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Dopamine pathways mediating affective state transitions after sleep loss
Mingzheng Wu1, Xin Zhang2, Sihan Feng2
1Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
Neuron
|November 3, 2023
Summary
Sleep deprivation triggers affective state shifts in mice, mediated by dopamine pathways. This research reveals how dopamine influences brain plasticity and mood regulation, offering insights into affective disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- The underlying mechanisms of affective disorders, especially how mood states transition, are not fully understood.
- Sleep and circadian rhythm disruptions in humans can precipitate manic or depressive episodes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of dopamine in sleep-loss-induced affective state transitions.
- To explore the impact of acute sleep deprivation on brain plasticity and behavior in mice.
Main Methods:
- Development of a hybrid automated sleep deprivation platform for mice.
- Utilizing dopamine sensor photometry and projection-targeted chemogenetics.
- Assessing dendritic spine density and spinogenesis in the medial prefrontal cortex.
Main Results:
- Acute sleep loss induced mixed behavioral states, including hyperactivity and reduced depressive behaviors, dependent on dopamine.
- Elevated dopamine release in specific brain regions was linked to distinct affective state transition behaviors.
- Sleep deprivation enhanced medial prefrontal cortex plasticity, and reversing this enhancement reversed antidepressant effects.
Conclusions:
- Brain-wide dopaminergic pathways are crucial for controlling sleep-loss-induced affective state transitions.
- Dopamine-mediated plasticity in the medial prefrontal cortex plays a key role in mood regulation.
- This study provides novel insights into the neurobiology of affective disorders and sleep disruption.
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