scholarly journals Ventral pallidum neurons signal relative threat

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahsa Moaddab ◽  
Madelyn H. Ray ◽  
Michael A. McDannald
Keyword(s):  
Single Unit ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Single Units ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Ventral Pallidum ◽  
Anatomical Connectivity ◽  
Specific Signal ◽  
Relative Value ◽  
Reward Value ◽  
Integral Role

AbstractVentral pallidum (VP) neurons scale firing increases to reward value and decrease firing to aversive cues. Anatomical connectivity suggests a critical role for the VP in threat-related behavior. Here we tested whether firing decreases in VP neurons conform to relative threat by recording single units while male rats discriminated cues predicting unique foot shock probabilities. Rats behavior and VP single unit firing discriminated danger, uncertainty and safety cues. We found that two VP populations (Low firing and Intermediate firing) signaled relative threat, proportionally decreased firing according shock probability: danger < uncertainty < safety. Low firing neurons showed reward firing increases, consistent with a general signal for relative value. Intermediate firing neurons were unresponsive to reward, revealing a specific signal for relative threat. The results suggest an integral role for the VP in threat-related behavior.

scholarly journals Ventral pallidum neurons dynamically signal relative threat

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahsa Moaddab ◽  
Madelyn H. Ray ◽  
Michael A. McDannald
Keyword(s):  
Unit Activity ◽  
Single Unit ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Ventral Pallidum ◽  
Single Unit Activity ◽  
Neural Signal ◽  
Specific Signal ◽  
Threat Behavior ◽  
Two Populations

AbstractThe ventral pallidum (VP) is anatomically poised to contribute to threat behavior. Recent studies report a VP population that scales firing increases to reward but decreases firing to aversive cues. Here, we tested whether firing decreases in VP neurons serve as a neural signal for relative threat. Single-unit activity was recorded while male rats discriminated cues predicting unique foot shock probabilities. Rats’ behavior and VP single-unit firing discriminated danger, uncertainty, and safety cues. Two populations of VP neurons dynamically signaled relative threat, decreasing firing according to foot shock probability during early cue presentation, but disproportionately decreasing firing to uncertain threat as foot shock drew near. One relative threat population increased firing to reward, consistent with a bi-directional signal for general value. The second population was unresponsive to reward, revealing a specific signal for relative threat. The results reinforce anatomy to reveal the VP as a neural source of a dynamic, relative threat signal.

Construction of Power Stations Designed and Built as Single Units

1983 ◽  
Vol 197 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Masding
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Single Unit ◽  
Capital Cost ◽  
Single Units ◽  
Construction Time ◽  
Power Stations ◽  
Engineering Costs ◽  
Running Cost ◽  
The Uk

This paper sets out an assessment of the value and practicality of the construction of fossil fired generating plant designed and built as single units and includes a proposal for the design and layout of a single unit designed to maximize the benefits derived from this concept. The conclusion is that an acceptable design of power plant, based on the construction of single 600 MW units, can be developed for the UK system which could prove to be advantageous in construction time, in capital cost and in running cost. The layout applies equally effectively to large ‘green field’ sites or for replanting existing stations; in addition, the plant can be replicated in detail and thereby reduce design and engineering costs. Finally the layout can also be applied in principle to smaller units for overseas utilities as required by their system developments.

scholarly journals The emerging role of RNAs in DNA damage repair

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 580-587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben R Hawley ◽  
Wei-Ting Lu ◽  
Ania Wilczynska ◽  
Martin Bushell
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Dna Repair ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Repair Process ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Processing Enzymes ◽  
Damage Repair ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Integral Role ◽  
Repair Mechanisms

Abstract Many surveillance and repair mechanisms exist to maintain the integrity of our genome. All of the pathways described to date are controlled exclusively by proteins, which through their enzymatic activities identify breaks, propagate the damage signal, recruit further protein factors and ultimately resolve the break with little to no loss of genetic information. RNA is known to have an integral role in many cellular pathways, but, until very recently, was not considered to take part in the DNA repair process. Several reports demonstrated a conserved critical role for RNA-processing enzymes and RNA molecules in DNA repair, but the biogenesis of these damage-related RNAs and their mechanisms of action remain unknown. We will explore how these new findings challenge the idea of proteins being the sole participants in the response to DNA damage and reveal a new and exciting aspect of both DNA repair and RNA biology.

scholarly journals Discordant Effects of Cannabinoid 2 Receptor Antagonism/Inverse Agonism During Adolescence on Pavlovian and Instrumental Reward Learning in Adult Male Rats

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danna Ellner ◽  
Bryana Hallam ◽  
Jude A. Frie ◽  
Hayley H. A. Thorpe ◽  
Muhammad Shoaib ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cannabinoid Receptor ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Behavioral Outcomes ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Developmental Trajectory ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Reward Learning ◽  
Adolescent Male ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Lever Pressing

The endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating a spectrum of physiological activities and plays a critical role in the developing brain. During adolescence, the endocannabinoid system is particularly sensitive to external insults that may change the brain’s developmental trajectory. Cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) was initially thought to predominantly function in the peripheral nervous system, but more recent studies have implicated its role in the mesolimbic pathway, a network largely attributed to reward circuitry and reward motivated behavior, which undergoes extensive changes during adolescence. It is therefore important to understand how CB2R modulation during adolescence can impact reward-related behaviors in adulthood. In this study, adolescent male rats (postnatal days 28–41) were exposed to a low or high dose of the CB2R antagonist/inverse agonist SR144528 and Pavlovian autoshaping and instrumental conditional behavioral outcomes were measured in adulthood. SR144528-treated rats had significantly slower acquisition of the autoshaping task, seen by less lever pressing behavior over time [F(2, 19) = 5.964, p = 0.010]. Conversely, there was no effect of adolescent SR144528 exposure on instrumental conditioning. These results suggest that modulation of the CB2R in adolescence differentially impacts reward-learning behaviors in adulthood.

scholarly journals Role of Amygdala-Infralimbic Cortex Circuitry in Glucocorticoid-Induced Facilitation of Auditory Fear Memory Extinction

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Masoomeh Dadkhah ◽  
◽  
Abbas Ali Vafaei ◽  
Ali Rashidy-Pour ◽  
Parnia Trahomi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Fear Memory ◽  
Fear Extinction ◽  
Freezing Behavior ◽  
Extinction Training ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Memory Extinction ◽  
The Right ◽  
Fear Expression

Purpose: The basolateral amygdala (BLA) and infralimbic area (IL) of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) are two inter-connected brain structures that mediate both fear memory expression and extinction. Besides the well-known role of the BLA in the acquisition and expression of fear memory, projections from IL to BLA inhibit fear expression and have a critical role in fear extinction. However, the details of IL-BLA interaction remain unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of functional reciprocal interactions between BLA and IL in mediating fear memory extinction. Methods: Using lidocaine (LID), male rats underwent unilateral or bilateral inactivation of the BLA and then unilateral intra-IL infusion of CORT, prior to extinction training of auditory fear conditioning paradigm. Freezing behavior was reported as an index for the measurement of conditioned fear. Infusions were performed before the extinction training, allowing to examine the effects on fear expression and also further extinction memory. Experiments 1-3 investigated the effects of left or right infusion of CORT into IL, and LID unilaterally into BLA on fear memory extinction. Results: Results showed that intra-IL infusion of CORT in the right hemisphere reduced freezing behavior when administrated before the extinction training. Auditory fear memory extinction was impaired by asymmetric inactivation of BLA and CORT infusion in the right IL; however, the same effect was not observed with symmetric inactivation of BLA. Conclusion: It is concluded that that the IL-BLA neural circuit may provide additional evidence to contribution of this circuit in auditory fear extinction. This study demonstrate dissociable roles for right or left BLA in subserving the auditory fear extinction. Our finding also raise the possibility that left BLA-IL circuitry may contribute in mediating auditory fear memory extinction via underlying mechanisms, however further research is required.

scholarly journals Arterial baroreflex regulation of muscle sympathetic single-unit activity in men: influence of resting blood pressure

2020 ◽  
Vol 318 (4) ◽  
pp. H937-H946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony V. Incognito ◽  
Milena Samora ◽  
Andrew D. Shepherd ◽  
Roberta A. Cartafina ◽  
Gabriel M. N. Guimarães ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Single Unit ◽  
Cardiac Cycle ◽  
Single Units ◽  
Arterial Baroreflex ◽  
Baroreflex Control ◽  
Pharmacological Manipulation ◽  
Operating Range ◽  
Resting Blood Pressure ◽  
Spike Firing

The arterial baroreflex has dominant control over multiunit muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) burst occurrence, but whether this extends to all single units or is influenced by resting blood pressure status is unclear. In 22 men (32 ± 8 yr), we assessed 68 MSNA single units during sequential bolus injections of nitroprusside and phenylephrine (modified Oxford). Sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity (sBRS) was quantified as the weighted negative linear regression slope between diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and single-unit spike firing probability and multiple spike firing. Strong negative linear relationships ( r ≥ −0.50) between DBP and spike firing probability were observed in 63/68 (93%) single units (−2.27 ± 1.27%·cardiac cycle−1·mmHg−1 [operating range, 18 ± 8 mmHg]). In contrast, only 45/68 (66%) single units had strong DBP-multiple spike firing relationships (−0.13 ± 0.18 spikes·cardiac cycle−1·mmHg−1 [operating range, 14 ± 7 mmHg]). Participants with higher resting DBP (65 ± 3 vs. 77 ± 3 mmHg, P < 0.001) had similar spike firing probability sBRS (low vs. high, −2.08 ± 1.08 vs. −2.46 ± 1.42%·cardiac cycle−1·mmHg−1, P = 0.33), but a smaller sBRS operating range (20 ± 6 vs. 16 ± 9 mmHg, P = 0.01; 86 ± 24 vs. 52 ± 25% of total range, P < 0.001) and a higher proportion of single units without arterial baroreflex control outside this range [6/31 (19%) vs. 21/32 (66%), P < 0.001]. Participants with higher resting DBP also had fewer single units with arterial baroreflex control of multiple spike firing (79 vs. 53%, P = 0.04). The majority of MSNA single units demonstrate strong arterial baroreflex control over spike firing probability during pharmacological manipulation of blood pressure. Changes in single-unit sBRS operating range and control of multiple spike firing may represent altered sympathetic recruitment patterns associated with the early development of hypertension. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Muscle sympathetic single units can be differentially controlled during stress. In contrast, we demonstrate that 93% of single units maintain strong arterial baroreflex control during pharmacological manipulation of blood pressure. Interestingly, the operating range and proportion of single units that lose arterial baroreflex control outside of this range are influenced by resting blood pressure levels. Altered single unit, but not multiunit, arterial baroreflex control may represent changes in sympathetic recruitment patterns in early stage development of hypertension.

Decreases in rat locomotor activity as a result of changes in synaptic transmission to neurons within the mesencephalic locomotor region

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 394-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan M. Brudzynski ◽  
Michael Wu ◽  
Gordon J. Mogenson
Keyword(s):  
Nucleus Accumbens ◽  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Synaptic Input ◽  
Cobalt Chloride ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Ventral Pallidum ◽  
Functional Region ◽  
Mesencephalic Locomotor Region ◽  
Freely Behaving

The mesencephalic locomotor region is defined as a functional region sending signals to the spinal cord generators of rhythmical limb movements for locomotion. It has been shown that the mesencephalic locomotor region plays a critical role in locomotion initiated from the nucleus accumbens or from the subpallidal region. However, there are conflicting data on whether synaptic input from the nucleus accumbens – subpallidal region to the mesencephalic locomotor region mediates locomotion. The purpose of the study was to determine the role of synaptic input to different subregions of the mesencephalic locomotor region in locomotion induced by injecting dopamine into the nucleus accumbens or by injecting picrotoxin into the subpallidal region in freely behaving rats. Synaptic transmission in the mesencephalic locomotor region was eliminated by excitotoxic lesions or was reversibly interrupted by injecting cobalt chloride, which can block synaptic transmission. Excitotoxic lesions or injections of cobalt into subregions of the mesencephalic locomotor region significantly decreased, although did not completely block, locomotion. The most effective sites for cobalt- and lesion-induced reduction in locomotion were consistent with localization of the mesencephalic locomotor region. Effective sites for cobalt and lesions markedly overlapped but were not identical. The results indicate that synaptic transmission within the mesencephalic locomotor region contributes to dopamine- or picrotoxin-induced locomotion.Key words: locomotion, mesencephalic locomotor region, nucleus accumbens, ventral pallidum, dopamine, picrotoxin, excitotoxins, cobalt chloride.

SYNCHRONOUS CHAOS IN HIGH-DIMENSIONAL MODULAR NEURAL NETWORKS

1996 ◽  
Vol 06 (11) ◽  
pp. 2055-2067 ◽  
Author(s):  
THOMAS WENNEKERS ◽  
FRANK PASEMANN
Keyword(s):  
Neural Networks ◽  
Single Unit ◽  
System Size ◽  
Single Units ◽  
High Dimensional ◽  
Coexisting Attractors ◽  
Modular Neural Networks ◽  
Coupled Maps ◽  
Low Dimensional ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship between certain types of high-dimensional neural networks and low-dimensional prototypical equations (neuromodules) is investigated. The high-dimensional systems consist of finitely many pools containing identical, dissipative and nonlinear single-units operating in discrete time. Under the assumption of random connections inside and between pools, the system can be reduced to a set of only a few equations, which — asymptotically in time and system size — describe the behavior of every single unit arbitrarily well. This result can be viewed as synchronization of the single units in each pool. It is stated as a theorem on systems of nonlinear coupled maps, which gives explicit conditions on the single unit dynamics and the nature of the random connections. As an application we compare a 2-pool network with the corresponding two-dimensional dynamics. The bifurcation diagrams of both systems become very similar even for moderate system size (N=50) and large disorder in the connection strengths (50% of mean), despite the fact, that the systems exhibit fairly complex behavior (quasiperiodicity, chaos, coexisting attractors).

scholarly journals Kupffer cell depletion protects against the steatosis, but not the liver damage, induced by marginal-copper, high-fructose diet in male rats

2015 ◽  
Vol 308 (11) ◽  
pp. G934-G945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Song ◽  
Dale A. Schuschke ◽  
Zhanxiang Zhou ◽  
Wei Zhong ◽  
Jiayuan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Liver ◽  
Regulatory Element ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Deionized Water ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Deficient Diet ◽  
High Fructose Diet ◽  
Triglyceride Accumulation ◽  
High Fructose

High-fructose feeding impairs copper status and leads to low copper availability, which is a novel mechanism in obesity-related fatty liver. Copper deficiency-associated hepatic iron overload likely plays an important role in fructose-induced liver injury. Excess iron in the liver is distributed throughout hepatocytes and Kupffer cells (KCs). The aim of this study was to examine the role of KCs in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease induced by a marginal-copper high-fructose diet (CuMF). Male weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a copper-adequate or a marginally copper-deficient diet for 4 wk. Deionized water or deionized water containing 30% fructose (wt/vol) was also given ad libitum. KCs were depleted by intravenous administration of gadolinium chloride (GdCl3) before and/or in the middle of the experimental period. Hepatic triglyceride accumulation was completely eliminated with KC depletion in CuMF consumption rats, which was associated with the normalization of elevated plasma monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and increased hepatic sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 expression. However, hepatic copper and iron content were not significantly affected by KC depletion. In addition, KC depletion reduced body weight and epididymal fat weight as well as adipocyte size. Plasma endotoxin and gut permeability were markedly increased in CuMF rats. Moreover, MCP-1 was robustly increased in the culture medium when isolated KCs from CuMF rats were treated with LPS. Our data suggest that KCs play a critical role in the development of hepatic steatosis induced by marginal-copper high-fructose diet.

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