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The arcuate nucleus (ARN) of the hypothalamus is involved in multiple biological functions, such as feeding, sexual activity, and the regulation of the cardiovascular system. It was reported that leptin increased c-Fos expression in the proopiomelanocortin (POMC)- and decreased it in the neuropeptide-Y (NPY)-positive neurons of the ARN, suggesting that it stimulates the former, and inhibits the later. This study aimed at the direct electrophysiological examination of the effect of leptin on ARN neurons and to investigate potential sex-dimorphic changes. Wistar rats were anesthetized with urethane and the electrodes were inserted into the ARN. After a spontaneous active neuron was recorded for at least one minute, leptin was administered intravenously, and the firing activity of the same neuron was recorded for two additional minutes. It was found that approximately half of the ARN neurons had an excitatory, and another half an inhibitory response to the leptin administration. The excitability of the neurons with excitatory response to leptin was not different between the sexes. The average firing rate of the neurons with inhibitory response to leptin in females was, however, significantly lower comparing to the males. The obtained results demonstrate that the ARN neurons with stimulatory response to leptin are POMC and those with inhibitory response are NPY neurons. NPY Y1 receptor be might responsible, at least in part, for the sex differences in the excitability of the neurons putatively identified as NPY neurons.

Background: There is growing evidence that the treatment of several mental disorders can potentially benefit from activation of delta-opioid receptors. In the future, delta-agonists with a safe pharmacological profile can be used for the treatment of mood disorders in pregnant women. However, the data on prenatal exposure to delta-opioid agonists are missing. The present study is aimed to test the hypothesis that the activation of delta-opioid receptors during gravidity has positive effects on the behaviour accompanied by changes in glutamate and monoamine neurotransmission. Methods: Gestating Wistar rats were chronically treated with a selective delta-agonist SNC80 or vehicle. Adult male and female offspring underwent novel object recognition (for the assessment of cognition) and open field (for the assessment of anxiety and habituation) tests, followed by in vivo electrophysiological examination of the activity of hippocampal glutamate and midbrain serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine neurons. Results: We found that the maternal treatment with SNC80 did not affect the offspring's anxiety, habituation, and 5-HT neuronal firing activity. Female offspring of SNC80-treated dams exhibited improved novelty recognition associated with decreased firing rate and burst activity of glutamate and dopamine neurons. Conclusion: Maternal treatment with delta-opioid agonists during gestation may have a pro-cognitive effect on offspring without any negative effects on anxiety and habituation. The putative pro-cognitive effect might be mediated via mechanism(s) involving the firing activity of hippocampal glutamate and mesolimbic dopamine neurons., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision., (Copyright © 2024 Dremencov, Oravcova, Grinchii, Romanova, Dekhtiarenko, Lacinova and Jezova.)

Exposure by women to stressors before pregnancy increases their risk of contracting prenatal depression, a condition which typically may require antidepressant treatment. And even though such perinatal antidepressant treatment is generally considered to be safe. For the mother, its effects on the development and functioning of the offspring`s brain remain unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of pregestational chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) and perinatal bupropion on the anxiety behavior and firing activity of the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) serotonin (5-HT) neurons. Female rats underwent CUS for three weeks before mating. Bupropion was administered to them from gestation day ten until their offspring were weaned. Behavioral (elevated plus maze or EPM test) and neurophysiological (single-unit in vivo electrophysiology) assessments were performed on offspring who reached the age of 48-56 days. We found that maternal CUS and perinatal bupropion, as separate factors on their own, did not change offspring behavior. There was, however, an interaction between their effects on the number of entries to the open arms and time spent in the intersection: maternal CUS tended to decrease these values, and perinatal bupropion tended to diminish CUS effect. Maternal CUS increased the firing activity of 5-HT neurons in males, but not females. Perinatal bupropion did not alter the firing activity of 5-HT neurons but tended to potentiate the maternal CUS-induced increase in 5-HT neuronal firing activity. The CUS-induced increase in firing activity of 5-HT neurons might be a compensatory mechanism that diminishes the negative effects of maternal stress. Perinatal bupropion does not alter the offspring`s anxiety and firing activity of 5-HT, but it does intervene in the effects of maternal stress., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is involved in the development and maintenance of the brain dopamine system. We previously showed that alcohol exposure alters the expression of FGF2 and its receptor, FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) in mesolimbic and nigrostriatal brain regions, and that FGF2 is a positive regulator of alcohol drinking. Here, we determined the effects of FGF2 and of FGFR1 inhibition on alcohol consumption, seeking and relapse, using a rat operant self-administration paradigm. In addition, we characterized the effects of FGF2-FGFR1 activation and inhibition on mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopamine neuron activation using in vivo electrophysiology. We found that recombinant FGF2 (rFGF2) increased the firing rate and burst firing activity of dopaminergic neurons in the mesolimbic and nigrostriatal systems and led to increased operant alcohol self-administration. In contrast, the FGFR1 inhibitor PD173074 suppressed the firing rate of these dopaminergic neurons, and reduced operant alcohol self-administration. Alcohol seeking behavior was not affected by PD173074, but this FGFR1 inhibitor reduced post-abstinence relapse to alcohol consumption, albeit only in male rats. The latter was paralleled by the increased potency and efficacy of PD173074 in inhibiting dopamine neuron firing. Together, our findings suggest that targeting the FGF2-FGFR1 pathway can reduce alcohol consumption, possibly via altering mesolimbic and nigrostriatal neuronal activity., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest All authors declare no competing financial interests., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Short-term treatment with non-peptide agonists of delta-opioid receptors, such as agonist SNC80, induced behavioral effects in rodents, which could be modulated via changes in central neurotransmission. The present experiments aimed at testing the hypothesis that chronic treatment with SNC80 induces anxiolytic effects associated with changes in hippocampal glutamate and brainstem monoamine pathways., Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were used in experiments. Rats were treated with SNC80 (3 mg/kg/day) for fourteen days. Neuronal excitability was assessed using extracellular in vivo single-unit electrophysiology. The behavioral parameters were examined using the elevated plus maze and open field tests., Results: Chronic SNC80 treatment increased the excitability of hippocampal glutamate and ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons and had no effect on the firing activity of dorsal raphe nucleus serotonin cells. Chronic SNC80 treatment induced anxiolytic effects, which were, however, confounded by increased locomotor activity clearly confirmed in an open field test. The ability to cope with stressful situations and habituation processes in a novel environment was not influenced by chronic treatment with SNC80., Conclusion: Our study suggests that the psychoactive effects of SNC80 might be explained by its ability to stimulate hippocampal glutamate and mesolimbic dopamine transmission., (© 2023. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences.)

It was previously reported that the delta opioid receptor (DOR) agonist SNC80 and antagonist naltrindole modulate the excitability of hippocampal glutamate neurons in primary cultures. The present study aimed to investigate the acute effects of these ligands on the firing activity of hippocampal cornu ammonis 1/3 (CA1/3) glutamate, dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) serotonin (5-HT), locus coeruleus (LC) noradrenaline, and ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons in in vivo conditions. Adult Wistar male rats were used. SNC80 and naltrindole were administered intravenously. Neuronal firing activity was assessed using extracellular single-unit electrophysiology. SNC80, administered first at 1-3 mg/kg, dose-dependently inhibited CA1/3 glutamate, DRN 5-HT, and VTA dopamine neurons. Naltrindole, administered at 1-3 mg/kg after SNC80, did not have any additional effect. Naltrindole, administered first at 1-3 mg/kg, stimulated DRN 5-HT neurons in a dose-dependent manner; this stimulation was dose-dependently reversed by 1-3 mg/kg of SNC80. SNC80 and naltrindole inhibited LC noradrenaline neurons when only they were co-administered at 3 mg/kg, and only when SNC80 was administered first. In conclusion, DOR ligands alter the firing activity of hippocampal glutamate and brainstem monoamine neurons in in vivo conditions. The psychoactive effects of DOR ligands, reported in previous studies, might be explained, at least in part, by their ability to modulate the firing activity of hippocampal glutamate and brainstem monoamine neurons.

Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) has been recently identified as a target for the future antidepressant, antipsychotic, and anti-addiction drugs. Full (e.g. RO5256390) and partial (e.g. RO5263397) TAAR1 agonists showed antidepressant-, antipsychotic- and anti-addiction-like behavioral effects in rodents and primates. Acute RO5256390 suppressed, and RO5263397 stimulated serotonin (5-HT) neurons of the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in brain slices, suggesting that the behavioral effects of TAAR1 ligands involve 5-HT and dopamine. For more comprehensive testing of this hypothesis, we examined acute and chronic effects of RO5256390 and RO5263397 on monoamine neurons in in vivo conditions. Excitability of 5-HT neurons of the DRN, noradrenaline neurons of the locus coeruleus (LC), and dopamine neurons of the VTA was assessed using single-unit electrophysiology in anesthetized rats. For acute experiments, RO5256390 and RO5263397 were administered intravenously; neuronal excitability after RO5256390 and RO5263397 administration was compared to the basal activity of the same neuron. For chronic experiments, RO5256390 was administered orally for fourteen days prior to electrophysiological assessments. The neuronal excitability in RO5256390-treated rats was compared to vehicle-treated controls. We found that acute RO5256390 inhibited 5-HT and dopamine neurons. This effect of RO5256390 was reversed by the subsequent and prevented by the earlier administration of RO5263397. Acute RO5256390 and RO5263397 did not alter the excitability of LC noradrenaline neurons in a statistically significant way. Chronic RO5256390 increased excitability of 5-HT neurons of the DRN and dopamine neurons of the VTA. In conclusion, the putative antidepressant and antipsychotic effects of TAAR1 ligands might be mediated, at least in part, via the modulation of excitability of central 5-HT and dopamine neurons., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Exposure to predator scent (PS) has been used as a model of stress associated with danger to life and body integrity. Under stress conditions, the brain serotoninergic (5-HT) system plays an important role., Methods: We tested the hypothesis that repeated PS exposure alters the excitability of 5-HT neurons of the dorsal raphe nucleus. To study the mechanisms involved, we approached serum and adrenal corticosterone and aldosterone concentrations, as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to PS for 10 min daily for 10 consecutive days. Two weeks after the last exposure, electrophysiological and biochemical assessments were performed., Results: Measurements by in vivo electrophysiology showed increased firing activity of 5-HT neurons in rats exposed to PS. Exposure to PS resulted in reduced serum corticosterone and aldosterone concentrations. Concentrations of both corticosteroids in the adrenal glands and the relative weight of the adrenals were unaffected. The gene expression of hippocampal BDNF of rats exposed to PS remained unaltered. PS exposure failed to induce changes in the gene expression of selected adrenal steroidogenic factors., Conclusion: Reduced corticosteroid concentrations in the blood appear to be the result of increased metabolism and/or tissue uptake rather than altered steroidogenesis. The decrease in circulating corticosterone in rats who experienced repeated PS may represent part of the mechanisms leading to increased excitability of 5-HT neurons. The increase in 5-HT neuronal activity might be an important compensatory mechanism designated to diminish the harmful effects of the repeated PS exposure on the brain., (© 2022. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences.)

The concentrations of circulating glucocorticoids are regulated by their synthesis and metabolism. Cytochrome P450 (CYP), primarily expressed in the liver, is one of the main metabolizers of glucocorticoids. Since glucocorticoids, as well as monoamines, are fundamental in stress, the link between hepatic glucocorticoid metabolism and central monoamine transmission might be important in pathophysiology of stress-related disorders. We had previously reported that CYP inhibition by proadifen (SKF525) led to the inhibition of central serotonin (5-HT) neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of SKF525 on the excitability of central catecholamine neurons. Adult male Wistar rats were administered SKF525 forty-eight, twenty-four, and one hour before electrophysiological assessments. Control animals were injected saline. Rats were anesthetized with chloral hydrate and glass electrodes were inserted into the locus coeruleus (LC) or ventral tegmental area (VTA). Noradrenaline neurons of the LC and dopamine of the VTA neurons were identified, and their firing activity was recorded. It was found that the SKF525 enhanced the excitability of noradrenaline and reduced the excitability of dopamine neurons. We suggest that corticosterone-induced inhibition of 5-HT neurons underlines, at least in part, the ability of SKF525 to stimulate noradrenaline neurons. The inhibitory effect of SKF525 on dopamine neurons might be in turn secondary to the stimulatory effect of this compound on noradrenaline neurons.

Depression associated with poor general medical condition, such as post-stroke (PSD) or post-myocardial infarction (PMID) depression, is characterized by resistance to classical antidepressants. Special treatment strategies should thus be developed for these conditions. Our study aims to investigate the mechanism of action of 2-morpholino-5-phenyl-6H-1,3,4-thiadiazine, hydrobromide (L-17), a recently designed thiadiazine derivative with putative neuro- and cardioprotective and antidepressant-like effects, using combined in silico (for prediction of the molecular binding mechanisms), ex vivo (for assessment of the neural excitability using c- Fos immunocytochemistry), and in vivo (for direct examination of the neuronal excitability) methodological approaches. We found that the predicted binding affinities of L-17 to serotonin (5-HT) transporter (SERT) and 5-HT 3 and 5-HT 1A receptors are compatible with selective 5-HT serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and antagonists of 5-HT 3 and 5-HT 1A receptors, respectively. L-17 robustly increased c- Fos immunoreactivity in the amygdala and decreased it in the hippocampus. L-17 dose-dependently inhibited 5-HT neurons of the dorsal raphe nucleus; this inhibition was partially reversed by the 5-HT 1A antagonist WAY100135. We suggest that L-17 is a potent 5-HT reuptake inhibitor and partial antagonist of 5-HT 3 and 5-HT 1A receptors; the effects of L-17 on amygdaloid and hippocampal excitability might be mediated via 5-HT, and putatively mediate the antidepressant-like effects of this drug. Since L-17 also possesses neuro- and cardioprotective properties, it can be beneficial in PSD and PMID. Combined in silico predictions with ex vivo neurochemical and in vivo electrophysiological assessments might be a useful strategy for early assessment of the efficacy and neural mechanism of action of novel CNS drugs.

Higher risk of depression and schizophrenia in descendants of mothers experienced acute infection during the pregnancy has been reported. Since monoamines are fundamental in mentioned psychopathologies, it is possible that maternal immune activation leads to impaired functioning of serotonin (5-HT), noradrenaline, and dopamine neurons in offspring. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effect of maternal immune activation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats on the excitability of monoamine-secreting neurons in the offspring. LPS was administered during days 15-19 of the gestation in the rising doses of 20-80 µg/kg; control dams received vehicle. During days 53-63 postpartum, rats were anesthetized and electrodes were inserted into the dorsal raphe nucleus, locus coeruleus, and ventral tegmental area for in vivo excitability assessment of 5-HT, noradrenaline, and dopamine neurons. Maternal immune activation suppressed the firing rate of 5-HT neurons in both sexes and stimulated the firing rate of dopamine neurons in males. Decrease in the firing rate of 5-HT neurons was accompanied with an increase, and increase in the firing rate of dopamine neurons with a decrease, in the density of spontaneously active cells. Maternal immune activation also decreased the variability of interspike intervals in 5-HT and dopamine neurons. It is possible that the alteration of excitability of 5-HT and dopamine neurons by maternal immune activation is involved in the psychopathologies induced by infectious disease during the pregnancy. Stimulation of dopamine excitability in males might be a compensatory mechanism secondary to the maternal immune challenge-induced suppression of 5-HT neurons., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no financial interest in publishing this study., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Atypical antipsychotic drugs were introduced in the early 1990s. Unlike typical antipsychotics, which are effective only against positive symptoms of schizophrenia, atypical antipsychotics are effective against negative and cognitive symptoms as well. Furthermore, they are effective not only in psychotic but also in affective disorders, on their own or as adjuncts to antidepressant drugs. This review presents the neural mechanisms of currently existing atypical antipsychotics and putative antipsychotics currently being investigated in preclinical and clinical studies and how these relate to their effectiveness in mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Typical antipsychotics act almost exclusively on the dopamine system. Atypical drugs, however, modulate serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine, and/or histamine neurotransmission as well. This multimodal mechanism of action putatively underlies the beneficial effect of atypical antipsychotics in mood and anxiety disorders. Interestingly, novel experimental drugs having dual antipsychotic and antidepressant therapeutic potential, such as histamine, adenosine, and trace amine-associated receptors (TAAR) ligand, are also characterized by a multimodal stimulatory effect on central 5-HT, norepinephrine, and/or histamine transmission. The multimodal stimulatory effect on central monoamine neurotransmission may be thus primarily responsible for the combined antidepressant and antipsychotic therapeutic potential of certain central nervous system (CNS) drugs.