Molecular Psychiatry,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
27(3), P. 1704 - 1711
Published: Dec. 3, 2021
Abstract
Learning
which
environmental
cues
that
predict
danger
is
crucial
for
survival
and
accomplished
through
Pavlovian
fear
conditioning.
In
humans
rodents
alike,
conditioning
amygdala-dependent
rests
on
similar
neurocircuitry.
Rodent
studies
have
implicated
a
causative
role
dopamine
in
the
amygdala
during
memory
formation,
but
of
aversive
learning
unclear.
Here,
we
show
release
striatum
humans.
Using
simultaneous
positron
emission
tomography
functional
magnetic
resonance
imaging,
demonstrate
amount
linked
to
strength
conditioned
responses
linearly
coupled
learning-induced
activity
amygdala.
Thus,
like
rodents,
formation
memories
seems
be
facilitated
by
endogenous
release,
supporting
an
evolutionary
conserved
neurochemical
mechanism
formation.
Science,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
378(6626)
Published: Dec. 8, 2022
Learning
to
predict
rewards
based
on
environmental
cues
is
essential
for
survival.
It
believed
that
animals
learn
by
updating
predictions
whenever
the
outcome
deviates
from
expectations,
and
such
reward
prediction
errors
(RPEs)
are
signaled
mesolimbic
dopamine
system-a
key
controller
of
learning.
However,
instead
learning
prospective
RPEs,
can
infer
retrospective
cause
rewards.
Hence,
whether
conveys
a
causal
associative
signal
sometimes
resembles
RPE
remains
unknown.
We
developed
an
algorithm
found
release
associations
but
not
RPE,
thereby
challenging
dominant
theory
Our
results
reshape
conceptual
biological
framework
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
13(1)
Published: March 22, 2022
Abstract
Anxiety
disorders
are
complex
diseases,
and
often
co-occur
with
depression.
It
is
as
yet
unclear
if
a
common
neural
circuit
controls
anxiety-related
behaviors
in
both
anxiety-alone
comorbid
conditions.
Here,
utilizing
the
chronic
social
defeat
stress
(CSDS)
paradigm
that
induces
singular
or
combined
anxiety-
depressive-like
phenotypes
mice,
we
show
ventral
tegmental
area
(VTA)
dopamine
projecting
to
basolateral
amygdala
(BLA)
selectively
but
not
depression-like
behaviors.
Using
circuit-dissecting
ex
vivo
electrophysiology
fiber
photometry
approaches,
establish
expression
of
anxiety-like,
depressive-like,
negatively
correlated
VTA
→
BLA
neuron
activity.
Further,
our
optogenetic
studies
demonstrate
causal
link
between
such
neuronal
activity
anxiety-like
Overall,
these
data
functional
role
for
neurons
bi-directionally
controlling
only
anxiety-alone,
also
anxiety-depressive
conditions
mice.
Cell Metabolism,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
35(4), P. 571 - 584.e6
Published: March 22, 2023
Western
diets
rich
in
fat
and
sugar
promote
excess
calorie
intake
weight
gain;
however,
the
underlying
mechanisms
are
unclear.
Despite
a
well-documented
association
between
obesity
altered
brain
dopamine
function,
it
remains
elusive
whether
these
alterations
(1)
pre-existing,
increasing
individual
susceptibility
to
gain,
(2)
secondary
obesity,
or
(3)
directly
attributable
repeated
exposure
western
diet.
To
close
this
gap,
we
performed
randomized,
controlled
study
(NCT05574660)
with
normal-weight
participants
exposed
high-fat/high-sugar
snack
low-fat/low-sugar
for
8
weeks
addition
their
regular
The
intervention
decreased
preference
low-fat
food
while
response
associative
learning
independent
of
cues
reward.
These
were
changes
body
metabolic
parameters,
indicating
direct
effect
high-fat,
high-sugar
foods
on
neurobehavioral
adaptations
that
may
increase
risk
overeating
gain.
