Connexions between the dorsomedial division of the ventromedial hypothalamus and the dorsal periaqueductal grey matter are critical in the elaboration of hypothalamically mediated panic-like behaviour

Author(s)

Ullah, Farhad ; dos Anjos-Garcia, Tayllon ; Mendes-Gomes, Joyce ; Hibrahim Elias-Filho, Daoud ; Falconi-Sobrinho, Luiz Luciano ; de Freitas, Renato Leonardo ; Khan, Asmat Ullah ; de Oliveira, Ricardo ; Coimbra, Norberto Cysne

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Behavioural Brain Research; v. 319, p. 135-147, FEB 15 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 14

Abstract

The electrical and chemical stimulation of the dorsal periaqueductal grey matter (dPAG) elicits panic like explosive escape behaviour. Although neurons of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) seem to organise oriented escape behaviour, when stimulated with excitatory amino acids at higher doses, nonoriented/explosive escape reactions can also be displayed. The aim of this work was to examine the importance of reciprocal projections between the VMH and the dPAG for the organisation of this panic like behaviour. The chemical stimulation of the VMH with 9 nmol of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) elicited oriented and non-oriented escape behaviours. The pretreatment of the dPAG with a non-selective blocicer of synaptic contacts, cobalt chloride (CoCl2), followed by stimulation of the dorsomedial part of the ventromedial hypothalamus (dmVMH) with 9 nmol of NMDA, abolished the non-oriented/explosive escape and freezing responses elicited by the stimulation of the dmVMH. Nonetheless, the rats still showed oriented escape to the burrow. On the other hand, when the blockade of the dmVMH with CoCl2 was followed by stimulation of the dPAG with 6 nmol of NMDA, no effect was observed either on the non-oriented/explosive escape or on the freezing behaviour organised by the dPAG. Furthermore, Fos protein-labelled neurons were observed in the dPAG after the stimulation of the dmVMH with 9 nmol of NMDA. Additionally, when the anterograde neurotracer biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) was deposited in the dmVMH subsequent stimulation of the dmVMH produced BDA-labelled neural fibres with terminal boutons surrounding Fos-labelled neurons in the dPAG, suggesting synaptic contacts between dmVMH and dPAG neurons for eliciting panic-like behavioural responses. The current data suggest that the dPAG is the key structure that organises non-oriented/explosive escape reactions associated with panic attack-like behaviours. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/11869-0 - Multi-use equipment approved in grant 2013/12916-0: deep brain stimulation (DBS) (Thomas mini matrix system - Thomas recording GmbH® - Winchester Strasse - Giessen - Germany)
• Grantee: Renato Leonardo de Freitas
• Support type: Multi-user Equipment Program
• FAPESP's process: 09/17258-5 - Study of the involvement of nitrergic system and of glutamatergic and cannabinoid-mediated neurotransmission from the medial prefrontal cortex in the analgesia induced by elaborated escape reactions evoked by GABAergic blockade in the medial hypothalamus
• Grantee: Renato Leonardo de Freitas
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 07/01174-1 - Study of the Involvement of opioid-, serotonergic- and noradrenergic-mechanisms of the pain endogenous inhibitory system in antinociceptive processes induced by oriented escape reactions evoked by chemical stimulation of the merdial hypothalamus
• Grantee: Norberto Cysne Coimbra
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/10984-8 - Influence of the anterior cingulate cortex and involvement of hypothalamic NMDA and AMPA/kainite glutamatergic receptorsin the organization of the defensive behaviorand innate fear-induced antinociception elaborated by posterior hypothalamus
• Grantee: Luiz Luciano Falconi Sobrinho
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 13/12916-0 - Role of endocannabinoid, glutamatergic and endovanilloid systems of medial prefrontal cortex in neuropathic pain model and investigation of neurological disorders and chronic pain comorbidity
• Grantee: Renato Leonardo de Freitas
• Support type: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 12/03798-0 - Involvement of opioid and endocanabinoid receptors of the substantia nigra on the activity of Nigro-Tectal GABAergic pathways during defensive behaviour elicited by rodents confronted with venomous snakes
• Grantee: Norberto Cysne Coimbra
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/13398-2 - Investigation of Chronic Neurophatic Pain and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Comorbidity: Role of Glutamatergic, Cannabinoid and Vanilloid Systems Involving the Prelimbic Cortex and the Periaqueductal Grey
• Grantee: Joyce Mendes Gomes Tessari
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 11/09850-1 - study of serotoninergic pathways that connect the dorsal raphe nucleus to the Lateral Septal Area on the Modulation of Defensive Behavior Organized by periaqueductal gray performed by the prefrontal cortex
• Grantee: Ricardo de Oliveira
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate