2023
How can I measure brain acetylcholine levels in vivo? Advantages and caveats of commonly used approaches
Mineur Y, Picciotto M. How can I measure brain acetylcholine levels in vivo? Advantages and caveats of commonly used approaches. Journal Of Neurochemistry 2023, 167: 3-15. PMID: 37621094, PMCID: PMC10616967, DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15943.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAcetylcholineAnimalsBrainCholinergic AgentsLearningMicrodialysisNeurotransmitter AgentsM1 acetylcholine receptors in somatostatin interneurons contribute to GABAergic and glutamatergic plasticity in the mPFC and antidepressant-like responses
Fogaça M, Wu M, Li C, Li X, Duman R, Picciotto M. M1 acetylcholine receptors in somatostatin interneurons contribute to GABAergic and glutamatergic plasticity in the mPFC and antidepressant-like responses. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023, 48: 1277-1287. PMID: 37142667, PMCID: PMC10354201, DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01583-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntidepressant-like effectsMedial prefrontal cortexGABAergic functionSomatostatin interneuronsSST interneuronsGlutamatergic plasticityAcetylcholine receptorsNon-selective muscarinic receptor antagonistRapid antidepressant-like effectsAntidepressant-like responseImpaired synaptic plasticityChronic unpredictable stressMuscarinic receptor antagonistModulation of excitatoryMajor depressive disorderScopolamine-induced increaseStress-induced impairmentM1 acetylcholine receptorExpression of GABAergicAntidepressant developmentGlutamatergic markersReceptor antagonistDepressive disorderLimbic regionsUnpredictable stress
2022
Muscarinic antagonists impair multiple aspects of operant discrimination learning and performance
Yousuf H, Girardi E, Crouse R, Picciotto M. Muscarinic antagonists impair multiple aspects of operant discrimination learning and performance. Neuroscience Letters 2022, 794: 137025. PMID: 36529388, PMCID: PMC9812939, DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.137025.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOperant discriminationOperant discrimination learningCue-reward associationsLong-term memoryMultiple training sessionsPost-session injectionsCue associationsReward-related respondingMemory processesDiscrimination learningMaladaptive formsImpaired consolidationFood rewardSuccessful learningNose pokesDifferent learningPre-session injectionsTraining sessionsRewardTaskMemoryLearningMultiple aspectsEnvironmental cuesMuscarinic acetylcholine receptor familyACh signaling modulates activity of the GABAergic signaling network in the basolateral amygdala and behavior in stress-relevant paradigms
Mineur YS, Mose TN, Maibom KL, Pittenger ST, Soares AR, Wu H, Taylor SR, Huang Y, Picciotto MR. ACh signaling modulates activity of the GABAergic signaling network in the basolateral amygdala and behavior in stress-relevant paradigms. Molecular Psychiatry 2022, 27: 4918-4927. PMID: 36050437, PMCID: PMC10718266, DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01749-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBasolateral amygdalaBLA neuronsBalance of inhibitoryHuman mood disordersLight-dark boxGABA interneuronsPV neuronsVIP neuronsCalmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIMale miceACh levelsMood disordersTail suspensionNeuronal activityNeuron subtypesAcetylcholineChronic stressInhibitory signalingBalance of activityHomeostatic functionsBLA activityStress-induced changesNeuronsSocial defeatProtein kinase IIPositive modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in the mPFC reduces the spontaneous recovery of fear
Lee B, Pothula S, Wu M, Kang H, Girgenti MJ, Picciotto MR, DiLeone RJ, Taylor JR, Duman RS. Positive modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in the mPFC reduces the spontaneous recovery of fear. Molecular Psychiatry 2022, 27: 2580-2589. PMID: 35418600, PMCID: PMC9135632, DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01498-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderFear extinctionInfralimbic medial prefrontal cortexFear conditioning modelEnhanced fear extinctionFear-based behaviorsProlonged stress modelMedial prefrontal cortexSpontaneous recoveryIL-mPFCPTSD modelPTSD treatmentStress disorderPrefrontal cortexSPS modelN-methyl-D-aspartate receptor modulatorsBrain-derived neurotrophic factorN-methyl-D-aspartate receptorsBehavioral effectsIncreased attentionMPFCPreclinical findingsPyramidal neuronsNeurotrophic factorMale miceHippocampal acetylcholine modulates stress-related behaviors independent of specific cholinergic inputs
Mineur YS, Mose TN, Vanopdenbosch L, Etherington IM, Ogbejesi C, Islam A, Pineda CM, Crouse RB, Zhou W, Thompson DC, Bentham MP, Picciotto MR. Hippocampal acetylcholine modulates stress-related behaviors independent of specific cholinergic inputs. Molecular Psychiatry 2022, 27: 1829-1838. PMID: 34997190, PMCID: PMC9106825, DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01404-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsStress-related behaviorsCholinergic inputMedial septum/diagonal bandBehavioral effectsBrain ACh levelsChAT-positive neuronsSelective chemogenetic activationMuscarinic ACh receptorsDepression-like symptomsSignificant behavioral effectsHippocampal acetylcholineMaladaptive behavioral responsesAntidepressant effectsCholinergic neuronsACh releaseChemogenetic activationChemogenetic inhibitionCholinergic antagonistsLocal infusionAcetylcholine levelsACh levelsDiagonal bandACh receptorsHippocampal neuronsPharmacological approachesAnimal Models to Investigate the Impact of Flavors on Nicotine Addiction and Dependence
Bagdas D, Kebede N, Zepei AM, Harris L, Minanov K, Picciotto MR, Addy NA. Animal Models to Investigate the Impact of Flavors on Nicotine Addiction and Dependence. Current Neuropharmacology 2022, 20: 2175-2201. PMID: 35611777, PMCID: PMC9886843, DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220524120231.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus Statements
2021
microRNA-33 maintains adaptive thermogenesis via enhanced sympathetic nerve activity
Horie T, Nakao T, Miyasaka Y, Nishino T, Matsumura S, Nakazeki F, Ide Y, Kimura M, Tsuji S, Rodriguez RR, Watanabe T, Yamasaki T, Xu S, Otani C, Miyagawa S, Matsushita K, Sowa N, Omori A, Tanaka J, Nishimura C, Nishiga M, Kuwabara Y, Baba O, Watanabe S, Nishi H, Nakashima Y, Picciotto MR, Inoue H, Watanabe D, Nakamura K, Sasaki T, Kimura T, Ono K. microRNA-33 maintains adaptive thermogenesis via enhanced sympathetic nerve activity. Nature Communications 2021, 12: 843. PMID: 33594062, PMCID: PMC7886914, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21107-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSympathetic nerve activityAdaptive thermogenesisNerve activityCre miceMiR-33Brown adipose tissue thermogenesisDBH-positive neuronsMiR-33 levelsGABAergic inhibitory neurotransmissionSympathetic nerve toneCentral neural circuitsAdipose tissue thermogenesisGamma-aminobutyric acidDBH-positive cellsMiR-33 deficiencyWhole-body metabolismCold-induced thermogenesisInhibitory neurotransmissionBAT thermogenesisTissue thermogenesisReceptor subunit genesNeural circuitsAdaptive defense mechanismsThermogenesisMice
2020
Implications of Oligomeric Amyloid-Beta (oAβ42) Signaling through α7β2-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors (nAChRs) on Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neuronal Intrinsic Excitability and Cognitive Decline
George AA, Vieira JM, Xavier-Jackson C, Gee MT, Cirrito JR, Bimonte-Nelson HA, Picciotto MR, Lukas RJ, Whiteaker P. Implications of Oligomeric Amyloid-Beta (oAβ42) Signaling through α7β2-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors (nAChRs) on Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neuronal Intrinsic Excitability and Cognitive Decline. Journal Of Neuroscience 2020, 41: 555-575. PMID: 33239400, PMCID: PMC7821864, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0876-20.2020.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAlpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine ReceptorAmyloid beta-PeptidesAmyloid beta-Protein PrecursorAnimalsBasal ForebrainCell LineCognitive DysfunctionElectrophysiological PhenomenaFemaleGenotypeHumansMaleMaze LearningMiceMice, TransgenicNeuronsParasympathetic Nervous SystemPeptide FragmentsSignal TransductionConceptsBasal forebrain cholinergic neuronsNeuronal intrinsic excitabilityAlzheimer's diseaseCholinergic neuronsDiagonal bandIntrinsic excitabilityAPP/PS1 transgenic miceCognitive declineCharacteristics of ADMedial septum-diagonal bandNicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypesOligomeric amyloid betaAction potential firing rateForebrain cholinergic neuronsPS1 transgenic miceHorizontal diagonal bandLevels of amyloidSeptum-diagonal bandCurrent-clamp recordingsAcetylcholine receptor subtypesAction potential afterhyperpolarizationAge-matched littermatesOrganotypic slice culturesSpatial reference memoryHomomeric α7Inhibition of GABA interneurons in the mPFC is sufficient and necessary for rapid antidepressant responses
Fogaça MV, Wu M, Li C, Li XY, Picciotto MR, Duman RS. Inhibition of GABA interneurons in the mPFC is sufficient and necessary for rapid antidepressant responses. Molecular Psychiatry 2020, 26: 3277-3291. PMID: 33070149, PMCID: PMC8052382, DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00916-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGABA interneuronsRapid antidepressant responseMajor depressive disorderAntidepressant effectsSynaptic plasticityAntidepressant responseRapid-acting antidepressantsAcetylcholine muscarinic receptor antagonistMuscarinic receptor antagonistCortical brain areasEffects of scopolamineAntidepressant actionChemogenetic inhibitionGABAergic interneuronsReceptor antagonistDepressive disorderMale miceInterneuron subtypesBrain areasInterneuronsMPFCTransient inhibitionAffective behaviorInhibitionSubtypesPositive modulation of NMDA receptors by AGN-241751 exerts rapid antidepressant-like effects via excitatory neurons
Pothula S, Liu RJ, Wu M, Sliby AN, Picciotto MR, Banerjee P, Duman RS. Positive modulation of NMDA receptors by AGN-241751 exerts rapid antidepressant-like effects via excitatory neurons. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020, 46: 799-808. PMID: 33059355, PMCID: PMC8027594, DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-00882-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntidepressant-like effectsMedial prefrontal cortexRapid antidepressant-like effectsGluN2B-containing NMDARsPositive allosteric modulatorsNMDAR positive allosteric modulatorExcitatory neuronsExerts antidepressant-like effectsAntidepressant-like behavioral effectsPrefrontal cortexBehavioral effectsAkt/mTORAntidepressant-like actionChronic unpredictable stressNMDA receptor activityRecent preclinical studiesMajor depressive disorderSpecific knockdownParvalbumin inhibitory neuronsCellular triggersSynaptic proteinsGlutamatergic systemNMDAR activityClinical trialsDepressive disorderEffects of nicotine on DARPP-32 and CaMKII signaling relevant to addiction
Lee AM, Picciotto MR. Effects of nicotine on DARPP-32 and CaMKII signaling relevant to addiction. Advances In Pharmacology 2020, 90: 89-115. PMID: 33706940, PMCID: PMC8008986, DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2020.09.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsKey intracellular signaling cascadesIntracellular signaling cascadesDependent kinase IIPaul GreengardSignaling cascadesKinase IINicotine-dependent behaviorsNicotinic acetylcholine receptorsSecond messenger systemsNeuronal signalingInitial characterizationDARPP-32ProteinMessenger systemsAcetylcholine receptorsSignalingRoleCaMKIIGreengardNicotine addictionCascadeImmunohistochemical workDiscoveryReceptorsCAMPAcetylcholine is released in the basolateral amygdala in response to predictors of reward and enhances learning of cue-reward contingency
Crouse RB, Kim K, Batchelor HM, Girardi EM, Kamaletdinova R, Chan J, Rajebhosale P, Pittenger ST, Role LW, Talmage DA, Jing M, Li Y, Gao XB, Mineur YS, Picciotto MR. Acetylcholine is released in the basolateral amygdala in response to predictors of reward and enhances learning of cue-reward contingency. ELife 2020, 9: e57335. PMID: 32945260, PMCID: PMC7529459, DOI: 10.7554/elife.57335.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBasolateral amygdalaCue-reward learningActivity of neuronsReward-related eventsNucleus basalisBLA responsesACh levelsPredictors of rewardTerminal fibersNeuron activityReward-predictive cuesCalcium indicatorsAChNeutral cuesEmotional stimuliAversive stimuliReward retrievalTask acquisitionAmygdalaSalient eventsMiceACh sensorTerminal activityQuick acquisitionCuesImpaired hypocretin/orexin system alters responses to salient stimuli in obese male mice
Tan Y, Hang F, Liu ZW, Stoiljkovic M, Wu M, Tu Y, Han W, Lee AM, Kelley C, Hajos M, Lu L, de Lecea L, de Araujo I, Picciotto M, Horvath TL, Gao XB. Impaired hypocretin/orexin system alters responses to salient stimuli in obese male mice. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2020, 130: 4985-4998. PMID: 32516139, PMCID: PMC7456212, DOI: 10.1172/jci130889.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHcrt cellsObese miceDiet-induced obese miceObese male miceExcessive energy intakeNeuropeptide hypocretin/orexinHypocretin/orexinHcrt neuronsMale miceHcrt systemClinical studiesCommon causeSynaptic transmissionObese animalsEnergy intakeAcute stressCognitive functionSalient stimuliAlters responsesExact mechanismMiceHomeostatic regulationNeuronal networksBehavioral changesNeuronsConverging evidence that short-active photoperiod increases acetylcholine signaling in the hippocampus
Cope ZA, Lavadia ML, Joosen AJM, van de Cappelle CJA, Lara JC, Huval A, Kwiatkowski MK, Picciotto MR, Mineur YS, Dulcis D, Young JW. Converging evidence that short-active photoperiod increases acetylcholine signaling in the hippocampus. Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience 2020, 20: 1173-1183. PMID: 32794101, PMCID: PMC7718303, DOI: 10.3758/s13415-020-00824-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSeasonal affective disorderFST immobilityBipolar disorderReduced dopamine transporter expressionHippocampal cholinergic mechanismsNicotinic receptor blockadeDopamine transporter expressionAcetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmineSwim test immobilityCholinergic treatmentReceptor blockadeCholinergic mechanismsAcetylcholine neurotransmissionInhibitor physostigmineViral administrationHippocampal expressionACh levelsTest immobilityAffective disordersDepression symptomsSubsequent deficitsHealthy animalsTransporter expressionAcetylcholinePhysostigmineHippocampal knockdown of α2 nicotinic or M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in C57BL/6J male mice impairs cued fear conditioning
Mineur YS, Ernstsen C, Islam A, Maibom KL, Picciotto MR. Hippocampal knockdown of α2 nicotinic or M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in C57BL/6J male mice impairs cued fear conditioning. Genes Brain & Behavior 2020, 19: e12677. PMID: 32447811, PMCID: PMC8018799, DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12677.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFear learningShort-term learningNumber of paradigmsCued fearLight/dark boxFear conditioningContextual memoryStress-related behaviorsStress-induced reactivityTerm learningBrain circuitsRobust effectM1 mAChRHippocampal acetylcholineM1 muscarinic ACh receptorsNovelty-suppressed feeding testLearningMemoryDark boxHippocampus of malesM1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptorHippocampal knockdownFearMuscarinic ACh receptorsGroups of miceCumulative Effects of Social Stress on Reward-Guided Actions and Prefrontal Cortical Activity
Barthas F, Hu MY, Siniscalchi MJ, Ali F, Mineur YS, Picciotto MR, Kwan AC. Cumulative Effects of Social Stress on Reward-Guided Actions and Prefrontal Cortical Activity. Biological Psychiatry 2020, 88: 541-553. PMID: 32276717, PMCID: PMC7434704, DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.02.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrefrontal cortical activityCortical activityIndividual layer 2/3 pyramidal neuronsLayer 2/3 pyramidal neuronsStress exposureDepressive-like phenotypeTwo-photon calcium imagingSocial stressChronic social stressIndividual prefrontal neuronsMedial prefrontal cortexPyramidal neuronsMotor subregionsNeural dysfunctionResilient miceCalcium imagingPrefrontal neuronsAbnormal levelsPrefrontal cortexSocial defeatDistinct neural responsesStress-induced lossGoal-directed actionsEnsemble activityDefeat sessionsGABA interneurons are the cellular trigger for ketamine’s rapid antidepressant actions
Gerhard DM, Pothula S, Liu RJ, Wu M, Li XY, Girgenti MJ, Taylor SR, Duman CH, Delpire E, Picciotto M, Wohleb ES, Duman RS. GABA interneurons are the cellular trigger for ketamine’s rapid antidepressant actions. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2020, 130: 1336-1349. PMID: 31743111, PMCID: PMC7269589, DOI: 10.1172/jci130808.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRapid antidepressant actionsAntidepressant actionGABA interneuronsMedial prefrontal cortexCell-specific knockdownPrinciple neuronsPrefrontal cortexDeletion of GluN2BSingle subanesthetic doseBehavioral actionsAction of ketamineNMDA receptor antagonistExcitatory postsynaptic currentsCellular triggersMajor unmet needKetamine's rapid antidepressant actionsGABA subtypeGluN2B-NMDARsSST interneuronsPostsynaptic currentsReceptor antagonistDepressed patientsSubanesthetic doseExtracellular glutamateMood disorders
2019
Regulation of aggressive behaviors by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: Animal models, human genetics, and clinical studies
Lewis AS, Picciotto MR. Regulation of aggressive behaviors by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: Animal models, human genetics, and clinical studies. Neuropharmacology 2019, 167: 107929. PMID: 32058178, PMCID: PMC7080580, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107929.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsConceptsNicotinic acetylcholine receptorsClinical studiesAnimal modelsAcetylcholine receptorsNeuropsychiatric disordersAggressive behaviorEffects of nAChRsAlpha 7 nAChRsSignificant side effectsHuman laboratory studiesLigand-gated ion channelsPsychopharmacological treatmentSide effectsMultiple key questionsHuman patientsNicotine NeuropharmacologyPredatory aggressionCHRNA7 geneHuman geneticsHuman genetic studiesPatientsNAChRsSevere aggressionIon channelsReceptorsThe role of acetylcholine in negative encoding bias: Too much of a good thing?
Mineur YS, Picciotto MR. The role of acetylcholine in negative encoding bias: Too much of a good thing? European Journal Of Neuroscience 2019, 53: 114-125. PMID: 31821620, PMCID: PMC7282966, DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14641.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPotential neural pathwaysSymptoms of anxietyAffective processesSustained attentionStressful eventsCore symptomsFacilitate learningAppropriate learningNeural pathwaysRole of acetylcholineGood thingLevels of AChLearningDepressionBiasDepressive episodeNeuromodulatory roleCholinergic signalingAnimal studiesAnxietyMemoryAcetylcholine SignalingHigh levelsEncodingACh