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Strain-dependent differences in corticolimbic processing of aversive or rewarding stimuli
Diego Andolina1, Stefano Puglisi-Allegra2, Rossella Ventura2
1Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Applicate e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi dell'Aquila L'Aquila, Italy ; Santa Lucia Foundation Rome, Italy.
Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience
|February 21, 2015
Summary
Genetic background significantly influences neurotransmitter responses to rewards and stressors. This research highlights how differences in mouse strains affect brain systems involved in psychopathology, proposing a model where prefrontal cortex activity regulates responses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Genetics
- Psychopharmacology
Background:
- Psychopathologies like anxiety, depression, and addiction involve altered processing of rewarding and aversive stimuli.
- The corticolimbic system's neurotransmitters are crucial for processing positive and negative stimuli.
- Genetic variations within this system can increase susceptibility to psychopathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of genetic background on neurotransmission within the corticolimbic system.
- To understand how different inbred mouse strains (C57BL/6J and DBA/2J) process rewarding and aversive experiences.
- To propose a model for stimulus response regulation.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of neurotransmitter function (amminergic and GABAergic) in C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice.
- Assessment of responses to rewarding and aversive stimuli and stress.
- Electrophysiological and neurochemical techniques were employed (implied).
Main Results:
- Significant differences were observed in amminergic and GABAergic neurotransmission between C57BL/6J and DBA/2J strains.
- Genetic background critically modulates the corticolimbic system's response to rewarding/aversive experiences and stress.
- Strain-dependent alterations in neurotransmitter systems correlate with liability to psychopathologies.
Conclusions:
- Genetic background profoundly influences the neurobiological underpinnings of responses to rewarding and aversive stimuli.
- A top-down model is proposed where prefrontal cortex (PFC) amminergic transmission regulates accumbal and amygdala activity.
- Understanding these genetic influences is vital for developing targeted treatments for anxiety, depression, and addiction.
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