Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Fang Xu, Yan Shen, Lufeng Ding, Chao-Yu Yang, Heng Tan, Hao Wang, Qingyuan Zhu, Rui Xu, Fengyi Wu, Yanyang Xiao, Cheng Xu, Qianwei Li, Peng Su, Li I. Zhang, Hong-Wei Dong, Robert Desimone, Fuqiang Xu, Xintian Hu, Pak-Ming Lau, Guo-Qiang Bi
Summary: This study introduces a new method combining primate-optimized tissue sectioning and clearing with high-speed fluorescence microscopy to achieve high-resolution imaging of the entire rhesus monkey brain. Researchers have also developed an efficient method for tracing sparse axonal fibers in large datasets, enabling connectome-scale mapping of large primate brains.
NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Niyusha Asgharpour-Masouleh, Ameneh Rezayof, Sakineh Alijanpour, Ladan Delphi
Summary: This study found that cetirizine significantly enhances the analgesic effect of morphine in neuropathic pain by interacting with the mediodorsal thalamic (MD) GABA-A receptors. Neuropathic pain affects the GFAP signaling pathway in the prefrontal cortex.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Jessica M. Phillips, Niranjan A. Kambi, Michelle J. Redinbaugh, Sounak Mohanta, Yuri B. Saalmann
Summary: The prefrontal cortex has a complex relationship with the thalamus, where thalamocortical neurons in several nuclei are modulated by affective and cognitive signals. This modulation contributes to all aspects of cognitive control, including internal states processing, attentional allocation, and goal-directed behavior. Thalamic modulation of cortical gain and cortico-cortical functional connectivity play important roles in these processes.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Robert P. Vertes, Walter B. Hoover, Menno P. Witter, Mehmet Fatih Yanik, Amanda K. P. Rojas, Stephanie B. Linley
Summary: This study comprehensively examined and compared the projections from different divisions of the orbital cortex to the thalamus in rats. The results showed that each division of the orbital cortex projected in a distinct manner to specific nuclei of the thalamus, suggesting unique functions for each division.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jimena L. Frontera, Romain W. Sala, Ioana A. Georgescu, Hind Baba Aissa, Marion N. d'Almeida, Daniela Popa, Clement Lena
Summary: This study reveals the important role of the cerebellum in fear extinction in mice. The cerebellar fastigial nucleus projects to the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus, which is connected to the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex. Inhibition of this pathway impairs fear extinction and increases the activity of mediodorsal thalamic neurons. The cerebellum also modulates thalamo-prefrontal cortex interactions during fear extinction.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Diana Lucaci, Xiao Yu, Paul Chadderton, William Wisden, Stephen G. Brickley
Summary: We investigated the effects of histamine and GABA release from TMN axons projecting to the PFC on circuit processing. Histamine stimulated fast-spiking interneurons, while released GABA enhanced tonic inhibition on PyrNs. Histamine-induced gain changes were blocked by histamine receptor antagonists, while GABA-induced gain changes were blocked by GABAA receptor antagonists. The GABA modulation of PyrN excitability by TMNHDC axons increased significantly in older mice, potentially enhancing information processing and maintaining cognition in aging individuals.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Chuan Huang, Yu Wang, Peng Chen, Qing-Hong Shan, Hao Wang, Lu-Feng Ding, Guo-Qiang Bi, Jiang-Ning Zhou
Summary: This study used a rabies-virus system to map the single-cell input onto corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neurons in the central amygdala (CeA). The inputs were found to be located in 44 nested subregions, with most of them being top-down convergent inputs from the cortex, especially in layer 4 of the somatosensory cortex, and relaying information from the thalamus. The bottom-up divergent inputs had a higher expression of glutamate decarboxylase. The study also revealed the en passant structures of single input neurons through in-situ reconstruction. These findings provide valuable insights into the circuit mechanisms of CeA-CRF neurons.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Helene Lacaille, Claire-Marie Vacher, Anna A. Penn
Summary: Developmental changes in the GABAergic and glutamatergic systems in the frontal lobe are believed to be important in neurodevelopmental disorders seen in very preterm or low birth weight children. This study focused on the molecular development of the GABAergic system in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, finding that the maturation state of this system was more dynamic in male infants. Premature birth was also found to have a significant impact on the GABAergic system development, particularly in male infants, suggesting a new cellular mechanism underlying preterm brain injury.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Antoine Collomb-Clerc, Maelle C. M. Gueguen, Lorella Minotti, Philippe Kahane, Vincent Navarro, Fabrice Bartolomei, Romain Carron, Jean Regis, Stephan Chabardes, Stefano Palminteri, Julien Bastin
Summary: This study analyzed intra-thalamic electrophysiological recordings from human participants during a reinforcement learning task. The results showed that the thalamus is involved in estimating expected value and signaling reward prediction errors during reward-based and punishment-based learning. The study also revealed the neural mechanisms underlying action inhibition in punishment avoidance learning.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valeska Cid-Jofre, Macarena Moreno, Ramon Sotomayor-Zarate, Gonzalo Cruz, Georgina M. Renard
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of chronic MOD treatment on neurochemicals, dopamine receptor 2 expression, and behavior in the mesocorticolimbic system of young healthy rats. The results showed that chronic use of MOD during adolescence induces behavioral and neurochemical changes associated with the mesocorticolimbic system.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Adrienne N. Santiago, Emily A. Makowicz, Muzi Du, Chiye Aoki
Summary: Chemogenetic activation of a specific subset of pyramidal cells in the mPFC to DS pathway drives running behavior specifically during periods of limited food availability, leading to a causal role of this pathway in the decision to run during food scarcity. Suppression of these cells reduces running response to food restriction, with distinct characteristics observed in mPFC-to-DS cells compared to neighboring non-DS-projecting cells. These findings suggest a potential role for enhancing PFC-to-DS activity in influencing neural circuits under food restriction conditions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Houri Hintiryan, Ian Bowman, David L. Johnson, Laura Korobkova, Muye Zhu, Neda Khanjani, Lin Gou, Lei Gao, Seita Yamashita, Michael S. Bienkowski, Luis Garcia, Nicholas N. Foster, Nora L. Benavidez, Monica Y. Song, Darrick Lo, Kaelan Cotter, Marlene Becerra, Sarvia Aquino, Chunru Cao, Ryan P. Cabeen, Jim Stanis, Marina Fayzullina, Sarah Ustrell, Tyler Boesen, Amanda J. Tugangui, Zheng-Gang Zhang, Bo Peng, Michael S. Fanselow, Peyman Golshani, Joel D. Hahn, Ian R. Wickersham, Giorgio A. Ascoli, Li Zhang, Hong-Wei Dong
Summary: The authors used machine-learning based computational techniques to map the connectivity of the basolateral amygdalar complex, identifying distinct domains within the anterior BLA with target-specific projection neurons and morphological features. This study provides insights into the circuitry of BLA projection neurons and their connections to behavior networks within the brain.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Kohei Onishi, Satomi S. Kikuchi, Takaya Abe, Tomoko Tokuhara, Tomomi Shimogori
Summary: The mediodorsal thalamus plays a crucial role in cognitive processes and tasks by being reciprocally connected to the prefrontal cortex. Although poorly segregated at the molecular level, the different subdivisions of the MD hinder specific Cre driver mice. By exploring molecules separately expressed in MD subdivisions and developing region-specific Cre mouse lines, diverse region- and layer-specific PFC projection patterns were identified. Comparative analysis of classified MD marker genes in mice and common marmosets revealed species-specific organization of cell types and their projections in the MD thalamus.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Peter H. Rudebeck, Alicia Izquierdo
Summary: Efficient foraging is crucial for survival in mammals and relies on the frontal cortex. The comparison of frontal cortex in rodents and non-human primates is a topic of intense debate, with a focus on understanding the similarities and differences in behavior and anatomy in these animal models. Highlighting convergence and divergence in how different parts of the frontal cortex contribute to foraging in rats and macaques can provide insights for future research directions.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaojing Meng, Lingxiao Yue, An Liu, Wenjuan Tao, Li Shi, Wan Zhao, Zhongmin Wu, Zhi Zhang, Liecheng Wang, Xulai Zhang, Wenjie Zhou
Summary: This study identifies two discrete glutamatergic neuronal circuits that control different aspects of pain, including the somatosensory and affective components. These circuits involve projections from the insular cortex and the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus to the basolateral amygdala glutamatergic neurons. This research deepens our understanding of pain perception and provides insights into its circuit basis.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)