Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lindsey N. Friend, Bridget Wu, Jeffrey G. Edwards
Summary: Cocaine influences VTA GABA cell glutamate plasticity and circuitry, with the plasticity being reversible and re-emerging after a 7-day abstinence. Chronic cocaine alters AMPA/NMDA ratios at glutamate synapses onto VTA GABA cells.
NEUROCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Biology
Stefano Musardo, Alessandro Contestabile, Marit Knoop, Olivier Baud, Camilla Bellone
Summary: The study revealed that 1 week of social isolation in male mice increased social interaction while decreasing social habituation and preference for social novelty, accompanied by changes in neural activity and synaptic plasticity. These effects were reversed by chemogenetic inhibition of oxytocin neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus.
Article
Neurosciences
Zisis Bimpisidis, Gian Pietro Serra, Niclas Konig, Asa Wallen-Mackenzie
Summary: VTA dopamine neurons play a role in reward processing, motivation, reward prediction error, and substance use disorder. Recent studies have identified distinct subpopulations within the VTA that are characterized by different molecular identities, neurotransmitter profiles, physiology, projections, and behavioral roles. One subpopulation, characterized by NeuroD6 expression, is involved in mediating appetitive behavior and has implications for reward-related psychiatric diseases.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Caroline E. Geisler, Matthew R. Hayes
Summary: Dysfunctional signaling in midbrain reward circuits perpetuates diseases characterized by compulsive over-consumption of rewarding substances such as substance abuse, binge eating disorder, and obesity. Understanding how hormonal regulation of VTA dopaminergic output alters motivated behaviors is essential to leveraging therapeutics that target these hormone systems to treat addiction and disordered eating.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Idaira Oliva, Melissa M. Donate, Merridee J. Lefner, Matthew J. Wanat
Summary: Research shows that acute stress affects dopamine-dependent behaviors through activating CRF signaling in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), leading to suppression of motivation for food rewards but promotion of drug-seeking behavior. Additionally, prior drug experience may alter how CRF regulates motivation for food rewards in the VTA.
Article
Biology
Marcella M. Cline, Barbara Juarez, Avery Hunker, Ernesto G. Regiarto, Bryan Hariadi, Marta E. Soden, Larry S. Zweifel
Summary: The axonal guidance cue netrin-1 plays a critical role in neural circuit development by promoting growth cone motility, axonal branching, and synaptogenesis. This study found that Ntn1 function is important for maintaining excitatory connectivity in both GABAergic and dopaminergic neurons in the adult midbrain. The balance in this connectivity between these two cell types is crucial for the proper functioning of the mesolimbic system.
Article
Neurosciences
ManHua Zhu, Neil G. Rogers, Jasmine V. Jahad, Melissa A. Herman
Summary: Nicotine affects dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and plays a role in nicotine addiction. This study examined the effects of nicotine on stress-associated VTA corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 (CRF1) neurons. The findings revealed sex-dependent and exposure-dependent changes in VTA-NAc CRF1 neuronal activity, inhibitory signaling, and nicotine sensitivity following nicotine vapor exposure. These changes potentially contribute to nicotine-dependent behaviors and the intersection between stress, anxiety, and addiction.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
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
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Camila Gonzalez-Arancibia, Victoria Collio, Francisco Silva-Olivares, Paula Montana-Collao, Jonathan Martinez-Pinto, Marcela Julio-Pieper, Ramon Sotomayor-Zarate, Javier A. Bravo
Summary: A stable, rich, and diverse gut microbiota is important for postnatal brain development. Alterations in gut microbiota by factors such as diet, stress, infection, and antibiotics have been associated with various diseases. This study found that early-life exposure to antibiotics affects the development of the microbiota-gut-brain axis, leading to changes in the reward system and response to drug abuse in adulthood.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Christopher W. Tschumi, Harris E. Blankenship, Ramaswamy Sharma, William B. Lynch, Michael J. Beckstead
Summary: In this study, it was discovered that the release of neurotensin by dopamine neurons drives signaling between dopamine neurons. This feedforward mechanism may increase the excitability of dopamine neurons.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Jacques P. Flores-Dourojeanni, Coby van Rijt, Marleen H. van den Munkhof, Linde Boekhoudt, Mieneke C. M. Luijendijk, Louk J. M. J. Vanderschuren, Roger A. H. Adan
Summary: The study found that stimulation of VTA dopamine neurons, as well as VTA projections to NAcb core and mPFC, impaired attention but spared impulse control before the stimulus cue; additionally, activation of VTA-NAcbS increased impulsivity under longer intertrial intervals, inducing impulsive behavior, with partial replication of effects in the beginning of the ITI.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tzu-Hsin Huang, Ming-Chi Lai, Yu-Shiue Chen, Chin-Wei Huang
Summary: Status epilepticus (SE) is a neurological emergency with high mortality rate. The downregulation of GABAA receptors and upregulation of NMDA and AMPA receptors are the most widely accepted hypothesis underlying BZD resistance.
Article
Neurosciences
Teresa M. Nufer, Bridget J. Wu, Zachary Boyce, Scott C. Steffensen, Jeffrey G. Edwards
Summary: The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is a crucial part of the mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA) circuit involved in reward and motivated behaviors. This area contains DA neurons and GABAergic inhibitory cells that regulate DA cell activity. The plasticity of inhibitory inputs to VTA GABA neurons, specifically in response to drug exposure, is not well understood.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shaohua Ma, Hao Zhong, Xuemei Liu, Liping Wang
Summary: This study presents a topographical distribution map of dopamine, GABA, and glutamate neurons in the ventral tegmental area of mice. The majority of neurons expressed a single type of mRNA, while a subset of neurons co-expressed two or three molecular characteristics. These different neuronal populations were distributed differently across sub-nuclei in the ventral tegmental area, suggesting a complex organization of neuronal molecular characteristics and potentially diverse functions.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guendalina Olivero, Alessandra Roggeri, Anna Pittaluga
Summary: Autoantibodies against NMDA and AMPA receptors in the central nervous system can lead to neurological and psychiatric symptoms and disrupt synaptic communication. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in these autoantibody-mediated effects is crucial for understanding their pathogenic role in central disorders and developing new therapeutic approaches.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Beibei Peng, Qikuan Xu, Jing Liu, Sophie Guo, Stephanie L. Borgland, Shuai Liu
Summary: The study found that chronic corticosteroid treatment induces anxiety-like behavior and impairs food-seeking behavior. Additionally, chronic CORT treatment decreases excitability and excitatory synaptic transmission onto VTA dopamine neurons, while increasing somatodendritic dopamine concentration. Restoring D2R signaling in the VTA can ameliorate these deficits induced by chronic CORT exposure.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Aida Mohammadkhani, Stephanie L. Borgland
Summary: The brain's endogenous opioid and endocannabinoid systems play key roles in pain, memory, reward, and addiction, and recent evidence suggests a potential functional interaction between these systems in reducing opioid use with cannabinoid intake. This interaction occurs at both cellular and systems levels, with direct receptor associations, alterations in peptide release, and different nature of interaction in brain circuits underlying various behavioral phenomena. Further research is needed to better understand the implications of these interactions in addiction-related processes.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Benjamin K. Lau, Ciaran Murphy-Royal, Manpreet Kaur, Min Qiao, Jaideep S. Bains, Grant R. Gordon, Stephanie L. Borgland
Summary: The overconsumption of highly palatable, energy-dense food is considered a key driver of the obesity pandemic. This study reveals that obesity disrupts astrocytes in the OFC, leading to a decrease in inhibitory GABA transmission between neurons.
Article
Microbiology
Jodi E. Nettleton, Teja Klancic, Alana Schick, Ashley C. Choo, Ning Cheng, Jane Shearer, Stephanie L. Borgland, Jong M. Rho, Raylene A. Reimer
Summary: The study showed that prebiotics and synbiotics can improve sociability, repetitive behavior, and gut health in a mouse model, while prebiotics may worsen sociability. Probiotic and symbiotic treatments also reduced intestinal permeability.
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
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Samantha L. Baglot, Catherine Hume, Gavin N. Petrie, Robert J. Aukema, Savannah H. M. Lightfoot, Laine M. Grace, Ruokun Zhou, Linda Parker, Jong M. Rho, Stephanie L. Borgland, Ryan J. McLaughlin, Laurent Brechenmacher, Matthew N. Hill
Summary: Up to a third of North Americans report using cannabis in the prior month, most commonly through inhalation. Animal models that reflect human consumption are critical to study the impact of cannabis on brain and behaviour. The study found different pharmacokinetic profiles following inhalation versus injection of THC, with higher initial brain THC concentration following inhalation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ann M. Decker, Marcus F. Brackeen, Aida Mohammadkhani, Chad M. Kormos, David Hesk, Stephanie L. Borgland, Bruce E. Blough
Summary: The article reports the discovery of a hTAAR1 antagonist with potential for disease treatment, showing good pharmacological effects and mechanisms.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Nathan Godfrey, Min Qiao, Stephanie L. Borgland
Summary: The study found that fasting decreases the excitability of tVTA/RMTg GABAergic neurons in mice, as well as reduces the synaptic strength of LH GABA input to tVTA/RMTg GABAergic synapses.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2022)
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Stephanie L. Borgland, Drew M. Neyens
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY & NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Lauren T. Seabrook, Stephanie L. Borgland
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Serena Becchi, Joshua Hood, Michael D. Kendig, Aida Mohammadkhani, Megan L. Shipman, Bernard W. Balleine, Stephanie L. Borgland, Laura H. Corbit
Summary: The study aims to examine the effects of an obesogenic diet on behavioral control and glutamate transmission in the dorsal striatum regions, and to assess the ability of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to reverse deficits.
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Nathan Godfrey, Kehan Chen, Temoor Tayyab, Gina Dimitropoulos, Frank P. MacMaster, Stephanie L. Borgland
Summary: Running wheels for mice in the home cage are useful for studying the effects of exercise on the brain and metabolism. We have developed an automated open-source running wheel system that allows for remote data collection and analysis of locomotor activity in mice.
Article
Neurosciences
Lauren T. Seabrook, Lindsay Naef, Corey Baimel, Allap K. Judge, Tyra Kenney, Madelyn Ellis, Temoor Tayyab, Mataea Armstrong, Min Qiao, Stan B. Floresco, Stephanie L. Borgland
Summary: The lateral orbitofrontal cortex (lOFC) is involved in integrating sensory information about food and expected outcomes to regulate feeding behavior. In this study, it was found that the lOFC also plays a role in the cognitive control of behavior in obesity. Obesity leads to inflexible food-seeking behavior due to reduced inhibitory drive in the lOFC. Restoring inhibitory neurotransmission in the lOFC reinstates flexible behavior in obese mice. These findings suggest that obesity-induced disinhibition of the lOFC affects decision-making in an obesogenic environment.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Neurosciences
Duncan Noble, Aida Mohammadkhani, Min Qiao, Stephanie L. Borgland
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY & NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Neurosciences
Nada A. Sallam, Colleen S. Peterson, Stephanie L. Borgland
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY & NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
