A dual-pathway architecture enables chronic stress to disrupt agency and promote habit formation.

Chronic stress can change how we learn and, thus, how we make decisions. Here we investigated the neuronal circuit mechanisms that enable this. Using a multifaceted systems neuroscience approach in male and female mice, we reveal a dual pathway, amygdala-striatal neuronal circuit architecture by which a recent history of chronic stress disrupts the action-outcome learning underlying adaptive agency and promotes the formation of inflexible habits.

Stress, associative learning, and decision-making.

Exposure to acute and chronic stress has significant effects on the basic mechanisms of associative learning and memory. Stress can both impair and enhance associative learning depending on type, intensity, and persistence of the stressor, the subject's sex, the context that the stress and behavior is experienced in, and the type of associative learning taking place. In some cases, stress can cause or exacerbate the maladaptive behavior that underlies numerous psychiatric conditions including anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorder, and others.

Neurotensin neurons in the extended amygdala control dietary choice and energy homeostasis.

Obesity is a global pandemic that is causally linked to many life-threatening diseases. Apart from some rare genetic conditions, the biological drivers of overeating and reduced activity are unclear. Here, we show that neurotensin-expressing neurons in the mouse interstitial nucleus of the posterior limb of the anterior commissure (IPAC), a nucleus of the central extended amygdala, encode dietary preference for unhealthy energy-dense foods.

Sex-Specific Stress-Related Behavioral Phenotypes and Central Amygdala Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of 16p11.2 Microdeletion.

Background: Substantial evidence indicates that a microdeletion on human chromosome 16p11.2 is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Carriers of this deletion show divergent symptoms besides the core features of autism spectrum disorder, such as anxiety and emotional symptoms.

A Central Amygdala-Globus Pallidus Circuit Conveys Unconditioned Stimulus-Related Information and Controls Fear Learning.

The central amygdala (CeA) is critically involved in a range of adaptive behaviors, including defensive behaviors. Neurons in the CeA send long-range projections to a number of extra-amygdala targets, but the functions of these projections remain elusive. Here, we report that a previously neglected CeA-to-globus pallidus external segment (GPe) circuit plays an essential role in classical fear conditioning.

Interactions between hERG and KCNQ1 α-subunits are mediated by their COOH termini and modulated by cAMP.

KCNQ1 and hERG encode the voltage-gated potassium channel α-subunits of the cardiac repolarizing currents I(Ks) and I(Kr), respectively. These currents function in vivo with some redundancy to maintain appropriate action potential durations (APDs), and loss-of-function mutations in these channels manifest clinically as long QT syndrome, characterized by the prolongation of the QT interval, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, and sudden cardiac death. Previous cellular electrophysiology experiments in transgenic rabbit cardiomyocytes and heterologous cell lines demonstrated functional downregulation of complementary repolarizing currents.

Giant hepatic hemangioma studied with intravenous total body arteriography technique. A case report.

Hepatic hemangiomas are the most common benign tumors of the liver. They are usually single, small, and asymptomatic. However, giant hepatic hemangiomas have been reported in the past, usually detected as incidental findings.

Evaluation of Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome with radionuclide total body angiography. A case report.

A 21-year-old Italian woman with extensive Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) developed recurrent pulmonary embolism in spite of the insertion of a Greenfield filter in the inferior vena cava. Clinical and radiologic diagnostic tests failed to demonstrate the pathway of the emboli. Radionuclide venography and intravenous radionuclide total body arteriography were performed.

Obstruction of the iliac veins due to markedly distended urinary bladder demonstrated by radionuclide venography. A case report.

An unusual case of obstruction of the iliac veins by a markedly distended urinary bladder (UB) is presented. Initial radionuclide venography (RNV) was positive, revealing obstruction of the iliac veins associated with marked dilatation of the UB. After the UB was emptied, RNV was negative.

Use of i.v. radionuclide total body arteriography to evaluate arterial bypass shunts--a new method--a review of several cases.

Currently, Doppler ultrasound and contrast angiography are the main imaging procedures being used to evaluate arterial bypass shunts. IV radionuclide total body arteriography (TBA) is another useful imaging procedure for evaluation of bypass shunts. The authors reviewed 33 patients, 19 women and 14 men, ranging in age from forty-three to eighty-five, who had TBA done after arterial bypass surgery.

Cutaneous fistula communicating with the hip in a patient with a painful total hip prosthesis. Demonstration by radionuclide arthrography.

Radionuclide arthrography is becoming increasingly useful in the evaluation of femoral component loosening in patients with a painful total hip prosthesis. Additional potential advantages of radionuclide arthrography include detection of abnormal communications with the hip, such as bursae, abscess cavities, and fistulas. A case of cutaneous fistula communicating with the hip in a patient with loosening and infection of the femoral component of the total hip prosthesis that is clearly demonstrated by radionuclide arthrography is presented.

Intravenous radionuclide total body arteriography: a new technique.

We have developed a technique using a blood pool agent Tc-99m labeled red blood cells and a detector head set moving at a high speed to obtain total body arterial and blood pool images with only a single intravenous injection. Previously with an intravenous radiotracer injection, only regional arterial images could be obtained. Now, with this simple, non-invasive technique, we can evaluate the major arterial system, organs, and soft tissues in the whole body, as well as cardiac function.

IV radionuclide total-body arteriography: a new noninvasive whole-body screening procedure--a case report.

Recently the authors introduced a new technique of intravenous (IV) radionuclide total-body arteriography. The major arterial system, multiple organs of the whole body, and cardiac function can be evaluated with one small IV injection in the arm. After analyzing more than 1000 cases, they have found that many pathologies can be detected and/or confirmed in this procedure.

Successful removal of a severed transvenous pacemaker electrode.

The ease and simplicity of the transvenous approach to permanent pacing continue to be among its greatest advantages. However in a small proportion of transvenously paced patients complications can occur. A rare complication is an incompletely removed pacing catheter with subsequent embolization to more central parts of the cardiovascular system.