Social circuits and their dysfunction in autism spectrum disorder

Molecular Psychiatry, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 28(8), P. 3194 - 3206

Published: Aug. 1, 2023

Social behaviors, how individuals act cooperatively and competitively with conspecifics, are widely seen across species. Rodents display various social many different behavioral paradigms have been used for investigating their neural circuit bases. behavior is highly vulnerable to brain network dysfunction caused by neurological neuropsychiatric conditions such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Studying mouse models of ASD provides a promising avenue toward elucidating mechanisms abnormal potential therapeutic targets treatment. In this review, we outline recent progress key findings on underlying behavior, particular emphasis rodent studies that monitor manipulate the activity specific circuits using modern systems neuroscience approaches. mediated distributed brain-wide among major cortical (e.g., medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), anterior cingulate cortex, insular (IC)) subcortical nucleus accumbens, basolateral amygdala (BLA), ventral tegmental area) structures, influenced multiple neuromodulatory oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin). We particularly draw special attention IC unique area mediates multisensory integration, encoding ongoing interaction, decision-making, emotion, empathy. Additionally, synthesis demonstrates dysfunctions in mPFC-BLA circuitry neuromodulation prominent. Pharmacological rescues local or systemic oral) administration drugs provided valuable clues developing new agents ASD. Future efforts technological advances will push forward next frontiers field, elucidation inter-brain dynamics during real virtual interactions, establishment circuit-based therapy affecting functions.

Language: Английский

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Cross-hemispheric communication: Insights on lateralized brain functions

Neuron, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 112(8), P. 1222 - 1234

Published: March 7, 2024

Language: Английский

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Cortical representations of affective pain shape empathic fear in male mice

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(1)

Published: Feb. 24, 2025

Affect sharing, the ability to vicariously feel others' emotions, constitutes primary component of empathy. However, neural basis for encoding distress and representing shared affective experiences remains poorly understood. Here, using miniature endoscopic calcium imaging, we identify distinct dynamic ensembles in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) that encode observational fear across both excitatory inhibitory neurons male mice. Notably, discover population dynamics vicarious freezing information are conserved ACC pyramidal specifically represented by affective, rather than sensory, responses direct pain experience. Furthermore, circuit-specific imaging optogenetic manipulations, demonstrate populations projecting periaqueductal gray (PAG), but not basolateral amygdala (BLA), selectively convey regulate fear. Taken together, our findings highlight critical role representations shaping empathic through pain. The affect sharing is fully authors show stably recruits fear,

Language: Английский

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Left-Right Brain-Wide Asymmetry of Neuroanatomy in the Mouse Brain.

NeuroImage, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 121017 - 121017

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Left-right asymmetry of the human brain is widespread through its anatomy and function. However, limited microscopic understanding it exists, particularly for anatomical where there are few well-established animal models. In humans, most regions show subtle, population-average regional asymmetries in thickness or surface area, alongside a macro-scale twisting called cerebral petalia which right hemisphere protrudes anteriorly past left. Here, we ask whether neuroanatomical can be observed mice, leveraging 6 mouse neuroimaging cohorts from 5 different research groups (∼3,500 animals). We found an anterior-posterior pattern volume with anterior larger on posterior This appears driven by similar trends area positional asymmetries, results together indicating small brain-wide pattern, to petalia. Furthermore, no apparent relationship known functional emphasizing complexity structure-function asymmetry. Our recapitulate extend previous patterns two published studies as well capture well-established, bilateral male-female differences positive control. By establishing signature aim provide foundation future probe mechanistic underpinnings seen humans - feature extremely understanding.

Language: Английский

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The neural basis of affective empathy: what is known from rodents

Neuropharmacology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 110347 - 110347

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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The Synaptic and Circuit Functions of Vitamin D in Neurodevelopment Disorders

Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: Volume 19, P. 1515 - 1530

Published: July 1, 2023

Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency is a public health issue around the world.According to epidemiological studies, low vitamin levels have been associated with an increased risk of some neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD).Animal models reveal that has variety impacts on synapses circuits in brain.A lack affects expression synaptic proteins, as well synthesis metabolism various neurotransmitters.Depending where receptors (VDRs) are expressed, may also regulate certain neuronal through endocannabinoid signaling, mTOR pathway oxytocin signaling.While inconsistently, data suggest supplementation be able reduce core symptoms ASD ADHD.This review emphasizes D's role circuit mechanisms disorders ADHD.Future application these will depend both basic research clinical order make transition from bench bedside.

Language: Английский

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Systems consolidation induces multiple memory engrams for a flexible recall strategy in observational fear memory in male mice

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: July 5, 2023

Abstract Observers learn to fear the context in which they witnessed a demonstrator’s aversive experience, called observational contextual conditioning (CFC). The neural mechanisms governing whether recall of CFC memory occurs from observer’s own or point view remain unclear. Here, we show male mice that recent is recalled only, but remote both observer and demonstrator contexts. Recall requires dorsal hippocampus activity, while contexts medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)-basolateral amygdala pathway. Although mPFC neurons activated by are involved contexts, distinct subpopulations regulate each context. Our data provide insights into flexible strategy functional reorganization circuits engram cells underlying memory.

Language: Английский

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Emotional contagion in rodents: A comprehensive exploration of mechanisms and multimodal perspectives

Behavioural Processes, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 216, P. 105008 - 105008

Published: Feb. 17, 2024

Language: Английский

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Dual circuits originating from the ventral hippocampus independently facilitate affective empathy

Cell Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 43(6), P. 114277 - 114277

Published: May 27, 2024

Affective empathy enables social mammals to learn and transfer emotion conspecifics, but an understanding of the neural circuitry genetics underlying affective is still very limited. Here, using naive observational fear between cagemates as a paradigm similar human chemo/optogenetic neuroactivity manipulation in mouse brain, we investigate roles multiple brain regions empathy. Remarkably, two circuits originating from ventral hippocampus, previously unknown function empathy, are revealed regulate fear. One hippocampal pyramidal neurons lateral septum GABAergic neurons, other hippocampus nucleus accumbens dopamine-receptor-expressing neurons. Furthermore, identify observational-fear-encoding hippocampus. Our findings highlight potentially diverse regulatory pathways animals, shedding light on mechanisms circuity its disorders.

Language: Английский

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ARNT2 controls prefrontal somatostatin interneurons mediating affective empathy

Cell Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 43(9), P. 114659 - 114659

Published: Aug. 24, 2024

Empathy, crucial for social interaction, is impaired across various neuropsychiatric conditions. However, the genetic and neural underpinnings of empathy variability remain elusive. By combining forward mapping with transcriptome analysis, we discover that aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator 2 (ARNT2) a key driver modulating observational fear, basic form affective empathy. Disrupted ARNT2 expression in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) reduces affect sharing mice. Specifically, selective ablation somatostatin (SST)-expressing interneurons leads to decreased pyramidal cell excitability, increased spontaneous firing, aberrant Ca

Language: Английский

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