Article
Neurosciences
Joe R. Hilton, Susannah R. Simpson, Emily R. Sherman, Will Raby-Smith, Keemia Azvine, Maite Arribas, Jiaqi Zhou, Serena Deiana, Bastian Hengerer, Emma N. Cahill
Summary: This study investigated whether recalling unpleasant memories in different contextual, olfactory, or auditory conditions would enhance anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze. However, the data did not support the idea that memory recall could influence behavior in the elevated plus maze.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Julia S. Yarrington, Meghan Vinograd, Alexander L. Williams, Kate B. Wolitzky-Taylor, Richard E. Zinbarg, Susan Mineka, Allison M. Waters, Michelle G. Craske
Summary: This study used SR and SCR to predict longitudinal changes in anxiety and depression symptoms. The results showed that SR and SCR were associated with an increase in these symptom factors over time.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Lucianne Groenink, P. Monika Verdouw, Yulong Zhao, Freija ter Heegde, Kimberley E. Wever, Elisabeth Y. Bijlsma
Summary: Fear conditioning is an important aspect in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders. This study aimed to synthesize the available data on drugs tested in the fear-potentiated startle test to further understand the neurotransmitter systems involved in conditioned fear expression. The results showed that most clinically active anxiolytics can reduce fear and certain drug classes have significant effects on conditioned fear.
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Philip Newsome, Sonia G. Ruiz, Andrea L. Gold, Daniel S. Pine, Rany Abend
Summary: An alternative fear potentiated startle (FPS) scoring method was used to examine threat conditioning and extinction in individuals with anxiety disorders. The study found that individuals with anxiety disorders exhibited stronger retention of threat contingency during extinction. These findings support extinction theories of anxiety and suggest the importance of further research on aberrant extinction in pathological anxiety.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Johannes Kornhuber, Iulia Zoicas
Summary: NPY reduces social fear expression by acting on DLS and CeA, not effective in DH, MeA, and BLA regions. It also exhibits anxiolytic effects when administered in DH, DLS, CeA, and BLA, but not in MeA. This suggests that different neural circuitries are involved in the effects of NPY on social fear expression and anxiety-like behavior.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Judith C. Kreutzmann, Marie-France Marin, Markus Fendt, Mohammed R. Milad, Kerry Ressler, Tanja Jovanovic
Summary: The study found that individuals with lower responses to aversive stimuli also displayed lower fear responses to conditioned safety stimuli, while traumatized individuals showed responses to fear and safety stimuli influenced by their unconditioned response to aversive stimuli.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yuanhui Li, Nan Li, Liqun Zhang, Yanru Liu, Tianjiao Zhang, Dai Li, Dexiang Bai, Xiang Liu, Lingjiang Li
Summary: This study develops a fear-potentiated startle paradigm and a machine learning approach to accurately predict PTSD symptoms in Chinese firefighters. The machine learning model can identify firefighters with a PCL-C score of 38 or above with sensitivity and specificity both above 0.85 when 5-fold cross validated on a 1107-person sample.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Patrick Vizeli, Isabelle Straumann, Urs Duthaler, Nimmy Varghese, Anne Eckert, Martin P. Paulus, Victoria Risbrough, Matthias E. Liechti
Summary: This study aims to explore the potential of MDMA as a treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its mechanism of action. The results show that MDMA treatment can enhance fear extinction learning and recall, but this effect may be limited to certain forms of learned fear responses. Additionally, MDMA does not influence fear reactions to conditioned cues.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Vanessa A. van Ast, Floris Klumpers, Raoul P. P. P. Grasman, Angelos-Miltiadis Krypotos, Karin Roelofs
Summary: Freezing in response to impending threat is a core defensive mechanism in humans. Research has shown that human freezing is highly sensitive to fear conditioning and intensifies with the proximity of threat. This animal-like freezing response aids in active preparation for unexpected attacks and captures real-life expressions of anxiety.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Anne Richards, Sabra S. Inslicht, Leslie M. Yack, Thomas J. Metzler, J. Russell Huie, Laura D. Straus, Cassandra Dukes, Samantha Q. Hubachek, Kim L. Felmingham, Daniel H. Mathalon, Steven H. Woodward, Thomas C. Neylan
Summary: This study examines the relationship between emotional learning and REM sleep in trauma-exposed participants using fear-potentiated startle (FPS) and nap sleep protocol. The results show that safety learning is positively correlated with REM sleep and REM sleep is related to rapid extinction learning. Moreover, the study reveals unexpected effects of PTSD symptoms and biological sex on the learning-sleep relationship.
Article
Psychology, Biological
Deachul Seo, Nicholas L. L. Balderston, Howard Berenbaum, Juyoen Hur
Summary: A large body of research suggests that exaggerated response to uncertainty of a future threat is central to anxiety and related disorders. However, little is known about which elements of uncertainty are more susceptible to cognitive modulation in shaping aversive responses. This study used a novel paradigm to investigate the effects of cognitive load on different facets of uncertainty in psychophysiological responses. The results provide insight into the model of fear and anxiety and the etiology of psychological disorders characterized by maladaptive uncertainty responses.
Article
Neurosciences
Fernando M. C. V. Reis, Dean Mobbs, Newton S. Canteras, Avishek Adhikari
Summary: This article discusses the central role of the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) in controlling various defensive responses and explores how PAG-centered circuits influence both innate and learned defensive actions in rodents and humans. It highlights the use of traditional methods like lesions, electrical stimulation, and pharmacology, as well as recent advancements in neural activity imaging and anatomical and genetic control methods to gain a better understanding of PAG function.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
David Hessl, Lauren Libero, Andrea Schneider, Connor Kerns, Breanna Winder-Patel, Brianna Heath, Joshua Lee, Cory Coleman, Natasha Sharma, Marjorie Solomon, Christine Wu Nordahl, David G. Amaral
Summary: The study found that the connection between fear conditioning and anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) depends on the size of the amygdala.
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Jessica Maples-Keller, Laura E. Watkins, K. Maria Nylocks, Carly Yasinski, Callan Coghlan, Kathryn Black, Tanja Jovanovic, Sheila A. M. Rauch, Barbara O. Rothbaum, Seth Davin Norrholm
Summary: This study examined fear acquisition, extinction learning, and retention in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients before and after treatment, and found excessive fear in PTSD patients during acquisition and extinction. It also found that high responders to prolonged exposure therapy (PE) maintained fear extinction learning, while low responders showed a return of fear after treatment.
BEHAVIOUR RESEARCH AND THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Fernando M. C. V. Reis, Jinhan Liu, Peter J. Schuette, Johannes Y. Lee, Sandra Maesta-Pereira, Meghmik Chakerian, Weisheng Wang, Newton S. Canteras, Jonathan C. Kao, Avishek Adhikari
Summary: The study reveals that the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG) uses shared patterns of activity to encode distance and predict defensive behaviors when encountering threats, indicating its crucial role in defensive responses.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
C. T. Werner, S. Mitra, J. A. Martin, A. F. Stewart, A. E. Lepack, A. Ramakrishnan, P. H. Gobira, Z. -J. Wang, R. L. Neve, A. M. Gancarz, L. Shen, I. Maze, D. M. Dietz
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ke Chen, Xiaokuang Ma, Antoine Nehme, Jing Wei, Yan Cui, Yuehua Cui, Dezhong Yao, Jie Wu, Trent Anderson, Deveroux Ferguson, Pat Levitt, Shenfeng Qiu
Summary: The MET receptor tyrosine kinase plays a crucial role in the development of cortical circuits, with its expression tightly regulated during specific developmental stages. Dysregulation of MET expression can disrupt synaptic formation and pruning processes, impacting cortical plasticity and critical periods. In a mouse model study, sustained MET signaling in cortical excitatory neurons was found to disrupt synaptic protein profiles, alter neuronal morphology, and impair visual cortex circuit maturation and connectivity, ultimately affecting the plasticity of the cortical critical period.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Baomei Xia, Jing Wei, Xiaokuang Ma, Antoine Nehme, Katerina Liong, Yuehua Cui, Chang Chen, Amelia Gallitano, Deveroux Ferguson, Shenfeng Qiu
Summary: Human genetic studies have identified the MET gene as a risk factor for autism spectrum disorders. This study found that MET signaling affects synaptic plasticity in young adult mice, leading to enhanced LTP and LTD in the hippocampus, while older adult mice showed diminished magnitudes of LTP and LTD. Behavioral tests also revealed age-dependent cognitive decline in behavior and learning functions associated with MET signaling.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF LEARNING AND MEMORY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Xiaokuang Ma, Jing Wei, Yuehua Cui, Baomei Xia, Le Zhang, Antoine Nehme, Yi Zuo, Deveroux Ferguson, Pat Levitt, Shenfeng Qiu
Summary: The study demonstrates that regulation of MET signaling is a key mechanism in controlling cortical circuit development and normal behavior. Prolonged MET signaling alters the molecular composition of synaptic proteins, affects dendritic spine maturation and neural connectivity, leading to developmental abnormalities and impaired behavior in adulthood.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hee-Dae Kim, Jing Wei, Tanessa Call, Nicole Teru Quintus, Alexander J. Summers, Samantha Carotenuto, Ross Johnson, Xiaokuang Ma, Chenxi Xu, Jin G. Park, Shenfeng Qiu, Deveroux Ferguson
Summary: Depression is a major cause of disability with current treatment approaches being largely ineffective. Understanding the molecular mechanisms within specific cell-types in the brain may lead to the development of more effective therapies.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Swarup Mitra, Craig Werner, David M. Dietz
Summary: Neuropsychiatric diseases are characterized by maladaptive behavioral plasticity, and precise cellular mediators have been difficult to pinpoint. Increasing knowledge on the role of the transforming growth factor (TGF-beta) family of proteins in regulating neuroadaptations is shedding light on the influence of TGF-beta signaling in neuropsychiatric disorders.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jianfeng Liu, Ruyan Wu, Robert Seaman, Kevin M. Manz, Bernard Johnson, Jimmy Vu, Yufei Huang, Yanan Zhang, Alfred J. Robison, Rachael Neve, Brad A. Grueter, David Dietz, Jun-Xu Li
Summary: The study demonstrates that TAAR1 regulates drug-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking by negatively regulating CaMKII alpha activity in the NAc, providing further confirmation of TAAR1 as a potential target for the treatment of cocaine relapse.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Sasha L. Fulton, Swarup Mitra, Ashley E. Lepack, Jennifer A. Martin, Andrew F. Stewart, Jacob Converse, Mason Hochstetler, David M. Dietz, Ian Maze
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of the histone post-translational modification H3Q5dop in cocaine and heroin addiction, showing its role in persistent transcriptional events and plasticity in reward relevant brain regions.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Ruyan Wu, Jianfeng Liu, Jimmy Vu, Yufei Huang, David M. Dietz, Jun-Xu Li
Summary: The study reveals the important role of immune molecule IRAK4 in opioid-related behaviors, and inhibition of IRAK4 can reduce opioid-seeking behavior.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Swarup Mitra, Shruthi A. Thomas, Jennifer A. Martin, Jamal Williams, Kristen Woodhouse, Ramesh Chandra, Jun Xu Li, Mary Kay Lobo, Fraser J. Sim, David M. Dietz
Summary: Chronic pain can lead to significant changes in daily life and the use of opioids for pain management can increase the risk of addiction. However, the exact mechanism by which opioids relieve pain and potentially lead to addiction is not well understood. This study found that the expression of the EGR3 gene in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of rats was associated with pain relief and addictive-like behaviors related to oxycodone, a commonly used opioid.
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Chang Chen, Xiaokuang Ma, Jing Wei, Neha Shakir, Jessica K. Zhang, Le Zhang, Antoine Nehme, Yuehua Cui, Deveroux Ferguson, Feng Bai, Shenfeng Qiu
Summary: This study investigates the effects of mutant APP/PS1 over-expression on early brain development and function using a 5xFAD mouse model. The results suggest that the over-expression of mutant proteins may impair synaptic plasticity, intrinsic excitability, and synaptic connectivity in cortical circuits, leading to deficits in plasticity and altered developmental trajectory.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Neurosciences
Keita Ishiwari, Christopher King, Jordan Tripi, Apurva Chitre, Oksana Polesskaya, Alexander Lamparelli, Anthony George, Connor Martin, Hao Chen, David Dietz, Leah Solberg Woods, Abraham Palmer, Paul Meyer
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Neurosciences
Swarup Mitra, Shruthi Thomas, Jennifer Schieber, Jamal Williams, Kyra Erias, Madoka Iida, Kristen Woodhouse, Ramesh Chandra, Jun-Xu Li, Fraser Sim, Mary Kay Lobo, David Dietz
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Meeting Abstract
Neurosciences
Zi-Jun Wang, Jennifer Schieber, Ben Rein, David Dietz, Zhen Yan
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2020)
Meeting Abstract
Neurosciences
David Dietz
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2019)
Review
Neurosciences
Maya Jammoul, Dareen Jammoul, Kevin K. Wang, Firas Kobeissy, Ralph G. Depalma
Summary: This article reviews the possible mechanisms by which traumatic brain injury (TBI) may stimulate the development of opioid use disorder (OUD) and discusses the interaction between these two processes. CNS damage due to TBI appears to drive adverse effects of subsequent OUD, with pain being a risk factor for opioid use after TBI.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
Danusa Mar Arcego, Jan-Paul Buschdorf, Nicholas O'Toole, Zihan Wang, Barbara Barth, Irina Pokhvisneva, Nirmala Arul Rayan, Sachin Patel, Euclides Jose de Mendonca Filho, Patrick Lee, Jennifer Tan, Ming Xuan Koh, Chu Ming Sim, Carine Parent, Randriely Merscher Sobreira de Lima, Andrew Clappison, Kieran J. O'Donnell, Carla Dalmaz, Janine Arloth, Nadine Provencal, Elisabeth B. Binder, Josie Diorio, Patricia Pelufo Silveira, Michael J. Meaney
Summary: This study investigates the impact of environmental influences on mental health by integrating transcriptomic data from animal models with human data. The results suggest that hippocampal glucocorticoid-related transcriptional activity mediates the effects of early adversity on neural mechanisms implicated in psychiatric disorders.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
Milenna T. van Dijk, Ardesheer Talati, Pratik Kashyap, Karan Desai, Nora C. Kelsall, Marc J. Gameroff, Natalie Aw, Eyal Abraham, Breda Cullen, Jiook Cha, Christoph Anacker, Myrna M. Weissman, Jonathan Posner
Summary: This study found that maternal stress is associated with future depressive symptoms and alterations in microstructure of the dentate gyrus (DG) in offspring. These results were consistent across two independent cohorts.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
Josephine C. McGowan, Liliana R. Ladner, Claire X. Shubeck, Juliana Tapia, Christina T. LaGamma, Amanda Anqueira-Gonzalez, Ariana DeFrancesco, Briana K. Chen, Holly C. Hunsberger, Ezra J. Sydnor, Ryan W. Logan, Tzong-Shiue Yu, Steven G. Kernie, Christine A. Denny
Summary: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) leads to fear generalization by altering fear memory traces, and this symptom can be improved with (R,S)-ketamine.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2024)