Article
Neurosciences
Malini Suresh Nair, Nigel C. Dao, Daniela Lopez Melean, Keith R. Griffith, W. David Starnes, J. Brody Moyer, Avery R. Sicher, Dakota F. Brockway, Kathleen D. Meeks, Nicole A. Crowley
Summary: This study found that somatostatin neurons in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) can reduce binge alcohol consumption in female animals, but not in males. Activation of these neurons did not affect anxiety-like behavior. The findings suggest that somatostatin neurons in the BNST may be a potential target for modulating alcohol use disorder.
BRAIN RESEARCH BULLETIN
(2022)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Isabella Maita, Troy A. A. Roepke, Benjamin A. A. Samuels
Summary: The sexually dimorphic bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) plays a crucial role in stress-induced changes in neural circuitry and behavior. Chronic exposure to stress affects the anterodorsal BNST in rodents, leading to alterations in the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-signaling pathway and behavior regulation. BNST is also implicated in anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, and may be associated with sex differences found in mood disorders.
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Si-Ting Huang, Zhi-Jing Song, Yu Liu, Wen-Chen Luo, Qian Yin, Yong-Mei Zhang
Summary: The study indicates that maternal separation may increase the firing frequency of CRF neurons in the PVN in adult mice, which can be reversed by injecting exogenous GABA into the PVN. GABAergic neurons projecting to PVN were mainly located in the anterior ventral region of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST-AV), and the excitability of these neurons was decreased.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Anna Barbara Borges-Assis, Daniela Lescano Uliana, Sara Cristina Hott, Francisco Silveira Guimara, Sabrina Francesca Lisboa, Leonardo Barbosa Moraes Resstel
Summary: The endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) can decrease the release of neurotransmitters by binding to presynaptic cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors. AEA is hydrolyzed by the enzyme FAAH in the postsynaptic neuron. The present study investigated the role of AEA and CB1 receptors in the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis (BNST) in modulating anxiety-related behaviors. The findings suggest that eCB signaling in the BNST is recruited during aversive situations to counteract the stress effect.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Olivia B. Levine, Mary Jane Skelly, John D. Miller, Jean K. Rivera-Irizarry, Sydney A. Rowson, Jeffrey F. DiBerto, Jennifer A. Rinker, Todd E. Thiele, Thomas L. Kash, Kristen E. Pleil
Summary: BNST neurons that synthesize CRF play a role in binge alcohol drinking and anxiety, with a sex-dependent PVTVGLUT2-BNSTCRF circuit identified. Chemogenetic inhibition of the PVT-BNST projection promoted binge alcohol drinking only in female mice, while activation reduced avoidance behavior in both sexes. Repeated binge drinking induced a female-like phenotype in the male PVT-BNSTCRF excitatory synapse without altering the function of PVTBNST neurons themselves.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Anand Gururajan, Thomaz F. S. Bastiaanssen, Ana Paula Ventura Silva, Gerard M. Moloney, John F. Cryan
Summary: This study used unbiased RNA-sequencing to analyze the BNST transcriptomes of adult male mice classified as resilient or susceptible to chronic stress. Differential gene expression and exon usage were identified in resilient and susceptible mice, highlighting the important role of the BNST in stress resilience and susceptibility.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Brandon M. Sibbach, Helmet T. Karim, Daniel Lo, Nithya Kasibhatla, Tales Santini, Jessica C. Weber, Tamer S. Ibrahim, Layla Banihashemi
Summary: This study used ultra-high field MRI modalities to isolate subregions of the hypothalamus and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and generated probabilistic atlases, providing resources for further research on stress-related function and psychopathology.
BRAIN STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Antonio Ferragud, Clara Velazquez-Sanchez, Margaret A. Minnig, Valentina Sabino, Pietro Cottone
Summary: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a devastating illness characterized by heavy drinking and withdrawal. Chronic intermittent exposure to ethanol activates the PACAP/PAC1R system in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, leading to increased alcohol intake and anxiety-like behavior during withdrawal.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Jordan A. Brown, Nicholas Petersen, Samuel W. Centanni, Allie Y. Jin, Hye Jean Yoon, Stephanie A. Cajigas, Michelle N. Bedenbaugh, Joseph R. Luchsinger, Sachin Patel, Erin S. Calipari, Richard B. Simerly, Danny G. Winder
Summary: Alpha(2a)-adrenergic receptor agonists have the potential to be therapeutics for substance use disorder due to their ability to regulate stress system engagement. However, recent findings suggest that postsynaptic alpha(2a)-ARs are necessary for stress-induced reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior. In this study, the researchers utilized FosTRAP mice to identify a population of cells in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis that are activated by the partial agonist guanfacine. They found that these cells, called Guansembles, differ from cells activated by restraint stress. Guanfacine inhibited cAMP-dependent signaling in Guansembles, while chronic restraint stress increased signaling. Additionally, the researchers found that active coping events during restraint stress and exposure to unexpected shocks were associated with Guansemble recruitment. Using viral tracing, they identified a network of regions involved in stress and homeostatic functions that project to the BNST Guansembles. Activation of Guansembles also produced alterations in behavior consistent with task-specific anxiety-like behavior. Overall, this study provides important insights into the role of alpha(2a)-AR signaling and stress in regulating drug-seeking behavior.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Angela E. Snyder, Yuval Silberman
Summary: Alcohol Use Disorder and Substance Use Disorder impact millions of individuals in the United States, and stress is a key trigger for relapse in patients. The brain region BNST plays a crucial role in drug-seeking behaviors and stress responses.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kazunori Kageyama, Yasumasa Iwasaki, Makoto Daimon
Summary: This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms of CRF regulation in the hypothalamus during stress and stress resilience, highlighting the central role of CRF in regulating the stress response. The involvement of ACTH, glucocorticoids, various regulatory factors, and different CRF receptors in stress resilience are discussed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
William J. Giardino, Matthew B. Pomrenze
Summary: The intricate relationship between sleep, emotional arousal, and neural circuits presents a significant challenge in understanding the impact of sleep quality on emotional responses. Investigating these interrelated factors can provide crucial insights into improving psychiatric treatments and global psychological wellbeing.
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Dipanwita Pati, Anthony M. Downs, Zoe A. McElligott, Thomas L. Kash
Summary: The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), a component of the extended amygdala, plays a crucial role in regulating motivated behavior and affective states, including alcohol-use disorder (AUD). Through an animal model of chronic intermittent ethanol exposure, this study investigated the effects on a dopamine circuit between the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG)/dorsal raphe (DR) and the dorsal subdivision of the BNST (dBNST) during acute withdrawal. The results revealed hyperexcitability of dopamine neurons and a shift to a hyperexcitable state in the dBNST, suggesting a dysregulation of this circuitry that may contribute to the pathophysiology of AUD.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hannah M. Baumgartner, Madeliene Granillo, Jay Schulkin, Kent C. Berridge
Summary: CRF-containing neurons in the NAc and CeA can amplify pursuit and consumption of cocaine by positively-valenced incentive mechanisms, without any aversive distress.
Article
Neurosciences
Di Zhao, Dan Wang, Wentao Wang, Juanjuan Dai, Minghu Cui, Min Wu, Cuilan Liu, Jing Liu, Fantao Meng, Kaixin Wang, Fengai Hu, Dunjiang Liu, Changyun Qiu, Wei Li, Chen Li
Summary: The dysregulation of neuronal networks contributes to the etiology of psychiatric diseases, including anxiety. This study identified the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) as a crucial anxiety-regulating nucleus and the IC-PVT-BNST neural projection as an essential pathway affecting anxiety morbidity and treatment.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Melanie M. Pina, Emily A. Young, Andrey E. Ryabinin, Christopher L. Cunningham
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Melanie M. Pina, Christopher L. Cunningham
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2016)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Melanie M. Pina, Christopher L. Cunningham
NEUROBIOLOGY OF LEARNING AND MEMORY
(2017)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karl T. Schmidt, Viren H. Makhijani, Kristen M. Boyt, Elizabeth S. Cogan, Dipanwita Pati, Melanie M. Pina, Isabel M. Bravo, Jason L. Locke, Sara R. Jones, Joyce Besheer, Zoe A. McElligott
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
Lara S. Hwa, Sofia Neira, Melanie M. Pina, Dipanwita Pati, Rachel Calloway, Thomas L. Kash
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
Dipanwita Pati, Melanie M. Pina, Thomas L. Kash
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Brennon R. Luster, Elizabeth S. Cogan, Karl T. Schmidt, Dipanwita Pati, Melanie M. Pina, Kedar Dange, Zoe A. McElligott
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel W. Bloodgood, J. Andrew Hardaway, Christina M. Stanhope, Dipanwita Pati, Melanie M. Pina, Sofia Neira, Shivani Desai, Kristen M. Boyt, Richard D. Palmiter, Thomas L. Kash
Summary: Excessive alcohol consumption is influenced by the signaling of preprodynorphin and Kappa Opioid Receptor in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), with conditional knockout of these genes resulting in sex-specific responses. Knockout of PDYN gene decreased alcohol drinking in both male and female mice, while knockout of KOR gene decreased drinking in males only.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Melanie M. Pina, Dipanwita Pati, Lara S. Hwa, Sarah Y. Wu, Alexandra A. Mahoney, Chiazam G. Omenyi, Montserrat Navarro, Thomas L. Kash
Article
Biology
Lara S. Hwa, Sofia Neira, Meghan E. Flanigan, Christina M. Stanhope, Melanie M. Pina, Dipanwita Pati, Olivia J. Hon, Waylin Yu, Emily Kokush, Rachel Calloway, Kristen Boyt, Thomas L. Kash
Article
Neurosciences
Waylin Yu, Dipanwita Pati, Melanie M. Pina, Karl T. Schmidt, Kristen M. Boyt, Avery C. Hunker, Larry S. Zweifel, Zoe A. McElligott, Thomas L. Kash
Summary: This study reveals that dopamine neurons in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray/dorsal raphe modulate pain-related behaviors differently in male and female mice through projections to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Activation of these neurons reduces nociceptive sensitivity in males but leads to increased locomotion in females. This suggests a novel ascending circuit for pain relief in males and contextual locomotor response in females.
Article
Neurosciences
Melanie M. Pina, Dipanwita Pati, Sofia Neira, Lisa R. Taxier, Christina M. Stanhope, Alexandra A. Mahoney, Shannon D'Ambrosio, Thomas L. Kash, Montserrat Navarro
Summary: Alcohol use disorder involves multiple signaling systems and brain regions. Previous studies have shown the involvement of the insular cortex and the DYN/KOR systems in excessive alcohol use. In this study, the role of insula DYN/KOR circuit components in alcohol intake was explored. The findings revealed distinct and sex-specific roles for insula DYN and KOR in alcohol drinking and related behavior.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Karen J. Thompson, Elham Khajehali, Sophie J. Bradley, Jovana S. Navarrete, Xi Ping Huang, Samuel Slocum, Jian Jin, Jing Liu, Yan Xiong, Reid H. J. Olsen, Jeffrey F. Diberto, Kristen M. Boyt, Melanie M. Pina, Dipanwita Pati, Colin Molloy, Christoffer Bundgaard, Patrick M. Sexton, Thomas L. Kash, Michael J. Krashes, Arthur Christopoulos, Bryan L. Roth, Andrew B. Tobin
ACS PHARMACOLOGY & TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE
(2018)
Meeting Abstract
Neurosciences
Melanie Pina, Thomas Kash
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2017)
Correction
Neurosciences
Lucia Privitera, Ellen L. Hogg, Matthias Gaestel, Mark J. Wall, Sonia A. L. Correa
Article
Neurosciences
Li-Ya Jiang, Guan-Hao Wang, Jing-Jiao Xu, Xiao-Li Li, Xiao-Yan Lin, Xiang Fang, Hong-Xu Zhang, Mei Feng, Chun-Ming Jiang
Summary: This study reveals the importance of LINC00473 in regulating temozolomide (TMZ) resistance in glioblastoma (GB) and its potential mechanism. By regulating the expression of CEBP alpha and MGMT, LINC00473 promotes the formation of chemoresistance. Furthermore, LINC00473 can transfer chemoresistance to adjacent sensitive cells through exosomes.
Article
Neurosciences
Olga Kopach, Tetyana Pivneva, Nataliya Fedirko, Nana Voitenko
Summary: This study found that diabetic animals exhibit severe xerostomia characterized by reduced saliva flow rate, diminished total protein content, and decreased amylase activity. The impaired saliva production in diabetes is associated with reduced and delayed intracellular Ca2+ signals in submandibular acinar cells, caused by malfunctioning mitochondria. Targeting malfunctioning mitochondria may be a potential strategy for the treatment of diabetic xerostomia.
Article
Neurosciences
Nicholas M. Timme, Cherish E. Ardinger, Seth D. C. Weir, Rachel Zelaya-Escobar, Rachel Kruger, Christopher C. Lapish
Summary: This study aimed to assess aversion-resistant drinking behavior in head-fixed mice and explore the relationship between non-consummatory behaviors and aversion-resistant drinking. The results showed that head-fixed mice exhibited heterogenous levels of aversion-resistant drinking and non-consummatory behaviors were related to the intensity of this behavior.
Article
Neurosciences
David R. Maguire, Charles P. France
Summary: Methocinnamox (MCAM) is a novel, long-acting opioid receptor antagonist that effectively decreases fentanyl self-administration and prevents opioid overdose in monkeys. The study demonstrates the potential therapeutic utility of MCAM in the treatment of opioid use disorder.
Article
Neurosciences
Xiang Li, Dan Feng, Shenglu Ma, Mingxing Li, Shulei Zhao, Man Tang
Summary: This study investigated the effects of fluoxetine on neurochemical, neurobiological, and neurobehavioral changes in different subregions of the hippocampus. The results showed that fluoxetine increased dialysate 5-HT, decreased membrane 5-HTT protein, and increased cytoplasmic fraction. Additionally, fluoxetine reduced immobility times in behavioral tests, with greater effects observed in the ventral subregion compared to the dorsal subregion.
Article
Neurosciences
Alexander V. Zholos, Mariia I. Melnyk, Dariia O. Dryn
Summary: Acetylcholine is an important neurotransmitter in visceral smooth muscles, activating M2 and M3 muscarinic receptors to cause smooth muscle excitation and contraction. This review focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying acetylcholine-induced depolarisation and smooth muscle contraction, as well as the effects of anticholinergic drugs on gastrointestinal motility. The knowledge gained from recent studies has greatly expanded our understanding of these processes.
Article
Neurosciences
Zhenlong Li, Hsien-Yu Peng, Chau-Shoun Lee, Tzer-Bin Lin, Ming-Chun Hsieh, Cheng-Yuan Lai, Han-Fang Wu, Lih-Chyang Chen, Mei-Ci Chen, Dylan Chou
Summary: Methylone shows significant efficacy in treating depression and social deficits, making it an ideal candidate for anti-depressant medication.
Article
Neurosciences
Aline Freyssin, Allison Carles, Sarra Guehairia, Gilles Rubinstenn, Tangui Maurice
Summary: This study explores the potential of combining FENM and S1R agonists in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The results showed that most FENM-based combinations can protect against learning deficits caused by A beta 25-35, with better efficacy in short-term memory.
Article
Neurosciences
J. D. Lorente, J. Cuitavi, L. Rullo, S. Candeletti, P. Romualdi, L. Hipolito
Summary: This study analyzed the effects of pain on negative affect in different sexes and time courses, as well as the involvement of the dynorphinergic and corticotropin releasing factor systems in these pain-related behaviors. The results showed sex and time-dependent anxiety- and anhedonia-like behaviors induced by pain in female rats. The recruitment of KOR/DYN in the NAc was identified as a key neurological substrate mediating pain-induced behavioral alterations.
Article
Neurosciences
Rongjun Liu, Daofan Sun, Xiuzhong Xing, Qingge Chen, Bo Lu, Bo Meng, Hui Yuan, Lan Mo, Liufang Sheng, Jinwei Zheng, Qiusheng Wang, Junping Chen, Xiaowei Chen
Summary: The coexistence of pain and depression is frequently observed in patients with chronic pain and depression. Oxytocin, a neuropeptide, has been reported to relieve chronic pain and depressive symptoms. This study investigated the effect of intranasal oxytocin on neuropathic pain and comorbid depressive symptoms, and found that oxytocin attenuated depression-like behavior but did not alleviate mechanical hyperalgesia. The results suggest that intranasal oxytocin may have the potential to treat depressive symptoms in neuropathic pain patients.