Neuromodulation of Hippocampal-Prefrontal Cortical Synaptic Plasticity and Functional Connectivity: Implications for Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Author(s)

Ruggiero, Rafael Naime ^[1] ; Rossignoli, Matheus Teixeira ^[1] ; Marques, Danilo Benette ^[1] ; de Sousa, Bruno Monteiro ^[2] ; Romcy-Pereira, Rodrigo Neves ^[3] ; Lopes-Aguiar, Cleiton ^[2] ; Leite, Joao Pereira ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Neurosci & Behav Sci, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Inst Biol Sci, Dept Physiol & Biophys, Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Rio Grande do Norte, Inst Brain, Natal, RN - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE; v. 15, OCT 11 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The hippocampus-prefrontal cortex (HPC-PFC) pathway plays a fundamental role in executive and emotional functions. Neurophysiological studies have begun to unveil the dynamics of HPC-PFC interaction in both immediate demands and long-term adaptations. Disruptions in HPC-PFC functional connectivity can contribute to neuropsychiatric symptoms observed in mental illnesses and neurological conditions, such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, and Alzheimer's disease. Given the role in functional and dysfunctional physiology, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms that modulate the dynamics of HPC-PFC communication. Two of the main mechanisms that regulate HPC-PFC interactions are synaptic plasticity and modulatory neurotransmission. Synaptic plasticity can be investigated inducing long-term potentiation or long-term depression, while spontaneous functional connectivity can be inferred by statistical dependencies between the local field potentials of both regions. In turn, several neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, and endocannabinoids, can regulate the fine-tuning of HPC-PFC connectivity. Despite experimental evidence, the effects of neuromodulation on HPC-PFC neuronal dynamics from cellular to behavioral levels are not fully understood. The current literature lacks a review that focuses on the main neurotransmitter interactions with HPC-PFC activity. Here we reviewed studies showing the effects of the main neurotransmitter systems in long- and short-term HPC-PFC synaptic plasticity. We also looked for the neuromodulatory effects on HPC-PFC oscillatory coordination. Finally, we review the implications of HPC-PFC disruption in synaptic plasticity and functional connectivity on cognition and neuropsychiatric disorders. The comprehensive overview of these impairments could help better understand the role of neuromodulation in HPC-PFC communication and generate insights into the etiology and physiopathology of clinical conditions.</p> (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/01510-6 - Study of the neural processing of meso-cortico-limbic circuitry during anhedonic-type behavior and its modulation by the endocannabinoid system
• Grantee: Matheus Teixeira Rossignoli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 16/17882-4 - Drug-resistant epilepsies: diagnostic challenges, associated comorbidities and new experimental approaches
• Grantee: João Pereira Leite
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/02303-4 - Study of the meso-cortico-limbic connectivity in animals submitted to early-life Status epilepticus and its relationship with psychiatric comorbidities
• Grantee: Rafael Naime Ruggiero
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral