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anat3022 > pfc and subcortical pleasure/reward circuit > Flashcards

pfc and subcortical pleasure/reward circuit Flashcards

1
Q

What are the projections to the PFC?

A

Remember: Bx2, Ax2, Hx2, C, O, M

B = Brainstem
B = Basal Ganglia
A = Amygdala
A = Association cortices 
H = Hippocampus
H = Hypothalamus
C = Cerebellum
O = Other PFC Areas
M = Medial Dorsal Thalamus
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2
Q

Lateral PFC

A

Temporal organisation of speech, behaviour and reasoning (rbs)

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3
Q

What is the function and the inputs/outputs of the VTA?

A

Function: is to differentiate between a positive and negative input. Increased DA firing if positive. GABA and GLU modulates the dopamine firing in response to stimulus.

Inputs: PHAN
PFC
Hippocampus
Amygdala
Nucleus Accumbens
Outputs: PHBBSV
PFC
Hypothalamus
Brainstem
BNST
Substantia Nigra 
Ventral Pallidum
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4
Q

What is the function of the NAc and its associated inputs and outputs?

A

Function: To increase DA and activity in relation to reward stimulus ie. Sensory (increase), Abstract(restricts), or Anticipatory(increases dependent on magnitude, effort and other factors influencing reward).

Inputs: PHATV(TA)
P - PFC (GLU)
H - Hippocampus
A - Amygdala
T - Thalamus (GLU)
V- VTA

Outputs: Very Small Boys’ Penis / Very High Nuts

V - VTA
S - SN
B - BNST
P - PPT
V - Ventral Pallidum
H - Hypothalamus
N - Nucleus Basalis
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5
Q

What is the function of the Ventral Pallidum and what are its inputs and outputs?

A

Function: is to direct and learn performance of reward incentive behaviour –> the motor output to achieve the reward.

Inputs: BASAL GANGLIA abbreviations (VVSSP)
VTA
VS - Ventral Striatum
SN
STN
PPT
Outputs: HELMET (SAM)
T - Thalamus
L - Lateral Habenula
D - Dorsal Pallidum
H - Hypothalamus
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6
Q

What is the function of the Lateral Habenula and its inputs and outputs?

A

Function: Anti-reward system; the negative regulation of DA and Serotonin release

Inputs: PAHB (PUB)
P - PFC
A - Amygdala
H - Hypothalamus
B - Basal Ganglia

Outputs: Very Bad
V - VTA
B - Brainstem nuclei

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7
Q

What is the function of the lateral hypothalamus and its inputs and outputs?

A

Functions: Reward processing and addiction (conditioned place preference)

Input: LITERALLY BS
Lateral septum
BNST

Output: V
V - VTA

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8
Q

What is the function of the Medial Dorsal Thalamus and its inputs and outputs?

A

Functions: relay centre (gateway into PFC)

Input: OF COURSE ITS LATERAL; Taking a NAP at CENTRAL; BOTH BRAINSTEM
(L) - OFC
(C) - Nucleus Accumbens (NAc); Amygdala, PFC
(Both) - Brainstem nuclei

Output: gateway to PFC
PFC

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9
Q

What is the function of the Cortices in the PFC and their projections to reward/pleasure structures (ie. sensory vs. abstract)?

A

Functions: the projections in the PFC allow for pleasure/rewards processing dependent on stimulus type (sensory or abstract).

SENSORY:

  • Posterior OFC
  • vmPFC

ABSTRACT:

  • Anterior OFC
  • mvPFC (medial)
  • dPFC and dACC –> reward comparison
  • mPFC –> reward tracking (size, value)
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10
Q

What type of cells are found in PFC layer 4?

A

Granular cells (high density)

Parvalbumin interneurons (GABAergic markers)

Somatostatin interneurons (GABAergic markers)

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11
Q

What are the 3 thalamic nuclei projections into the PFC and the outputs of PFC

A

INPUT PROJECTIONS:
Ventroanterior
Medialdorsal
Anterior complex

OUTPUT: (BHA)x2 COM
B - Brainstem
B - Basal Ganglia
A - Amygdala
A - Association Cortices
H - Hypothalamus
H - Hippocampus
C - Cerebellum
O - Other premotor areas
M - Medial Dorsal Thalamus
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12
Q

Explain Dopaminergic gated inputs.

A

DA leads to goal directed behaviour

Dopaminergic neurons in VTA project into layer 4 and 5 of PFC and synapse with GABAergic interneurons (parvalbumin/somatostatin) and pyramidal neurons.

High DA inhibits cortical input to BASAL dendrites, allowing thalamic dominance on APICAL dendrites

Low DA favours the BASAL dendrite input allowing cortical input to dominate

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13
Q

What are the other neurotransmitters inputs in PFC aside from DA?

A

Ach
- layers 3 to 6
- Basal Forebrain to ORBITAL, MEDIAL AND LATERAL PFC
!! and Lateral PFC receives Ach from brainstem !!

NE

  • layers 2 to 5
  • Locus coeruleus to ORBITAL, MEDIAL AND LATERAL PFC

SEROTONIN

  • layers 3 and 4
  • Brainstem to ORBITAL, MEDIAL AND LATERAL PFC
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14
Q

Development of PFC

A

Is a later developer in brain

1-2yrs: lengthening of dendrites and branching, and cell volume growth

16yrs: Highest density of synaptic formation reached

30+yrs: Neurotransmitter presence peaks

!! myelination takes many years !!

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15
Q

What are the sections of PFC, their location, and general function?

A

Orbtial PFC: Ventral-medial region
- emotional behaviour

Medial PFC: Medial-frontal lobe along longitudinal fissure
- emotional behaviour

Lateral PFC: Dorsolateral region
- temporal organisation of speech, behaviour and reasoning

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16
Q

What are the functional deficits of the orbital PFC if a lesion is present?

A

Symptoms similar to AHDH:

  • apathy and depression
  • euphoria
  • hyperactivity/distractibility
  • irritability
  • lack of regard for social and moral values
  • high risk behaviour
17
Q

What are the functional deficits of the medial PFC if a lesion is present?

A

Medial is related to lack of general Motility

  • decreased general motility
  • loss of ability to initiate speech & movement
  • lack of spontaneity
  • apathy
  • unaware of own condition
  • defective error correction
18
Q

What are the functional deficits of the lateral PFC if a lesion is present?

A

Refers to the loss of temporal organisation

  • Loss of executive and cognitive function involving time integration
  • decreased alertness
  • short term memory loss
  • inability to formulate motor sequences
  • inability to construct language sequences
  • depression and apathy
  • decreased interference control
19
Q

what does the wisconsin card test measure?

A
  • interference control
  • working memory
  • ability to plan action
  • attention
  • set shifting
20
Q

What is Encoding, Persistence and Enhancement neurons firing in Short Term Memory Representation?

A

Encoding (occurs in PFC): selective stimulus response enhancement

Persistence (occurs in PFC and Para-hippocampal gyrus): sustained response recognition during delay in stimulus.

Enhancement (occurs in PFC): selective stimulus delayed response enhancement

21
Q

The 3 main nuclei in the amygdala are…

A

Basolateral (input) –> connected to hippocampal excitatory pathway

Basal Accessory (processing)

Central (output)

22
Q

What are the 3 functions of the amygdala?

A

Remember: REM

  • Reward processing
  • Emotional learning and regulation
  • Memory formation
23
Q

What consists of the Extended Amygdala Complex?

A

the BNST and Central Amygdala are main components:

INPUT to BNST:

  • VTA = DA
  • PFC = GLU
  • Limbic system = GABA, GLU
  • Brainstem = Serotonin, NE

OUTPUT from BNST:

  • LH = GLU
  • VTA = GABA, GLU
  • PVN = GABA
24
Q

What is the function of the Hippocampus

A

Remember: SNL (sat night live)

  • spatial recognition
  • learning and memory
  • neurogenesis
25
Q

Excitatory pathway in the Hippocampus…

A

Input from Basolateral Nucleus (amygdala)

  1. entorhinal –> perforant synapses…
  2. dentate gyrus –> mossy fibre synapse…
  3. CA3 –> schaffer collateral synapse…
  4. CA1
  5. Loops back to entorhinal
26
Q

Role of stimulants and depressants (and examples) on hippocampal function:

A

Stimulants enhance CA1 neurons through cocaine, or nicotine…

Depressants decrease CA1 neurons though alcohol, opioids, and cannabis

27
Q

Name and describe the 3 stages of addiction:

A

Binge and Intoxication:

  • fast and steep increase in DA and DA binding to D1 receptors
  • produces ~high response

Withdrawal/ Negative Affect:

  • decreased sensitivity to rewards (drug)
  • increased threshold to drug effect
  • increased drug consumption to reach effect

Anticipation/Preoccupation:
- increase of PFC excitation to VTA to increase DA to incentive salience and conditioned behaviour favouring drug intake.

28
Q

Describe some mouse models paradigms for addiction

A

Pavlovian model –> drug cue and unique context etc

Intracranial stimulus = addictivenes of the abuse libablity

Place perference =

anat3022 (6 decks)

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