Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tao Jia, Jing Chen, Ying-di Wang, Cheng Xiao, Chun-yi Zhou
Summary: Excessive self-grooming is an important behavioral phenotype of the stress response in rodents. This study investigates the role of the subthalamic nucleus-lateral parabrachial nucleus (STN-LPB) pathway in regulating stress-induced self-grooming in mice. The results suggest that the STN-LPB pathway may be a potential target for intervention in stress-related emotional disorders.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lin Wu, Yujie Wu, Jin Liu, Jingyao Jiang, Cheng Zhou, Donghang Zhang
Summary: The elevated excitability of glutamatergic neurons in the lateral parabrachial nucleus (PBL) is found to be associated with the development of inflammatory pain. In this study, chemogenetic manipulation was used to explore the relationship between PBL glutamatergic neuron activity and pain thresholds. The results demonstrate that activation of PBL glutamatergic neurons decreases pain thresholds, while inhibition produces the opposite effect. The increased expression of C-Fos protein and NALCN in PBL glutamatergic neurons is also observed in the model of inflammatory pain.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Anesthesiology
Weiwei Bao, Jiahui Ding, Shan Jiang, Zhen Yao, Weimin Qu, Wenxian Li, Zhili Huang, Yuan Han
Summary: This study explored the downstream neural mechanism of nucleus accumbens (NAc) neurons that express dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) in the modulation of emergence from sevoflurane general anesthesia (GA). The researchers traced the projections of NAcD1R neurons and found that optogenetic activation of NAcD1R-VP or NAcD1R-LH circuit induced cortical activation and behavioral emergence during sevoflurane-induced anesthesia. These findings suggest that both NAcD1R-VP and NAcD1R-LH circuits play a crucial role in promoting reanimation from sevoflurane GA.
ANESTHESIA AND ANALGESIA
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jing Liu, Xiao Liu, Wen-Yu Zhou, Jun Gan, Jie Wang, Qi Zhang, Jun-Liang Li, Zhong-Shan Shen, Yue-Ying Zhang, Qiong-Yao Tang, Zhe Zhang
Summary: The histaminergic neurons in the hypothalamic tuberomammillary nucleus (TMN) have been suggested to play a vital role in maintaining a rising state. In this study, the role of TMN GABAergic neurons in general anesthesia was investigated using chemogenetics and optogenetics strategies. The findings showed that activation of TMN GABAergic neurons decreased the effect of sevoflurane and propofol anesthesia, while inhibition of these neurons facilitated sevoflurane anesthesia.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Anesthesiology
Ksenia Vlasov, JunZhu Pei, Christa J. Nehs, Jennifer A. Guidera, Edlyn R. Zhang, Jonathan D. Kenny, Timothy T. Houle, Gary J. Brenner, Norman E. Taylor, Ken Solt
Summary: This study suggests that GABAergic neurons in the RMTg and other brainstem regions promote sedation and facilitate sevoflurane-induced unconsciousness.
ANESTHESIA AND ANALGESIA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Han Guo, Jian-Bo Jiang, Wei Xu, Mu-Tian Zhang, Hui Chen, Huan-Ying Shi, Lu Wang, Miao He, Michael Lazarus, Shan-Qun Li, Zhi-Li Huang, Wei-Min Qu
Summary: In this study, the authors found that neurons expressing calretinin in the parasubthalamic nucleus play a key role in the induction and maintenance of wakefulness associated with exploration. They demonstrate that these neurons regulate wakefulness by innervating the ventral tegmental area. These findings provide new insights into the neural circuits regulating wakefulness.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hui Wang, Le Yu, Yuan-Jun Qin, Ming Chen, Xin Wang, Huo-Qing Luo, Pei-Lin Cong, Xiao-Li Wang, Hong-Miao Cai, Ai-Lian Zhang, Juan-Guo, Xiao-Hui Sun, Zhao Li, Ming Xue, Na Sun, Qing-Xiu Wang, Ji Hu
Summary: This study shows that preoperative anxiety can delay awakening from general anesthesia by causing more profound inhibition of DA neurons in the VTA. Optogenetic stimulation of VTA DA neurons can reverse the delay in awakening.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jianyin Yin, Jie Qin, Zhaojing Lin, Aiyuan Li, Damin Liu, Yurong Jiang, Qiuni Zhao, Liang Chen, Chengxi Liu
Summary: The glutamatergic-mediated excitatory system in the brain, particularly the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVH), has a crucial role in regulating sleep-wake and general anesthesia. Activation of PVH glutamatergic neurons shortens anesthesia induction and emergence time by reducing anesthesia depth, while inhibition of PVH glutamatergic neurons delays emergence, deepens anesthesia, and facilitates induction. These findings highlight the important role of PVH glutamatergic neurons in modulating isoflurane anesthesia.
Article
Biology
Ya-Bing Zhu, Yan Wang, Xiao-Xiao Hua, Ling Xu, Ming-Zhe Liu, Rui Zhang, Peng-Fei Liu, Jin-Bao Li, Ling Zhang, Di Mu
Summary: The PBN-PVT projection pathway regulates negative affective states in mice. Activation of the pathway leads to behaviors associated with negative affective states, while inhibition of the pathway reduces aversion and fear-like behaviors.
Article
Neurosciences
Jie Zhang, Yiting Peng, Chengxi Liu, Yu Zhang, Xiaoli Liang, Chengdong Yuan, Wenyan Shi, Yi Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the impact of sevoflurane anesthesia on the NAcD1R neurons and the NAcD1R-VP pathway. The results showed that sevoflurane anesthesia inhibited the activity of NAcD1R neurons and disrupted their connections with the VP. Additionally, a reversible reduction in extracellular GABA levels in the VP was observed during sevoflurane anesthesia. Optogenetic activation of NAcD1R neurons and their synaptic terminals in the VP promoted wakefulness during anesthesia, while inhibition of the NAcD1R-VP pathway had the opposite effect.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xin-Yue Wang, Wen-Bin Jia, Xiang Xu, Rui Chen, Liang-Biao Wang, Xiao-Jing Su, Peng-Fei Xu, Xiao-Qing Liu, Jie Wen, Xiao-Yuan Song, Yuan-Yuan Liu, Zhi Zhang, Xin-Feng Liu, Yan Zhang
Summary: This study reveals a pathway involving vesicular glutamate transporter 3 neurons and dopamine neurons that plays a crucial role in chronic pain and comorbid anhedonia-like behavior. Chronic neuropathic pain dampens the transmission of glutamate and the neural excitability in this pathway. Activation of this pathway can alleviate pain and comorbid anhedonia-like behavior, while inhibition of this pathway leads to pain-like reflexive hypersensitivity and anhedonia-like behavior.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Li Niu, Mengnan Hao, Yanhong Wang, Kai Wu, Chengdong Yuan, Yu Zhang, Jie Zhang, Xiaoli Liang, Yi Zhang
Summary: The study found that NAcD2R neurons show decreased activity during the induction phase of sevoflurane anesthesia, with recovery observed during the anesthesia's emergence phase. Activation of these neurons through optogenetics can shorten the induction time of anesthesia and extend the arousal process in mice, while inhibition has the opposite effect. Additionally, activation of NAcD2R neurons projecting into the ventral pallidum via optogenetics shortened the induction time for mice under sevoflurane anesthesia.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Pei-Chang Liu, Wei Yao, Xing-Yu Chen, Wei-Kun Su, Ze-Hong Zheng, Xiong-Bin Yan, Ya-Ling Deng, Kai-Ge Shi, Xin Liu, Yu-Wei Gao, Tian-Tian Lin, Yun-Xi Zhu, Ying-Xuan Lin, Zhong-Hua Zhu, Ping Cai, Liang-Cheng Zhang, Li Chen
Summary: This study used a chemogenetic approach to activate or inhibit the activity of PBN astrocytes and found that PBN astrocytes play an important role in regulating wakefulness and emergence from isoflurane anesthesia. Activation of PBN astrocytes increased wakefulness and shortened the emergence time from isoflurane anesthesia, while inhibition of PBN astrocytes decreased wakefulness and increased the depth of isoflurane anesthesia.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Qi Xu, Dian-Ru Wang, Hui Dong, Li Chen, Jun Lu, Michael Lazarus, Yoan Cherasse, Gui-Hai Chen, Wei-Min Qu, Zhi-Li Huang
Summary: Activation of the medial part of the parabrachial nucleus (MPB) induces continuous wakefulness in rats for 10 hours, while chemogenetic inhibition of PB neurons decreases wakefulness for the same duration. This suggests that glutamatergic MPB neurons play an essential role in controlling wakefulness, and that the MPB-brainfore (BF) and MPB-lateral hypothalamus (LH) pathways are major neuronal circuits involved.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrew E. Warfield, Pooja Gupta, Madison M. Ruhmann, Quiana L. Jeffs, Genevieve C. Guidone, Hannah W. Rhymes, McKenzi I. Thompson, William D. Todd
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is associated with disruptions in circadian rhythms, and a study on AD model mice reveals phase delays in circadian rhythms and increased aggression, which are related to Tau pathology in the brainstem.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Yuan-Yuan Liu, Tian-Xiao Wang, Ji-Chuan Zhou, Wei-Min Qu, Zhi-Li Huang
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
Mao-Yun Yuan, Ze-Ka Chen, Jian Ni, Tian-Xiao Wang, Shi-Yu Jiang, Hui Dong, Wei-Min Qu, Zhi-Li Huang, Rui-Xi Li
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ya-Dong Li, Yan-Jia Luo, Wei Xu, Jing Ge, Yoan Cherasse, Yi-Qun Wang, Michael Lazarus, Wei-Min Qu, Zhi-Li Huang
Summary: VP GABAergic neurons play a crucial role in regulating arousal by modulating dopaminergic neurons and promoting wakefulness. Additionally, they promote arousal through innervation of the lateral hypothalamus, but do not affect depression-like behaviors or food intake.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Ya-Nan Zhao, Yu-Dong Yan, Chen-Yao Wang, Wei-Min Qu, Thomas C. Jhou, Zhi-Li Huang, Su-Rong Yang
NATURE AND SCIENCE OF SLEEP
(2020)
Article
Psychiatry
Yu-Dong Yan, Yu-Qing Chen, Chen-Yao Wang, Chen-Bo Ye, Zhen-Zhen Hu, Thomas Behnisch, Zhi-Li Huang, Su-Rong Yang
Summary: The study utilized a mouse model to investigate potential treatments for psychological symptoms in menopausal women, finding that the psychostimulant modafinil effectively alleviated these symptoms by modulating neuronal activity and neurogenesis. Treatment with modafinil significantly reduced immobility time and improved spatial memory performance in the mice under study.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Ling Chen, Wan-Kun Gong, Cui-ping Yang, Chan-Chan Shao, Ning-Ning Song, Jia-Yin Chen, Li-Qiang Zhou, Kun-Shan Zhang, Siguang Li, Zhili Huang, Gal Richter-Levin, Lin Xu, Yu-Qiang Ding
Summary: The study suggests that PTEN may serve as an alternative approach for regulating 5-HT neuron activity in the brain and depressive behaviors, compared to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) commonly used in depression treatment. Elevated levels of PTEN in 5-HT neurons can induce depressive behaviors in mice, while selective deletion of Pten leads to structural plasticity in these neurons.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yan-Fei Yang, Hui Dong, Yan Shen, Lei Li, Michael Lazarus, Wei-Min Qu, Zhi-Li Huang
Summary: The study demonstrated the essential role of mesencephalic dopamine neurons in modafinil-induced arousal, providing experimental evidence for this mechanism.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yu-Heng Zhong, Shan Jiang, Wei-Min Qu, Wen Zhang, Zhi-Li Huang, Chang-Rui Chen
Summary: This study found that the active component SSa of Radix Bupleuri can promote sleep by shortening sleep latency, increasing the duration of non-rapid eye movement sleep, and reducing locomotor activities. The mechanism of action may involve modulation of neuronal activity in the lateral hypothalamus.
JOURNAL OF SLEEP RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lei Li, Meng-Qi Zhang, Xiao Sun, Wen-Ying Liu, Zhi-Li Huang, Yi-Qun Wang
Summary: Good sleep quality is essential for maintaining attention during wakefulness. Through experiments on mice, it was found that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) play an important role in regulating sleep-wake behaviors in response to changes in ambient temperature.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yi-Chen Shen, Xiao Sun, Lei Li, Hu-Yunlong Zhang, Zhi-Li Huang, Yi-Qun Wang
Summary: Sleep and wakefulness are fundamental behavioral states that involve coordination between brain regions and multiple neurochemical systems, including neuropeptides. Neuropeptides, produced by neurons and neuroendocrine cells, can bind to specific receptors and regulate neuronal activities. Different neuropeptides play distinct roles in sleep-wake regulation, promoting sleep, inducing wakefulness, or having bidirectional effects. This review provides an overview of the distribution of neuropeptides in the brain and summarizes their roles in sleep-wake regulation, aiming to lay the foundation for further studies on the mechanisms underlying sleep-wake states.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Ya-Dong Li, Yan-Jia Luo, Ze-Ka Chen, Luis Quintanilla, Yoan Cherasse, Libo Zhang, Michael Lazarus, Zhi-Li Huang, Juan Song
Summary: Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is critical for memory and emotion processing. Researchers have found that chronic patterned optogenetic stimulation of SuM neurons in the hypothalamus promotes neurogenesis and modulates behavior. SuM neurons are highly responsive to environmental novelty.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Wei-Wei Bao, Shan Jiang, Wei-Min Qu, Wen-Xian Li, Chang-Hong Miao, Zhi-Li Huang
Summary: This review summarized the current knowledge about the cell subtypes and neural circuits that control wakefulness, REM sleep, non-REM sleep, and GA, and discussed their interactions as well as unresolved questions and challenges in this field.
PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ya-Nan Zhao, Jian-Bo Jiang, Shi-Yuan Tao, Yang Zhang, Ze-Ka Chen, Wei-Min Qu, Zhi-Li Huang, Su-Rong Yang
Summary: The study found that in male mice, RMTg GABAergic neurons play a crucial role in regulating the transition between REM sleep and wakefulness or NREM sleep, and they are essential for inhibiting the induction and maintenance of REM sleep.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhao-yi Chen, Yao-lian Yang, Mai Li, Lu Gao, Wei-min Qu, Zhi-li Huang, Xiang-shan Yuan
Summary: The cholinergic neurons in the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) play a crucial role in cognition and are associated with various neurological disorders. This study used a transgenic mouse model and tracing techniques to investigate the neural connectivity of NBM cholinergic neurons. The results revealed specific inputs from the caudate putamen and the posterior limb of the anterior commissure, as well as widespread axon projections to the cortex mantle. Interestingly, while NBM cholinergic neurons received input projections from certain regions, they sparsely sent axon projections back to these areas. Furthermore, specific cortical regions received abundant inputs from the NBM but sent few outputs back. These findings provide important insights into the connectivity and function of cholinergic neurons in the NBM.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Peipei Wang, Qinghua Li, Xiaosong Dong, Haiyan An, Jing Li, Long Zhao, Han Yan, Kosuke Aritake, Zhili Huang, Kingman P. Strohl, Yoshihiro Urade, Jun Zhang, Fang Han
Summary: This study compared CSF and serum levels of LPGDS in patients with central hypersomnia and healthy controls. The results showed that LPGDS levels were significantly lower in control subjects compared to patients with EDS complaints, but there were no significant differences in L-PGDS levels between different types of hypersomnia. Serum L-PGDS correlated modestly and negatively with sleep latency in hypersomnia subjects.
