Dataset Information

Increased GABAergic Efficacy of Central Amygdala Projections to Neuropeptide S Neurons in the Brainstem During Fear Memory Retrieval.

ABSTRACT: The canonical view on the central amygdala has evolved from a simple output station towards a highly organized microcircuitry, in which types of GABAergic neurons in centrolateral (CeL) and centromedial (CeM) subnuclei regulate fear expression and generalization. How these specific neuronal populations are connected to extra-amygdaloid target regions remains largely unknown. Here we show in mice that a subpopulation of GABAergic CeL and CeM neurons projects monosynaptically to brainstem neurons expressing neuropeptide S (NPS). The CeL neurons are PKC?-negative and are activated during conditioned fear. During fear memory retrieval, the efficacy of this GABAergic influence on NPS neurons is enhanced. Moreover, a large proportion of these neurons (~50%) contain prodynorphin and somatostatin, two neuropeptides inhibiting NPS neurons. We conclude that CeL and CeM neurons inhibit NPS neurons in the brainstem by GABA release and that efficacy of this connection is strengthened upon fear memory retrieval. Thereby, this pathway provides a possible feedback mechanism between amygdala and brainstem routes involved in fear and stress coping.

SUBMITTER: Jungling K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4864651 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Increased GABAergic Efficacy of Central Amygdala Projections to Neuropeptide S Neurons in the Brainstem During Fear Memory Retrieval.

Jüngling Kay K Lange Maren D MD Szkudlarek Hanna J HJ Lesting Jörg J Erdmann Frank S FS Doengi Michael M Kügler Sebastian S Pape Hans-Christian HC

Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology 20150504 12

The canonical view on the central amygdala has evolved from a simple output station towards a highly organized microcircuitry, in which types of GABAergic neurons in centrolateral (CeL) and centromedial (CeM) subnuclei regulate fear expression and generalization. How these specific neuronal populations are connected to extra-amygdaloid target regions remains largely unknown. Here we show in mice that a subpopulation of GABAergic CeL and CeM neurons projects monosynaptically to brainstem neurons ...[more]

PMID: 25936641

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Project description:Stressful life events induce abnormalities in emotional and cognitive behaviour. The endogenous opioid system plays an essential role in stress adaptation and coping strategies. In particular, the µ-opioid receptor (?R), one of the major opioid receptors, strongly influences memory processing in that alterations in ?R signalling are associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders. However, it remains unclear whether ?R signalling contributes to memory impairments induced by acute stress. Here, we utilized pharmacological methods and cell-type-selective/non-cell-type-selective ?R depletion approaches combined with behavioural tests, biochemical analyses, and in vitro electrophysiological recordings to investigate the role of hippocampal ?R signalling in memory-retrieval impairment induced by acute elevated platform (EP) stress in mice. Biochemical and molecular analyses revealed that hippocampal ?Rs were significantly activated during acute stress. Blockage of hippocampal ?Rs, non-selective deletion of ?Rs or selective deletion of ?Rs on GABAergic neurons (?RGABA) reversed EP-stress-induced impairment of memory retrieval, with no effect on the elevation of serum corticosterone after stress. Electrophysiological results demonstrated that stress depressed hippocampal GABAergic synaptic transmission to CA1 pyramidal neurons, thereby leading to excitation/inhibition (E/I) imbalance in a ?RGABA-dependent manner. Pharmaceutically enhancing hippocampal GABAA receptor-mediated inhibitory currents in stressed mice restored their memory retrieval, whereas inhibiting those currents in the unstressed mice mimicked the stress-induced impairment of memory retrieval. Our findings reveal a novel pathway in which endogenous opioids recruited by acute stress predominantly activate ?RGABA to depress GABAergic inhibitory effects on CA1 pyramidal neurons, which subsequently alters the E/I balance in the hippocampus and results in impairment of memory retrieval.

Project description:Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a 36 aa peptide, regulates stress and emotional behaviors. Preclinical and clinical studies support an association of NPY with trauma-evoked syndromes such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), although the exact contribution of NPY is not clear. In the current study, we examined functional attributes of NPY in the infralimbic (IL) cortex, an area that regulates fear memories and is reported to be hypoactive in PTSD. Carriers of NPY gene polymorphism rs16147 have been reported to have elevated prefrontal NPY expression. Infusion of NPY into the IL cortex in rats significantly impaired fear extinction memory without affecting conditioned fear expression or acquisition of extinction. Neuroendocrine stress response, depression-like behavior, and working memory performance were not affected by NPY infusion into the IL. The NPY Y1 receptor antagonist BIBO3304 completely abolished NPY effects on fear extinction retrieval. Y1 receptor expression was localized on CaMKII-positive pyramidal projection neurons and GAD67-positive interneurons in the IL. Patch-clamp recordings revealed increased inhibitory synaptic transmission onto IL projection neurons in the presence of NPY. Thus, NPY dampens excitability of IL projection neurons and impairs retrieval of extinction memory by inhibiting consolidation of extinction. Of relevance to PTSD, elevation of prefrontal NPY attributable to the genetic polymorphism rs16147 may contribute to IL hypoactivity, resulting in impaired extinction memory and susceptibility to the disorder.Significance statementNeuropeptide Y (NPY), a stress modulatory transmitter, is associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Contribution of NPY to PTSD symptomology is unclear. PTSD patients have reduced activity in the infralimbic (IL) subdivision of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), associated with compromised extinction memory. No information exists on fear modulation by NPY in the IL cortex, although NPY and NPY receptors are abundant in these areas. This study shows that IL NPY inhibits consolidation of extinction, resulting in impaired retrieval of extinction memory and modulates excitability of IL projection neurons. In addition to providing a novel perspective on extinction memory modulation by NPY, our findings suggest that elevated mPFC NPY in gene polymorphism rs16147 carriers or after chronic stress could increase susceptibility to PTSD.

Dataset Information

Increased GABAergic Efficacy of Central Amygdala Projections to Neuropeptide S Neurons in the Brainstem During Fear Memory Retrieval.

Publications

Increased GABAergic Efficacy of Central Amygdala Projections to Neuropeptide S Neurons in the Brainstem During Fear Memory Retrieval.

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