Chronic CRH depletion from GABAergic, long-range projection neurons in the extended amygdala reduces dopamine release and increases anxiety

Nat Neurosci. 2018 Jun;21(6):803-807. doi: 10.1038/s41593-018-0151-z. Epub 2018 May 21.

Abstract

The interplay between corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and the dopaminergic system has predominantly been studied in addiction and reward, while CRH-dopamine interactions in anxiety are scarcely understood. We describe a new population of CRH-expressing, GABAergic, long-range-projecting neurons in the extended amygdala that innervate the ventral tegmental area and alter anxiety following chronic CRH depletion. These neurons are part of a distinct CRH circuit that acts anxiolytically by positively modulating dopamine release.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amygdala / cytology
  • Amygdala / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Anxiety / psychology*
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 / physiology
  • Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / deficiency*
  • Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / pharmacology
  • Dendritic Spines / ultrastructure
  • Dopamine / metabolism*
  • GABAergic Neurons / physiology*
  • Injections
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Motor Activity
  • Optogenetics
  • Pain Perception
  • Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / metabolism
  • Ventral Tegmental Area / cytology
  • Ventral Tegmental Area / physiology

Substances

  • CRF receptor type 2
  • Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • CRF receptor type 1
  • Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2
  • Camk2a protein, mouse
  • Dopamine