芦沙坦的降压效应和内、外侧缰核神经元单位放电的关系

目的和方法 :观察腹腔注射 (i.p) 2mg kg和 10mg kg芦沙坦 (losartan)对大鼠股动脉血压 (aterialbloodpressure ,AP)和心率 (heartrate,HR)的影响以及与缰核 (Hb)神经元活动的关系。用玻璃微电极记录内侧缰核 (MHb)、外侧缰核(LHb)神经元单位放电活动 ,观察 10mg kg芦沙坦对其放电频率的影响。结果 :2mg kg芦沙坦对大鼠AP和HR无明显影响 ;(10mg kg芦沙坦可显著降低大鼠动脉血压 ,但对心率无明显影响。 10mg kg芦沙坦可使LHb内 6 6 6 6 % 12 18)神经元单位放电频率增加 ,使MHb内 6 1 90 % (13 2 1)神经元单位放电频率减少。结论 :10mg kg芦沙坦可明显地降低大鼠AP ,但 2mg kg芦沙坦对AP无明显影响 ;10mg kg芦沙坦可兴奋LHb和抑制MHb,产生降压效应     

Input to the lateral habenula from the basal ganglia is excitatory, aversive, and suppressed by serotonin

The lateral habenula (LHb) has recently been identified as a key regulator of the reward system by driving inhibition onto dopaminergic neurons. However, the nature and potential modulation of the major input to the LHb originating from the basal ganglia are poorly understood. Although the output of the basal ganglia is thought to be primarily inhibitory, here we show that transmission from the basal ganglia to the LHb is excitatory, glutamatergic, and suppressed by serotonin. Behaviorally, activation of this pathway is aversive, consistent with its role as an "antireward" signal. Our demonstration of an excitatory projection from the basal ganglia to the LHb explains how LHb-projecting basal ganglia neurons can have similar encoding properties as LHb neurons themselves. Our results also provide a link between antireward excitatory synapses and serotonin,?a neuromodulator implicated in depression.     

分别兴奋大鼠内侧和外侧缰核引起痛阈的不同改变

（Ｈｂ）与痛觉调制有关,但不同实验室的结果并不一致,本实验目的在于澄清其中原因,实验在戊巴比妥钠浅麻和清醒的大鼠上进行,应用玻璃微电极微量注射Ｌ－谷氨酸（Ｌ－Ｇｌｕ）到内侧缰核（ＭＨｂ）和外侧缰核（ＬＨｂ）,利用多种动物模型观察大鼠的痛阈改变,实验结果发现,兴奋ＭＨｂ时痛阈增高,而ＬＨｂ兴奋时痛阈降低。     

Stimulation of midbrain dopaminergic structures modifies firing rates of rat lateral habenula neurons

Ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) are midbrain structures known to be involved in mediating reward in rodents. Lateral habenula (LHb) is considered as a negative reward source and it is reported that stimulation of the LHb rapidly induces inhibition of firing in midbrain dopamine neurons. Interestingly, the phasic fall in LHb neuronal activity may follow the excitation of dopamine neurons in response to reward-predicting stimuli. The VTA and SNpc give rise to dopaminergic projections that innervate the LHb, which is also known to be involved in processing painful stimuli. But it's unclear what physiological effects these inputs have on habenular function. In this study we distinguished the LHb pain-activated neurons of the Wistar rats and assessed their electrophysiological responsiveness to the stimulation of the VTA and SNpc with either single-pulse stimulation (300 μA, 0.5 Hz) or tetanic stimulation (80 μA, 25 Hz). Single-pulse stimulation that was delivered to either midbrain structure triggered transient inhibition of firing of ～90% of the LHb pain-activated neurons. However, tetanic stimulation of the VTA tended to evoke an elevation in neuronal firing rate. We conclude that LHb pain-activated neurons can receive diverse reward-related signals originating from midbrain dopaminergic structures, and thus participate in the regulation of the brain reward system via both positive and negative feedback mechanisms.     

Electrical Stimulation of Lateral Habenula during Learning: Frequency-Dependent Effects on Acquisition but Not Retrieval of a Two-Way Active Avoidance Response

The lateral habenula (LHb) is an epithalamic structure involved in signaling reward omission and aversive stimuli, and it inhibits dopaminergic neurons during motivated behavior. Less is known about LHb involvement in the acquisition and retrieval of avoidance learning. Our previous studies indicated that brief electrical stimulation of the LHb, time-locked to the avoidance of aversive footshock (presumably during the positive affective “relief” state that occurs when an aversive outcome is averted), inhibited the acquisition of avoidance learning. In the present study, we used the same paradigm to investigate different frequencies of LHb stimulation. The effect of 20 Hz vs. 50 Hz vs. 100 Hz stimulation was investigated during two phases, either during acquisition or retrieval in Mongolian gerbils. The results indicated that 50 Hz, but not 20 Hz, was sufficient to produce a long-term impairment in avoidance learning, and was somewhat more effective than 100 Hz in this regard. None of the stimulation parameters led to any effects on retrieval of avoidance learning, nor did they affect general motor activity. This suggests that, at frequencies in excess of the observed tonic firing rates of LHb neurons (>1–20 Hz), LHb stimulation may serve to interrupt the consolidation of new avoidance memories. However, these stimulation parameters are not capable of modifying avoidance memories that have already undergone extensive consolidation.     

Electrical stimulation of the primate lateral habenula suppresses saccadic eye movement through a learning mechanism

The lateral habenula (LHb) is a brain structure which represents negative motivational value. Neurons in the LHb are excited by unpleasant events such as reward omission and aversive stimuli, and transmit these signals to midbrain dopamine neurons which are involved in learning and motivation. However, it remains unclear whether these phasic changes in LHb neuronal activity actually influence animal behavior. To answer this question, we artificially activated the LHb by electrical stimulation while monkeys were performing a visually guided saccade task. In one block of trials, saccades to one fixed direction (e.g., right direction) were followed by electrical stimulation of the LHb while saccades to the other direction (e.g., left direction) were not. The direction-stimulation contingency was reversed in the next block. We found that the post-saccadic stimulation of the LHb increased the latencies of saccades in subsequent trials. Notably, the increase of the latency occurred gradually as the saccade was repeatedly followed by the stimulation, suggesting that the effect of the post-saccadic stimulation was accumulated across trials. LHb stimulation starting before saccades, on the other hand, had no effect on saccade latency. Together with previous studies showing LHb activation by reward omission and aversive stimuli, the present stimulation experiment suggests that LHb activity contributes to learning to suppress actions which lead to unpleasant events.     

Altered Formalin-Induced Pain and Fos Induction in the Periaqueductal Grey of Preadolescent Rats following Neonatal LPS Exposure

Animal and human studies have demonstrated that early pain experiences can produce alterations in the nociceptive systems later in life including increased sensitivity to mechanical, thermal, and chemical stimuli. However, less is known about the impact of neonatal immune challenge on future responses to noxious stimuli and the reactivity of neural substrates involved in analgesia. Here we demonstrate that rats exposed to Lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 0.05 mg/kg IP, Salmonella enteritidis) during postnatal day (PND) 3 and 5 displayed enhanced formalin-induced flinching but not licking following formalin injection at PND 22. This LPS-induced hyperalgesia was accompanied by distinct recruitment of supra-spinal regions involved in analgesia as indicated by significantly attenuated Fos-protein induction in the rostral dorsal periaqueductal grey (DPAG) as well as rostral and caudal axes of the ventrolateral PAG (VLPAG). Formalin injections were associated with increased Fos-protein labelling in lateral habenula (LHb) as compared to medial habenula (MHb), however the intensity of this labelling did not differ as a result of neonatal immune challenge. These data highlight the importance of neonatal immune priming in programming inflammatory pain sensitivity later in development and highlight the PAG as a possible mediator of this process.     

大鼠下丘脑-缰核系统对中缝大核痛反应神经元放电的影响

在大鼠尾部给以伤害性刺激后,外侧缰核和中缝大核的单位按其反应型式可分为四种类型,即痛兴奋单位、广动力型单位、痛抑制单位和无反应单位。电刺激下丘脑外侧区对外侧缰核中各种单位的自发放电主要产生抑制作用,对其中痛兴奋单位和痛抑制单位的自发放电尤为明显。刺激下丘脑外侧区对中缝大核中痛兴奋单位的自发放电有明显兴奋作用,刺激外侧缰核则有抑制作用,损毁外侧缰核后,下丘脑外侧区的兴奋作用消失。分别刺激下丘脑外侧区和外侧缰核对中缝大核中痛抑制单位的自发放电都有明显的抑制作用;损毁外侧缰核后下丘脑外侧区的抑制作用仍存在。以上结果提示,下丘脑外侧区影响中缝大核活动的途径有二。其一可能是通过去除外侧缰核对中缝大核中痛兴奋单位的紧张性抑制作用;另外还可能通过外侧缰核以外的途径抑制中缝大核中痛抑制单位的活动。     

The Role of the Lateral Habenula in Punishment

The lateral habenula (LHb) is a small epithalamic structure that projects via the fasciculus retroflexus to the midbrain. The LHb is known to modulate midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons, including inhibition of ventral tegmental area (VTA) neurons via glutamatergic excitation of the GABAergic rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg). A variety of lines of evidence show activity in LHb and the LHb-RMTg pathway is correlated with, and is sufficient to support, punishment learning. However, it is not immediately clear whether LHb is necessary for punishment. Here we used a within-subjects punishment task to assess the role of LHb in the acquisition and expression of punishment as well as in aversive choice. Rats that pressed two individually presented levers for pellet rewards rapidly suppressed responding to one lever if it also caused footshock deliveries (punished lever) but continued pressing a second lever that did not cause footshock (unpunished lever). Infusions of an AMPA receptor antagonist (NBQX) into LHb had no effect on the acquisition or expression of this punishment, or on aversive choice, but did increase locomotion. Infusion of the sodium channel blocker bupivacaine likewise had no effect on expression of punishment. However, infusion of the calcium channel blocker mibefradil did affect expression of punishment by significantly decreasing the latency with which rats responded on the punished lever and significantly increasing unpunished lever-pressing. Taken together, these findings indicate that the LHb plays a limited role in punishment, influencing only latency to respond. This role is linked to calcium channel permeability and not AMPA receptor or sodium channel permeability.     

Differential regulation of neuronal excitability by nicotine and substance P in subdivisions of the medial habenula

The medial habenula (MHb) plays an important role in nicotine-related behaviors, such as aversion and withdrawal. The MHb is composed of distinct subregions with unique neurotransmitter expression and neuronal connectivity. Here, we showed that nicotine and substance P (SP) differentially regulate neuronal excitability in subdivisions of the MHb (ventrolateral division, MHbVL; dorsal division; MHbD and superior division: MHbS). Nicotine remarkably increased spontaneous neuronal firing in the MHbVL and MHbD, but not in the MHbS, which was consistent with different magnitudes of whole-cell inward currents evoked by nicotine in each subdivision. Meanwhile, SP enhanced neuronal excitability in the MHbVL and MHbS. Although the MHbD is composed of SP-expressing neurons, they did not respond to SP. Neurons in the MHbVL increased their firing in response to bath-applied nicotine, which was attenuated by neurokinin receptor antagonists. Furthermore, nicotine addiction and withdrawal attenuated and augmented excitatory SP effects in the MHbVL, respectively. On the whole, we suggest that MHb-involving nicotine-related behaviors might be associated with SP signaling in MHb subdivisions.     

Lesions of the Lateral Habenula Increase Voluntary Ethanol Consumption and Operant Self-Administration,Block Yohimbine-Induced Reinstatement of Ethanol Seeking,and Attenuate Ethanol-Induced Conditioned Taste Aversion

The lateral habenula (LHb) plays an important role in learning driven by negative outcomes. Many drugs of abuse, including ethanol, have dose-dependent aversive effects that act to limit intake of the drug. However, the role of the LHb in regulating ethanol intake is unknown. In the present study, we compared voluntary ethanol consumption and self-administration, yohimbine-induced reinstatement of ethanol seeking, and ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion in rats with sham or LHb lesions. In rats given home cage access to 20% ethanol in an intermittent access two bottle choice paradigm, lesioned animals escalated their voluntary ethanol consumption more rapidly than sham-lesioned control animals and maintained higher stable rates of voluntary ethanol intake. Similarly, lesioned animals exhibited higher rates of responding for ethanol in operant self-administration sessions. In addition, LHb lesion blocked yohimbine-induced reinstatement of ethanol seeking after extinction. Finally, LHb lesion significantly attenuated an ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion. Our results demonstrate an important role for the LHb in multiple facets of ethanol-directed behavior, and further suggest that the LHb may contribute to ethanol-directed behaviors by mediating learning driven by the aversive effects of the drug.     

Depression-like behavior is associated with lower Per2 mRNA expression in the lateral habenula of rats

Circadian rhythm dysfunction is primary symptom of depression and is closely related to depression onset. The role of the lateral habenula (LHb) of the thalamus in the pathogenesis of depression has been a research topic of great interest. The neuronal activity of this structure has circadian characteristics, which are related to the regulation of circadian rhythms. However, in depression model of rats, the role of clock genes in the LHb has not been assessed. To address this gap, we used a clomipramine (CLI) injection-induced depression model in rats to assess the daily expression of rhythmic genes in the LHb and depression-like behavior in rats at multiple time points. In determining the role of the Per2 gene in the development of depression-like behavior in the LHb, we found that the expression of this clock gene differed in a circadian manner. Per2 expression was also significantly decreased in CLI-treated rats in late afternoon (17:00) and in the middle of the night (1:00). Furthermore, silencing Per2 in the LHb of normal rats induced depression-like behavior at night, suggesting that Per2 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of depression. Collectively, these results indicate that decreased Per2 expression in the LHb may be related to increased depression-like behavior at night in depression model of rats.     

刺激大鼠外侧缰核对脊髓背角神经元伤害性反应的影响

电刺激大鼠一侧外侧缰核可对脊髓疹角广动力型神经元的伤害性放电产生明显抑制;这种抑制效应可部分地被静脉注射赛庚啶及酚妥拉明所阻断,电解损毁ＬＨｂ对ＷＤＲ神经元的放电无影响,本文结果表明,ＬＨｂ参与了脊髓上结构对脊髓背角ＷＤＲ神经元伤害性反应的下行抑制,这种下行抑制为位相性抑制。     

侧脑室注射血管紧张素Ⅱ对大鼠血压和缰核内神经元电活动的影响

实验观察了侧脑室注射（ｉｃｖ）及缰核（ｈａｂｅｎｕｌａ ｎｕｃｌｅｕｓ）内微电泳血管紧张素Ⅱ（ＡⅡ）与「Ｓａｒ＾１,Ｔｈｒ＾３」－ＡⅡ（ＳＴ－ＡⅡ,ＡⅡ拮抗剂）对正常和诮激性高血压（ｓｔｒｅｓｓ－ｉｎｄｕｃｅｄ ｈｙｐｅｒｔｅｎｓｉｏｎ ＳＩＨ）大鼠血压及内外侧缰核（ＭＨｂ、ＬＨｂ）内心血管神经元入电活动的影响。结果如下：ｉｃｖ ＡⅡ或ＳＴ－ＡⅡ,正常鼠和ＳＩＨ大鼠血压均升高或降低,ＳＩＨ鼠较正常     

Ultrastructural localization of acetylcholinesterase in the synganglion of the tick,Dermacentor variabilis (Say)

Summary Light- and electron-microscopic enzyme cytochemistry was used to localize acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the synganglion (brain) of the tick Dermacentor variabilis. High AChE activity was observed throughout the neuropil as well as adjacent to most neuronal perikarya. Intracellular activity was not observed by light microscopy. By electron microscopy, reaction product was localized at the plasma membrane of glia and neurons. Enzyme activity was not associated with the olfactory globuli neurons. In other types of neurons, small amounts of reaction product were observed in the Golgi apparatus and nuclear envelope. Large neurosecretory neurons contained activity that appeared to be associated with deep invaginations of the plasma membrane as well as intracellular membranes. AChE activity was also associated with processes of both neurons and glia. In most peripheral nerves AChE activity was associated with virtually all axons. Clearly then, AChE is associated with glia and non-cholinergic neurons as well as with presumed cholinergic neurons. The widespread localization and large amounts of AChE in the tick brain exceeds that reported for other invertebrates and vertebrates. As has been suggested for other animals, AChE in the tick brain may have functions in addition to its known role in cholinergic neurotransmission.     

大鼠回肠肌间神经丛一氧化氮合酶和乙酰胆碱酯酶双重显示法研究

本文用一氧化氮合酶和乙酰胆碱酯酶双重显示法,对大鼠回肠肌间神经丛进行了组织化学观察,结果发现三种不同染色的神经元：（１）乙酰胆碱酯酶阳性神经元（占８２％）;（２）一氧化氮合酶阳性神经元（占１６％）;（３）一氧化氮合酶和乙酰胆碱酯酶阳性神经元（占２％）。以上结果提示,一氧化氮可以与乙酰胆碱共存于大鼠回肠肌间神经丛的少数神经元内。本文还对肠肌间神经丛内神经元的类型和一氧化氮的作用进行了讨论。     

大鼠肠道内NOS与AChE、VIP阳性神经元的分布关系研究

应用一氧化氮合酶 (NOS)、乙酰胆碱酯酶 (ACh E)组织化学及血管活性肠肽 (VIP)免疫组织化学方法 ,光镜下比较观察大鼠肠道内 NOS、ACh E、VIP阳性神经元的形态学特征。结果显示 ,肠肌间丛 NOS阳性神经元胞体大小不等 ,形态不一 ,NOS、ACh E和 VIP阳性神经元的分布密度为 ACh E>NOS>VIP,在不同的肠段和层次分布密度有差异 ,NOS与 ACh E存在共染。在肌间丛和粘膜下丛 ,少数 VIP与 NOS共染。在粘膜下丛 ,三种阳性神经元的分布密度为 ACh E>VIP>NOS。在肌间丛和粘膜下丛 ,可见 VIP阳性末梢环抱 NOS阳性神经元胞体 ,两者呈终扣样接触。上述结果提示 NOS阳性神经元与 ACh E、 VIP阳性神经元有密切的形态学联系。在消化道功能调节上 ,它们可能起协调作用。     

Concurrent acetylcholinesterase staining and gamma-aminobutyric acid uptake of cortical neurons in culture

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) content were demonstrated concurrently in cortical neurons grown in tissue culture. Positive reactions either for GABA uptake or for AChE content were encountered in pyramidal and stellate, as well as spindle-shaped neurons. Neither reaction was confined to a specific morphological subtype. Nearly half the neurons were negative for either reaction. Most of the remaining neurons were positive only for GABA or only for AChE. However, a subpopulation of neurons showed not only a high AChE content, but also an avid GABA uptake. Thus, four types of neurons could be identified on the basis of these two reactions. The high AChE content in some of the cortical neurons that also showed GABA uptake indicates that there are at least two distinct types of GABAergic neurons.     

褪黑色素对缰核痛神经元单位放电的影响及可能机制

目的通过观察褪黑色素对缰核痛神经元单位放电的影响,进一步证明褪黑色素的中枢镇痛作用及可能机制。方法：应用细胞外神经元单位放电记录方法,记录缰核神经元痛相关神经元放电,并观察外侧缰核痛神经元在褪黑色素作用下电活动的改变,及对伤害性刺激痛敏感性的改变,在此基础上观察纳洛酮的翻转作用。结果：褪黑色素影响外侧缰核痛神经元的电活动,并使外侧缰核痛神经元对伤害性刺激敏感性降低,此种作用可被纳洛酮翻转。结论：褪黑色素可通过作用于外侧缰核的阿片受体而影响其痛相关神经元对痛刺激的反应,这可能是褪黑色素中枢镇痛机制之一。     

Involvement of the lateral habenula in the regulation of generalized anxiety- and panic-related defensive responses in rats

Recently obtained evidence points to the involvement of the lateral habenular nuclei (LHb) in the mediation of coping defensive responses to threatening/stressful stimuli. Nevertheless, the role of this brain area in the regulation of defensive responses that have been associated with specific subtypes of anxiety disorders recognized in clinical settings is presently unknown. To address this question, we investigated the effects of either electrolytic lesions or chemical stimulation of the LHb on the defensive behaviors generated in rats by the elevated T-maze. This experimental model allows the measurement, in a same rat, of two defensive behaviors, inhibitory avoidance and escape, that have been related in terms of psychopathology to generalized anxiety and panic disorders, respectively. Bilateral electrolytic lesions of the LHb (1 mA, 10 s) impaired inhibitory avoidance acquisition and facilitated escape performance. On the other hand, chemical stimulation of the LHb by bilateral microinjection of kainic acid (30-60 pmol/0.2 microL) had the opposite effect, i.e., facilitated inhibitory avoidance and impaired escape. The present results indicate that the LHb exerts an opposed regulatory control on generalized anxiety- and panic-related defensive responses in rats.