic area, affecting the induction and expression of anxiety-like behaviors and the production of anxiolytic effects. These neurons interact to play important roles in coordinating emotional state and social behavior.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Elaine L. Bearer, Christopher S. Medina, Taylor W. Uselman, Russell E. Jacobs
Summary: Neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex project into the limbic system to regulate responses to reward or threat, with different regions projecting to differing limbic system nuclei. Using Mn(II) and MRI, projections from two adjacent medial prefrontal cortical regions were mapped, revealing distinct accumulation patterns in diverse brain regions over time. This study sheds light on the specific roles of different medial prefrontal cortical segments in regulating limbic system function and provides insights into the potential effects on whole body health and wellbeing.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Can Tao, Guang-Wei Zhang, Junxiang J. Huang, Zhong Li, Huizhong W. Tao, Li I. Zhang
Summary: Fluctuations in reproductive hormone levels can cause mood disruptions in women, and this study suggests that the medial preoptic area (MPOA) in the brain plays a key role in mediating depressive-like behaviors after ovarian hormone withdrawal. The downregulation of activity in estrogen receptor-1 (Esr1)-expressing GABAergic neurons in the MPOA is linked to these behaviors, and enhancing their activity can alleviate depressive-like symptoms. Different subpopulations of these neurons mediate different symptoms, with one subpopulation projecting to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) causing anhedonia and another projecting to the periaqueductal gray causing immobility.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael S. Totty, Tugce Tuna, Karthik R. Ramanathan, Jingji Jin, Shaun E. Peters, Stephen Maren
Summary: This study reveals that coherent theta oscillations between the mPFC and HPC are correlated with fear suppression during extinction. The nucleus reuniens (RE) in the thalamus plays a crucial role in coordinating mPFC-HPC interactions, contributing to the extinction and suppression of fear memories.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Robert G. Mair, Miranda J. Francoeur, Brett M. Gibson
Summary: The medial prefrontal cortex has strong connections with multiple nuclei in the central thalamus, influencing adaptive goal-directed behavior. Different thalamic nuclei have varying effects on the function of the mPFC, with the mediodorsal nucleus playing a key role in representing task-related information and the rostral intralaminar and ventromedial nuclei affecting egocentric task performance.
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Esmeralda Hidalgo-Lopez, Isabel Noachtar, Belinda Pletzer
Summary: This study investigated the influence of anti-androgenic and progestin on the resting state functional connectivity (rs-FC) between the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and amygdala, while controlling for the androgenicity of progestin. The results showed that regardless of the androgenicity of progestin, rs-FC between the amygdala and frontal areas, as well as between ACC and temporoparietal areas, decreased with longer duration of HC use. However, the type of progestin had different effects on the gray matter volume of the left ACC and the connectivity between bilateral ACC and the right inferior frontal gyrus.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Shao-Han Chang, Ying Hao Yu, Alan He, Chen Yin Ou, Bai Chuang Shyu, Andrew Chih Wei Huang
Summary: The study found differential expression of BDNF in different brain regions during situational reminders of traumatic memory, with lower levels in the mPFC and hippocampus, and higher levels in the amygdala. Additionally, BDNF showed weak connections among these regions during the reminder phase. These findings challenge previous neuroimaging research on PTSD symptoms and highlight the need for further discussion and clinical implications.
BEHAVIOURAL NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ying Hao Yu, Yeou San Lim, Chen Yin Ou, Kai Chieh Chang, Arthur C. Tsai, Fang Chih Chang, Andrew Chih Wei Huang
Summary: A growing body of evidence suggests that environmental enrichment (EE) can ameliorate fear behavior in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study investigated the effects of EE, cue, and the combination of EE and cue on footshock-induced fear behavior, and examined the role of specific brain regions in regulating these effects. The results showed that both EE and cue could reduce fear behavior, with the combination of EE and cue resulting in a stronger decrease. The cue stimulus appeared to modulate the reduction in fear behavior induced by footshock. The study also identified specific brain regions involved in the regulation of fear behavior in response to EE and cue. These findings may have implications for the development of novel nonpharmacological treatments for PTSD.
BEHAVIOURAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Clinical Neurology
Andrew Chih Wei Huang
DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE AND CHILD NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Pei-Chun Chou, Chih-Min Liu, Ching-Hui Weng, Kai-Chien Yang, Mei-Ling Cheng, Yuh-Charn Lin, Ruey-Bing Yang, Bai-Chuang Shyu, Song-Kun Shyue, Jin-Dian Liu, Shih-Pin Chen, Michael Hsiao, Yu-Feng Hu
Summary: This study reveals how fibroblasts drive the normal function of the sinoatrial node (SAN) by regulating metabolic reprogramming and rhythmic activity. The study also identifies the critical role of Aldoc in the interaction between fibroblasts and pacemaker cardiomyocytes.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Cai-N Cheng, Shaw-Jye Wu, Andrew Chih Wei Huang
Summary: This study found that environmental enrichment can ameliorate methamphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization and anxiety symptoms. The various components of environmental enrichment play a crucial role in reducing behavioral sensitization, and no individual component is able to effectively reduce behavioral sensitization.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Shen-Da Chang, Po-Chih Kuo, Karl Zilles, Tim Q. Duong, Simon B. Eickhoff, Andrew C. W. Huang, Arthur C. Tsai, Philip E. Cheng, Michelle Liou
Summary: This study empirically assessed the strength and duration of short-term effects induced by brain reactions to closing/opening the eyes on resting-state networks, and examined their association with cortisol levels. The results showed that opening the eyes had a short-term effect on conventional resting-state networks, with increased activity observed in time courses for approximately 60 seconds. Brain reactions to opening the eyes also affected the temporo-parietal lobes and limbic structures, leading to a prolonged decrease in activity. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between pre-scan cortisol levels and connectivity in the limbic structures under both conditions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tavleen Kaur, Andrew Chih-Wei Huang, Bai-Chuang Shyu
Summary: Central post-stroke pain (CPSP) is a severe and persistent pain disease that affects 12% of stroke survivors. This study found that melatonin can alleviate pain behaviors in CPSP by regulating mitochondrial function, reducing free radical generation, and decreasing neuroinflammation, providing a new approach for neuromodulatory treatment of CPSP.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Zhi-Yue Gao, Chung Ming Huang, Cai-N Cheng, Andrew Chih-Wei Huang
Summary: Cancer patients often experience nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy, and this study used lithium chloride to induce conditioned taste aversion as an animal model of chemotherapy-induced symptoms. The basolateral amygdala (BLA) was found to mediate the learning of conditioned taste aversion induced by lithium chloride. Lidocaine microinjections into the BLA attenuated the aversive response, while haloperidol blunted the learning. These findings suggest that the BLA, through sodium chloride ion channels and D2 receptors, regulates the suppression of conditioned saccharin solution intake induced by lithium chloride, and can contribute to identifying strategies to prevent chemotherapy side effects.
Article
Neurosciences
Shao-Han Chang, Huan-Yuan Chen, Fu-Zen Shaw, Bai-Chuang Shyu
Summary: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex syndrome that may occur after life-threatening events, and fear memory abnormalities may play vital roles in its pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between pathological fear memory and potential brain wave features in PTSD using a rat model. The findings suggest that profiling abnormal fears with brain wave correlates may improve our understanding of time-dependent pathological fear memory retrieval in PTSD.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF STRESS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Shao-Han Chang, Yao-Ming Chang, Huan-Yuan Chen, Fu-Zen Shaw, Bai-Chuang Shyu
Summary: This study investigates two models of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in rats and explores the temporal genetic alterations and stage-specific pathways. The findings provide a better understanding of the transcriptome-level differences between the two models and shed light on the pathological development of PTSD.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF STRESS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Tavleen Kaur, Hsi-Chien Shih, Andrew Chih Wei Huang, Bai-Chuang Shyu
Summary: The study found that melatonin treatment can improve sleep disturbances in patients with chronic central post stroke pain and alleviate pain symptoms.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hsiang-Chin Lu, Wei-Jen Chang, Andrew Chih Wei Huang, Bai Chuang Shyu
Summary: Introducing a novel coil method to detect early behavioral markers for epileptic seizures, this study found that the coil method was more sensitive than the force transducer method in detecting epileptic behaviors.
FRONTIERS IN BIOSCIENCE-LANDMARK
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Bai Chuang Shyu, Alan B. H. He, Ying H. Yu, Andrew Chih Wei Huang
Summary: The study found that antidepressants and SSRIs, but not anticonvulsants, can effectively alleviate pain and comorbid anxiety and depression in CPSP. These findings can be applied in clinical settings to guide the pharmacological treatment of CPSP symptoms.
