Background: Prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex (PL-mPFC) and nucleus accumbens core region (NAcc) play an important role in supporting several executive cognitive mechanisms, such as spatial working memory (WM). Recently, this circuit has been also associated with both sensory and affective components of pain. However, it is still unclear whether this circuit is endogenously engaged in neuropathic pain-related cognitive dysfunctions.
Methods: To answer this question, we induced the expression of halorhodopsin in local PL-mPFC neurons projecting to NAcc, and then selectively inhibited the terminals of these neurons in the NAcc while recording neural activity during the performance of a delayed non-match to sample (DNMS) spatial WM task. Within-subject behavioural performance and PL-mPFC to NAcc circuit neural activity was assessed after the onset of a persistent rodent neuropathic pain model-spared nerve injury (SNI).
Results: Our results revealed that the induction of the neuropathy reduced WM performance, and altered the interplay between PL-mPFC and NAcc neurons namely in increasing the functional connectivity from NAcc to PL-mPFC, particularly in the theta-band spontaneous oscillations; in addition, these behavioural and functional perturbations were partially reversed by selective optogenetic inhibition of PL-mPFC neuron terminals into the NAcc during the DNMS task delay-period, without significant antinociceptive effects.
Conclusions: Altogether, these results strongly suggest that the PL-mPFC excitatory output into the NAcc plays an important role in the deregulation of WM under pain conditions.
Significance: Selective optogenetic inhibition of prefrontal-striatal microcircuit reverses pain-related working memory deficits but has no significant impact on pain responses. Neuropathic pain underlies an increase of functional connectivity between the nucleus accumbens core area and the prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex mediated by theta-band activity.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ejp.1982 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Linking air pollution appraisal to EFL teachers' negative emotion via mental effort: the moderating role of working memory capacity.
Front Psychol
February 2025
The School of Information Resource Management, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China.
Based on Cognitive Load Theory, this study developed a moderated mediation model to examine the relationship between English as foreign language (EFL) teachers' air pollution appraisal and negative emotions. Specifically, it hypothesizes that air pollution appraisal significantly increases the mental effort of EFL teachers, which in turn leads to the manifestation of negative emotions. Additionally, the study introduces the concept that the working memory capacity of EFL teachers can negatively moderate the impact of increased mental effort on their emotions, effectively attenuating the overall mediating effect.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Impaired cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) is common in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients and is a risk factor for dementia. However, most prior functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies in T2D disregarded the impact of impaired CVR on brain activation patterns. This study investigated the relationship between CVR and brain activation during an fMRI task in T2D patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSpeech and language skills in a case of Watson syndrome.
Clin Linguist Phon
March 2025
Department of Linguistics, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
Watson syndrome is a rare genetic condition partly characterised by developmental delays and learning difficulties. A profile of speech and language skills associated with this developmental syndrome is yet to be described in the literature. In order to address this gap, this study presents the case of an 18-year-old man with Watson syndrome and reports both standardised and naturalistic assessments of speech, language, oro-motor skills, and semantic and phonemic fluency.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAssessing the Role of Dark Sweet Cherry ( L.) Consumption on Cognitive Function, Neuropeptides, and Circadian Rhythm in Obesity: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Nutrients
February 2025
Department of Food Science and Technology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
Obesity is linked to a higher risk of cognitive impairment. The objective of this single blind randomized trial was to evaluate the impact of dark sweet cherry (DSC) intake on cognitive function in obese adults. Participants (body mass index (BMI): 30-40 kg/m, >18 years, without chronic diseases and/or antibiotic use) consumed 200 mL of DSC drink with 3 g of cherry powder ( = 19) or an isocaloric placebo drink ( = 21) twice daily for 30 days.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntegration of Hyperspectral Imaging and Deep Learning for Discrimination of Fumigated Lilies and Prediction of Quality Indicator Contents.
Foods
February 2025
Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Sustainable Utilization of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resources, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Industry, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Nanchang 330115, China.
The lily, valued for its edibility and medicinal properties, is rich in essential nutrients. However, storage conditions and sulfur fumigation during processing can degrade key nutrients like polysaccharides, phenols, and sulfur dioxide. To address this, we applied a deep learning model combined with hyperspectral imaging for the rapid prediction of nutrient quality.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!