Article
Neurosciences
Kevin R. Coffey, Vaishnavi Venkat, Mark O. West, David J. Barker
Summary: Neurons in the lateral preoptic area show varied responses to different components of drug self-administration. The majority of these neurons signal the operant response with increases in spiking activity.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Han Byeol Jang, DanBi Ahn, Hyung Kyu Kim, Xiaowei Guan, Yu Fan, Bae Hwan Lee, Hee Young Kim
Summary: The study found that mechanical stimulation of the ulnar nerve can suppress the psychomotor responses induced by cocaine through the recruitment of the orexinergic lateral hypothalamus-to-lateral habenula pathway. Ulnar MS was shown to activate orexinergic neurons in the lateral hypothalamus, and this activation led to the suppression of cocaine-induced psychomotor responses. These findings highlight the potential of ulnar MS as a therapeutic approach for substance abuse.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
DanBi Ahn, Han Byeol Jang, Suchan Chang, Hyung Kyu Kim, Yeonhee Ryu, Bong Hyo Lee, Sang Chan Kim, Kyle B. Bills, Scott C. Steffensen, Yu Fan, Hee Young Kim
Summary: Acupuncture modulates the mesolimbic dopamine system through peripheral sensory afferents, suppressing psychomotor activity and vocalizations induced by cocaine. The lateral hypothalamus plays a crucial role in mediating the effects of acupuncture.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Can Wang, Meiyu Chen, Chuan Qin, Xiaoyi Qu, Xueyong Shen, Sheng Liu
Summary: The study found that acupuncture-induced pain relief can result in a rewarding effect, and the orexin signaling in the lateral hypothalamus plays a critical role in this process.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xia Wang, Ruijuan Guan, Xiaomei Zhao, Jun Chen, Danian Zhu, Linlin Shen, Nana Song
Summary: TASKs, specifically TASK1 and TASK3, in orexin neurons play a crucial role in regulating respiratory chemoreflex, with orexin neurons sensing extracellular pH changes and projecting to the NTS to modulate respiration. Blocking TASKs or OX1R can affect breathing response to acidosis in the LH.
Article
Neurosciences
Catherine S. Thomas, Aida Mohammadkhani, Madiha Rana, Min Qiao, Corey Baimel, Stephanie L. Borgland
Summary: Reward and reinforcement processes are critical for survival and propagation of genes, with mesolimbic dopamine playing a central role. Optogenetic stimulation of orexin/dynorphin inputs in the VTA potentiates dopamine release in the NAc core, resulting in real time and conditioned place preference as well as increased food cue-directed orientation. While dynorphin contributes to aversive conditioning, the rewarding effects of LH orexin/dynorphin stimulation in the VTA are primarily driven by orexin rather than dynorphin.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Alessandra Matzeu, Remi Martin-Fardon
Summary: The study found that OrxA administration in the pPVT induced cocaine-seeking behavior after an intermediate abstinence period, but this priming effect was absent after a protracted abstinence period. Furthermore, a higher number of cells expressing Orx was observed in the LH/DMH/PFA during both intermediate and protracted abstinence, while in the pPVT, the number of OrxR2-expressing cells was significantly higher only during intermediate abstinence.
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
William W. Stoops, Justin C. Strickland, Kevin W. Hatton, Lon R. Hays, Abner O. Rayapati, Joshua A. Lile, Craig R. Rush
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the impact of orexin antagonists on cocaine restraint behavior. The results showed that suvorexant attenuated motivation for cocaine and cocaine conditioned place preference in rodents, and increased self-administration of 10 mg/70 kg cocaine in humans while decreasing oral temperature.
PHARMACOLOGY BIOCHEMISTRY AND BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Huan Sheng, Chao Lei, Yu Yuan, Yali Fu, Dongyang Cui, Li Yang, Da Shao, Zixuan Cao, Hao Yang, Xinli Guo, Chenshan Chu, Yaxian Wen, Zhangyin Cai, Ming Chen, Bin Lai, Ping Zheng
Summary: The lateral hypothalamus (LH) is implicated in drug addiction, specifically in the context-induced expression of morphine withdrawal memory. This study demonstrates that LH glutamatergic neurons are activated by neural circuits from the nucleus accumbens core (NAcC) through dopamine D1 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs). The disinhibited LH glutamatergic neurons contribute to context-induced expression of morphine withdrawal memory.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Justin N. Siemian, Miguel A. Arenivar, Sarah Sarsfield, Cara B. Borja, Charity N. Russell, Yeka Aponte
Summary: Research shows that a subpopulation of LH GABAergic neurons expressing leptin receptors specifically drives appetitive behaviors in mice, while their ablation does not affect weight gain and food intake. Both groups of neurons in the LH can modulate reward-related behaviors, but only LHVGAT neurons impact feeding, and LHLEPR neurons can discriminate conditioned cues in Pavlovian paradigms.
Article
Neurosciences
Jiaqi Lu, Chuan Qin, Can Wang, Jia Sun, Huijuan Mao, Jianzi Wei, Xueyong Shen, Yang Chen, Sheng Liu, Xiaoyi Qu
Summary: This study demonstrates that electro-acupuncture treatment can improve anxiety-related behaviors in rats with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by enhancing the activity of orexin neurons in the lateral hypothalamus, leading to a reduction in anxiety levels.
BRAIN RESEARCH BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Konstantina Vraka, Dimitrios Mytilinaios, Andreas P. Katsenos, Anastasios Serbis, Stavros Baloyiannis, Stefanos Bellos, Yannis V. Simos, Nikolaos P. Tzavellas, Spyridon Konitsiotis, Patra Vezyraki, Dimitrios Peschos, Konstantinos I. Tsamis
Summary: This study provides information about the distribution of OX1R in the human hypothalamus. OX1R is mainly found in the lateral hypothalamic area, the lateral preoptic nucleus, the supraoptic nucleus, the dorsomedial nucleus, the ventromedial nucleus, and the paraventricular nucleus. The majority of neurons in these areas (over 80%) express OX1R, with particularly high expression in the lateral tuberal nucleus (over 95% of neurons). These results reveal the distribution of OX1R at the cellular level and discuss its regulatory role in the hypothalamus.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Sotelo, Jean Tyan, Chelsea Markunas, Bibi A. Sulaman, Lorraine Horwitz, Hankyu Lee, Joshua G. Morrow, Gideon Rothschild, Bo Duan, Ada Eban-Rothschild
Summary: The transition from wakefulness to sleep involves specific behaviors, such as nest-building and grooming, which are associated with stereotypic electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns. The ability to build a nest promotes sleep initiation and consolidation, while the lack of nesting material disrupts sleep. Neuronal ensembles in the lateral hypothalamus regulate the motivation to engage in nest-building behavior and control sleep initiation and intensity.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Silvia Melzi, Anne-Laure Morel, Celine Scote-Blachon, Roland Liblau, Yves Dauvilliers, Christelle Peyron
Summary: The study found that in mouse models, the expression levels of histamine and noradrenaline, two wake-promoting systems, are not regulated by orexin levels, whether orexin deficiency is constitutive or induced at adult age. It also showed that there was no recruitment of histamine by local neuroinflammation. Further research is needed to define the role of histamine in the pathophysiology of narcolepsy type 1.
Article
Ophthalmology
Arthur A. DeCarlo, Nathan Hammes, Philip L. Johnson, Anantha Shekhar, Brian C. Samuels
Summary: The study found that orexin receptors have the potential to modulate intraocular pressure (IOP), intracranial pressure (ICP), and translaminar pressure difference (TLPD), reducing asynchronous changes caused by central nervous system activation.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Miguel Lopez, Luis de Lecea, Carlos Dieguez
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Cell Biology
Peng Li, Shi-Bin Li, Xuenan Wang, Chrystian D. Phillips, Lindsay A. Schwarz, Liqun Luo, Luis de Lecea, Mark A. Krasnow
Review
Neurosciences
Alanna Dorsey, Luis de Lecea, Kimberly J. Jennings
Summary: Sleep plays a crucial role in women's health, and sex differences in sleep quality have significant implications. Ovarian hormones are shown to regulate female sleep by acting on various brain regions and neurochemicals. Future research is needed to focus on these gender differences to improve overall health.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Jerome Wahis, Angel Baudon, Ferdinand Althammer, Damien Kerspern, Stephanie Goyon, Daisuke Hagiwara, Arthur Lefevre, Lara Barteczko, Benjamin Boury-Jamot, Benjamin Bellanger, Marios Abatis, Miriam Da Silva Gouveia, Diego Benusiglio, Marina Eliava, Andrei Rozov, Ivan Weinsanto, Hanna Sophie Knobloch-Bollmann, Matthew K. Kirchner, Ranjan K. Roy, Hong Wang, Marie Pertin, Perrine Inquimbert, Claudia Pitzer, Jan Siemens, Yannick Goumon, Benjamin Boutrel, Christophe Maurice Lamy, Isabelle Decosterd, Jean-Yves Chatton, Nathalie Rouach, W. Scott Young, Javier E. Stern, Pierrick Poisbeau, Ron Stoop, Pascal Darbon, Valery Grinevich, Alexandre Charlet
Summary: This study reveals a morphologically distinct subpopulation of astrocytes expressing OT receptors in the central amygdala of mice and rats, mediating the anxiolytic and positive reinforcement effects of OT. It challenges the traditional belief that OT exclusively acts on neurons, highlighting the essential role of astrocytes in modulating emotional states under normal and chronic pain conditions.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Jeremy C. Borniger, Luis de Lecea
Summary: The study examines how immune challenges can rapidly alter subcortical neuronal circuits controlling arousal states through investigating the activity of GABAergic neurons in the lateral hypothalamus. Using fiber photometry as a sensitive tool, the research demonstrates the potential for studying the neuronal substrates of sickness behavior.
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Laura H. Jacobson, Daniel Hoyer, Luis de Lecea
Summary: Hypocretins, also known as orexins, are neuropeptides produced in the lateral hypothalamus that play a crucial role in various neurophysiological functions such as sleep, arousal, feeding, and cognition. Loss of Hcrt cells in humans leads to narcolepsy, demonstrating the essential role of the Hcrt system in sleep/wake stability. The development of Hcrt receptor antagonists as a new class of drugs to treat insomnia has been clinically validated.
JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Wen-Jie Bian, Chelsie L. Brewer, Julie A. Kauer, Luis de Lecea
Summary: This study reveals that sleep during adolescence plays a critical role in shaping the preference for novel social stimuli in adulthood. This developmental role is mediated by balanced levels of VTA activity during adolescent brain development.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kshitij S. Jadhav, Aurelien P. Bernheim, Lea Aeschlimann, Guylene Kirschmann, Isabelle Decosterd, Alexander F. Hoffman, Carl R. Lupica, Benjamin Boutrel
Summary: The development of self-regulatory competencies during adolescence depends on normative brain maturation. Adolescent rats show impulsive and compulsive-like behaviors, which are associated with underdeveloped anterior insula cortex (AIC) function. In the AIC of adolescent rats, pyramidal neurons are hypoexcitable and receive fewer glutamatergic synaptic inputs compared to adults. Activation of the AIC can attenuate compulsive traits in adolescent rats, suggesting that an immature integration of sensory and cognitive information in the AIC leads to inflexible behaviors in specific reward conditions.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Editorial Material
Oncology
Shi-Bin Li, Luis de Lecea
CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Kshitij S. Jadhav, Benjamin Boury Jamot, Veronique Deroche-Gamonet, David Belin, Benjamin Boutrel
Summary: This study developed a machine-learning assisted classifier to objectively identify individual subjects as vulnerable/resistant to addiction. By feeding datasets into machine learning algorithms, researchers were able to accurately classify vulnerable and resilient rats, regardless of their cohort.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juan F. Quintana, Praveena Chandrasegaran, Matthew C. Sinton, Emma M. Briggs, Thomas D. Otto, Rhiannon Heslop, Calum Bentley-Abbot, Colin Loney, Luis de Lecea, Neil A. Mabbott, Annette MacLeod
Summary: By studying single-cell and spatial transcriptomics of the mouse brain, we found that glial cell responses triggered by African trypanosome infection could be detected near circumventricular organs, which coincided with the spatial localization of the parasite. Additionally, we discovered an unknown interaction between homeostatic microglia and plasma cells. This study provides important insights into the molecular and cellular responses in the brain during infection with African trypanosomes.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Susan M. Tyree, Kimberly J. Jennings, Oscar C. Gonzalez, Shi-bin Li, Janet R. Nicholson, Moritz von Heimendahl, Luis de Lecea
Summary: Neurons expressing Hypocretin in the lateral hypothalamus are crucial for regulating arousal stability. This study investigates the dynamics of Hypocretin neuronal circuit during stop action impulsivity in mice performing a Go/NoGo task. The findings suggest that Hypocretin neurons play a key role in integrating salient stimuli to produce appropriate responses to rewarding and aversive cues.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Yuval Nir, Luis de Lecea
Summary: The classic view of sleep and vigilance states as global and stationary is being challenged by recent data, which show that these states are highly dynamic and regionally complex. Sleep and wake states often co-occur across distinct brain regions, and dynamic switching prevails around state transitions and during extended wakefulness and fragmented sleep. This new perspective, coupled with advanced monitoring methods, is changing how we understand vigilance states and may have important implications for neuromodulatory mechanisms and behavioral manifestations. A modular and dynamic view opens up new avenues for spatiotemporal interventions to improve sleep function.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Wen-Jie Bian, Oscar C. Gonzalez, Luis de Lecea
Summary: This study reveals that the R1117X mutation in the Shank3 gene causes sleep defects in adolescent mice, which are associated with adult social behavior. The mutant mice exhibit altered electroencephalogram power and increased dopamine activity during REM sleep. These findings provide insights into the relationship between Shank3 gene involvement and sleep phenotypes in schizophrenia.
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Keith R. Murphy, Luis de Lecea
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Umit Yilmaz, Kevser Tanbek
Summary: This study investigated the effects of intracerebroventricular administration of Spexin on the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis and energy expenditure in rats. The results showed that Spexin reduced food consumption and body weight, increased thyroid hormones, and enhanced energy metabolism.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Kuei-Yu Chien, Yun-Ju Chen, Kuo-Jen Hsu, Chiao-Nan Chen
Summary: This study investigated the effects of a high-protein diet and high-intensity interval training on appetite and weight loss in obese middle-aged individuals. The results showed that consuming a high-protein drink and following a high-protein diet after exercise can reduce post-exercise appetite and the frequency of late-night snacking.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Review
Psychology, Biological
Melissa Alves Braga Oliveira, Ana Carolina Odebrecht Vergne de Abreu, Debora Barroggi Constantino, Andre C. Tonon, Antoni Diez-Noguera, Fernanda Gaspar Amaral, Maria Paz Hidalgo
Summary: Biological processes in living organisms exhibit strong rhythmicity and are regulated by internal timing systems. Understanding the influence of biological rhythms is crucial for experimental design and reporting.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Yanqun Cao, Hao Chen, Yinna Tan, Xu-Dong Yu, Chuli Xiao, Yin Li, James Reilly, Zhiming He, Xinhua Shu
Summary: There is evidence to suggest that chronic stress impacts neurochemical homeostasis and contributes to mental disorders. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of p-coumaric acid (p-CA), a natural compound found in vegetables and fruits, against stress-associated mental disorders. The findings suggest that p-CA could alleviate cognitive deficits and depression-like behavior in mice exposed to chronic restraint stress (CRS) by regulating the PKA-CREB-BDNF signaling pathway.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Mai O. Spaulding, Jessica R. Hoffman, Grace C. Madu, Magen N. Lord, Caroline Soares Iizuka, Kevin P. Myers, Emily E. Noble
Summary: Food insecurity is associated with obesity and disordered eating behaviors. Studying a rodent model, researchers found that adolescent food insecurity may increase susceptibility to obesity and altered eating behaviors during adulthood.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
K. Oberman, B. L. van Leeuwen, M. Nabben, J. E. Villafranca, R. G. Schoemaker
Summary: The present study investigated the post-operative complications and therapeutic potential of J147 in male Zucker rats, and found that J147 treatment had positive effects on behavioral and metabolic parameters, but did not affect neuroinflammation. The results suggest that a combination of acute and chronic J147 treatment may be optimal for treatment.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Review
Psychology, Biological
Mathieu Cournoyer, Alice Maldera, Alexandre-Charles Gauthier, Fabien Dal Maso, Marie-Eve Mathieu
Summary: This article provides a comprehensive view of the literature on the effect of different odors on physical activity through a systematic review. It was found that pleasant odors have a positive impact on participants' physical activity. However, better methodological consistency is needed in studies to produce more meaningful results.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Gabriel R. Gilmore, Jeff Dyche
Summary: This study examined sleep, sleep/wake regularity, and cognition in college students diagnosed with depression and using serotonergic antidepressants, comparing them to those without a depression diagnosis. The results showed that students using antidepressants had slightly longer wake after sleep onset and lower sleep efficiency, but these differences were likely not noticed by the participants. There were no differences in sleep regularity or cognition between the two groups.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Erica A. Cross, Kim L. Huhman, H. Elliott Albers
Summary: Social stress plays a significant role in the development of neuropsychiatric disorders and can lead to behavioral deficits such as social withdrawal. This study investigates the impact of social stress on social reward in Syrian hamsters. The results show that subordinate and socially defeated males have reduced motivation for social interactions compared to dominant males. Additionally, winning males exhibit greater activation in the mesolimbic dopamine system compared to losers. In females, there were no differences in social entries between winners and losers, but winning females display more activation in the NAc shell.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Daniel A. R. Cabral, Maria L. M. Rego, Eduardo B. Fontes, Vagner D. O. Tavares
Summary: This study examined the association between body mass index (BMI) and negative emotional states (NES) in men with substance use disorders (SUD) undergoing treatment. The findings showed a positive correlation between BMI and stress, anxiety, and depression. These results suggest that reducing body fat accumulation may contribute to improving mental health in individuals with SUD during recovery.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Review
Psychology, Biological
Elizabeth Agbor Epse Muluh, Jessica C. McCormack, Yunfan Mo, Michael Garratt, Mei Peng
Summary: This PROSPERO pre-registered systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the olfactory and gustatory changes in pregnant individuals. The meta-analysis revealed that pregnant individuals performed poorer in odour identification, rated olfactory stimuli to be more intense during the second and third trimester, and had increased pleasantness for sweet taste in the first trimester. No major difference was observed in terms of gustatory functions between pregnant and non-pregnant subjects.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Renee Spiteri Douglas, Mackenzie R. Hartley, J. Renee Yang, Tamara B. Franklin
Summary: The expression of Hdac2 in the hippocampus is associated with social status, while the expression of closely related genes Hdac1 and HDAC2 protein is not associated with social rank in the hippocampus.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2024)