Habenula activation patterns in a preclinical model of neuropathic pain accompanied by depressive-like behaviour

Autor(es)

Antunes, Geiza Fernanda ; Pinheiro Campos, Ana Carolina ; de Assis, Danielle Varin ; Gouveia, Flavia Venetucci ; de Jesus Seno, Midia Dias ; Pagano, Rosana Lima ; Ruiz Martinez, Raquel Chacon

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: PLoS One; v. 17, n. 7, p. 12-pg., 2022-07-12.

Resumo

Pain and depression are complex disorders that frequently co-occur, resulting in diminished quality of life. The habenula is an epithalamic structure considered to play a pivotal role in the neurocircuitry of both pain and depression. The habenula can be divided into two major areas, the lateral and medial habenula, that can be further subdivided, resulting in 6 main subregions. Here, we investigated habenula activation patterns in a rat model of neuropathic pain with accompanying depressive-like behaviour. Wistar rats received active surgery for the development of neuropathic pain (chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve; CCI), sham surgery (surgical control), or no surgery (behavioural control). All animals were evaluated for mechanical nociceptive threshold using the paw pressure test and depressive-like behaviour using the forced swimming test, followed by evaluation of the immunoreactivity to cFos-a marker of neuronal activity-in the habenula and subregions. The Open Field Test was used to evaluate locomotor activity. Animals with peripheral neuropathy (CCI) showed decreased mechanical nociceptive threshold and increased depressive-like behaviour compared to control groups. The CCI group presented decreased cFos immunoreactivity in the total habenula, total lateral habenula and lateral habenula subregions, compared to controls. No difference was found in cFos immunoreactivity in the total medial habenula, however when evaluating the subregions of the medial habenula, we observed distinct activation patterns, with increase cFos immunoreactivity in the superior subregion and decrease in the central subregion. Taken together, our data suggest an involvement of the habenula in neuropathic pain and accompanying depressive-like behaviour. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 18/18695-9 - Estimulação cerebral profunda e Doença de Parkinson: controle da neuroinflamação como alvo terapêutico
• Beneficiário: Ana Carolina Pinheiro Campos
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado Direto
• Processo FAPESP: 11/08575-7 - Papel da modulação dopaminérgica no núcleo lateral da amígdala sobre a resposta condicionada de esquiva
• Beneficiário: Raquel Chacon Ruiz Martinez
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Jovens Pesquisadores
• Processo FAPESP: 13/20602-5 - Análise prospectiva dos resultados funcionais da amigdalotomia bilateral assistencial em pacientes com agressividade refratária
• Beneficiário: Flavia Venetucci Gouveia
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado